Wichita Commercial Plan Review: 36 Issues Found
An anonymized Wichita commercial plan review uncovered coordination and code issues—before permit.
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Key findings
Inadequate Wood Ledger Depth for Floor Joists
Structural
The first-level framing plan specifies a '2x8 WD LEDGER' supporting '2x10 FLR JST'. Since a 2x10 joist has a larger net depth (9.25 inches) than a 2x8 ledger (7.25 inches), the joist will hang 2 inches below the bottom of the ledger.
Column Cap Plate in Detail 8/S3.0 Exceeds Width of Concrete Beams CB-1 and CB-2
Structural
The 'CONCRETE BEAM SCHEDULE' specifies that beams CB-1 and CB-2 have a width of 0'-10' (10 inches). The 'FRAMING PLAN - FIRST LEVEL' assigns concrete beam 'CB-2' and calls out detail '8/S3.0' for the connections. Additionally, the 'LITE-DECK FRAMING PLAN NOTES' state that Detail 8/S3.0 is the specific detail for the steel column cap to the...
Floor Live Load on Drawing (55 PSF) Contradicts Specification Floor Joist Design Calculations (40 PSF)
Structural
The drawing's Floor Framing notes state that floor systems must support a live load of 55 PSF. However, the specification's floor joist design calculation uses a floor live load of L = 0.040 ksf (40 PSF) with a tributary width of 1.30 ft for 2x10 SPF No.2 joists spanning 11.0 ft. The resulting maximum bending stress ratio is already 0.919:1 at...
HDR-3 header shown as (2) 2x4 w/ plywood spacers contradicts specification-designed 4x6 member
Structural
The Wood Header Schedule defines HDR-3 as '(2) 2x4 w/ 1/2' PLYWD SPACERS'. The specification calculations for HDR-3 design the header as a solid 4x6 section (Spruce-Pine-Fir No.2, Span = 3.0 ft). A (2) 2x4 built-up assembly has an actual depth of only 3.5 inches versus the 4x6 actual depth of 5.5 inches, yielding approximately 35% of the...
Drawing specifies 2x8 wood ledger while structural calculations are based on a larger member (3.0' wide × 9.50' deep)
Structural
The framing plan calls out a '2x8 WD LEDGER W/ 5/8' ANCHOR INTO (E) CONC WALL @ 18' OC'. A 2x8 has actual dimensions of 1.5' × 7.25'. The structural calculation package designs the wood ledger with a width of 3.0 in and depth of 9.50 in, which corresponds to approximately a doubled 2x10 member. The drawing's 2x8 is undersized in both thickness...
Roof Geometry Mismatch: Hip vs. Gable Roof
Structural
The Roof Framing Plan drawing depicts a hip roof structure, explicitly detailing a '2x8 HIP BM' and a '2x10 RIDGE BM'. However, the calculation package (spec) modeled the structure as a gable roof, explicitly specifying the East and West faces as 'Gable' with a 90-degree slope, and an eave-to-ridge span of '8.5 ft'.
Header HDR-01 span on drawing (17') exceeds calculated design span (13')
Structural
The roof framing plan shows header 'HDR-01' spanning the entire left side of the hip roof enclosure. Since the parallel right wall is explicitly dimensioned as 17'-0' long, the geometry dictates that the left side opening is also approximately 17 feet. However, the structural calculations for this header ('HDR-1') specify a design span of only...
Rectangular spot footings F3x6 and F5x10 specify uniform reinforcement but ACI 318-19 requires banded...
Structural
The Grade Beam and Spot Footing Schedule specifies uniform reinforcement distribution for the rectangular footings F3x6 (3'-0' × 6'-0') and F5x10 (5'-0' × 10'-0') as '#5 T&B E.W. @ 12' OC', meaning equal spacing in both directions across the full footing. Per ACI 318-19 Section 13.3.3.3(b), for rectangular two-way isolated footings, a portion...
General note specifies 3/4' cover for all slabs, violating Table 20.5.1.3.1 minimums for slabs exposed to weather or...
Structural
Foundations and Concrete Note 8 specifies a blanket concrete cover of 3/4' for all slabs without distinguishing between exposure conditions. ACI 318-19 Table 20.5.1.3.1 permits 3/4' cover only for slabs, joists, and walls that are not exposed to weather or in contact with ground, with No. 11 bar and smaller. For slabs exposed to weather or in...
Reinforcement explicitly designated for estimating purposes only
Structural
Drawing Note 7 under 'FOUNDATIONS AND CONCRETE' explicitly states that the concrete reinforcing bars shown are 'for estimating purposes only.' However, ACI 318-19 Section 26.6.1.1 requires the construction documents to definitively provide the actual design information for reinforcement, including the 'Type, size, location requirements,...
Issue categories
More example findings
Inadequate Wood Ledger Depth for Floor JoistsStructuralCritical
Summary: The first-level framing plan specifies a '2x8 WD LEDGER' supporting '2x10 FLR JST'. Since a 2x10 joist has a larger net depth (9.25 inches) than a 2x8 ledger (7.25 inches), the joist will hang 2 inches below the bottom of the ledger.
Why it matters:
Suggested next step:
RFI draft:
Column Cap Plate in Detail 8/S3.0 Exceeds Width of Concrete Beams CB-1 and CB-2StructuralCritical
Summary: The 'CONCRETE BEAM SCHEDULE' specifies that beams CB-1 and CB-2 have a width of 0'-10' (10 inches). The 'FRAMING PLAN - FIRST LEVEL' assigns concrete beam 'CB-2' and calls out detail '8/S3.0' for the connections. Additionally, the 'LITE-DECK FRAMING PLAN NOTES' state that Detail 8/S3.0 is the specific detail for the steel column cap to the...
Why it matters:
Suggested next step:
RFI draft:
Floor Live Load on Drawing (55 PSF) Contradicts Specification Floor Joist Design Calculations (40 PSF)StructuralCritical
Summary: The drawing's Floor Framing notes state that floor systems must support a live load of 55 PSF. However, the specification's floor joist design calculation uses a floor live load of L = 0.040 ksf (40 PSF) with a tributary width of 1.30 ft for 2x10 SPF No.2 joists spanning 11.0 ft. The resulting maximum bending stress ratio is already 0.919:1 at...
Why it matters:
Suggested next step:
RFI draft:
HDR-3 header shown as (2) 2x4 w/ plywood spacers contradicts specification-designed 4x6 memberStructuralCritical
Summary: The Wood Header Schedule defines HDR-3 as '(2) 2x4 w/ 1/2' PLYWD SPACERS'. The specification calculations for HDR-3 design the header as a solid 4x6 section (Spruce-Pine-Fir No.2, Span = 3.0 ft). A (2) 2x4 built-up assembly has an actual depth of only 3.5 inches versus the 4x6 actual depth of 5.5 inches, yielding approximately 35% of the...
Why it matters:
Suggested next step:
RFI draft:
Drawing specifies 2x8 wood ledger while structural calculations are based on a larger member (3.0' wide × 9.50' deep)StructuralCritical
Summary: The framing plan calls out a '2x8 WD LEDGER W/ 5/8' ANCHOR INTO (E) CONC WALL @ 18' OC'. A 2x8 has actual dimensions of 1.5' × 7.25'. The structural calculation package designs the wood ledger with a width of 3.0 in and depth of 9.50 in, which corresponds to approximately a doubled 2x10 member. The drawing's 2x8 is undersized in both thickness...
Why it matters:
Suggested next step:
RFI draft:
Roof Geometry Mismatch: Hip vs. Gable RoofStructuralCritical
Summary: The Roof Framing Plan drawing depicts a hip roof structure, explicitly detailing a '2x8 HIP BM' and a '2x10 RIDGE BM'. However, the calculation package (spec) modeled the structure as a gable roof, explicitly specifying the East and West faces as 'Gable' with a 90-degree slope, and an eave-to-ridge span of '8.5 ft'.
Why it matters:
Suggested next step:
RFI draft:
Header HDR-01 span on drawing (17') exceeds calculated design span (13')StructuralCritical
Summary: The roof framing plan shows header 'HDR-01' spanning the entire left side of the hip roof enclosure. Since the parallel right wall is explicitly dimensioned as 17'-0' long, the geometry dictates that the left side opening is also approximately 17 feet. However, the structural calculations for this header ('HDR-1') specify a design span of only...
Why it matters:
Suggested next step:
RFI draft:
Rectangular spot footings F3x6 and F5x10 specify uniform reinforcement but ACI 318-19 requires banded...StructuralHigh
Summary: The Grade Beam and Spot Footing Schedule specifies uniform reinforcement distribution for the rectangular footings F3x6 (3'-0' × 6'-0') and F5x10 (5'-0' × 10'-0') as '#5 T&B E.W. @ 12' OC', meaning equal spacing in both directions across the full footing. Per ACI 318-19 Section 13.3.3.3(b), for rectangular two-way isolated footings, a portion...
Why it matters:
Suggested next step:
RFI draft:
General note specifies 3/4' cover for all slabs, violating Table 20.5.1.3.1 minimums for slabs exposed to weather or...StructuralHigh
Summary: Foundations and Concrete Note 8 specifies a blanket concrete cover of 3/4' for all slabs without distinguishing between exposure conditions. ACI 318-19 Table 20.5.1.3.1 permits 3/4' cover only for slabs, joists, and walls that are not exposed to weather or in contact with ground, with No. 11 bar and smaller. For slabs exposed to weather or in...
Why it matters:
Suggested next step:
RFI draft:
Reinforcement explicitly designated for estimating purposes onlyStructuralHigh
Summary: Drawing Note 7 under 'FOUNDATIONS AND CONCRETE' explicitly states that the concrete reinforcing bars shown are 'for estimating purposes only.' However, ACI 318-19 Section 26.6.1.1 requires the construction documents to definitively provide the actual design information for reinforcement, including the 'Type, size, location requirements,...
Why it matters:
Suggested next step:
RFI draft:
Impossible post-installation of rigid #4 U-bars into existing footingStructuralHigh
Summary: Detail 10 specifies connecting the new column extension to the existing footing using a '#4 U-BAR @ 12' OC, EMBED 12' INTO EXIST FTG W/ HILTI HY-100'. A U-bar has a continuous 180-degree bend connecting its two legs. Post-installing a rigid U-bar 12 inches deep into existing concrete with adhesive is a severe detailing mistake. It requires...
Why it matters:
Suggested next step:
RFI draft:
Design Rainfall Intensity Based on 60-Minute Duration Instead of Required 15-Minute DurationStructuralHigh
Summary: The drawing specifies a 60-minute rainfall intensity of 3.81 in/hr for the design rain load parameter. IBC Section 1611.1 explicitly requires that rainfall intensity shall be determined based on 15-minute duration storms. The 15-minute duration intensity for the same location and return period is typically 2 to 3 times higher than the 60-minute...
Why it matters:
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RFI draft:
Flat Roof Snow Load (Pf) Appears Incorrectly Calculated Using Double 0.7 FactorStructuralHigh
Summary: The drawing lists ground snow load Pg = 22 PSF with Ce = 0.9, Ct = 1.0, and Is = 1.1, but states the flat roof snow load Pf = 11.0 PSF. Using the ASCE 7 flat roof snow load formula (pf = 0.7 × Ce × Ct × Is × pg) required by IBC Section 1608.1, the correct Pf = 0.7 × 0.9 × 1.0 × 1.1 × 22 = 15.25 PSF. The stated Pf = 11.0 can only be derived by...
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Undimensioned Column Centers on Foundation PlanStructuralHigh
Summary: The foundation plan shows three structural columns (indicated by black squares) in the lower central area below Grid B, but there are no dimensions indicating their column centers or offsets relative to any grid lines.
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RFI draft:
Insufficient Anchor Rod Projection for 1/2' and 5/8' RodsStructuralHigh
Summary: The Anchor Rod Schedule specifies a '3'' PROJECTION for both 1/2' and 5/8' anchor rods. However, typical baseplate details (such as Detail 2) require the column base to sit on '1-1/2' NS GROUT' with a '3/4'' thick baseplate (PL). Furthermore, the typical anchor rod embedment detail requires a '3/8' THICK WASHER'. The combined minimum thickness...
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This is an anonymized example. Findings shown are excerpts for illustration. Actual project details have been modified to protect client confidentiality.
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