staircase

The Hazards of Old Stairways

Stairways are a common feature in many homes, but they can also be a source of danger. Old stairways are especially prone to hazards, as they may have been built to outdated standards or have deteriorated over time. Here are some of the most common hazards found with old stairways: High, open risers and narrow […]

laundry

Why we call out the lack of a self-closing laundry chute door

The requirement for self-closing laundry chute doors was first introduced in the 2003 edition of the International Building Code (IBC). This requirement was made in response to a number of fires that had been caused by laundry chutes. In one such fire, a laundry chute door was left open, allowing smoke and flames to spread […]

electrical

Adding an electrical sub panel

If you are installing a subpanel in your house be aware that four conductors are required in a subpanel in a house that has the service panel as well. The four conductors are:  * Two hot wires (black and red)  * One neutral wire (white)  * One ground wire (green or bare copper)  The neutral […]