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The only standards indicated in those sections are for pressure treated wood. Exhibit B shows <br /> the different standards for pressure treated lumber Included in the evaluation reports for the two <br /> example products are the procedures for quality control. The company that manufactures the <br /> DAP product was contacted by myself and they admitted that it did not meet an equivalency for a <br /> pressure treatment process. In order to.be an equivalency life expectancy of 40 to 50 years, <br /> which pressure treated lumber does, it would need to be re-applied every several years. I feel it <br /> is very important to have the window wells constructed of pressure treated wood because <br /> window wells are an emergency egress and access means for fire department and emergency <br /> rescue They are required in every bedroom, and at least one window is required in a basement <br /> regardless of if it is finished or not. If a product does not meet the specifications for pressure <br /> treatment,with the longevity which a pressure treated wood has, I feel it would decay at a rate <br /> which would not allow the retaining wall to remain in tack sometime in the future. Should <br /> pressure be put on the retaining wall,to either climb out, or get into the window well, in a <br /> situation of emergency egress, the wall may fail at a crucial time. I think that window wells <br /> clearly fall into the category of section 2317, which are the requirements for a retaining wall. <br /> This section states that a wood used for a retaining wall shall be of treated wood. Treated wood <br /> is defined as wood that is treated with an approved preservative, under treating and quality <br /> control procedures. I think the key here is that the quality control procedures is possibly <br /> something that was missing from the application. I feel that Mr Aten is a very conscientious <br /> contractor and tried to do his best in this application,but I feel that I would be amiss in allowing <br /> this product for this particular application. I did respond to Mr Aten's request for the use of this <br /> product, in writing, on March 26, 1997 after talking to the DAP technical representative <br /> Board Questions to Staff <br /> Q Robert Spencer- Why was the contractor allowed to continue with construction after the <br /> inspection of October 10, 1996, in which the framing was rejected? <br /> A. Tom Talboom-The application of the window well was on the exterior of the building, <br /> and did not interfere with the framing of the building, so we allowed Mr Aten to proceed <br /> with the construction of the building. I really thought that a solution would have been <br /> reached earlier, however there may have-been some misunderstanding. At this time there <br /> is a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy and the home is occupied. <br /> Q Chuck Keim - How is the window well constructed, are the 2 X 10's vertical? <br /> A. Tom Talboom-No,they are laid horizontal in a stack. <br /> Tom Aten-They are arranged in a stepping manner They are literally steps if someone <br /> would need to use them for egress. <br /> Q Chuck Keim - What is the total distance at the top, away from the building, and what is <br /> the total height? <br /> A. Tom Aten-I would say anywhere from anywhere from 3 to 4 feet, vertically <br /> Tom Talboom-I am not sure how deep the window well goes below grade, but I would <br /> estimate 4 to 5 feet. <br /> Q Giles Schurman- What is the total horizontal length of the window wells? <br /> A. Tom Aten-Approximately 5 feet. <br /> 3 <br />