Rite in the Rain All-Weather Writing Paper

The rainy Northeast spring and summer of 2003 led me to head for my backpacking supplies to pull out a now-valuable addition to my home inspection tools, Rite in the Rain, All-Weather Writing Paper.

This paper manufacturer’s tag line is “Outdoor writing products for outdoor writing people” and that’s us, isn’t it? I, like many of you, usually use a hand-held computer on site to record my inspections. I’m not willing, however, to take my expensive equipment out in the rain, sleet and snow. I don’t even want to touch it when I’ve been rained on, having learned an expensive and frustrating on-site lesson about how hand-held computers and water don’t mix. Instead I use Rite in the Rain paper to take notes in the rain.

Yes, in the rain. In the pouring rain. I’m telling you, you could be under the shower and be able to write notes on this paper. Rite in the Rain paper comes as copier paper, so you can print your report checklist on it if you’d like. It is available also in loose leaf format, a large assortment of notebooks, and in a variety of line and grid patterns.

For economy, it’s not paper you’ll want to use every day, but during those wet, stormy inspections, Rite in the Rain paper works, as we do, in the rain.

Go to www.riteintherain.com or call the manufacturer, J. L. Darling Corporation, at 253-922-5000.

– Arlene Puentes, ASHI Candidate

Fire code inspectorpocket guide available

Fire inspectors, fire marshals and other members of the fire service will benefit from a free pocket guide courtesy of State Farm Insurance, the International Code Council Foundation and the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

The Fire Code Inspector’s Guide is an easy reference for anyone conducting fire inspections. Based on the 2000 International Fire Code, the convenient pocket guide contains definitions, permit information and requirements for building occupancies. In a size that makes it easily accessible in the field, the Fire Code Inspector’s Guide is a valuable tool for both new and seasoned inspectors. Ray Brown, a veteran of the fire services at the Utah Fire and Rescue Academy, compiled the guide.

To order your copy of the Fire Code Inspector’s Guide, contact ICC at 800-423-6587, ext. 3264. Guides are available for $10 (ICC/IAFC members), and $12 (nonmembers).

Residential Ventilation
Standard published by ASHRAE

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers’ (ASHRAE) residential ventilation standard is now available.
The standard is intended for use by code bodies with many of the re-quirements already existing in one or more codes. It can be applied to new or existing houses. The standard provides the minimum requirements necessary to achieve acceptable indoor air quality for dwellings.
Prior to publication of the standard, ASHRAE addressed residential ventilation through ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality.

“The standard is appropriate for a wider audience, such as designers, contractors and engineers, all of whom design and build residential buildings,” said David Grimsrud, ASHRAE committee chair. “While 62.2 has evolved from the residential portion of Standard 62, it represents a major discussion of ventilation issues in residences, a substantial subset of buildings that were covered only briefly in Standard 62.”

The cost of ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2003, Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings, is $37 ($29, ASHRAE members).
To order, contact ASHRAE Customer Service at 800-527-4723 or visit www.ashrae.org.