rafter question

[oreo123]

This has been a project that has been going on & off for 6 years. This is a third floor attic loft where the existing 8 ' ceiling was removed and we are vaulting up to the roof line. A structural engineer brought in twice. We added 7 velux skywindows. To keep everyone happy we sistered onto the existing rafter with a micro lam beam, framed the skywindow, and on other side of skywindow we installed 2 micro lams and then maybe a foot away is the existing rafter. They beams, like the rafters are 14 feet long - from the peak down to the house walls. Basically we cut one rafter for the skywindow and have double headers. There is no bounce with windows installed.

Rough plumbing and wiring were signed off so the building inspector came in 2 days ago.

We installed vents from the soffits all the way up to the peak which has a ridge vent. But not in all bays. The inspector wants them in all bays. I have questions:

1. Where there are skywindows he wants a vent underneath it to the bottom of the skywindow. Then he wants a one inch hole drilled into the rafters so that air will escape into the next bay. After adding all these beams for structural reasons I cannot believe that he wants us to cut these holes. Has anyone else had their local inspector made them do this?

2. Some bays have recessed lighting in them. He wants the vents to go right up to them. Odds are these strofoam vents will touch the light fixture. He told us to go around them. The lights have the thermostats in them if they overheat. Has anyone a good idea how to go around these light fixtures?

TIA,

[Rich]

As far as the holes in the beams/rafters as long as it doesn't get to being too big it should be ok. You can do a search on google for cutting rafters and maybe find some rule of thumbs for whatever size you have.
Your guess is as good as mine - do the best you can I guess. There may be some information on a website somewhere - maybe the manufacturer has some suggestions.
It sounds like you have an inspector with a chip on his/her shoulder. Which is pretty typical :)

[grumpydasmurf]

Vent all rafter pockets. Venting every other pocket is a waste of money on the pockets you do vent.

What the inspector is telling you is the right way to do it, cutting holes in the center of the beam won't weaken it. This is how most ridge vent manufacurers suggest you deal with your situation, and how we've dealt with it many times. Consult your engineer, because I have in the past, and they don't have problems so long as the holes in dead center.

No idea how to go around the lights without pics. Sorry.

[grumpydasmurf]

Oh yeah NOTCHES will weaken the beam. What your doing is essentially taking a 2x6 and making it a 2x4.

[oreo123]

They are just under 14 feet * 2 inches * 5.75 inches. I remember I had to cut off maybe 3/4 inch as they were 6.5 inches. This was like 6 years ago. I would only do a hole in the center and thinking of 1 inch hole. Then I guess I will have no insuation as the depth will cover that hole. So I sacrifice the insulation for the ventilation - fine.

The lights are mounted with hangers and they are either r 30 or r 20 lights. This is to keep the depth down. The back of the light fixture is probably half inch to the roof. I was leaving no insulation 6 inches around entire light anyway. The lights have the safey thermistat in them if they over heat or have someone place an incorrect wattage bulb. I am now thinking of not having that air shield behind the light as its a styrofoam material. And just let the air pass by. There is full ridge vent above and roof is about 4.

There is a description of the place here but the server is wicked slow...
http://free.hostdepartment.com/o/oreo123/oreo123.html

Is it just me or does it seem that regardless of the inspector they have to find something wrong?