My builder won't give me the engineering report showing the truss can support the load of the air handler?

Question

My home inspector said that the air handler is resting on the truss cord in the attic and that we should get a copy of the engineering report that shows that the truss can handle the load. Beazer said "on the air handler in the attic," they couldn't give a copy of the blueprints because they have the engineers seal on them.
Is that true? My inspector said if they can't produce the report to call code enforcement. Has anyone had this issue come up before and how did they handle it?

I have a contract to buy the house. One of the requirements is that it meets code. My inspector said that it is unusual to put the air handler on the truss and the building code says that if the air handler will be truss supported that it requires engineering. When I asked for it Beazer said that they can't give me the proof of engineering because the blueprint has the engineer's seal. My inspector already said that if they can't produce the report that I would have to get code enforcement out. Is it odd that they said they can't give me proof because the blueprint has an engineering seal?

Answer 1

Make sure the builder discloses all docs to you. This kind of information can't be sealed from the customer. I think he is trying to hide something from you.

Answer 2

when you buy a house, you are also buying all the engineering that goes into that house. You are due a copy of the house drawings. In fact for the trusses of your house, a truss manufacturer would have had to prepare truss drawings which show all the trusses and how each one is made. It also shows the collateral loads if any. Collateral loads such as your AHU should also be shown and that particular pair or trio of trusses would have to be checked for the air handler unit dead load.

Never take no for an answer, I had a similar problem and had to rant and rave to get my house drawings. Just because an engineer sealed the drawings does not mean you cannot get them. You can get a copy but not the original.

You can always file a complaint with the registrar of contractors which would fully describe your issues. They will investigate and if the contractor is found to be at fault, they will cite the contractor and get you the relief to which you are entitled.

Answer 3

You haven't given enough information.

You should first check with the local building inspection department to see what their requirements are. Maybe you don't really have a problem.

Who installed the air handler? If Beazer did, and it is their air handler, then it is probably their responsibility to provide a stamped drawing showing the air handler installed.
If it is your air handler and you had it installed it is either your or your installation contractor's responsibility to get the documents required.
If you are buying the house from someone else then it is their responsibility to furnish the documents.

If all else fails, call a local structural engineering consultant and for $200 he can give you a sketch and a set of calcs.
I have done it this way several times for bearing walls where openings were made wider and I needed calcs for the local building inspector.