Kreg HD Screws

[Marty Rosenbloom]

Hello Kreg Executives,

I am soon to begin finishing my son's basement.

After checking with his city's building department (Southfield, Michigan) I have been informed that the Kreg HD screws are not approved for framing without the "ICC-ES" certification - which Kreg does not have.

One would think that Kreg, being such a major player in the marketplace, would immediately attain this certification.

Please explain, what am I missing?

I look forward to the Kreg decision-makers prompt reply.

Thank you in advance for your consideration and response.

Marty Rosenbloom

PS I am told that Kreg currently has the ICC-ES certification for their deck screws. I have been advised that the HD screws are much stronger than the deck screws, so what is the aversion to accreditation?

[KregRep]

Hi Marty.  We have obtained the IRC certification, which should be more than sufficient for code.  The IRC is part of the ICC, so they should accept it.  The ICC covers every type of building, whereas the IRC is just for one- and two-family residential homes.  Hopefully that makes sense.  If you have any further questions, please contact Kreg Customer Service directly by calling 800-447-8638 or by emailing [e-mail].  They are very knowledgeable and will be more than happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.  Thanks, and have a great day!
KregRep

[Marty Rosenbloom]

Kreg Rep,

What started off as a simple question has opened up to a can of worms.

Fortunately, because of this forum I have learned a lot. I thought all was settled, then your response arrived.

Your explanation was clear and wonderful. Except when I conferred with my city inspector and he did not agree based on one thing: your statements were true for the "railing force test" but not for the "framing test".

Please my fellow Kregors, I am only responding to the Reps email. I get it, I will use nails. But I just thought I would answer the latest reply. Nails, Nails, Nails.

[Jay Boutwell]

Marty that is how we learn and fortunately you were able to find out before you did a lot of work and then have to do it all over again.  There is a lot of codes that govern everything you do in any kind of home or business construction and it gets complicated.  Then to make matters worse they are constantly changing the rules.  Some of the building codes are good and others, well makes you wonder when some of the inspectors that you deal with show up and never hardly look at your job and or sit on the tail gate of a pickup and have coffee and eat donuts, never look at the work and then sign off on the building permit inspection. In some occasions it is like a source of revenue making you buy a permit and then pretty much ignore the inspection. 

I even have to deal with some of it in my cabinet building as  more and more codes are being inserted into the building codes to regulate how cabinetry has to be built, when It used to be considered like furniture in the building. 

I am sure that in time your will complete a successful build and while doing it, it will be a great learning experience and hopefully an enjoyable adventure.

[Ken Darga]

Hi Marty,

How's your project(s) coming along???

[Mike Goetzke]

Why has there not been a direct response to Marty's original question?

Mike

[Robert Brennan]

See...Reply by KregRep on March 2, 2015 at 10:32am