richieisloco Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 I live I Dubuque, Iowa. I would love to be closer to some other blacksmiths. I know of a few here, but have only seen them at the museum when they did the blacksmithing days in may. Would be nice if we could do some hammer ins or such. I am still waiting for the letter from the zoning inspector. He and the residential building inspector will be showing up on Monday morning. I am not going to back down, I will be civil and respectful, but will take it as far as I can. But, I can't be within the code until I know how to do so, guess will have to wait for Monday and then go from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 get any formal complain in writing including the CIVIL CODE NUMBER of your accused violation. You may be suprised how fast they decide NOT to cite you when they have to document it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LawnJockey Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Here in the Bay Area we have the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Busy body neighbors report anything with smoke and they send a couple of their over compensated lackies out to check it out. Usually they will warn you the first time and then citations after that. The problem with this agency is that it is regional so the citizens really don't have any voice in it. They do crazy stuff like last Christmas they banned fires in firplaces on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I don't think wood burning fireplaces are even allowed in new construction anymore. We are kind of lucky where we are because it is semi rural. When it isn't so dry we have been known to have bonfires out back, or as we like to call them "agricultural burns". We don't complain when the neighobrs have had a few and start shooting their pistols and they don't complain about us either. It works best for everyone that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis Trez Cole Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 I did some test with a decibel meter My wife download to her phone. running the power hammer was 80 dbi. and hammer to anvil 85 dbi. well with in the safe zone for hearing. Then you need to know what the county level is. I figure I know the noise level that I am producing and if some one shows up to challenge the level I will just let them tell me what range I should be in then I will pull out my meter and show them what I have. Radio shack sells one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 How loud is dangerous? Reference Typical dbA levels 190 dBA Heavy weapons, 10 m behind the weapon (greatest level) 180 dBA Toy pistol fired close to ear (greatest level) 170 dBA Slap on the ear, fire cracker explodes on shoulder, small arms at a distance of 50 cm (greatest level) 160 dBA Hammer stroke on brass tubing or steel plate at 1 m distance, airbag deployment very close at a distance of 30 cm (greatest level) 150 dBA Hammer stroke in a smithy at 5 m distance (greatest level) 130 dBA Loud hand clapping at 1 m distance (greatest level) 120 dBA Whistle at 1 m distance, test run of a jet at 15 m distance Threshold of pain, above this fast-acting hearing damage in short action is possible 115 dBA Take-off sound of planes at 10 m distance 110 dBA Siren *) at 10 m distance, frequent sound level in discotheques and close to loudspeakers at rock concerts, violin close to the ear of an orchestra musicians (greatest level) 105 dBA Chain saw at 1 m distance, banging car door at 1 m distance (greatest level), racing car at 40 m distance, possible level with music head phones 100 dBA Frequent level with music via head phones, jack hammer at 10 m distance 95 dBA Loud crying, hand circular saw at 1 m distance 90 dBA Angle grinder outside at 1 m distance Over a duration of 40 hours a week hearing damage is possible 85 dBA 2-stroke chain-saw at 10 m distance, loud WC flush at 1 m distance 80 dBA Very loud traffic noise of passing lorries at 7.5 m distance, high traffic on an expressway at 25 m distance 75 dBA Passing car at 7.5 m distance, un-silenced wood shredder at 10 m distance 70 dBA Level close to a main road by day, quiet hair dryer at 1 m distance to ear 65 dBA Bad risk of heart circulation disease at constant impact is possible 60 dBA Noisy lawn mower at 10 m distance 55 dBA Low volume of radio or TV at 1 m distance, noisy vacuum cleaner at 10 m distance 50 dBA Refrigerator at 1 m distance, bird twitter outside at 15 m distance 45 dBA Noise of normal living; talking, or radio in the background 40 dBA Distraction when learning or concentration is possible 35 dBA Very quiet room fan at low speed at 1 m distance 25 dBA Sound of breathing at 1 m distance 0 dB Auditory threshold Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arcc Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 Strange my anvil is no where near my angle grinder or saws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richieisloco Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 OK, so I had dealt with the visit from the zoning, the residential, health inspectors as well as the fire Marshall. I am allowed to have my forge. Just have to move it 15 feet away from the house. It was 10 feet, no biggie since it is on wheels. I am allowed to have a blacksmith shop and use it. But, I have to put up a shop that can withstand 90 mph winds and can hold 30 lbs/square foot of snow. So, I will be buying some steel sheeting to mount to the steel frame of my building. As well as cementing the legs into the ground. Got to buy an 8 gauge power cord until I can afford to have it hardwired into the shop. If that's what it takes. Fine. Still have to find the dang property pins, which is hard due to before the house was built in 1898, this used to be a landfill, so the metal detector goes off every 5 seconds. But, I can scrap that and use the money to buy better steel. Also, where the one pin is between us and the neighbors was a coal shed. So, I have been working on filling a five gallon bucket with it as well. Don't think the zoning inspector liked the fire Marshall and building inspector saying yes I can. Hopefully the letter will be here soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SReynolds Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 I have one pesky neighbor as well............ She lays out in the sun, wearing very little, and it has effected my forge work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacobd Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 I have one pesky neighbor as well............ She lays out in the sun, wearing very little, and it has effected my forge work. Those are the worst :) My neighbors daughter is only a couple years older than me (23 I think) and they have a pool in their back yard..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SReynolds Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 oh.....XXXXX........ That has got to be tough. I feel your pain, man! please watch your language, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 go to a heavier shade on your safety glasses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSW Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 If you know a farrier, maybe you can borrow a set of those blinders they use on carriage horses in the city. LOL :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george m. Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 Here is a tip I have learned as a local government attorney: If you get a jerk inspector who is giving you problems ask nicely for the section of the zoning/fire/building code they are relying upon. Then, go read it. Many municipalities and counties have it posted on their web site. If not, go into their office and read the hard copy. Also, read the pertinent parts of the definitions section. Make sure the language of the Code backs up what the inspector is saying. Too often I have seen inspectors push the limits of the Code too far or misunderstand it themselves. Also, if the language of the Ordinance or Resolution which adopts the Code just says, "The most recent edition of the X Code" there is a legal problem because that, in many states, is an improper delegation of the municipality's or county's authority to the organizations which write and publish the various codes. To be effective the adopting legislations should refer to a particular edition of X code. Even if you are in the right, don't be a jerk about it. That usually only makes the situation worse. I have found the "more in sorrow than in anger" approach to work reasonably well. Finally, it is always an excellent idea to talk with an attorney. Many do not charge for an initial consultation and sometimes their hourly rate is worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 Remember that in rural areas it's more the people than the code. Our pastor ran into a situation where the inspector said "I don't care what the code says there will be no XYZ in *My* *County*!" Yes you could win a court case but lose the war so to speak.When I had my shop built one of the pluses was that the #2 guy in the company had been the previous building inspector for southern NM. Everything met or bettered code and I think the inspections were handled by phone... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SReynolds Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 I'm ok with that, but remember; some people you can't please. When I had my home built, the contractor turned out to be just one. He was alsways upset. Always angry. When I first met him, after he began the work of excavation, he proceded to inform me the seven different reasons as to why he would take me to court. I hadnd't even do anything yet to make him mad..... 1 The check would not clear 2 The check was late 3 The check would be for the incorrect amount etc.etc.etc. If youhave ever built a home you'd know that you make payments to the contractor as they built it. This guy swould be upset with me/the world if I came to him with my hat in my hand and looking at the ground. Thus, don't put much hope in treating someboby like they are a god/showing respect/ timidly etc. etc.. It probably will not work. The old addage that more bees are cought with honey rather than vinegar may work, but I'm not wanting to catch bees here. Folks who do not show respect do not deserve any. Even if they have a 150# Hay Budden for cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george m. Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 True, there are some people that are just plain jerks, unreasonable, or crazy but it doesn't cost you a nickel to try the nice approach. If it doesn't work you it hasn't cost you anything and if it does work you are home and dry. The problem is when you are a jerk, unreasonable, or crazy yourself. Unfortunately, I've known a few smiths who fall into one or more of those categories. When you have someone like Thomas' inspector sometimes a cup of coffee with a County Commissioner or City Council member will help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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