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You're bringing up codes again???
Come on, there is a reason these codes have been written. They have been written by people who are experienced with this stuff and know many of the various failure modes. The write the code so that inexperienced twerps like you and me can safely install this stuff and avoid the various failure modes we are not familier with.
So, when you ever find your self questioning why a certain code is in place, that means your in over your head (in terms of the subject matter) and you need to just follow code.
And keep in mind, code isn't written just to safe-guard you. Code is written to help safe-guard the next person that is going to own your house. Say you're going to live in your house forever? Based on what. We've seen what the economy can do... and one day, contrary to what anyone might tell you, you will die. If you haven't demolished the home by them, it will becomes someone else's responsibility.
EVERYTHING isn't required to be 18" down. As an example, phone lines and cable tv lines (at least the ones leading to your house) are never burried that deep. 6 inches is a maybe. But then again, these are not lines that risk life and limb should they be hit.
And just because those that came before you is no reason to skip following code.
For one, it might not be an utter lack of respect for the code, but someone making a mistake, basically two contractors not properly coordinating. For example, I used to work for the phone company and would hear stories where phone lines would get laid in a new developent, but then a landscape contractor would come through afterwards and dig up the usually shallow phone cables.
I can see similar things happening when it comes to installing other utilities. The utility comes in and installs utilities according to code. But at the time, landscaping was only rough. Final landscaping would then alter the depths of these utilities. But then, a part of trying to keep everyone save is the "Call before you dig" program is so that you'll know where to be careful.
Of course, I'll admit that the other side of the coin is that everyone is trying to get things done on the cheap and things do not get "properly" installed because of shotty work. But from what I've seen of building codes, they somewhat take that sort of thing into account. As an example, a part of the reason most utuilities are supposed to be 18" deep is so that a combination of some shotty installs and later landscaping might at least keep these utilities at a relatively safe depth.
This post has been edited 1 times, last edit by "debo" (Sep 14th 2009, 3:53pm)