Diamond Piers Sold Direct for Engineered Projects
Diamond Piers sold through retail stores are pre-engineered to a specific capacity installed in a minimum soil compaction rating of 1500 per square foot. Currently products sold through retail stores are limited to:
Code Compliance for Diamond Piers Sold Through Retail Stores
The Diamond Pier is code compliant with municipalities that have adopted the IRC- International Residential Code - Versions 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015 & 2018. In the state of Wisconsin the Diamond Pier is governed by the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code and has been reviewed under the Wisconsin Building Product Evaluation - Product Approval # 201612-O.
Most states are governed by a state code, but if you live in a state that does not have a state code, you should first inquire with the building department as to their published code. If the local town, city or municipality has adopted the IRC code, the Diamond Pier ESR-1895 and the instructions below will apply.
Do not install the Diamond Pier Footings until the Building Department has approved your plans. The building department is required to review your project, prior to use, to insure the application of the Diamond Pier meets the requirements of the Diamond Pier installation manual, the ESR-1895 and that the project loads do not exceed the limits of the Diamond Pier load chart. There may also be site specific anomalies the will affect the use of the Diamond Pier product. The building department as the (AHJ) Authority Having Jurisdiction must insure that requirements listed above and that the intent of code has been met within the context of your site specific project.
Path to code compliance for products purchased through retail stores depend on the type of project being supported by the Diamond Pier DP50 & DP75 models.
Documents You'll Need to Submit with Your Plans
For projects defined in paragraph 2.0 of the ESR-1895; as decks, covered decks, walkways, stairways, and accessory structures defined in the International Residential Code (IRC), or similar projects that meet this intent submit to your local building code department:
- A copy of the ESR-1895
- A copy of the Diamond Pier Residential Load Chart
- A copy of the building plans with Diamond Pier foundation indicated and specified as the foundation of the project.
More Complex Projects
For projects that are defined as more complex than paragraph 2.0 of the ESR-1895, which is defined as; decks, covered decks, walkways, stairways, and accessory structures defined in the International Residential Code (IRC) one of the following two path may be satisfactory with the building department. Consult with your local building department regarding these additional paths to code compliance. They will inform you of any additional information needed.
- For projects that only require a review of bearing capacity, uplift and lateral loads and will be installed in soils that meet the 1500 psf minimum presumptive soil capacity, a registered design professional may submit a plan to the building department providing the Diamond Pier capacities and testing reports as evidence of equivalent or better performance when the required loads are within the limits of the published capacities of the Diamond Pier model being specified.
- For projects that require a review of asymmetrical, rotational, overturning, or dynamic forces; or where presumptive soil capacities cannot be determined, site specific engineering is required. Please reference Commercial and Special-Order Project Services (link)