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We have purchased and had erected 2 buildings form miracle truss. One of them will be used as a residence and will need to go through the inspections. On the permit paperwork, roof vents are mentioned. In speaking with my salesman, he had said that the buildings are designed with a closed eave system and are not to be vented. The roof purlins run gable to gable, not with the pitch of the roof. Can anybody explain what this all means, before I argue with the county...

Eaves are usually finished off with a soffit ( a covering ). This is where the overhang from the roof and walls meet and extend out about 12-18 inches depending on design.

The "closed eave system" that your salesman talks about is the "soffit" that covers the overhang. If this is pre-fabbed, then you probably don't need to add a "vent" here.

The roof vents are needed to remove moisture from the crawl space (or attic space) between the roof and the rafters. For habitation purposes, the roof vents should be installed on top of the roof and not have to bother the eaves.

Venting is necessary however to prevent wood rot.

Attachment 8240if you are talking about a ridge vent, I don't see the purpose behind it as the only thing it will be is an opening on the top "chamber" of the roof... there will be no air movement to it...

A picture is worth a thousand words!. then I don't see the need for a "roof vent" either. On the ridge vent above, is this covered with a clear plastic dome? From what I see it seems to be "open" but I don't think that's the case.

No it is not open, that picture was taken before they were done with the roof. Don't know what it is called, a ridge cap maybe??

Probably a ridge cap, however the real issue you are faced here with is how do you vent air up and through this ridge cap? Is this going to be an open ceiling or is it going to be covered with some sort of hanging ceiling, drywall, etc?

There will be drywall attached to the roof purlins. And it is not a ridge vent, it is just a cap. From what I was told the roof is entirely closed. I asked about speaking to an engineer, but he was on another call so I declined to wait.

Unfortunately, I have no further input but I am interested in what the engineers tell you and if inspection is going to pass this. Keep this post appraised.

By the way, did these folks claim that these structures were for habitation?

They have a Washington state engineer stamp. I was told by the company I purchased them from that if need be, they will supply the county with whatever they need.

I found the answer, I think. Washington state did not adopt irc 806.4, non vented attics or whatever it is called. So according to the building code, I have to vent it. However, the latest Washington state energy code, which covers ventilation of occupied structures, clearly states that it non vented attics are permissible. I argued with the woman that issued the permit over this, she claims that what I read was not true, however if you Google Washington state energy code, in paretically wac 51-11-1007 I believe, you will see that non vented vaulted ceilings are permitted

I noticed that. Well, then you have a good reason to continue forward with your plans. What are you going to do?