Disclaimer & Terms of Use

1. Informational Purpose Only

All content on TradesRef, including tables, charts, reference values, code summaries, and accompanying text, is provided for general informational and reference purposes only. Nothing on this site constitutes professional engineering, electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, or construction advice of any kind.

TradesRef is not a licensed engineering firm, electrical contractor, plumbing contractor, or construction company. No professional-client relationship is created by your use of this site.

2. Always Verify with Your Local AHJ and Licensed Professionals

Building codes, electrical codes, plumbing codes, and structural requirements vary significantly by state, county, and municipality. The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) in your area has final authority over which code editions apply and how they are interpreted locally. You are solely responsible for verifying all requirements with your local AHJ before beginning any work.

TradesRef strongly recommends that all construction, electrical, plumbing, and structural work be designed and performed by appropriately licensed professionals.

3. No Warranty

TradesRef makes no warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, accuracy, completeness, or non-infringement. All data is provided "as is" and "as available."

Reference values, code citations, span tables, ampacity ratings, and all other data on this site may be incomplete, outdated, or superseded by newer code editions or local amendments. Code bodies including NFPA, ICC, ASME, and ACI update their standards regularly. Always obtain and consult the current edition of the applicable standard.

4. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, TradesRef and its owners, operators, contributors, and affiliates shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of, or reliance on, any information on this site. This includes but is not limited to:

• Personal injury or death
• Property damage or destruction
• Code violations, failed inspections, or permit denials
• Financial losses of any kind
• Structural failures, electrical failures, or plumbing failures

You assume all risk associated with the use of information on this site.

5. Data Currency and Code Adoption

Reference data on this site is reviewed periodically and noted with a review date. However, TradesRef does not guarantee that data reflects the most current published standards at the time of your visit. Code adoption timelines vary: many jurisdictions adopt new NEC, IRC, IBC, IPC, or UPC editions years after publication, and some adopt them with local amendments that alter specific requirements.

Always obtain the specific code edition adopted in your jurisdiction directly from your local AHJ.

6. Professional Consultation Required

The following applications always require licensed professional involvement and must never be based solely on reference tables:

• Any load-bearing structural design
• Main service electrical panel design and installation
• Underground or buried electrical work
• Gas line sizing and installation
• Fire suppression systems
• Any work in a commercial, industrial, or multi-family occupancy
• Any work subject to permit and inspection in your jurisdiction

7. External Links

This site may reference external standards bodies, code organizations, or other resources. TradesRef does not control these external sites and is not responsible for their content, accuracy, or availability.

8. Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to conflict of law principles.

9. Changes to This Disclaimer

TradesRef reserves the right to update this disclaimer at any time. Continued use of the site after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.