Exception noted ... I'll be sure to remember it the next time I'm in a crawl space.
Why there? Because that's where I can see the framing that has been butchered to allow for pipes - one sure location is the bathtub drain. I've yet to see a properly 'boxed' opening there. Nope, it's just hack away the joist until there's room for the plumbing.
Commercial? I'm thinking back to the gas station / minimart conversion, where the GC simply cut off and removed one of the structural columns that interfered with the proposed counter layout. Or where the (used) vertical furnace was simply laid on it's side to make it fit atop the office.
I think of the local Arby's. A year ago this building suffered a minor fire. Inspection revealed the roof structure totally compromised when the HVAC ducts were run. The place sits vacant now, awaiting a complete rebuild. A nearby Hardees (Carl's Jr.) has the exact same issues- leading to chronic roof leaks. Hardees just built a new place down the road, and is now trying to sell the old place.
I think of a local Cola bottling plant, where one of the functioning boiler flue chases is used to route ALL of the data and automation wiring. Not only is the wire subjected to high temperatures; flammables (wire) are within the required clear space, and the fire integrity of the chase is completely compromised.
I think of a major Hotel/Casino in Reno, where the contractor saw no problem in placing a p-trap within a switchgear room, directly over the gear, even after several breaker failures. Drip. Drip. I recall how one of the owners insisted the breaker failures were to be covered under the EC's warranty - the illegally added bar above notwithstanding.
I think of one of the local mills, where one contractor saw no issues with placing a radiant heater directly behind a plastic fan.
What can't be left out of these tales is the role of the customer. Many times, it is the customer who deliberately creates these issues; there's only so much a contractor can do. You don't succeed in business by arguing with your customers.
Twice I have been asked to hook up illegal equipment. Twice I have refused. In both instances, there was no shortage of reputable contractors who said "no problem."
That's one reason inspections are a sham. Often it seems that passing "final" is when the work really begins.
