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I was semi roped into a project as the only architect in a large engineering firm. Not part of the team, but was "asked" a question. team assigned to the project felt IBC didn't apply. Its a public walking bridge over a pond on municipal land. think park where people go to walk, and then use the bridge to walk over the body of water. Does IBC apply? I believe it does. the team did not. they felt only accessible codes would apply. Curious if anyone has done one that could chime in...
Thread 'Stair separation & continuity of fire barriers around primary and secondary members'
R2 use - 4 floors - 3B construction - Currently exposed wood beams and columns, 3x14 floor joist. pretty typical warehouse 13R sprinkler, with chapter 420.2/3 and the chapter 708.3/711 requirements this is 1 hour between unit partition and floors. (I think I can do a 30 min corridor but that's not the issue here.) Constructing a new stair , and ideally this would be constructed somewhere between my column and beam grid as a continues shaft. but following tread and riser count I need to...
Looking at a stand-alone covered parking structure for a utility company to shelter their service trucks, which will be approximately 17,000 square feet in size. Essentially, it's some steel columns and a roof, open on all sides. In my opinion, it closely resembles a carport, but I am getting hung up on the wording of 406.3.1. 406.3.1 Classification: Private garages and carports shall be classified as Group U occupancies. Each private garage shall be not greater than 1,000 square feet (93...
There is an ICC interpretation that allows an architect or a designer to effectively limit a dead-end corridor length by installing doors across the corridor. How far can I take this? For example, I have a dead end corridor in a building with an assembly occupancy. It begins at the assembly room and ends at a building exit. For security reasons, once you enter the corridor from the assembly room the doors will automatically close and lock behind you. The corridor is 60-ft long, but the...
Hi all! I'm working on an addition to an existing building that doesn't conform to height and area limits per the IBC. Because of that, we're classifying the new area as a "separate building" by providing proper fire walls between the two structures. The buildings connect in an "L" shape, which causes the imaginary Fire Separation Distance (FSD) line to fall at a 45-degree angle. To determine the required wall rating, I broke the wall into portions based on the FSD and construction types...
I currently have a 1920's commercial space (kitchen in CA, mild climate) that has a wood floor over a crawlspace completely below grade. We excavated to achieve 18" min. clearance and added a floor hatch (this is a plumbing repair and complete floor replacement job). My questions are about venting. In an unvented scenario, Residential code allows vapor barrier over earth with a dehumidifier installed (section R408.3.2.2.4). However, when I get to CBC (commercial) they do not have a...
Hello, I have an elevator penthouse on top of a 5 story building. The gutter is 11' above the adjacent flat roof surface. The penthouse roof has nothing else requiring maintenance. Is it allowable to maintain this gutter with a movable ladder or would a permanent ladder need to be installed? 2018 IBC and IMC. Referencing 2018 IMC "306.5 Equipment and appliances on roofs or elevated structures: Where equipment requiring access or appliances are located on an elevated structure or the roof...
Hey! I have a general question re IBC section 705.8. Do these wall openings regulate all portions of an exterior wall- even if they dont need to be rated? Say for example I have an exterior wall in a building- type VB construction- with a FSD of 15' to an existing building on the same lot. Per 705.5 The wall would not need to be rated. Do I need to still comply with opening protectives of 75% of the wall opening per 705.8?
What occupancy type would you set for a mulch bagging plant. There shall be no mulch stored inside the building. It will be brought in by front end loader as they are putting it into bags.
Has anyone had any experience with this? Building used as mechanics shop with a residence up above. No fire rating between two uses because it was prior to that code being enacted. New mechanic takes over space and residence above. Code enforcement is requiring it to be separated by a 2 hour floor ceiling assembly per current code before he can open. He is stating that because the space was unoccupied for a period of time the original use expired? Sort of tricky providing a 2 hour...
Michigan Building Code 2021 40,000sf type A-3 single story pre-fab structure IIB construction with Fire suppression Doing a code review for a possible trampoline park. The main 40,000 sf portion of the building would be considered Unlimited area per section 507.6 for A-3 of IIB. Owner is wanting to add a 3,000 sf (2) story appendage to the footprint. First floor will be A-3, second floor will be A-2 party rooms. So my problem is that the building does not fall into unlimited if there is...
Thread 'Parking Garage to R2, Type V Construction'
How do you connect an R2, four-story building of Type V construction to a concrete parking garage where two breezeways with elevators are located? The elevators are incorporated into the breezeways. The R2 building is FS protected. These are two different types of construction. The 3rd floor has a concrete catwalk where the elevators meet, where you can go left or right to the appropriate R2. The units are two stories each. There are 12 units. Click on the image to enlarge.
Hey everyone, I’m new to navigating occupancy groups and building codes, so bear with me. I’m in Texas and currently leasing a space that’s about 2,450 sqft. I’m in the process of getting our occupancy permit, but I’ve run into a bit of a challenge. The fire marshal has the space classified as Group B, which I understand. But based on that classification, it’s only rated for 16 occupants using a load factor of 150. That’s a problem for us since we’re expecting to have 30+ people in the...
Hello all, I purchased a used 710B hood so that I could purchase a fryer for my restaurant. It is specifically an American Hood Systems AVH 23: https://www.americanhood.com/products/ventless_hoods/ventless_hood.html I planned on getting it professionally installed with all of the permits. The fire marshal is not having an issue with it, but the building inspector is saying that I need a Type 1 hood for a fryer, and it needs to vent out of the building. I also know that I will only be...
We use high-speed fabric doors for fork truck operations, combined with steel fire doors for wall rating, between production rooms and traffic corridors. At last code review we were told to provide flame spread rating for the fabric door as interior wall finish per IBC Sec 803.1. I can't really disagree with his logic, due to fabric exposure on one side or the other of the separation wall. I have checked with supplier, manufacturer, door manufacturers association, other...
I am designing a wood trussed roof system for a building located in Boston Harbor. According to IBC2009 Section 2308.10.1, the rafter to truss ties to the wall below shall comply with Tables 2304.9.1 and 2308.10.1. I have confirmed that the uplift forces in the table are based upon Figure 6-2 of ASCE7-05 for a roof slope of 25degrees (MWFRS-Method 1). Footnote "c" states that the values in the table include an allowance for 10lbs of dead load. I believe there has been no allowance for dead...
*Newbie post* Hello all. First timer here. I'm looking for thoughts on building code / accessibility requirements for the following: Existing residence is being considered for a renovation to a Business Use, in this case, an office use. The existing structure is a ranch style home with a full basement below grade. Grade level floor area = approx 3300 s.f. ; basement floor area = 3300 s.f. Grade level has (2) existing exits. Basement does not have a direct exit to grade, ie no walk-out...
I am looking for a general formula to use or amount to use for adding to the standard 6-8" concrete floor for buildings. How much needs to be added for press buildings that will be able to withstand the weight of large presses and will also handle the vibration
Thanks in advance for you expertise. Thread moved to here - http://www.thebuildingcodeforum.com/forum/commercial-building-codes/15345-group-h-classification-sprinkler.html
Does anyone know what is involved to submit a commissioning report of an outdoor nursery? Basically, conc slab, wrought iron fence at perimeter, new outdoor lighting, hose bib and area drains.
When installing a panic bar on a full view glass door does the glass have to be safety glass?
My firm does interior fit out projects in the North East. We typically work with buildings of non-combustible construction, but we've run across a project recently that is constructed with open web wood roof trusses. I haven't had the pleasure of working with this type of construction (aside from residential) in my 15+ year career. I'm being told things by contractors bidding the projects that are "typical of this type of construction", that I'm not seeing in the code. Here's some info...
Hi Folks, I am an electrical engineer, no so familiar with building codes. The subject of building code comes up in my world when designing outdoor electrical equipment as to what constitutes a "building" subject to codes. For example at every intersection with a stoplight I can see a stainless steel enclosure that encloses the electrical controls for that intersection. Is that enclosure subject to building codes? Is it a building and if not why not? Thanks, Paul
Are over flow scuppers required with primary scuppers for roof drainage
Hello ! I am new here. Hoping I could get some useful advice. We just purchased a 1910 triplex (1 up 2 lower) in Wisconsin with intentions to convert it into a duplex by combining the 2 downstairs units. After calling zoning, I was informed that the zoning is R-1, but is grandfathered, because they did before the codes were in play. Also, the upstairs and front unit is the original 1910 and the back unit was an add on somewhere between 1960-1978. Inspector told me I can convert it back...
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