Featured content

Is there a code that details how negative a commercial kitchen should be in relation to the dining room? Or if there's no code- what is ideal?

Still trying to figure out how TVs or furniture hanging on fire partitions affect their fire listing :-( Looking at UL263 reference in the UL site, the article "Loading of Test Specimens" refers: UL 263 requires the load applied to test samples to be based upon the limiting conditions of design as determined by nationally recognized structural design criteria. If I am reading this correctly, the UL263 tests of a 1 hr wall assembly have been carried out with the vertical loads allowed to...

What is the occupancy of a coffee roasting facility in California? Is it an F-1?

Michigan Building Code 2015. Vb construction fully fire suppressed. Apartments. We only need a 1/2 hour rating on the separation between corridor and apartment. We have an issue where they have installed the tub enclosure of the apartment on the corridor wall. There is no drywall behind it so only the corridor side has gyp. We are trying to use section 722 of calculated fire resistance that we can use 1 layer of 5/8" gyp board which has a 30 minute rating on the corridor side. That...

The proposed camp has platform tents with electrical and water, and communal type buildings (dining hall, clubhouse). Leaning towards IRC for tents but by definition the intended use is R-1.... other buildings should fall under assembly. Plans submitted are minimal at this point, trying to determine occupancy type(s) at this point. Possible issues with accessibility and fire protection. All feedback is appreciated.

Would someone be able to help me classify which type of building a commercial pavilion would be? I am putting together some guidelines for a 30 x 36 ft pavilion for a park but the language in the 2024 codes don't seem to include this type of structure. I am thinking A-2 or A-5 would apply, but the structures given as examples for these classifications are a bit more extreme than what I'm going for. People may eat at these pavilions (pre-prepared meals like sandwiches or snacks) but cooking...

50 CFM ceiling exhaust fan-4" duct in a wood framed-1 hr rated ceiling: What are people here doing to protect the penetration of the membrane? It seems to me a Fire Damper at the fan is required or encase the fan and duct all the way to the exterior with FR gyp bd. Any exceptions? the AHJ does not know at the moment.... All ducts are within the units, go horizontally directly to the exterior wall, and do not penetrate any fire partitions. The runs are under 20' Project is in NY state-...

I am working on a small cafe tenant improvement project being reviewed under the 2018 IBC and 2018 IEBC, project is in Minnesota. Previous use was a cafe serving coffee, tea, and smoothies. New use is a cafe serving coffee, tea, smoothies, and sandwiches. Both uses are considered A-2 restaurant occupancy. I'm attaching a pdf of the existing and proposed plan. The only work involved is new kitchen equipment, new finishes, and relocating one wall. I am considering this a Level 2 Alteration...

When calculating the net occupant load of a room the math almost never results in a whole number. In those cases do you round your math up or down? As an example, I do a lot of school work, and we typically try and keep classrooms under 1,000sf as to not require two exits and exit doors that have to swing in the direction of egress travel. But say you have a 985sf classroom with an occupant load factor of 1 person per 20sf. This works out to a calculated value of 49.25 people in that...

On a large lot with many multi-family buildings, where is the line between two buildings placed for determining fire separation distance? Must this line be equidistant to both buildings?

Hint. It is less than 80" in height above the floor.

I'm currently working on the schematic design for a dental office in Tampa Florida. It has a small overall footprint @ 2,700 sf. Because of the tight site, we're looking at raising the office up to the second floor and floating it over a small parking lot below on Level 1. Also on Level 1 will be a small lobby, elevator and stair access to the floor above. Actual enclosed space on Level 1 will only be a few hundred square feet, so the aggregate area of the building will be around 3,000...

Hi there - I am in the process of opening a pickleball facility in 24800 sq ft warehouse in Massachusetts. I am going for a special permit as it is currently zoned industrial. There doesn't seem to be any reason why it wouldn't be granted I've been told. But I am told that I need to install showers due to the codes in MA. I notice that indoor batting cages & dance studios do not have them. Are the under a special code other than recreational? I would think mine is very similar to...

A client is asking me to investigate Code Requirements for sprinklers in a swimming pool pump room and provide sprinkler design. This is an open swimming pool, not covered. Applicable Codes are UFC/IBC/NFPA. I have not found any hints of a Code for a pool pump room requiring sprinklers. I cannot think of a reason to spend money on such a project. Is there anything I am missing? This is (obviously) a G project.

Find out if there really are gray areas in the building codes.