Hello all. long time listener, first time caller.
I know that this issue has been beat pretty hard here and there has been a lot of good advice so thank you all for your efforts. Perhaps I'm missing something here but my hangup is 1104.4 exception 1. Code in force in my area is 2018IBC. What definition of "area" is used by the IBC to reference the "aggregate area of not more than 3000 sf"? I can't see using "story" as the exceptions explicitly points to an aggregate of "stories, mezzanines, and occupied roofs". It seems that the intent is to limit the occupancy on inaccessible levels so do we use "building area" per IBC definition, which would exclude vent shafts and courts, etc but include a rated exit stair). or would we use "area" as we do to assign design occupant load? The footprint of a stairwell is not insignificant when trying to squeeze every last usable sf out of a 2nd floor while trying to avoid an elevator in such a small building so all ethical arguments aside I would like to know where the code stands on this issue. I understand the ADA side of this so I'm trying to keep this thread focused on the definition of area.
Thank you
I know that this issue has been beat pretty hard here and there has been a lot of good advice so thank you all for your efforts. Perhaps I'm missing something here but my hangup is 1104.4 exception 1. Code in force in my area is 2018IBC. What definition of "area" is used by the IBC to reference the "aggregate area of not more than 3000 sf"? I can't see using "story" as the exceptions explicitly points to an aggregate of "stories, mezzanines, and occupied roofs". It seems that the intent is to limit the occupancy on inaccessible levels so do we use "building area" per IBC definition, which would exclude vent shafts and courts, etc but include a rated exit stair). or would we use "area" as we do to assign design occupant load? The footprint of a stairwell is not insignificant when trying to squeeze every last usable sf out of a 2nd floor while trying to avoid an elevator in such a small building so all ethical arguments aside I would like to know where the code stands on this issue. I understand the ADA side of this so I'm trying to keep this thread focused on the definition of area.
Thank you