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City requiring enclosed storage space above restroom to 7'-0" , I only have 6'-4"

I

IKE GENAH

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Joined
Feb 2, 2021
Messages
6
Location
So. CAL
I am in a pickle with the City of Arcadia. I need to legalize a mezzanine, that was inspected in 2016 but plans never updated. We only have 6'-4" clear ceiling height , but the city wants 7'-0" since he is classifying it as a mezzanine. He told me find something in the code book that would allow 6'-4" . I have 30" trusses above but only 24" O.C. . I thought I can remove the drywall and have the ceiling exposed, but the code book says 7'-0" clear ceiling height.

The room is only 196 sq ft and was built above the restrooms in a warehouse . The room is only being used for data equipment and (1) panel.

Help anyone !
 
2019 CBC Section 505 Mezzanines and Equipment Platforms, and 1207 Interior Space Dimensions.
Free online viewing available at:

Codes

www.dgs.ca.gov www.dgs.ca.gov

Good luck. We are the City of Arcata and we get calls from or for City of Arcadia all the time. Opposite end of the state, and so different it might as well be a different state... or country even. ;)
 
IKE GENAH said:
I am in a pickle with the City of Arcadia. I need to legalize a mezzanine, that was inspected in 2016 but plans never updated. We only have 6'-4" clear ceiling height , but the city wants 7'-0" since he is classifying it as a mezzanine. He told me find something in the code book that would allow 6'-4" . I have 30" trusses above but only 24" O.C. . I thought I can remove the drywall and have the ceiling exposed, but the code book says 7'-0" clear ceiling height.

The room is only 196 sq ft and was built above the restrooms in a warehouse . The room is only being used for data equipment and (1) panel.

Help anyone !
Click to expand...


Welcome

So just a question,, why is it coming up now??? Doing some remodel, or what?
 
By giving it a mezzanine classification [IBC1207.2], he's allowing a 7-ft ceiling instead of the require 7'6" Check the Cal. Building Code (CBC), code may be different?
 
cda said:
Welcome

So just a question,, why is it coming up now??? Doing some remodel, or what?
Click to expand...
Yes ! We submitted another set of plans for TI work. The inspector went back to the older plans in 2016 and said the mezzanine was never updated on the plans. I even have pictures during the construction with work being done from back then. The building official was fine with legalizing it but I have the 6'-4" ceiling issue.
 
Shrink the room and call it something else?

Do you have the plans from last time??? If so what ceiling height do they show?
 
cda said:
Shrink the room and call it something else?

Do you have the plans from last time??? If so what ceiling height do they show?
Click to expand...
The plans do not address the mezzanine , thats why he wants us legalize it.

I have no problem making it smaller . What can I call it that will allow 6'-4" ceiling. There is only data equipment in there.
 
Pcinspector1 said:
By giving it a mezzanine classification [IBC1207.2], he's allowing a 7-ft ceiling instead of the require 7'6" Check the Cal. Building Code (CBC), code may be different?
Click to expand...
I checked for Mezzanine CBC 505.2 "The clear height above and below the mezzanine floor construction shall be not less than 7 feet (2134 mm)" Can I remove the drywall and leave trusses exposed ? But I don't think that would classify as "clear height"
 
IKE GENAH said:
I checked for Mezzanine CBC 505.2 "The clear height above and below the mezzanine floor construction shall be not less than 7 feet (2134 mm)" Can I remove the drywall and leave trusses exposed ? But I don't think that would classify as "clear height"
Click to expand...


Doe your building have a fire sprinkler system?
 
Pcinspector1 said:
By giving it a mezzanine classification [IBC1207.2], he's allowing a 7-ft ceiling instead of the require 7'6" Check the Cal. Building Code (CBC), code may be different?
Click to expand...
You are correct, Cal code is the same. I glanced briefly and didn't see anything that allows less that 7'0", but I just provided the sections and the web link for their research.
 
It's worth noting that section 505.3 does not appear to have the height restriction. Try calling it that, I see no issues there.
 
505.3 is equipment platforms and I don't see that would require you to modify or change anything other than what you're calling it. Also check out section 509, Incidental Uses.
 
Also worth noting that you mentioned a "panel", I assume you mean an electrical panel. You need to maintain 2019 CEC (based on NEC) 110.26(A) Working Space, (3) Height requires 6'6" so you have an issue there too.
 
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