How Many Different Answers Will We Get?

[jar546]

This is an exercise in the variation of interpretation by code professionals. Please just give the answer you think it is. We don't need to waste time picking apart the question and drifting into uselessness.

A proposed commercial building is planned for construction in a densely populated urban area. The building is designed as Type IIIB construction. The lot for the building is located 20 feet from the nearest property line. According to the IBC, what is the maximum allowable building height and number of stories for this building, considering its construction type and distance to the property line?

 

[ICE]

Barring any exceptions — seventy-five and five.

 

[RLGA]

75 feet and 5 stories (unless it's a Group A-5 occupancy).

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

"Commercial" is not a use group under the copy of the IBC that I have. For the purpose of responding to the question, I'll assume that "Commercial" means Use Group B, Business.

Height in feet: 75 feet if sprinklered, 55 feet if not sprinklered

Number of stories: 4 stories if sprinklered, 3 stories if not sprinklered.

Distance to the property line does not affect allowable height in feet or number of stories.

 

[jar546]

75 feet and 5 stories (unless it's a Group A-5 occupancy).

What I find interesting is that A-5 and I-2 are at completely opposite ends of the spectrum. A-5 is allowed to be UL and I-2 is not permitted to be IIIB construction at all. Regardless of the UL in A-5, 75' is 75'.

 

[jar546]

"Commercial" is not a use group under the copy of the IBC that I have.

Commercial is anything that is NOT a one or two-family dwelling or their accessory structures. No use and occupany was given so we are looking for the maximum height and stories regardless of the use and occupancy per Ch 3.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

My brain can't wrap itself around that as a parameter. I've been dealing with allowable height as a function of occupancy classification for 51 years -- I'm too old to change now. I'll have to sit this one out.

 

[Tim Mailloux]

Commercial is anything that is NOT a one or two-family dwelling or their accessory structures. No use and occupany was given so we are looking for the maximum height and stories regardless of the use and occupancy per Ch 3.

without know the Use and Occupancy you cant answer the question.

 

[jar546]

without know the Use and Occupancy you cant answer the question.

Yes you can. Maximum is maximum. Please don't read into the question.

 

[Tim Mailloux]

Yes you can. Maximum is maximum. Please don't read into the question.

disagree

use and occupancy are a variable in the equation, without knowing the variable you cannot solve the equation.

 

[classicT]

disagree

use and occupancy are a variable in the equation, without knowing the variable you cannot solve the equation.

You can answer the maximum condition. Yes, that is dependent upon a specific use, but you can still answer.

 

[Paul Sweet]

Unlimited for a special industrial occupancy that meets IBC 503.1.1.

 

[Sifu]

That is the exact kind of question that exams use. It trips a lot of people up. I see it as 75/UL.