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Restaurant occupancy - convert unused attic into kitchen space

Morphdesigns

Sawhorse
Joined
Dec 4, 2013
Messages
44
Location
Waupun
Working on an existing 2 story+attic restaurant. VB Construction, 4000 sqft ground floor, 3500 sqft 1st floor, 900 sqft attic. 2009 IBC states A-2/VB can only be 1 story. Original construction was late 1800's, was last remodeled in 2003 and followed the current state code. (the state I am in, Wisconsin, had their own code) They adopted the IBC code the following year. This building is built into a hill, so the ground floor exits at grade at the front, the 1st floor exits at grade at the back.
Current posted Occupant load, ground flr @ 96, 1st flr @ 130. Kitchen is at ground level. Each level contains bar and dining areas. This restaurant is out in the country, so it has a well, no municipal water supply.

He wants to convert the small, currently unoccupied storage, attic space into a kitchen. It currently has 1 stair that leads directly outside from this attic space.

We are on IBC 2009, so current codes states:
VB A-2 - max 1 story w/ max. 6000 sqft/flr
IBC 903.2.1.2 - (2) need to sprinkler if fire area has an occupant load of 100 or more (1st floor has load of 130)
(3) Need to sprinkler if fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge serving such occupancies (current attic space / proposed kitchen is on level above)


Do to costs, he is not in favor of a full sprinkler system. We looked at a type of chemical fire suppression tool, but then found out that it cannot be used in occupied areas.

Has anybody worked on a facility like this and get it to pass? We were looking at doing a variance, but you need to have a system / rational for providing an equivalent degree of safety if we do not do a sprinkler system.
 
Should be using Chapter 34 for existing buildings and if it's only attic area that's being worked on it would be a partial change of occupancy as applicable.
The IEBC where adopted encourages modifications for impracticalities especially if it's an historic designated structure.
 
If this was my project, I would look at options of adding the kitchen onto the side of the building instead of going up into the attic. You could do a simple addition and fire separate it with masonry and a door with a magnetic hold-open. Who wants stairs up to a kitchen anyway?
 
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