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  1. S

    Hey Walgreens Wake Up

    I have to confess that it took me a long time to realize that the first urinal doesn't need to be accessible. A common mistake, apparently. I see toilet rooms with one urinal mounted low on the wall all the time, but that is not required. Although, code is minimum, I suppose.
  2. S

    Stacked Washer/Dryer - Type B Unit

    Yeah, that manufacturer's description is pretty deceptive, if you have to dig deep to figure out that only half the assembly is accessible. I don't see how a stackable arrangement would ever meet accessibility standards.
  3. S

    Exposed Wood Beam in Garage

    Also from IRC Table R302.6 Dwelling-Garage Separation: Structure(s) supporting floor/ceiling assemblies used for separation required by this section | Not less than 1/2-inch gypsum board or equivalent.
  4. S

    Military Base Building

    Paul Sweet is correct, NFPA 101-2018 would be the code. Means of egress marking requirements vary depending on the occupancy, but generally para. 7.10 is invoked which requires exits (meaning exit doors) "other than main exterior exit doors that obviously and clearly are identifiable as exits"...
  5. S

    insulation

    I've always thought the insulation was to prevent condensation on the outside of the pipe and would imagine that if the insulation isn't snug to the pipe it wouldn't work for that purpose.
  6. S

    2x4 laminated stud wall fire rating

    They are 2x4s set vertically side-by-side, wide faces together, and nailed together forming a solid wood partition that is then covered with metal lath and plaster on each side. Turns out, it is a recognized Heavy Timber assembly.
  7. S

    2x4 laminated stud wall fire rating

    Yes, a military base. I think they are something called "nail laminated", so I don't think there is any glue. Some of the floor decks are laminated 2x as well, which I've seem before, but I'm struggling with classifying the walls for fire resistance. The walls were used to enclose stairs and...
  8. S

    Ship Ladder for exterior 2nd story attached deck.

    Code-wise it seems ok if there is an actual means of egress from the deck through the house. But I would really think hard about using one for a deck with kids, guests, drunk folks, potentially using it. It seems to me a bit different than a ships ladder accessing an attic or storage area...
  9. S

    2x4 laminated stud wall fire rating

    Does anyone know of a definitive source for info on fire rating of laminated 2x4 stud walls? The building was built in 1942 and has exits enclosed with laminated 2x4 studs (solid wood) with metal lath and plaster each side, or so say the drawings. IBC Table 721.1(2) has lots of antique...
  10. S

    B occ - why 8 toilets for 101 females?

    My goodness, California sure is concerned about toilets. Potty parity, apparently.
  11. S

    Basement Light Vent Schedule

    Check IRC 2015 section R303, Light, Ventilation and Heat. It has the requirements, and exceptions including artificial light, whole-house mechanical ventilation systems, and local exhaust for bathrooms. A subtlety is that some of the requirements apply to "habitable rooms"; you have to sort of...
  12. S

    Does the IBC require stair rails?

    But that is not actually OSHA. It is the Washington State version which has a completely separate, similar but different, set of rules. WAC Chapter 296-155 Part J covers stairways for construction work. http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Rules/chapter/155/WAC296-155.PDF
  13. S

    Does the IBC require stair rails?

    Apparently, about half the states use the federal OSHA rules and enforcement: https://www.osha.gov/dcsp/osp/index.html
  14. S

    Does the IBC require stair rails?

    The building code is interested in protecting the public and doesn't really address construction worker safety. Most states' Department of Labor have a state specific version of OSHA that would definitely include this and would definitely apply to any construction contractor. I believe some...
  15. S

    An average day

    Some people pay too much attention to the architect-y design magazines.
  16. S

    Site Plans

    It sort of sounds like you are trying to get an outside designer to remedy the Dept. of Public Works failure to keep good records. Which is fine, if that is something they are being paid to do. Otherwise, as a designer, I would push back unless there is actually some information needed that is...
  17. S

    Who can guess, Moisture in attic source?

    Like Pcinspector1 I would suspect dryer or bath vents, or kitchen hood vents ending in the attic. Or can lights, or some other opening to the heated space. If the snow on the roof is melting I would think that plugged soffit or ridge vents wouldn't be the sole cause, maybe contributing, but...
  18. S

    Net floor area, built in casework and occupant load calcs

    I would agree, the area of built-in casework would need to be included. But I suppose you could argue that that area is "unoccupied" if you had a sympathetic AHJ. As an architect I wouldn't be comfortable not including the area. If I had a situation close enough that it mattered I would try...
  19. S

    OSHA design?

    What a thicket. My understanding is that OSHA itself generally does not apply unless the state has adopted OSHA or it is a federal government workplace, or over water. The corresponding state workplace safety regulations would apply. In the case of California the regulations appear to be...
  20. S

    Water curtain at EERO in load-bearing wall?

    Don't both NFPA 13 8.15.26 and ESR-2397 5.3 specifically require the glazing to be fixed? How is an EERO fixed glazing? For the shutter, it seems it could be ok (IBC-2015 1030.4): "...Bars, grilles, grates or similar devices are permitted to be placed over emergency escape and rescue openings...
  21. S

    Who determines "self-preservation"?

    Note that 422.6 (IBC 2012) refers to 903.2.2 which only requires the sprinklers if there are four or more incapable of self-preservation, or one or more on any floor other than the level of exit discharge. And the sprinkler system is not required throughout the whole building.
  22. S

    Who determines "self-preservation"?

    There may be a distinction between "sedation" and "anesthesia" that is significant here. Something described as "conscious sedation" doesn't seem to be "incapable of self-preservation. Sifu, you may want to contact your state Department of Health. They likely deal with licensing of...
  23. S

    Who determines "self-preservation"?

    For NFPA 101 (2018, or 2012) Ambulatory Healthcare is outpatient with four or more persons incapable of self preservation, simultaneously. I think you are correct that sedation would qualify, if there are four or more patients. An office that sedates less than four at a time would likely be a...
  24. S

    The ABA

    North Star, I don't see the 20% thing in ABA either. F202.3 and F202.4 contain pretty specific requirements for alterations or additions to existing buildings. It uses words like "to the maximum extent feasible" which gives a little latitude, I suppose. There is also a definition of...
  25. S

    Exterior Exit Stairs Unenclosed/Uncovered

    We sometimes have to wrestle with an AHJ suggestion that the outdoor landing and stairs need to be covered to prevent the accumulation of snow or ice. We argue that snow deep enough to actually block the door is rare in our area, and anyway the building management would have procedures for...
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