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  1. M

    COMcheck - Louvers in Envelope Screen

    my thought on this would be to not include the area of the louver in the building envelope as long as the louver has a damper/connected to a duct. That way the duct is typically insulated and that will limit the flow of heat.
  2. M

    Fire rebuild to include 20% upgrades?

    I would like to hear your reasoning behind not wanting a statewide code. I would think that after the initial "shock" things would get a bit easier for both designers and inspectors.
  3. M

    Fire rebuild to include 20% upgrades?

    Mark, i think you missed the intent of my post. I was responding to your "A foundation to an unfinished portion give no access." It might not provide access now, but during a subsequent renovation, when you spend another 20%, it might be enough $$$ to make it accessible. if the...
  4. M

    Code Administration Question of the Day 2 Aug 2018

    would the counter have to meet accessibility requirements?
  5. M

    Fire rebuild to include 20% upgrades?

    not now... but during the next renovation, the 20% at that time might finish the job. I have struggled with the interpretation of this rule as well. Given that there is a continual obligation to remove barriers, it seems like if you can incoporate as many of them during a renovation, exceeding...
  6. M

    Ceiling Height exceptions

    can you say that the minimum room area - 70 sq. ft. and at least 7' wide in one direction will maintain the required ceiling height, and the area of the soffit/duct falls beyond the minimum room area so its ok? - if all that was true?
  7. M

    Any code for distance from top of frost wall to garage floor

    IRC 2012 317.1, item 5 talks about where preservative pressure treated or naturally durable wood is required ....wood sheathing on exterior of a building having a clearance of less than 6" from the ground or less than 2" measured vertically from concrete steps, porch slabs, patio slabs and...
  8. M

    Doors in series?

    for this section of the code, i've interpreted it as saying that there needs to be enough room for a wheelchair to be located outside of the swing of the doors. In odd shaped vestibules with angled walls, i've showed the arc of doors being open 90 degrees, a 30x48 space outside of those arcs and...
  9. M

    Full height toilet partitions / walls

    its also in ADA and ANSI... so its applicable... 604.8.1.4
  10. M

    Any code for distance from top of frost wall to garage floor

    Its not unusual for elevations not to be noted, especially for a simple project like this. If this was my garage i would not worry about the untreated wood being an inch away from concrete. As far as i know, wicking will not occur over 1" air space and its normal for untreated wood to sit on a...
  11. M

    Technical Question-Scissor Stair

    another thing to consider is that scissor stairs under IBC count as one exit stairway. This may be a moot point since we dont know what the design is, but its one of those items that if not considered early on, could turn into a big headache later.
  12. M

    Alteration & Path of Travel

    Thank you all for your responses. Unfortunately sometimes codes are written in a way which do not necessarily make the most sense for a particular situation. The project location is in a loosely populated suburban area, outside of the city - this is a budget type of a hotel. I see money being...
  13. M

    Alteration & Path of Travel

    I'm trying to get my head around the ADA requirements for a renovation project - renovation of guest rooms in a hotel (only about 1/2 of them, with the work being staged - and the remaining half will be renovated a few years from now - depending on the financial health of the establishment). The...
  14. M

    Roof Access Ladders

    18-28-306.5 is the section for the equipment access
  15. M

    Roof Access Ladders

    Chicago building code is one of the poorest written codes, with contradictions, references to sections that don't exist... etc. It was somewhat based off the 2000 IBC with extensive modifications. The roof access is required if there is mechanical equipment located at a level more than 16'...
  16. M

    Understanding ADA restroom requirements

    From my understanding of the ADA, the clearspace for the sink does not have to be centered. If you look at section 602.2 that discusses drinking fountains or 611.2 that discusses washing/drying machines, it specifically says in that section that clear space for a drinking fountain/washer/dryer...
  17. M

    BCI floor joist shaved 3/8-5/8 inch at the flange

    It is possible that the joist is ok and can carry the loads. A structural engineer with the joist design information can perform a calculation to determine if the joist still has a sufficient load carrying capacity. Other than joist designation, an engineer would need to know the spacing of...
  18. M

    Is a deadbolt NOT a "latch"?

    While I am not a building inspector, I have always interpreted it the same way as you have described it.
  19. M

    Please check my ADA restroom layout

    the health department around here (not CO) requires a closer on all toilet room doors in a food service facility. A closer with a latch will require bigger door clearance. A closer without a latch will not.
  20. M

    Can mobility and communication dwelling units overlap?

    never mind... this isn't transient lodging (I'm working on a hotel now and my brain automatically went there). Now that i read the applicable section I understand your questions but can't add anything worthwhile.
  21. M

    Can mobility and communication dwelling units overlap?

    not familiar with cbc, but ADA 224.4 provides the minimum number of CA units required and 224.5 states that at least one unit mobility unit must have communication features, with no more than 10% of CA's in MA's counting for the total requirement of the 2% of all rooms.
  22. M

    Vents Thru The Roof

    I wonder if AAV would be an option under the code that you are working with - although it would be one more thing for the building engineer to worry about.
  23. M

    Closer required for panic hardware?

    another option, although not mandated by the code would be to install fully automatic door. This way, door maneuvering clearances are not applicable, and the 12" push side, or the 8" setback from the face of the door are not an issue.
  24. M

    Closer required for panic hardware?

    Closers are required on exterior doors by energy code - if this project would be regulated by the energy conservation code, then i would say a closer is required.
  25. M

    Floor Drains In Mech. Rooms & Other Spaces

    My state plumbing code (IL) provides 3 methods (code updated in 2014): 1. addition of vegetable oil 2. deep seal trap (8" max) - takes longer to evaporate 3. Automatic Trap Primer
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