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  1. Mr Softy

    defining the 'work area'

    it may not tell you to include it, but it also does not say to not include it. the only thing specifically not included is incedental work areas and areas where the code may require upgrades.
  2. Mr Softy

    Hi everyone

    my pappy said 'son, you're gonna drive me to drinkin'...' YO!
  3. Mr Softy

    defining the 'work area'

    that's rich. so you're saying the ICC interp of the ICC code is flat out wrong?
  4. Mr Softy

    defining the 'work area'

    my take - both scenarios are Level 2 work. reconfiguration of space. it's the extent of associated work that makes it difficult. if only the wall is being moved and then finishes around the wall completed, i don't see where the 50% threshold is met. but if the wall is moved and a complete...
  5. Mr Softy

    defining the 'work area'

    by the definition of the levels of work, it is conceivable that an owner could do a gut renivation of an R-2, but with no reconfiguration of space, and not trigger any sprinkler requirements. the bit of text i quoted from the commentary gives a bit of insight into the intent of the written...
  6. Mr Softy

    defining the 'work area'

    well, that's the problem. what is "work area"? by the commentary, it appears that work area is compounded and it becomes everywhere you are doing work. some Level 2 work kicks an entire project into Level 2. it would be Level 3 if it is over 50% of building area. again, usingh the...
  7. Mr Softy

    defining the 'work area'

    yes, and that kicks back to 704.2.2 for the FP thresholds
  8. Mr Softy

    defining the 'work area'

    IEBC Commentary. Ch 4 Classification of Work. 404.2 Application for Level 2 Work. it talks about Lev2 work including the provisions for Lev1 work, then... "This requirement effectively compounds the requirements for someone planning to alter an existing structure. For example, if during the...
  9. Mr Softy

    defining the 'work area'

    see, that's better. rather than just over-interpreting these posts to an absurd level because it's easier than actually reading the posts, you took time to make a reasonable point. i don't disagree with your measurements. what i'm curious about has there ben any interps or appeals based upon...
  10. Mr Softy

    defining the 'work area'

    oh well caught - thanks!
  11. Mr Softy

    defining the 'work area'

    i have received 1 application since Feb where the DP chose Chap 3. we adopted IEBC (with MA amendments) in Feb, and nearly 6 months later most of the contractors still don't know that. we've given out instructional material explaining the compliance paths and work levels with every...
  12. Mr Softy

    defining the 'work area'

    you don't agree with my interpretation. that's fine. but sheesh, stop making ridiculous assumptions.
  13. Mr Softy

    defining the 'work area'

    The Fire Code makes a number of presumptions about the required level of fire protection in existing buildings. In my example, the Fire Code requires the building have standpipes. (IFC Table 4603.1, which requires standpipes in all occupancies except R3) There are sprinkler requirements for...
  14. Mr Softy

    defining the 'work area'

    so the debate stays focused, here's the example i am making - R-2 multi family, in this case, a triple decker. like this - egress stairs shared by more than one tenant. developer is gut renovating kitchens and baths throughout (with removal of non-bearing partitions), approximately 35% of...
  15. Mr Softy

    defining the 'work area'

    i know from personal experience that i do not 'over-interpret the code in what is often the most absurd way possible'. that's insulting to me, and most of the inspectors i know. 'The main reason for this is that it is far easier than studying the code deeply and rendering tough decisions.'...
  16. Mr Softy

    you want to complain?

    But I was just getting interested
  17. Mr Softy

    defining the 'work area'

    it's not so much that the regulated community is the enemy. the public is not my enemy, but i'm not their friend, either. yes, my interp may be contrary to your interests, but i am the one who will have to answer for my decisions. on borderline cases, no-one is going to be interested in my...
  18. Mr Softy

    you want to complain?

    no, i don't think so.
  19. Mr Softy

    defining the 'work area'

    i agree with you on this.
  20. Mr Softy

    defining the 'work area'

    if you are referring to my OP, window replacement is part of a larger renovation project involving the removal of walls. the example given in the commentary would not trigger sprinklers. the 'work area' has to be 50% of the floor area. replacing windows alone, even if over the entire...
  21. Mr Softy

    you want to complain?

    no, i shouldn't.
  22. Mr Softy

    defining the 'work area'

    that's creating code through policy. definitely not allowed. i wouldn't want to pitch that to an appeals board. i'm not happy about brudgers' loophole, but i can see that it exists, and i don't see a way around it if one is going by the book.
  23. Mr Softy

    defining the 'work area'

    they are exactly the same, in that the elimination or creation of one window classifies as Level 2 Alteration. and going by the commentary, kicks the entire project into Level 2.
  24. Mr Softy

    defining the 'work area'

    this is right. but it can give guidance to intent and enforcement.
  25. Mr Softy

    defining the 'work area'

    well, here's something interesting - IEBC Commentary. Classification of Work. 404.2 Application for Level 2 Work. it talks about Lev2 work including the provisions for Lev1 work, then... "This requirement effectively compounds the requirements for someone planning to alter an existing...
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