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  1. E

    Allowable Area for Non-Sprinklered Existing Building

    We're working on renovating an existing structure (now a maintenance building, it will be converted to offices/fitness/storage). We're under the Ohio Building Code 2017 which is based on the 2015 IBC. Construction Type is IIB, and this is all on one story at grade. The majority of the...
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    "Accessory Use" on Code Data Sheets and Drawings

    How do people designate accessory uses on a Life Safety Drawing, or a Code Data Sheet? I've been looking at several projects I've done as well as some others. First, for the drawing: we have room tags that include the occupancy - do people use the "main" occupancy (say, A-3) and then put...
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    Elevated Track in Sports Field House

    A-3 has the same exception in the 2017 Ohio Building Code, see below, so I don't think it's in conflict. Which is part of why I thought the exception applied to the whole thing, not just the sports field itself. I didn't think Occupancy Groups were that specific to particular types of areas...
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    Correct Classification of an indoor riding arena used for lessons, training and horse shows

    Not sure yet, I've just joined the project. There is no permanent seating, but I've been informed that they may move in bleachers in as-needed situations. I'm trying to find out more.
  5. E

    Elevated Track in Sports Field House

    Thanks, I agree, but would be nice if there were something in the code specifically.
  6. E

    Elevated Track in Sports Field House

    True but the same exception essentially appears in the sprinkler section 903 as a standalone. [F] 903.2.1.4 Group A-4 An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for fire areas containing Group A-4 occupancies and intervening floors of the building where one of the following conditions...
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    Elevated Track in Sports Field House

    Thanks, I do know that and that may be an issue for us. We do have some increased allowable area due to open area around the building (basically almost completely open), but not enough. We're looking into what it would take to achieve IA or IB with this approach. It may be that sprinklers...
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    Correct Classification of an indoor riding arena used for lessons, training and horse shows

    A-4, which is specifically designated as for spectators, has the same exception (actually, looking in the *IBC*, it appears that this is not the case - so this may only be for Ohio or other jurisdictions which have this exception). In other threads...
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    Correct Classification of an indoor riding arena used for lessons, training and horse shows

    Isn't the 12,000sf limitation (and the OL one) overruled by the exception about participant sports areas? (this quote is the Ohio Building Code based on the IBC 2015, don't have access to the IBC language). This relates to my project also. [F] 903.2.1.3 Group A-3 An automatic sprinkler...
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    Elevated Track in Sports Field House

    Hi, I'm working on a university sports field house and recreation center project. The field house is in an approximately 29,000sf footprint prefabricated steel building. There is a small connector (about 25'x25') to the recreation center which is in an adjacent existing, to be renovated...
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    R-2 Building with S-2 Tuck Under parking - NFPA 13 or 13R?

    Thanks for the helpful suggestions!
  12. E

    R-2 Building with S-2 Tuck Under parking - NFPA 13 or 13R?

    Hi, We have a similar situation and questions here, we have an open S-2 parking garage below, and 4 stories of R-2 apartments above. We’re proposing a 3-hour horizontal separation between the garage and the apartments. The contractor is asking if we could use a 13R sprinkler system in the...
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    Wood deck for Breezeway in IIIB Construction

    Ah. well thank you for that clarification. I think we're OK using just wood in that case...
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    Wood deck for Breezeway in IIIB Construction

    Thanks! I think we'll do just that...
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    Wood deck for Breezeway in IIIB Construction

    Thanks, we saw that, but weren't sure if this really qualified as a balcony (see sketch in previous post, maybe it does).
  16. E

    Wood deck for Breezeway in IIIB Construction

    See above, I think it's the composite plastics. So far, the examiner hasn't said anything against wood, we're just trying to check before resubmitting. And, by the way, the building is fully suppressed which I think means this breezeway will be too. See attached rough sketch of the overall...
  17. E

    Wood deck for Breezeway in IIIB Construction

    The citation against the composite decking was 2612.5, Composite plastics, basically saying you can only use those products for decking in Type VB.
  18. E

    Wood deck for Breezeway in IIIB Construction

    Hi I'm working on a mixed-use R-2 4-story apartment building classified as IIIB*. We're under the Ohio Building Code 2017 which is based on the 2015 IBC. The project has a large breezeway (covered but open air) which functions as the primary circulation. The plans examiner rejected the...
  19. E

    Plans Review: Submit Two Similar/Identical Buildings together?

    Thanks all. The building dept has clarified that all they want is (2) application forms - not pulled apart drawing sets. Whew! Sounds like they're approaching it in a similar to way to what several of you have described. Thanks for the intel!
  20. E

    Plans Review: Submit Two Similar/Identical Buildings together?

    Yeah, that is pretty much why we are doing it this way. We've had problems in the past where submitted literally identical buildings as separate permits (in that case because they were being phased/built at different times) and gotten inconsistent rulings from the different plans examiners...
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    Plans Review: Submit Two Similar/Identical Buildings together?

    Thanks! Hopefully we can persuade them...
  22. E

    Plans Review: Submit Two Similar/Identical Buildings together?

    Hi We have a situation where we have two nearly identical buildings (mirror image, slight variations due to site) on adjacent (but separate) parcels. We'd submitted them to the Building Dept. as one project, based on having done that successfully on other projects before (we're trying to track...
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    Trash/refuse chute "compartment"?

    Thanks for the suggestions!
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    Trash/refuse chute "compartment"?

    Yes, it needs a rated room at the bottom (which we plan to provide), the challenge is at the top. And yes, we plan to rate the chute itself, but the issue is what we have to have at the top - what constitutes a "compartment". Can we have a door in the side wall of the breezeway with a (rated)...
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    Trash/refuse chute "compartment"?

    Hi We're working on a multi-family apartment project which has an open air /covered breezeway. The owner would like to have a trash/refuse chute but no enclosed room. We are under the Ohio Building Code 2017 which is based on the 2015 IBC. In section 713.13.3 it says these chutes have to...
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