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    Square base to circular column a tripping hazard?

    We need to have square bases for our circular columns. The bases are 1' high and 2" longer in length than the diameter of the columns. Is this acceptable? If not what can be done to make it acceptable? Raise the height of the base or transition the square into the circular column shape? Thanks
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    Use gutter as catwalk in canopy system?

    So the catwalk has to be an entirely separate system attached to the structural guttering which could look something like this: https://ibb.co/GHB4HkV here is a real world example: https://ibb.co/9bLhKQZ Anyone know if these catwalks can be accessed from a 20' ladder? Or a number to call where I...
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    Use gutter as catwalk in canopy system?

    We have an exterior canopy that will need to be accessed by maintenance personnel from above with catwalks. OSHA has a minimum requirement of 18" width for catwalks which we could make the inside width of our structural guttering except there would be only a 8" opening to that 18" clearance...
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    Curb landing before sidewalk stairs

    I have condition where I have to fit a set of stairs between a raised sidewalk and a road. Can I have a landing at the top of the curb be 3' (less than the width of the stair) which leads into a stair with 7" treads? Or can the curb count as the first step of the stair?
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    Secondary drainage required in exterior canopies?

    I'm curious if there's anyway to get around the requirement of needing secondary overflow drainage for canopy systems that are located outside and their fabric is translucent. If water ponds it would be highly visible from below and the catch area is no higher than 1'4" so the structure could...
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    Common path leads to parallel paths?

    Does this link work? egress The garage meets requirements to be open meaning more than 50% of its walls are open (there are floors above). The paths lead to separate stair cases
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    Common path leads to parallel paths?

    I have a parking garage on the 2nd floor of a building. The common path to get to 2 means of egress has to be less than 50 feet. I am wondering if those 2 means of egress can just run parallel to each other on either side of the driveway 20 feet apart like in this image: https://ibb.co/BjhJyGj
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    Concrete stair railing can not meet 4.5" handrail requirement?

    I don't fault the code. I just doubt many architects are aware of this (my boss wasn't when he sketched out the stair originally) and don't recall this ever coming up with plan examiners on past projects were this wasn't taken into account. I also worry the plan examiner won't understand why the...
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    Concrete stair railing can not meet 4.5" handrail requirement?

    Can someone please explain to me why stairs are only allowed to have 4.5" of handrail projection when most concrete switchback stairs have the inner railing of the handrail cast into the stair requiring at least 2" of concrete surrounding the post. This mean the entire assembly from edge of...
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    Landing required every 12' in residential spiral stairs?

    I also see a requirement that the stair to be considered a spiral stair can't be more than 24.5" wide from center point to walkline or else its considered a stair with max riser height of 7" instead of 9.5". This stair's walkline is 30" away (1.5' to 6.5" from center line for 5' stair). I don't...
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    Landing required every 12' in residential spiral stairs?

    What are the requirements of a 12' landing for a long spiral stair? The width of the stair is 5' - does the outer edge of the landing have to be 5' then?
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    Open stair as means of egress?

    This means enclosed (interior) stairs are ok if within 10' of lot line right? This also means it can't be open on the 3rd floor if within 10'?
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    Open stair as means of egress?

    We have spoken to the building official and it needs to be 15sf per occ on the deck. The main question is the enclosure of the stairs
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    Open stair as means of egress?

    From my research, I found you can have open stairs as long as you meet FBC 1027.3 and NFPA 7.2.2.6.3.1 which states "Outside stairs serving an exterior exit access balcony that has two remote outside stairways or ramps shall be permitted to be unprotected." But our life safety consultant and my...
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    Open stair as means of egress?

    Due to confidentiality I can't share plans but here is a link to a very crude drawing of the condition: https://ibb.co/HP7PGx7 I'm an architect and this core and shell office floor may include 1 tenant or as many as 4. Our original argument was that the entire floor is only accessed through...
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    Open stair as means of egress?

    We have to add 1 or even 2 stairs because of the ridiculous requirement that a large deck area of a 3rd floor office has to count as an assembly occupancy. We can provide stairs at the corners of the deck. Can these be open stairs all the way through the building, or open at the 3rd floor and...
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    Mech deck has large upturned beams passing through it

    Thanks. I still don't understand if these mechanical areas need to be fenced off from the roof deck occupants - this is residential penthouse suite roof deck. Occupants need to pass near the mechanical areas at one of the 3 entrances to fire stairs.
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    Mech deck has large upturned beams passing through it

    Do these beams cause a tripping hazard? We have an emergency stair entrance near the mech area - does that have to be fenced off?
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    Mech deck has large upturned beams passing through it

    Should mention the upturn beam is 2' in height from the top of slab and runs mostly at the perimeter of the mechanical deck area
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    Mech deck has large upturned beams passing through it

    We just discovered due to our structural engineer's passivity, that we have upturned beams passing through our mechanical deck areas. These areas have the entire buildings mechanical equipment and are only accessible by special personnel. Can we just apply insulation and waterproofing membranes...
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    High end sliding glass doors that meet 1010.1.4.3?

    Where can I find high end sliding glass doors that meet 1010.1.4.3? I need exterior sliding glass doors to act as a means of egress from large deck areas on the 3rd anf 4th floor of a building. Does such a product exist?
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    Door swinging into each other

    So what you are saying is that in an emergency situation I'm in the vestibule and for some reason the elevator machine room door is open it blocks my exit through the vestibule door down to the stair core. What if I flip the swing of the elevator machine room door. In an open position it will...
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    Door swinging into each other

    https://ibb.co/R41F9wJ https://ibb.co/R41F9wJ The doors are not reducing any egress path. Its literally 2 doors 90 degrees from each other at a corner swinging into each other if the image links don't work
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    Door swinging into each other

    Its just a door leading to the exterior on the roof which could be used in a fire situation to reach the fire stairs
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