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  1. M

    Unprotected shed adjacent to a type III (A or B) Building

    The shed is about 120 square feet. Occupancy class is A2. The buildings would be about 5 feet apart. No openings on the main building in the vicinity of the shed. It feels somewhat excessive to request fire resistance rating for the shed, but that is the only code compliant path that I see...
  2. M

    Rafter ties again

    Resurrecting old thread because I have run into this issue recently. IBC wood chapter, under conventional wood framing, Table 2308.7.3.1 has a line for 48" tie spacing. I don't see why this couldn't be used to space ties every 48" on a roof system with 12", 16", 19.2" or 24" rafter spacing. With...
  3. M

    Clearance for Commercial Kitchen Hood

    I second Steveray's thoughts on this - it is from chapter 10, and applicable regardless of accessibility requirements.
  4. M

    Inspection certificate Q.

    In both municipalities that I have worked for (<65,000 people), we have had multiple architects on staff at the building department. Our current building inspector also comes from the architectural world, which really helps with providing plan review help, as well as already having pre-existing...
  5. M

    Unprotected shed adjacent to a type III (A or B) Building

    A business wants to install a wood or vinyl prefab shed 5' from an existing type III building. Due to the occupancy classification and area, the building cannot be reclassified to a construction type that does not require a fire resistance rated wall. The shed is used to store tables and chairs...
  6. M

    Above Ground Pool Deck Gate

    I prefer the top of the stair direction by building a 3' deep landing leading to the deck to allow the gate to swing in the correct direction. If you put the 4' high gate at the bottom, the 4' barrier would have to wrap the first step or two at each side of the bottom of the stair so that you...
  7. M

    AITA? Fire stops

    On bigger projects, I have asked for the GC to put together a binder of various firestop system, organized by trade that is performing the firestopping (i.e. M, E P, etc.) They would get the info from their subs and send it my way. As the project progresses and additional unanticipated...
  8. M

    elevator connecting 1st floor w/ mezzanine

    IMO no fire rated shaft necessary. The reason for rated shafts is to prevent spread of fire/smoke between stories. Mezzanine and the main space are part of the same story. If there is a fire on the main floor, it affects the mezzanine, and vice versa. Enclosing the elevator in a shaft does...
  9. M

    Stringer Support Slab - Rhode Island Code

    AWC DCA6, states that stringers must sit on a foundation. I interpret that to mean, if frost protection is not required, then 12" foundation, and if frost protection is required (typically when the deck is attached to the building), frost protected foundation to support the stringers is...
  10. M

    What "affects" an area of primary function?

    I have looked into this in the past a number of times. With a donut shop, the primary function is likely limited to the sales area, and the dining room. Work that is occurring in the back of house, I would not include. I would also not include any fire protection work, mechanical work, or...
  11. M

    Drinking Fountain Substitution

    The code is 2018 IBC w/ the associated ANSI A117.1 and 2010 ADA (and Illinois Accessibility Code), but there are no technical modifications to the scoping of drinking fountains within IL accessibility code. As there are no technical mods in the IL from the ADA, if the access board guidelines...
  12. M

    Drinking Fountain Substitution

    I've read the other threads on this exact topic in this forum, but wanted to approach this from a different angle then previously discussed. State plumbing code permits substitution of drinking fountain with "bottled drinking water or a water dispensing faucet (water station)." Plumbing code...
  13. M

    Is there any definition of door "maneuvering clearance" in ADA

    My interpretation is that there can be obstructions within this space such as grab bars, if the distance from the face of the grab bar to the face of the door leaf does not exceed 8". I would consider this a "recessed door" and follow 404.2.4.3. See chapter-4-entrances-doors-and-gates of the...
  14. M

    Arc Flash and Coordination studies - are they code required?

    I've been getting this comment within the last year or two on my plans as well. There are electrical engineering companies that can help out with this calculation, ECM web has a great article about how to calculate this...
  15. M

    Exterior Wall Coverings - Combustible???

    I got an NFPA 285 report that allows for the exterior veneer to be "fiber cement siding or fiber cement panels (noncombustible). Minimum 1/4" - any standard installation technique can be used." Checked out the ESR report for the specific fiber cement panel and they do allow for installation over...
  16. M

    Single Exit from A2 Occupied Roof via Exterior Exit Stair Discharging at Grade

    I am not sure if I am missing something obvious, or maybe misunderstanding some of the definitions. The stairway that was described, sounds to me like it would be considered an exit access stairway (1019) with an exit/exit discharge located at the bottom of the stair. Since the exit access...
  17. M

    Curious if you seen....

    Have not seen it - but a pretty strong bracing method.
  18. M

    Mall Tenant Fresh Air Intake

    Ventilation and cooling are two different concepts. New construction generally requires ventilation air be provided. Existing building code also requires ventilation air be provided, although the requirements for ventilation air can be less than for a new building. In new buildings this will...
  19. M

    Exterior Wall Coverings - Combustible???

    Thank you for brining my attention to 1403.5 / NFPA 285. I will have to find out if this assembly was tested. This was originally designed with metal furring, but now the plan is to substitute it with FRTW which was the reason for my question. Having said that, I am still not clear about which...
  20. M

    Exterior Wall Coverings - Combustible???

    Given: 2015 IBC Type III building, 80' high. Definition of Exterior Wall Coverings: A material or assembly of materials applied on the exterior side of exterior walls for the purpose of providing a weather-resisting barrier, insulation or for aesthetics, including but not limited to, veneers...
  21. M

    2018 Energy Code

    ResCheck is free software - web based - so no need to download it. It allows for more flexibility than prescriptive. I have done houses with 2x4 R-15 batt insulation that met 2018 IECC by raising insulation values in other components of the building 2x6 walls can give you R-20. There is high...
  22. M

    Plenum Mechanical closets in R2 units.

    I have seen this set up many times and I don't believe it is the intent of the code to consider this a plenum in the same category as a plenum ceiling that can extend over several spaces/business, etc.
  23. M

    Minimum window size - NOT egress issue, but based on "room size" - is this an IRC requirement?

    As long as egress window is present in the bedroom, then the rest can be satisfied with artificial light and mech. ventilation. Easiest way to do whole house mech vent is to have one of the bath exhausts run 24/7 or a specific ratio - to provide the minimum required air volume per unit of time.
  24. M

    Demo of vestibule in vacant space

    You are making a currently code compliant construction not code compliant by removing the vestibule. I can see how this could be a gray area - however If i was a plan reviewer I would make the same comment and would ask that either the vestibule is kept or an air curtain installed in its place.
  25. M

    Accessibility of two-story townhouses

    If you have access to IRC commentary, they do give a nice explanation of how this specific section applies to a typical townhouse. It sounds like you are on the right track. Also, to my knowledge, certain versions of the IBC are considered a safe harbor for FHA.
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