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  1. 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...
  2. 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...
  3. 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...
  4. M

    Curious if you seen....

    Have not seen it - but a pretty strong bracing method.
  5. 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...
  6. 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...
  7. 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...
  8. 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...
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. M

    Do showers require toilets?

    My vote goes for no toilets required - shower only. The intent is to provide a place for someone to clean up a bit after a long trip.
  14. M

    Ducts on roof

    1601.4.6 (2) Exterior duct systems shall be protected against the elements. 1103.3.1 Has insulation values - but only speaks to ducts in attics, ducts in other portion of the building and ducts completely within thermal envelope. If the IRC doesn't cover a topic, reference IBC and its relevant...
  15. M

    Local Governments Lose Right To Vote.

    ICC not addressing these items in the building code does not prevent local jurisdiction from addressing them at the local level. It would be nice to have consistent rules throughout, but what works for one region does not necessarily work for another - regardless of where this would end up some...
  16. M

    vapor barrier and slim LED recessed fixture

    2018 IECC Table 402.4.1.1 Where a recessed fixture penetrates the air barrier it shall be sealed or gasketed to the finish. Fixture shall be air thight and IC rated. Vapor barrier is usually not continuous - the kraft paper used on insulation is never taped together nor does it have to be - at...
  17. M

    Makeup Air Temperature

    Not an ME but do have some mech experience. This could turn into a lot of work. I would perform a complete heat loss and heat gain calcs for the building, that would include the additional ventilation loads to see if the new system will be able to provide the neccessary heating & cooling. If...
  18. M

    Minimum Clear Height for Parking Garage

    If you need to provide accessible parking, remember that van accessible parking requires 98" vertical clearance. If not, then disregard.
  19. M

    Services provided for commercial tenants

    If there is no water to the bathroom then 505.1 could be applicable as the required hot/cold water is not being supplied to the lav. Or 504.1 that requires that plumbing fixtures must be in functional condition. If there are other bathrooms available then this might be harder to apply.
  20. M

    35' spaced brace wall lines for a 40x40' structure

    I read the guide to bracing from one of the handbooks that ICC publishes. They specifically stated there (but not in the code itself) that the intent of that 4' rule is not to artificially reduce your BWL spacing when the actual entire wall length is 4' away from it - such as along BWL1. The...
  21. M

    Maneuvering clearance at an exit door?

    If you have to make a 90 degree turn then the doors are not in series. I second what Paul said. If there is enough space (i.e. 30X48 beyond the swing of the first door) to move out of the way to let the first door close, and then approach the 2nd door, I would consider that code compliant if I...
  22. M

    Services provided for commercial tenants

    There is a chapter in the international fire code that applies to existing building (chapter 11). That should be the property owners responsibility to meet the code rather than to a specific tenant though. Property Maintenance Code also has some sections that can be used in non-residential...
  23. M

    HVAC calculations for GYM

    I meant Manual N - for light commercial projects.
  24. M

    HVAC calculations for GYM

    ASHRAE is a good one, I've used ACCA Manual J - They have some speedsheets that can be used in certain circumstances. A gym use is unique due to the activity taking place and how much heat and moisture is generated, and if you have a pool that further adds to complexity. As CDA suggested, a...
  25. M

    Can't find driveway ramping limitations in zoning code

    If the ramp will be used as part of means of egress then check out IBC 1012.2 Otherwise if no other regulations would apply, then I would design the ramp based on the type of vehicles that will be using it.
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