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  1. S

    Breakers locked closed

    I think folks do this for circuits serving security systems or computer systems they don't want to accidentally get shut off.
  2. S

    Shaftwall Construction

    I've never liked the "fire wall" terminology. The old UBC used the term "area separation wall" or something like that and changing to "fire wall" introduced all sorts of confusion.
  3. S

    Vapor Barrier Requirement for Basement Concrete Walls

    Agree with classicT. See IRC R702.7. Basement walls and below-grade portions of any wall are exempt from vapor retarder requirements, and I think that's, as classicT says, because there's no way to keep moisture out of concrete and you don't want to trap moisture within an assembly.
  4. S

    NFPA 101 Question

    Table 8.3.3.2.2 is about protection of openings in rated walls and partitions. If you have a 2-hour rated wall for an elevator hoistway you'd use that row of the table for openings. To determine the required rating of the hoistway you'd start looking in 8.6 Vertical Openings; 8.6.5 has...
  5. S

    Hallway Width

    I do think that is a problem. I'm not aware of any requirement for a closer in this location (unless the door is fire or smoke rated), but you probably want one just for functionality. As e hilton said a nominal 32" door won't comply with the accessibility requirement for a 32" clear opening...
  6. S

    Hallway Width

    The things I see are that the 44" would be a clear dimension, not a dimension to framing; you'd need to check the capacity required to be accommodated to make sure you have enough width for that; check that there is enough clear space at the push side of the men's room door; and that the exit...
  7. S

    Two doors in a series

    That's a really good question. I would say a literal reading would say "yes", but it seems pretty harsh. But, as a point of reference, the ABA standards (for federal facilities) have very similar language (ABA Standards 2015, para. 404.2.6) but omit the requirement for the turning space...
  8. S

    An average day

    Wow, I have a hard time believing that was written by an actual structural engineer. Is that text stamped and signed?
  9. S

    ADA Issue? - New legal twist?

    Is this the type of door that is a roll-up grille with the lock near the floor? And that is only operable by employees? If so you might be able to argue that when the door is open the space is subject to Title III as a public accommodation but that when the door is closed it is subject to...
  10. S

    ADA Issue? - New legal twist?

    Wow, that's a troubling question. I don't know the answer but would start by looking at the door as an employee operated thing vs. a customer operated thing, assuming the door lock is only operated by employees.
  11. S

    Slammer doors

    They sure look like they don't have latches. I agree with CDA, this is a question for the expert: https://idighardware.com/2018/07/elevator-hoistway-doors/ Lori's article doesn't address latches specifically but the photo in the article shows latches.
  12. S

    Slammer doors

    It looks like 3006.2 requires the door to meet 762.2.2.1, Smoke and Draft Control, and be tested to UL 1784. I would imagine that for a door to pass that test it would have to have a latch.
  13. S

    Your Opinion vs What the Code Reads / Intent

    The code quoted above says specifically that if a Type I hood is installed then all the other components have to meet the requirements for Type I. So, no you can't buy a used Type I and install it as a Type II. I would imagine the reason for this code language is that many of those other Type...
  14. S

    Guard & Deck Issues on a Green Building Forum

    A total horror story, really. You'd have to question work on the entire house.
  15. S

    Air P&P = pool what fun

    Wow, what will they think of next? I can't imagine this being successful, but then again, there is a similar concept for dog-friendly back yards, https://www.sniffspot.com/.
  16. S

    NFPA 101 Grab Bar Conflict with ANSI

    Thanks for the update. That makes sense to me, it's consistent with the language in the code, and a person could still grab it when exiting the tub/shower.
  17. S

    Mezzanine

    If it is an equipment platform then it is not a mezzanine and needs to comply with 505.3 (I'm looking at the 2015 IBC), which limits size but not as much as mezzanines. "Equipment platform" is defined in section 202 and would need to be used exclusively for mechanical systems or industrial...
  18. S

    NFPA 101 Grab Bar Conflict with ANSI

    The NFPA grab bar requirements appear to have been added in the 2018 code. The commentary in Appendix A to 24.2.8 talks about these grab bars being for ambulatory persons and not conflicting with grab bars required by ANSI A117.1 but that the NFPA grab bars could contribute to the ANSI...
  19. S

    Not a good day in Illinois

    Fair enough. Although, that was about 100 years ago, it seems. Also, I suspect that a lot of building owners and operators don't understand either and may not realize they need a change of occupancy when they get a new tenant or change operations so don't consult an architect or the building...
  20. S

    Raised door thresholds?

    I'm not aware that there is ever a requirement to have a raised threshold at a door. There are code limits on the height and slope of a raised threshold if you have one. You might want to have one for exterior doors as part of the weatherstripping scheme, or to keep water from blowing under...
  21. S

    Not a good day in Illinois

    Lithium is a combustible (maybe even flammable) metal and is water reactive, so it takes some specialized thinking to protect any sort of quantity. I think most people (architects, BOs) don't realize that and think that batteries should be pretty harmless, but it's not true.
  22. S

    Total SF placed in drawings

    Marcia, I do a lot of work with DoD, although not with the Air Force, and also use the UFCs. The only time I would put the square footages of individual rooms on drawings would be if I needed to show that the room size met some sort of planning criteria, or if I was doing an occupant load...
  23. S

    Inclined Chair Lift

    Ty J, I think you are on good ground. I also don't see anything in 1005.7, Encroachment, to provide any relational for a reduced clearance on the stair.
  24. S

    What are permanent provisions for cooking?

    Fair enough, but NFPA is looking at it from a fire hazard point of view. The Building Code or an AHJ might look at it differently, depending on the goal and language of the particular paragraph.
  25. S

    What are permanent provisions for cooking?

    What about the built-in couch for living, and the non-removable hammock for sleeping?
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