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existing building

  1. U

    Conversion of 14-stories commercial building (bank) into residential building.

    Hi everyone, This is my first approach to the IECC code, so I have some follow up questions. I am working on a project for an existing 14-story building that was previously in commercial (bank) use and had been unoccupied for 10 years. I have seen that in section R505 "Change of Occupancy or...
  2. D

    Condo - Fire door

    I'm redesign a condo unit. The kitchen has a door into the building corridor (2hr wall 45 min door). The owner ask to remove the door, so there will be more room for cabinets, but building manager requires door to stay, but allowed the door to be cover on the inside. Does the wall on the...
  3. H

    High-Rise Communicating Stair

    HVAC designer here, I'm working on a job with an existing high rise tower with a communicating stair connecting 2 floors. The architect wants to cut another hole in the ceiling to have this stair connect 3 floors. I'm trying to figure out any mechanical implications of them doing so; is there a...
  4. P

    Egress Window for R-2 occupancy

    I have an existing motel project where they would like to replace the windows, but the existing sills are greater than 44" AFF which was acceptable when the structure was built. Would these be required to be lowered to meet current egress code if they are replaced? Thanks, I did a wide search...
  5. K

    Accessible Entrances and Restrooms in an Existing Building

    I'm working on an existing building in California. It's three stories with a basement. We are going to be doing tenant improvements on all three floors. There isn't any change in occupancy. Since you are allowed to go up or down one story to an accessible restroom, can we just upgrade the...
  6. T

    Repair of Chair Lift

    I have a turn of the century building (not sure if it's on the National Historic Registry) that had a chair lift added in the 90's. The lift is in the main entrance foyer and ascends 5 steps into the main portion of the office building. The building has since changed ownership and the chair lift...
  7. T

    ANSI 117.1 (Interior Fit-Out) Clearances per "New/Addition" or "Existing Building"?

    The update to ANSI 117.1 has different required accessible maneuvering clearances for "New Buildings vs. Additions" or "Existing Buildings." Which should a non-structural interior fit-out commercial office) follow? This does not seem to be clearly defined by the ANSI 117.1 definitions. a. Is...
  8. jar546

    Code Administration Question of the Day 2 Aug 2018

    Scenario: You have an existing commercial building that consists of 2 empty old "store fronts" on the bottom, facing the street and residential apartments above. It is an older building, Type V construction, NS (non-sprinklered). A municipal permit research reveals no permitting back as far as...
  9. P

    unreasonable hardship

    has anybody ever heard of an unreasonable hardship application being denied by an AHJ? are there any jurisdictions that actually make a determination upon receiving an UR application, or do they all just accept them, stamp them approved and then put them in their file like all the jurisdictions...
  10. M

    stair shaft enclosure conflicting sections in chapter 10 2015 IEBC

    Can anyone comment on the seemingly conflicting provision of Section 1012.4.1 and Section 1012.7.2 with regard to stair shaft requirements in an occupancy conversion? Section 1012.4.1 has specific direction stating "Stairways shall be enclosed in compliance with the applicable provisions of...
  11. indyarchyguy

    Elevator Accessiblity

    My client is renovating an existing building. They have installed a new elevator which meets elevator accessibility requirements. There is a second elevator which is existing but is in such bad shape, they are replacing it with a new cab, equipment, machinery, etc. The intent was to reuse the...
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