Access to equipment in an attic

[ewenme]

We currently have a hotel hotly contesting the IMC Section 306.3 requirement to have access that will provide for the removal of the largest piece of equipment. They are claiming that they have never had to do this anywhere, in all of their hotels. I find that hard to swallow.

Has anyone run across stiff opposition to this code requirment from other builders/contractors/design professionals?

:banghd

 

[Gregg Harris]

We currently have a hotel hotly contesting the IMC Section 306.3 requirement to have access that will provide for the removal of the largest piece of equipment. They are claiming that they have never had to do this anywhere, in all of their hotels. I find that hard to swallow.Has anyone run across stiff opposition to this code requirment from other builders/contractors/design professionals?

:banghd

Been in the code for a long time

 

[north star]

= + &

What are the dimensions of their largest piece of equipment,

and are they squealing because of the size of the opening,

...that they actually have to have one or both?......Typically,

the largest piece of removable equipment are the motors or

their brackets. Everything else can be disassembled in the

attic space and removed.

Here, ...stiff opposition is part of the everyday operations!

The fact that they are "hotly contesting" the requirement

means that that they do not have a justifiable answer for

not requiring one.

Stand your ground and require it!

& + =

 

[ICE]

What's the big deal? The equipment is already in the attic. It's not like it's a dwelling where an owner will find out he must cut open the ceiling to get new equipment in the attic. This owner wants to screw himself on purpose. Not a life safety issue. How have you determined what size the largest piece of equipment is?

 

[fatboy]

It's not just the current owner, but future owners, and it's based on the largest piece of equipment that is currently installed in the attic. Code says what it says.....JMHO

 

[pwood]

yes to opening size. the attic is a stupid place for large equipment with access only thru a clothes closet. I won't due that to anyone.

 

[ewenme]

Ice: The big deal is that they 'planned to abandon the equipment in place' when the time came that it failed. The code requirement is clear and straight forward, not a fuzzy issue. Although, in this jurisdiction it has become a political issue as the VP of the development corp put in writing that he'd like to tell us to 'shove it.' The HVAC contractor brought it to the attention of the inspector, then the avalanche rolled downed hill hitting the plan review, where this item was missed by two reviewers. My head is positioned under the guillotine and that's OK with me. But I am still requiring that they comply with the code requirement.

 

[globe trekker]

ewenme,

Sooooooooo, ..they actually kill the messenger in your neck `o the woods?

.

 

[Builder Bob]

abandon equipment in attics can become a life safety issue when additional equipment is installed on trusses not designed for the additional point loads/ weight. Besides, The scope of the codes is to cover emergency responders as well. Fire fighters don't fair to well when building collapse occurs..........The weight of abandon equipment allows the roof structure to fail earlier under fire conditions than an unloaded roof structure. (If you can't tell, this is a pet peeve of mind because in my younger days in a kitchen fire, the hood supports let go and fell to the floor. If my leg had been a 1/2 inch in the other direction, I would have lost my leg from the knee down, as it was, I had to get two other firefighter to pry the damn thing up so I could pull my trapped bunker pants out from under it.It caught the gear pocket on the pants)

 

[ewenme]

I've asked for verification that the trusses are adequately designed for the 'new access' and movement of the equipment when necessary. They have asked my boss for a variance from the code requirement. He stuck by me, and told them no. My boss called other architects, who said my requirement is not unusual, but it is routine. I'm feeling better, if not safe.

 

[klarenbeek]

Whenever I get "We don't have to do that anywhere" I say "your'e not anywhere, you are here, so code is followed." Also, Ask them for specific locations where it was allowed. Often they stop complaining and comply then, or it is always somewhere where there is little or no code enforcement.

 

[codeworks]

i get a hard time from builders for pointing out steel laying in the dirt and washers and nuts missing on plates at the slab. they want a "no inspection" inspection, if you get my drift