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Addition in an existing building

Mech

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Joined
Oct 30, 2009
Messages
1,054
Location
Eastern PA
2009 IEBC

Addition is defined as "An extension or increase in floor area, number of stories, or height of a building or structure."

Would the addition of a mezzanine (which does not contribute to the floor area below) in an existing building fall under the category of an addition, as opposed to an alteration? I'm thinking it would be an addition.

Working w/ people always looking for short-cuts is unfortunately causing ill effects on me.

Thanks
 
a mezzanine (which does not contribute to the floor area below)
That is true when figuring the allowable area of a building however I do not believe you can use that for a determination between addition and alteration. A mezzanine still has an occupant load and use associated with it.

2009 IBC

FLOOR AREA, GROSS. The floor area within the inside perimeter of the exterior walls of the building under consideration, exclusive of vent shafts and courts, without deduction for corridors, stairways, closets, the thickness of interior walls, columns or other features. The floor area of a building, or portion thereof, not provided with surrounding exterior walls shall be the usable area under the horizontal projection of the roof or floor above. The gross floor area shall not include shafts with no openings or interior courts.

FLOOR AREA, NET. The actual occupied area not including unoccupied accessory areas such as corridors, stairways, toilet rooms, mechanical rooms and closets.
 
Mech said:
2009 IEBCAddition is defined as "An extension or increase in floor area, number of stories, or height of a building or structure."

Would the addition of a mezzanine (which does not contribute to the floor area below) in an existing building fall under the category of an addition, as opposed to an alteration? I'm thinking it would be an addition.

Working w/ people always looking for short-cuts is unfortunately causing ill effects on me.

Thanks
It is new usable floor area and so it is an addition. And as such . . it is NEW
 
Thanks MT and Yankee. I know I'm gonna get challenged by someone here in the office.

The next question I need to research is, "Well, if we remove 1,000 sf from the existing non-accessible 3,600 sf 2nd floor, can we install a new 1,000 sf second floor in a different part of the building w/o complying with accessibility requirements."

No change in net floor area, but it IS new construction. At least I can still come to work tomorrow and get paid to research the question.
 
NEW!!!!!!! Must comply. You wouldn't be asked if it needed compliant egress because it "isn't new" would you?
 
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