• Welcome to The Building Code Forum

    Your premier resource for building code knowledge.

    This forum remains free to the public thanks to the generous support of our Sawhorse Members and Corporate Sponsors. Their contributions help keep this community thriving and accessible.

    Want enhanced access to expert discussions and exclusive features? Learn more about the benefits here.

    Ready to upgrade? Log in and upgrade now.

Addition in multistory building w/out existing elevator

@ ~ 2 ~ @

Habitable floor area, ...right ?

@ ~ 2 ~ @
Yes. Part of the addition is interior to an existing space. Part will be over an existing roof area.

They have a master plan for the church and it has been split up into about 6 phases.
 
The proposed addition is within the building envelope. They built the exterior walls to two stories, but never built out the upper floor. Call it attic space. And it cannot qualify as a mezzanine.
So the real question is, to what standard was this UNFINISHED Space built?
Can the space be converted to habitable space with a Level 1 Alteration OR does it need more structural work to make the space habitable?
 
So the real question is, to what standard was this UNFINISHED Space built?
Can the space be converted to habitable space with a Level 1 Alteration OR does it need more structural work to make the space habitable?
It was not built out... meaning they put the primary structure in (WF beams), and landed the joists in bundled packs (secured for seismic), but that's it. No floor sheathing, no measurable floor area, etc.
 
It was not built out... meaning they put the primary structure in (WF beams), and landed the joists in bundled packs (secured for seismic), but that's it. No floor sheathing, no measurable floor area, etc.
If material was "Staged" then it seems that the Designer had calculated the live and dead loads plus allowed material choices that would be used for the finished product.

So. it is hard to believe that there isn't a note on the original drawing that allowed the Bldg inspector to Not Take Issue with the staged material for future Construction
Plan doesn't document a Future Construction reference?
 
If material was "Staged" then it seems that the Designer had calculated the live and dead loads plus allowed material choices that would be used for the finished product.

So. it is hard to believe that there isn't a note on the original drawing that allowed the Bldg inspector to Not Take Issue with the staged material for future Construction
Plan doesn't document a Future Construction reference?
Correct, we knew that this addition was going to happen. It has been planned for, and building designed to accommodate these future phases.

However, in building out the space, the project meets the definition of an addition, not an alteration. As such, my questions have pertained to accessibility requirements for an addition.
 
Back
Top