Markmax33
Bronze Member
If you have a mixed occupancy building with multiple fire areas, how do you calculate the allowable number of stories for the building or portions of the building? Can anyone confirm my logic please!!:inspctr
The IBC 2012 code sections read:
SECTION 508 MIXED USE AND OCCUPANCY
508.3 Nonseparated occupancies.
508.3.2 Allowable building area and height.
The allowable building area and height of the building or portion thereof shall be based on the most restrictive allowances for the occupancy groups under consideration for the type of construction of the building in accordance with Section 503.1.
508.4 Separated occupancies.
508.4.3 Allowable height.
Each separated occupancy shall comply with the building height limitations based on the type of construction of the building in accordance with Section 503.1.
1. It seems clear that for a separated building you can build the number of stories for each occupancy based on each separated occupancy.
2. It seems clear that for a non-separated building you can build the number of stories for lowest allowable stories in the building among the occupancies.
An example:
If fire area A had 2 occupancies and one occupancy allowed a building of 3 stories and the other allowed 4 stories for a given construction type is this correct?
3. Find the smallest allowable number of stories for the two occupancies in the fire area in question and then say that fire area could only have 3 stories? (this would follow the logic on how allowable area is calculated in a fire area)
*I'm aware of all of the allowable height increases for the fire sprinkler system, etc.
Thanks for any advice in advance!
The IBC 2012 code sections read:
SECTION 508 MIXED USE AND OCCUPANCY
508.3 Nonseparated occupancies.
508.3.2 Allowable building area and height.
The allowable building area and height of the building or portion thereof shall be based on the most restrictive allowances for the occupancy groups under consideration for the type of construction of the building in accordance with Section 503.1.
508.4 Separated occupancies.
508.4.3 Allowable height.
Each separated occupancy shall comply with the building height limitations based on the type of construction of the building in accordance with Section 503.1.
1. It seems clear that for a separated building you can build the number of stories for each occupancy based on each separated occupancy.
2. It seems clear that for a non-separated building you can build the number of stories for lowest allowable stories in the building among the occupancies.
An example:
If fire area A had 2 occupancies and one occupancy allowed a building of 3 stories and the other allowed 4 stories for a given construction type is this correct?
3. Find the smallest allowable number of stories for the two occupancies in the fire area in question and then say that fire area could only have 3 stories? (this would follow the logic on how allowable area is calculated in a fire area)
*I'm aware of all of the allowable height increases for the fire sprinkler system, etc.
Thanks for any advice in advance!