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Are Dock Seals governed by the IBC?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mech
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Mech

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Eastern PA
2018 IBC

Is a warehouse overhead door dock seal governed by the IBC as an Exterior Wall Projection or Combustible Materials on the Exterior Side of Exterior Walls?

1725551413507.png

705.2 Projections. Cornices, eave overhangs, exterior balconies and similar projections extending beyond the exterior wall shall conform to the requirements of this section and Section 1405. Exterior egress balconies and exterior exit stairways and ramps shall comply with Sections 1021 and 1027, respectively. Projections shall not extend any closer to the line used to determine the fires separation distance than shown in Table 705.2. Exception: Buildings on the same lot and considered as portions of one building in accordance with Section 705.3 are not required to comply with this section for projections between the buildings.

1405.1 Combustible exterior wall coverings. Combustible exterior wall coverings shall comply with this section. Exception: Plastics complying with Chapter 26.
 
Yes...?

.[BF]EXTERIOR WALL COVERING. A material or assembly of materials applied on the exterior side of exterior walls for the purpose of providing a weather-resisting barrier, insulation or for aesthetics, including but not limited to, veneers, siding, exterior insulation and finish systems, architectural trim and embellishments such as cornices, soffits, facias, gutters and leaders.

Can't meet 268?
 
Why is it a potential problem? Loading docks usually have 60 feet or more to a fire separation distance line.
 
Thank you for the replies.

I was asked about adding a loading dock seal to a building this morning and I needed to respond today. To make my life easier, I just told the GC to ensure the loading dock seal complies with the IBC.

I have not dealt with dock seals before and I was not given a specific dock seal to reference, so I cannot check compliances.
 
We've always considered it "equipment." It's not a wall, its not structure, and it isn't a finish or covering.

It's also anchored to what is essentially a what, 2, 3, 4 hour rated wall?
 
Mech said:
I was asked about adding a loading dock seal to a building this morning and I needed to respond today. To make my life easier, I just told the GC to ensure the loading dock seal complies with the IBC.
Click to expand...
LOL The GC is still pissed about that response.

Was the dock seal design the responsibility of the GC? Seems unlikely. Assuming you're the AOR, it's probably your job to verify compliance.
 
Penguin87 said:
Most warehouses of this type are tilt construction
Click to expand...
Arguable...and also irrelevant ....14 and 26 send you back and forth a bunch....

1405.1.1​

On buildings of Types I, II, III and IV construction, exterior wall coverings shall be permitted to be constructed of combustible materials, complying with the following limitations:

  1. 1.Combustible exterior wall coverings shall not exceed 10 percent of an exterior wall surface area where the fire separation distance is 5 feet (1524 mm) or less.
  2. 2.Combustible exterior wall coverings shall be limited to 40 feet (12 192 mm) in height above grade plane.
  3. 3.Combustible exterior wall coverings constructed of fire-retardant-treated wood complying with Section 2303.2 for exterior installation shall not be limited in wall surface area where the fire separation distance is 5 feet (1524 mm) or less and shall be permitted up to 60 feet (18 288 mm) in height above grade plane regardless of the fire separation distance.
  4. 4.Wood veneers shall comply with Section 1404.5.
 
Penguin87 said:
The photo appears to show a concrete tilt panel

Most warehouses of this type are tilt construction
Click to expand...
The photo was snipped from the internet. The building in question is actually Type 3 Construction - load bearing CMU exterior walls for the first floor and then load bearing FRTW exterior walls for the second floor.

redeyedfly said:
Was the dock seal design the responsibility of the GC? Seems unlikely. Assuming you're the AOR, it's probably your job to verify compliance.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately this little project (around 6,000 sf) drug on too many years and the original designer retired prior to permit drawings being submitted. The owner did not ask about a dock seal, the GC did. We were contracted through the owner, not the GC. I could not hold up drawing submission due to a possible last minute addition.
 
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