Automotive repair IBC 2012

[lvflyer]

I own a building in a township that adopted IBC 2012. I have a tenant that is renting a series of garages. One of the garages has a gravel floor since it is just an enclosed area that is not supported by its own walls, joining two other garages. He wants to install automotive lifts, one 4 poster and one 2 poster. We were ready to poor the pads in order to install these when an inspector shows up and says we need to pave the floor. I can't find any code in IBC 2012 that says an automotive repair shop has to have a concrete floor to work on vehicles. I contacted the EPA and they told me there are no regulations prohibiting the repair of vehicles on gravel as long as there is no deliberate continual dumping of oil and fluids. Can you show me the code in IBC 2012 that dictates that we must have paved concrete at an automotive repair shop. He is using SEC 400 for his justification, but that clearly is only applicable to malls.

 

[ICE]

Is that all the inspector was concerned about? What’s going on in the adjoining garages? Can you provide details as to the construction that explain this, “just an enclosed area that is not supported by its own walls?”

 

[lvflyer]

We rented part of the building in 2008. I bought the building in 2012. The area of concern has been there all along. The property is on a heavy slope so the upstairs and downstairs are on two levels. Part of the upstairs expansion has a lower portion that is a one stall garage that is paved with a little bit of storage area. A two and a half stall garage was built free standing at one end of the property adjacent to the lower garage that is part of the upstairs expansion. Sometime after the free standing garage was built someone decided to attach the garages by way of a metal roof and a combination sliding and pull up door and back framed wall. There are no complete side walls that are part of the enclosure only a small fill in portion above the 2.5 stall garage. In no way is that portion sealed. It is exposed to full outside air. For all intense and purposes I would consider it an enclosed carport. The building has been used for several businesses. Almost all businesses used the two stall garage and the enclosed area to repair and service work vehicles. So this leads to the question what part of the IBC 2012 covers a covered outdoor space in regards to floor requirements to work on vehicles? I contacted EPA and they have no regulations regarding that except for deliberate dumping. Also what code covers the installation and use of lifts in an outdoor area. Can they be installed with pads to support the legs or do they need to be completely paved underneath?

 

[mtlogcabin]

You have to follow the code path starting with repair garages which sends you to 406.2 for the design of the repair garages and there you will find the requirements for the floor surface to be noncombustible and nonabsorbent.

406.8 Repair garages.
Repair garages shall be constructed in accordance with the International Fire Code and Sections 406.2 and 406.8. This occupancy shall not include motor fuel-dispensing facilities, as regulated in Section 406.7.

406.2 Design.
Private garages and carports, open and enclosed public parking garages, motor fuel-dispensing facilities and repair garages shall comply with Sections 406.2.1 through 406.2.9.

406.2.4 Floor surfaces.
Floor surfaces shall be of concrete or similar approved noncombustible and nonabsorbent materials. The area of floor used for the parking of automobiles or other vehicles shall be sloped to facilitate the movement of liquids to a drain or toward the main vehicle entry doorway. The surface of vehicle fueling pads in motor fuel-dispensing facilities shall be in accordance with Section 406.7.1.