Catwalk

[Sifu]

I have an H4 chemical storage building. Large tanks and process equipment are on the floor, and a system of catwalks and stairs meander throughout. The floor is 6' below grade so the building entrances/exits are at the catwalk level. Once in, you go down the stairs to access the floor level. For me it is an equipment platform, however no part of the equipment platform can be used as the MOE from the building. What now?

 

[Sifu]

Maybe it is the floor, and the lower level is a crawlspace??

 

[steveray]

Once in, you go down the stairs to access the floor level.

Splitting hairs a little, but...If it is just the stairs, it is good, if you have to go all over the catwalk, maybe not...Sounds like an equipment building, never mind a platform...

 

[ICE]

Does the catwalk only provide access to equipment or is there also stairs to the floor below from the catwalk?

 

[Sifu]

Best I can tell from the bad plans is the tanks sit on the floor and the elevated system of catwalks provide access to the top. This plan is for the shell building with plans for the equipment and process piping to come later but without the catwalks there is no MOE. The catwalks provide access to the stairs, the stairs provide access to the floor below. It 100% an equipment building.

 

[Sifu]

The plan I posted is about all I got. I am asking for more including details, sections etc., but am perplexed by what this actually is. Can't be a mezzanine due to height, can't be an equipment platform due to MOE? The height at the bottom of the switchback stair is a puzzle, but details are so bad I really have no idea what this actually is. No architectural details have been provided, no structural except what you see and a note for the engineer to approve shop drawings. I don't even believe these should be included in this permit because they will have to build them after the equipment is in place, but if they don't have them I have no MOE. I will be speaking with the architect but would like to have a better handle on my approach before I do.

 

[steveray]

Mezzanine?

 

[bill1952]

If the "catwalks" provide the only egress from the floor below, seems they should be treated like a mezzanine. If your saying can't be a mezzanine because there's not clearance under, then isn't the catwalk just raised floor areas? Like a sunken lounge? It's all main floor.

Not sure labels matter. Just check travel and dead end distances, stair geometry, guards and hand rails.

 

[north star]

# ~ #

Sifu, ...if you have communications ability with the architect,
please request that h\she label the various spaces, ...with the
appropriate Occ. Group and all the other bells & whistles.

Respectfully sir, but it is not your responsibility to figure out
the design and Code requirements........You are the representative
reviewing the submittals for compliance of the adopted Codes
& Standards.

If possible, ...try to have the RDP's be accountable for designing
this project to compliance with your AHJ's adopted Codes & Standards.

Just sayin'...

# ~ #

 

[Sifu]

If the "catwalks" provide the only egress from the floor below, seems they should be treated like a mezzanine. If your saying can't be a mezzanine because there's not clearance under, then isn't the catwalk just raised floor areas? Like a sunken lounge? It's all main floor.

Not sure labels matter. Just check travel and dead end distances, stair geometry, guards and hand rails.

All main floor is about where I am with it. Trying not to get hung on the labels but I am a little hung on the clearance under the catwalks and at the bottom of the stair. Notice the switchback stair somehow terminates under the catwalk which is apparently only 6'. If it walks and talks like a stair, it needs to act like a stair. The label thing is really about how I will refer to the issue and checking to make sure there isn't a path to compliance I have not thought of.

# ~ #

Sifu, ...if you have communications ability with the architect,
please request that h\she label the various spaces, ...with the
appropriate Occ. Group and all the other bells & whistles.

Respectfully sir, but it is not your responsibility to figure out
the design and Code requirements........You are the representative
reviewing the submittals for compliance of the adopted Codes
& Standards.

If possible, ...try to have the RDP's be accountable for designing
this project to compliance with your AHJ's adopted Codes & Standards.

Just sayin'...

# ~ #

Understood, but I always try to anticipate the response and make sure I am not out of bounds by doing my best to verify there isn't a path of compliance I haven't seen. As far as the plans, they are woefully inadequate, and will carry many comments back, but I don't really understand how it isn't my responsibility to figure out the design. My question is about how the code would view the catwalk, which if I can't figure out I can't "review the submittal for compliance". In this case, the architect makes one mention of this element, when he says "metal deck by others", to which I have provided a comment to provide plans, sections and details. The drawing I uploaded is the best (and only) representation of it from the structural engineer, who will also receive comments because they only mention shop drawings for this element to be reviewed by them at some later date.

I also don't really understand the statement that I should try to have the RDP be accountable. From my perspective that is exactly what I am doing. I am 100% certain none of the RDP's I deal with would say I don't hold them accountable for code compliance.

 

[bill1952]

Need more info. Is the floor normally occupied or is it like an equipment platform or elevator pit, only rarely accessed for service.

I was suspecting a problem with head clearance under catwalks.

 

[ICE]

It appears that all of it is part of the equipment. OSHA regulations apply to equipment. I would not be comfortable with just one way out of the space given that an H4 is reserved for nasty chemicals.

 

[bill1952]

I see two ways out - upper right and lower right of center.

 

[Yikes]

I am confused by the plan, in that I don't see how that catwalks are all connceting and are on the same level, while the system looks to be completely interrupted by 2 adjacent flights of stairs, here:




Other than that, I don't think there's a huge difference between a room with elevated equipment platforms vs a room with sunken equipment platforms. It probably comes down to OSHA and manufacturer requirements for equipment service and electrical / mechanical codes for service access.

 

[ICE]

I see two ways out - upper right and lower right of center.

The description given stated that the space is below grade with the exit accessible from the catwalk. I see what you are referencing and it does look like a pair of doors.

 

[bill1952]

The description given stated that the space is below grade with the exit accessible from the catwalk. I see what you are referencing and it does look like a pair of doors.

Clipped drawing.

Consider catwalk main floor and lower level basement, or crawl space. Only problem I see is some parts of basement can't get to a stairs without ducking. Not sure if that's permitted in an industrial setting.

 

[Sifu]

Clipped drawing.

Consider catwalk main floor and lower level basement, or crawl space. Only problem I see is some parts of basement can't get to a stairs without ducking. Not sure if that's permitted in an industrial setting.

Yes, that is a concern but then I consider a crawlspace with equipment. I was wondering about the IMC requirements for access vs. the IBC MOE. The IMC makes mention of service platforms but they don't expand on them and they are related to equipment on the elevated surface, not under it. There are two ways out, and they are connected by the catwalk system.

If it is a "mezzanine" they need the height under it. If it is an equipment platform they do not. If it is a mezzanine it can be used as the MOE, if it is an equipment platform it cannot. If it is the floor, and the lower level is a crawlspace then neither headroom or exiting is an issue....except for the termination of the switchback stair. I think that is the path to compliance. What I am unsure of is the concept that none of this applies due to it's special industrial use and the fact that it is a building used to house tanks and equipment and nothing else. I can't find exemptions to the issues I have raised, so I brought it to a bunch of people who may have better intel.

Lots of comments for this shell building, including hazmat inventory and safety sheets, even though they are not included in this permit because I can't determine code compliance without that info.