• 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.

City Project

M

michaelg131

Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2015
Messages
12
Location
Texas
City wants to re purpose an old cotton gin for assembly purposes. The building was being built in the 1900's. I refused to sign off on this project read below regardless of duress from former city manager. Hence Former City Manager.

The Normal

A-3 Occupancy change

6500 sqft.

Sprinklered

Occ Load Around 400 people.

The Bad

They refuse to condition, add restrooms, and insulate the building.

They also refused to let me attend board of appeals processes as the acting building official.

The Worse

To waive the codes they appointed a building and standards committee and waived multiple codes that are required.

The board of appeals that was created is mostly unqualified individuals with the exception of 2 retired builders.

The Codes they waived.

"2009 International Plumbing Code, as amended, specifically Sections 102.5, 403, 410, 416, and 420; the 2009 International Mechanical Code, as amended,specifically Sections 102.5 and 309; and the 2009 International Fire Code, as amended, specifically Section 507"

Their Justification:

They chose to call a fully enclosed building a Pavilion wish to use the codes from type U and the Occ load of A-3.

The hard part is this is being built in the city I live in and the City I used to work for. Any advice on how to and who to contact once this building comes into use? Or, am I making a mountain out of a molehill?
 
Guess they have not been to a wedding in June in Texas !!!

Guess there are side walls???

Or did they open the place up??

Any link for pictures?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Similar to the pavilion at Disney's Epcot Village? What's the issue in calling it what it is? As far as a U occupancy, hard to see how that could be.
 
Welcome to the forum!

Yes, get a hold of the media, they'll love it. You aren't going to lose your job over it anyway.
 
& = & = &



michaelg131,

Welcome to The Building Codes Forum ! 8-)

I agree with **fatboy** !.........Somehow get this info in to

the liberal media' hands, and possibly, spread it around

on F_cebook and Tw_tter.

You might also mention to the media that you have already

posted this information on THE BEST known Building &

Construction Codes Forum on the world wide web, and

[ possibly ] provide a link to this Forum.



& = & = &
 
I am kinda new to the CBO gig but I left that city over that project and a lot of other selective enforcement problems. You know small Texas city... And yes it's enclosed. I figure I should wait for the building to be finished but man I hate that my local taxes are going toward a $167 a sqft. Bathroomless boondoggle. I look forward to getting to know and bouncing ideas off you folks.
 
The media? It's a small world when it comes to building officiating. Wherever you are/go it will be noted that you went to the media.

When the media gets done with the story it won't look like anything you are familiar with.
 
ICE said:
The media? It's a small world when it comes to building officiating. Wherever you are/go it will be noted that you went to the media. When the media gets done with the story it won't look like anything you are familiar with.
Click to expand...
They take Anonymous stories, and some tuimes it takes awhile for the story to come forth, Plus do not give them details that would link back to you.
 
michaelg131 said:
I am kinda new to the CBO gig but I left that city over that project and a lot of other selective enforcement problems. You know small Texas city... And yes it's enclosed. I figure I should wait for the building to be finished but man I hate that my local taxes are going toward a $167 a sqft. Bathroomless boondoggle. I look forward to getting to know and bouncing ideas off you folks.
Click to expand...
The no bathrooms do not make since, if they are going to have functions and rent the place out???

You might watch, and see bathrooms appear after a few events.
 
I was considering the Ada/ tdlr/ state plumbing board route. I haven't quite gotten the hang of how to be political or avoid stepping in it. Also part of the reason I came here for advice on tagging it or letting someone else.
 
cda said:
The no bathrooms do not make since, if they are going to have functions and rent the place out???You might watch, and see bathrooms appear after a few events.
Click to expand...
. Are they able to use pull up (trailer) bathrooms, I thought an enclosed occupiable space required bathrooms in the building.
 
State is not to active on some things, plus I would say they would not be the ones telling them to install bathrooms, they would more than likely say not our problem.

You just need to learn the fights you want to die on. As you are finding out you have to play politics in your job.

I am not a BO, but have seen plenty of pressure applied, Luckily most of the cities I have worked in we have enjoyed support all the way up.

Two things, if you see that a city you work for is just going to go over your head, the options are to move on, or take the plans to the person over ruling you and say sign the approval here or shut up!!!!
 
michaelg131 said:
. Are they able to use pull up (trailer) bathrooms, I thought an enclosed occupiable space required bathrooms in the building.
Click to expand...
Even though here in Texas there are outhouses still, alot of people do not like to use them
 
Will they be serving "Spirits"? If so, doesn't even Texas Alcoholic Beverage law require "seperate" restrooms for patrons?
 
ADAguy said:
Will they be serving "Spirits"? If so, doesn't even Texas Alcoholic Beverage law require "seperate" restrooms for patrons?
Click to expand...
I think it's BYOB and BYOW since there will not be fountains either.
 
steveray said:
I certainly would not let it go as a U...even a pavilion is not necessarily a U. Sounds like a mess to me
Click to expand...
I was under the impression a pavilion is at least open on 2 sides minimum. But yeah after that amongst other things I moved on.
 
michaelg131 said:
I was under the impression a pavilion is at least open on 2 sides minimum. But yeah after that amongst other things I moved on.
Click to expand...
Don't think pavilion is defined in IBC

any web links to pictures of this thing??
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top