You keep saying the ICC does not clearly define "work area". But it does, and I've referred to it now multiple times. Here it is again:Mr Softy said:well, that's the problem. what is "work area"?
WORKAREA. That portion or portions of a building consisting
of all reconfigured spaces as indicated on the construction
documents. Work area excludes other portions of the building
where incidental work entailed by the intended work must be
performed and portions of the building wherework not initially
intended by the owner is specifically required by this code.
Now if you take this definition and apply it to the project in question, I believe you'll find your answer, and from the sounds of it, the work area will be 35% (from previous post). Yes, work is going on in all parts of the building...and yes all that work is now Level 2, but this definition of "work area" given by the ICC does not tell you to take them into account. If you decide to include all that work as the work area, I don't believe you are following the code. And a commentary won't cut it...which by the way doesn't even mention the word "work area."