Equipment Platform questions

[Examiner]

We have an discussion in the office about the design of the mechanical equipment platform.

The building has a second floor and to avoid accessibility the floor area must be under 3,000-sf. The first design had a mechanical room adjacent to the Storage room. The floor area of both is over 4,500-sf. The Storage room is under 3,000-sf. Although accessible requirements are dropped for the Mechanical room the floor area of the 2nd floor as mentioned is over 4,500-sf.

Now the design is putting in a mechanical platform and making the floor area of the Storage room under 3,000-sf.

If the platform is enclosed on two or three sides with walls and still connected to the 2nd floor structure is it a platform or a room?

If the platform is disconnected from the 2nd floor by some distance, what would the distance need to be? And Is it allowed to have walls to control sound?

The platform also is required to have a large door to service equipment. The design wants to use a door to the 2nd floor’s exit stair to access the room. We can have this door only function from the Mechanical side and provide another door from the Storage room to access the Mechanical platform. Can the platform be allowed access from the adjacent room and EXIT Stair? Will it need a catwalk to the platform?

Any ideas?

 

[Examiner]

Come on you all input needed here

 

[FredK]

Love to comment but I get lost on reading descriptions (first this and then thisway????) got some plan views.

 

[Mule]

If the platform is enclosed on two or three sides with walls and still connected to the 2nd floor structure is it a platform or a room?

I would say room with a platform.

If the platform is disconnected from the 2nd floor by some distance, what would the distance need to be? And Is it allowed to have walls to control sound?

How can the platform be disconnected from the second floor?

And Is it allowed to have walls to control sound?

Why not?

The platform also is required to have a large door to service equipment. The design wants to use a door to the 2nd floor’s exit stair to access the room. We can have this door only function from the Mechanical side and provide another door from the Storage room to access the Mechanical platform. Can the platform be allowed access from the adjacent room and EXIT Stair?

I don't see why not. As long as the required fire protection is provided.

Will it need a catwalk to the platform?

Okay.......I thought I was doing good until this question. It sounds like the mechanical room is located in the attic space of the first floor and adjacent to the second floor, with access from the exit stairway from the second floor.

If you have access to the mechanical room from the stairway, why would you need a catwalk?

Okay...............now you have a mechanical room out in the middle of an attic area that can be accessed by a door from the stairway. You are required to have access to service equipment. Catwalk required.

I think I know what you are asking........

 

[globe trekker]

Examiner,

Your application doesn't sound like a platform any longer, but a partially enclosed Mech. Room somewhere over the 1st floor.

( Have you looked at Section 505.5 in the IBC ]? Also, would you now consider this particular space an "Incidental Use"

space ( refer to Table 508.2 in the IBC )?

.

 

[Examiner]

Issue is resolved. I told those in the office who disagreeded with me to go talk to the AOJ. Of course the AOJ gave them their way typical in this area.