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Fire Stations and ADA

Looks like hlfireinspector got it right and he clearly said R-2. The only other associated occupancy category we typically see around here in fire stations is A-3.
 
My apologies if I offended anyone! I mistakenly assumed that the " Yes 3 " was for

an Occupancy Group designation. It appears to be for 3 separate Occupancies inside

their new fire station.

.
 
hlfireinspector said:
Just finshed building new station:Bay S-1

Offices B

Living quarters R-2

Fully sprinklered NFPA 13
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The last one we had go up was exactly like this except it was fire house/ambulance with helipad
 
gbhammer said:
The last one we had go up was exactly like this except it was fire house/ambulance with helipad
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The original design for ours called out a climbing wall. It didn't quite make the budget cuts.
 
The only thing that did not make the budget cuts was the underground storm water detention vault, that was going to be used for all non potable water in the building.
 
hlfireinspector said:
With handicapp bathroom in quarters (with shower) and in offices and front lobby (Yes 3)
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Yes 3 means three handicapp bathrooms in building and the one of the 5 in the bed hall has a handicapp shower. Now to drive point home we have a handicapp EMA director that works in building from 8-5 mon-friday.
 
Three ACESSIBLE bathrooms, not required.

One of each "bathing facilities" shall be accessible (men/Women)

If a restroom is provided for the offices or for guests, "It or They" shall be accessible.
 
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Mark I thought all bathing rooms had to be accessible?

2009 IBC

1109.2 Toilet and bathing facilities. Each toilet room and bathing

room shall be accessible.
 
gbhammer said:
Mark I thought all bathing rooms had to be accessible?2009 IBC

1109.2 Toilet and bathing facilities. Each toilet room and bathing

room shall be accessible.
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The previous post indicated you need three "handicap" accessible bathrooms. You do not. How many "bathrooms" do you have?

Toilet rooms or restrooms are not the same as bathrooms or bathing facilities.

It's a matter of "semantics” is the real meaning is being lost in verbiage
 
mark handler said:
The previous post indicated you need three "handicap" accessible bathrooms. You do not. How many "bathrooms" do you have?Toilet rooms or restrooms are not the same as bathrooms or bathing facilities.

It's a matter of "semantics” is the real meaning is being lost in verbiage
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The word "semantics" itself denotes a range of ideas, from the popular to the highly technical. It is often used in ordinary language to denote a problem of understanding that comes down to word selection or connotation. This problem of understanding has been the subject of many formal inquiries, over a long period of time, most notably in the field of formal semantics.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semantics

(sorry mark, i couldn't help myself. i mean who doesn't just live to watch noam chomsky documentary on semantics...i know i do. :insert guy with stick beating dead horse icon here:)
 
I have my feeling (opinion) on this matter as well.... IF accessibility was manddated by the government and public taxpayer monies are being spent - and the public visits said firehouse (open house in october), then government buildings should be accessible period.

Not any different than
 
mark handler said:
The previous post indicated you need three "handicap" accessible bathrooms. You do not. How many "bathrooms" do you have?Toilet rooms or restrooms are not the same as bathrooms or bathing facilities.

It's a matter of "semantics” is the real meaning is being lost in verbiage
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Fire Station has seven "water closets" total. Three of these are accessible and one has accessible shower. The front lobby of the station has an accessible "water closet". The Fire bedhall has four water closets with showers one of which is accessible. The Battalion bed hall has a water closet. The office area also contains a small meeting room for public use and FD training and the water closet that servers this area is accessible. I did not say this many water closets was required but there is nothing wrong with going above the code requirements.
 
FURTHER COMPLICATING OUR ISSUES, WE HAVE.....

(Add) 1103.2.16 Mezzanines. Mezzanines having fewer than 3,000 square feet of gross floor area, either singly or in the aggregate for multiple mezzanines on any floor are not required to be accessible and are not required to be located on an accessible route, provided that the goods and services available on any mezzanine shall be available in accessible areas.

Any ADA input on that Mark?
 
And further muddying the water....

STATE BUILDING CODE INTERPRETATION NO. I-10-12

March 23, 2012

The following is in response to your request for formal interpretation dated March 21, 2012.

Question:

If a building to be constructed is to be occupied as a fire department facility in a Connecticut municipality, is it excluded by the language of Section 1103.2.15 #2, from the 3,000 square foot exemption and therefore must provide accessibility for fire department personnel (firefighters) to the upper floors even if they are less than 3,000 square feet each?

Answer:

This code section is derived from Connecticut General Statute Section 29-274©, which is based on ADA language and which I cannot interpret, but I will give my opinion regarding the subject. Yes, firehouses have, in the past, been ruled to be a municipal building by this office and would be required to provide accessibility to an upper floor even though it is less than 3,000 square feet.
 
steveray said:
FURTHER COMPLICATING OUR ISSUES, WE HAVE.....(Add) 1103.2.16 Mezzanines. Mezzanines having fewer than 3,000 square feet of gross floor area, either singly or in the aggregate for multiple mezzanines on any floor are not required to be accessible and are not required to be located on an accessible route, provided that the goods and services available on any mezzanine shall be available in accessible areas.

Any ADA input on that Mark?
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You have a general rule, for general occupancies, that says less than 3,000 sf, accessibility not required and you have specific interpretations and requirements that says it does.

I would say follow the specific interpretations and requirements. Access required for firestations.
 
mark handler said:
The Pole does not need to be in compliance, "an" accessible POT does.
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Your right it is that big hole in the floor that needs a 42" guard around it and maybe even a fire rated opening protect between the uses they really don't like
 
The Fire Chief has not fully thought through his staff and buildings value to his community.

When a disaster happens in his jurisdiction (since the building is built to a higher importance factor than those surounding it) hundreds of homeless will be looking for aid at his (thier) fire station. This will include disabled (maybe as a result of the disaster (Somthing to think about - along with the volumes of cases already noted).
 
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