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Gas station canopy question

Pcinspector1 said:
Does a gas station canopy typically require special inspections?
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It has been a few years since the last of a dozen gas stations that I inspected,,,,none required special inspection. Structural observation has crept into many projects and might be called out on the plans.
 
$ $ $ $

Is the canopy attached to another habitable structure,
within close proximity to another habitable structure,
or does the canopy have combustible materials in its
construction [ i.e. - fire separation distance &
rainwater \ snow loads ] ?

$ $ $ $
 
north star said:
$ $ $ $

Is the canopy attached to another habitable structure,
within close proximity to another habitable structure,
or does the canopy have combustible materials in its
construction [ i.e. - fire separation distance &
rainwater \ snow loads ] ?

$ $ $ $
Click to expand...
Stand alone canopy over pumps. Iwas thinking special inspection on the footing, the welding and bolt connections but wasn't sure if this wa the norm?
 
Welding would require special inspection if the welds involve structural members. Fabrication welds done offsite are required to done at a LA City approved fabricator. I might have misspoke in post #3 but I’m pretty sure that the canopy bolts together. Unless the bolting is high-strength bolting, special inspection is not required.
 
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The only one I've seen had special inspections for the bolts and the foundation. We are in a high seismic zone though...
 
Joe.B said:
The only one I've seen had special inspections for the bolts and the foundation. We are in a high seismic zone though...
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If the concrete compressive strength exceeds 2500 then special inspection is required with samples and lab test.
 
Joe.B said:
The only one I've seen had special inspections for the bolts and the foundation. We are in a high seismic zone though...
Click to expand...
If the concrete compressive strength exceeds 2500 then special inspection is required
e hilton said:
Doesn’t almost all commercial concrete exceed 2500 psi?
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I can’t say with any certitude. The compressive strength of concrete is dependent on how much cement is in the mix as well as how much water is used. 2500 can be specified and in 28 days it might reach 4500. My recommendation is specify 2500, use a four sack mix at a four inch slump and expect 6000 Fc at 28 days.

I have seen plans for commercial with 2500 and residential with 3000. There’s no hard and fast rule.
 
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I had been seeing it more in the last few years….even in residential. Not sure it makes a lot of sense.
 
e hilton said:
Let me rephrase. I have never seen commercial concrete specified at less than 3,000.
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The design has to be based upon ≤2500psi to exempt special inspection. That said, the EoR will often specify a higher strength for durability.
 
It has been at least five years since the last gas station. As I recall the footings were 2500psi and the driveway was 3000psi which is typical. We do not inspect the driveway beyond the ADA requirements so if a special inspector was hired, it was done for their own purposes. There was bolting but whether or not it was high strength escapes me. There was probably some incidental welding that would not require special inspection.

So that is my memory and I don't trust my memory for much.
 
A little back story:
The old canopy had two center columns and the wind flipped it over like a plane not tied down. Luckly no one was hurt, but my own little observastion after the damage I noticed that the columns were only tack welded at the base and that IMHO that was the week point, But I ain't no engineer!

Yesterday, after finishing my hot dog and Big Gulp, because that's what I can afford, I notice a concrete crew working on a column footing and thought I ask: "Could you fellas give me your observation of the situation?" huh?" Let me change that to: What the hell's goin on?" I don't have a permit for this!

They replied, well.. the owner decided to install a new canopy and thought since he had one before he did'nt need a permit. The concrete guys said they hit bed rock, and asked does it have to be 6ft deep? and I responded "Wheres the plans!" They informed me I need to call the owner for the plans. What a cluster...#uck this is!

I have determined that a special inspection for footings, welding and high strength bolts is needed. I had to provide the owner with firms that can do the inspections. Ohh.. the new plans call for six support columns, a much better design ..I think!

Thanks for your input!
 
Pcinspector1 said:
"Wheres the plans!" They informed me I need to call the owner for the plans. What a cluster...#uck this is!
. I had to provide the owner with firms that can do the inspections.
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I see a couple of issues. Not your job to call the owner for plans … no permit, no plans, no work. And it’s the owner or contractors job to find the inspection firm.
 
E hilton, I agree with those comments! But I have a higher up that thinks handholding is, like Martha Stewart sez: "That's a good thing!"
 
Steveray, agree, third party inspection firms should be approved by the AHJ. Generally contractors have a 3rd party company they like to use which can be an issue.
 
I have recently had a disscussion with an engineer and he indicated that he could argue the popint that a canopy of gas pumps is part of the equipment and be exempt from permitting? Would anyone agree with that point?

I don't see that as an IBC exemption. IMO you can pump gas without the canopy so its not any part of the equipment.
 
Pcinspector1 said:
I have recently had a disscussion with an engineer and he indicated that he could argue the popint that a canopy of gas pumps is part of the equipment and be exempt from permitting? Would anyone agree with that point?

I don't see that as an IBC exemption. IMO you can pump gas without the canopy so its not any part of the equipment.
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That is an engineer engaging his mouth before his brain and speaking from where he should be sitting.
 
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