• 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.

IBC Accessibiility to a Church Platform

Merely making an observation as to what it appears to be brudgers.

Whether it is worship or not is irrelavant, it is an assembly occupancy and will be required to comply with Chapter 10 and A117.1 as required.
 
fatboy said:
Merely making an observation as to what it appears to be brudgers. Whether it is worship or not is irrelavant, it is an assembly occupancy and will be required to comply with Chapter 10 and A117.1 as required.
And Chapter 11 Or Per accessibility State Code

Not all states use the A117.1
 
fatboy said:
Merely making an observation as to what it appears to be brudgers. Whether it is worship or not is irrelavant, it is an assembly occupancy and will be required to comply with Chapter 10 and A117.1 as required.
Only platforms used for performance are required to be accessible.
 
per·form

verb \pə®-ˈfȯrm\

Definition of PERFORM

transitive verb

1

: to adhere to the terms of : fulfill <perform a contract>

2

: carry out, do

3

a : to do in a formal manner or according to prescribed ritual

b : to give a rendition of : present
 
mark handler said:
And where is that exception in the building code?
I think he is thinking of

1108.2.8 Performance areas.

An accessible route shall directly connect the performance area to the assembly seating area where a circulation path directly connects a performance area to an assembly seating area. An accessible route shall be provided from performance areas to ancillary areas or facilities used by performers.

Some larger churches the platform may be used as a performance area, (concerts, plays) other churches the accessible route does not have to be provided from the seating area it could come from another area.

Lifts are also permitted in lieu of a ramp
 
mtlogcabin said:
I think he is thinking of 1108.2.8 Performance areas.

An accessible route shall directly connect the performance area to the assembly seating area where a circulation path directly connects a performance area to an assembly seating area. An accessible route shall be provided from performance areas to ancillary areas or facilities used by performers.

Some larger churches the platform may be used as a performance area, (concerts, plays) other churches the accessible route does not have to be provided from the seating area it could come from another area.

Lifts are also permitted in lieu of a ramp
But that is not an exception to raised platforms in churches.

There is no exception, in the IBC, for churches

All areas and elements of a church building, with the exception of of some employee areas. shall be accessible.
 
mark handler said:
But that is not an exception to raised platforms in churches. There is no exception, in the IBC, for churches All areas and elements of a church building, with the exception of of some employee areas. shall be accessible.
Again, it's not performance. It's worship.

Falls under 1104.4 exception 2.
 
mark handler said:
But that is not an exception to raised platforms in churches. There is no exception, in the IBC, for churches

All areas and elements of a church building, with the exception of of some employee areas. shall be accessible.
Agree about the raised platform area

Still not convinced about the baptistry

I can see churches leaving them out and going back to using a river or lake. Heck I have seen a watering trough set up in the parking lot of a small church used

A lose lose situation for all
 
brudgers said:
Again, it's not performance. It's worship.

Falls under 1104.4 exception 2.
A raised platform is not defined as a story or mezzanine and Most churches allow the "public" on the platform

Not only "worship" happend in the rasied platform.

You are saying the church or synagogue does not allow Weddings, conformations, sacraments, baptisms, bar mitzvahs, etcetera, on the raised platform
 
Last edited by a moderator:
mark handler said:
A raised platform is not defined as a story or mezzanine and Most churches allow the "public" on the platform
What most churches do during worship is irrelevant. As is a reference to 'the "public"'

What is relevant is that the scope of exception 2 is levels.

Not just stories and mezzanines.

If Baptists can keep Gandhi out of heaven, why shouldn't they be allowed to keep Larry Flynt off the pulpit?
 
brudgers said:
What most churches do during worship is irrelevant. As is a reference to 'the "public"'

What is relevant is that the scope of exception 2 is levels.

Not just stories and mezzanines.

If Baptists can keep Gandhi out of heaven, why shouldn't they be allowed to keep Larry Flynt off the pulpit?
2012 IBC

1104.2 Within a site.

At least one accessible route shall connect accessible buildings, accessible facilities, accessible elements and accessible spaces that are on the same site.

Exception: An accessible route is not required between accessible buildings, accessible facilities, accessible elements and accessible spaces that have, as the only means of access between them, a vehicular way not providing for pedestrian access.
 
The use of "public" in the IBC is intended to differentiate from "employee use".

"Public" would be a non-employee
 
mark handler said:
The use of "public" in the IBC is intended to differentiate from "employee use". "Public" would be a non-employee
Employees, shemployees. It's exempt because there is no specific requirement for it to be accessible in 1108.2.
 
mark handler said:
2012 IBC 1104.2 Within a site. At least one accessible route shall connect accessible buildings, accessible facilities, accessible elements and accessible spaces that are on the same site. Exception: An accessible route is not required between accessible buildings, accessible facilities, accessible elements and accessible spaces that have, as the only means of access between them, a vehicular way not providing for pedestrian access.
Yes, and so what? A worship level is not an accessible element.
 
FWIW, there was a proposed code change heard in Dallas to address just this very issue. It was E171. It was "approved as submitted" by the committee.

1103.2.8 Areas in places of religious worship. Raised or lowered areas, or portions of areas, in places of religious worship that are less than 300 sq.ft. (30 m2) in area and located 7 inches or more (178 mm) or more above or below the finished floor and used primarily for the performance of religious ceremonies are not required to comply with this chapter.
 
Codegeek said:
FWIW, there was a proposed code change heard in Dallas to address just this very issue. It was E171. It was "approved as submitted" by the committee. 1103.2.8 Areas in places of religious worship. Raised or lowered areas, or portions of areas, in places of religious worship that are less than 300 sq.ft. (30 m2) in area and located 7 inches or more (178 mm) or more above or below the finished floor and used primarily for the performance of religious ceremonies are not required to comply with this chapter.
But it is not in the current codes
 
mark handler said:
Where is "A worship level" identified on the code? Where are you getting this "Stuff"
"Level" is found in chapter 11 of the IBC. Do you think that if you had read it, perhaps you would already be familiar with it?
 
Codegeek said:
Correct, just making a point that it has potential to be in the 2015.
That's the problem with the IBC. Rather than clarifying that performance does not mean worship, they add another provision.
 
Back
Top