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Interesting story on the radio this morning

Joe.B

Joe.B

SAWHORSE
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Dec 4, 2020
Messages
1,772
Location
Myrtletown Ca
Be careful to check what the IEBC says. When you change occupancies I seem to recall sometimes that change may require the building be brought into conformance with the current code
 
I have an old schoolhouse conversion that I think just came in....If they choose prescriptive IEBC what Mark says is kind if true but leaves a lot of flexibility/ responsibility on the BD/FD......Work area (Ch. 10) is a little cleaner IMO as there is less wiggle room where it is up to the building official...

SECTION 407 CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY 407.1 Conformance. No change shall be made in the use or occupancy of any building unless such building is made to comply with the requirements of the International Building Code for the use or occupancy. Changes in use or occupancy in a building or portion thereof shall be such that the existing building is no less complying with the provisions of this code than the existing building or structure was prior to the change. Subject to the approval of the building official, the use or occupancy of existing buildings shall be permitted to be changed and the building is allowed to be occupied for purposes in other groups without conforming to all of the requirements of this code for those groups, provided the new or proposed use is less hazardous, based on life and fire risk, than the existing use.
 
The IEBC has 3 different paths a Designer gets to choose use not the building department. A designer cannot mix the different options.


301.3.1 Prescriptive compliance method.
Alterations, additions and changes of occupancy complying with Chapter 5 of this code in buildings complying with the International Fire Code shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this code.

301.3.2 Work area compliance method.
Alterations, additions and changes of occupancy complying with the applicable requirements of Chapters 6 through 12 of this code shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this code.

301.3.3 Performance compliance method.
Alterations, additions and changes of occupancy complying with Chapter 13 of this code shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this code.
 
mtlogcabin said:
The IEBC has 3 different paths a Designer gets to choose use not the building department. A designer cannot mix the different options.


301.3.1 Prescriptive compliance method.
Alterations, additions and changes of occupancy complying with Chapter 5 of this code in buildings complying with the International Fire Code shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this code.

301.3.2 Work area compliance method.
Alterations, additions and changes of occupancy complying with the applicable requirements of Chapters 6 through 12 of this code shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this code.

301.3.3 Performance compliance method.
Alterations, additions and changes of occupancy complying with Chapter 13 of this code shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this code.
Click to expand...
Very seldom see #3
 
It’s a lot easier to convert a B occupancy to an R, now that EERO’s aren’t needed when each floor has 2 means of egress.
Live loads are smaller, power loads are the same or less, residential tank toilets have lower flow rates than commercial siphon jets, etc.

‘Here’s a video about mall conversions:

 
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