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Kind of an odd question motorcycle shop

R

RichL

Member
Joined
May 10, 2015
Messages
4
Location
Missouri
I have tried a few different resources and can't seem to come up with an answer with merit.

The building is 2 stories with each having ground level entry from their own lots and the tenants are separate business's.

The discussions started off with us wanting to put a motorcycle repair shop in the upper level space. My initial reaction was that it would not be allowed but really had no basis for it beyond never having seen such a set up and a lot of the fumes are heavier than air etc.

After a bit more discussion and a few calls to the fire marshals (no help at all) the answer seems to be a lot of folks tend to agree it is perhaps not acceptable but no one can indicate any code requirements that would restrict it. I am aware this has some variance based upon the codes adopted by the state and locality, but I can't find anything in the various codes other than ventilation and makeup air requirements.

I know "just because you haven't seen it before" is not a good measure for what is acceptable and what is not, I am perhaps just stuck on it not being ok without proof.
 
Ok so one building

1. One owner?

2. How many businesses currently in it?

3. What kind of businesses?

4. How are they going to get the motorcycles upstairs?

5. Do you know what building code and edition the city has adopted?
 
There shouldn't be anything that outright does not allow it, but we would need alot more information to give an accurate answer.

What type of construction is the building? What are the other uses? What was the previous use? How large? Sprinklers? Ventilation?
 
Welcome RichL

You have posted quite an interesting question. Give us some more info so members here can help solve the puzzle.
 
The building is 2 stories with each having ground level entry from their own lots and the tenants are separate business's.
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Section 406.8 repair garages would be applicable

406.8.3 Floor surface.

Repair garage floors shall be of concrete or similar noncombustible and nonabsorbent materials.

Most likely a no go depending on how the floor system was constructed.
 
Mech said:
I think the OP has the answer.
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Negative ghost rider

Sounds like 2nd floor

""The discussions started off with us wanting to put a motorcycle repair shop in the upper level space"""
 
Sounds like a sloping lot, ground level entry on each lot/floor. We need RichL to provide more info.
 
Been quite busy today and just had time to get back to this.

I will try and address all the questions.
 
I'll be darned, I didn't know that Eva Mendes is an actress. I thought she was just Eva Mendes.
 
cda said:
Ok so one building1. One owner?

Yes one owner.

2. How many businesses currently in it?

There are only two, we occupy the top floor.

3. What kind of businesses?

Below us is a furniture store.

4. How are they going to get the motorcycles upstairs?

Both businesses are "ground level" it is built into a hillside. We face the street and they face the back so to speak.

5. Do you know what building code and edition the city has adopted?

I do not at this time know which code cycles they are on, I did not go that far into the project because my instant gut call was it likely was not allowed.
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Now to some of the other questions, it was originally built for retail and remains retail below. The cycle shop would be in addition to retail as well so to speak.

The facility is equipped with a wet system sprinkler.

The building is concrete block and concrete slab for the floors in both. The floors in our area have been well sealed and fire caulked at penetrations, Building owners construction crew on our first build out and they did a fantastic job with a high level of craftsmanship.

I am guessing the building at 20 years old roughly with a lot of updates. Our first build out was in roughly 2007 and again, the craftsmanship was very good.

I am sorry I do not have a lot more information regarding it and the current code status, I was just so positive in my own mind that it was not allowed that I did little research on it at all. Now that it was brought back up I am not so sure I was correct and that it is quite possible that it is ok, just extremely rare or rare enough I have never seen it and as a motorhead I have been around a lot of shops.

Appreciate the feedback and looking forward to more as it has me really curious at this point and it is always nice to eat a little humble pie learning you are wrong :)
 
Looks like the furniture store is a "M" occupancy

The motorcycle repair might be a "S-1"

This is using the international building code

With the sprinkler system just might be possible

The person in the city you should be talking to is the building offical
 
Yes, in MO the individual political subdivisions regulate the codes they operate under.

We are not at the point in the project of talking to the city, I brought up the issue prior to having the work engineered which still has not happened.

I too am starting to lean to the "it can happen" side of things, I just wanted to ask the questions of those a bit more familiar with up to date practices. I built hospitals back in the 80's and 90's down in Florida which was its own independent nightmare with HRS being involved in every aspect.

We had a brief meeting earlier today and the topic came up and I suggested we drop it in the engineering firms lap as they are the ones who have to stamp it and that's why we pay them the big bucks.

Appreciate everyone's feedback and will advise if new information comes to light.
 
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