Yikes
Gold Member
Our firm does a lot of apartment developments that have metal carports (no walls, just roof and posts). These private carports are typically at least 30' away from the apartments, and they are often within 5-10' of the property line.
Usually, there's a long row of parking stalls, and the size of the carport assembly maxes out just under 3000sf.
I had a plan checker question me:
(1) if the carports are U occupancy, shouldn't they be limited to 1,000 sf max per 406.3.1?
(2) Are there limitations on the carports being say, 7' away from the property line, and having no walls? Are these "unlimited unprotected openings" allowed?
I say:
1. 406.3.1 limits "U" private garages to 1,000 sf, but a carport is not a garage! "Carport" has it's own unique definition per 406.3.5, and therefore the governing factor for a nonsprinklered U occupancy Type 2B metal carport 8,500 SF per table 506.2.
2. Because Table 601 requires no fire ratings, then 705.8.1 exception #2 allows unlimited openings. Likewise, table 602 footnote g makes fire ratings based on property line distance as 0 hours.
Do you agree?
Usually, there's a long row of parking stalls, and the size of the carport assembly maxes out just under 3000sf.
I had a plan checker question me:
(1) if the carports are U occupancy, shouldn't they be limited to 1,000 sf max per 406.3.1?
(2) Are there limitations on the carports being say, 7' away from the property line, and having no walls? Are these "unlimited unprotected openings" allowed?
I say:
1. 406.3.1 limits "U" private garages to 1,000 sf, but a carport is not a garage! "Carport" has it's own unique definition per 406.3.5, and therefore the governing factor for a nonsprinklered U occupancy Type 2B metal carport 8,500 SF per table 506.2.
2. Because Table 601 requires no fire ratings, then 705.8.1 exception #2 allows unlimited openings. Likewise, table 602 footnote g makes fire ratings based on property line distance as 0 hours.
Do you agree?