occupant loads

[cheyer]

In your jurisdiction, who has the final say in occupant loads, fire or building? I would imagine the building department since Chapter 10 in the Fire code is born in the Building code....I also take in to consideration that design occupant loads would be assigned during initial building plan check while 20 years down the road in the same building, the FD would apply Chapter 10 provisions as a maintenance issue......thoughts?

 

[cda]

That is the way it should be, plus in an existing building would be nice if both depts confer

In our ahj the building dept has been deferring to fmo to set the load, long story

 

[fatboy]

Building sets, fire inspections monitor ongoing. We do both anyway.

 

[TheCommish]

The RDP for starters, during the design and plan review with me the BO, then I make the CofO, is part of the posting.

The fire official and I always work together on the cross jurisdictional issues.

2009 IBC

111.1 Use and occupancy. No building or structure shall be used or occupied, and no change in the existing occupancy classification of a building or structure or portion thereof shall be made, until the building official has issued a certificate of occupancy therefor as provided herein. Issuance of a certificate of occupancy shall not be construed as an approval of a violation of the provisions of this code or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction.

Exception: Certificates of occupancy are not required for work exempt from permits under Section 105.2.

111.2 Certificate issued. After the building official inspects the building or structure and finds no violations of the provisions of this code or other laws that are enforced by the department of building safety, the building official shall issue a certificate of occupancy that contains the following:

1. The building permit number.

2. The address of the structure.

3. The name and address of the owner.

4. A description of that portion of the structure for which the certificate is issued.

5. A statement that the described portion of the structure has been inspected for compliance with the requirements

of this code for the occupancy and division of occupancy and the use for which the proposed occupancy is classified.

6. The name of the building official.

7. The edition of the code under which the permit was issued.

8. The use and occupancy, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 3.

9. The type of construction as defined in Chapter 6.

10. The design occupant load.

11. If an automatic sprinkler system is provided, whether the sprinkler system is required.

12. Any special stipulations and conditions of the building permit.

 

[Mac]

For building projects, I like to have the RDP complete a code review summary which includes calculated occupant loads. We then check the numbers during plan review,and post the o/l (in rooms that need it) for the CofO at final insp. During annual fire & safety insps the signs & etc are verified.

 

[beach]

There is a Calif. SFM interpretation saying the fire dept. has the last say for occup. Loads in SFM regulated occupancies such as an "A" occupancy, etc.

 

[cheyer]

Thanks for the replies, folks

 

[FM William Burns]

In ours, it's both of us the BO and me and we provide them with a sign since we want them all to look similar for maintenance.