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Old Code search (SBC prior to 1972)

Examiner

Examiner

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Oct 22, 2009
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USA
Project was in design in 1972. Therefore, the Standard Building Code in use was prior to 1972. I need to know the allowable building area and construction type for an Assembly building. I think it would have been one of the Assembly occupancies without a stage. Occupant loads based on my oldest code copy (SBC 1997) classify Large Assembly and Small Assembly and Construction Type II-uns (un-sprinkler) as the minimum. The building is 3-stories and around 27,600-sf. I think the number of stories is going to determine the construction type. I just need to determine what the minimum Construction Type would be. The building is all concrete framed floors and structure and the exterior walls are non-combustible. There is nothing on the drawings to indicate any fire proofing/protection compliance. The Structure does not have a fire suppression system. It does have a 3-story open center stair and three other EXIT Stairs that are enclosed. Mechanical and elevator shafts are shown to be 2-hour rated. It is a college Student Union with a lot of assembly spaces, book store and some other type of shops and offices. We are going to add onto it and I see a firewall will be needed due to limited funds will not allow fire suppression in the existing building.

Research must be using the Standard Building Code prior to 1972. Also known as the Southern Building Code but that name was changed to Standard Building Code years ago.

Thank you for any help.
 
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comments deleted by north star

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Does not appear to be free. Unzipped and installed and it requires an unlock code.
 
Question. Is this research just from curiosity? Or do you have a renovation project under review? If its the later it shouldn't matter what code the building was originally built with. The current codes would apply to any renovated portions.
 
Existing buildings were to have met the code at the time they were built. I am aware of that and the fact that new work within the building must comply with the newer codes. However, this 1972 building has some issues that did not meet the code at the time it was built and I just wanted to verify my memory of the older code requirements with Chapter and verse. Also, the Construction Types were delineated different back then. The 1972 plans did not show required fire ratings for; the structure, exit access corridors, exit stairs and it has a center open stair going up three floors not in an atrium. The 1972 building does not have a fire suppression system. The 1972 building was also added to an older building that was not of the same Construction Type, which would have required a fire wall between the two but was not installed. Our design is removing the older building that will be the location of the new addition. I have already informed the Design Team that due to budget limits, a fire wall is the best option for the planned addition where the older building to be demolished was located. However, the new construction inside the existing building will have to conform to the Construction Type required for the 1972 building under the newer codes. A floor is being added upon the 1972 building’s existing roof; therefore, the new floor’s roof and support must comply with the Construction Type of the 1972 building as comparable to the newer code. In this case, because it is an existing three story building use for Assembly A-2 and A-3 occupancy groups, the Construction Type cannot be less than Type I-B under the newer Codes. The 1972 building to remain should have been a Type II-uns (un-sprinklered) under the SBC. The oldest SBC edition I have is the 1979 Edition. The existing building’s drawings were dated 1972, I graduated from college that year.
 
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Sounds like a fascinating and challenging project. Sorry I cannot help with the code itself. The oldest edition I have is the '97 UBC. I also tried looking on law.resource.org but no luck.

Will you be adding additional structural support for the new floor level? Or has there been an analysis of the existing structure to OK the increased loads?
 
Structural Engineer says it will support a new floor an its roof. I actually worked for the firm who did the 1972 building back in 1978-1980. The A&E firm mostly only did all concrete structures if the structure was more than two floors. The original A&E firm partners are no longer involved in the Business. In fact the Engineer is decessed and the Architect has been retired for many years.
 
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