Plumbing Fixture Count in Small Accessory Storage Building

[rosegamble]

Hi everyone.

Working with a small accessory building to an R-2 multi-unit structure. It's a storage building on the same lot, about 400 SF. Conceptually it doesn't make sense to need a bathroom / drinking fountain in this space. It has an occupancy load of 1.5ish when I calculate it. For code purposes we need to consider the storage building a separate structure from the R-2 multi-unit structure. The multi-unit structure must be IBC (not IRC) but it's townhouse like in the sense all the units have their own exterior entrances. There is no common space in the building.

I don't see any exceptions in the 2021 IBC though.

Anyone run into this before?

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

Yes, twice within the past 18 months. IBC 2902.3.3 and IPC 403.3.3 allow travel up to 500 feet horizontally and one story vertically to reach required plumbing facilities. Our State Building Inspector has stated that this can include traveling between two buildings on the same site. [I disagree, but ...]

This is not specifically stated in the IBC or the IPC, but in this state the State Building Inspector interprets the code, and that's her interpretation. Also, note that Exception #2 allows for more than 500 feet of travel in S occupancies -- if approved (by the building official).