Matt Lorenz
REGISTERED
I have a situation where we are creating a 2'-0" platform that steps down 12" then another 2'-0"/ 12" then 2'-0"/12". The total length of the corridor is 27'-0". Curtain wall glass at the facade and a 25'-0" x 27'-0" wide flat corridor with a step down area that is curtain wall at the side. This is a bridge connector between two buildings so the adjacent opening lead to corridors. We just simply want to drop the floor on one side that is 7'-6" wide running the full length of the 27'-0".
Yes, we are wanting to use this drop in flooring as a seating area but are not providing any FFE or seats or finish material that calls it out as a seating opportunity. Floor will be polished concrete.
My question is does the "platform/slab depression" itself considered a "seat/bench" if we labeled it "student lounge" and being next to a "bridge" flat 17'-10" walkway? Or should we just call the entire space "Bridge"?
Do I need to then create steps that would then allow access to these platforms on each side?
Then that triggers the ADA platform due to it now being considered seating?
If we just want to drop floor down on one side the of the bridge corridor slab to create better views of the courtyard below is this considered a seating area or assembly space?
What if we wanted to put plotted plants on those depressed area would this then take it out of the code issue of access?
I can seem to find any thing in the IBC or commentary that address this issue in a corridor. The fact that it is in a corridor would then NOT trigger any assembly code or such that would be awesome. Yes we would like people to use it a s seating area but by defining this seems to trigger a lot of other code compliance.
Currently we fall under 2009 IBC.
Can anyone shed some light on this issue. Just trying to solve this issue without needed guard rails at end conditions and not providing any steps for access.
Thanks, M
Yes, we are wanting to use this drop in flooring as a seating area but are not providing any FFE or seats or finish material that calls it out as a seating opportunity. Floor will be polished concrete.
My question is does the "platform/slab depression" itself considered a "seat/bench" if we labeled it "student lounge" and being next to a "bridge" flat 17'-10" walkway? Or should we just call the entire space "Bridge"?
Do I need to then create steps that would then allow access to these platforms on each side?
Then that triggers the ADA platform due to it now being considered seating?
If we just want to drop floor down on one side the of the bridge corridor slab to create better views of the courtyard below is this considered a seating area or assembly space?
What if we wanted to put plotted plants on those depressed area would this then take it out of the code issue of access?
I can seem to find any thing in the IBC or commentary that address this issue in a corridor. The fact that it is in a corridor would then NOT trigger any assembly code or such that would be awesome. Yes we would like people to use it a s seating area but by defining this seems to trigger a lot of other code compliance.
Currently we fall under 2009 IBC.
Can anyone shed some light on this issue. Just trying to solve this issue without needed guard rails at end conditions and not providing any steps for access.
Thanks, M
