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Restroom Facilities in Storage Building

M

MetalBuildingGuy

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Joined
Jul 25, 2018
Messages
3
Location
Florida
Florida Building Code 6th Edition Plumbing (2017)

I have an existing 10,000 SF storage building that includes a 2,000 office area and 8,000 SF for storage. Inside the office I have men's and women's restrooms of adequate size. I want to build another 4,000 SF storage building on the same property about 200' away to storage more equipment. The occupancy of the new building is group S-1. The local building official is requesting that I provide "Restroom Facilities" in the new building based on the S-1 occupancy and section 403 and the table 403.1 that states I must have one restroom and one service sink.

I'm trying to find an exemption that would allow me to build this storage building without having to build a restroom and install a service sink since I already have them in the existing main building on the same site.

Thanks.
 
See if the Fl building code has similar language


[P] 2902.3.2 Location of toilet facilities in occupancies other than malls.
In occupancies other than covered and open mall buildings, the required public and employee toilet facilities shall be located not more than one story above or below the space required to be provided with toilet facilities, and the path of travel to such facilities shall not exceed a distance of 500 feet (152 m).

Exception: The location and maximum travel distances to required employee facilities in factory and industrial occupancies are permitted to exceed that required by this section, provided that the location and maximum travel distance are approved.
 
Florida Plumbing Code section 403.3.3
Location of toilet facilities in occupancies other than malls


In occupancies other than covered and open mall buildings, the required public and employee toilet facilities shall be located not more than one story above or below the space required to be provided with toilet facilities, and the path of travel to such facilities shall not exceed a distance of 500 feet (152 m).

Exception: The location and maximum distances of travel to required employee facilities in factory and industrial occupancies are permitted to exceed that required by this section, provided that the location and maximum distance of travel are approved.
 
Thanks everyone and I agree with this exemption.

When I mentioned it over the phone to the plumbing reviewer (not the building official) he commented that he was interpreting it as "in the same building". However the code clearly does not say it must be in the same building and only mentions 500'. Furthermore this new building will not be accessible to the public therefore I don't believe the path of travel will need to be compliant with the accessibility code but could be if it must.
 
Good point.

I was reading 403.3 & 403.3.1 and assuming the code was stating that access to public toilet facilities must meet the accessibility code. The approximate 200' travel distance (measured from the farthest end of the proposed new building) is across flat concrete so I'll make sure the civil engineer is aware and doesn't set the FFE of the new building too high causing a slope issue when exiting the new building.
 
Why is it an S-1? Does it need to be heated/cooled, and are you going to have any space other than storage space in there (office, breakroom, etc)? If not, can't you call it a U, hang a couple lights, and be done?
 
$ ~ $

IMO, ...the Florida BO is applying Table 403.1 [ `17 FPC ]
because of the Occ. Load of the new 4,000 sq. ft. bldg......This
would be 8 Occupants......I believe that the BO is within their
correct interpretation to require the additional plbg. fixtures.

That said, ...what is the current plbg. fixture count in the
existing Restrooms ?......Will those existing plbg. fixtures
accommodate 8 additional Occupants ?

"If" the existing plbg. fixtures will accommodate 8 additional
occupants; according to the currently adopted Plumbing Code,
I would recommend that you create a spreadsheet with the
total count of the existing plbg. fixtures, ...cite the applicable
Code Sections & Tables in it, ...call the local BO and invite them
to visit the existing Restrooms for a visual verification of your
case \ position......."IF" the existing plbg. fixtures will not
accommodate 8 additional Occupants; according to the currently
adopted Plumbing Code, what is your position ?.......Have you
performed the calculations & checked them against the currently
adopted Plumbing Code ?


$ ~ $
 
IBC 2902.3.3 contains the same exception so this is applicable outside of Florida as well. I just found it after seeing this forum post for use at a TN facility.
 
MetalBuildingGuy said:
Thanks everyone and I agree with this exemption.

When I mentioned it over the phone to the plumbing reviewer (not the building official) he commented that he was interpreting it as "in the same building". However the code clearly does not say it must be in the same building and only mentions 500'. Furthermore this new building will not be accessible to the public therefore I don't believe the path of travel will need to be compliant with the accessibility code but could be if it must.
Click to expand...

I just dealt with this exact scenario. I rejected the plan because there were no toilet facilities in the new building. The applicant appealed to the State, and the State (in its infinite wisdom) said the 500 foot distance applies as long as there is another building (with accessible toilet facilities) on the same property. Therefore, that's what I am stuck with. However, I don't agree with the State's interpretation. I'm dealing with a "building" code, not a "buildings" code or a "site" code. My opinion is that each building has to be viewed as a stand-alone building. The only exception I might consider would be if multiple buildings on the same site were declared and classified as multiple buildings on the same site and met ALL requirements for same.

Keep in mind that since a new building must be accessible, its toilet facilities must be accessible and there has to be a compliant accessible route between the new [accessible] building and the accessible toilet facilities in the other building. Accessibility doesn't apply only to buildings open to the public. (At least, not in my state, and not under the ADA.)
 
Yankee Chronicler said:
I'm dealing with a "building" code, not a "buildings" code or a "site" code. My opinion is that each building has to be viewed as a stand-alone building.
Click to expand...
So the kiosk that the cashier at a fuel island located on the same site as the box store has to have a restroom in it. How about the drive up coffee stand? you require a fully handicap restroom for the 2 employees?
I don't agree with a lot of "interpretations" but they are what we have to work with.
 
JCraver said:
So the kiosk that the cashier at a fuel island located on the same site as the box store has to have a restroom in it. How about the drive up coffee stand? you require a fully handicap restroom for the 2 employees?
I don't agree with a lot of "interpretations" but they are what we have to work with.
Click to expand...

U vs S-1.

The code can't perfectly address every potential scenario.
 
mtlogcabin said:
A "U" wow I did not expect that from you. ;)
Click to expand...

Why not? I try not to make stuff up, I prefer to follow the code as closely as possible. So if the attendant's kiosk at the local gas outlet for a major discount club isn't a U occupancy, what would it be? Would it me B, or since gasoline is being sold all around it would you call it an M occupancy?

I just view a single-occupant kiosk as being something totally different from a 4,000 or 6,000 or 20,000 square foot S-1 storage building. Those kiosks and guard shacks typically aren't "built" anyway -- they show up on a trailer out of Pennsylvania and get dropped on the prepared slab.
 
MetalBuildingGuy said:
I'm trying to find an exemption that would allow me to build this storage building without having to build a restroom and install a service sink since I already have them in the existing main building on the same site.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

So the trucker who has driven four hours since leaving that taco joint, so he could get to your warehouse within his mandated driving window .... where's he gonna relieve himself?

Rather than trying to skirt the codes, figure out why they are "making" you do something.
 
MetalBuildingGuy said:
Florida Building Code 6th Edition Plumbing (2017)

I have an existing 10,000 SF storage building that includes a 2,000 office area and 8,000 SF for storage. Inside the office I have men's and women's restrooms of adequate size. I want to build another 4,000 SF storage building on the same property about 200' away to storage more equipment. The occupancy of the new building is group S-1. The local building official is requesting that I provide "Restroom Facilities" in the new building based on the S-1 occupancy and section 403 and the table 403.1 that states I must have one restroom and one service sink.

I'm trying to find an exemption that would allow me to build this storage building without having to build a restroom and install a service sink since I already have them in the existing main building on the same site.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Your situation is quite common, and I understand the challenge with needing to comply with local code requirements. While the Florida Building Code 6th Edition (2017) outlines the minimum requirements for restroom facilities under Section 403 and Table 403.1, there may be potential exemptions or allowances depending on how the buildings are used and their proximity to each other.

Some jurisdictions allow shared facilities if the new structure is within a reasonable distance from an existing building with adequate restrooms, but this depends on the interpretation of the code by your local building official. It might be worth discussing with them if your existing facilities could be deemed sufficient to serve both buildings. Additionally, referencing any local amendments to the building code or consulting with a code specialist might provide more clarity on possible exceptions. Good luck!
 
Most jurisdictions in our area handle it this way, if you are claiming to utilize existing facilities in another nearby building:
1. Provide a site plan showing the travel distance form the new building to the existing restrooms.
2. Provide a floor plan showing the restrooms, and provide a copy of the original permit # for those restrooms.
3. Provide a code analysis that shows the existing occupant load that those restrooms currently serve (to verify they have excess capacity available to serve the new storage building).
4. If the existing restrooms were constructed under a previous code cycle, particularly as it relates to accessibility, then show how the restrooms will be modified to meet current code. Use the "20% rule" for accessibility upgrades as applicable.
5. If no record drawings are on file with the AHJ for the existing restrooms, then provide current plans and details for current code compliance and label these details "verify or provide".
 
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