Sometimes I have to check myself

[Sifu]

I have an existing 23,000sf² (plate), two story, V-B building. It is an existing B, separated from an existing S-1 by an existing "2-hr wall", and sprinklered on the S-1 side only. There are no changes to the classifications except they may be adding a 1200sf² training room to the second floor, but still calling it B. The second floor area is 3,500sf², accessed by two stairs. Only one of six toilet rooms is accessible. There is no source capture system on the repair side (maintenance of commercial emergency vehicles) There is very little reconfiguration (mostly in the bathrooms), They don't reference the IEBC but this would be a level 2 alteration if using the work area compliance method. The 2nd floor space being used as a training room is existing, although I don't know if it was previously used for this purpose (my guess is they will say it was if asked).

The way I see it, even though this is not even close by current code, this mostly gets a pass as existing, with the exception of accessibility, which is a problem.

 

[Msradell]

By reading your description that maintenance of "emergency vehicles" is done in the facility I'm wondering if this is actually a governmental facility? If that's the case then a whole different set of requirements are applied as far as accessibility goes.

 

[e hilton]

I'm wondering if this is actually a governmental facility?

Could be a contract ambulance service.

 

[Sifu]

Could be a contract ambulance service.

Nail on the head

 

[Sifu]

Back to that training room on the second floor: If this area was not previously used as an assembly space, it would kick over to the provisions for a change of occupancy, from a lower hazard B to a higher hazard A3. These provisions would then not permit the A use on the second floor, and require the allowable area for the building to comply with the IBC, factoring in the A use. If this is the case then many of the passes granted by the IEBC which would allow this building to continue it it's current condition evaporate...yes/no? As for accessibility, in the IBC the second floor would be required to be on an accessible route, but in the IEBC it isn't as clear. If it is a change of occupancy then 305.6 kicks in, and a route is required unless the area of the change of occupancy is not an area of primary function per 305.7, which I am not sure if the training room would be considered as such. What a mess. I think this may be a thought exercise as I imagine that no matter what the use before actually was, it will be assembly when I ask.