upper level classification

[Mech]

I have an F-2 use with two levels and an attached 2 story office portion added on the side of the factory building. The upper level of the factory consists of only equipment platforms.

A suggestion was made to use the upper level in the factory as a second means of egress for the second story of the office portion.

"Equipment platforms" cannot be used for egress.

"Mezzanines" can only be 1/3 of the lower level area. I easily exceed that.

The only thing left is to call it a second story, but doesn't a second story need to have walls to separate it from the floor below? We need the upper level open to the lower level for many reasons. Also, the part of the upper level adjacent to the office portion is composed of an open grated platform, so that portion of the upper level will always be open to the main floor below. I checked the definition of "story" and it doesn't mention anything about walls or having a floor without openings.

ADA accessibity is not required (occupant load exception.)

I think the only thing to do is call this an equipment platform and provide a different means of egress from the upper office portion. Am I missing something?

Reading the codes for almost 4 days straight tends to mess up my thinking a little.

 

[High Desert]

Re: upper level classification

Basically, if it exceeds the area for a mezzanine, it has to be called a second story whether it has walls or not. The benefit you get from calling it a mezzanine is if you are maxed out on allowable stories you can still have another floor level higher than the top story floor without calling it a story.

Not sure about what kind of equipment is present, so I hesitate to comment on whether you can have the means of egress pass through it. There are rooms and areas that are prohibited to have a means of egress through them such as store rooms, kitchens, closets or spaces used for similar purposes. It may fit into this category.

 

[JBI]

Re: upper level classification

Mech - Finding a different way out for the second story office will likely be the best, easiest and safest bet (maybe even cheapest).

 

[AegisFPE]

Re: upper level classification

Though a walkway providing access to an equipment platform cannot serve as a means of egress from a mezzanine, perhaps the means of egress from a mezzanine could provide access to an equipment platform.

Seems that if the exit access route from the office mezzanine to the main floor of the factory is appropriately supported and complies with IBC Chapter 10, that it could serve as a means of egress for the office mezzanine.

 

[Plans Approver]

Re: upper level classification

Something doesn't add up here (or I have read too much code also).

I have an F-2 use with two levels and an attached 2 story office portion added on the side of the factory building. The upper level of the factory consists of only equipment platforms."Mezzanines" can only be 1/3 of the lower level area. I easily exceed that.

If you only have equipment platforms, which are not mezzanines, how do you exceed the mezzanine maximum?

The aggregate area of all equipment platforms may not exceed 2/3 of the room they are located in and the total of equipment platform and mezzanine areas may not exceed 2/3 of the room they are located in (505.5.1). Are you exceeding that figure?

What am I missing so far?

ps: You don't have to separate a second floor if you comply with 707.2, No. 7 or No. 11 and 1020.1, Exception 8.