With or without area increase CBC

[BPFM]

In tables 504.3 and 504.4 of the California Building Code, the words "with or without area increase" are used when determining the allowable height and number of stories for a building. I was originally taught that buildings using the frontage increase allowance would fall under the "with area increase" and that would determine the allowable height/stories. Talking with my colleagues and researching it further, I can see their argument that the "with or without area increase" is only applicable for sprinkler increase and not frontage. Does anybody have any additional thoughts on this?

 

[RLGA]

For a state that considers itself more "progressive" than the other 49, it sure likes to be conservative when it comes to building codes and clutch tightly to the old ways of the Uniform Building Code (UBC).

According to the CBC, if an NFPA 13 sprinkler system is installed, you cannot use it for both a height and area increase—it is either one or the other. That is why the two height tables have numbers for with and without a sprinkler area increase, and the area table has numbers for with and without a sprinkler height increase. If you use the sprinkler for an area increase, then you cannot use it for a height increase, and vice versa.

You can use a frontage increase since that is part of the building area calculation and not part of any table.

 

[BPFM]

For a state that considers itself more "progressive" than the other 49, it sure likes to be conservative when it comes to building codes and clutch tightly to the old ways of the Uniform Building Code (UBC).

According to the CBC, if an NFPA 13 sprinkler system is installed, you cannot use it for both a height and area increase—it is either one or the other. That is why the two height tables have numbers for with and without a sprinkler area increase, and the area table has numbers for with and without a sprinkler height increase. If you use the sprinkler for an area increase, then you cannot use it for a height increase, and vice versa.

You can use a frontage increase since that is part of the building area calculation and not part of any table.

I appreciate your response! This is the interpretation that our group has decided to use as well.

 

[steveray]

For a state that considers itself more "progressive" than the other 49, it sure likes to be conservative when it comes to building codes and clutch tightly to the old ways of the Uniform Building Code (UBC).

I think I've seen this in a few posts recently...and the energy one really surprised me....