The Building Codes A.R.E. Building Design and Construction Exam Prep

Transcription

1 Know Thy Codes! The Building Codes

2 Building Codes The Code of Hammurabi 4000bc Developed 19 th and 20 th c. Codes define what you can and can t do Allowable area and height based on degree of danger Fire ratings, egress, fire protection, occupancy, Specify materials, prescriptive

3 Building Codes Insurance companies developed first standards Regional building codes National Building Codes International building codes Competing codes NFPA IBC Federal Guidelines vs. local codes

4 Use and Occupancy Group A Assembly Group B Business Group E Educational Group F Factory Group H Hazardous Group I Institutional Group M Mercantile Group R Residential Group S Storage Group U Utility Could be mixed occupancy!

5 Types of Construction Two characteristics considered: 1. Are the structural materials classified as combustible or non-combustible? 2. How long can the structure be anticipated to not collapse under fire load Non Combustible Structural components made of steel, concrete, masonry or other limited combustible, not wood TYPE I and TYPE II Combustible Structural components made of wood or other materials deemed combustible TYPE III, TYPE IV, TYPE V

6 Fire rated Construction Goal Protect the occupants in the event of a fire until the reach the public way. 4, 3, 2, or 1 hour fire rated construction based on occupant type how much time to get them out Codes differ in ratings and requirements! KNOW your IBC, Check your NFPA

7 Building Volume Area & Height Building height and area is determined by the type of construction along with occupancy based on Table 503 in the IBC and Table in NFPA 5000 Area increases for frontage and sprinkler system Area increases on having more than one story

8 Fire Collapse support the building until it is evacuated Containment or compartmentalize the fire with fire separations of walls, floors, ceilings, shafts, doors, windows Floor finishes ASTM D 2859 for flame spread Smoke Development per ASTM E 84 Flame Spread Class A, B, C

9 Egress Means of egress is defined as a continuous unobstructed path from any occupied portion of the facility to the public way Exit access Exit Exit discharge

10 Occupant Loads 1 st step in designing egress system Determined based on model codes Table in IBC Table in NFPA 5000 Variations on the exceptions and interpretations Load determined per defined floor area, then for floor Could be mixed occupancy, or a assessor to the main occupancy

11 Know Thy Codes! Partial IBC Table

12 Egress Width Once occupant load is determined, you can determine the egress width required Occupant load x 0.3 = egress width for stairs Occupant load x 0.2 = egress width for other egress components Total width required divided by # of exits = Exit width required from space. Minimum of 32 clear width and maximum of 48 nominal width for doors Know Thy Codes! MAJOR DIFFERENCES IN WIDTH REQUIREMENTS BETWEEN MODEL CODES!

13 Exit Access Requires consideration of the number of exits required from a space, requiring separate exits when one or more are required Considers travel distance Egress through intervening spaces Separation of exists When 2 required, separation is ½ diagonal distance apart When more than 2, reasonably separated Know Thy Codes!

14 Travel Distance Most remote point to closest exit 200 feet n un-sprinklered 250 feet in sprinklered Business occupancies allow up to 300 with sprinkler system Hazardous occupancies less Factories, storage, utilities up to 400 feet Know Thy Codes!

15 Intervening Spaces Travel to an exit may pass through intervening spaces before reaching the exit Must have discernible path to the exit Not allowed to intervene with an exit path through Kitchens, Storage Rooms, closets, Toilets Know Thy Codes!

16 Corridors Final segment of an egress path leading to an exit Standard min. width is 44, but may be more for different occupancies (72 for education, for example) Dead ends allowed, but limited in depth to 20 feet. Business occupancies which are sprinklered can extend to 50 Fire rated corridors if not sprinklered FR corridors are continuous to an exit FR corridors always in Hazardous or Institutional Know Thy Codes!

17 Exits Know Thy Codes! The exit is the part of the path of egress that either takes the occupant from the building or floor to a vertical exit enclosure (stair) and exit passage, a horizontal exit or an exterior exit ramp or stairway

18 Exits Know Thy Codes! Vertical exit enclosures are exit stairways or ramps and typically require a 2 hour fire rating when serving 4 or more stories Less than 4 stories, 1 hour vertical enclosures Exit passageways connect multiple vertical enclosures The horizontal exit divides a building or floor into separate fire compartments (2hr)

19 Exits Exterior exit ramps and stairways up to 6 stories or 75 feet Know Thy Codes! Exit discharge delivery to the public way from the egress system

20 Accessibility Provide requirements for accessible routes, accessible entrances, parking, passenger loading, dwelling units, assemblies, toilets, bathing facilities, drinking fountains, elevator, lifts, storage, cabinets, doors and hardware, ANSI A117.1 Know Thy Codes!

21 Federal Standards OSHA and Cal OSHA provide specific requirements for the workplace that includes ladders, stairs, railings, and protection of openings. ADAAG - Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (Public and Private) FHAG Fair Housing Accessibility Guide UFAS Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards for GSA, USPS, DOD, (Federally funded)

22 State and City Codes Most States rely on the model codes California and Florida have their own codes Cal Title 24 at variance with ADAAG in places Some jurisdictions adopt revisions to the model codes

23 Planning and Zoning Codes Designed for local conditions and interests Restrict building occupancy types (commercial, Residential, industrial..) Limit heights, S.F., type of construction, open space, shadowing, materials, color Prevent fire, flooding, pollution, seismic and more

24 Fire Codes and Fire Zones Intended to provide for public health and safety related to management and use of existing structures Provide design information Standpipes (Wet or Dry) Sprinklers have water or fire suppression chemical at all times Fire Zones recognize the firefighting ability available for the area. Height is usual factor.

25 Code Conclusion The Publics health, safety and welfare are the primary charge of every Architect Code officials need to be brought into the discussion early and integrated into the project and the process You need to understand the concepts of the code, and make sure the requirements are met in the design and the field

26 Know Thy Codes! The Building Codes