The Building Code for Rookies Or Basic Steps for Using the 7 Ohio Building Code Chapters - Or All the building code stuff you forgot to ask about in college and probably didn t have time for anyway AIA Ohio is a registered provider with the American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems. Credit earned on completion of this program will be reported to CES Records for AIA Members. Certificates of Completion are available for non-members are available on request. This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such., it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of the program. Contact: Terry Welker AIA Chief Building Official City of Kettering Phone: 937-96-337 terry.welker@ketteringoh.org Learning Objectives Origin & Organization of the Building Code Basic Principles Balancing Risk Seven Easy Steps Rules of the Game (Chapter ) Definitions (Chapter ) Classifying Use & Occupancy (Chapters 3 & 4) Height & Area Limits (Chapter 5) Identifying Construction Types (Chapter 6) Using Fire Resistant Construction (Chapter 7) Bonus - Fire Protection Systems (Chapter 9) Sacred Ground - Means of Egress (Chapter ) Building codes: How to look like a hero You or your firm principal may be the design professional in responsible charge responsible to the Owners, Investors and the Public. You can have better design quality control Better understanding of design options for cost control Insure public health safety and welfare Control liability The Building Official, Plans Examiner and Building Inspectors are a resource, not your quality control system You can save time and money for your firm and clients Better design decisions early in the project cycle Fewer revisions because of misinformation Faster turnaround time for building permits Origin of the Ohio Building Code Based on Model Code The 6 International Building Code Three Year Code Cycle OBC adoption follows the IBC adoption The Ohio Board of Building Standards Primarily modifies Chapter - Administration Attempts to not change the intent nor primary contents of the model code, only to clarify some conflicts, omissions or references The Ohio changes are italicized
Balancing Risk: People & Property Who are the users? How many? What are they doing? Work, play, eat, sleep, worship etc. What things/materials are there? What are the hazards? Human behavior Fire, smoke, water, gravity, etc. How does the building support these behaviors safely? How does the building mitigate the hazards? What happens when things go wrong? Seven Easy Steps. Determine Use and Occupancy (Chapter 3). Determine height, area and building location (Your design premise and Chapter 5) 3. Determine Construction Type (Table 53 & Chapter 6) 4. Determine materials and fire resistance (Chapter 7) 5. Determine any special use and occupancy (Chapter 4) 6. Determine existing building issues (Chapter 34) 7. Review each section of the OBC for applicable requirements Chapter : Administration Rules of the Game - Scope & Intent - Referenced Codes 3 - Building Departments 5 - Approvals 6 - Construction Documents - Certificate of Occupancy - Appeals 3 - Violations Reference Codes:.4 Ohio Mechanical Code Ohio Plumbing Code National Electric Code Ohio Fire Code Boiler Code Pressure Piping Code Int l Fuel Gas Code ASHRAE 9. Int l Energy Cons. Code ADAAG (8 CFR Part 36 Appendix A) Go to ada.gov Ohio Elevator Code Construction Documents: 6 Evidence of Responsibility Design Professional Name, Address, Phone Authorized Corp. Seal Requirements Board of Examiners of Architects rules design professional in responsible charge Chapter : Definitions Chapter Master List Beginning of each chapter Within certain sections Examples: Chapter 5 AREA, BUILDING. The area included within surrounding exterior walls (or exterior walls and fire walls) exclusive of vent shafts and courts. Areas of the building not provided with surrounding walls shall be included in the building area if such areas are included within the horizontal projection of the roof or floor above. HEIGHT, BUILDING. The vertical distance from grade plane to the average height of the highest roof surface.
Chapter 3: Use & Occupancy Classification Chapter 4: Special Detailed Requirements Assembly Groups A-, A-, A-3, A-4 and A-5 Business: Group B Educational: Group E Factory and Industrial: Groups F- and F- High Hazard: Groups H-, H-, H-3, H-4 and H-5 Institutional: Groups I-, I-, I-3 and I-4 Mercantile: Group M Residential: Groups R-, R-,R-3 and R-4 Storage: Groups S- and S- Utility and Miscellaneous: Group U Covered Mall Buildings High-rise Buildings Atriums Motor Vehicle Related Occupancies Group I- (Hospitals) Group I-3 (Prisons) Special Amusement Buildings Stages and Platforms Combustible Storage Hazardous Materials Elements of Occupancy Risk Whether Occupants Are Sleeping Familiarity With Surroundings Travel Distances/Multiple Floors Capability of Responding Number of Occupants in the Space Sensory Impairments or Limitations Likelihood of Panic in an Emergency Exposure to Potential Hazards Special Loads Risk Management Strategies Evacuation Time and distance while protected Evacuation options Protect in Place Material Containment Material Limits and Dispersion Emergency Response Risk Management Tools Construction Type Allowable Height and Area Fire Protection Systems Egress/Exiting Systems Fire Resistance/Fire Separation Structural Requirements Mechanical and Electrical Systems Chapter 5: Height & Area Limits Definitions Table 53 Mezzanines Area Modifications Sprinkler Increase = 3% for story / % otherwise Open Perimeter Increase Unlimited Area Buildings Mixed Use and Occupancy Separated / Non-separated Incidental Use Areas Accessory occupancies (% max) 3
Decision Variables Balancing Risk Occupancy Classification (Chapter 3) Table 53 Height and Area Limits (Chapter 5) Height Modifications Area Modifications Table 53 Construction Type (Chapter 6) % 9% 8% 7% 6% 5% 4% 3% % % % Bldg # Bldg # Bldg #3 Construction Type Height & Area Occupancy Sprinkler System Required (93.) Table 53 Allowable Height and Building Areas (Excluding H Group) CONSTRUCTION TYPE TYPE I TYPE II TYPE III TYPE IV A B A B A B HT TYPE V A B Chapter 6: Construction Types threshold (sf) GROUP HGT (ft.) HGT (st) UL 6 65 55 65 55 65 5 4 A 55 (3) 85 () 4 (3) 85 () 5 (3) 5 () 55 () 5 A 55 (3) 95 () 4 (3) 95 () 5 (3) 5 () 6 () A3 55 (3) 95 () 4 (3) 95 () 5 (3) 5 () 6 () A4 55 (3) 95 () 4 (3) 95 () 5 (3) 5 () 6 () * A5 B 375 (5) 3 (4) 85 (5) 9 (4) 36 (5) 8 (3) 9 () E UL (5) 65 (3) 45 () 35 (3) 45 () 5 (3) 85 () 95 () 5** F UL () 5 (4) 55 () 9 (3) () 355 (4) 4 () 85 () F UL () 375 (5) 3 (3) 85 (4) 8 (3) 55 (5) (3) 3 () I 55 (9) 9 (4) (3) 8 (4) 5 (3) 8 (4) 5 (3) 45 () I 5 () () () NP (NP) () 95 () NP (NP) I3 5 () () 5 () 75 () () 75 () 5 () I4 65 (5) 65 (3) 3 () 35 (3) 3 () 55 (3) 85 () 9 () M UL () 5 (4) 5 (4) 85 (4) 5 (4) 5 (4) 4 (3) 9 () R UL () 4 (4) 6 (4) 4 (4) 6 (4) 5 (4) (3) 7 () R UL () 4 (4) 6 (4) 4 (4) 6 (4) 5 (4) (3) 7 () R3 UL () UL (3) UL (3) R4 UL () 4 (4) 6 (4) 4 (4) 6 (4) 5 (4) 4 (3) 9 () S 48-6 (4) 75 (3) 6 (4) 75 (3) 55 (4) 4 (3) 9 () 46.3*** S 79-39 (5) 6 (4) 39 (4) 6 (4) 385 (5) (4) 35 () U 355 (5) 9 (4) 85 () 4 (3) 85 () 8 (4) 9 () 55 () * Accessory Use Areas ** Woodworking shops ***See 46.3 special limits for Open Parking Garages Type I Construction Type II Construction 4
Type III Construction Type IV Construction Type V Construction Table 6 Fire Resistance Rating Requirements for Building Elements (In hours) Building Type I Type II Type III Type V Type IV Element A B A B A B HT A d B Structural Frame a Including Columns, Girders, and Trusses Bearing Walls Exterior Interior Nonbearing Walls and Partitions Exterior Interior Floor Construction Including supporting beams and joists Roof Construction Including supporting beams and joists 3 b 3 3 b ½ c 3 b b c c Exterior See Table 6 Interior See Section 6 c c HT /HT HT HT c Table 6 Fire Resistance Rating Requirements for Exterior Walls Based on Fire Separation Distance Fire Separation Distance = X Type of Construction Group H Group F, M, S Group A, B, E, R, S, U Example Story Medical Office Building First Floor =,sf Second Floor = 8,sf 5 ft. X<5 c 5<= X < <= X <3 X =>3 All IA Others IA, IB IIB, VB Others All 3 3 What is the correct Use Group? What are the Height and Area Limits? What is the minimum Construction Type? What are the Construction Type options? Is Fire Suppression required or optional? Are any area increases available? What is the Total Allowable Area for the Minimum Construction Type? 5 ft. 8 ft. 5 ft. 5 ft. ft. 5
Seven Easy Steps. Determine Use and Occupancy (Chapter 3). Determine height, area and building location (Your design premise and Chapter 5) 3. Determine Construction Type (Table 53 & Chapter 6) 4. Determine materials and fire resistance (Chapter 7) 5. Determine any special use and occupancy (Chapter 4) 6. Determine existing building issues (Chapter 34) 7. Review each section of the OBC for applicable requirements Example Story Medical Office Building First Floor =,sf Second Floor = 8,sf What is the correct Use Group? Section 34: Group B Even though this is medical facility, 4 hour care and adult day care is not permitted as in an I- or I-4 facility. 5 ft. 5 ft. 8 ft. 5 ft. 5 ft. ft. Example Story Medical Office Building First Floor =,sf Second Floor = 8,sf 8 ft. 5 ft. Sprinkler 93. (sf) 5 GROUP A A A3 A4 HGT (ft.) HGT (st) Table 53 Allowable Height and Building Areas (Excluding H Group) TYPE I A B UL 6 CONSTRUCTION TYPE TYPE II TYPE III A B A B 65 55 65 55 55 (3) 55 (3) 55 (3) 55 (3) 85 () 95 () 95 () 95 () 4 (3) 4 (3) 4 (3) 4 (3) 85 () 95 () 95 () 95 () TYPE IV HT 65 5 (3) 5 (3) 5 (3) 5 (3) TYPE V A B 5 4 5 () 55 () 5 () 6 () 5 () 6 () 5 () 6 () What are the Height and Area Limits? What is the minimum Construction Type? What are the Construction Type options? See Table 53 5 ft. 5 ft. 5 ft. ft. * 5** A5 B E F F I I I3 I4 M R R UL (5) UL () UL () 55 (9) 65 (5) UL () UL () UL () 375 (5) 65 (3) 5 (4) 375 (5) 9 (4) 5 () 5 () 65 (3) 5 (4) 4 (4) 4 (4) 3 (4) 45 () 55 () 3 (3) (3) () () 3 () 5 (4) 6 (4) 6 (4) 85 (5) 35 (3) 9 (3) 85 (4) 8 (4) () 5 () 35 (3) 85 (4) 4 (4) 4 (4) 9 (4) 45 () () 8 (3) 5 (3) NP (NP) 75 () 3 () 5 (4) 6 (4) 6 (4) 36 (5) 5 (3) 355 (4) 55 (5) 8 (4) () () 55 (3) 5 (4) 5 (4) 5 (4) 8 (3) 85 () 4 () (3) 5 (3) 95 () 75 () 85 () 4 (3) (3) (3) 9 () 95 () 85 () 3 () 45 () NP (NP) 5 () 9 () 9 () 7 () 7 () R3 UL () UL (3) UL (3) R4 UL () 4 (4) 6 (4) 4 (4) 6 (4) 5 (4) 4 (3) 9 () S 48-6 (4) 75 (3) 6 (4) 75 (3) 55 (4) 4 (3) 9 () 46.3*** S 79-39 (5) 6 (4) 39 (4) 6 (4) 385 (5) (4) U 355 (5) 9 (4) 85 () 4 (3) 85 () 8 (4) 9 () * Accessory Use ** Woodworking shops ***See 46.3 special limits for Open Parking Garages 35 () 55 () Example Story Medical Office Building First Floor =,sf Second Floor = 8,sf 5 ft. Example Story Medical Office Building First Floor =,sf Second Floor = 8,sf 5 ft. What is the minimum Construction Type? What are the Construction Type options? 5A: protected construction; may cause difficulties integrating systems Type 4: Heavy timber (uncommon) 3B: Exterior walls must be fire rated (Table 6) B: Noncombustible construction Is Fire Suppression required or optional? No for the above choices Yes for 5B construction because the sprinkler increase must be used 5 ft. 8 ft. 5 ft. 5 ft. ft. Are any area increases available? Frontage increase: No: See 56. and subsections Even though the building is open on four sides, less than 5% faces Main Street and the side yards are less than feet wide; even though the rear yard is 5 wide it can t be used for frontage increase because the 5 ft. fire lane is less than ft. wide Automatic Sprinkler System Increase For type 5B a % increase in the tabular area per floor is allowed 8 ft. 5 ft. 5 ft. ft. 6
Example Story Medical Office Building First Floor =,sf Second Floor = 8,sf What is the Total Allowable Area for the Minimum Construction Type? Choose Type 5B Construction The Tabular Area of 9sf can be increased % Therefore the allowable area per floor is 7,sf and automatic sprinklers are required if this construction type is used SPRINKLER BONUS: No rated corridors! One open stair! 5 ft. 5 ft. 8 ft. 5 ft. 5 ft. ft. Next Steps. Determine materials and fire resistance (Chapter 7) In this case the fully sprinklered building interior and exterior walls are not required to be fire resistance rated (Tables 6 and 6). Fire partitions (78) for the corridors have a fire resistance rating (Table 4.3..) Incidental use or accessory use areas must also be sprinklered.. Determine any special use and occupancy (Chapter 4) Check Section 44 for Atrium requirements 3. Determine existing building issues (Chapter 34) There are no existing buildings in this example 4. Review each section of the OBC for applicable requirements Chapter - Determine Occupant Loads; at least exits required Sprinkler bonus: in this case one interior stair can be open! (5.3.) Each Chapter may have criteria important to your project Chapter 7: Fire-Resistance-Rated Construction Exterior Walls Fire Walls Fire Barriers Shaft Enclosures Fire Partitions Smoke Barriers Smoke Partitions Horizontal Assemblies Penetrations & Joints Opening Protectives Concealed Spaces Definitions FIRE AREA. The aggregate floor area enclosed and bounded by fire walls, fire barriers, exterior walls or fire-resistance-rated horizontal assemblies of a building. FIRE WALL A fire-resistance-rated wall having protected openings, which restricts the spread of fire and extends continuously from the foundation to or through the roof, with sufficient structural stability under fire conditions to allow collapse of construction on either side without collapse of the wall. FIRE BARRIER. A fire-resistance-rated vertical or horizontal assembly of materials designed to restrict the spread of fire in which openings are protected. FIRE PARTITION. A vertical assembly of materials designed to restrict the spread of fire in which openings are protected. SMOKE BARRIER. A continuous membrane, either vertical or horizontal, such as a wall, floor, or ceiling assembly, that is designed and constructed to restrict the movement of smoke. Exterior Walls: Fire Resistance Functions To prevent the spread of fire between buildings To prevent the spread of fire between stories in a single building Fire Walls: Fire Resistance Functions: Fire walls are used to create separate buildings All provisions of the code are applied to each building Structural stability Structural independence Fire resistance 7
Fire Barriers: Fire Resistance Functions Used to create separate Fire Areas Multiple applications: Separate mixed occupancies and incidental uses Create areas of refuge Separate shafts and exit enclosures Lower level of protection than a fire wall Shaft Enclosures Purpose is to minimize the passage of smoke and fire through vertical openings that connect two or more stories Fire resistance rated with protected openings A number of practical exceptions Penetrations - 7 Specific requirements for maintaining the integrity of the fire resistance rated assembly Through-penetrations firestop (TPFS) systems Membrane penetrations Electrical boxes and sprinkler heads Horizontal assemblies Non-fire-resistance-rated assemblies Combustible and noncombustible requirements Opening Protectives - 75 Fire Doors and Frames Smoke and Draft Control Doors Fire-protection-rated glazing Wired Glass Chapter 8: Interior Finishes Chapter9: Fire Protection Systems 8
Fire Protection Systems Automatic Sprinkler Systems Supervisory Service NFPA 3 Consider limitations on size and location of Fire Area Standpipe Systems Alternative Systems Hood Suppression Fire Alarm and Detection Systems NFPA 7 Consider when a manual and/or automatic system is required Portable Fire Extinguishers AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS NFPA 3 A Standard not a code Level of Protection Classification of occupancy hazard Light, ordinary (group & ), extra (group & ) All areas of the building Limited area system ( heads or less) Can work off the domestic water system Applied to incidental uses NFPA 3R for residential up to 4 stories 97: Fire Alarm & Detection Systems NFPA 7 A Standard not a code Chapter : Means of Egress Sacred Ground : Definitions 3: General Means of Egress 4: Occupant Load 5: Egress Width 6: Egress Illumination 7: Accessible Means of Egress 8: Doors 9: Stairways : Ramps : Exit Signs : Handrails 3: Guards Means of Egress The Structure of Chapter 4: Exit Access 5: Exit & Exit Access Doorways 6: Exit Access Travel Distance 7: Corridors 8: Exits 9: Number of Exits & Continuity : Vertical Exit Enclosures : Exit Passageways : Horizontal Exits 3: Exterior Stairs & Ramps 4: Exit Discharge 5:Assembly 6: Emergency Escape & Rescue Means of Egress 4 Design Occupant Load 4. Design occupant load. Based on primary area plus accessory areas moving through it. 4.. Number by Table 4... Exception: Lower number where approved. 9
Table 4.. Table 4.. 4 Exit Access The exit access is the path of travel that leads from the most remote point in a building to an exit. Examples: Aisles or Corridors Passageways bounded by walls, office partitions or furnishings Passageways bounded by seats, shelves or counters An aisle accessway is the area between seats that leads to the aisle 4. Egress through intervening spaces prohibited through kitchens and storages spaces New exception for Group M 4.3 Common path of egress travel 75 ft. B/F/S sprinklered = ft.; B/S/U occupant load<3= ft. 5 Exit & Exit Access Doorways 5. Exit access doorway arrangement. Where two exits or exit access doorways are required, from any portion of the exit access, the exit doors or exit access doorways shall be placed a distance apart equal to not less than one-half of the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the building or area to be served measured in a straight line between exit doors or exit access doorways. See exceptions. Exit Access 6 Travel Distance 6. Exit access travel distance. Exits shall be so located that the maximum length of exit access travel, measured from the most remote point to the entrance to an exit along the natural and unobstructed path of egress travel, shall not exceed the distances given in Table 6. Table 6. 8 & 9 Exits 8. General. An exit shall not be used for any purpose that interferes with its function as a means of egress. Once a given level of exit protection is achieved, such level of protection shall not be reduced until arrival at the exit discharge. 9. Minimum number of exits. Table 9. Table 9. Minimum number of exits for occupant load Exits Vertical Exit Enclosures (Stairways). Vertical exit enclosures. Interior exit stairways shall be enclosed. Vertical exit enclosures four stories or more shall be -hour fire-resistance rated. Vertical exit enclosures less than four stories shall be -hour fireresistance rated. Some Exceptions: Sprinkler Bonus: 5% of egress stairs can be open to two stories.
B - Not Sprinklered Mixed Use Separation: Separated 75% (from 56.) Conversion factor:.75. 75% (from 56) Total Conversion factor (. + the above):.75 A=95, A3=95, B=3, M=5 Tenant Use Base Allowable sf Conv. Factor Total Allowable sf Actual SF % of Allowable (from 33) (from Table 53) (total increase %) (base x conv. factor) (from plans) (actual / allow able) Eat at Joes A 95.75 665 356 9.585% Auto Club B 3.75 45 84.47% 3 Dance Studio A3 95.75 665 47 4.857% 4 Squarespace Hats M 5.75 875 3 3.743% 5 Squarespace B 3.75 45 544 3.836% 6 Pizza Carryout B 3.75 45 76 4.385% 7 Barber B 3.75 45 75.8634% 8 Travel Agent B 3.75 45 75.8634% 9 Dentist B 3.75 45 56 5.65% Squaretown Church A3 95.75 665 994.994% TOTAL PERCENTAGE OF ALLOWABLE AREA (Must be less than % - sum of ratios less than one) BUILDING CONFORMS TO HEIGHT AND AREA LIMITS OF MIXED USE/SEPARATED REQUIREMENTS (Yes or No): 4 Exit Discharge Cool Tools 6. General. Exits shall discharge directly to the exterior of the building. The exit discharge shall be at grade or shall provide direct access to grade. The exit discharge shall not re-enter a building. See exceptions. Squarspace Plaza Area Limits Calculations (Section 3.3.3 Mixed Use/Separated Uses) TABLE Construction Type: Frontage Increase %: Sprinkler Increase %: % (from 56.3) Conversion factor: Total Increase %: Base Allowable Areas: TABLE 5966 98.86% Yes Life Safety Plan Code Data Sheet Mixed Use Separated Spread Sheet Summary Origin & Organization of the Building Code Basic Principles Balancing Risk Seven Easy Steps Rules of the Game (Chapter ) Definitions (Chapter ) Classifying Use & Occupancy (Chapters 3 & 4) Height & Area Limits (Chapter 5) Identifying Construction Types (Chapter 6) Using Fire Resistant Construction (Chapter 7) Bonus - Fire Protection Systems (Chapter 9) Sacred Ground - Means of Egress (Chapter )