Building CODESArch 3011 Design Studio 1

Prof. Sargent Architecture Southern Polytechnic State University

The three essential codes: International Building Code (construction) Life Safety Code (fire)

ADA (accessibility)

Why we have codes

Who is responsible for implementing codes

International Building Code

Construction

Key Concept:

Classification by occupancy

There are ten distinct occupancy classifications, each posing a unique set of challenges, each having a unique set of requirements.

The human factor

Occupancy Classification Based on Risks •Assembly raises the risk of panic

•Educational raises the risk of children being easily confused in the face of danger

•Institutional raises the risk of hospital patients not being able to exit the building without assistance

Theatre is classified as “Assembly” A-1

The code defines each occupancy

A space for the gathering of 100 or more people shall be considered as Assembly Occupancy

A building with 150 people is not automatically classified as “Assembly”. The key is whether they are congregated in a single space

Key Concept:

Classification by construction types

There are five types of construction that offer a range of resistance to fire

High resistivity moderate resistivity No resistivity

Key Concept:The correlation between these two factors, (occupancy and construction) is the basis for establishing the maximum allowable height and area of a building.

Concrete or exposed steel wood protected steel

may not be allowed

Allowed with size restrictions

Very large

x

Occupancy classification

Construction classification

High protection low protection

1

8,000

Max. Ht. limit (stories)

Max. area per floor

Building Height & Area Limitations

3

15,000

A =protective cover B= no protection

Type of construction

Require protection in hours

Assuming one of your design objectives is to express the steel structure, you would want avoid the requirement to protect the structure by covering it. Zero protection allows exposed structural steel frame.

Enter Occupancy classification

How you would like to construct

Allowable height and area

Assembly -A1

Table 503 - Building Ht. and Area Limitations

Type ll protected unprotected

2 stories

8500 sf./ story

Theatre is 20,000 sf. (code limit is too small and therefore not permitted)

Look for exceptions that will increase allowable area

3 stories

15,500

What you want

Limits on what you want

Table 503 max. floor area limits are increases if building design includes a sprinkler system

Assembly -A1

Table 503 - Building Ht. and Area Limitations

Type ll protected unprotected

2 stories

8500 sf.

Exceptions that will increase allowable area.

(1) installing a sprinkler system allows the 8500 sf. limit to be increase by an additional 200% for multi-story and 300% for single story

8500 + (200% x 8500) = 25,500 sf. OK with sprinkler system

(2) other exception are generally available

(3) last resort is a structurally independent firewall

3 stories

15,500

What you want

Limits on what you want

Restroom requirements

Life Safety Code

Fire

Life Safety Code NFPA 101

Key Concerns

Egress capacity

Direction of door swing

Step proportions

Number of seats per row

Space between rows

Width of aisle

Fire separation of stage

Egress redundancy

Separation of exits

Life Safety Code NFPA 101Required number of exit

assembly greater than 300 less than 1000 requires 2 exits

Separation of exits

separate as much as possible. Avoid side by side exits

Life Safety Code NFPA 101

Main entrance is the main exit

people will exit the way they entered

Door swing

swing in the direction of egress

Knowing where you're going is key to avoiding panic

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Life Safety Code NFPA 101Auditorium Seating

Spacing from back of seat to back of seat is a minimum of 34 inches – use 36 inches

Assume seats to be 24 inches wide

Maximum number of seats per row served by aisle at both ends is one hundred seats. Rows served by aisle at one end only shall not exceed thirty feet.

Minimum aisle width 48” for aisles with seating on both sides 36” for aisles with seating on one side on only

Risers are required to be seven inches maximum

Life Safety Code NFPA 101

Proscenium WallLegitimate stage must be separated from seating area by a two hour rate proscenium wall. Proscenium opening shall be protected by a fire curtain. Curtain must close automatically upon detection of fire

ADA Americans with Disabilities Act

Civil rights legislation that broadens the definition of discrimination to include denial of access due to physical and mental disability

ADA Building approach:

•Parking standards

•Main entrance accessibility

•A side entrance may be unacceptable

•Changes in grade requires a ramp not steeper than 12:1

ADA Circulation:

ramps

Door approach

Corridor width

steps

Curb ramps

ADA Availability of services

X

Restrooms

100% accessibility is not realistic

Most likely wheelchair spaces depend on relationship to lobby grade

Access behind line is not required

ADA Restrooms accommodations

Conclusion:Code has a major influence on the design process and the physical outcome of that process therefore, the time to respond to that influence is

as early as possible