Commercial Consistency
Land Use and Environmental Service Agency
(Code Enforcement)
4th Quarter Q&A 2012
General:
1.
(Q) What occupancies does Chapter 4 of the Energy Code cover?
(A) This chapter applies to all R-2 three stories or less and R-3 and R-4.
2. (Q) Where are fire barrier walls allowed to terminate at exit enclosures?
(A) The wall must extend to the underside of the deck above or be capped with
an assembly equal to the rating of the exit enclosure. The cap must be
independent of the structure above.
3. (Q) Are patios, decks and balconies required to be sprinklered in type V construction
in R occupancies?
(A) NFPA 13R requires these areas to be sprinklered when there is roof or deck
above.
4. (Q) How high can the 3 hr. deck required by Section 509.2 be located?
(A) It can be located no more than one story above grade.
5. (Q) Is two way communication required at elevators by Section 1007.8
(A) Yes, two way communication is required at each elevator landing located
one or more stories above or below level of exit discharge if ARAs are not
provided in the exit enclosure.
6. (Q) Is contrasting nosing required on all stairs by ANSI 504.5.1?
(A) Yes, except stairs serving mechanical or industrial equipment.
7. (Q) What is the opening allowed on guardrails above 36”?
(A) Section 1013.3 states that the allowed clear opening is 4 3/4” max.
8. (Q) Under Section 502.4.7 of the Energy Code do all exterior doors require a
vestibule?
(A) No, there are 6 exceptions, the main one being doors that are not intended as
entrance doors. See page 31 of the Energy Code
9. (Q) Do projects done under the Rehab Code have to meet the Energy Code?
(A) No, The Rehab Code does not have any provisions for the Energy Code
except for additions which have to meet all current codes.
10. (Q) If a vestibule is part of a rated egress corridor does it have to be rated?
(A) Yes, it must have the same rated separation from the building as the corridor.
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4 Quarter Commercial Q&A
Page 2
11. (Q)Do upper cabinets in a break room have to be made accessible?
(A) No, there was a change in the 2009 ANSI 117.1 and that requirement was
removed.
12. (Q)What is the requirement for doors under exception 3 of Section 708.14.1
(A) The doors must meet UL 1784 without the bottom seal installed.
13. (Q)When is a sleeping unit not considered a sleeping unit for separation requirements
of Section 420?
(A) When it is part of a dwelling unit, see definitions in Chapter 2.
14. (Q)If raised booths are provided in a dining area how many need to be accessible?
(A) 5% or at least one.
15. (Q)When is engineering required for a ne load on an existing roof?
(A) When the new load exceeds 500# a structural letter form an engineer is
required. Trusses need a letter from the truss manufacture for any additional
load.
16. (Q)Can there be double cylinder dead bolts and magnetic locks on the same door?
(A) No