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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05120073 Correspondence (2) ,.',," 4()CS (Z--60l"? JAMES BRAINARD, MAYOR February 14, 2006 Mr. Phillip Hahn Sen ior Staff Architect International Code Council 4051 W Flossmoor Road Country Club Hills, Illinois 60478-5795 Dear Mr. Hahn, Thank you for your quick reply to my e-mail of February 8th, 2005. We believe that your opinion of the International Building Code 2000 edition, agrees with our understanding of the intent of the code as it relates to: 706.1 General. Fire .barriers used for the separation of vertical exit enclosures..... 706.3 Fire-resistant rating. 706.3.1 Vertical exit enclosure. ..shall comply with Section 1005.3.2. 706.4 Continuity. The supporting construction shall be protected to afford the r~quired fire-resistant rating I have enclosed a copyof a letter, which we received from Fred Simmons, the designer of a new 4-story office building in our jurisdiction. Mr. Simmons believes that my interpretation of the code and the code itself is fiawed in reference to the above code sections. Could you issue an official interpretation of the code sections above, we have your e-mail response but we would like a letter on ICC letter head that we can present at a variance hearing at the State of Indiana Department of Homeland Security. We have the full support of the City of Carmel Fire department. Sincerely, ~ M2JL James Ochs, C.B.O. Building Inspector/Plan Review City of Carmel, Indiana One Civic Square Carmel, Indiana 46032 cc: Jim Blanchard, Building Commissioner Gary Hoyt, Fire Marshall DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICES ONE CIVIC SQUARE, CARMEL, IN 46032 PHONE 317.571.2417, FAX 317.571.2426 MICHAEl. P. HOLLIBAUGH, DIRECTOR c." SIMMONS ARCHITECTS, LLC ARcffiTEcrs, PLA:<liERS MEMORANDUM 305 East New York Street. Indianapolis, Indiana 46204.317.656.3500. Fax 317.656.3501 To: Jim Blanchard From: Fred Simmons Copied To: Jim Ochs, Gary Hoyt Date: February 2, 2006 Re: Meridian Corporate Plaza Two Jim: Thank you and Jim Ochs for meeting with Larry Longman and me this morning to discuss Meridian Corporate Plaza Two, now under construction at 301 Pennsylvania Parkway. It is my considered professional opinion that a portion of the IBC is ambiguous, as it relates to "fire barriers" associated with vertical exits and shaft enclosure walls. Section 706.4 and 707.4 relate to the concept of "continuity" Both Sections contain the sentence "the supporting construction shall be protected to afford the required fire-resistance rating of the element protected...." Jim Ochs has taken the position that the structural steel, supporting the floor slabs which support the "fire barriers" shall be fire proofed. I respectfully disagree with this interpretation for the following reasons: 1. The Code allows a building to be constructed as a Type II-B (un-protected), up to four stories in height, when equipped with an automatic fire suppression system. 2. The Code does not require that "fire barriers" be structurally independent as is required for "fire walls". The vertical exit enclosures for this project are constructed using metal studs and 2-layers of 5/8" type x drywali on both sides (2 hour rating), supported on concrete floor slabs, from slab to underside of deck. I believe this complies with the concept of "continuity". Granted, the elevated slabs are supported by un- protected steel. Based on Jim Ochs' interpretation, the steel supporting that portion of the slab, including columns, would be required to be fire-proofed. The vertical shaft enclosures for this project are constructed using a shaft wall assembly, running from the slab on grade to the roof deck above. They are horizontally braced to the floor slabs as they go vertical. Based on Jim Ochs' interpretation, this meets the Code. In both cases, if a catastrophic event caused the structure to collapse, both the vertical exit enclosures and vertical shaft enclosures will also collapse. Again, the code does not require "fire barriers" to be structurally Independent. We would prefer to file a Variance Application with the State to resolve this matter; therefore, we respectfully request your and Gary Hoyt's support for this Variance. I believe that the "non-compliance" with the rule will not be adverse to the public health, safety or welfare based on the following; 1. The building is protected by an automatic sprinkler system, thus reducing the size of a potential fire and its affect on the structural elements of the building. 2. The Code allows a building to be constructed as a Type II-B (un-protected), up to four stories in height, when equipped with an automatic fire suppression system. 3. The Code does not require that "fire barriers" be structurally independent as is required for "fire walls". 4. If a catastrophic event caused the structure to collapse, both the vertical exit enclosures and vertical shaft enclosures will also collapse. 5. Previous Indiana Building Codes (based on the 1997 UBC) did not require floors supporting shafts and vertical exits to be fire rated. 6. Similar Variances have been approved, most recently on the North Meridian Medical Pavilion building in Carmel, IN. We would like to file this Variance as soon as possible, so that if it is denied, we will have ample time to prepare the steel to accept the fire-proofing. As mentioned in our meeting today, we will also file Variances related to the elevators. I will fax you a copy of the Applications for your review. Again, we request a separate letter from you and Gary Hoyt associated with these issues. Thanks again for your time and consideration.