| Author |
Message |
Ronald L. Geren, RA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, MAI
Senior Member
Username: specman
Post Number: 237
Registered: 03-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 06:18 pm: |    |
Building codes are an integral part of the building industry from design, to material/product development and selection, to actual construction. Ralph Liebing and I have decided to submit an education program for next year's (2007) CSI Show and Convention that will specifically address building codes.
But, before we set pencil to paper (or fingers to keyboard, nowadays) to develop a program outline, I thought "Let's find out what people out there want to know about building codes."
So, we're asking all of you 4specs users (product reps, specifiers, construction administrators, etc.) to give us your 2-cents worth, and help us generate a program that will respond to your needs.
There are some parameters, though. Time is somewhat limited, so detailed discussions on your project XYZ is probably not the direction we want to go (however, after-program Q&A will be enthusiastically encouraged). Think more about principles and concepts...
You can send input directly to me if you do not want to post here. My email is ron.geren@gouldevans.com.
Thank you!
PS - The deadline for the CSI "Call for Topics" is June 30th, so if you have any input, the earlier the better. Thanks. |
Nathan Woods, CCCA
Senior Member
Username: nwoods
Post Number: 81
Registered: 08-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 06:45 pm: | |
I think the area of confusion for most draftsmen in training, and contractors as well, is the UBC Chapter 7 issues regarding Through Penetrations, Membrane Penetrations, Floor/Ceiling Penetrations, and the protetion requirements thereof, if any. |
Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS
Senior Member
Username: awhitacre
Post Number: 325
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 07:29 pm: | |
Ron: what I'm hearing the most squawking about is the introduction of seismic zones into the new areas of the country that have adopted the IBC. |
Richard Howard, AIA CSI CCS
Senior Member
Username: rick_howard
Post Number: 73
Registered: 07-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 09:02 am: | |
Adding to Anne's suggestion, for those of us in the less seimically active parts of the country, the seismic restraint of non-structural components tends to get overlooked. The structural engineers stop when they get to the phrase "non-structural" and the folks who should look into the issue are not likely to look in that part of the code where the requirements are spelled out. |
Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEED AP SCIP Affiliate
Senior Member
Username: lynn_javoroski
Post Number: 336
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 09:03 am: | |
How does the official work with the design - are they more concerned with meeting the letter of the code or the intent of the code?
Since the code is usually a minimum requirement, how does the designer/specifier deal with that concept? How do the code officials deal with it? Is there only ONE WAY to accomplish compliance? What about local codes that are more stringent? And what about processes for variances?
What's the role of the specifier in all this? We certainly choose and specify products that "meet or exceed" the codes. Is there more the specifier should/could do? |
Tracy Van Niel
Senior Member
Username: tracy_van_niel
Post Number: 171
Registered: 04-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 09:12 am: | |
Firestopping, including labeling requirements in the field.
Restrained versus unrestrained and how it affects fireproofing assemblies. |
Susan McClendon
Senior Member
Username: susan_mcclendon
Post Number: 50
Registered: 01-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 09:26 am: | |
Ron: Are you looking for conceptual issues, like Lynn's suggestions, or informational issues, like dealing with specific provisions? |
Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI
Senior Member
Username: rliebing
Post Number: 363
Registered: 02-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 09:46 am: | |
For my part, and I think Ron agrees, we would like to stick to conceptual, overall, overview, and general interest issues and items, in lieu of getting specific. Would like to appeal to as much of the audience as possible,and being too specific may disrutp that, in that it tends to please just one or a few people.
And as Ron noted to me, we could spend literally hours on single issues like occupancy, egress, etc.
I really like Lynn's questions [I'm ready to go, NOW!!!] |
J. Peter Jordan
Senior Member
Username: jpjordan
Post Number: 179
Registered: 05-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 09:46 am: | |
In my experience, one of the problems is the variety of ways that AHJ modify the code and the various interpretations that building officials will bring to the same provisions. Although any single AHJ will attempt to consistently interpret the code within its jurisdiction, cross the street to another AHJ and you may feel like you are using a different document. Recent additions to the building code regarding windstorm requirements may not be well understood and therefore ignored.
In addition to the different types of "membranes", I see confusion about occupancy types and types of separations required. |
Russ Hinkle, AIA, CCS
New member
Username: rhinkle
Post Number: 1
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 09:55 am: | |
The architect is the primary responsibiltiy for the code, yet the entire team (contractor, owner) shares responsiblity. I would be interested to better understand the balance. When does the architect specify "meet code"? e.g. firestopping, elevators. Does the owner understand that can be responsible for some inspections?
How do you prepare an owner for the fact that we are code experts, yet interpretations differ? (and our contracts can not guareentee). |
Susan McClendon
Senior Member
Username: susan_mcclendon
Post Number: 52
Registered: 01-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 10:07 am: | |
Some history on model codes and adoption trends -- ICC replacing BOCA, ICBO, SBC, NFPA 5000, state-written codes (e.g. CA and MA). Is the National Council of States and Counties on Building Codes (?) still publishing its list of codes adopted?
Both ICC and NFPA were working on performance-based codes -- have they been implemented anywhere?
What types of provisions in the regular codes are typically performance-based versus prescriptive, and how that affects design if at all.
The codes have a hierarchy of requirements, much like the Project Manual does. Some visual aids that show how occupancy and construction type determine other limitations. A hand-out with a "decision tree" showing how to read your code regardless of which it is -- e.g. look for provisions on this first, then that, etc. |
Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI
Senior Member
Username: rliebing
Post Number: 364
Registered: 02-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 12:41 pm: | |
Ms. McClendon: All of your items are on my outline already. Glad to see they are valid and of interest
Also have previously discussed Lynn's questions with her. They too are part my proposal.
To all you others, thanks-- am working on yours
Keep 'em coming!!!!
Ron, of course, as primary speaker must pass on them. |
John Bunzick, CCS, CCCA
Senior Member
Username: bunzick
Post Number: 509
Registered: 03-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 01:45 pm: | |
I second Rick Howard's suggestion. There are plenty of seminars and courses about the code in the big picture: egress, fire separation, occupancy etc. Very little on how the location, building type and occupancy affects the multitude of secondary items like the seismic Rick mentions. There are others besides seismic as well, though nothing comes to mind at the moment. |
Wayne Yancey
Senior Member
Username: wyancey
Post Number: 122
Registered: 05-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 08:42 pm: | |
Ron and Ralph,
1. Combustible materials in noncombustible construction (such as sloped parapet blocking, wood nailers in steel stud walls, nailable base for roofing, core for wood panels in an exit lobby, etc)
2. Wood products that are preservative treated and fire retardant treated; when and where can they be used? Are there treated products that provide both attributes?
3. Heavy timber construction and fire-resistance ratings. US and Canada.
4. Foam plastics and thermal barriers. |
Tobin Oruch, CDT
Senior Member
Username: oruch
Post Number: 29
Registered: 04-2003
| | Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 05:25 pm: | |
Suggest you hit Special Inspection (Ch 17 of the IBC). The IBC has a new concept of minimum levels of inspection by certified people. The AEs are supposed to specify the SI program. Jurisdictions are beginning to understand now ask for it. |
Dale Hurttgam, NCARB, AIA
Intermediate Member
Username: dwhurttgam
Post Number: 4
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 07:15 pm: | |
Design Professional In Responsible Charge (DPIRC)in Chapter 1 of IBC has some major implications for architects if Building Officials start mandating that one be designated. There is a lot of education taking place amongst Building Officials in our area regarding DPIRC. As previously noted, Chapter 17 requirements are important - not being enforced everywhere, but as this becomes more the standard, there are some potential Project Manual implications. Also as previously noted - firestopping requirements are becoming more of an issue. I believe often over looked are IBC requirements with respect to Interior Finishes - some Building Officials are becoming much for stringent in requirements for the Contract Documents in this area, and I believe that many Architects do not closely monitor full compliance in this regard. |
Kenneth C. Crocco
Senior Member
Username: kcrocco
Post Number: 51
Registered: 04-2003
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 12:02 pm: | |
If you're going to look at fire stopping and fire joint systems, as have been mentioned previously, please look into perimeter fire containment as required by IBC 712.4 (2000) sorry don't know the latest reference. This is a big problem for some; when the official reads the code book. |
Ronald L. Geren, RA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, MAI
Senior Member
Username: specman
Post Number: 239
Registered: 03-2003
| | Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 12:07 pm: | |
Kenneth:
What specifically is the problem with the BO interpretations? |
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