by Jeff Serbin | Sep 11, 2018 | ADA, Architecture, Blog, building code, Uncategorized
Do I need a drinking fountain? As an Architect, I interact with clients, engineers and contractors who have acquired bits of information about Building Codes. Sometimes, those bits are misconceptions and regurgitated information. The building codes can be intimidating and have no beginning or end. To learn the code, the best way is jumping in feet first.
Upcoming Blog Posts
In the next series of blog posts, I will explore common Building Codes. Each City has adopted a code but most in Arizona use the IBC (International Building Code).
The following blog posts are:
- Door swing direction. Which way should the door swing, out of a room or in?
- Number of exits within a room?
- Door Size. Who said “size doesn’t matter.”
- Exit corridor width. How narrow can a hallway be?
- Clearances around a door? Door arrangement between two doors.
- Door fire ratings. What is the rating?
- Exit Travel Distance
- Do I need an elevator?
- Should my door have panic hardware?
- Do I need a drinking fountain?
- Minimum size of a single person toilet room?
- Small commercial space, is one bathroom enough?
The item in bold are addressed in this post. As an Arizona Architect, most City’s jurisdictions work with the IBC (International Building Code). This code analysis is based upon the IBC.
Do I need a drinking fountain?
Do you ever wonder when you need an automatic drinking fountain in your office, your store, your warehouse?
The building codes IBC (International Building Code) and IPC (International Plumbing Code) both discuss when a drinking fountain is required. Local jurisdiction may have overriding amendments. The information below states the requirements as interpreted from the current 2018 IBC/IPC.
CODE
Drinking fountains are required in all occupancy types except:
- Hotels
- Motels
- Boarding houses
- Residential apartments
The quantity of drinking fountains vary dependent on occupancy type, however the range is from 1 per 100 to 1 per 1,000. The following are the basic requirements:
- Drinking Fountain is not required in small occupancies per 2018 IBC/IPC for occupant loads less than 15.
- Per City of Phoenix Code Amendments, Drinking Fountains are not required for occupant loads less than 50. – Check local jurisdiction to determine code amendments.
- Where drinking fountains are required, not fewer than two drinking fountains shall be provided. One fountain to comply with wheelchair (36″ max. spout a.f.f.) and one for standing (~40″).
Exceptions or substitution:
- Restaurants which provide drinking water for free are not required to have drinking fountains
- Water dispensers shall be permitted to be substituted for not more than 50% of the required number of drinking fountains. (Interpretation – Drinking fountain with a bottle filler option, would satisfy the requirement for two drinking fountains).
- Drinking fountains shall not be required in tenant spaces provided that public drinking fountains are located within 500 feet and not more than one story above/below tenant space.
- In covered or open malls, drinking fountains shall not be required in tenant spaces provided that they are located within 300 feet.
Products
As water bottles have become more popular, bottle filling drinking fountain stations have become more prominent. In 2010, Elkay introduced a new drinking fountain. It was in response to consumer demand and environmental concerns of disposable bottles.
The product notifies the number of water bottles saved. Product notifies user to change filter as needed. This ensures and reinforces to the user that the water is safe to drink.
ADA
At least one drinking fountains installed must meet ADA requirements. Spout height at 36″ above finish floor maximum.
ADA sketch
The 2010 ADA standards does indicate, Section 211.2 Minimum Number – No fewer than two drinking fountains shall be provided. One drinking fountain shall comply with 602.1 through 602.6 and one drinking fountain shall comply with 602.7.
Exception: Where a single drinking fountain complies with 602.1 through 602.7, it shall be permitted to be substituted for two separate drinking fountains.
So what does 602.7 change to make it possible for one drinking fountain. Essentially the Spout has to be between 38″ minimum and 43″ maximum above the finish floor. This is higher than what is depicted in section 602.4 Spout height, which indicates 36″ a.f.f.
Summary
Do I need a drinking fountain? Drinking fountains are essentially required unless you have minimum occupants. Less than 15 occupants per IPC code and in some jurisdictions, such as Phoenix, less than 50 occupants. Where a drinking fountain is required, fixtures need to meet ADA requirements.
by Jeff Serbin | Aug 22, 2018 | Architecture, Blog, building code, Uncategorized
Should my door have panic hardware? – Building Codes
As an Architect, I interact with clients, engineers and contractors who have acquired bits of information about Building Codes. Sometimes, those bits are misconceptions and regurgitated information. The building codes can be intimidating and have no beginning or end. To learn the code, the best way is jumping in feet first.
Upcoming Blog Posts
In the next series of blog posts, I will explore common Building Codes. Each City has adopted a code but most in Arizona use the IBC (International Building Code).
The following blog posts are:
- Door swing direction. Which way should the door swing, out of a room or in?
- Number of exits within a room?
- Door Size. Who said “size doesn’t matter.”
- Exit corridor width. How narrow can a hallway be?
- Clearances around a door? Door arrangement between two doors.
- Door fire ratings. What is the rating?
- Exit Travel Distance
- Do I need an elevator?
- Should my door have panic hardware?
- Do I need a drinking fountain?
- Minimum size of a single person toilet room?
- Small commercial space, is one bathroom enough?
The item in bold are addressed in this post. As an Arizona Architect, most City’s jurisdictions work with the IBC (International Building Code). This code analysis is based upon the IBC.
Should my door have panic hardware?
Panic hardware – ‘A device designed to provide fast and easy egress in an emergency. Where is it required by code?’
Panic hardware is required by code in a few locations. Use it in buildings for its ease of exit. The following are some basics on where it applies:
- Doors serving Occupancy ‘H’ – Hazardous
- Occupancy ‘A’ (Assembly) or ‘E’ (Education) where occupant load is > 50.
- Electrical Rooms with equipment rated at 1,200 amperes or more and over 6 ft wide that contains switching devices or control devices.
Exception – Panic hardware not required for the following:
- Main Exit in Occupancy A(assembly) where occupant load is less than 300.
- In occupancy types B(business), F(factory), M(mercantile) and places of religious worship, the main exterior doors are permitted to be equipped with key-operating locking devices provided: 1. Locking device is readily distinguishable as locked. 2. Sign adjacent to door states “This door to remain unlocked when building is occupied”
Summary
Should my door have panic hardware? Use them in spaces with large amounts of occupants or in rooms with hazardous conditions. The purpose of panic hardware is to ensure safety and security of a building. Panic Hardware isn’t required in all Occupancy types. It does allow occupants an easy means of egress. Always verify with current codes or specialist to ensure that your condition is code compliant.
by Jeff Serbin | Aug 21, 2018 | Architectural Planning, Blog, building code, Uncategorized
Exit Travel Distance – Building Codes
As an Architect, I interact with clients, engineers and contractors who have acquired bits of information about Building Codes. Sometimes, those bits are misconceptions and regurgitated information. The building codes can be intimidating and have no beginning or end. To learn the code, the best way is jumping in feet first.
Upcoming Blog Posts
In the next series of blog posts, I will explore common Building Codes. Each City has adopted a code but most in Arizona use the IBC (International Building Code).
The following blog posts are:
- Door swing direction. Which way should the door swing, out of a room or in?
- Number of exits within a room?
- Door Size. Who said “size doesn’t matter.”
- Exit corridor width. How narrow can a hallway be?
- Clearances around a door? Door arrangement between two doors.
- Door fire ratings. What is the rating?
- Exit Travel Distance
- Do you need an elevator?
- Should my door have panic hardware?
- Do I need a drinking fountain?
- Minimum size of a single person toilet room?
- Small commercial space, is one bathroom enough?
The item in bold are addressed in this post. As an Arizona Architect, most City’s jurisdictions work with the IBC (International Building Code). This code analysis is based upon the IBC.
Exit Travel Distance
The maximum exit travel distance allowed by code is determined by the ‘Means of Egress’. The basic definition is as follows:
Common Path of Egress Travel – ‘That portion of exit access which the occupants are required to traverse before two separate and distinct paths of egress travel to two exits are available. The exit access is the component which leads you from the occupied portion of the building to an exit.’
Several factors within a building may require a 2nd exit from a space. The two most common triggers are occupancy quantities (ex. exceeding 49 occupants in an office space) or exceeding the allowable travel distance.
Below is an example of a scenario where occupancy calculation ( quantity of occupants) didn’t trigger a second exit. Travel distance triggered a second exit.
Storage spaces, Warehouses, manufacturing, Agricultural building etc. which are low in occupancy quantities will require a 2nd exit if travel distance allowable is exceeded.
Summary
The Common Path of Travel is the distance an occupant must travel to exit a building. In some scenarios, occupancy calculations dictate that a 2nd exit is required. Where occupancy quantities are low and the Common Path of Travel exceeds the distance allowable, a second exit is required. Follow the examples above for reference but as always, refer to the local jurisdiction and a local professional to ensure your projects success.
by Jeff Serbin | Aug 17, 2018 | Blog, building code, door, Uncategorized
Door Fire Rating – Building Codes
As an Architect, I interact with clients, engineers and contractors who have acquired bits of information about Building Codes. Sometimes, those bits are misconceptions and regurgitated information. The building codes can be intimidating and have no beginning or end. To learn the code, the best way is jumping in feet first.
Upcoming Blog Posts
In the next series of blog posts, I will explore common simple and more complex Building Codes. Each City has adopted a code but most in Arizona use the IBC (International Building Code).
The issues to be addressed in the following blog posts are:
- Door swing direction. Which way should the door swing, out of a room or in?
- Number of exits within a room?
- Door Size. Who said “size doesn’t matter.”
- Exit corridor width. How narrow can a hallway be?
- Clearances around a door? Door arrangement between two doors.
- Door fire ratings. What is the rating?
- Exit Travel Distance.
- Do you need an elevator?
- Should my door have panic hardware?
- Do I need a drinking fountain?
- Minimum size of a single person toilet room?
- Small commercial space, is one bathroom enough
The item in bold is addressed in this post. As an Arizona Architect, most City’s jurisdictions work with the IBC (International Building Code). The code analysis is based upon the IBC.
Door Fire Rating
A door is part of the ‘Means of egress’ of a building. The wall rating determines the rating of the door assembly. A door and its components, glazing and hardware will have different required ratings. Wall ratings fall within 1 hour increments, ranging from 1 to 4 hours. The rating describes the ability of the wall to ‘prevent the spread of fire’ from adjacent spaces or buildings.
There are actually three main classifications of fire walls: Fire walls, Fire barriers and fire partitions.
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, which sufficient structural stability under fire conditions to allow collapse of construction on either side without collapse of the wall.’ Useful in fire separation of occupancy types.
Fire Barrier – ‘A fire-resistance-rated wall assembly of materials designed to restrict the spread of fire in which continuity is maintained’
Fire Partitions – ‘A vertical assembly of materials designed to restrict the spread of fire in which openings are protected.’
Door Fire Rating
Door Fire Rating – Glazing
Specialty Frame Assemblies
For glass doors that require 20-120 minute rated conditions, there are numerous manufacturers who have design and tested systems. A few examples are Safti First, Fireglass, Aluflam etc. They design window door assemblies with glazing for specific rated conditions. The glazing manufacturer determines the size of the glazing based upon its constraints. A few examples are links to various types of glazing available or manufacturers who can assist you to determine the best system. The size of the glazing will depend on the type of glazing they offer within their systems.
Fireglass.com – Firelite Plus – Available in 20 min to 3 hour rating
Pilkington – Pyrostop – Available in 20 min. to 3 hour rating
Safti.com – Superlite II-XLM120 – Available up to 120 minute rating
I recommend researching either with a system manufacturer to determine the type of door/window system and glazing type that best suites your project needs.
Summary
Fire rated doors and their glass required ratings are determined upon the required rated of the wall assembly. Door rating doesn’t quite match the wall rating as depicted in the example above. Windows within a rated door are restricted to only 100 sq. in. Sidelights can be as large as a window manufacturer ability to rate its glazing. To determine what is required for your project, hire an expert or contact a company specializing in fire rated assemblies.
by Jeff Serbin | Aug 15, 2018 | ADA, Architectural Planning, Architecture, Blog, building code, door, Uncategorized
Clearance around a door – Building Codes
As an Architect, I interact with clients, engineers and contractors who have acquired bits of information about Building Codes. Sometimes, those bits are misconceptions and regurgitated information. The building codes can be intimidating and have no beginning or end. To learn the code, the best way is jumping in feet first.
Upcoming Blog Posts
In the next series of blog posts, I will explore common simple and more complex Building Codes. Each City has adopted a code but most in Arizona use the IBC (International Building Code).
The issues to be addressed in the following Blog Posts are:
- Door swing direction. Which way should the door swing, out of a room or in?
- Number of exits within a room?
- Door Size. Who said “size doesn’t matter.”
- Exit corridor width. How narrow can a hallway be?
- Clearances around a door? Door arrangement between two doors.
- Door fire ratings. Is your door fire rated?
- Exit Travel Distance.
- When is an elevator required?
- Should my door have panic hardware?
- Do I need a drinking fountain?
- Minimum size of a single person toilet room?
- Small commercial space, is one bathroom enough?
The item in bold is addressed in this post. As an Arizona Architect, most City’s jurisdictions work with the IBC (International Building Code). The code analysis is based upon the IBC.
Clearances Around a Door
The ADA (American with Disabilities Act), established in 1990 and in affect in 1988, establishes the minimal clearances required around a door to allow the building occupant to easily approach and open a door with ease. It begin when parents of children with disabilities who began to fight against the exclusion or segregation of their children to minimize the barriers created within public buildings.
The door clearances are depicted in the following vignettes. Click on image for enlarged view.
Door Swinging OUT or in direction of travel
Door Swinging IN
Both doors swing in Both doors swing out Door swinging in same direction
Summary
Clearance around a door is established by the ADA. The clearances allow for the ease of an occupant to open and pass through a door opening, whether on foot, in a wheelchair or using crutches. A door which swings inward generally increases the required clearances as shown on images above. Other effects like door closures, automatic door openers can affect the operation of a door, however maintaining the shown clearances makes it easier for the occupants and satisfies the current codes established.
