Appeal 7368

Section 301.1, Chapter 34 – Structural Specialty Code

Existing Group B assembly occupancies with an occupant load of 50 or more may be
altered or added to, without requiring a full change of occupancy provided:

1. The exit hardware, signs and lighting are brought into compliance with Group A,

Division 2 requirements;

1. The alteration or addition does not increase the occupant load of the occupancy

to more than 100 persons including staff and customers;

1. Any change or expansion of the floor construction be designed to carry the Code

required design loads for Group A, Division 2 occupancy;

1. Altered elements shall comply with accessibility requirements of Section 1113.1

of the OSSC. In addition, the path of travel to altered areas must be improved to
current accessibility requirements. The costs to improve the path need not
exceed 25% of the costs of the remodel.

1. Permit applications for such occupancies shall include the designation of Group

B occupancy and shall include a seating layout noting the number of occupants
and designated exits. A note is to be included in TRACS (the City permit tracking
system) which states this occupancy is classified as a Group B based on the
occupancy being established prior to July 1, 1979.

We are not proposing any significant design changes.

We would like for the appeals board to reconsider the decision of the plans reviewer to classify the open area of the first floor of the office as A3 occupancy.

We are providing plans from 2001 illustrating that the previous tenant was granted a building permit and class B occupancy. We are also providing current plans which illustrate that we are not making significant changes in layout or usage. We are providing a letter from the company primary explaining in detail how we intend to occupy the same space.

No alternative suggested. Please see proposed egress lighting plan and occupancy matrices.