Appeal 20649

Appeal Summary

Status: Mixed Decision. Item 1: Decision Rendered. Item 2: Hold for Additional Information.

Appeal ID: 20649

Submission Date: 7/15/19 12:17 PM

Hearing Date: 7/24/19

Case #: B-002

Appeal Type: Building

Project Type: commercial

Building/Business Name:

Appeal Involves: Erection of a new structure

Proposed use: Mixed Use Residential, Office, Retail, and Parking.

Project Address: 936 SW Washington St

Appellant Name: Gabriel Hoy

LUR or Permit Application #: LUR 18-210124-LU

Stories: 35 Occupancy: A-2 A-3 B H-3 M R-1 R-2 S-1 S2 Construction Type: In Design

Fire Sprinklers: Yes - Entire Building

Plans Examiner/Inspector: Ali Soheili

Plan Submitted Option: pdf [File 1] [File 2] [File 3]

Payment Option: electronic

Appeal Information Sheet

Appeal item 1

Code Section	2014 OSSC 3004.1
Requires	2014 OSSC 3004.1 Hoistways of elevators and dumb-waiters with a hoistway height of 25 feet (7620 mm) or more, as measured from the bottom floor landing to the underside of the hoistway ceiling, shall be provided with a means for venting smoke and hot gases to the outer air in case of fire.
Code Modification or Alternate Requested
Proposed Design	Block 216 is a high-rise, fully sprinklered mixed-use building with underground parking, retail on the ground floor, hotel amenities and BOH on L1-3, office on L3-7, hotel guest rooms and hotel amenities on L8, hotel guest rooms on L9-18, amenities and a restaurant on L19 & L20, and residential on L21-35. The proposed design omits the use of elevator hoistway vents in accordance with the 2015 IBC.
Reason for alternative	Providing elevator hoistways without vents is currently the IBC's standard recommendation. According to commentary by the IBC, the positive benefits of hoistway venting are outweighed by the stack effect and negative side effects during fire and smoke events. The omission of elevator vents in this project is proposed to align the building with the more current IBC and, subsequently, more current understanding of the proper construction methods to ensure health, safety, and welfare of the public and building occupants. Please refer to the Hoistway Venting discussion on pages 51-54 of the attached IBC document.

Appeal item 2

Code Section	2014 OSSC 717.5.3.E1.1/717.5.3.E2.3
Requires	2014 OSSC 717.5.3.E1.1 Steel exhaust subducts are extended at least 22 inches (559 mm) vertically in exhaust shafts, provided there is a continuous airflow upward to the outside[.] 2014 OSSC 717.5.3.E2.3 An exhaust fan is installed at the upper terminus of the shaft that is powered continuously in accordance with the provisions of Section 909.11, so as to maintain a continuous upward airflow to the out-side.
Code Modification or Alternate Requested
Proposed Design	Block 216 is a high-rise, fully sprinklered mixed-use building with underground parking, retail on the ground floor, hotel amenities and BOH on L1-3, office on L3-7, hotel guest rooms and hotel amenities on L8, hotel guest rooms on L9-18, amenities and a restaurant on L19 & L20, and residential on L21-35. The proposed design follows identical requirements of 2014 OSSC 717.5.3, with the exception that multiple hotel bathroom subducted risers combine overhead at L18 into a single horizontal duct main. The exhaust duct is routed within a continuous, fire-resistance rated assembly, from the subduct riser shaft, transitioning through a rated horizontal assembly, through a rated riser shaft to the rooftop mechanical equipment where it is served by a dedicated exhaust fan within an energy recovery DOAS unit that runs continuously and is on standby power.
Reason for alternative	Providing a single, combined bathroom exhaust system above L18 significantly reduces the project-specific structural complexities and interruptions to amenity and residential programs, while also allowing the hotel bathroom exhaust system to utilize heat recovery through a single DOAS unit. The location of the 14 individual subduct risers serving the hotel guest rooms would intervene with amenity and residential spaces above on L19-35 if the subduct risers extend vertically through the entire building. The proposed design will allow the exhaust system to function in a coordinated layout with the rest of the building, while providing design intent that does not negatively impact the health, safety, or welfare of the public.

Appeal Decision

1. Omission of elevator vent per 2015 IBC: Granted as proposed.

2. Alternate subduct configuration: Denied. Proposal does not provide equivalent Life Safety protection.
Appellant may contact Ali Soheili (503 823-7027) with questions.

For item 1. The Administrative Appeal Board finds that the information submitted by the appellant demonstrates that the approved modifications or alternate methods are consistent with the intent of the code; do not lessen health, safety, accessibility, life, fire safety or structural requirements; and that special conditions unique to this project make strict application of those code sections impractical.

Pursuant to City Code Chapter 24.10, you may appeal this decision to the Building Code Board of Appeal within 90 calendar days of the date this decision is published. For information on the appeals process and costs, including forms, appeal fee, payment methods and fee waivers, go to www.portlandoregon.gov/bds/appealsinfo, call (503) 823-7300 or come in to the Development Services Center.