Appeal 33511
Appeal Summary
Status: Decision Rendered on Reconsideration of 33431 from 8.28.24
Appeal ID: 33511
Submission Date: 10/8/24 2:38 PM
Hearing Date: 10/9/24
Case #: E-001
Appeal Type: Building
Project Type: commercial
Building/Business Name: Pioneer Square Park / TriMet
Appeal Involves: Alteration of an existing structure,Reconsideration of appeal
Proposed use: Existing TriMet TPSS electrical equipment room
Appeal Information Sheet
Appeal item 1
| Code Section | OSSC Chapter 1010.1.1 Size of Doors. |
|---|---|
| Requires | The required capacity of each door opening shall be sufficient for the occupant load and provide a minimum clear opening width of 32 inches (813 mm). The clear opening width of doorways with swinging doors shall be measured between the face of the door and the stop, with the door open 90 degrees (1.57 rad). Where this section requires a minimum clear opening width of 32 inches (813 mm) and a door opening includes two door leaves without a mullion, one leaf shall provide a minimum clear opening width of 32 inches (813 mm). In Group I-2, doors serving as means of egress doors where used to move beds shall provide a minimum clear opening width of 411/2 inches (1054 mm). The maximum width of a swinging door leaf shall be 48 inches (1219 mm) nominal. The minimum clear opening height of doors shall be not less than 80 inches (2032 mm), utilization of a full height door (6-8"). |
| Code Modification or Alternate Requested | Access door height issue from electrical room. |
| Proposed Design | The proposed access door from the electrical room to the Bicycle storage room has approximately 24” difference in floor height. There is an unrelocatable Utility line restriction at the ceiling of the lower floor level at the opening, that will not allow a full height door. We are only able to create a 36” wide by 6’-3” high door |
| Reason for alternative | The existing physical structural and utility conditions prevent installing a full height door. Note the NEC requires a minimum door height of 6’-5” however, it is noted that the existing electrical room has an existing exit door of 7’-0” high, and a second existing large access hatch up a ladder to the sidewalk above the room. |
Appeal Decision
Allow a 6'-3" high door to access an existing electrical room: Granted provided new electrical equipment does not require an additional means of egress.
"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, go to www.portlandoregon.gov/bds/appealsinfo, call (503) 823-6251 or come to the Development Services Center."