Appeal 33601
Appeal Summary
Status: DECISION RENDERED
Appeal ID: 33601
Submission Date: 12/4/24 2:11 PM
Hearing Date: 12/11/24
Case #: B-005
Appeal Type: Building
Project Type: commercial
Building/Business Name: Multnomah County - Mid-County Health Center
Appeal Involves: Erection of a new structure
Proposed use: Medical Clinic / Emergency Generator
Project Address: 12710 SE Division
Appellant Name: Corey Morris
LUR or Permit Application #: Permit 24-0358600-FA
Stories: 1 Occupancy: U Construction Type: 5-B
Fire Sprinklers: No
Plans Examiner/Inspector: Kevin White
Plan Submitted Option: pdf [File 1]
Payment Option: electronic
Appeal Information Sheet
Appeal item 1
| Code Section | 1607.1 (Line 27) |
|---|---|
| Requires | Table 1607.1 requires flat roofs to be design for 20-psf uniform live load and roofs subject to maintenance workers to support a 300-pound concentrated load. |
| Code Modification or Alternate Requested | For the purposes of structural design, define horizontal security screening for an exterior electrical generator as NOT representing a roof assembly as defined in OSSC Chapter 2, and therefore not designed to resist design loads. |
| Proposed Design | The security enclosure will NOT be designed to resist design loads for a roof (specifically the 300-pound point load requirement). The horizontal element of the enclosure (the "roof" will be chain link fencing fabric supported on horizontal pipe. The sides will be chain link fencing with infill slats that limit the ability to climb. Signage (in multiple languages) is proposed around the enclosure to warn would-be climbers or maintenance personnel that the enclosure is not designed to support loads. See sheet AS402 for details of the proposed enclosure and signage. |
| Reason for alternative | The overhead screening does not represent the OSSC Chapter 2 definition of a roof assembly (“A system designed to provide weather protection and resistance to design loads”). The intent of the fence and screen is to keep trash out of the generator area, which has been a problem at other generator installations without security measures. We explored other security assemblies such as structural steel and perforated metal, but found that these more substantial assemblies trigger other NFPA and Portland Fire Code definitions as an enclosed building, which then trigger unnecessary and burdensome requirements such as fire ratings and remote fuel tank filling. |
Appeal Decision
Horizontal security screening at an exterior electrical generator will not be evaluated as a roof assembly for structural design loads: Granted as proposed.
"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 the 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.