Appeal 33611

Appeal Summary

Status: DECISION RENDERED

Appeal ID: 33611

Submission Date: 12/6/24 2:14 PM

Hearing Date: 12/18/24

Case #: B-001

Appeal Type: Building

Project Type: commercial

Building/Business Name: Beall Manufacturing, Inc.

Appeal Involves: Alteration of an existing structure

Proposed use: Argon Storage Tank

Project Address: 9200 N Ramsey Blvd

Appellant Name: AARON LOTHROP

LUR or Permit Application #: Preliminary

Stories: 2 Occupancy: B, F-2, S-2 Construction Type: III-B

Fire Sprinklers: Yes -

Plans Examiner/Inspector: Kevin Wells

Plan Submitted Option: pdf   [File 1]   [File 2]   [File 3]   [File 4]   [File 5]

Payment Option: electronic

Appeal Information Sheet

Appeal item 1

Code Section

ASCE 7-16 15.4.10.1

Requires

Nonbuilding structures shall not be permitted to be supported
on shallow foundations at liquefiable sites unless it can be
demonstrated that the structure’s foundation, superstructure,
and connecting systems can be designed to accommodate the
soil strength loss, lateral spreading, and total and differential
settlements induced by MCEG earthquake ground motions
indicated in the geotechnical investigation report.

Code Modification or Alternate Requested

Allow a nonbuilding structure (tank) to be supported on a shallow foundation at a liquefiable site.

Proposed Design

The only ground improvement or deep support options which exist have costs far exceeding the value of the project or any of the equipment.

Reason for alternative

This is an inert gas storage tank replacing a larger storage tank on the existing foundation. Unlike the old tank, the new tank will be connected to the building via armored hose, rather than rigid piping. If the tank tips over, or sinks into the ground as indicated by the geotechnical report, life safety risk will not increase versus remaining static while surrounded by other equipment and a 50 year old building. The structural engineer and fire review team agree that this will be a safe installation, regardless of liquefaction.

Appeal Decision

Allow tank to be supported on a shallow foundation at a liquefiable site: Granted provided the adequacy of the foundation and the attachment of the tank to the foundation for all gravity and lateral loads required by ASCE 7 and recommendations in the soils report are confirmed during plan review.

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.