Appeal 33643

Appeal Summary

Status: DECISION RENDERED

Appeal ID: 33643

Submission Date: 1/9/25 9:42 AM

Hearing Date: 1/15/25

Case #: B-006

Appeal Type: Building

Project Type: commercial

Building/Business Name: Multnomah County - Walnut Park NE Health Center

Appeal Involves: Erection of a new structure

Proposed use: Emergency Power Generator

Project Address: 5329 NE MLK Jr Blvd

Appellant Name: Corey Morris

LUR or Permit Application #: Permit 24-033843-FA

Stories: 1 Occupancy: U Construction Type: 5-B

Fire Sprinklers: No

Plans Examiner/Inspector: Lisa Buellesbach / 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 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.