Appeal 33644

Appeal Summary

Status: DECISION RENDERED RECONSIDERATION OF 33632

Appeal ID: 33644

Submission Date: 1/9/25 12:05 PM

Hearing Date: 1/15/25

Case #: B-007

Appeal Type: Building

Project Type: commercial

Building/Business Name: Portland Art Museum

Appeal Involves: Erection of a new structure,Alteration of an existing structure,Reconsideration of appeal,occ Change from to ,other:

Proposed use: Museum

Project Address: 1219 SW Park Avenue

Appellant Name: Joshua Stein

LUR or Permit Application #: Permit 19-258855-CO

Stories: 5 Occupancy: -1, A-2, A-3, B, S-1, M Construction Type: I-B

Fire Sprinklers: Yes - Throughout per NFPA-13

Plans Examiner/Inspector: Kathy Aulwes

Plan Submitted Option: pdf   [File 1]

Payment Option: electronic

Appeal Information Sheet

Appeal item 1

Code Section

2014 OSSC 1009.16 / OSSC 1011.12

Requires

§1009.16: …In buildings without an occupied roof, access to the roof from the top story shall be permitted to be by an alternating tread device or a ship stair or ladder that is constructed of steel…

Code Modification or Alternate Requested

This appeal is to allow for the use of a ship ladder constructed of aluminum in lieu of steel for a stairway to the roof. Current (2022) OSSC §1011.12 allows for the use of a ship ladder constructed of noncombustible material for this application.

Proposed Design
  • The Portland Art Museum’s Rothko Pavilion project was permitted under the 2014 OSSC which required steel ship ladders for a stairway to roof (2014 OSSC 1009.16). The 2022 OSSC amended this requirement to allow a ship ladder constructed of noncombustible material (2022 OSSC 1011.12, Exception)
  • This appeal seeks to use a ship ladder constructed from aluminum (noncombustible material) while maintaining the remaining requirements of 2014 OSSC 1009.16 as they apply to ship ladders.
Reason for alternative

The proposed use of an aluminum ship ladder for roof access to meet 2014 OSSC 1009.16 allows the use of the current 2022 OSSC requirement for this same ladder to be constructed of noncombustible material (2022 OSSC 1011.12, Exception). The remaining applicable 2014 OSSC requirements for ship ladders used for stairway access to roofs will be followed.

The original manufacturers specified for this project no longer produce steel ship ladders – just aluminum. While custom or alternate products may be found to fabricate this ship ladder from steel, the use of aluminum ship ladders allows for more manufacturers to be considered for the project if more current code provisions governing this ship ladder are applied.

CONCLUSION:
It is proposed that a roof access ship ladder constructed of aluminum be allowed for use on this project to accommodate current 2022 OSSC code allowances for fabricating this ladder from non-combustible construction. The 2014 OSSC code under which this project was permitted only allowed steel-fabricated ship ladders for roof access, which was subsequently adjusted to allow ladders constructed of noncombustible materials, including aluminum. The remaining applicable requirements of 2014 OSSC for this ship ladder will be met.

Relevant Attachments:

  • ATTACHMENT 1 – Ship Ladder – Alaco Model H1000

Appeal Decision

Allow ship ladder to meet noncombustible construction standards under 2022 OSSC: Granted provided the ladder meets ASTM E136 per Portland Fire & Rescue Access and Water Supply Guide requirements.

" ""The Administrative Appeal Board finds with the conditions noted, 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.

Under 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, how to file a reconsideration, and how to appeal to the Building Code Board of Appeal, go to https://www.portland.gov/ppd/file-appeal/appeal-process or email PPDAppeals@portlandoregon.gov.
"""