Appeal 33676

table 705.5

1 hr rated walls when within 5'-10' of the property line

To allow our new fire rated gyp. bd. to be installed just on the inside face of the wall.

We have a SFR that is being converted to a 4 plex - structure has been permitted and built. current permit is for modifying interior layout for 4 units. both our South and North walls are approximately 7' from their respective property lines. All the exterior siding is in great shape. Rather than fire rate the wall from both sides, we would like to keep the exterior siding and install a new layer of 5/8" type 'x' gyp. bd. to the inside face of existing (or new) 1/2" gyp. bd. The new 5/8" type 'x' would be in all the units and also extend to the underside of the roof sheathing at the 3rd floor attic areas.

The existing siding is in great shape. The interior is being gutted - so much easier to fire rate from the interior.

705.11

parapets on exterior walls that are required to be fire rated.

We do not want to build a parapet or rate the roof construction as we barely don't qualify for several cumulative exemptions

Per that first appeal - we will construct modified fire rated walls at both exterior walls that are about 7' from the property line. Both of these walls have less than 10% openings per floor. Per 705.11 - ex. 1 - parapets are not required to be constructured when walls are not required to be fire rated per table 705.5. While we are sprinklering to NFPA 13R per this permit - that does not get us any benefit when it comes to exterior wall rating or openings. In addition 705.11 ex 2. - parapets are not required when each floor has less than 1,000 sf. We have three floors - one under 1,000 sf (915) and two over 1,000 (1,296). Both of the 1,296 floors are demised with a 1 hr fire partition to separate units.

With 7' setbacks, adding a sprinkler system, just being over 1,000 sf per floor, etc - all these are cumulative and the need for added protection from a parapet is minimized.

1011.7

a 1 hr rated enclosure is required under stairs.

to install (2) layers 5/8" type 'x' to the underside of the stair serving apartment #4

This stair just serves apartment #4 but it is in a common area so code requires more than 1/2" gyp. bd. The shaft walls are confusing in the field I've been told. I'd like to keep it simple and install (2) layers 5/8" type 'x' to the underside of this stair.

Both supporting walls are already fire rated as required by code. Installing (2) layers 5/8" type 'x' is simple and will provide equivalent protection.

1029.3

requires one hour rated walls and openings w/ 45 minute ratings along an egress court.

To allow our North wall to remain as proposed.

As proposed, and per the above appeal, we are intending to upgrade the entire North wall (higher than 10' even) to 1 hr equivalent. But the openings along that wall are not rated - there are two - a bedroom window and entry into the sprinkler room.

An additional sprinkler head could be placed above the door and window at grade level, along the north side adjacent to the egress court.

1011

commercial stair requirements

To allow the existing residential stair to remain as is.

There is what appears to be a very sound, secure, code compliant residential stair serving apartment #4. But - it is in a common area - so it is a commercial stair by code - but used just by one apartment.

The rise is 7.5", treads are 10.5", min. ceiling height is 7'-4".

It's existing, appears code compliant to the residential code and will be serving just one unit.

1208.2

habitable spaces require 7'-6" ceiling height

The third floor has 7'-4" ceiling height.

It was built with 7'-4" ceiling height. Low ceilings but lots of windows front and back.

No way to change this.