Appeal 33701

Appeal Summary

Status: Decision Rendered

Appeal ID: 33701

Submission Date: 2/19/25 10:35 PM

Hearing Date: 2/26/25

Case #: B-001

Appeal Type: Building

Project Type: commercial

Building/Business Name: Binford Apts

Appeal Involves: Erection of a new structure

Proposed use: Apartment leasing office and community clubhouse

Project Address: 6905 NE Hancock St

Appellant Name: Franklin Callfas

LUR or Permit Application #: Other

Stories: 1 Occupancy: B, A-3 Construction Type: VB

Fire Sprinklers: No

Plans Examiner/Inspector: Steven Mortensen

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

Payment Option: electronic

Appeal Information Sheet

Appeal item 1

Code Section

2019 OSSC §703.3 Alternative Methods for Determining Fire Resistance

Requires

703.3 Alternative methods for determining fire resistance. The application of any of the alternative methods listed in this section shall be based on the fire exposure and acceptance criteria specified in ASTM E 119 or UL 263. The required fire resistance of a building element, component or assembly shall be permitted to be established by any of the following methods or procedures:

  1. Fire-resistance designs documented in sources.
  2. Prescriptive designs of fire-resistance-rated building elements, components or assemblies as prescribed in Section 721.
  3. Calculations in accordance with Section 722.
  4. Engineering analysis based on a comparison of building element, component or assemblies designs having fire-resistance ratings as determined by the test procedures set forth in ASTM E 119 or UL 263.
  5. Alternative protection methods as allowed by Section 104.11.
Code Modification or Alternate Requested

Allow applied intumescent coating as approved fire protection for steel connections based on engineering analysis.

Proposed Design

Sherwin-Williams FX5120 intumescent paint is applied to the steel connection plates and bolts at a thickness sufficient to provide a 1-hr fire-resistance rating according to the results output by the Firetex Design Estimator (FDE) software. The thickness is either 121 or 122 mils, measured in the field.

RECONSIDERATION TEXT

The heavy wood members are connected with steel brackets that are concealed on one face with the wood. A 1-hour fire-resistance rating will be achieved by the application of 75 mils of intumescent coating to the gusset plates. The site fireproofing contractor has applied Sherwin Williams IFRM to a Dry Film Thickness (DFT) of 122MILS. This DFT exceeds the thickness required.

Reason for alternative

The plates are not a design covered by any specific UL 263 test and therefore do not meet the requirements for 703.2. Section 703.3, method 4 allows analysis based on comparison. As noted on the attached report, the output of the FDE software is as per the UL Listed/Verified process for UL263 / ASSTM E119.
The report concludes that the mil thickness provided on the steel members is sufficient to meet the requirements for 1-hr fire-resistance.

RECONSIDERATION TEXT

Due to the unique conditions, fire protection for the steel connection brackets is not supported by listed/tested ASTM E119 assemblies and therefore require engineering evaluation to meet the protection standards per Chapter 7 of OSSC. An engineering analysis provided by Franklin Callfas, an Oregon registered FPE is attached to support this alternate.

Appeal Decision

An alternate method for determining the fire resistance rating of steel plates: Granted as proposed. Please note, that this approval does not include a review of the adequacy of the bolts for expected char depth or fire rating of the wood members based on calculated char.

"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.