Appeal 34970
Appeal Summary
Status: Decision Rendered
Appeal ID: 34970
Submission Date: 9/11/25 12:26 PM
Hearing Date: 9/17/25
Case #: B-4
Appeal Type: Building
Project Type: commercial
Building/Business Name: SLPR-72
Appeal Involves: Alteration of an existing structure
Proposed use: Underground passageway connecting two Silver Tunnel and SOFA
Appeal Information Sheet
Appeal item 1
| Code Section | 705.8 Openings – Table 705.8 |
|---|---|
| Requires | Exterior wall opening is not permitted with a fire separation of 6 inches. |
| Code Modification or Alternate Requested | Allow a fire rated opening in the existing 2-hour rated exterior wall. |
| Proposed Design | Use a 90-minute rated door in the opening in the 2-hour rated exterior wall. |
| Reason for alternative | The SLPR and SOFA building are located next to each other with no separation between their respective basement walls. SLPR will be decommissioned and partially demolished per permit #24-070459-CO, however the basement wall of SLPR adjacent to SOFA will remain. This design was approved in the SOFA permit #21-096854-CO (See drawing 77S112, between grid H4 and H5). A passageway will be built through the existing SLPR basement (Permit # 25-012896-CO) which will connect the SOFA basement to the Silver Tunnel. An opening in the SLPR wall adjacent to SOFA will be provided to allow access to the passageway from SOFA. After construction of the passageway in the SLPR basement, the rest of the basement space will be backfilled up to finished grade. The passageway fire rated opening will allow access from the SLPR to SOFA facilities for monitoring and access to equipment in the tunnels as well as egress from SLPR (See drawing 72S101). |
Appeal Decision
90-minute rated fire door between buildings at below grade level: 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.