HomeMy WebLinkAboutPermit Correspondence 2007-7-24
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July 24,2007
225 FIFTH STREET
SPRINGFIELD, .OR 97477
(541) 726.3753
FAX (541) 726.3689
www.ci.springfield.or.us
David Loveall
DNL Properties LLC
1657 Delrose Ave.
Springfield, OR 97477
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Re: Alternative MaterialslMethods request for 326 Main St. Permit #COM2007-00553
Dear Mr, Loveall:
We have received your request for Alternative MaterialslMethocts for the referenced
property. You propose to substitute a sprinkler system throughout the building in-lieu-of
the required fire separations between occupancies. The following analysis and opinion
by the City Building Official addresses this proposal.
The building on the property is presently business occupancy with storage occupancies
behind and above. Our information is -that the upper level was once used as a residence
prior to being changed to storage.
The subject permit application has proposed to change the storage occupancy on the
upper level to two residential living units with egress on the west side of the building.
You were provided with a copy of our plan review comments describing a code
requirement for a 2 hr. rated occupancy separation between the business use and the
proposed residences as noted in OSSC Table 508.3.3. The plan review comments also
included reference to the requirement for I hr. rated construction for the storage roof '
behind and below the proposed dwelling units for a distance of lOft. from the dwellings
as noted in OSSC 704.10.
The above referenced Table 508.3.3 allows a reduction in fire separation between the
residential and business uses to a I hr. separation when the building is equipped
throughout with fire sprinkler systems. In this case, the business and storage areas would
require a full NFPA 13 system and the residences would require a NFPA 130 or l3R
system.
As you noted in your proposal for alternate materials/methods, OSSC 3406.1 provides for
leniency for requirements in the building code for existing buildings, subject to approval
of the building official, when a proposed use is less hazardous than the existing use,
based on life and fire risk. Both the Fire Marshal and the Building Official agree that the
proposed residential use is less hazardous than the existing storage use above the business
occupancy and that the proposed full NFP A 13 sprinkler'system throughout the building
offers an advantage in fire protection for the building and its occupants that is equivalent
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to the code requirements noted above. Therefore, your proposal to provide a full NFP A
13 sprinkler system throughout the building is accepted as an equivalent method of
providing fire protection, with the following provisions:
. The residential units shall be protected throughout, including in closets and any
enclosed areas, by a full NFPA 13 compliant system,
. Upright sprinkler heads shall be installed to provide adequate protection for the
combustible floor/ceiling assembly above the business occupancy and for the roof
assembly of the storage occupancy.
This detennination will be included with your penn it documents that must be maintained
at the job site until occupancy for the news residences is granted by this office.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact this office at 726-3753.
Sincerely,
/ JJf//1J<-
Donald Moore
Construction Representative/Plans Examiner
r< ~
Acknowledg~ ~ ~ ---- ~
David Puent, Building Official
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!L PROPERTIES LLC ·
1657 DELROSE AVE
SPRINGFIELD, OREGON 97477
541. 726.4753
Development Services Department
City of Springfield
Building Safety Section
225 N. 5th Street
Springfield OR 97477
June 29, 2007
Attn: Don Moore
Subject: Change from fire separation. method (Job No.
COM2007-00553) to fire sprinkler system,
In lieu of the fire separation specified in the approved
plans for 326 Main Street, I will install an .approved
commercial system designed for the size of the building, I
believe it is a NFPA13 system according to the estimators,
Harvey and Price,
This new.sprinkler system will be installed throughout the
existing offices, rear warehouse and the two residential
units on the second story. This will be in accordance with
2007 OSSC 104.11 (alternative methods) and. with OSSC 3406,1
(change to less hazardous usage).
I am requesting this change be made to the permit, If you
need further documentation or other information, please
contact me at the number listed above, .
Thank you.
Sincerely yours,
~y
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base shear capacity has been increased since t.he original
construction, the percent change in base shear may be
cnlculated relative to the increased value.
Exception: Alterations to existing structural ele.
ments or additions of new structural elements that are
not required by ASCE 7 and are initiated for the pur.
pose of increasing the strength or stiffness of the seis.
mic.force-resisting system of an existing structure
need not be designed for forces conforming to ASCE
7. provided that an engineering analysis is submitted
indicating the following:
1. The design strength of existing structural ele.
meots required to resist seismic forces is not
reduced.
2. The seismic force to required existing structural
elements is not increased beyond their design
strength.
3. New structural elements are detailed and con.
nected to the existing structural elements as
required by Chapter 16.
4. New or relocated nonstructural elements are
detailed and connected to existing or new struc-
tural elements as required by Chapter 16.
5. The alterations do not create a structural irregu-
larity as defined in ASCE 7 or make an existing
structural irregularity more severe:
6. The alterations do not result in the creation of an
unsafe condition.
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3403.3 Nonstructura\. Nonstructural alterations or repairs to
an existing building or structure are permitted to be made of the
same materials of which the building or structure is con.
structed, provided that they do not adversely affect any struc-
tural member or the fire. resistance rating of any part of the
building or structure.
3403.4 Stairways. An alteration or the replacement of an exist-
ing stairway in an existing structure shall not be required to
comply with the requirements of a new stairway as outlined in
Section 1009 where the existing space and construction will
not allow a reduction in pitch or slope.
SECTION 3404
FIRE ESCAPES
3404.1 Where permitted. Fire escapes shall be permitted only
as provided for in Sections 3404.1.1 through 3404.1.4.
3404.1.1 New buildings. Fire escapes shall not constitute
any part of the required means of egress in new buildings.
3404.1.2 Existing fire escapes. Existing fire escapes shall
be continued to be accepted as n component in the means of
egress in existing buildings only.
3404.1.3 New fire escapes. New fire escapes for ex.isting
buildings shall be pennitted only where exterior stairs can-
not be utilized due to lot lines limiting stair size or due to the
sidewalks, alleys or roads at grade l~vel. New fire escapes
shall not incorporate ladders or access by windows. .
632
.
3404.1.4 Limitations, Fire escapes shall comply with this
section and shall not constitute more than 50 percent of the
required number of exits nor more than 50 percent of the
required exit capacity.
3404,2 Location, Where located on the front of the building
and where projecting beyond the building line, the lowest land-
ing shall not be less than 7 feet (2134 mm) or more than 12 feet
(3658 mm) above grade, and shall be equipped with a counter-
balanced stairway to the street. In alleyways and thoroughfares
less than 30 feet (9144 mm) wide, the clearance under the low-
est landing shall not be less than 12 feet (3658 mm):
3404.3 Construction. The fire escape shall be designed to sup-
port a live load of 100 pounds per square foot (4788 Pal and
shall be constructed of steel or other approved noncombustible
materials. Fire escapes constructed of wood not less than nomi-
nal2 inches (51 mm) thick are pennitted on buildings ofType 5
construction. Walkways and railings located over or supported
by combustible roofs in buildings<>fType 3 and 4 construction
are permitted to be of wood not less than nominal 2 inches (51
mm) thick.
3404.4 Dimensions. Stairs shall be at least 22 inches (559 mm)
wide with risers not more than, and treads not less than, 8
inches (203 mm) and landings at the foot of stairs not less than
40 inches (1016 mm) wide by 36 inches (914 mm) long,
located not more than 8 inches (203 mm) below the door.
3404.5 Opening protectives. Doors and windows along the
fire escape shall be pro.tected with 'I,-houropening protectives.
SECTION 3405
'GLASS REPLACEMENT
3405.1 Conformance. The installation or replacement of glass
shall be as required for new installations.
SECTION 3406
CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY
3406,1 Conformance, No change shall be made in the use or
occupancy of any building that would place the building in a
different division of the same group of occupancy or in a differ-
ent group of occupancies, unless such building is made to com.
ply with the requirements of this code for such division or
group of occupancy. Subject to the approval of the building
official, the use or occupancy of existing buildings shall be per.
mitted to be changed and the building is allowed to be occupied
for purposes in other groups without conforming to all the
requirements of this code for those groups, provided the new or
proposed use is less hazardous. based on life and fire risk, than
the existing use.
Unless additions or alterations are made to the building or
facility, change in use or occupancy alone shall not require
compliance with the provisions of Chapter II, Accessibility. In
addition. changes in occupancy resulting in multifamily dwell-
ings need not comply with Division Ill. Covered multifamily
dwellings (see Section 1113.1.1). .
3406.2 Stairways. Existing sw.irways in an existing structure
shall not be required to comply with the requirements of a new
2007 OREGON STRUCTURAL SPECIAL TV CODE
. .
(!) EveI)' public body is immune from liability for ilny claim for in-
ju)' to or death of any person or injul)' to property resulting from an
a:t or omission of an officer.. employee or agent of a public body
'1hen s~ch officer, employee or agent is if1.1IT1une from liability.
(3) Every public body and its officers, employees and agents acting
..ithin the scope of their emp.1oyment or duties, or while operating a
notor vehicle in a ridesharing arrangement authorized under ORS
276.598, are immune from liability for:
(a) Any claim for injury to or death of any person covered by any
workers' compens:ltion law,
(b) Any claim in connection with the assessment and collection
of taxes.
(c) Any claim based upon the performance of or the failure toex-
ercise or perform a discretionnry function or duty, whether or not
the discretion is abused.
(d) Any claim that is limited or barred by the provisions of any
other statute, including but not limited to any statute of ultimate
repose.
(e) Any claim arising oul of riot, civil commotion or mob actil?n
or out of any act or omission in connection with the prevention of
any of the foregoing. .
(f) Any claim arising out of an act done or omitted under apparent
authority ofa law, resolution, rule or regulation th3! is unConstitu.
tional, invalid or inapplicable except to the extent that they wo.uld
have been liable had the law, resolution. rule' or regulation been
constitutional. valid and applicable, unless such act was done or
omitted in bad faith or with malice.
(4) Subsection (I) of this section applies to any action of any offi~
cer, employee or agent of the state relating to a nuclear incident,
whether or not the officer, employee or agent is acting within the
scope of employment, and provided the nuclear incident is covered
by an insurance or indemnity agreement under 42 U.S.c. 22lO.
(5) Subsection (3)(c) of this section does not apply to any discre~
lionary act th3t is found to be the cause or partial cause of a nuclear
incident covered by an insurance or indemnity agreement LInder the
provisions of 42 U.S.c. 2210, including but not limited to road de.
sign and route selection. [1967 c.627 ~92.3,lO; 1969 c.429 ~I;
1975 c.609 112; 1977 c.823 12; 1981 c.490 14; 1985 c.731 131;
1987 c.705 17; 1991 c.861 !I; 2005 c.22 !19}
104.9 Approved materials and equipment. Materials. equip-
ment and devices approved by the building official shall be
constructed and installed in accordance with such approvaL
104.9.1 Used materials and equipment. The use of used
materials which meet the requirements of this code for
> new materials is permitted.
104.10 Modifications. Wherever there are practical difficul-
ties ir:tvolved in carrying out the provisions of this code, the
building official shall have the authority to grant modifications
for individual cases, upon application of the owner or owner's
representative, provided the building official shall first find that
special individual reason makes the su;ct letter of this code
impractical and the modification is in compliance with the
intent and purpose of this code and that such modiiication does
not lessen health. accessibility. life and fire safety. or stmctural
requirements. The details of action granting modifications.
shall be recorded and entered in the files of the department of
building safety.
104.11 Alternative materials, design and methods of con.
struction and equipment. The provisions of this code are not
2007 OREGON STRUCTURAL SPECIALTY CODE
.
intended to prevent the installation of any material or to
prohibit any design or method of construction not specifically
prescribed by this code, provided that any such alternative has
been approved. An alternative material, design or method of
construction shall be approved where the building official finds
that the proposed design is satisfactory and complies with the
intent of the provisions of this code, and that the material.
method or work offered is. for the pU'l'ose intended. at least the
equivalent of that prescribed in this code in quality, strength,
effectiveness. fire resistance, durability and safety.
104.11.1 Research reports. Supporting data. where neces-
sary. to assist in the approval of materials or assemblies not
specificaily provided for in this code. shall consist of valid
research reports from approved sources.
104.11.2 Tests, Whenever there is insufficient evidence of
compliance with the provisions of this code, or evidence
that a material or method does not confonn to the require~
ments of this code, or in order to substantiate claims for
alternative materials or methods. the building official shall
h~ve the authority to require tests ~s evidence of compliance
to be made at no expense to the jurisdiction. Test methods
shall be as specified in this code or by other recognized test
standards. In the absence of recognized and accepted test
methods, the building official shall approve the testing pro-
cedures. Tests shall be performed by an approved agency.
Reports of such tests shall be retained by the building offi-
cial for the period required for retention of public records.
104.12 Request for ruling. ORS 455.060 provides for state rul.
ings on acceptable materials, designs and methods of constnlc-
lion. When a mling has been issued. ORS 455.060(4) applies.
. ORS 455.060 is not a part of this code but is reproduced here for the
reader's convenience: .
455.060 Rulings on acceptability of material, de.sign or method
of construction; eITect of approval.
(I) Any person who desires to use orfurnish nny material, design
or method of construction or installntion in the state. or any build-
ing offici31, may request the Director of the Dep<lrtmenl of Con-
sumer and Business Services to issue a mling with respect to the
acceptability of any material, design or ~ethod of construction
about which there is a Question under any provision of the stat~
'fuilding code. Requests shall be in writing and, if made by :lOyone
other than a building official, shall be made and the ruling issued
prior to the use or attempted use of such questioned mute rial, de-
sign or method,
(2) In making rulings, the director shall obtain the approval of the
appropriate advisory board as to technical and scientific facts and
shall consider the standards and interpretations published by the
body that promulgated any nationally recognized model code
adopted as a specialty code of this state.
(3) A copy of the ruling issued by the director shall be certified to
the person making the request. Additional copies shall be transmit-
ted to nil building officials in the state. The director shall keep a per-
munent record of all such rulings, and shull furnish copies thereof to
any interested person upon payment of such fees as the director
may prescribe.
(4) A building official or inspector shall approve the LIse of any ma.
terial, design or method of construction approved by the director
pursuant to this section if the requirements of all other local ordi-
n:mces :lre s~tisfied.
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