HomeMy WebLinkAboutPermit Correspondence 2006-1-5
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Community Services Div I
225 5th Street, Springfield OR 97477
Phone: 541.726-3623 F.ax: 541.726-3676
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Ci~ ot:Springfie,ld .
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Memo
To: Address File for: Williams Bakery, 2000 Nugget Way;
Permit #COM2005-00275
From: Don Moore
cc: David Puent, Building Official
Date: January 5, 2006
Re: Request for alternate materials, desig'n and methods of
construction for equipment platform stairs.
Request:
The stair equipment subcontractor has requested an evaluation from this jurisdiction for the
use of a metal stairway that will provide access to a platform for bakery processing.
equipment. The platform specifically serves hoppers for raw material storage and
dispensing. The hoppers are basically miniature silos requiring access to the upper section
for maintenance and material supply.
The subcontractor is requesting an exemption to the requirements contained in section 1009
of the 2004 Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC) for stair construction. The
subcontractor has referred to Section 505.5, which exempts equipment platforms from being.
considered a portion of the main floor or a mezzanine. The section also exempts stairs and
ladders that provide access to such platforms from being part of the means of egress for the
building. He further pointed out that the proposed stair must still meet the OSHA safety
requirements.
Analvsis:
A review of the present code reveals that Section 1009 does not contain a specific exemption
to construction requirements for stairs accessing equipment, as was the case with the
previous code (in the exception to Section 1003.3.3.1 of the 1998 edition of OSSC).' I
discussed this apparent incongruence with Ravi Mahajan, Assistant Structural Chief at the
State Building Codes Division, who agreed that such an exemption is still appropriate for
equipment access. Mr. Mahajan suggested that the omission to the specific exception can
be remedied by the use of this jurisdiction's authority to use section 104.10 of the present
code when the building official finds that the proposed design is satisfactory and complies
with the intent of the provisions of the code. .
Decision:
The building official has determined that the proposed stair design is satisfactory and that the
method offered for fabrication of the stair is, for the purpose intended, at least the equivalent
of that prescribed or interwf"'by the present code in quality, strength, efft""f~ness, fire
resistance durability and sarety, as long as the proposed stair meets the approved OSHA
guidelines for such access stairs. The cited exemption in Section 505.5 is viewed as
equivalent to a specific exception to the requirements of Section 1009 for stair construction
accessing equipment platforms.
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anal Moore, Construction Representative
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~dviJ Pt:rem, t;U1lding Official
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