Week 13 blog: regulations

 Week 13 blog: regulations

This section is all about regulations for building and the different codes and jurisdictions to consider. It also talks about the phases of a design project which are very interesting because we have used them over the course of the semester to do our studio projects. The phases of design are Programming, Schematic design, design development, contract documents, construction administration, and post occupancy evaluation. 

There are also building codes. The international building code council (ICC) promulgates a new international building code every 3 years through the ICC Code development process. The current version of the IBC is the 2021 edition (ICC IBC - 2021). Building codes can be used to describe means of egress. The primary purpose of a building code is to get people out of a building safely in the event of a fire or other emergencies. A designer can provide alternative paths of travel to avoid fire, protect occupants from smoke, accommodate all occupants and their needs and marks and illuminate paths of egress. 

The process by which sections of a building are closed off during a fire or emergency is compartmentalization. Fire separation has different uses within a building as well as egress corridors, doors, and stairs must maintain specific fire rated separations in compliance with chapter 10 of the IBC. Other things to consider are the movement along the path egress through exits and corridors, location of smoke detectors and alarms, and suppression of fire with equipment such as extinguishers, sprinkler systems and hoses.

 

With sprinkler systems, there are many specific regulations for building to allow traveling distances and determine the location of the sprinkler heads. For light hazard spaces a sprinkler system is required every 200 sq ft, or 225 sq ft for hydraulic. Types of sprinkler systems include wet pipe, dry pipe, wet pipe with antifreeze, and pre-action. There are also different types of sprinkler heads: Pendant Head- surface mounted fixture, Concealed Pendant: recessed into the ceiling, Upright: project fully into the space and Side wall: mounted on a wall. 

With sprinkler systems, there are many specific regulations for building to allow traveling distances and determine the location of the sprinkler heads. For light hazard spaces a sprinkler system is required every 200 sq ft, or 225 sq ft for hydraulic. Types of sprinkler systems include wet pipe, dry pipe, wet pipe with antifreeze, and pre-action. There are also different types of sprinkler heads: Pendant Head- surface mounted fixture, Concealed Pendant: recessed into the ceiling, Upright: project fully into the space and Side wall: mounted on a wall. 

 

Other large regulation concerns have to do with ADA or American with Disabilities Act and their standards. For this you need to consider compliant routes, ramp, doors, elevators and areas of refuge, restrooms, and signage.

It was interesting this week to go out and observe some of these regulations on our very own campus. Cara, Gina and I got to explore the Ohio girls dorm building on campus and saw some of these things. Things that stuck out to us right away were the ramps to get in the building, the handicap automatic door buttons and signage, and other doors. What stuck out to us negatively was the lack of other ADA requirements and accommodations and lack of an elevator in the building. As an RA I have had discussion with the Resident Director about the alternative path of exit for the building and the ways that we as student leaders and Resident Director can assist our residents in case of emergencies. This is not ideal however because in a perfect world, the building would need to be completely remodeled and renovated to accommodate these exit paths, ADA requirement so there is no reliance solely on the leadership to assist everyone.  As it is, more signage and exit signs could be added and certain furniture and easy adjustment items could be fixed to meet ADA heights.