Week 13: Chapter 12- Regulations

  Chapter 12

Regulations 

This week we learned to, Differentiate among codes, voluntary programs, ADA, and testing agencies, Identify key sustainable design guidelines, and Apply the basic building code provisions to design projects. We also learned how to Understand the path of egress and Identify the phases of a design project.

Phases of a Design Project

The phases of a design project recognized by both the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) contract documents are discussed in the following sections.

• Programming- During the programming phase, the designer will interview the client(s) and create a user needs assessment and spatial analysis of what is required for the project. Background research and case studies are collected during this phase. From a regulatory perspective it is important to determine the occupancy type and identify all applicable codes and statutes that apply to the project locale. Under AIA contracts, programming is an additional service and is not included in the Standard Form of Agreement.
• Schematic Design- Preliminary design of the project is done during the schematic design phase. The design team will ordinarily produce a series of solutions that are presented to the client until all parties accept a solution. During this time, the design team will conduct occupancy calculations, determine the required number of exits, and delineate the egress path, making sure that it is under the maximum travel distance permitted.
• Design Development- Development of the design solution includes all selections for the project and the changes needed to implement the actual materials and finishes. During this phase, the design team will design hour-rated partition types, and make all door, glass, and finishes selections in compliance with the building code requirements.
• Contract Documents- The design team creates a final set of construction documents that includes all drawings and specifications during this phase. The cover sheet of the drawings contains information about all applicable codes used to design the project as well as a map of the location and contact information for the primary design contact.
• Construction Administration- Going to the site to make sure the project is being constructed consistent with the design intent of the project occurs during construction administration. Frequently this is covered under a separate contract.
• Post-occupancy Evaluation- Although not normally conducted on all projects, the post-occupancy evaluation is arguably one of the most important stages of design. A post-occupancy evaluation takes place after the building occupants move in and are using the designed space. Gathering feedback about user satisfaction, comfort, and productivity provides invaluable information for future project designs. Frequently this is covered under a separate contract.

Building Codes

Building codes date back to ancient times and are in place to protect the public. The first code, the Code of Hammurabi, dates to 2000 BC. The first building code in the United States was created in Chicago in 1875 following a major fire in the city. Until recently, there were several different codes in use across the United States and Canada. In 2000, the International Building Code (IBC) was first published and has been adopted in nearly every state in the US. It is important for design professionals to be aware, however, that not all states are using the latest version of the IBC. Additionally, states may choose to adopt a given code and then amend it at the state level.

The International Building Code (IBC) regulates all construction types except single­family residential design, which falls under the International Residential Code (IRC). The IBC is organized to provide designers and contractors with all of the information they need to create a minimally competent, safe building. Building code usage is not synonymous with good design.

Generally, the code is divided into 35 chapters that begin with the overall issues of a building, proceed into specific issues related to egress, construction, and building systems, and end with information regulating specific materials and the tests that they must meet to be safe.

CHAPTERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE (IBC 2018)

An interior designer works as part of a team and should be well versed in all sections of the code pertaining specifically to interior design. These include use group and occupancy classification; detailed requirements based on use and occupancy; types of construction; fire-resistance-rated construction; interior finishes; means of egress; accessibility; and the interior environment. It is helpful if designers are also familiar with all other sections of the building code in order to be an informed member of the team.

The International Green Construction Code

Within the family of building codes published by the International Code Council, the Green Construction Code focuses on sustainable buildings achieved through enhanced requirements for energy efficiency, materials and indoor air quality. The IGCC contains 12 chapters and four appendices.

 2018 IGCC CHAPTERS AND APPENDICES

Purpose of the Building Codes

The primary purpose of a building code is to get people out of a building safely in the event of a fire. Fire-protection can be discussed in four areas: prevention, passive fire protection, detection and alarms, and fire suppression. A fire can also be divided into four stages. The first stage, called the incipient stage, involves oxygen, heat, and a fuel source combining in a chemical reaction resulting in fire. The smoldering or growth stage follows this and is the shortest stage but also the one where a potential flashover

can occur as the fire grows. The flame or fully developed stage of the fire comprises the hottest phase, while the final decaying stage takes place as fuel and oxygen become exhausted.

Safe Egress: Design Consideration for Fire Prevention and Containment

The building code is structured so that designers must do certain things to prevent the easy spread of fire. These passive fire prevention measures include space-planning requirements for compartmentalization, fire-separation requirements such as rated corridors, walls and doors, and the incorporation of fire detection and suppression devices.

To create safe egress out of a building all of the following need to be addressed: exit signs, compartmentalization, fire stairs, refuge areas, and special doors.

Means of Egress

The path of egress includes three primary components: exit access, exits, and exit discharge. The exit access consists of the path to an exit. In many cases, this will take place through a fire-rated corridor and fire stairs. The exit itself refers to the exit door and the exit discharge is the destination area where someone goes when escaping a fire. Four principles guide the means of egress:

• A designer needs to provide alternate paths for travel to avoid fire.
• A design must shelter occupants from fire and the products of combustion (smoke).
• Buildings must accommodate all occupants of a structure.
• The building must have a clear and unobstructed path that is both well-marked and illuminated as well as under the user’s control.

These four components combined create a safe means of egress. Emergency power must be provided for lighting along the entire path.

Exit Signs

Exit signs must be visible from any direction of egress travel and must be located within 100 feet of the signs’ viewing distance. Floor-level exit signs are required in R-1 spaces and should be located between 10 and 12 inches from the floor and within 4 inches of the frame on the door latch side. All exit signs should be lit to a minimum of 5 footcandles and have an emergency power source for at least 90 minutes.

MINIMUM CORRIDOR WIDTH

Compartmentalization

Large spaces must be subdivided in order to create separate compartments for smoke containment. This process, by which sections of a building are closed off during a fire or other emergency, is called compartmentalization. This involves not only fire-rated walls, but also the overall planning mechanisms by which a designer creates separate areas within a building. Compartmentalization can be achieved in a couple of ways-- through the literal subdivision of large spaces into smaller controlled ones, or through the inclusion of roll-down shutters and accordion-type doors. Curtain boards made of glass can also reduce smoke spread through a large space.

Fire Separation

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. Chapter 10 regulates the entire path of egress for all occupants of a building to safely evacuate from the building in the event of an emergency. This includes egress width, means of illumination of the path, doors, gates and turnstiles, stairways and handrails, ramps, exit signs, guardrails, and horizontal and vertical exits.

Movement

Movement along the path of egress and throughout the building is addressed in the following areas by the IBC: egress stairs, corridors, and exits.

Detection

Fire-detection equipment is used to detect smoke and/or fire within a building. This includes many components such as detectors and alarms with both audio signals and visual strobes. Several types of detection devices exist including ionization detectors, smoke detectors, heat detectors, gas detectors, and water-flow detectors. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recognizes three common types of fire detectors: smoke, heat, and flame. Ionization detectors are a type of smoke detector that detects smoke particles (visible or invisible). By passing charged air through an interior chamber, an alarm is then triggered. The other type of smoke detector is a photoelectric one that uses a light source and light sensor to detect smoke particles causing an interruption in the sensor, thus triggering an alarm. Heat detectors sense a change in temperature that activates an alarm, while flame detectors seek out infrared, visible, and ultraviolet emissions of a fire to set off an alarm. The building code requires alarm signals to be both visual (strobe) and audio (horn). Alarms can be set off automatically as discussed above or manually by a person using a pull mechanism.

Suppression

Fire-suppression equipment is used to extinguish a fire. Apparatus includes fire hoses, hand-held fire extinguishers, standpipe systems, and sprinklers within a building.

Sprinkler Systems

The use of sprinkler systems in a building allows for longer travel distances to emergency exits in some instances. Although a fire-suppression specialist often designs these systems, it is important to understand some general rules regarding the placement of sprinkler heads. For light-hazard spaces, a sprinkler head is required every 200 square feet (not hydraulic) or 225 square feet (hydraulic). In a space with wood ceiling joists, a sprinkler head is required every 130 square feet. The maximum distance from any wall should be 7 feet 6 inches while the minimum distance is 4 feet. When an object, such as a column, obstructs the sprinkler-head distribution pattern, the sprinkler head should be placed at a distance of at least three times the maximum dimension of the object. For example, the sprinkler heads near a 12-inch-wide by 8-foot-tall column should be at least three feet away from the column.

Sprinkler systems are wet-pipe, dry-pipe, wet-pipe with antifreeze, or pre-action systems. Wet-pipe systems are the most common and in this type the water is immediately available when a fire starts. These are not suitable for locations that might freeze. In a dry-pipe system, the pipes contain either pressurized oxygen or air and are suitable for locations subject to freezing. The pre-action system is a form of dry-pipe system with an electrically operated valve that is triggered by a detection system. The water source for the sprinkler system used before a fire truck arrives on site can be either a rooftop reservoir or a pumped reservoir from a cistern, storage tank or pond. Buildings higher than 75 feet tall or that are too deep require a standpipe system for fire suppression. A standpipe is an internal fire hydrant.

Sprinkler Heads

An integrated part of the sprinkler system includes the sprinkler head. These can be mounted either on the ceiling or on a wall. A pendant head is surface-mounted, while a concealed pendant is recessed into the ceiling. Upright heads project fully into the space and side-wall sprinkler heads have a half-spray pattern downwards.

Non-water Suppression Methods

In addition to traditional sprinkler systems, several other methods of fire suppression are also used. These include the use of dry chemicals, carbon dioxide automatic gas systems, and the use of special gases such as Inergen and HFC 227. These have replaced halon, which was found to destroy the ozone layer.

Fire Extinguishers

Portable fire extinguishers should be used in all of the following use groups: A, B, E, F, H, I, M, R-1, R-2, R-4 and S. They need to be placed within 30 feet of community cooking equipment, in areas where flammable or combustible liquids are used, stored or dispensed, and in special hazard spaces such as laboratories, computer rooms, and generator rooms. Their vertical placement on the wall depends upon the weight of the extinguisher. Those weighing 40 pounds or less should have tops no more than 5 feet off the floor, while those over 40 pounds should be no higher than 3 1/2 feet to the top but a minimum of 4 feet clear off the floor.

Smoke Removal and Control

By far the single biggest cause of death during a building fire is by smoke, not fire. The release of toxins as materials burn is the primary cause. Untreated polyurethane foam used in seating has been a major contributor to toxic fumes. Designers should avoid the use of plastic foams unless they have been treated or encased in noncombustible covering. Despite these measures, fire still produces smoke. Thus, smoke removal becomes a key concern. This can be accomplished through the use of exhaust hatches and exhaust fans. Glass curtain boards can also be used to control the flow of smoke. Placement of exit signs at both ceiling level and floor level can make it easier for people to see exits through dense smoke.

System Complexity

Depending on the overall complexity of the fire safety system, the system might include any or all of the following functions: alert (alarms), call the fire department, close dampers in HVAC ducts to prevent fire spread, close fire doors and shutters automatically, turn off the HVAC system, turn off some key equipment, and return elevators to the ground floor and lock them.

Americans with Disabilities Act ( Ada )

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is part of a federal statute originally enacted in 1990. The ADA specifies how every public building must provide equal opportunity access for people with a variety of disabilities. This includes not only people who use a wheelchair, but also those with hearing and seeing impairments. The integration of ADA compliance within an interior affects many decisions that the designer will make. The ADA guidelines were revised in 2010 to create the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design to include some new provisions. The requirements of 28 CFR part 35.151 and ADAAG 2004 were combined to form the 2010 Standards. In instances of conflict, 28 CFR part 35.151 prevails.

• Compliant Route- A compliant route consists of the entire route from the site into the building and to all areas within the building.
• Ramps- The maximum slope of an ADA-compliant ramp is 1:12. Any time a design includes multiple floor heights, equal access for the movement impaired must be provided.
• Doors- To provide a 32-inch clear opening through a doorway, a 36-inch door is required. In addition to proper door size, the required clearances on both the push side and pull side of a door must also be provided.
• Elevators and Areas of Refuge- Although research is currently being conducted regarding the use of elevators as a means of egress, it is still the generally accepted practice that elevators will not be used during a building evacuation. This means that someone using a wheelchair is forced to wait in a stair hall to be rescued. This area, located at the top landing within the stair hall or adjacent to it, is called an area of refuge. These areas need to be equipped with a call system for communication between the disabled person and rescue personnel. A five-foot turning radius is required for a change in path direction.
• Restrooms- Public restroom facilities must also be ADA compliant. This number is determined based on the occupancy of the building, with a minimum of one accessible bathroom in each building. ADA-compliant features required include grab bars; a compliant lavatory with compliant hardware; a compliant water closet; compliant stall; a lowered or slanted mirror; and the appropriate compliant accessories such as a paper towel holder or hand dryer. Depending on the local building code, ANSI A117.1-2009 might also apply to accessible restroom design.
• Signage- Signage in a public building must include Braille for the visually impaired as well as symbols for the hearing impaired.
• Projections- The ADA prohibits projections in excess of seven inches into any egress corridor for protection of the sight-impaired.
• Seating- The number of wheelchair spaces required for specific space types is specified by ADA 2010 and is based on the total number of seats or rooms.

Industry-Specific Regulations

Depending on the specific project type, additional regulations may be applied. An excellent example is healthcare design, where specific medical requirements may be in place, based on the corporation for whom the project is designed. Another example of a project type with its own set of regulations is work completed for the military (army, navy, air force, or marines) and federal, state, and local governmental agencies.

Life Safety Code

The NFPA 101 Life Safety Code is published by the National Fire Protection Association and provides additional requirements for life safety in the event of a fire including fumes, smoke, and panic. In addition to initial construction, the Life Safety Code also addresses maintenance and operation to reduce the risk of fire in a building. The current edition of the Life Safety Code is 2018, with revisions occurring every two years. The code contains 43 chapters and is focused on Fire Safety. The four sections of the code include: fundamentals (Chapter 1-4, 6-11, and 43), performance details (Chapter 5), occupancy types (Chapters 12-42), and additional information (Annex A and B). the 2018 edition includes new hazardous materials protections requirements (Chapter 8), as well as information on injuries from falls and emergency communication enhancements. The next edition will be released in 2021.

Testing Agencies

Several different testing agencies certify products and materials as safe for use. These reference standards are then used in the building codes to indicate required compliance levels in various conditions.

ANSI

American National Standards Institute (ANSI) supports the accrediting of programs that assess standard compliance. Founded in 1918, this is a not-for-profit organization that is the voice of US standards and conformity assessments protecting people’s health and safety. ANSI standards are referenced throughout the International Building Code.

Underwriters' Laboratory

Underwriters’ Laboratory (UL) tests product compliance with standards. UL has developed over 100 safety standards for a variety of consumer products.

American Society for Testing and Materials

The American Society for Testing and Materials, commonly referred to as ASTM, is an international testing society composed of scientists and engineers who test and create standards for safer products and services around the world. ASTM is best known for its work in standardizing safe manufacturing practices.

ASHRAE 90.1-2016

The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) includes 54,000 members and has created standards for energy use that have become an integral part of sustainable design. ASHRAE 90.1 outlines minimum energy efficient standards for lighting, mechanical equipment, and other aspects of the built environment.

Commonly Used Voluntary Measures

In addition to required codes and standards, several voluntary measures have been developed to assist designers and contractors in creating sustainable buildings and interiors. The most commonly used guidelines are the LEED Green Building Rating Systems.

LEED

The US Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Rating Systems are voluntary in many parts of the country. Although some jurisdictions have written a requirement to follow the LEED system in their public buildings, this sort of legal adoption is the exception, not the rule. LEED 2009 rating systems often reference ASHRAE 90.1-2010.

LEED AP

A person who takes and passes the LEED examination is called a LEED Accredited Professional and is entitled to use “LEED AP” after their name.

When a building meets LEED criteria, it becomes a LEED Certified building. Thus, people are accredited and buildings are certified. The entry into accreditation is through the LEED GA (Green Associates) exam. Those who pass this exam have demonstrated an overall knowledge of green building and the LEED rating systems. Following passage of this entry exam, a professional can then take an exam in their specialization to become an Accredited Professional such as LEED AP BD+C (Building Design and Construction) or LEED AP ID+C (Interior Design and Construction). Other possible specializations include LEED AP Homes, LEED AP O+M (Operations and Maintenance) and LEED AP ND (Neighborhood Development). The following list includes all of the LEED V 4.1 Rating Systems:

• - LEED BD + C: Building Design and Construction (New Contruction and Core and Shell)
• - LEED ID + C: Interior Design and Construction (Commerical Interiors, Retail, Hospitality)
• - LEED O + M: Building Operations and Maintenance
• - LEED ND: Neighborhood Development
• - LEED Homes (homes, multifamily low-rise, multifamily high-rise)
• - LEED Cities and Communities
• - LEED Recertification (ID + C and BD + C_
• - LEED Zero (available for BD + C or O + M pursuing net zero goals)

State and Local Guidelines

Each jurisdiction decides which version and which building code to adopt. Oftentimes, a state will adopt the International Building Code and then add its own alterations. An example of this is the California Energy Codes: 2019 Building Energy Efficiency Standards--Title 24. In addition to the local building code, ADA and other guidelines are also applicable. When two of these disagree with one another, the practice is to assume the most restrictive standard. Further, state government and federal government buildings have their own set of rules that may or may not be consistent with the building codes. Building codes are minimum requirements and should not be confused with design excellence.

Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Historic Preservation

When working on historic buildings, particularly those with significance, a designer should be aware of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Preservation. These are the gold standard by which work on historic buildings is judged. Compliance with these standards can lead to tax credits for buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places and can also lead to delisting of such properties if the work is done improperly. In addition to the Standards themselves, there are also several Preservation Briefs that describe in detail how to work with historic buildings.

Blogging Assignment

Access one of the buildings on the Judson campus (excluding Harm Weber). Use the list from our textbook to consider: Ramps, Doors, Elevators and Areas of Refuge,  Sinage, Projections and Seating. Are there any features that do not meet ADA requirements? What would be the correction?

I visited the Fitness Center on Judson's campus to evaluate its ADA compliance. Here is what I saw. 

Entrances and Doors:

• The main entrance has ADA-compliant push-button doors, and there are no stairs, making it accessible for wheelchair users. However, the back entrances don’t have ramps, so anyone needing access there would have to go around to the front.
• Improvement: Adding a ramp at the back would help.

Elevators and Lifts:

• The building has a lift for getting upstairs, but it’s not clearly marked, which could confuse people who need it. 
• Improvement: Better signage to guide people to the lift would make it easier to find.

Restrooms:

• The restrooms are ADA-compliant with spacious stalls and accessible features. No issues here!

Signage:

• While most areas are well-marked, the lift to the upper floors could use more visible signs. 
• Improvement: Adding larger, clearer signs would help people find it more easily.

Seating:

• The gym doesn’t have designated wheelchair seating, so people in wheelchairs would have trouble seeing the game from the bleachers. 
• Improvement: Creating accessible seating areas would make the gym more inclusive for everyone.