The 2014 Building Code: Use and Occupancy Changes - BC 4 Special Requirements
Well versed owners representative and construction project managers should be well aware of Code changes as well as similarities and differences of each. The 2008 and 2014 Building code when it comes to use and occupancy are generally the same except for some changes as will be noted in this article.
Assembly spaces
Assembly spaces with an occupant load of <75 will still be classified as group B however plumbing calculations now permit them to follow group A requirements. For example, restaurant, art galleries and places of worship classified as group B where lavatory count needed to be 1 per 25 occupants, 2 per 50 occupants can now follow group A requirements which is 1 per 200.
Ambulatory Health Care Facility
now listed under Grp B and requirements for such is detailed under BC 4
BC 4 Special Requirements
BC 403: High Rise Buildings
- New requirements are based on NIST 2005 World Trade Center Report. The recommendations for safety in tall buildings were incorporated in the 2009 IBC and is now within the 2014 NYC Building Code.
- High rise buildings >75 ft. high requires increased fire resistance rating for structural members, added bond strength requirement for sprayed fire-resistant materials, and redundant fire sprinkler risers for buildings >300 ft. high
BC 403.5.1: Remoteness of Exit Stairway Enclosures
- Exit stairway enclosures (in other than Grp R-2) must be farther apart. A quarter of the maximum diagonal dimension of the area served.
"Super High Rise" are buildings > 420 feet high
- stronger construction class for structure
- Requires additional egress capacity (in other than Grp R-2). 3 options as follows:
* Additional exit stairway
* Partial Occupant Evacuation Elevator (OEEs), wider exit stairway
* All public passenger elevators serving as OEEs
BC 403.6.1 Fire Service Access Elevator
- Buildings with occupied floors >120 ft. high must provide at least 1 Fire Service Access Elevator
- New requirement for buildings of this height.
BC 406.1 Private Garages
- Minimum 1 hour fire-rating for free-standing garage walls less than 5 ft. from an adjacent exterior wall
BC 406.3 Open Garages/Parking
- NYC now matches the flexibility of IBC for open parking garages in terms of height and area re-allocation allowance in conjunction with a high % openness
- 3 sides open - increase of upto 25% and 1 tier. 4 sides open, increase upto 50% and 1 tier, subject to other restrictions and approval.
- Fuel dispensing is now disallowed in open parking garages, although the existing ones can be kept.
BC 408 Correctional Facilities
- expanded requirements and allowances for design of correctional facilities.
BC423 Storm Shelters
- new definition and requirements for storm shelters, both for stand-alone and those that are contained within other buildings
- Follows the ICC/NSSA standards for design and construction.
When it comes to building your homes it is best to comply with the regulations to avoid any violations and penalties. P.Wolfe Consultants is your premier permit expediter in New York City, contact us for all your permit and compliance needs. We are here to help.
