Question of the Day
I am going to start a "Question of the Day" series to ask one question each day, to see if our ARE candidates can answer it correctly. Other are welcome to post in this thread too.
Here is the first Question of the Day:
Does a fire riser room need to be fire rated?
Gang Chen, Author, AIA, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)
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The International Building Code (IBC) section 1020.4 tackles the requirements for the dead-end corridors. It states that when there is more than one exit required from a building, no dead ends in corridors can exceed 20’.But if sprinklered50 feetIn occupancies in Groups B, E, F, I-1, M, R-1, S and U, where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3. 1.1, the length of dead-end corridors shall not exceed 50 feet (15 240 mm). -
Good. Can anyone answer this one:
Does an elevator machine room need to be rated?
Gang Chen, Author, AIA, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)
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What is the minimum width for a corridor?
Gang Chen, Author, AIA, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)
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Is that an exit corridor? I found:
Exit corridors - The size of the corridor is to allow for safe passage of occupants within the building.Exit corridor is determined by minimum size requirements and occupancy loads.3.2 The clear width of any corridor or passageway required for exit access shall be not less than 44 in. with some exceptions.
- 24″ for access to electrical, mechanical or plumbing systems
- 36″ for occupant loads less than 50
- 36″ in residential
- 72″ in Educational occupancy with greater than 100 occupants
- 72″ in medical facilities with gurney’s
- 96″ in in Group I-2 for bed movement which essentially is hospital, nursing homes etc.
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Good. Now for the other question no one has answered, I want to make it easy:
The answer is:
An elevator machine room needs to be rated.
Anyone can tell me why?
Gang Chen, Author, AIA, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)
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You are getting close. Some hints:
An elevator machine room needs to be 1-hour or 2-hour rated, depend on the situations. See if you can find the reason.
Gang Chen, Author, AIA, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)
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Good. This info is also helpful:
https://www.schooleycaldwell.com/blog/how-does-building-code-affect-elevator-design-and-selection
Gang Chen, Author, AIA, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)
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How to calculate allowable area increase? Can you use a sample to demonstrate the formula in IBC?
Gang Chen, Author, AIA, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)
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Calculating allowable area increase is governed by IBC Section 506. 506.3 addresses frontage increase as specified by 506.3.1 through 506.3.3.
Aa = At + (NS x If)
Aa = allowable area
At = Tabular allowable area per table 506.2
NS = Tabular allowable area for non sprinklered buildings (even if sprinklered)
If = Area factor increase due to frontage per 506.3
For a case of residential, of construction type 2B, more than 2 stories above grade, and 25% to 50% of building perimeter with open space 20 to less than 25 feet:
Aa = At + (NS x If)
Aa = 48000 + (16000 x 0.17)
Aa = 50,720
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Good.
Gang Chen, Author, AIA, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)
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To make things easier for everyone, I decided to combine my two threads into one.
I'll put the question of the day under the "FAQ and study materials for ARE exams" thread in the future:
Can anyone answer the two questions above? If not, I'll put out the answer soon.
Gang Chen, Author, AIA, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)
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