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ARCH 465 Fire Safety
Assignment #2

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Assigned October 16, 2006
Due: October 30, 2006

Prepare a report discussing the mixed occupancies in East Sibley Hall (considering East Sibley as a single building separate from the Dome and West Sibley). Assume that the three occupancies to be considered are: Class B ("Educational occupancy for students above the 12th grade"); Class A-3 ("Lecture Hall" -- 157 ES) and Class A-3 ("Library" -- Fine Arts Library).

Based on Chapters 5, 6, and 7 of the IBC, evaluate the existing conditions of East Sibley Hall and determine whether the three occupancies meet the requirements of the code. You may assume that the building is fully sprinklered. Note that an analysis of "egress" is not required.

  1. Based on Table 601, analyze and explain the construction type for E. Sibley Hall?
  2. Based on Table 503, what are the limitations for height and floor area for the various occupancies? Except for "accessory" occupancies, you may assume a height increase for sprinklers (section 504.2) of 20 feet and 1 story; a frontage increase (section 506.2) of 64%; and a sprinkler increase for floor area (section 506.3) of 200%.
  3. Based on Section 508 (Mixed use and occupancy), evaluate the three occupancies of E. Sibley as "accessory occupancies," "nonseparated occupancies," and "separated occupancies." Is the building in compliance under any of these categories? Indicate for each category what the various issues are, and how the building does or does not comply. If none of the options are satisfactory, how would you recommend achieving compliance?
  4. How does this situation change if the Fine Arts Library is moved out of E. Sibley and is replaced by studio and faculty office spaces?
For purposes of calculation, assume that floor areas are as follows:
  • Typical floor area = 160' x 45' = 7,200 square feet.
  • Total building floor area = 7,200 x 3 = 21,600 square feet.
  • 157 ES area = 45' x 32' = 1,440 square feet.
The fine arts library can be assumed to occupy the entire 2nd and 3rd floors of East Sibley.

Code interpretations: Since many aspects of the IBC are confusing or ambiguous, I will act as the official code interpreter. E-mail any questions to jo24@cornell.edu.

A relatively new edition of the International Building Code is online. Follow these steps to gain access (Cornell netID required):

  • Go to the Cornell Library Catalog and type MADCAD in the search field, set for "title."
  • Click on the link, "Connect to full text" under electronic access.
  • Click on the button to login to madcad.
  • Click on IBC 2003 at the top of the left-hand menu bar, and then immediately below on "contents."
  • From this point, you're on your own...

Last Updated: 13 October 2006
© 2006 J. Ochshorn. All rights reserved.