November 4, 2013
UCSD – Harlan Residence Hall Code Study CODE DATA Building Code: Use type: Occupancy Type: Construction Type: Sprinklered: Fire Alarms: Stories:
California Building Code 2013 (Note: January 1st 2014 new building code will be in effect) “Sleeping unit” (To be determined by Fire Marshall) (CBC 202) R-2 Dormitories (This is a change from original code which had it as R-1) (CBC Section 310) Type II-A Yes No Four (4)
OCCUPANCY INCREASE Occupancy Rate = 50 occupants/s.f. (CBC Table 1004.1.1) Square footage = 680 s.f. for each suite(dorm room pod) (excluding closets, hallways, commons and bathrooms) Total Occupants = 14 max./suite (Currently the occupancy of each pod is 8) Therefore the occupancy is allowed to be increased to a maximum of 14/suite . REQUIRED EXITS To determine the number of exit access stairways required the total occupant load for a story must be determined. The second floor has the greatest number of occupants for any given story totaling 72 occupants (70 for dorms and 2 for RA). Based on the number of occupants exiting each floor (72 for second floor) the required number of exits is two (2) (CBC 1021). Therefore only two exit access stairways are required, provided we meet the travel distance requirements. To determine the required exits from each suite/room or space, CBC Section 1015 exception 1, states that dwelling units with a maximum occupancy of 20 can have one exit. (This interpretation of sleeping units to be allowed in this exception, to be determined by Fire Marshall and/or building official) “1015.1 Exits or exit access doorways from spaces. Two exits or exit access doorways from any space shall be provided where one of the following conditions exists: 1. The occupant load of the space exceeds one of the values in Table 1015.1. Exceptions: 1. In Group R-2 and R-3 occupancies, one means of egress is permitted within and from individual dwelling units with a maximum occupant load of 20 where the dwelling unit is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.” Therefore only one exit is required from each suite as long as the occupancy is less than 20.