Codes And Regulations Module 3 Flashcards
Describe incentive zoning
Encourage new development by implementing a reward based system for urban development. Development usually focuses on public benefits in the form of affordable housing, and. Other valuable community amenities
What is the primary purpose of zoning any regulations
Zoning is about protecting the rights of property owners and ensuring that long term quality of life for the Residenz
define the term non conforming use
Where the current use of the building is no longer permitted by the zoning ordinance (but once was)
How does a conditional use differ from a varience
A conditional use allows for a building in areas it is not zoned for due to its benefit and value to the public. A variance is a deviation from an ordinance grated in order to avoid an economic hardship or physical constraint.
What is the difference between a set back and an easement
setbacks regulate how close a building can come to the property lines. Easemnt grant access to the property to others, often for utilities and or municipal vehicle access
Define prescriptive code
A code that specifies specific techniques, materials, and methods allowed for use. Simple to administer but the specific code allows for little or no innovation.
Describe a performance code
A code that describes functional requirements that meet a certain standard, allowing the architect to find ways to meet those standards. The open nature of the code promotes innovation. You may have to demonstrate you are meeting the intent of the code by providing a test paid for by owner.
Describe the difference between incidental use areas and accessory use areas
Accessory use areas cannot exceed 10% of th3e total floor area allowed by the height/area table. Incidental use areas must be separated by a one-hour fire barrier that have self-closing doors with no air transfer openings and or have a fire suppression system
What is an area of refuge
A location designed to protect occupants during a fire or emergency when evacuation is not safe or possible. Typically located near the fire exits and designed to fit a wheelchair user. The area is required to have: steady supply of outside fresh air, passive fire protection, emergency lighting, and a 2 way communication or call box to a manned or outside phone lien
What are fire zones
Special areas within the building deemed high, moderate, or low hazardous for fire. The type of zone affects the types of materials and uses permitted in the zone.
How might the floor area ration impact building and site design?
The floor area ratio determines the upper limit of square footage allowable on the property based on the lot size, use, type, and fire zone. Design elements including fire separations, dampers, construction type and fire sprinklers can increase the FAR limit,
How does the type of construction of a building affect the final design
The type of construction used will determine limitations of the size and height of the building
Name the three elements involved in a means of egress system
Exit access. Exit. Exit discharge
What are riparian rights
A system of rights and responsibilities that determine the reasonable use and access for owners of waterfront property or property located a long rivers and streams
What is a fire tower
A stair built from noncombustible construction and connected with mechanically vented vestibules . Require in buildings there are 75 feet or taller
Describe three basic ppals of street design
Traffic lights are needed at intersections with more than 750 cars per hour. Grade separation is required at intersections with more than 3000 cars per hour. The maximum length on the block is 1600 feet. A 2 Lane Highway with 9 feet wide shoulders is 4242 feet wide. Roads should meet intersections at 90°. Avoid intersections where the roads are offset
What building systems must be taken into consideration during the sign development?
Is structural. Mechanical,plumbing, electrical, materials
What are four critical dimensions when laying out a parking lot design
8 foot long stall Width,18 foot long stall length, 5 feet wide access aisle between every two handicap stalls. Eight wide access aisles between van accessible space.
Name two basic requirements for public transportation
Population density of at least 30 persons per acre. Stations stops arty sign and located to keep the Maximan walking distance to 1/4-1/2 mile.
What is the Americans With Disabilities Act
The ADA is a set of prescriptive guidelines developed in 1994 the construction or out to ration of buildings to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities
How do buildings code impact building program and the design
Building clothes provide the architect with their rules of the game unique to that a specific site. Did he sign mass compliant with these specific limitations, and the building program must fit within the design limitations.
Describe the fair housing act
The purpose of the law used to protect a prospective tenant from discrimination from my seller or Landler. In addition you cannot advertise a preference for a certain race color religion or gender.
What are the three main is standers for historic preservation?
Stabilize. Protect. Repair
What are the maximum allowable ADA ramp slope and links and minimum with?
Ramps shall not be steeper than 1:12 slope. Ramps maximum run to be 30 feet and Max rise of 30 inches. Ramps shall be a minimum width of 36 inches
Why are they minimum clear width for two wheelchairs to pass, min clear floor space, and clear space between rails on a staircase
Two wheels chair is passing with 60 inches clear min.clear floor space 2’ 6” wide X 4 feet long minimum
Define the following: fault rupture and lateral spreading
Fault rupture is the ground surface cracks open between two sides of a fault line during an earthquake. Lateral spreading is intense shaking during an earthquake can cause that’s soil to break into blocks which separate from each other
The basic philosophy of seismic codes are
Building foundation situated in top of an earthquake fault is not expected to withstand the effects of a large earthquake.
All other structures near the fault are expected to resis the effects of an earthquake.
A building should remain intact reasonably long long enough for their occupants to exit quickly and safely
Some components of the structure it may fail, but the structure as a whole must not collapse
What Causez the greatest damage to buildings during an earthquake
Ground shaking. Cost is 99% of damage cost by earthquakes
Define liquefaction
During an e earthquake , loose, wet or sandy soil can shake so much it acts like quicksand, losing its ability to support the building
What are the four broad fire safety issue us to consider in building the sign
Occupancy group load, fire zones, type of construction, floor area and height
What are three basic performance requirements of a building during a fire
Permit safe egress, maintain the structural integrity and limit the spread of fire to allow time to extinguish the fire. Limit damage and avoid Collapse
What are the basic steps to complying with codes in order?
Determine occupancy group and load. Identify the fire areas in separation requirements. Identify the type of construction. Determine the means of egress. Determine the system requirements
What is NFPA 101 and how can these code affectbuilding design
NFPA 101 guidelines I referred to as the life safety code. It is not a legal code, but rather a standard those CDs can adopt into their own code. Eat address is construction type, fire protection, and proposed occupancy in order to minimize the danger to life from fire, including smoke, flames, fumes, or panic. It is often used after an accidental fire to help determine liability.
Are multiple occupancy groups allowed in a single building? If so, what requirements are there?
Yes. Fire separation. Typically I fired rated wall and self-closing doors.
What are building lines and building areas?
Imaginary lines beyond which is structure are not allowed to extend.
Business, height hustler, Mercantile, and storage are all?
Occupancy group classification
What happens if occupancies within a building are too large to be consider incidental – accessory?
The building is classified as a mix use occupancy
What does he mean if I wall is rated as r3?
That you can resist the passage of fire for three hours
What is the fire rating need it for High hazard occupancy groups
Four hours
True or false: The means of egress refers to the path from an occupy space inside of the building to an exit from the building
False. Egress is the path from an occupy space inside a building to a safe public way outside the building
Which buildings require fire sprinkler systems
Buildings over 55 feet tall, deep underground structures, or window less structures
What is the maximum number of occupants allowed in a building with only one exit
50 occupants
Can escalators be considered as stairway for the purpose of calculating a path of egress
No, unless a specific things are Added, such as sealing the opening, additional venting and sprinklers, or and closing the entire excavator within a fire rated enclosure.
Define exit discharge, as defined For building Egress. Include basic requirements, ratings, any limitations if any
The path from the exit door to reach the public way. There is not limit on this distance, unless the exit this charges on to a balcony
Define exit access, ask defined for building egressed. Include basic requirements, ratings, and Limitations if any
Exit access is the distance of building occupant must travel from the furthest point in occupy space to the entrance of the nearest exit. The travel distance within a space is typically limited to 75 feet before a second distinct past this require. If a building requires two exits, the travel distance is only measured to one of the exits. The overall travel distance from any space breathing in the office to an exit is 250 feet
Define exit, as defined for building egress cup. Include basic requirements, ratings, and limitations if any
And exit is the door that opens directly to the outside or to a protected stair to the outside. Enclosed fire stairs must be fired rates for one hour for up to three stories, or two hours for four or more stories. Ones in the exit, there’s not limit on the distance to the outside. Half of the exits are allowed to discharge people into a ground floor lobby space if it is the sprinklered
Unless local codes are stricter, all units of a 4+ unit residential building must have:
Accessible path from the entrance, trhough the building an into the unit. Accessible light switches , outlets, thermostats, shower controls, etc. blocking in the bathroom walls to allow future installation of grab bars. The kitchen and bathroom can be used by a person in wheelchair.
Who enforces the American disabilities act
Ada is enforced when someone brings a lawsuit or files a complaint against a building owner for discrimination.
What is the allowable width of exits to count toward the minimum number of exists required
The required width of the exits is determined by the occupancy of the floor plus the allowance for the floors above
What happens if various building code or Ada requirements overlap
Just as with the building code, if two or more different requirements are placed over a building, the more stringent requirement is the one that applies and must be incorporated.
What fire precautions are required for the ventilation system
Minimize the circulation of smoke by isolating the ventilation for each fire separated area. In the invent of fire, the top vented exhaust shuts to increase the air pressure in the fire tower.
What is panic hardware
Door hardware that does not require a key, motion or special knowledge to use. Simply push against the push bar to open.
What are the three types of fire alarms.
temperature sensor
Smoke detector
Combustion detector
What are standpipes
Vertical pipes connected to the sprinkler system for use by the fire department. They are required for buildings of 3 or more stories vertical pipes connected to the sprinkler system for use by the fire department
Flame spread ratings are decided into how many classes/categories?
5 categories, Class A-E
WHat are the 3 types of standpipes
1-wet sandpiper
2-dry standpipe
3-combination standpipe
What are the requirements for hand railings at ramps?
Handrails shall extend 12” minimum beyond the top and bottom of the ramp. Clear space between handrails and the wall shall be 1.5” mim
What are the main width and landing requirements for Ada compliant ramps and walkways
Ramps that change direction between runs at landings shall have a clear landing of 60” minimum by 60” minimum. Ramp landing shall be minimum 60” in length. Public walkway should be min. 5 feet wide.
What is the min required ceiling height for hallways, common areas and habitable rooms?
7’6
What slopes are acceptable for walkways?
Walkways should have a max gradient of 5 percent (1:20) and max cross gradient of 2% (1:50). Flared sides of curb ramps shall be 1:10 maximum slope.
Minimum width for doors unless otherwise specified?
32” clear min. (when open 90degrees)
What is the minimum width for hallways?
36” clear (32” at a pinch point)
What is the clear area on the pull side of the door (min)?
18”
What is the allowable height range for handrails?
34-38”
What is the min. And max sixes of a handrail
1 1/4”-2” in diameter and no more than 1 1/2” clear from wall
How far must a handrail at the bottom of a stair extend
12” plus the depth of one tread
Are the requirements for fire refuge areas prescriptive or performance based
Performace based. THe code outlines various options for where the refuge areas can be located. How they can be accessed, etch/
Is there a standard lot setback distance?
No. Front, side, and rear setbacks will likely vary, both between states/cities but also based on building height, etc.
What are the 4 main purposes of zoning laws?
Protect local residents from undesirable types of businesses. Protect the access to direct sunlight and fresh air. Protect the amount of open space for local residents. Ensure incompatible types of building uses do not disturbed residents.
When and where were the first modern zoning codes in America
Introduced in New York City in 1916
What is form-based zoning?
Regulates the form that the land use may shape, such as setbacks, building heights, type of density, and pedestrian access rather than type type of land use
What is Euclidean Zoning?
Also known as single use zoning, it is the most widely used form of zoning in the U.S
Employs segregation of land uses separated from one another. For Example, shops are located in one area or zone, housing in another area or zone, and industrial in another area or zone. Named for the town of Euclid, Ohio.
Who typically reviews and rules on Variance requests
Variance request are often reviewed by the zoning administrator, the zoning board, planning commission, or planning staff.
What is performance zoning
Utilizes performance based criteria for proposed projects. Designed to allow for flexibility in proposed developments as well as respond to changing market conditions. It can be effective in increasing mixed use and diversity in a community
What is an ordinance
A municipal law or regulation in addition to the standard building code
Types of construction are classified accortding to
Degree of fire resistance
Design-wise, what is the most obvious benefit of utilizing a fire sprinkler system q
The use of fire sprinkler system typically allows for the design of an extra story/height bonus
Name occupancy groups I,h,a
Institutional, high Hazardous, assembly
WHy can the location of doors have a significant effect on the design of a building
Because of the maximum egress distance of 250’ accessibility/Ada spatial requirements, and the requirement that they openm in the direction of travel, doors location can greatly affect the placement and sizing of circulation spaces in a building design, specially on tight lots.
How do the flame spread rating and fire rating relate
THey are completely different from each other. Flame spread ratings measure how large/much flame a material generates, and how fast that moves along the material. Fire ratings measure how long it takes for fire to burn through a material or assembly
Besides fire considerations does the code set requirements on materials used
Yes, the code sets standards for the min. Strength and quality of certain materials. Common materials mentioned in the code are: wood steel, concrete, masonry, but also finish materials like aluminum, gypsum board and glass are included.
