Gv't & Regulatory Requirements & Permit

Question 0

incentive zoning

Answer 0

encourages private developers to provide amenities for public use in exchange for opportunity to build larger or taller structures on site

Question 1

Zoning

Answer 1

uniform standards of construction originating in NYC in 1916 to protect the health, welfare, and safety of people; regulates the use of land, light, air, and open space while protecting property values & protecting against nuisances (factories in residential areas), undesirable businesses, and dangers

Question 2

nonconforming use

Answer 2

building is no longer permitted by current zoning ordinance, typically allowed to remain as long as not unsafe

Question 3

conditional use

Answer 3

building permitted in an area that it is not zoned for because of benefit to public (school in residential area)

Question 4

variance

Answer 4

applied for by owner on private site to ask to deviate from an ordinance order to avoid hardship

Question 5

spot zoning

Answer 5

change in zoning ordinance for particular area

Question 6

ordinance

Answer 6

municipal law

Question 7

setbacks

Answer 7

required open space measured between property line & face of building; used to preserve light, air, and spaciousness

Question 8

building line

Answer 8

utilized by communities principally to achieve planned street patterns; insure buildings not erected in bed of projected streets or potential street widenings

Question 9

easements

Answer 9

legal right of government or another land owner to use one’s property for a specific purpose

Question 10

scenic easements

Answer 10

prevents development that upsets scenic view for public

Question 11

prescriptive code

Answer 11

building code that specifies techniques, materials, and methods to be used; cut and dry, easy to administer by official

Question 12

performance code

Answer 12

building code that describes functional requirements, but leaves method up to the designer

Question 13

fire resistance

Answer 13

values for how long a separation can resist passage of fire; stated in terms of hours, can be increased with use of sprinklers

Question 14

flame spread rating/smoke developed ratings

Answer 14

measures amount of flame and smoke a material generates (carpet, fabrics, etc.)

Question 15

area of refuge

Answer 15

location designed to hold occupants when evacuation is not safe or possible; steady supply of outside air, fire protection, electrical integrity/emergency lighting; two way communication/call box that is 24 hour manned or outside line

Question 16

car rate & lights

Answer 16

750+ cars an hour (traffic light); 3,000+ grade separate required

Question 17

max length of block

Answer 17

1,600’

Question 18

cul de sacs max

Answer 18

400’ w/ 80’ turn around

Question 19

2 lane highway w/ 9’-0” shoulder

Answer 19

40’-0” - 42’-0”

Question 20

typical surface streets width, curb, radii

Answer 20

width: 11’-0” - 12’-0” wide; 6” concrete curb & gutter; 4” roll curb or gravel; 12” min curb radii at minor, 50” curb radii at major streets; landscape strips, 7’ w/ trees or 4’ wide w/ groundcover

Question 21

parking space dimensions

Answer 21

9’-0” x 18’-0” or 20’-0” long; accessible 8’-0” wide with alley access 5’-0” wide for cars or 8’-0” wide for vans

Question 22

sf/car in lot

Answer 22

290

Question 23

recommended sf of parking for retail

Answer 23

3,000-4,000 sf of parking for every 1,000 of shopping space; 20” clearance between cars, 12’-0” wide circulation aisle; 90 degree parking most efficient, two way traffic, difficult to manuever

Question 24

max slope in parking

Answer 24

5% max, ramps 15% max with 8' transitions

Question 25

pedestrian sf

Answer 25

area of person 3 sf; easy movement 13 sf; crowd movement 7 sf; no movement 3 sf; sidewalks 5'-0" wide min; collector walks 6'-0" or 10'-0" wide min

Question 26

public transit

Answer 26

min 30 people/acre; local bus (15-30 mph); express bus 40-60 mph; rail 40-70 mph

Question 27

egress, typical common path of travel, typ distance to exit

Answer 27

75'-0" max per path, 250'-0" max distance to exit; exits cannot pass through kitchens, storerooms, closets, lockable rooms

Question 28

fire tower

Answer 28

required in buildings over 75'-0", min one exit, non combustible construction, connected with mechanically vented vestibules on backup power or balconies, doors must swing in direction of travel

Question 29

exits

Answer 29

50+ occupants min of 2 exits, required width determined by occupants on floor plus allowance for those above; elevators not a means of egress, escalators provide conduit for smoke and are not approved exit; ramps may constitute portion of required legal exits; revolving doors may collapse to be part of legal exit

Question 30

ventilation systems

Answer 30

minimize circulation of smoke by isolating circulation system of fire area; shifts from normal to top exhaust in fire; increase air pressure to prevent flow of smoke and fumes

Question 31

standpipes

Answer 31

required for buildings of 3+ stories

Question 32

wet standpipe

Answer 32

continuously pressurized with water from public supply, hose cabinets located fixed distances, hoses operated by occupants

Question 33

dry standpipe

Answer 33

not connected at constant water supply, fireman connect to outside house connection point; cabinets located in smoke proof stair towers & hoses used by firemen

Question 34

combination standpipe

Answer 34

both wet and dry, must deliver 35 gallons/minute from each of two outlets simultaneously