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DRAFT - NHS BBT - WORK AREA COMPLIANCE METHOD Northampton High School Black Box Theater 1 of 6 DRAFT – 03/28/2012 NORTHAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL – BLACK BOX THEATER EXISTING BUILDING CODE REVIEW WORK AREA COMPLIANCE METHOD SCOPE OF WORK: Minor modifications to a single classroom of an existing education building, Northampton High School, to provide an accessory theater space, the Black Box Theater. The proposed theater space will occupy what were originally designed to be an aerobics room and an adjacent athletic storage room. The former storage room is currently used as a wardrobe room. These two spaces were part of an addition that was built in 1998. The theater department wishes to make improvements to allow small student theatrical performances to take place there. The space will be used mostly as a classroom and occasionally for audience performances. The spaces, designated on the original 1998 plans as ‘Aerobics’, occupies 1,309 square feet. An adjacent space used for wardrobe storage occupies 405 square feet. The building has modern fire protection, alarms, exit signs and emergency lighting, dating from the renovations and expansion done in the late ‘90s. The modifications are primarily finish changes. There are no changes to existing doors or partition walls and there are no exterior windows in this space. The modifications include the addition of wood riser platforms for seating. The seats are individual and can be linked to each other and/or stacked for storage, they will not be fixed to the platforms or floor. Proposed seating is for 80 persons. Fire rated theater curtains will be provided to create a back stage. A 20’ x 20’ lighting grid will be installed that allows for adjustable theater lighting. A new theater floor will be provided. USE GROUPS: The existing building is believed to be an education use building. Although a theater space is considered an A-1 Assembly space, there is an exception under 303, exception 4. that notes that a theater can be considered an accessory to Use Group E. Therefore the alterations to this space are not considered a change in use group. OCCUPANCY LOAD: Per table 1004.1.1 Assembly areas with concentrated chairs shall have a maximum occupancy of 7Net SF per person. This would allow for a maximum of 187 occupants within this space. The reality is that a significant portion of the space is “backstage” and “stage” space. The maximum audience space seating will allow for 80 seats. The maximum production staff in this space will likely be no more than 20, with a total real occupancy of 100 during a production. This space will mostly be used for theater classes with a much smaller occupancy. EGRESS: • Per section 1021, the number of exits required from this space is 2 as there are more than 50 and less than 500 occupants. • Section 1028 Assembly Egress: 1028.2 notes that an Assembly space that is an accessory to Use Group E with an occupant load greater than 300 is required to have a main egress. The occupant load is less than 300 and does not require a main egress. Northampton High School Black Box Theater 2 of 6 • Section1028.6.1 notes that the minimum width of a means of egress must be .3” plus.075” per occupant, which equal a minimum of 30”. (Per MAAB, minimum egress must be 36”. Existing Egress doors are 36”) • 1028.7 Notes that the maximum travel distance to an egress shall not exceed 200 feet. The two egress doors are less than 200’ from any point in the space. • 1028.9 Notes that Assembly Aisles must be a minimum of 36” . The aisles on the platforms or between any seating will be a minimum of 36”. • 1028.10 Notes that the width of Aisles at rows of seating that contain 14 or less seats shall be a minimum of 12”. The platforms are 36” deep and with the seat, which allow for a 12” aisle with the seating in place. • 1028.11 Notes that the tread at the platform seating shall have a contrasting marking stripe of 1” to 2” in depth marking the edge. • 1028.12 Notes that secured seating is required with 200 or more seats. The seating will not be secured as there is a maximum of 80 seats. EXISTING BUILDING CODE REVIEW Chapter 7 (IEBC with Massachusetts Amendments) Work Area Compliance Method – Alterations Level 2 SECTION 701 – GENERAL 701.1 – Scope Level 2 alterations, repairs and changes in occupancy of the existing structure will comply with the provisions of Section 101.5.2 – Work Area Compliance Method. 701.2 – Alterations Level 2 compliance All work will comply with the requirements of Chapter 6, in addition to the requirements of this section. 701.3 – Compliance All new or replacement materials will comply with the requirements of this section. SECTION 702 – SPECIAL USE AND OCCUPANCY 702.1 – General Not Applicable. The existing building is not classified as special use and occupancy. SECTION 703 – BUILDING ELEMENTS AND MATERIALS 703.1 – Scope Alterations to the existing structure, including the addition seating platforms, new flooring and a lighting grid, will comply with the work area requirements of Level 2 alterations. 703.2 – Vertical openings Not applicable. The work area is contained within a single story area of the building. 703.3 – Smoke barriers Not applicable. The building is not classified for Group I-2 occupancy. 703.4 – Interior finish The interior finish (paint) of walls and ceilings in exits and corridors in the work area will comply with the requirements of this section. 703.5 – Guards Northampton High School Black Box Theater 3 of 6 Alterations will comply with the requirements of Sections 703.5.1 and 703.5.2. Guards will be provided at the seating platforms. SECTION 704 – FIRE PROTECTION 704.1 – Scope Work areas in which Level 2 alterations are being performed, and where specified, throughout the floor on which the work areas are located, will conform to the requirements of this section. 704.2 – Automatic sprinkler systems There is an automatic sprinkler system within this building & space. No alterations to this space will conflict with the existing sprinkler system. 704.3 – Standpipes Not applicable. 704.4 – Fire alarm & detection There will be no alterations to the existing fire alarm system. SECTION 705 – MEANS OF EGRESS 705.1 – Scope The requirements of this section apply to the work area proposed for Level 2 alterations, and will be applied throughout the floor on which the work area is located, where specified. 705.2 – General The means of egress will comply with the requirements of this section. 705.3 – Number of exits The number of exits in the work area will be in accordance with Sections 705.3.1 through 705.3. 705.4 – Egress doorways Egress doorways in the work area will comply with Sections 705.4.1 through 705.4.5. Two egress doorways will be provided in any work area room or space having an occupant load greater than 50 or in which the travel distance to an exit exceeds 75 feet. There are two existing egress doors in this space. 705.5 – Openings in corridor walls N/A – there are no changes to walls and or openings into corridors. SECTION 706 – ACCESSIBILITY 706.1 – General The building, with any facility or element altered, will comply with the requirements of 521 CMR. No existing doors, ramps or accessible features will be altered. The existing space meets accessibility requirements and the newly configured space will meet the accessibility requirements of 512 CMR. SECTION 707 – STRUCTURAL 707.1 – General There will be no alterations to the existing structural systems or elements. 707.2 – New structural members Not Applicable. No new structural members will be added. 707.3 – Minimum design loads The alterations to this space will not increase or alter the design loads of this space or portion of the building 707.4 – Existing structural elements carrying gravity loads Northampton High School Black Box Theater 4 of 6 Not applicable. No structural elements carrying gravity loads will be altered or added. 707.5 – Existing structural elements resisting lateral loads Not applicable. No structural elements resisting lateral loads will be altered or added. 707.6 – Voluntary lateral-force-resisting system alterations Not applicable. No lateral-force-resisting systems will be altered or added. SECTION 709 – MECHANICAL 709.1 – General All reconfigured or converted spaces intended for occupancy will be provided with natural or mechanical ventilation in accordance with the International Mechanical Code. The existing space is mechanically ventilated. 709.2 – Altered existing systems Existing mechanical ventilation systems will not be altered, reconfigured, or extended. 709.3 – Local exhaust There will be no newly introduced devices, equipment, or operations within this space. SECTION 711 – ENERGY CONSERVATION 711.1 – Minimum requirements Level 2 alterations to the existing building will conform to the energy requirements of the International Energy Conservation Code as they relate to new construction only. Chapter 9 (IEBC with Massachusetts Amendments) Work Area Compliance Method – Change of Occupancy SECTION 901 – GENERAL 901.1 – Scope Per 303, exception 4. This type of small theater space or assembly space within Use Group E is considered an Assembly space that is an accessory to Group E and is not considered a change in occupancy. 901.2 – Change in occupancy with no change of occupancy classification Not applicable. The change of occupancy results in a partial change in classification. 901.3 – Change of occupancy classification The partial change of occupancy classification will result in conformance to the provisions of Sections 902 through 912. 901.4 – Certificate of occupancy required A certificate of occupancy will be issued as a result of the partial change of occupancy. SECTION 902 – SPECIAL USE AND OCCUPANCY 902.1 – Compliance with the building code Not applicable. The building will not be occupied for special use or the occupancy categories outlined in this section. Northampton High School Black Box Theater 5 of 6 902.2 – Underground building Not applicable. The building is above ground. SECTION 903 – BUILDING ELEMENTS AND MATERIALS 903.1 – General Building elements and materials in the portion of the building undergoing a change of occupancy classification will comply with Section 912. SECTION 904 – FIRE PROTECTION 904.1 – General The building will conform to the fire protection requirements of Section 912. SECTION 905 – MEANS OF EGRESS 905.1 – General Means of egress in the portion of the building undergoing a change of occupancy classification will comply with Section 912. SECTION 906 – ACCESSIBILITY 906.1 – General Accessibility in the portion of the building undergoing a change of occupancy classification will comply with Section 912.8. SECTION 907 – STRUCTURAL 907.1 – Gravity loads Not applicable. No gravity-load elements will be altered. 907.2 – Snow and wind loads Not applicable. The partial change in occupancy classification does not result in a higher wind or snow occupancy category, according to Table 1604.5. 907.3 – Seismic loads Not applicable. The partial change in occupancy classification does not result in an increase in the hazard index of the occupancy category, according to Table 1604.5. 907.4 – Access to Occupancy Category IV Not applicable. The partial change in occupancy does not require compliance with Section 907.3.1, nor is the building assigned to Occupancy Category IV. SECTION 909 – MECHANICAL 909.1 – Mechanical requirements The new occupancy of the existing building will comply with increased mechanical ventilation requirements in accordance with the International Mechanical Code. See Section 709. SECTION 911 – OTHER REQUIREMENTS 911.1 – Light and ventilation Light and ventilation will comply with the requirements of this section for the new occupancy. Northampton High School Black Box Theater 6 of 6 SECTION 912 – CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION 912.1 – General The partial change of occupancy classification requires that the building conform to the provisions of Section 912. 912.2 – Fire protection systems An automatic fire sprinkler system is provided throughout the building, including the area where the partial change of occupancy occurs. The existing fire protection systems will not be altered. 912.3 – Interior finish The interior finish of walls and ceilings will comply with the requirements of the International Building Code in areas of the building undergoing the partial change of occupancy classification. 912.4 – Means of egress, general The partial change of occupancy classification does not result in an increase in the means of egress hazard category, according to Table 912.4. Existing elements of the means of egress will comply with the requirements of section 805 for the new occupancy classification. 912.5 – Height and areas N/A The partial change of occupancy results in a change to an equal hazard category, therefore, the existing height and area of the existing building is deemed acceptable, according to Section 912.5.2. 912.6 – Exterior wall fire-resistance ratings The partial change of occupancy results in a change to an equal hazard category, therefore, the existing exterior wall ratings, including openings, of the existing building is deemed acceptable, according to Section 912.6.2. 912.7 – Enclosure of vertical shafts Not applicable. The area of the building proposed for a partial change of occupancy is located on the ground floor. 912.8 – Accessibility None of the existing accessible elements will be altered and any new elements, will comply with the requirements of 521 CMR. End of Code Review