32A-124 BBRS Appeal Letter 2013-07-31The project at 57 King St involves a two story addition to the residential portion of a mixed use building.
The M use commercial portion of the existing building is ~ 8000 sf.
The existing R-3 residential unit is ~ 1800 sf, on the 2nd floor above the rear of the commercial space.
The existing building meets current code requirements including required means of egress and alarm system.
The original portion of the existing building was constructed in ~1920.
T he building is of type IIIB construction.
The residential unit is separated from the commercial space.
The project involves renovating the existing residential entryway, replacing an existing attached carport with a two car garage at grade and a deck and habitable room over the new garage.
The new garage is ~430 sf. The new room on the 2nd floor is ~ 270 sf. The new 2nd floor deck is also ~ 270 sf.
The expansion of the footprint is ~ 430 sf.
The existing building does not have a sprinkler system.
I do not know what type of alarm system the existing building has, but I understand that the plans include an alarm system that will meet the current code requirements.
I am confident that final plans for this project will meet all the requirements of the Massachusetts State Building Code.
I concluded, after a code analysis and in consultation with the Northampton Fire Department that the project required an NFPA 13 sprinkler system be installed in the newly constructed
area. I reached this conclusion after reviewing both Chapter 34 section 302.1 (prescriptive method) and section 1001.1 (work area method for additions, and Chapter 9, table 902.3 (note
A).