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17C-227 (11) r s r v s t C wft 'w w AW .s- t ems`' •ssv � N V s` , assd 1 H c NOl N � s r 44 VU JKVI � r�`•'4* '� '`a� in 3 r Y t• 3 is . s�J-'#•4=, +fix AA a t .., tom' m NO d ON v� N p O fir' w jk,)Ea tt �o Al-I ter: F d� 1 fi y F.. .. e , IT 161 L 44 JV F J .Y, 16. One final discussion we had pertains to a phone conversation I had with Frank Sienkiewicz, from the local building department. He had said that we were required to provide two barrier-free bathrooms on the first level, I believe because of plumbing code requirements. I reviewed the plumbing code, regarding fixtures required, and note this reference: 2. 10(18) Minimum Facilities for Dwellings. Whenever plumbing fixtures are installed, the number of each type of fixture shall comply with the requirements of the State Sanitary Code, Article II , Minimum Standards of Fitness for Human Habitation, 105 CMR 410.00, and shall conform with 248 CMR 2.01(7). The State Sanitary Code, under BATHROOOM FACILITIES, 410. 150, says that for each dwelling unit, a toilet, wash basin, and tub or shower are required. Paragraph B states that for no more than each eight occupants of rooming units and rooming houses, one toilet, wash basin, and tub or shower are required. Therefore, we are required to have at least two bathrooms. We are providing three full baths and one half-bath. There isn't any reference in the Sanitary Code which pertains to bathrooms for each sex. I realize the Plumbing Code requires one bathroom for each sex for commercial and institutional buildings, but there is no requirement for residential buildings. In conclusion, I appreciate your taking the time to review the plans at this stage. It is much easier, as well as economical, to make revisions on paper rather than in the field. Please call with your comments. Sincerely, Edy Ambroz, AIA Architect cc: Valley CDC vestibules, lobbies and foyers, if.' they are open to the public. The proposed walks, and two of our entrances are barrier-free, so we are providing more than is required under the AAB regulations. Under the federal ADA regulations, we are proposing a ramp down to the first level, where there is a sleeping room, full bath, and dining and kitchen facilities, all which are accessible according to ADA requirements. The ADA regulations require only a 3'-0" wide ramp, which is indicated on the drawings. However, I am revising it to a 4'-0" width, to avoid any possible future conflicts over revision of regulations. Otherwise, by meeting the ADA requirements, we should generally meet specific requirements indicated in the AAB code. On a related topic, I had wanted to propose the installation of a stairway wheelchair lift in the new stair, so that access could be gained to all units and levels, and two barrier-free baths could then be provided. However, a lift is not permitted, unless walking persons can get around a lift in open position. This requires a very wide stair, which was not feasible for this application. 11. Sleeping rooms to meet light and ventilation requirements. According to my calculations, all rooms meet these .requirements. 12. Kitchen exhaust fans are rewired. These are indicated on the infamous mechanical plans. 13. AAB regulations: because there are eleven units, AAB should not apply. I agree with your interpretation, as discussed above in item 10. You mentioned that the AAB will eventually be revising their code, and they will be making provisions for interface with the ADA. You recommended meeting the AAB requirements, because of the future revision to the AAB. Again, as per item 10 above, the only area where there is a conflict between the two codes is in the width of the ramp, and we are heeding your recommendation regarding meeting AAB specific requirements, by providing a 4'-0" width ramp. 14. Breakdown on the sprinkler system: unless plans indicate a sprinkler, we can't include it in our scope of work. The building owner will provide plans for your review. The plans are currently being prepared. 15. Breakdown of R-factors. R-factors are indicated below. Required U Required R Proposed Walls 0.08 12.5 12.5 Foundations 0.08 12.5 13.1 Attic 0.05 20.0 40.0 Doors 0.65 01.5 14.0 Windows 0.65 01.5 02.0 be constructed tight to the underside of the ceiling above. All walls have 1/2" gypsum wallboard on both sides, which prov�a 1/2 hour rating. I reviewed what the door rating should be for 1/2 hour rated walls, and according to Table 916, there is no door rating requirement for 1/2 hour walls. The door rating for one-hour rated walls is only twenty minutes for the door, so I 'm led to believe that the doors do not have to be rated. At any rate, our doors are solid core, which used to meet the 3/4-hour door requirements for a one-hour wall rating under the old code. 4. Send the whole set of plans and specifications. I wasn't aware that you were reviewing an incomplete set. We eventually realized this during our phone conversation yesterday. 5. Bedroom doors require closers, and fire ratings. This issue is clarified in item four above. 6. Attic ventilation: This information is not shown on the plans, but we are proposing a continuous ridge vent, and four hat-type roof ventilators at the lower portions of the attic. These venting devices will exceed the 1/300 ft. requirement of the Code. Eave vents are not feasible, because existing heavy timbers are framed to the underside of the roof deck, rendering air circulation impossible. 7. Stair treads and riser sizes: I based the riser and tread dimensions on Article 816.4.1 Limiting dimensions, which says that risers are to be 7" maximum, and treads are to be 11" minimum, except: in existing stairways and within dwelling units in use group R-2, where the maximum riser height shall be 8 1/4 inches and minimum tread depth is to be 9 inches. 8. Exit signs and emergency lighting: are shown on the electrical plans, which you didn't have previously. 9. Handrails required on both sides of stairs: Article 816.5 Stairway guards and handrails, indicates that only one handrail is required on stairways having a width of less than 44 inches. The proposed stair is allowed to be 36 inches, according to Article 816.2. 1, which says that if the occupancy is 50 persons or fewer, a 36-inch stair is permitted. 10. Regulations regarding barrier-free access: I reviewed the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board code. It states in section 8.1, that in lodging facilities for rent, hire, or lease, containing 20 or more units, at least five percent of the units and the public areas shall be made accessible. In section 8.5, the public areas of lodging and residentail facilities containing twelve or more units shall comply, which include walks, primary entrances, EDY AMBROZ, ARCHITECT P.O. Box 1086 • Northampton, MA 01061 413-586-1086 April 10, 1992 Attention: Mr. Dick Gormely Northampton City Hall Building Inspector's Office Northampton, MA 01060 Subject: 16 North Maple Street Renovations Florence, MA Dear Mr. Gormely: Thank you for taking the time to review your concerns regarding the proposed work for the above-named project. The owner of the building, Valley CDC, said that they would deliver plans and specifications to your office, dated March 11, 1992. These represent current and final construction documents. The use group of the building is R-2, because the residents will not be primarily transient in nature, and will reside much longer than the thirty-day period indicated for R-1 use group. You listed several considerations, which I would like to address here. 1. Flamespread rating for carpet: Class I , flamespread less than 25, throughout the building. 2. Calculation of cubic footage for building: 25,000 cubic feet, not including unhabitable attic space. 3. Bedroom doors for egress require closers and fire ratings. I did not design the doors or walls for fire ratings, because of my understanding of the building code, according to these passages: Article 810.4 Enclosures: corridors serving as exit access shall be enclosed with one-hour rating. Exception: (item 2) A fireresistance rating is not required for corridors contained within a dwelling unit. Our building is only one dwelling unit. We should be covered by the exception 2 noted above. So, the following paragraph shouldn't be a factor, but I 'll include it as a second reason for the proposed wall and door ratings: Article 810.4.1 Automatic fire suppression system alternatives: When an approved automatic fire suppression system is installed, R-2 building corridor enclosure walls shall have 1/2 hour rating. Corridor walls shall 11. 9" treads: see 4/10/92 letter. 12. Fire ratings: see 4/10/92 letter. 13. Sill heights of windows in bedrooms: are less than 44 inches, and are typically 20-24" above the floor. 14. Does shower have handicapped _ ? The end of this question was cut off, but, as per item 2 above, and 4/10/92 letter, we are not under Massachusetts Architectural Access Board regulations. 15. Tilted mirrors: see items 2 and 14 above, and 4/10/92 letter re. AAB requirements. 16. Exit sign locations: refer to Electrical plans for locations (fixture B) . 17. Door hardware is lever-handled. 18. Soffit ventilation is provided. 19. Microlams require engineer's signature: I am a registered architect, and, will stamp all plans if you wish. Enclosed are structural plans with my stamp. 20. Proposed ceiling heights of halls and rooms: first level: 8'-0" second level: 7'-11 1/2" third level: 6'-10 1/2" Note: all ceiling heights are based on existing conditions. I am not aware of a code requirement for existing ceiling heights to be revised. Also, Article 702.2 states: "The building official shall permit new rooms to be of the same height as existing rooms in the same story unless in the building official's opinion greater provision of artificial light and ventilation is deemed necessary to insure healthful conditions." 21. Flame spread: see 4/10/92 letter. I hope this information satisfies your concerns. We look forward to obtaining a building permit as soon as possible. If you still have questions, donot hesitate to call. Sincerely, Edy broz, AIA Archi ect cc: Valley CDC, Construct Associates, Inc. Faxed to Amherst building inspector's office, and mailed to Northampton office EDY AMBROZ , ARCHITECT P. O. Box 1086 • Northampton, MA 01061 413 586 1086 June 2, 1992 Attention: Mr. Dick Gormely Northampton City Hall Building Inspector's Office Northampton, MA 01060 Subject: 16 North Maple Street Renovations Florence, MA Dear Mr. Gormely: This letter is in response to your comments provided to Alvin Hall at Construct Associates. Alvin passed along the information to me so that your concerns could be addressed prior to issuing a building permit for the above-named project. Some of your concerns were previously addressed in a letter to you dated April 10, 1992, and a copy is enclosed for your reference. Also enclosed is Alvin's hand-written list of your twenty-one questions, which are .addressed below. 1. Door number 1 can be moved to the outside of the wall so that it is not recessed into the wall. 2. Door number 6 is a barrier-free bathroom door. The Massachusetts AAB regulations do not pertain to this door. However, a slightly modified fixture relocation will correct your concern. 3. Handrails: see 4/10/92 letter. 4. All sleeping rooms meet light and ventilation requirements according to the Code. 5. Fire separtion doors: see 4/10/92 letter. 6. Sidewalk area level: yes, except for a 1/8" per foot slope for drainage. 7. Door 35 has been eliminated. 8. Spring hinges are being provided on all hallway doors, even though ratings are not required on doors. 9. Is attic ventilation sufficient? Yes, the Code requirements will be exceeded. 1.92 sf or 277 square inches of ventilation is required, using the one square foot per 300 square feet of space required. Proposed ventilation equals 884 square inches. 10. Spacing between balusters: the balusters have been eliminated, although they were spaced at six inches on center, which meets Code.