32C-107 Review notes 2016-10-25 (2)2016-10-25
Plan review notes re 32 Smith St.
Code review states compliance w chapter 3 prescriptive method (Mass Chapter 34, 101.5.1) but
code review includes references to work area method (Chapters 4-12).
Review refers to 105.0 but no proposals for compliance alternatives?
AAB all set with revised floor plans 10/14/16
521 CMR Mass Architectural Access Board regulations Chapter 3, jurisdiction:
3.3.2 If the work performed, including the exempted work, amounts to 30% or more of the full
and fair cash value (see 521 CMR 5.00) of the building the entire building is required to comply
with 521 CMR.
a. Where the cost of constructing an addition to a building amounts to 30% or more of
the full and fair cash value of the existing building, both the addition and the existing
building must be fully accessible.
Full and fair cash value (per assessors) $375,000
30% (3.3.2) $112,500
Cost of project $480,000; full building must comply.
The first floor offices shown on the plans are labeled “Production” and “R&D” An area on the
second floor is labeled “Waiting Area”. A potential non-compliance is the office space accessible
to the public on the 2nd floor which is not on an accessible route (no lift).
Additional note; the steel building plans don’t show any insulation
Energy Code requirements; Mass Appendix 115AA Stretch Code (2009 IECC with Mass
amendments) pushes an addition less than 30% of the existing building back to the base code;
the base code now references the 2012 IECC. Essentially, the addition including added HVAC
equipment and lighting must meet the prescriptive requirements of that code for commercial
buildings. The required R and U values are shown in tables C402.2 and 402.3. HVAC
equipment requirements are in the same section.
I haven’t gotten electrical plans. The electrical work will likely be straightforward, but I’m not sure
about the finishing space and whether there will be spray booths which require special wiring.
I am willing to issue the building permit with phased approval and deferred submittals for the
foundation and shell:
107.3.3 Phased Approval. The building official is authorized to issue a permit for the
construction of foundations or any other part of a building or structure before the construction
documents for the whole building or structure have been submitted, provided that adequate
information and detailed statements have been filed complying with pertinent requirements of
this code. The holder of such permit for the foundation or other parts of a building or structure
shall proceed at the holder's own risk with the building operation and without assurance that a
permit for the entire structure will be granted.
107.3.4 Deferred Submittals. For the purposes of this section, deferred submittals are defined
as those portions of the design that are not submitted at the time of the application and that are
to be submitted to the building official within a specified period. Deferral of any submittal items
shall have the prior approval of the building official. The deferred submittal items shall not be
installed until the deferred submittal documents have been approved by the building official.