06-25-1997 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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CASTLE COMPANIES TEL NO.612- 731 -7881 Jun 19,97 18:27 P.02 515 Little Canada Road, Little Canada, MN 55117-1600 (612) 484.2177 / FAX: (612) 484 -4538 MEMORANDUM To: Joel Hanson, City Administrator PROM: Greg Schmit, Building Official DATE: June 18, 1997 DIMJECT: Minnesota State Building Code Chapter 1306, Special Fin Protection Systems (fonnerly known as Appendix E) MAYOR Michael I. Fahey COUNCIL Beverly Praln, .Ian LaValle Steve Morelan Bob Pedersen ADMIMSI'RATOR 'helm Hanson It is my understanding that the aruhileot representing The Church of Latter -Day Saints has requested that the City Council reconsider it's adoption of this optional section of the building code. Not having done any research on the rationale for adopting this chapter initially, 1 am neither an advocate or an opponent of the provision, The purpose of this memo is simply to inform you of the circumstances that have prompted this request and the specific code issues that are involved. First of all the building is classified primarily as an A (assembly) occupancy under the Uniform Building Code and if it were being built today it would, according to Chapter 1306.0100 Subp. 3, be required to have an automatic fire suppression system. As part of the plan to renovate the existing church building, there is also a proposal to add approximately 873 square feet of additional floor area to the building. This has triggered the requirement under MSBC Chapter 1306 to provide automatic fire sprinkler protection for the entire building. Please refer to the attached copy. Chapter 1306.0100 Subp. 2; When adopted, the requirements are applicable throughout the municipality for new buildings, buildings increased in floor area, and buildings which will have the occupancy classification changed, Under the normal provisions of the Building Code, that is without the adoption of this optional chapter, the applicant may choose to use what are called area separation walls as a means to reduce the floor area of a building and thus eliminate the requirement for fire sprinklers based on square footage thresholds. The use of area separation walls allows the separated areas to be treated as separate buildings, However, under Chapter 1306.0100 Subp. 3; For the purposes alibis chapter, area .separation walls do not establish separate build- ings. Therefore this alternative is not available to this applicant. Thus the applicant has been informed that because the City of Little Canada has adopted this particular chap- ter of the Minnesota State Building Code, if any additional floor area 1s added to this building, they must also install an automatic fire sprinkler system throughout the entire building. Page 76