FIRE PREVENTION AND BUILDING SAFETY COMMISSION
Interpretation by the Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission
Title: Interpretation of675 IAC 13-2.6 , 2014 Indiana Building Code, Section 3412.4.1
Date: November 1, 2016
Purpose and Background: The purpose of this nonrule policy is to provide guidelines for structural evaluations (Section 3412.4.1) with regards to variance requests for conversions of agricultural buildings to Class 1 structures of occupancy group A or E. The Commission has considered a number of variances requesting approval to perform a Chapter 34 analysis for conversion of an agricultural building (non-class 1 structure) for public assembly use. It has become apparent that, although a structural evaluation of the subject building would be required in accordance with Section 3412.4.1, there is some confusion as to the extent of structural evaluation needed for situations where the building was not subject to the Indiana Building Code at the time of its original construction. For example, non-class 1 agricultural buildings have historically been exempt from the Indiana Building Code. As such, it is possible that the structural system for such a building was never completed by an Indiana licensed design professional. Subsequently, some may misinterpret Section 3412.4.1 to limit the structural evaluation to only an assessment of "minimum live loads specified in Chapter 16", and not consider other loading conditions necessary for all Class 1 structures in Indiana.
Interpretation: The Guidelines for Structural Evaluation (Section 3412.4.1) with regards to variance requests for conversions of agricultural buildings to Class 1 structures of occupancy group A or E are as follows:
Evidence must be provided that the existing building under consideration has an adequate structural evaluation completed by an Indiana licensed design professional to ensure that the building is safe for the proposed use or occupancy.
If the building was originally a non-class 1 structure, and if no evidence is provided to indicate that the structural system for the building had ever been designed by an Indiana licensed design professional, then the structural evaluation for the proposed use or occupancy must consider all applicable design loads specified in Chapter 16. This will include the minimum live loads (roof and floor) specified in Chapter 16 for the current Indiana Building Code as well as all other design loads required for Class 1 buildings. The use of non-live design loads required by the Indiana Building Code in effect for Class 1 buildings at the time of original construction is permitted. This would include consideration for design loads such as wind, snow, earthquake, dead, ice, rain, soil, and flood.
If the building was originally a non-class 1 structure, but evidence is provided that the structural system for the building was originally designed by an Indiana licensed design professional to comply with the structural provisions of the Indiana Building Code in effect at the time of construction, then the structural evaluation for the proposed change of use under Chapter 34 would consist of an inspection by an Indiana licensed design professional and any related work deemed necessary to determine the adequacy of structural systems for the proposed use. If the proposed use does not reduce the existing building's capacity to withstand the non-live design loads that were required at the time of its construction, and the condition of the building structure is demonstrated to be structurally sound, then an exhaustive evaluation of all non-live load conditions need not be performed.
Posted: 11/02/2016 by Legislative Services Agency
DIN: 20161102-IR-675160494NRAComposed: Nov 11,2016 8:19:34PM ESTA PDF version of this document.
