2006 International Building Code

SECTION 509 SPECIAL PROVISIONS

509.2 Group S-2 enclosed or open parking garage with Group A, B, M, R or S above. A basement and/or the first story above grade plane of a building shall be considered as a separate and distinct building for the purpose of determining area limitations, continuity of fire walls, limitation of number of stories and type of construction when all of the following conditions are met:

1. The basement and/or the first story above grade plane is of Type IA construction and is separated from the building above with a horizontal assembly having a minimum 3-hour fire-resistance rating.

2. Shaft, stairway, ramp or escalator enclosures through the horizontal assembly shall have not less than a 2-hour fire-resistance rating with opening protectives in accordance with Table 715.4.

Exception: Where the enclosure walls below the horizontal assembly have not less than a 3-hour fire-resistance rating with opening protectives in accordance with Table 715.4, the enclosure walls extending above the horizontal assembly shall be permitted to have a 1-hour fire-resistance rating, provided:

1. The building above the horizontal assembly is not required to be of Type I construction;

2. The enclosure connects less than four stories; and

3. The enclosure opening protectives above the horizontal assembly have a minimum 1-hour fire protection rating.

3. The building above the horizontal assembly shall be permitted to have multiple Group A uses, each with an occupant load of less than 300, or Group B, M, R or S uses.

4. The building below the horizontal assembly is a Group S-2 enclosed or open parking garage, used for the parking and storage of private motor vehicles.

Exceptions:

1. Entry lobbies, mechanical rooms and similar uses incidental to the operation of the building shall be permitted.

2. Multiple Group A uses, each with an occupant load of less than 300, or Group B or M uses shall be permitted, in addition to those uses incidental to the operation of the building (including storage areas), provided that the entire structure below the horizontal assembly is protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system.

5. The maximum building height in feet shall not exceed the limits set forth in Section 503 for the building having the smaller allowable height as measured from the grade plane.

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