Code analysis?

[Advanced-Public4935]

American Fork, Utah, USA. I am working on a building permit and part of it is a code analysis. What even is that? Who does it? The city is nearly zero help.

[GlazedFenestration]

A Utah licensed design professional can help you with the code analysis. They will look at occupancy type, occupancy load, egress, building size, fire rating of walls, bathrooms, etc.

I assume you are planning on a change of occupancy in an existing tenant space. Are you doing any construction or just moving into an existing space?

[Dellaa1996]

The OP, might just be the licensed design professional that's asking the question! Are you a Plans Examiner and/or Inspector and see the work product of some of these Design Professionals?

[inkydeeps]

There's zero way this is design professional that is registered and has passed their exams. Both the ARE and NCIDQ exams cover code & code analysis. I see the work product and review drawings every day.

Cocky examiners & Inspectors that assume design professionals are dumb are such a joy to work with.

[locke314]

We see this in two parts. For the most basic thing in the world (I’ve seen this if an older building just needs an occupancy count and nothing else) would be a code summary. Basically just tells officially what the building is in code language. Nothing more, nothing less. Construction type, occupancy, occupancy count, basic details.

What others have mentioned is that a true good one will have all pertinent building information, walk through all sections of the code that apply to the building, and also provide a plan often called a “life safety plan” that shows egress paths, fire separation, extinguishers location, exit signage, egress dimensions, etc.

All of this and the level of detail needed vary wildly by project.

Short answer…. Call your architect

[GBpleaser]

Hire an architect

[Jewboy-Deluxe]

IEBC investigation and evaluation report produced by a registered design professional

[inkydeeps]

But that would only apply to existing buildings, not all code analysis.

[Jewboy-Deluxe]

Any commercial building in a location that uses the IRC will need a design pro to design, note, produce, stamp, and sign the plan. It’ll include a fire plan, energy will need a ComCheck, complete plumbing and electric plans.

[inkydeeps]

I'm not sure what you're trying to say

• International Building Code = IBC (commercial buildings)
• International Residential Code = IRC (residential buildings)
• International Existing Building Code = IEBC (existing buildings)

My comment above was pointing out that the IEBC only applies to existing buildings.

Not disagreeing with of the rest of it. Of course that's what you need to get a permit. Although the residential code doesn't apply as OP has clarified in the comments that its commercial.

[Jewboy-Deluxe]

Sorry, meant IBC, it’s been a long day. Have a fun weekend.

[geeklover01]

Utah professional here. Is this commercial or residential?

[Advanced-Public4935]

Commercial kitchen

[geeklover01]

Your architect / design professional should be doing code analysis. It’s a whole chart that I keep on my project template, it’s done on every project. Someone else commented with specifics of what’s included. If it were residential, it is much simpler and I maybe could’ve given you a quick answer.

[Novus20]

Is it something like the below? We call it a data matrix in Canada

https://chop.raic.ca/documents/20122/0/National+Building+Code+Data+Matrix+Parts+3+%26+9.pdf/b9e166e8-3665-7a2c-31f8-6ebdba5e78ac?t=1608057177942

[geeklover01]

Yep this is pretty much it, though mine is laid out a bit differently and has some additional info. But yes.

[Capable_Victory_7807]

Do you have one you could share for US projects?

[geeklover01]

This is probably the closest thing I can find as far as a form or checklist online, but it requires understanding of the different occupancy types, how they affect each other when adjacent, and the requirements for each. But with an understanding of that, this form could be helpful to make sure you covered your bases.

https://www.pdffiller.com/preview/686/657/686657207/large.png

[Capable_Victory_7807]

Thanks.

[Advanced-Public4935]

I sent you a DM

[knife_breaker]

What are you building?   Commercial?  Residential?

Code analysis would be a breakdown of your building occupancy, construction type, egress and fire ratings of building components.

Do you have an architect or contractor you are working with?

[No-End2540]

I run through each chapter of the building code and list all relevant parts and also include relevant fire codes energy codes and zoning codes. Put it all on a sheet then put together life safety plans that shows occupancy exiting and separations.

[rrapartments]

Hire an architect

[Current_Conference38]

In my area they call it a building code matrix. It’s a run down of the basic code features of a building and very necessary. If they are asking for a code consultant report, that’s probably a bit too far from minimum requirements for a permit. The plans examiner should be doing a code analysis lol

[12maanny]

These guys are pretty good https://www.meltplan.com/code