fss-mini-rag-github/development-compliance-research/building_codes_safety_standards.md

# Building Codes and Safety Standards
## Mixed-Use Development Requirements

### International Building Code Compliance

#### Occupancy Classification
**Mixed-use buildings must comply with:**
- **Group R-2**: Residential occupancies (apartments/condos)
- **Group M**: Mercantile occupancies (retail spaces)
- **Group B**: Business occupancies (offices)
- **Group A**: Assembly occupancies (if restaurants >50 occupants)

#### Construction Type Requirements
**Based on height and area:**
- **Type I or II construction**: Buildings over 4 stories
- **Type III construction**: Allowed for buildings 3-4 stories with sprinklers
- **Fire-resistive ratings**: Minimum 2-hour between residential and commercial
- **Shaft protection**: 2-hour fire rating for all vertical penetrations

### Life Safety and Egress Requirements

#### Exit Requirements
**Residential Components:**
- Maximum travel distance to exit: 200 feet (sprinklered), 125 feet (non-sprinklered)
- Minimum two exits required for floors >500 sq ft or >10 occupants
- Exit width: Minimum 44 inches for residential corridors
- Maximum dead-end corridor: 35 feet

**Commercial Components:**
- Maximum travel distance: 250 feet (sprinklered), 200 feet (non-sprinklered)
- Exit capacity: 0.2 inches per occupant for level egress, 0.3 inches for stairs
- Minimum exit door width: 32 inches clear
- Emergency lighting: 90-minute battery backup required

#### Stairway Requirements
- **Minimum width**: 44 inches between handrails
- **Maximum rise**: 7 inches, minimum run: 11 inches
- **Handrail height**: 34-38 inches above tread nosing
- **Intermediate landings**: Required for rise >12 feet
- **Pressurized stairwells**: Required in buildings >75 feet

### Fire Protection Systems

#### Automatic Sprinkler Systems
**Required for:**
- All buildings over 3 stories
- Residential buildings with >16 units per floor
- Commercial spaces >12,000 sq ft
- Assembly occupancies >300 occupants

**System Design Standards:**
- **Residential areas**: NFPA 13R or 13D systems
- **Commercial areas**: NFPA 13 wet pipe systems
- **Water supply**: 2-hour demand plus 500 GPM hose stream
- **Fire department connection**: Required on street side

#### Fire Alarm and Detection
**Required Components:**
- Addressable fire alarm system throughout building
- Smoke detection in all sleeping rooms and corridors
- Heat detection in mechanical rooms and storage areas
- Carbon monoxide detection in residential units with attached garages
- Voice evacuation system in buildings >3 stories

### Accessibility Requirements (ADA Compliance)

#### General Accessibility
- **Accessible route**: From parking to all public and common areas
- **Elevator access**: Required for buildings >3 stories or 3,000 sq ft per floor
- **Door requirements**: 32-inch minimum clear width, maximum 5 lb opening force
- **Ramp specifications**: Maximum 1:12 slope, landings every 30 feet

#### Residential Accessibility (Fair Housing Act)
- **5% wheelchair accessible**: Fully accessible units
- **2% hearing/vision impaired**: Units with enhanced accessibility features
- **Common areas**: All amenity spaces must be accessible
- **Parking**: 2% of spaces must be accessible, 1% van-accessible

#### Commercial Accessibility
- **Customer areas**: All retail and restaurant areas fully accessible
- **Work areas**: Common use circulation paths accessible
- **Restrooms**: Accessible facilities required (1 per floor minimum)
- **Parking**: 1 per 25 spaces accessible, plus 1 van space per 6 accessible

### Structural Requirements

#### Seismic Design (varies by region)
- **Seismic Design Category**: Determined by ground motion and occupancy
- **Special inspection**: Required for structural steel and concrete
- **Nonstructural components**: Seismic restraint for mechanical/electrical systems
- **Vertical irregularities**: Restricted in high seismic zones

#### Wind Load Design
- **Basic wind speed**: Per ASCE 7 wind maps (typically 90-120 mph)
- **Exposure category**: Urban (B), Suburban (C), or Open (D)
- **Wind-borne debris**: Impact-resistant glazing in high-wind zones
- **Roof design**: Enhanced attachment for membrane roofing systems

### Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP)

#### HVAC Requirements
- **Indoor air quality**: ASHRAE 62.1 ventilation rates
- **Energy efficiency**: ASHRAE 90.1 or local energy codes
- **Separate systems**: Residential and commercial on separate systems
- **Emergency power**: Required for life safety systems

#### Electrical Systems
- **Service capacity**: Minimum 100 amps per residential unit
- **Commercial power**: 3-phase service for commercial components
- **Emergency systems**: Battery backup for exits and fire alarm
- **EV charging**: Pre-wiring required for 20% of parking spaces

#### Plumbing Systems
- **Water supply**: Adequate pressure (minimum 15 psi at fixtures)
- **Sewage capacity**: Must not exceed municipal system capacity
- **Grease interceptors**: Required for commercial kitchen facilities
- **Backflow prevention**: Required for all commercial water connections

### Energy Code Compliance

#### Envelope Requirements
- **Insulation values**: Minimum R-values per climate zone
- **Window performance**: Maximum U-factor and minimum SHGC
- **Air sealing**: Maximum 3.0 ACH50 for residential, 0.4 CFM/sq ft for commercial
- **Thermal bridging**: Continuous insulation requirements

#### Lighting and Electrical
- **Lighting power density**: Maximum watts per square foot by space type
- **Daylight controls**: Required in spaces with >250 watts of general lighting
- **Occupancy sensors**: Required in storage, utility, and restroom areas
- **Energy monitoring**: Required for buildings >50,000 sq ft

### Code Enforcement and Inspection Schedule

#### Plan Review Process
1. **Structural review**: 10-15 business days
2. **MEP review**: 10-15 business days  
3. **Fire/Life Safety review**: 15-20 business days
4. **Accessibility review**: 5-10 business days
5. **Corrections cycle**: Additional 5-10 days per revision

#### Construction Inspections
- **Foundation inspection**: Before concrete placement
- **Framing inspection**: Before concealment of structural elements
- **MEP rough-in**: Before concealment of systems
- **Fire-stopping inspection**: Before concealment of fire-rated assemblies
- **Final inspection**: Before certificate of occupancy

#### Special Inspections Required
- **Structural steel welding**: Continuous inspection
- **Concrete placement**: Periodic inspection
- **Fireproofing application**: Continuous inspection
- **Fire-stopping installation**: Periodic inspection