BCAB #1254 - Dead Loads Due to Partitions - Sentences 4.1.5.1.(2) and 4.1.5.1.(3)

June 26, 1991

BCAB #1254

Re: Dead Loads Due to Partitions - Sentences 4.1.5.1.(2) and 4.1.5.1.(3)

Project Description

A new second floor being added within an existing building. The floor is approximately 950 square feet in area and intended for office use.

Reason for Appeal

Sentence 4.1.5.1.(2) requires allowances to be made for partitions other than permanent ones where they are shown on the plans, or are likely to be installed in the future. Sentence 4.1.5.1.(3) requires a partition weight allowance to be determined from the actual or anticipated weight of the partitions, but shall not be less than 1 kPa over the area being considered.

Appellant's Position

The appellant contends that Sentence 4.1.5.1.(3) refers to the non-permanent partitions mentioned in Sentence 4.1.5.1.(2). Therefore, the weight allowance only applies if non-permanent partitions are either shown, or are likely to be added in the future. He considers this to be a designer's decision and as non-permanent partitions are not intended to be used in this office, now or in the future, he did not apply a weight allowance to his design. He points out that in the 1977 National Building Code the requirements now contained in Sentences 4.1.5.1.(2), (3) and (4) were in one Sentence making it clear the requirements are directly related to each other.

Building Official's Position

The building official maintains that Sentence 4.1.5.1.(3) applies to all floor areas.

Appeal Board Decision #1254

It is the determination of the Board that Sentence 4.1.5.1.(3) refers to the partitions in Sentence 4.1.5.1.(2). The Board also considers that it is reasonable to assume that partitions might be added in the future within office areas of buildings. Therefore a weight allowance of at least 1 kPa must be provided for in office areas.

George R. Humphrey, Chair