Structural
What is the minimum clear height for standard parking?
7'-0"
Walker typically recommends adding 2" for construction tolerance and structural deflections. 8'-2" is the minimum for ADA van spaces.
IBC 406.2.2
What is the recommended average lighting intensity for covered tier enhanced security per IES G-1-16?
6 foot candles
3 foot candles for top tier. Max/Min is 10:1 for covered.
IES G-1-16
On what side must an access aisle be for a one-way van accessible parking space?
Passenger
Angled van parking are the only spaces requiring access aisle on passenger side. All other conditions can have access aisle on either side.
ADA 502.3.4
What is the maximum exit travel distance for a garage without a sprinkler system?
300 feet
With a sprinkler system, the maximum exit travel distances becomes 400 feet
IBC Table 1017.2
To be considered open, what percentage of exterior wall area must be open?
20%
IBC 406.5.2
Fire separation of mixed occupancy between a non-sprinklered open parking garage and mercantile or residential is how many hours?
2
Only occupancy 'H' requires more than 2 hours per table
IBC Table 508.4
What occupancy classification and group do open parking garages belong to under IBC?
Low hazard storage classification and group S-2
Open and enclosed parking garages are classified as Group S-2 occupancies as long as no repair activities occurs.
IBC 311.3
What is the minimum vehicle barrier height?
2'-9"
Vehicle hits occur over a 12"x12" area centered at 2'-3" above the floor
IBC 406.4.2
How many levels can you have above/below the level of exit discharge without needing elevator on emergency power?
3 levels
In buildings where a required accessible floor is four or more stories above or below a level of exit discharge, at least one required accessible means of egress shall be an elevator complying with Section 1009.4.
IBC 1009.2.1
What is the limit of protruding object located between 27 inches and 80 inches above the floor before cane rail detection devices are needed?
4"
ADA 307.2
Parking garages should have no fewer than how many exits from each parking tier?
2
Occupant Load:
1-500: 2 exits minimum
501-1,000: 3 exits minimum
>1,000: 4 exits minimum
IBC 1006.3.2
To be considered open, the aggregate length of openings must be at least what percentage of the overall perimeter length?
40%
IBC 406.5.2
For an open garage subjected to freezing temperatures, what is the maximum spacing of standpipe hose connections?
260 feet
Spacing requirements are based on a Class II hose connection
IBC 905.5
What is the maximum slope allowed for vehicular ramps that are utilized for vertical circulation and parking?
1:15 (6.67%)
IBC 406.4.3
What is the maximum distance between the driving surface and the floor below allowed without a vehicle barrier?
1'-0"
IBC 406.4.2
How long must lights stay on during a power outage?
90 minutes
The emergency power system shall provide power for a duration of not less than 90 minutes and shall consist of storage batteries, unit equipment or an on-site generator
IBC 1008.3.4
What vertical clearance is required if a passenger loading zone is provided on the project?
114 inches (9'-6")
Vehicle pull-up spaces, access aisles serving them, and a vehicular route from an entrance to the passenger loading zone, and from the passenger loading zone to a vehicular exit shall provide a vertical clearance of 114 inches (2895 mm) minimum.
ADA 503.5
Where should the walking distance be measured to in an open air parking garage without a sprinkler system?
Closest riser of an exit access stairway or the closest slope of an exit access ramp
Exception: In open parking garages, exit access travel distance is permitted to be measured to the closest riser of an exit access stairway or the closes slope of an exit access ramp
IBC 1017.3
If the openings are uniformly distributed over two opposing sides of the building, what is the minimum aggregate length of openings?
No requirement
40% aggregate opening length requirement is removed if openings are uniformly distributed on two sides
IBC 406.5.2
Is a walkway required to standpipes? If so, how wide?
Yes - 3 feet
IFC 912.4
What is the maximum floor area per occupant in a parking garage?
200 gross square feet
IBC Table 1004.5
What is the minimum floor slope for parking garages?
0%
Floors of group S-2 are exempt from the slope requirements on 406.2.4.
IBC 406.2.4
What is the maximum distance between illuminated exit signs?
200 feet
Exit sign placement shall be such that any point in an exit access corridor or exit passageway is within 100 feet or the listed viewing distance of the sign, whichever is less, from the nearest visible exit sign.
IBC 1013.1
What percentage of parking spaces must be accessible in a Rehabilitation or outpatient physical therapy facility?
20 percent
Outpatient Facilities: 10% minimum
Rehabilitation Facilities: 20% minimum
Residents: Minimum of 1 space per unit that requires mobility features
ADA 208.2.2
What is the required egress capacity at an area of egress convergence?
Not less than the largest minimum or the sum of the required capacities serving the two adjacent stories
Convergence of occupants can occur wherever the occupants of an upper floor travel down and occupants of a lower floor travel up and meet at a common, intermediate egress component on the route to the exit discharge.
IBC 1005.6
At least how many exterior sides of an open garage must have openings for natural ventilation?
2
IBC 406.5.2
How far is the maximum travel distance to a fire extinguisher per IBC?
75 feet
Extinguishers size and final locations should be determined by minimum ratings and maximum floor areas per table.
IBC Table 906.3(1)
How much grade level occupied space is allowed if the maximum height and area table of IBC 406.5 are used?
1,000 sf
Where an open parking garage is located in a building that is only used as a parking garage, the type of hazard that is created by the occupancy is significantly lower than other buildings.
IBC 406.5.4.1
For which element must you show design wind pressures on the construction documents?
Components and cladding
Design wind pressures to be used for exterior component and cladding materials not specifically designed by the registered design professional
IBC 1603.1.4
Above what equipment size is a secondary exit from the electrical room required?
1200 amps
Above 800 amps and the personnel doors require panic hardware. Doors must open in direction of egress.
NEC 110.26(C)(2)
At least how long must a ADA ramp landing be?
60 inches
The landing width shall be at least as wide as the widest ramp run leading to the landing
ADA 405.7.3
What factor do you multiply the occupant load by to determine the required total stair egress width?
0.3 inch per occupant
The capacity factor for stairways is larger than other egress components because of the slowdown of travel to negotiate the steps
IBC 1005.3.1
What aspect ratio is required for the horizontal clear space to depth of opening for below grade openings for natural ventilation?
1.5:1
The extent of the required clear space allows for adequate exterior open space to meet the intent and dynamics of natural ventilation requirements for open parking garages.
IBC 406.5.2.1
What is the minimum fire separation distance to not require a fire-resistance rating regardless of type of construction?
10 feet
Exception C of the able omits the fire-resistance rating for open parking garages if there is at least 10 feet of separation
IBC Table 602
If an open parking structure has sides open on three-fourths of the perimeter, what allowable area increase percentage and height is allowed?
25% area and one tier in height
IBC 406.5.5
Garage floors must be designed according AASHTO or other codes required by the local jurisdiction when vehicles above this weight are permitted?
10,000 pounds
For garages the design for impact and fatigue is not required.
IBC 1607.7.1
What is the requirement for ventilation in an enclosed garage in CFM per square foot?
0.75 cfm per square foot when engaged, 0.05 cfm per square foot on stand-by (IMC 2018). 1CFM (NFPA 88A)
There is conflicting requirements in NFPA and IMC. Coordinate with local AHJ if needed
NFPA 88A, IMC 404.1
How large of a sphere can pass through a floor opening and still be considered an ADA path?
1/2"
For rectangular openings, the long dimension shall be perpendicular to the dominant direction of travel
ADA 302.3
How far can a common path of travel to a exit be in a Group S-2 open parking garage?
100 feet
For an enclosed parking garage- common path of travel is also 100 feet due to the sprinkler system
IBC Table 1006.2.1(f)
What is the minimum height of perimeter openings for firefighter access?
30 inches
Openings shall have a minimum dimension of not less than 30 inches. Access to such openings shall be provided for the fire department from the exterior and shall not be obstructed in manner such that fire fighting or rescue cannot be accomplished from the exterior.
IBC 903.2.11.1.1
When is a standpipe system not required in a parking garage?
When the floor level of the lowest or highest story is less then 30 feet from fire department vehicle access
Given the available manpower on the fire department vehicle, standard fire-fighting operations and standard hose sizes, a 30-foot vertical distance is generally considered the maximum height to which a typical fire department engine company can practically and readily extend its hose lines
IBC 905.3.1
At what height above lowest level fire department access does high-rise provisions apply to enclosed garages?
75 feet
Stand-alone open parking garages are exempted by Exception 2 because of the free ventilation to the outside that exists in such structures.
IBC 403.1