NJLM_2011_Pedestal_PDF Version

NJLM 2011 – IBC 509 Pedestal Buildings – John Drucker
1
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
What they are, How they are Constructed and Protected
2009 IBC/NJ Section 509 – Special Provisions
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
Pedestal….
1. an architectural support
for a column, statue, vase, or
the like.
2. a supporting structure or
piece; base.

2
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
Commentary….
“In practical application, the number of stories
permitted for buildings above a pedestal
building is not diminished by having to include
the pedestal building story below the horizontal
assembly.”
“Buildings above the pedestal are typically
Type V construction, and determining the
number of allowable stories without having to
include the pedestal building’s above grade
story presents a significant design advantage”
Pedestal Building Design
Building Safety Journal
February 2006
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
2009 IBC/NJ Section 509 Special Provisions
509.1 General.
The provisions in this section shall permit the use of special conditions
that are…..
exempt from, or modify, the specific requirements
of this chapter regarding the allowable heights and
areas of buildings based on the occupancy
classification and type of construction,
provided the special condition complies with the provisions specified
in this section for such condition and other applicable requirements of
this code.

3
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
The provisions of Sections 509.2 through 509.8………
are to be considered independent and separate from each other.
509.2 Horizontal building separation allowance.
509.3 Group S-2 enclosed parking garage with Group S-2 open parking garage above.
509.4 Parking beneath Group R.
509.5 Group R-1 and R-2 buildings of Type IIIA construction.
509.6 Group R-1 and R-2 buildings of Type IIA construction.
509.7 Open parking garage beneath Groups A, I, B,M and R.
509.8 Group B or M with Group S-2 open parking garage.
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
Lets focus specifically on “Pedestal” or “Podium” Buildings………
History….
”Pedestal Building Design Concept” was provided for in the 1967 edition of
the Uniform Building Code (UBC) with modifications in the early 1990’s to
permit A, B and M uses both above and below the 3 Hour fire separation.
In the drafting of the 2000 IBC the pedestal construction provisions of the
UBC were incorporated into the IBC.
The 2009 IBC includes significant changes that expand the allowable uses
above and below the pedestal.

4
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
Bldg 1
The “Pedestal”
Bldg 2
Separation
Grade
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
A building shall be considered as separate and distinct buildings for
the purpose of determining;
• area limitations,
• continuity of firewalls,
• limitation of number of stories
and
• type of construction
Point of Information….Height Limitation is not listed in this codePoint of Information….Height Limitation is not listed in this code
section, we’ll see why in a moment.section, we’ll see why in a moment.

5
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
the purpose of determining;
• area limitations,
• limitation of number of stories and
• type of construction
where all of the following conditions are met:
There are seven conditions……………………..
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
1. The buildings are separated with a horizontal assembly having a
minimum 3-hour fire-resistance rating.

6
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
2. The building below the horizontal assembly is no more than one story
above grade plane.
502.1 Definitions
GRADE PLANE.
A reference plane representing the average of
finished ground level adjoining the building at exterior
walls.
Where the finished ground level slopes away from the
exterior walls, the reference plane shall be established by the
lowest points within the area between the building and the lot
line or, where the lot line is more than 6 feet (1829 mm) from
the building, between the building and a point 6 feet (1829 mm)
from the building.
1 Story
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
3. The building below the horizontal assembly is of Type IA construction.
TABLE 601
FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING
REQUIREMENTS FOR
BUILDING ELEMENTS
IBC Table 601

7
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
3. The building below the horizontal assembly is of Type IA construction.
Point of Information !Point of Information !
This section is addressing the
construction type of the pedestal
in accordance with Table 601
which only requires a two (2)
hour fire rating for the floor
construction whereas the special
provisions require a three (3)
hour fire separation between
the building above and below
the pedestal.
3
3Hr Required for
509.2 Pedestal
Fire Separation
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
4. Shaft, stairway, ramp and escalator enclosures through the horizontal
assembly shall have not less than a 2-hour fire-resistance rating with
opening protectives in accordance with Section 715.4.
Yes, a 2-hour rated
enclosure is permitted to
pierce the 3-hour
horizontal separation
assembly, however there
is an exception……….

8
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
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 Section 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
3. The enclosure opening protectives above the horizontal assembly have a minimum 1-hour fire protection rating.
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
5. The building or buildings above the horizontal assembly shall be
permitted to have multiple Group A occupancy uses, each with an
occupant load of less than 300, or Group B, M, R or S occupancies.
Multiple Assembly
– less than 300 each
Business
Mercantile
Residential
Storage

9
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
6. The building below the horizontal assembly shall be protected throughout by
an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1,
and shall be permitted to be any of the following occupancies:
6.1. Group S-2 parking garage used for the parking
and storage of private motor vehicles;
6.2. Multiple Group A, each with an
occupant load of less than 300;
6.3. Group B;
6.4. Group M;
6.5. Group R;
6.6. Uses incidental to the operation
of the building (including entry lobbies,
mechanical rooms,storage areas and
similar uses).
Multiple Assembly
– less than 300 each
Business
Mercantile
Residential
S2 Private Garage
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
7. The maximum building height in feet (mm) shall not exceed the limits
set forth in Section 503 for the building having the smaller allowable
height as measured from the grade plane.
Use Section & Table 503
Analyze each building
• Use
• Construction Type
• Suppression Credit
Determine allowable heightDetermine allowable height
Maximum Height of the
combined buildings is
measured from grade plane,
NOT the pedestal, and limited
by the smaller allowable height.
Maximum Height

10
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
Section 504.2, Allowable building height and story increase due to automatic sprinkler system installation.
504.2 Automatic sprinkler system increase.
For Group R buildings equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.2, the value specified in Table 503 for maximum building height is increased by 20 feet
(6096 mm) and the maximum number of stories is increased by one, but shall not exceed 60 feet
(18 288 mm)or four stories, respectively.
Table 601 Note d. An approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 shall be allowed
to be substituted for 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction, provided such system is not otherwise
required by other provisions of the code or used for an allowable area increase in accordance with Section
506.3 or an allowable height increase in accordance with Section 504.2.
The 1-hour substitution for the fire resistance of exterior walls shall not be permitted.
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
Maximum Height
Is measured from
Grade Plane
R2
M - IA
The smaller allowable
height would be the R2
since the M is Unlimited
Remember ……..Remember ……..
Maximum Height = Measured from Grade PlaneMaximum Height = Measured from Grade Plane
Number of Stories = Measured from PedestalNumber of Stories = Measured from Pedestal

11
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
Maximum Height
Is measured from
Grade Plane
R2-VB
M - IA
R2 – Type VB 13R Suppressed
Table 503 = 40 Ft
504.2 13R Suppression + 20 Ft
Maximum Height = 60 Ft
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
Maximum Height
Is measured from
Grade Plane
R2-VB
M - IA
For Group R buildings equipped throughout with an approved automatic
sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.2, the value specified in
Table 503 for maximum building height is increased by 20 feet (6096 mm)
and the maximum number of stories is increased by one, but …..
…..shall not exceed 60 feet (18 288 mm)or four stories, respectively.
R2 – Type VA 13R Suppressed
Table 503 = 50 Ft
504.2 13R Suppression + 20 Ft
Maximum Height = 70 Ft
Why not 70 Ft ?
60 Ft

12
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
Maximum Number
of Stories is
3 measured from
the pedestal.
R2 -VB
M - IA
R2 – Type VB 13R Suppressed
Maximum Number of Stories is 3.
(Table 503 = 2 tabular + 1 for Suppression per 504.2)
the purpose of determining; limitation of number of stories
3 St
1 St
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
Maximum Number
of Stories is
4 measured from
the pedestal.
R2 -VA
M - IA
R2 – Type VA 13R Suppressed
Maximum Number of Stories is 4.
(Table 503 = 3 tabular + 1 for Suppression per 504.2)
4 St
1 St

13
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
R2 -VB
M - IA
R2 – Type VB Suppressed
903.3.1.2 (13R)
903.3.1.1 (13)
For Group R buildings equipped throughout with an
approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.2, the value specified in Table 503 for
maximum building height is increased by 20 feet (6096 mm)
and the maximum number of stories is increased by one,
but shall not exceed 60 feet (18 288 mm)or four
stories, respectively.
3 St
1 St
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
R2 -VA
M - IA
R2 – Type VA Suppressed
903.3.1.2 (13R)
903.3.1.1 (13)
For Group R buildings equipped throughout with an
approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.2, the value specified in Table 503 for
maximum building height is increased by 20 feet (6096 mm)
and the maximum number of stories is increased by one,
but shall not exceed 60 feet (18 288 mm)or four
stories, respectively.
4 St
1 St

14
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
Pedestal Buildings and NFPA-13R
This issue is not without controversy…..….
•is at a four story or …
•five story building ?
•is NFPA-13R appropriate ?
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
2009 IBC Commentary Pg 5-47
7. “The height of the combined buildings above and below the
horizontal assembly is limited to the number of feet above
grade plane allowed by Section 503 for the type of
construction of the upper building.
However the charging language of Section 509.2 does not
restrict the number of stories of the entire structure but only to
that which is above the horizontal assembly.
Thus a Type VA Building, protected by a NFPA-13R sprinkler
system and containing a Group R-2 occupancy, can have
four stories above the horizontal assembly, provided the
overall height of both building does not exceed 60 feet
above grade plane.”

15
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
Pg 24 Building Safety Journal February 2006
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
DCA C&S Code Assistance has
expressed opinion concurring that
the measurement begins at the top of
the pedestal consistent with the IBC
and that NFPA-13R is appropriate.
11/14/2011

16
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
4.1 Sprinklered Throughout.
A building provided with a fire sprinkler system designed and installed in accordance with the requirements of this
standard, including its allowable omissions, shall be considered fully sprinklered throughout.
6.9 Location of Sprinklers.
6.9.1 Sprinklers shall be installed in all areas except where omission is permitted by 6.9.2 through 6.9.7.
6.9.2 Sprinklers shall not be required in bathrooms where the bathroom area does not exceed 55 ft2 (5.1 m2).
6.9.3 Except where specified in 6.9.4, sprinklers shall not be required in clothes closets, linen closets, and
pantries within dwelling units that meet all of the following conditions:
(1) The area of the space does not exceed 24 ft2 (2.2 m2).
(2) The least dimension does not exceed 3 ft (0.91 m).
(3) The walls and ceilings are surfaced with noncombustible
or limited-combustible materials as defined by NFPA 220,
Standard on Types of Building Construction.
6.9.4 Sprinklers shall be installed in any closet used for heating and air-conditioning equipment.
2007 NFPA-13R Fire Sprinkler System Limitations
Information for Code Officials and the Fire ServiceInformation for Code Officials and the Fire Service
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
A building provided with a fire sprinkler system designed and installed in accordance with the requirements of
this standard, including its allowable omissions, shall be considered fully sprinklered throughout.
6.9.5 Sprinklers shall not be required in any porches, balconies, corridors, and stairs that are open and attached.
[F] IBC/NJ 903.3.1.2 NFPA 13R sprinkler systems.
[F] IBC/NJ 903.3.1.2.1 Balconies and decks.
Sprinkler protection shall be provided for exterior balconies, decks and ground floor patios of dwelling
units where the building is of Type V construction, provided there is a roof or deck above. Sidewall
sprinklers that are used to protect such areas shall be permitted to be located such that their deflectors are within
1 inch (25 mm) to 6 inches (152 mm) below the structural members and a maximum distance of 14 inches (356
mm) below the deck of the exterior balconies and decks that are constructed of open wood joist construction.

17
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
A building provided with a fire sprinkler system designed and installed in accordance with the requirements of this
standard, including its allowable omissions, shall be considered fully sprinklered throughout.
6.9.6 Sprinklers shall not be required in attics, penthouse equipment rooms, elevator machine rooms,
concealed spaces dedicated exclusively to and containing only dwelling unit ventilation equipment,
crawl spaces, floor/ceiling spaces, noncombustible elevator shafts where the elevator cars comply with
ANSI A17.1, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, and other concealed spaces that are not used or
intended for living purposes or storage and do not contain fuel-fired equipment.
6.9.7 Sprinklers shall not be required in closets on exterior balconies, regardless of size, as long as there are
no doors or unprotected penetrations from the closet directly into the dwelling unit.
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
Section 905 Standpipe Systems
[F] 905.3.1 Height.
Class III standpipe systems shall be installed throughout buildings where the floor level of the
highest story is located more than 30 feet (9144 mm) above the lowest level of fire
department vehicle access, or where the floor level of the lowest story is located more than 30
feet (9144 mm) below the highest level of fire department vehicle access.
Exceptions:
1. Class I standpipes are allowed in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.

18
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
Section 905 Standpipe Systems
[F] 905.3.2 Building Area
In buildings exceeding 10,000 sf in area per story (appx 100 X 100) Class I automatic wet or
manual wet standpipes shall be provided where any portion of the buildings interior area is more
than 200 ft of travel , vertically and horizontally, from the nearest point of fire department vehicle
access.
Exceptions:
1. Buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1
NFPA-13 !
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
Section 901 Supervisory Service
901.6.1 Automatic sprinkler systems. Automatic sprinkler
systems shall be monitored by an approved supervising station
901.6.2 Fire alarm systems. Fire alarm systems required
by the provisions of Section 907.2 of this code and Sections
907.2 and 907.3 of the International Fire Code shall be
monitored by an approved supervising station in accordance
with Section 907.6.5

19
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
Section 907 Fire Alarm Systems
[F] 907.2.9 Group R-2. Fire alarm systems and smoke
alarms shall be installed in Group R-2 occupancies as
required in Sections 907.2.9.1 and 907.9.2.
[F] 907.2.9.1 Manual fire alarm system. A manual fire alarm system that activates the occupant notification system
in accordance with Section 907.5 shall be installed in Group R-2 occupancies where:
1. Any dwelling unit or sleeping unit is located three or more stories above the lowest level of exit discharge;
2. Any dwelling unit or sleeping unit is located more than one story below the highest level of exit discharge
of exits serving the dwelling unit or sleeping unit; or
3. The building contains more than 16 dwelling units or sleeping units.
Exception: 2. Manual fire alarm boxes are not required where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic
sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 and the occupant notification appliances
will automatically activate throughout the notification zones upon a sprinkler waterflow.
[F] 907.2.9.2 Smoke alarms. Single- and multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed in accordance with
Section 907.2.11.
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
The additional configurations in Section 509………………
Each stipulates specific conditions for the building configurations listed that modify or exempt the
requirements of Section 503.
509.3 Group S-2 enclosed parking garage with Group S-2 open parking garage above.
509.4 Parking beneath Group R.
509.5 Group R-1 and R-2 buildings of Type IIIA construction.
509.6 Group R-1 and R-2 buildings of Type IIA construction.
509.7 Open parking garage beneath Groups A, I, B, M and R.
509.8 Group B or M with Group S-2 open parking garage.
509.9 Multiple buildings above Group S-2 parking garages.

20
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
What's possible………………………Multiple Buildings above the pedestal
Type 1A Pedestal – Unlimited Area – Max 1 Story – NFPA-13 Suppressed
Type VB
Residential
NFPA-13R
Suppressed
If a firewall is
needed it is
permitted to
terminate at the
pedestal
A building shall be considered as separate and distinct
buildings for the purpose of determining;
John Drucker ©
Pedestal Buildings
Thanks for Attending
John Drucker
Fire Protection Subcode Official
Building/Fire/Electrical Inspector
Borough of Red Bank, NJ
jdrucker@redbanknj.org
john.drucker@verizon.net
Disclaimer – The information contained in this program has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However no
guarantee expressed or implied is made as to its accuracy. This program is not a substitute for any codes, standards, regulations,
interpretations, directives, and/or other guidance including professional legal services. As such it is the Authority of Jurisdiction’s
(AHJ) sole responsibility as to the applicability and or approval of any such designs, engineering, systems, components, methods &
materials.

NJLM_2011_Pedestal_PDF Version

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Featured

Featured (20)

NJLM_2011_Pedestal_PDF Version