20080603100805.pdffnc_ 18°10
CITY OF EDMONDS
121 5TH AVENUE NORTH • EDMONDS, WA 98020 • (425) 771-0220 • FAX (425) 771-0221
Website: wwwb.edmornds.wa.us
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Planning - Building - Engineering
May 28, 2008
Stephen Hammer, AIA
Broweleit Peterson Hammer
19624A 76th Avenue West
Lynnwood, Washington 98036
RE: Edmonds United Methodist Church
Technically Infeasible request for Ramp Width in Sanctuary
Dear Mr. Hammer,
GARY HAAKENSON
MAYOR
After review of your request for a technically infeasible ramp within the Sanctuary of the
Edmonds United Methodist Church, it is my determination as Building Official for the
City of Edmonds that based on International Building Code Section 3402 the request is
hereby Approved as the existing glu-lam arch columns are major structural elements of
the building and cannot be altered to accommodate full width landings at the top and
bottom of the ramp. The width of the landings may be reduced at these structural
elements.
Sincerely,
Jeannine L. Graf
Building Official, CBO
• Incorporated August 11, 1890 •
Sidor Citu Hvkinan JAnnn
` B R 0 W E L E I T
P E T E R S O N
H A MM E R
ARCHITECTS
City of Edmonds
121 — 5`h Avenue N.
Edmonds, WA. 98020
Attn: Ms. Jeannine Graf, Building Official
Re: Edmonds United Methodist Church
Request for Exception to IBC requirement
S rF Zag- &Vo�
MAY 08 2008
This request pertains to a proposed Sanctuary remodel for Edmonds United Methodist
Church. The church will soon be applying for a tenant improvement permit to accomplish
the work shown herein.
The specific request is for partial relief from IBC Section 1010.6.2 which states that the
width of the landings at the top and bottom of a ramp must be at least as wide as the
widest ramp leading to the landing. In our case, our clear width between the handrails is
likely to be slightly more than 36" (see attached drawing). Approximately 26" beyond the
top and bottom of the proposed landing, there is an existing glu-lam arch column which
narrows the clear width of the landing to approximately 35 1/2". Additionally, accessing
this clear width requires a slight shift laterally. (again, see plan.) Per IBC 3402, it is
technically infeasible to provide the full required width because the existing glu-lam arches
are major structural elements which cannot be modified to provide the required clearance.
Our ramp is slightly over 36" clear between handrails for aesthetic reasons (centering the
ramp wall on the glu-lam columns), but by code could be allowed to be only 36" (clear
dimension) per section 1010.5.1.
We have centered the ramp between the glu-lam arches in order to provide the maximum
maneuvering clearances at both the top and bottom of the ramp.
We believe that given the restrictions of the existing facility — specifically the existing
clearance between the glu-lam column and the wall, this is the most code compliant ramp
that the church can provide without cost prohibitive structural changes. It is technically
infeasible to provide the required landing. We believe that the ramp meets the intent of
the code, specifically enabling those who have difficulty utilizing stairs a means of
accessing the revised platform.
Sincerely
BPH Architects
Dennis L. Chivers
19624A 76TH AVENUE WEST, LYNNWOOD, WA. 98036 PH (425) 774.4701 FAX (425) 776.5177 WWW.BPHARCH.COM
W
I
Lu
O a �-
z
----r=a a
QZ
J
CL
0
LU
a�
J
LU
LU
W
Vl
CIA
LL
O
V
� 3
U�
OLL,
f-W
W�
�O
�La
WU
QX
zW
OW
�Q
Ck O
wU