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Home My WebLink About6.1 Variance to Section 3305 AGENDA STATEMENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: May 11, 1992 SUBJECT: PUBLIC HEARING Request for a Variance to Section 3305 of the Uniform Building Code Relating to Requirements for Fire-Resistive Corridor at 6780-R Sierra Court Report by: Victor Taugher, Building Official EXHIBITS ATTACHED: 1. April 9, 1992 letter from Titan Beta inadvertently addressed to Planning Commission rather than City Council 2 . Plan of the facility 3 . Draft Resolution RECOMMENDATION: �. ✓ 1. Open Public Hearing 2 . Receive Staff Report 3 . Receive Public Testimony 4 . Close Public Hearing 5. Deliberate- . 6 . Adopt Resolution granting Variance -or- Provide Direction to Staff FINANCIAL STATEMENT: Minimal additional costs for monitoring the Conditions of Approval if the variance is granted. DESCRIPTION: Section 3305 provides that when the occupant load of a portion of the building is 30 or more any corridors serving that area must be of one-hour fire-resistive construction and that the corridor must extend to the exterior without being interrupted by intervening rooms. Recently Titan Beta applied for a permit to expand the office area by constructing a 24 'x 49' drafting room by extending into the existing shop area. This work has been completed. The applicant now wishes to connect the new drafting room to the existing office area. The existing office area is approximately 3 , 378 square feet and was previously considered to have an occupant load of not more than 30 therefore, does not need to have the fire-resistive corridor. By having the drafting room open into the existing office area the corridor will now serve 4 , 500 square feet or an occupant load of 45, thus triggering the requirement for a one-hour fire -resistive corridor to the exterior. This corridor may not be interrupted by intervening rooms. The applicant indicates there are 21 employees that now occupy the office and drafting area and that the number will always be 29 or less. In the opinion of the Building Official the granting of the variance would be consistent with the purpose and intent of the code if there were an enforceable way to limit the number of employees who are regularly assigned to and occupy the office and drafting room. The Building Official suggests that the applicant be required to file quarterly reports indicating the names and job classifications of all employees as a means of enforcing the variance. It is also suggested that the Building Official be authorized to examine the payrolls if necessary for enforcement. The Building Official further recommends as a mitigating measure that the path of travel from the corridor through the shop area to the exterior exit doors be clearly designated by painting lines on the floor and providing signs indicating that the exit path is to be kept clear at all times. Finally, the Building Official suggests that when the Titan Beta vacates the premises that the drafting room be removed. If the City Council finds that these measures will assure that the protection of people and property will not be lessened, the Building Official recommends that the variance be granted. Exhibit 3 , Draft Resolution, outlines the suggestions of the Building Offical. -----------------------------------------------------------7---------- COPIES TO: ITEM No. CITY E R K FILE Beta 6780 SIERRA COURT, DUBLIN, CA 94568 (510) 828-0555 FAX (510) 828-4054 April 9, 1992 BDC 92-142 RECEIVED APR 14 1992 DUBLIN PLANNING City of Dublin 100 Civic Plaza Dublin, CA 94568 ATTN: Planning Commission Dear Ladies and Gentlemen: Our organization, Titan Beta is a manufacturer of high technology equipment here in Dublin. We are submitting the letter as a request to allow us to connect two office sections together and maintain our existing exits. We have a total staff of 30 people that is equally spread throughout the offices and shop area of 17,000 square feet. Because of additional design activities at the moment we need to add approximately 1000 square feet of office area for drafting space. The total maximum personnel that will normally occupy this total office area of 4000 square feet is 24 people and will always be less than 30 people. For office areas with less than 30 people we understand it is exempt from some of the standard building code requirements as long as it is safely constructed and occupied. However we are also aware that an occupancy factor of 100 square feet per person is used and therefore this area would be typically classified as capable of holding 40 people. Because we will have less than 30 people at all times in this office area we respectfully request your consideration of a variance that allows our office space to be exempt from the 30 people or greater occupancy code requirements. We have already submitted drawings showing our proposed floor plan and how it allows safe exit of personnel. As a manufacturer here in Dublin we have been building research equipment for U.S. Government laboratories and overseas laboratories for the past ten years and would greatly appreciate your help so we can continue our activities here. Thank you for considerin g uz r_q eet for a variance. i Sincerely, v/ AN ONY A: ZANTE President AAZ/dlg Att. DIVISION OF THE TITAN CORPORATION f STOCK ROOM R.F. LAS CLEAN ROOM CLA 100 DRAFTING PURCHASING ELEC. 870 K ENGINEERING o � 0 MECH. STO K OFASTENERS STOCK MATERIAL STOCK YATERIAL L 11 OFFICE NON ONFORMAL NON CONFO AL STOFL GE _ STORAGE YACHIME SHOP OFFICE i(L)i BY DATE DR G.WROBISON 13.92 Cw SLAV 671" SORRA COURT.DlBU1 CA 94364 HAM ICAP Rfl PARKR6G TITAN E TFt3 DMWNCi is PROPERTY OF ITTAN BETA. V K FACILITY 91 H B_. ScRX 1:180 WT. --3 1 • 1 J LL _ n TITAN BETA rz 1 J . RESOLUTION NO. - 92 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN GRANTING A VARIANCE TO SECTION 3305 OF THE UNIFORM BUILDING CODE (UBC) WHEREAS, Titan Beta, 6780-R Sierra Court has applied for a variance to Section 3305 of the Uniform Building Code of the City of Dublin, so as to permit an office and drafting area having an occupant load of 45 to be used without having a one-hour fire-resistive corridor and permitting said corridor to exit through intervening rooms; and WHEREAS, the City Council did hold a public hearing on this matter on May 11, 1992; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the granting of the variance is consistent with the purpose and intent of the code and will not lessen the protection of the people of the City, and the property situated therein, because the City Council is satisfied that the conditions contained in this resolution will assure that the number of persons occupying the office, and drafting area will be less than 30, and that under the code if the occupant load is less than 30 the requirement for a fire-resistive corridor extending to the exterior without intervening rooms would not apply. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE Dublin City Council does hereby grant the requested variance subject to the following conditions: 1) The number of persons regularly assigned to and occupying the office and drafting area shall be less than 30. 2) The applicant shall file quarterly reports with the Building Official listing the names and job classifications of all employees. 3) The Building Official shall be permitted to inspect the premises at any time during regular business hours and shall be permitted to examine payroll records to verify the accuracy of the quarterly reports. 4) That the path of travel from the corridor labeled Engineering on Exhibit 2 to the exterior exit doors be painted on the floor and that it be clearly marked with signs indicating that the exit path is not to be obstructed. 5) That this variance be revocable for violation of any of the conditions setforth. 6) That when Titan Beta moves from the premises that the drafting room be removed. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 11th day of May, 1992 AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Mayor ATTEST: �c City Clerk 6 °?a w�,: SS44 B