Plan Review: 224 Issues Found

Summary: 132 index entries | 85 perfect matches | 24 mismatched | 23 missing Mismatched (24): P-110.1: Expected: FIRST FLOOR PLUMBING PLAN - VISITOR CENTER (P-110.1) | Actual: FIRST FLOOR PLUMBING PLAN -VISITOR CENTER (P-101.1)(p85) E-000: Expected: COVER SHEET (E-000) | Actual: COVER SHEET (G-100)(p1) E-001: Expected: ELECTRICAL ONE-LINE DIAGRAMS AND SCHEDULES (E-001) | Actu...

Why it matters: Addressing this before construction prevents rework and supports code compliance.

Suggested next step: Review drawings and specifications to resolve before construction.

RFI draft: Please clarify: Drawing Index Audit: 23 missing, 24 mismatched out of 132 sheets

Summary: The Code Analysis block explicitly states that the building's fire protection system is "NONSPRINKLERED". However, the "GENERAL BUILDING AREAS" table declares the "ACTUAL" area of the "RESTAURANT A-2" occupancy to be 6,115 SF. According to CBC 903.2.1.2, an automatic sprinkler system is required throughout stories containing Group A-2 occupancies if the fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet. Sinc...

Why it matters: Failing to provide a required automatic sprinkler system is a severe life safety violation that will result in permit rejection or a stop-work order during construction. If the actual A-2 fire area is indeed 6,115 SF, the building must be redesigned to include an automatic sprinkler system, or th...

Suggested next step: Please clarify the actual area of the A-2 occupancy and its corresponding Fire Area. If the A-2 fire area is 6,115 SF as currently listed, an automatic sprinkler system must be provided per CBC 903.2.1.2, or additional fire barriers must be added to subdivide the area. If the ...

RFI draft: Please clarify the actual area of the A-2 occupancy and its corresponding Fire Area. If the A-2 fire area is 6,115 SF as currently listed, an automatic sprinkler system must be provided per CBC 903.2.1.2, or additional fire barriers must be added ...

Summary: The floor plan designates certain assembly areas (such as the 533 SF area) with a diamond hatch pattern, which the code plan legend defines as 'STANDING SPACE'. However, the plan calculates the occupant load for these standing spaces using an unconcentrated assembly factor of '15 SF/OCC.'. According to CBC Table 1004.5, the correct maximum floor area allowance for 'Assembly without fixed seats ...

Why it matters: Using an incorrect occupant load factor of 15 instead of 5 severely undercalculates the total occupant load for these assembly spaces (resulting in one-third of the actual required design occupants). This will result in inadequate egress width, a potential shortage in the required number of exits...

Suggested next step: Update the occupant load calculations for all areas designated as 'STANDING SPACE' to use 5 SF/OCC. as required by CBC Table 1004.5. Re-evaluate the building's total occupant load, egress width, number of required exits, and plumbing fixture counts based on the corrected values.

RFI draft: Update the occupant load calculations for all areas designated as 'STANDING SPACE' to use 5 SF/OCC. as required by CBC Table 1004.5. Re-evaluate the building's total occupant load, egress width, number of required exits, and plumbing fixture count...

Summary: The 1st Floor Accessibility Plan shows an exterior path labeled "SLOPE" leading into the building. It features hatched lines, wheelchair accessibility symbols, and is dimensioned at 3'-0" and 3'-0 1/32" wide. According to CBC Section 11B-405.5, the minimum required clear width for an accessible ramp run is 48 inches.

Why it matters: Constructing an accessible ramp at approximately 36 inches wide violates California accessibility standards for a public building (Visitor Center). This non-compliance will lead to failed inspections, require costly demolition and reconstruction of the ramp structure, and expose the project to ac...

Suggested next step: Please confirm the running slope of the exterior accessible path labeled 'SLOPE'. If the slope exceeds 1:20 (classifying it as a ramp), please revise the design to provide the 48-inch minimum clear width required by CBC Section 11B-405.5.

RFI draft: Please confirm the running slope of the exterior accessible path labeled 'SLOPE'. If the slope exceeds 1:20 (classifying it as a ramp), please revise the design to provide the 48-inch minimum clear width required by CBC Section 11B-405.5.

Summary: General Floor Plan Note C dictates that all doors are to be installed 6 inches from the adjacent perpendicular wall unless otherwise noted. This establishes a fixed clearance of 6 inches on whichever side of the door is adjacent to the wall. However, CBC Sections 11B-404.2.4 and 11B-404.2.4.1 require maneuvering clearances for swinging doors to extend the full width of the doorway and provide t...

Why it matters: If doors are framed with only a 6-inch return to an adjacent perpendicular wall on the latch side, wheelchair users will not have the required maneuvering clearance to open the doors. This systemic framing error will affect numerous doors across the floor plan and result in failed accessibility i...

Suggested next step: Please revise General Note C to state that doors shall provide the minimum maneuvering clearances required by CBC Table 11B-404.2.4.1 (e.g., providing 18 inches minimum latch-side clearance on the pull side) and coordinate typical door framing dimensions at corner conditions t...

RFI draft: Please revise General Note C to state that doors shall provide the minimum maneuvering clearances required by CBC Table 11B-404.2.4.1 (e.g., providing 18 inches minimum latch-side clearance on the pull side) and coordinate typical door framing dim...

Summary: The First Floor Plan indicates the building has multiple stories by showing a descending stairway labeled "DN" and "OPEN TO BELOW". However, the comprehensive floor plan does not provide an elevator, platform lift, or interior ramp to serve as an accessible route connecting the first floor to the level below.

Why it matters: The California Building Code requires multistory facilities to provide an accessible route between stories. Failure to include a compliant accessible route will prevent wheelchair users and individuals with mobility impairments from accessing the lower level, leading to a major accessibility viol...

Suggested next step: Please clarify if an elevator or other compliant accessible route is provided to connect the first floor to the lower level. If not, revise the architectural plans to include an accessible route (e.g., elevator) in accordance with Section 11B-206.2.3.

RFI draft: Please clarify if an elevator or other compliant accessible route is provided to connect the first floor to the lower level. If not, revise the architectural plans to include an accessible route (e.g., elevator) in accordance with Section 11B-206....

Summary: The "PROJECT DESIGN DATA" table specifies a Soil Site Class of "B", with mapped spectral response accelerations of "Ss = 0.490" and "S1 = 0.190". According to CBC Section 1613.2.2, for Site Class B where site-specific velocity measurements are not made, the site coefficients Fa and Fv shall be taken at unity (1.0). Per Equations 16-20 and 16-22, the design spectral response acceleration paramet...

Why it matters: The erroneous Sds and Sd1 parameters represent a roughly 30% reduction from the code-mandated values based on the stated Site Class and mapped accelerations. Because these coefficients are the foundational basis for determining the Seismic Response Coefficient (Cs), this calculation error indicat...

Suggested next step: Please revise the 'SEISMIC DATA' to reflect the correct Sds value of 0.327 and Sd1 value of 0.127 based on Ss = 0.490, S1 = 0.190, and Site Class B. Verify that all lateral force-resisting elements have been designed using the correct seismic response coefficients and revise t...

RFI draft: Please revise the 'SEISMIC DATA' to reflect the correct Sds value of 0.327 and Sd1 value of 0.127 based on Ss = 0.490, S1 = 0.190, and Site Class B. Verify that all lateral force-resisting elements have been designed using the correct seismic resp...

Summary: The Code Analysis specifies the building is "NONSPRINKLERED" while listing the actual area of the A-2 Restaurant/Visitor Center occupancy as 6,115 SF. According to CBC 903.2.1.2, an automatic sprinkler system is required throughout stories containing Group A-2 occupancies if the fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet. Even if the space is subdivided into multiple fire areas to stay under the 5,000...

Why it matters: Failure to provide automatic sprinklers in an A-2 occupancy exceeding the allowable area thresholds is a critical life safety violation. This will lead to permit denial and require a major redesign of the building's fire protection systems, plumbing systems, and overall water supply planning.

Suggested next step: Please review the listed A-2 occupancy area (6,115 SF) against the requirements of CBC 903.2.1.2. Update the design to include an automatic sprinkler system, or revise the occupancy/area calculations if the actual building size differs from the listed 6,115 SF.

RFI draft: Please review the listed A-2 occupancy area (6,115 SF) against the requirements of CBC 903.2.1.2. Update the design to include an automatic sprinkler system, or revise the occupancy/area calculations if the actual building size differs from the li...

Summary: The basement floor plan depicts an 'EGRESS STAIR' (005) located adjacent to a 'STORAGE / MECHANICAL' room (003), with a doorway ('002') installed within the separating fire barrier wall. This configuration indicates that the egress path passes through the storage room and that the interior exit stairway receives access directly from it. The building code strictly prohibits egress paths from pas...

Why it matters: Routing an egress path or providing exit stairway access through a mechanical/storage space poses a major life-safety risk due to the presence of hazardous equipment, potential ignition sources, and combustible materials. This fundamental violation of means of egress continuity and enclosure prot...

Suggested next step: Please clarify the designated egress path to Egress Stair 005. Since access cannot be routed through Storage/Mechanical 003, please revise the floor plan to provide a dedicated, compliant exit access corridor that directly connects normally occupied spaces to the stair enclosu...

RFI draft: Please clarify the designated egress path to Egress Stair 005. Since access cannot be routed through Storage/Mechanical 003, please revise the floor plan to provide a dedicated, compliant exit access corridor that directly connects normally occupi...

Summary: According to CBC Section 705.2.4, swinging fire doors must close from the full-open position and latch automatically. The Door Schedule identifies Doors 002, 102A, and 106A as 90-minute fire-rated doors. Doors 002 and 106A are assigned Hardware Set 4 (Passage). The schedule demonstrates that Hardware Set 4 does not include a door closer, as another door utilizing Set 4 (Door 109) explicitly req...

Why it matters: Without automatic closers, fire-rated doors cannot properly secure the opening during a fire event, allowing smoke and fire to spread between zones. This presents a severe life safety hazard, will result in failed fire code inspections, and requires immediate hardware revisions prior to procurement.

Suggested next step: Please revise the Door Schedule and/or Door Hardware Schedule to ensure all fire-rated doors (002, 102A, 106A) are provided with automatic closing devices in compliance with CBC Section 705.2.4. Additionally, provide the missing hardware set assignment for Door 102A.

RFI draft: Please revise the Door Schedule and/or Door Hardware Schedule to ensure all fire-rated doors (002, 102A, 106A) are provided with automatic closing devices in compliance with CBC Section 705.2.4. Additionally, provide the missing hardware set assig...

Summary: The one-line diagram specifies a "MANUAL TRANSFER SWITCH" to allow connection of a temporary portable generator. However, the diagram shows the manual transfer switch connected only between the generator docking station and the main switchboard bus. The commercial utility power is routed directly from the utility meter to the main switchboard breaker, bypassing the transfer switch entirely. Bec...

Why it matters: Failing to properly route both the utility and generator power through a true transfer switch creates a critical life-safety hazard. If both the utility main breaker and the generator disconnect are closed simultaneously, the portable generator will backfeed the commercial power grid, severely en...

Suggested next step: Clarify the wiring and configuration of the Manual Transfer Switch. Update the one-line diagram to properly route the commercial utility service through the transfer switch, or explicitly detail a compliant mechanical safety interlock (e.g., Kirk Key) between the main utility ...

RFI draft: Clarify the wiring and configuration of the Manual Transfer Switch. Update the one-line diagram to properly route the commercial utility service through the transfer switch, or explicitly detail a compliant mechanical safety interlock (e.g., Kirk ...

Summary: The HEAT PUMP UNIT SCEDULE specifies 'R454B/ 246 & 98' indicating the use of R454B refrigerant in split systems requiring up to 246 feet of field piping. The FAN COIL SCHEDULE confirms these use a 'DX HEAT PUMP HEATING/COOLING COIL', making them 'a direct system' and therefore a high-probability system per Section 1103.2.1. Section 1102.3 allows refrigerants based on ASHRAE 34, which classifies...

Why it matters: Using an unapproved flammable refrigerant in a non-compliant split system poses severe life safety and fire risks. This design will result in rejected permits and failed inspections because current mechanical codes heavily restrict flammable refrigerants in non-factory-sealed systems for human co...

Suggested next step: Please confirm the intended refrigerant for the scheduled heat pumps. The 2022 CMC prohibits field-piped (non-factory-sealed) A2L refrigerants like R454B for human comfort in high-probability systems. Consider revising the equipment schedule to use an approved Group A1 refrige...

RFI draft: Please confirm the intended refrigerant for the scheduled heat pumps. The 2022 CMC prohibits field-piped (non-factory-sealed) A2L refrigerants like R454B for human comfort in high-probability systems. Consider revising the equipment schedule to us...

Summary: The CEILING ELEC. WATER HEATER DETAIL shows the pressure and temperature relief valve pipe terminating into the water heater drainpan. However, the building code strictly prohibits the discharge piping of a relief valve from terminating into a water heater pan.

Why it matters: Routing a P&T relief valve into a water heater drain pan can lead to severe flooding, structural damage, and scalding hazards, as the pan's drain is not sized to handle the sudden full flow and high pressure of a relief event. The discharge must be routed independently to an approved location out...

Suggested next step: Please revise the ceiling electric water heater detail to route the P&T relief valve discharge piping to an approved location independent of the water heater drain pan, per CPC Section 608.5.

RFI draft: Please revise the ceiling electric water heater detail to route the P&T relief valve discharge piping to an approved location independent of the water heater drain pan, per CPC Section 608.5.

Summary: Drawing A-516 (Details 1 and 2) details an interior staircase descending from the '1ST FLOOR - VISITOR CENTER' to the 'STAIR LEVEL', locating it at the intersection of grid line B13 and perpendicular grids BA and BB. However, the 1st Floor Plan on A-101 shows grid B13 at an exterior angled wall featuring a dining/seating area with round tables, with no interior staircase depicted at this locati...

Why it matters: This conflict creates significant ambiguity regarding the actual location of the main visitor center stairs, the required structural floor openings, and the correct grid designations. Inaccurate grid references or missing stair openings on the overall plan will disrupt floor framing, foundation l...

Suggested next step: Please clarify the correct location and grid coordinates for the interior visitor center staircase shown in Details 1 and 2 on A-516. If the staircase is indeed located at B13, please update the 1st Floor Plan (A-101) to show the stair enclosure and correct the grid line geome...

RFI draft: Please clarify the correct location and grid coordinates for the interior visitor center staircase shown in Details 1 and 2 on A-516. If the staircase is indeed located at B13, please update the 1st Floor Plan (A-101) to show the stair enclosure a...

Summary: The S7 building cross sections (A-A and B-B) detail a crawl space foundation with platform framing, indicating that the 14" TJI floor joists bear on the masonry stem walls, and the exterior/interior walls are framed on top of the subfloor. In direct contradiction, the typical foundation details on S10 (Detail 11 'TYP. EXTERIOR FOUNDATION' and Detail 12 'TYP. INTERIOR FOUNDATION') depict the wal...

Why it matters: This conflict creates significant ambiguity regarding the primary structural load path and stem wall elevation heights. If the foundation is poured and stem walls built to accommodate direct sill plate bearing (per S10), there will be no space for the 14" floor joist system shown on S7 without ex...

Suggested next step: Clarify the intended bearing condition for exterior and interior walls. Should the walls be platform-framed on top of the 14" TJI floor platform as depicted in the S7 cross sections, or bear directly on the foundation sill plates as depicted in S10 Details 11 and 12? Please pr...

RFI draft: Clarify the intended bearing condition for exterior and interior walls. Should the walls be platform-framed on top of the 14" TJI floor platform as depicted in the S7 cross sections, or bear directly on the foundation sill plates as depicted in S1...