Commercial Flower Shop: 93 Issues Including Critical Occupancy & Egress Violations

The project

A commercial flower shop tenant improvement project at 391 Farmers Court, Georgia. InspectMind performed a comprehensive plan review of the architectural, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical drawings, identifying critical occupancy classification conflicts (drawings labeled as 'LIVING AREA' vs specification 'MERCANTILE - FLOWER SHOP'), prohibited egress through storage rooms, non-accessible bathroom layouts, construction type/material conflicts (Type II-B vs wood studs), and extensive code compliance errors before permit submission.

Project type

Commercial · Tenant improvement · Georgia

Codes referenced: 2018 International Building Code · IBC 1016.2 (Egress Through Storage) · IBC 1109.2 (Accessible Restrooms) · IBC 2901.1 (Plumbing Code) · IBC 1010.1.1 (Door Clearances)

Critical findings (9)

1. Non-accessible Bathroom Layout

   Accessibility · Code: 2018 International Building Code

   Critical

   The 'BATH' room layout shown on the plumbing plan does not provide the required clearances for accessibility. At the specified scale of 1/2" = 1'-0", the bathroom width and the positioning of the water closet, lavatory, and bathtub do not allow for the necessary 60-inch clear floor space at the toilet or a turning circle.

2. Inadequate Sanitary Drain Sizing and Improper Connection

   Plumbing · Code: 2018 International Building Code

   Critical

   The plan contains a note to connect a 2" sanitary line serving a full bathroom (including a water closet) to an existing 'lavatory drain'. Per the International Plumbing Code (referenced by IBC 2901.1), a water closet requires a minimum 3-inch drain line. Additionally, connecting a larger 2" line into a typically smaller 1.25" or 1.5" lavatory branch is a hydraulic violation.

3. Prohibited Means of Egress Through Storage Room

   Life Safety · Code: 2018 International Building Code

   Critical

   The 'EXISTING MAIN FLOOR LAYOUT' shows that the primary path of egress for occupants of both the 'LIVING AREA' (via the stairs) and the 'OFFICE' requires passing through the large 'STORAGE' area to reach the building exits (doors 3068). IBC Section 1016.2, Item 5, explicitly prohibits means of egress from passing through storage rooms.

4. Construction Type and Material Conflict

   Structural

   Critical

   Detail 2 on the Life Safety Plan specifies 'WOOD STUD (LOAD-BEARING)' for the wall assembly. This directly contradicts the Specification which defines the 'TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION' as 'II-B'. Type II-B construction requires non-combustible structural elements.

5. Life Safety Plan labels main area as 'LIVING AREA' but spec occupancy is 'MERCANTILE - FLOWER SHOP'

   Document Coordination

   Critical

   The Life Safety Plan drawing labels the primary space as "LIVING AREA", which conflicts with the specification occupancy classification as a mercantile flower shop.

6. Contradictory Occupancy Classification and Room Labeling

   Document Coordination

   Critical

   The drawing labels the primary space as 'LIVING AREA', implying a residential occupancy. The specification explicitly classifies the project as 'MERCANTILE - FLOWER SHOP' and lists a 'SALES AREA'. Additionally, the area shown (2500 SQ FT) differs significantly from the Sales Area calculated in the spec (1,474 SQ FT).

7. Room Function and Occupancy Discrepancy

   Document Coordination

   Critical

   The Mechanical Layout labels the main room as 'LIVING AREA' with 2500 SQ FT, directly contradicting the Occupancy Classification in the Specification which defines the project as 'MERCANTILE - FLOWER SHOP' with a 'SALES AREA' of 1,474 SQ FT.

8. Outdated Code Reference

   Code Compliance

   Critical

   The drawing plumbing notes reference the '2014 GA AMENDMENTS TO IMC 2012', which contradicts the General Notes in the specification requiring compliance with the '2018 EDITION WITH GEORGIA STATE AMENDMENTS 2020' for both Mechanical and Plumbing codes.

9. Contradictory Construction Type (Type II-B vs Wood Stud)

   Structural

   Critical

   The Specification's Code Data classifies the building as Construction Type II-B, which requires non-combustible structural elements. However, the Drawing's wall detail explicitly specifies "WOOD STUD" framing, which is combustible and generally prohibited in Type II-B construction.

Sample high priority findings (14 total)

1. Tub/shower shown in BATH but plumbing plan does not indicate tub/shower waste/vent connection

   Plumbing

   High

   Both the mechanical layout (M-1) and the plumbing plan (P1) show a tub/shower fixture in the BATH. However, on P1 the sanitary routing/fixture connection graphics shown appear to connect the toilet and lavatories, and do not show a drain/waste (and associated vent) connection for the tub/shower. This suggests the plumbing scope for the tub/shower may be incomplete or not coordinated with the intended fixture set.

2. Stairway means of egress lacks illumination on electrical plan

   Electrical · Code: 2018 International Building Code

   High

   The electrical plan shows a central stairway marked 'UP' as part of the building layout, but no light fixtures are shown at or above the stairway. The plan description indicates rectangular light fixtures are shown in the office, cooler, and storage areas, but the stairway - which is part of the means of egress - does not have any illumination fixtures indicated.

3. Bathroom appears to discharge into/through Storage room (egress through storage prohibited)

   Life Safety · Code: 2018 International Building Code

   High

   On the Proposed Main Floor Layout, the BATH is shown located within the STORAGE area, implying occupants leaving the toilet room must pass through the STORAGE room as part of their exit access. The IBC prohibits egress from a room or space passing through storage rooms.

4. Missing Mechanical Ventilation in Bathroom with Shower/Tub

   Mechanical · Code: 2018 International Building Code

   High

   IBC Section 1202.5.2.1 requires rooms containing bathing fixtures like bathtubs or showers to be mechanically ventilated. The drawing shows a 'BATH' area with a toilet, a sink, and a shower/tub fixture, but the Mechanical Layout (Sheet M-1) does not show any exhaust fan or ventilation connection for this space, despite having an exhaust fan defined in the legend.

5. Stairway width is less than code minimum

   Architectural · Code: 2018 International Building Code

   High

   IBC Section 1011.2 requires that stairways serving occupied portions of a building have a minimum width of 44 inches, with an exception allowing 36 inches for an occupant load of less than 50. Based on the 1/4" = 1'-0" scale provided on Sheet E-1, the stairway labeled 'UP' measures approximately 30 inches in width, which is significantly below the minimum required 36 inches.

6. Bathroom layout fails accessibility requirements

   Accessibility · Code: 2018 International Building Code

   High

   Section 1109.2 of the IBC requires that each toilet and bathing room provided in a facility be accessible. The 'BATH' shown on Sheet E-1 includes a bathtub/shower unit placed at a 45-degree angle. This configuration, along with the inward-swinging door and limited floor area, does not provide the required clear floor space for a wheelchair approach to the tub or the required maneuvering space for the toilet and door. Additionally, the sink within the bathroom and the one adjacent to it in the corridor appear to be standard units lacking the required knee clearance for an accessible lavatory.

7. Insufficient Plumbing Fixture Count for Building Size

   Plumbing · Code: 2018 International Building Code

   High

   The floor plan shows a building area of approximately 2,500 sq ft containing an 'OFFICE', 'COOLER', and 'STORAGE' area. Only one single-user 'BATH' containing one water closet and two lavatories is provided for the entire facility. Based on the minimum fixture ratios in IBC Table 2902.1 for mixed occupancy groups, a single water closet is likely insufficient for the calculated occupant load, and separate facilities for males and females may be required.

8. Accessible Route passes through a Storage Room

   Accessibility · Code: 2018 International Building Code

   High

   The Life Safety Plan shows that the only path to the building's 'BATH' room from the 'LIVING AREA' and 'OFFICE' requires traveling through the room labeled 'STORAGE' (24'-9" X 49'-4"). Section 1104.5 of the IBC states that where only one accessible route is provided, it shall not pass through storage rooms.

9. Egress Door Provides Insufficient Clear Opening Width

   Architectural · Code: 2018 International Building Code

   High

   Door 2868 is provided as an exit access door from the Living Area. Per IBC 1010.1.1, egress doors must provide a minimum clear opening width of 32 inches. A 2868 door (2'-8" or 32 inches nominal) does not provide a 32-inch clear opening width when measured between the face of the door and the stop with the door open at 90 degrees.

10. Lavatory location/count not coordinated between Plumbing vs Electrical/Mechanical at BATH

    Document Coordination

    High

    The Electrical Plan (E-1) and Mechanical Layout (M-1) show the BATH with a toilet and one lavatory inside the room, with a second lavatory located just outside the BATH in the adjacent STORAGE area along the right wall. The Plumbing Plan (P1) shows two lavatories associated with the BATH area (and does not clearly show the partition separating the lower lavatory from the BATH as in E/M), indicating the lavatory location/room assignment is not coordinated across trades.

11. Incorrect and Outdated Code Reference for Plumbing Fixtures

    Code Compliance · Code: 2018 International Building Code

    High

    Plumbing Note 1 incorrectly references the '2014 GA Amendments to IMC 2012' for plumbing fixture efficiency. IBC Section 2901.1 establishes that the International Plumbing Code (IPC) governs plumbing fixtures, not the Mechanical Code (IMC). Furthermore, referencing the 2012 code cycle is outdated as the project is governed by the 2018 IBC.

12. Plumbing Notes Reference Outdated 2012/2014 Code Instead of Required 2018/2020 Codes

    Code Compliance

    High

    The plumbing notes reference '2014 GA AMENDMENTS TO IMC 2012' for high efficiency fixture requirements, while the specification general notes require compliance with 'INTERNATIONAL MECHANICAL CODE - 2018 EDITION WITH GEORGIA STATE AMENDMENTS 2020'. The drawing references a code edition that is approximately 6 years older than the required codes.

13. Square Footage Discrepancy

    Document Coordination

    High

    The drawing indicates the Living Area is 2500 SQ FT. The Specification Occupancy Schedule calculates load based on a Sales Area of 1,474 SQ FT. The drawing area exceeds the specified area by over 1000 SQ FT.

14. Incorrect Occupancy Terminology

    Document Coordination

    High

    The drawing labels the primary floor area as 'LIVING AREA', which contradicts the 'MERCANTILE' occupancy classification defined in the specification. 'Living Area' is a residential term, whereas the code data specifies a 'Sales Area'.

Issue categories

Accessibility

ADA compliance, accessible routes, bathroom layouts, clearances, and accessibility code requirements

Life Safety

Means of egress, egress through storage rooms, egress illumination, and life safety code compliance

Code Compliance

Building code violations, code edition conflicts, outdated code references, and compliance issues

Document Coordination

Drawing conflicts, occupancy classification discrepancies, area calculation conflicts, and document coordination issues

Plumbing

Drain sizing, fixture connections, plumbing code compliance, and plumbing system design

Structural

Construction type conflicts, material specifications, and structural code compliance

Value delivered

• 93 issues surfaced before permit submission
• 9 critical occupancy and egress violations identified
• Occupancy classification conflicts (LIVING AREA vs MERCANTILE) caught
• Prohibited egress through storage rooms identified
• Non-accessible bathroom layouts and construction type conflicts flagged
• Extensive document coordination errors resolved before construction