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203 Issues Found in 180-Unit Multifamily Project

Fire separation conflicts, ADA accessibility violations, and MEP routing clashes identified across a 5-story podium apartment building, before permits.

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Issues found
203
Units
180
Stories
5

Key finding: fire separation at podium-tower interface

2-hour fire-rated assembly between parking podium and residential tower shown discontinuous at MEP shaft penetrations, IBC 711 violation that would have failed inspection.

The project

A 5-story Type IIIA podium-style apartment building with 180 market-rate units over 2 levels of parking. The project featured a mix of studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom units with amenity spaces including a rooftop deck, fitness center, and leasing office.

InspectMind's AI review cross-checked architectural, structural, MEP, and civil drawings: identifying fire separation gaps, accessibility conflicts, unit mix inconsistencies, and mechanical coordination issues before permit submission.

Standards referenced
2021 IBC, Fair Housing, NFPA 13

Sample findings

Fire separation issues

Fire/Life Safety

  1. Podium Fire Separation Discontinuity

    Critical

    2-hour horizontal assembly between parking and residential missing fire dampers at 4 HVAC penetrations. IBC 711.4 requires continuity at all penetrations.

  2. Corridor Rating Conflict

    Critical

    Common corridor shown as 1-hour rated on A3.1 but 0-hour on life safety plans. R-2 occupancy requires minimum 1-hour corridor per IBC Table 1020.1.

  3. Stair Pressurization Conflict

    High

    Mechanical schedule shows 2,500 CFM stair pressurization fan while specifications require 3,000 CFM minimum for building height. IBC 909.20.5 compliance at risk.

ADA & Fair Housing issues

Accessibility

  1. Accessible Unit Count Mismatch

    Critical

    Unit schedule shows 5 Type A accessible units but architectural plans only detail 3 with required clearances. Fair Housing requires 5% Type A units in elevator buildings.

  2. Bathroom Clearance Violation

    High

    Type A accessible bathroom shows 56" clear floor space at toilet, Fair Housing Design Manual requires 60" minimum turning radius for wheelchair access.

MEP coordination issues

MEP

  1. HVAC-Structural Clash at Corridors

    High

    24" corridor supply duct shown at 8'-0" AFF conflicts with 14" structural beam at grid C, only 7'-2" clear ceiling height would result.

  2. Electrical Room Undersized

    High

    Main electrical room shown as 120 SF but panel schedule totals require 180 SF minimum per NEC working clearance requirements.

Unit & schedule conflicts

Coordination

  1. Unit Mix Discrepancy

    High

    Marketing floor plans show 45 two-bedroom units but architectural unit schedule totals 38. Parking ratio calculations based on incorrect unit count.

  2. Appliance Schedule Conflict

    Medium

    Kitchen plans show 30" range but appliance schedule specifies 36" commercial-style ranges, cabinet layout doesn't accommodate larger units.

Issue categories

Fire & Life Safety
Fire separations, corridor ratings, sprinkler coverage, smoke control
Accessibility
ADA compliance, Fair Housing requirements, accessible routes
MEP Coordination
Duct routing, electrical clearances, plumbing risers
Unit Design
Unit mix, appliance schedules, fixture counts
Parking & Site
Parking counts, accessible spaces, drive aisle widths
Amenity Spaces
Rooftop requirements, fitness room egress, leasing office ADA

Why these issues matter

Fair Housing liability

Accessibility violations in multifamily create ongoing legal liability. Fair Housing complaints can result in costly retrofits and settlements years after completion.

Permit rejection risk

Fire separation discontinuities and corridor rating conflicts are red flags for plan reviewers. Each rejection cycle adds weeks to project schedules.

  • 203 issues surfaced before permit submission
  • Fair Housing compliance gaps identified early
  • Fire separation details verified across sheets
  • Unit mix reconciled with parking calculations
“The Fair Housing accessibility findings alone were worth the review. We've seen projects get sued years after completion for exactly these issues. Catching them before permit submission saved us from potential seven-figure liability.”
Development ManagerMultifamily Developer