Interpretation #7590

Published August 20, 2015

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Original Request

Code Version
2014
Code
BUILDING
Code Description
Chapter
Section
412.5.5
Topic
Building area definition

Question

Is it the intent of 412.5.5 to mean the entire foot print of the structure or just the interior not including the exterior walls

Answer Published 08/20/2015 at 10:25 AM

No.
The key word is "within". "Within" means the building
footprint measured to the inside surface of the exterior
walls. The hazard does not occupy the plan area of the wall,
only the area within. This logically extends to a mixed use
where neither of two adjacent uses occupy the plan area of
the wall between them.

Commentary

None. Some information excerpted from the ICC Code Commentary.