BLD 275 Commercial Plan Review

Lecture Hours: 2
Lab Hours: 2
Credits: 3

Examines the techniques and processes of commercial plan review. This class includes familiarization with plans and construction documents, specifications, and the application of fire and life-safety code requirements. The student will learn to perform a complete commercial FLS and mechanical plan review. All aspects of the code related to commercial buildings will be reviewed, including the energy envelope and accessibility. The class will focus on professionalism and techniques for proper application of codes through the review process. Students will learn to provide complete professional plan reviews and plan review comments that are polite, concise, thorough, and correct. The class will focus on digital plan review techniques and procedures.

Prerequisite: BLD 153 with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
Student Learning Outcomes:

Identify types of construction and building occupancies to determine building code compliance requirements
Navigate construction drawings to locate documentation for code requirements
Determine allowable areas, building height, and maximum stories of buildings
Review fire separation distance; required setbacks, and fire-resistive rated construction based on building type, occupancy, and use.
Implement electronic plan review markup tools while completing a commercial plan review.

Content Outline

Primary occupancy and use groups. Mixed use requirements including separated use, non-separated use, and accessory use.
Allowable area, building height, and number of stories.
Types of construction used in commercial building plans and any fireproofing requirements.
Fire separation distance requirements.
Fire sprinkler and fire alarm requirements
Means of egress system.
Fire-resistive rated construction requirements, including occupancy separations, shaft requirements, incidental uses, rated opening protection and UL listings.
Non-combustible material requirements, room finish requirements and roofing requirements per Section 603, Ch. 8, Ch. 15, and Ch. 26
Energy envelope requirements, including R-values, U-factors, verify exterior wall assembly, including vapor barrier and moisture barrier and Com-check forms.
Mechanical systems including FSD’s, outdoor air calculations, exhaust requirements, kitchen hood/fire suppression systems, and gas line sizing.
Code compliance for structural design information and special inspection requirements.
Required plumbing fixtures based on occupant load and occupancy group.
Emergency egress lighting requirements, including review of photometric calculations.
Special provisions per Ch. 4 of the IBC
HMIS and MAQ requirements
Fire access, fire hydrants, PIV, FDC, thrust blocks, striping, signage, and knox requirements
Code violation documentation based upon actual construction drawings.
Electronic plan review tools to mark-up plans and document corrections.