[MassHistPres] historic buildings and the building code

[Russ Feldman]

This is part of a disturbing trend that involves "experts" making sweeping statements about the requirements of the building code that are not necessarily borne out on closer scrutiny.  We are involved in a similar project now, with a highly recognized engineering firm opining that the private owners of a municipal high school building renovated in the early '80's as a mixed use facility must now spend millions of dollars to install a full sprinkler system without even being a part of any proposed renovation.  The building presently has a sprinkler system which was approved at the time the building was renovated but which was not "fully compliant" as the engineering company now  defines the term.
We disagree, and observe that this particular engineering company was looking only at the code from the standpoint of their specialization and not the larger framework of "chapter 22" which stipulated the requirements for renovation of existing buildings, which was part of the Code then in effect.  Often the code acknowledges trade-offs that are sometimes required between inconsistent provisions and an architect, in concert with the local building official, is in a better position to assess this larger picture.
We would recommend that any interpretation of code be provided by an architect, not an engineer, as architects are trained to look at all provisions of the code whereas engineers are generally experienced solely in their areas of specialization.  
In any instance, when a project proponent comes forward with an expert offering a position that seems extreme or illogical, we suggest that you require a second opinion prepared by an independent professional - particularly when the stakes are so high.  

M. Russel Feldman, AIA, NCARB, Principal
TBA Architects, Inc.
43 Bradford Street Suite 300
Concord, MA 01742
Office   (781) 893-5828 
Mobile (617) 429-5033

2015 Best Educational Buildings over 10,000 s.f., Modular Building Institute
A+ Accredited by the Better Business Bureau

-----Original Message-----
From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu [mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu] On Behalf Of masshistpres-request at cs.umb.edu
Sent: Saturday, May 23, 2015 10:21 AM
To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: MassHistPres Digest, Vol 111, Issue 9

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