IBC Chapter Five - General Building Heights & Areas
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502 Definitions
Mezzanine - an intermediate level or levels between the floor and ceiling of any...
Code Excerpt:
502.1 Definitions.
The following words and terms shall, for the purposes of the chapter and as used elsewhere in this code have the meanings shown herein.
-- Area, Building:
The area included within surrounding exterior walls (or exterior walls and fire walls) exclusive of vent shafts and courts. Areas of the building not provided with surroundings walls shall be included in the building area if such areas are included within the horizontal projection of the rood or floor above.
-- Basement:
That portion of a building that is partly or completely below grade plane (See “Story above grade plane” in Section 202). A basement shall be considered as a story above grade plane where the finished surface of the floor above the basement is:
1. More than 6 feet (1829 mm) above grade plane;
2. More than 6 feet (1829 mm) above the finished ground level for more than 50 percent of the total building perimeter; or
3. More than 12 feet (3658 mm) above the finished ground level at nay point.
-- Grade Plane:
A reference plane representing the average of finished ground level adjoining the building at exterior walls. Where the finished ground level slopes away from the exterior walls, the reference plane shall be established by the lowest points within the area between the building and the lot line or, where the lot line is more than 6 feet (1829 mm) from the building, between the building and a point 6 feet (1829 mm) from the building.
-- Height, Building:
The vertical distance from grade plane to the average height of the highest roof surface.
-- Height, Story:
The vertical distance from top to top of two successive finished floor surfaces; and, for the topmost story, from the tip of the floor finish to the top of the ceiling joists or, where there is not a ceiling, to the top of the roof rafters.
-- Industrial Equipment Platform:
An unoccupied, elevated platform in an industrial occupancy used exclusively for mechanical systems or industrial process equipment. Including the associated elevated walkways, stairs and ladders necessary to access the platform (see Section 505.5).
-- Mezzanine:
An intermediate level or levels between the floor and ceiling of any story with an aggregate floor area of not more than one-third of the area of the room or space in which the level or levels are located (see Section 505).
-- Story:
That portion of a building included between the upper surface of a floor and upper surface of the floor or roof next above (also see “Basement” and “Mezzanine”).
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