Section 4 — Structures and Foundations

General Requirements for Buildings

IPE Engineering Practice IPE-EP-4-6-1

Document number: IPE-EP-4-6-1 · Section: 4 — Structures and Foundations

Table 2 Documentation Requirements For General Requirements for Buildings 26

SCOPE

This Practice covers mandatory structural, architectural and constructional requirements and performance standards to be applied in the preparation of designs and specifications for new buildings and for alterations to existing buildings. The intent of this Practice is to provide basic requirements to enable architects, engineers and pre–fabricated building manufacturers to design buildings suitable for IPE operations and business activities.
Additional requirements for blast resistant design are covered in EP 4–1–2.
Any deviation from this Practice must be made using the procedure described in EP 1–1–3.
An asterisk (*) indicates that a decision or approval by the Owner or the Owner’s Engineer is required, or that additional information is furnished by the Purchaser.
A revision bar indicates all changes made to this Revision.
Documentation required for buildings constructed in accordance with this Practice is given in Table 2.

2.0 REFERENCES

The latest edition of the following standards and publications are referred to herein.

STANDARDS AND PUBLICATIONS

IPE Engineering Practices	IPE Engineering Practices
EP 1–1–3	Deviations to IPE Engineering Practices
EP 4–1–1	Design Criteria and Loads for Structures
EP 4–1–2	Requirements for Blast Resistant Buildings and Structures
EP 4–2–1	Foundation Types and Selection Criteria
EP 4–2–3	Reinforced Concrete Foundations
EP 4–2–4	Pile Foundations
EP 4–3–1	Concrete Design
EP 4–5–1	Structural Steel
EP 4–6–2	Accessibility Requirements for Buildings Affected by the ADA
EP 4–8–1	Sewer Systems
EP 10–3–1	Shop Painting
EP 12–6–1	Control Centers
EP 13–16–1	Electrical Equipment Shelters
ANSI Standard	ANSI Standard
Z97.1 Safety Glazing Material Used in Buildings	Z97.1 Safety Glazing Material Used in Buildings

STANDARDS AND PUBLICATIONS (CONT.)

ACI Standards	ACI Standards
318 530	Building Code Requirements for Reinforced Concrete Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures
AISC Publications	AISC Publications
Manual of Steel Construction	Manual of Steel Construction
ASTM Standards	ASTM Standards
A525 C12 E84	Steel Sheet, Zinc–Coated by the Hot–Dip Process Installing Vitrified Clay Pipe Lines Surface Burning Characteristics of Buildings Material
ANSI/NFPA Codes	ANSI/NFPA Codes
10 11 11A 12 13 14 17 24 30 45 70 72A 80 90A 91 96 101 220	Installation of Portable Fire Extinguishers Foam Extinguishing Systems High Expansion Foam Systems Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems Sprinkler Systems Standpipe and Hoses Systems Dry Chemical Systems Outside Protection Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals National Electric Code Installation, Maintenance and Use of Local Protection Signaling Systems Installation of Fire Doors and Windows Air Conditioning and Ventilation Systems Blower and Exhaust Systems Commercial Cooking Equipment, Vapor Removal Life Safety Code Standard Types of Building Construction
Building Codes	Building Codes
BOCA Basic Building Code (in locations where required) ICBO Uniform Building Code (in locations where required) International Building Code (future) National Building Code (in locations where required) Standard Building Code (in locations where required)	BOCA Basic Building Code (in locations where required) ICBO Uniform Building Code (in locations where required) International Building Code (future) National Building Code (in locations where required) Standard Building Code (in locations where required)
Code of Federal Regulations	Code of Federal Regulations
29 CFR Part 1910 Occupational Safety and Health Standards	29 CFR Part 1910 Occupational Safety and Health Standards

DEFINITIONS

Contractor - Company or business that agrees to furnish materials or perform specified services at a specified price and/or rate to the Owner.
Inspector - A Inflection Point Engineering, LLC appointed engineer or inspector.
Manufacturer - The recipient of a direct or indirect purchase order for materials and/or equipment. In this context, a direct order is one issued to a manufacturer by a contractor or the Owner. An indirect order is one issued to a manufacturer by a vendor (recipient of a direct order) for materials, fabricated components, or subassemblies.
Owner - Inflection Point Engineering, LLC.
Owner’s Engineer - A Inflection Point Engineering, LLC appointed engineer.
Purchaser - The party placing a direct purchase order. The purchaser is the Owner’s designated representative.

GENERAL

All buildings shall be designed and constructed in accordance with relevant local building code(s) and the requirements of this Practice. In case of conflict, the more stringent requirements shall apply. See Section 2.0 for a partial list of current national, model building codes. In addition, the International Building Code is scheduled for first release in 2000.
(*)All designs for buildings for normal occupancy by operating or maintenance personnel require approval of the Owner. Drawings and specifications shall be submitted for approval and shall be stamped and approved by a registered architect or civil engineer.
All performance guarantees and equipment warranties shall be dated as of the Owner’s Engineer’s written acceptance. The warranty shall cover the repair or replacement of all inoperative parts or assemblies on the premises, including but not limited to the cost of parts, labor, overtime, freight, and mileage, so that the warranty will be executed entirely without cost to the Owner. Air conditioning condensing units and hermetically sealed units shall be warranted for at least 5 years.
(*)Sound transmission requirements shall be included in the project specifications. For additional information, see IPE recommended environmental guidelines.
Landscaping shall be included in the project specification.
(*)Special telephone or communications equipment shall be referred to the Corporate Telecommunications group.
Building designs shall comply with applicable local and national energy conservation codes.

MATERIALS

Structural load bearing members shall be made of metal or reinforced concrete.
(*)Wood or other material that will support combustion shall not be used without prior consent of the Owner’s Engineer.

Unless otherwise specified in this Practice, materials used in all external walls shall have a minimum fire rating of 2 hours.
Materials used in internal walls shall have the following minimum fire ratings:
2 hours for walls separating control rooms, switch rooms, battery rooms, test/laboratory rooms and other areas of high fire risk.
1 hour for other internal walls and partitions, including, but not limited to, walls separating offices, cafeterias, restrooms, and locker rooms.
Roofing materials shall be as follows:
Corrugated galvanized carbon sheet steel for roofing and siding shall be per ASTM A525 minimum Coating Designation G210. In the case of “temporary buildings,” Coating Designation G90 is acceptable.
Asphalt covered corrugated steel roofing and siding shall not be used.
(*)Unless otherwise approved by the Owner, control building roofs shall be of reinforced concrete, suitably insulated and weatherproofed.
Roof ventilators shall be made of corrosion–resistant metal.
Insulation materials shall meet the following criteria:
Insulation under roofing shall be of non–combustible rigid board type. The thermal conductance of roof insulation shall be less than 0.24.
Exterior wall insulation shall be of sufficient thickness and type to produce a coefficient of transmission of less than 0.20.
The flame–spread index of any finish material shall not exceed 25; nor shall the smoke– producing rating exceed 50 as tested by Underwriters’ Laboratories, Inc. Plastic material for translucent panels shall have a spread rating of less than 25 per ASTM E84.
Windows. doors and glazing materials shall be as follows:
Sash and frames for windows and skylights shall be metal. If aluminum frames are specified, they shall be anodized.
Doors and door frames in walls and interior firestop partitions shall be metal. Firestop doors shall be self–closing and close fitting. Exterior doors shall be fitted with panic hardware.
Glass for exterior and interior uses shall be “safety glass” per ANSI Z97.1, have a minimum thickness or 1/4 inch, and be either full tempered or laminated with an interlayer of 0.015-inch minimum thickness.
(*)Finish materials and paints shall comply with the following, unless otherwise specified by the Owner’s Engineer:
Highly polished, slippery surfaces shall not be used for finished floor surfaces.
Stairways shall have non-slip treads. Additionally, laboratory and test room floor tiles shall be chemically resistant.
Laboratories, test rooms, cafeterias, restrooms and locker rooms shall have washable floor tiles. Additionally, laboratory and test room floor tiles shall be chemically resistant.

Concrete floors not subjected to heavy traffic or abrasion shall have a smooth float finish treated with a non-dusting agent.
Concrete floors subjected to heavy traffic or abrasion shall have a metallic surface hardener.
Control room walls shall have an approved non-dusting finish.
Laboratories, test rooms, cafeterias, restrooms and locker rooms walls shall have tiles or equivalent washable finishes.
All exterior and interior finishes shall comply with EP 10–3–1.

5.10 (*)Materials for buildings subjected to extremely corrosive conditions such as the handling or storage of fertilizers or corrosive chemicals shall be specified by the Owner’s Engineer.

DESIGN

General
(*)If the basic type of construction is not specified, proposals employing the most economical type of construction suitable for the required service and environmental exposure shall be submitted by the Contractor to the Owner for approval. Such proposals shall cover:
Layout
Architectural appearance.
Material selection
Structural system
Consideration of pre–fabricated construction
The selection of building foundation type and the design of building foundations shall comply with EP 4–2–1, EP 4–2–3 and EP 4–2–4, where applicable.
(*)Structural frames shall be of metal or reinforced concrete. Bearing walls shall be used only for small buildings such as in–plant sanitary facilities or minor storage. Such designs shall be submitted to the Owner for approval. The design of building structures shall comply with EP 4– 5–1, EP 4–3–1and appropriate AlSC and ACI standards.
Design loads for buildings shall be in accordance with EP 4–1–1.
(*)Buildings shall be blast resistant only when specified by the Owner. Additional requirements for blast resistant buildings are given in EP 4–1–2.
Design of buildings shall include consideration of temporary construction and wind loads that may occur during erection of the building.
Each piece of machinery or equipment weighing in excess of 500 pounds shall be located on the working drawings.
Buildings and enclosures for electrical systems shall be appropriate for the specified electrical area classification and environmental exposure.
Access and Egress
All buildings shall have at least two exits located at opposite ends of the building.
Air locks, corridors, stairways and exits shall be designed with dimensions suitable for the evacuation of injured personnel via stretchers.

Multi–story buildings shall have at least two exits from each upper story, one of which shall include a fire escape or an enclosed fireproof stairway whose fire rating is per the applicable code.
All roofs shall have a permanently installed means of access.
The selection and design of doors shall satisfy the following:
All exterior doors shall open outward.
Doors for personnel shall be 3 feet x 7 feet standard commercial design.
Where necessary, doors shall be sufficiently wide to allow for the passage of equipment.
Heavy-duty doors shall be provided if the building is pressurized.
Emergency exit doors shall be fitted with panic bars.
Revolving doors shall not be used unless there is an outward swinging emergency exit door adjacent to the revolving door.
Windows
(*)Windows, including door glazing, shall not be provided unless specified by the Owner’s Engineer.
Where windows are specified in buildings within 200 feet of equipment handling or storing flammable liquids or gases, the criteria in Table 1 shall apply.
Where outward opening–type windows are provided, they shall be located such that they do not present a hazard to passing personnel.
Screens shall be provided for all opening–type windows.
Window sash and frames shall be of standard industrial types.
Floors and Subgrade Construction
The finished floor level of any building shall be at least 8 inches above grade.
A vapor barrier shall be installed between all concrete floors and the subgrade, for concrete floors laid on subgrade.
(*)Unless otherwise specified by the Owner, cellars, pits or trenches shall not be constructed under buildings located within 200 feet of equipment handling flammable fluids.
Fire Protection and Personnel Safety
Systems for fire detection, control and extinguishing shall be designed and installed in accordance with Section 3 of the IPE Engineering Practices, and appropriate NFPA Codes.
Designers shall consider fire hazards and escape routes in the layout of buildings.
Finishing materials and materials of construction for buildings shall be selected taking into consideration flammability and loss of physical properties when exposed to fire, as well as structural and architectural properties.

Building designs shall include means for controlling and venting smoke and hot gases resulting from a fire.
All instrument leads and control air piping or conduit that are used during emergency operations shall be provided with insulation for fire protection. This includes such items as instrument terminal cabinets and control leads to MOV’s used to shut down equipment in an emergency.
Fire protection drawings and specifications shall include the following:
Information on automatic or non-automatic sprinkler systems (if used), showing spacing, number and type of sprinklers, and size of each main, valve, Siamese connection and other essential features of a complete system.
Diagram showing the proposed sprinkler system in relation to principal construction features of the building, including sizes and dimensions, walls, columns and partitions, projections, obstructions, and other such information that may be necessary for evaluation of the system.
Location, number and type of any electrical or automatic devices to be used in the system.
Classification of occupancies and type of sprinkler system proposed, such as wet or dry pipe, deluge, hydraulic or foam.
Information on dry chemical or other special–hazard fire extinguishing systems, including type and arrangement in accordance with applicable NFPA Codes (see Paragraph 2.0 of this Practice)
Full details on arrangement of fire alarm systems where installed, including location of detection devices and manual fire alarm stations, location of annunciators, control panels and fully detailed circuit drawings.
Information on standpipe systems showing spacing, number and type of hose, if any, to be used. Also including location and size of each feed main, valve, Siamese connection and other essential features of a complete system.
(*)All components of the fire protection system are subject to the approval of the Owner’s Engineer.

PLUMBING AND SANITARY FACILITIES

General
(*)Plumbing fixtures shall be approved by the Owner’s Engineer.
Mixing of steam and water to produce hot water shall not be permitted for wash basins and showers.
(*)The number, type and location of drinking fountains shall be specified by the Owner’s Engineer.
Drains
Floor drains shall not be installed in control houses or electrical substations, except in wash rooms and restrooms.
Sample rooms, laboratory sinks, and similar drains containing oils, but free of corrosive chemicals, shall discharge to the industrial sewer system if it is provided with oil collection facilities. For additional requirements for sewer systems see EP 4–8–1.

All drain connections to catch basins shall be through a submerged inlet, providing a 6-inch minimum seal.
A running trap with a double hub shall be installed in the sewer line at a point where the drain or soil pipe leaves the building. The downstream hub shall be vented above the building roof.
Chemical Sewers
(*)Acidic or caustic waste lines shall not be connected to the industrial or sanitary sewer system. Neutralization or other treatment, as required, shall be specified by the Owner. For additional requirements for sewers see EP 4–8–1.
Vitrified clay pipe shall be installed per ASTM C12. The bedding procedures shall be sufficient to provide a minimum load factor of 2.8 as defined by ASTM C12.
Corrosive chemical drains shall consist of a vitrified clay elbow set flush in the concrete floor or paving and vitrified clay pipe to an acid sump or chemical sewer. A strainer of acid–resistant materials shall be placed in the top of the elbow to prevent the drain from plugging with refuse.
Sanitary Sewer Systems
Sanitary waste from toilet facilities, lavatories and floor drains in wash rooms and restrooms shall discharge into sanitary sewers.
Piping for sanitary sewers shall be cast iron (soil pipe or equal), or PVC, where permitted by the local jurisdiction.
Piping for laboratory sink drains shall be of acid–resisting materials.
Sanitary sewers shall form a separate system into which no oily or hazardous waste may be discharged.
If facilities for the treatment of raw sanitary waste are not available in a plant or municipal sewer system, sanitary sewers shall discharge into septic tanks.
If an absorption bed cannot be provided for septic tanks, the effluent may be discharged into the industrial sewer provided the outlet from the septic tank is properly sealed to a minimum of 8 inches. A vent shall be provided on the septic tank or on the line between the septic tank and the house trap.

HEATING VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING

Heating
Building heating and air conditioning systems, as specified, shall be designed with the capability of maintaining the following temperatures:
72°F for buildings housing sedentary workers.
68°F for workers’ comfort in other buildings.
(*)The benefits and cost–effectiveness of various heating media, including but not limited to steam, hot water or electricity shall be considered on a building–by–building basis. The contractor shall submit to the Owner’s Engineer, for approval, an economic comparison of proposed alternative heating systems.
The design of all buildings shall take into account all relevant factors affecting energy conservation. Prime consideration shall be given to the minimization of heat loss or gain.

Design of heating systems shall take into account all available sources for heat recovery, including, but not limited to, occupants, lighting and equipment.
Ventilation
(*)For buildings located in an electrically classified area and which do not contain sources of toxic or flammable materials, there shall normally be four fresh air changes per hour. Temperature difference between indoor and outdoor spaces shall be maintained within limits to be specified by the Owner.
(*)Any building or room containing equipment handling toxic or flammable gasses shall have a minimum of six fresh air changes per hour where the electrical classification is Class I Division

2. This shall include gas compressor rooms, cold process pump rooms, in-plant sample labs, sample storage rooms, analyzer houses, chemical blending rooms, etc. Temperature difference between indoor and outdoor spaces shall be maintained within limits to be specified by the Owner.

Where these areas contain open flames or other ignition sources, e.g., unclassified electrical equipment, there shall be a minimum of 30 air changes per hour.
Air intake stacks shall be located based on the electrical area classification of the enclosure.
(*)The Owner’s Engineer shall specify explosivity analyzers and other detection equipment, as required.
Pressurized ventilation in buildings shall be provided when required by the electrical area classification. Pressurization shall be designed to maintain a positive pressure of 0.1 inches of water.
In a pressurized, forced–draft ventilated or air conditioned building, installed spare fans and motors shall be provided only where a mechanical breakdown of the system would stop the operation of critical facilities in the building for an unacceptable length of time or would cause a hazardous condition.
Restrooms, locker rooms, wash rooms, sample labs, battery rooms and any room containing toxic or flammable gases shall be vented. No air from these rooms shall be re-circulated to another room or other part of a building.
Air Conditioning
(*)Building cooling systems shall be capable of maintaining the temperatures specified in this Practice or other cooling temperatures specified by the Owner’s Engineer.
Humidification of ventilating air in air conditioning systems shall be affected by injection of potable water or steam. Steam shall not be used if there is possibility of hydrocarbon contamination in the steam system.
Indoor air quality requirements shall conform to the code having jurisdiction.
(*)Air conditioning systems shall be designed for optimum benefit and cost effectiveness. The Contractor shall submit an economic comparison of proposed alternatives for air conditioning systems to the Owner’s Engineer.

CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS AND SPECIFICATIONS

General
Drawings shall be prepared to scale on reproducible media. Final construction drawings shall contain registration number, seal, signature and address of the architect or engineer who prepared or supervised preparation of the drawings.
Drawings shall include the full scope of engineering and architectural requirements for the work including those calculations required by the local jurisdiction. Originals of all drawings and calculations shall be transmitted to the Owner’s Engineer.
(*)The Construction Specification Institute (CSl) format shall be used for specifications, unless the Owner’s Engineer has approved an alternate format.
Critical requirements affecting structural integrity or necessary to protect the Owner’s interest shall be covered in drawings and specifications, including, but not limited to, the following:
Standards and codes governing design and construction.
Loads and assumptions used in the design of structural elements.
Pertinent structural calculations including program documentation and input and output it computer analysis is used.
Material specifications.
Material test reports, for example, mill tests and concrete strength tests.
Size and location of all building elements.
Typical details.
Weld configurations and procedures.
Bolting specifications.
Magnitude and location of all prestressing loads.
Mechanical and electrical specifications.
Painting and finishing.
Shop and/or field inspection.
Non–destructive testing, including acceptance criteria.
Delivery requirements.
Erection limitations.
Temporary bracing.
Special fabrication and erection tolerances
Pre–fabricated elements.
Architectural, Site and Landscape Drawings shall include:
A site plan shall be drawn in accordance with an accurate boundary survey made by a licensed surveyor. This site plan shall include the following:
Compliance with zoning regulations
All streets and walks
Size, height and location of building and all structures on the site with distances from lot and street lines
Established grade and existing curb elevations
Final grade elevations of the site shown by contours or spot grades at reasonable intervals.
All utilities, invert elevations, locations of fire mains, hydrants, and sectional valves in the vicinity of and important to the building fire protection system.

Topographic maps shall be drawn in accordance with an accurate survey using intervals of one foot elevation.
Architectural drawings shall include the following:
Floor, roof and foundation plans
Sections
Elevations
Equipment layouts
Furniture layout by rooms
Wall sections and details
Door and window schedules
Finish schedule
Location of fire door, partitions, exits and door swings
The occupancy group that applies to the buildings shall be noted on architectural drawings.
Structural Drawings
Detailed drawings showing sizes, sections, locations of members, schedules and details, and other such information as may be required to indicate clearly all structural elements and special structural engineering features shall be included in structural drawings and specifications packages.
A set of structural calculations including a tabulation of all live loads, uniform and concentrated (allowances for partitions loads included), used in the design of the building shall be provided in the structural drawings and specifications package.
Foundation plans showing the grade elevations and details that the include the size and reinforcement of all footings, piers, foundation walls, pile caps and grade elevations shall be provided in the structural drawings and specifications package. Foundation elevations of adjacent structures shall be indicated. When adjacent structures are supported by piles, location, elevation and arrangement of the piles shall be indicated. Additionally, the required characteristics of the foundation–supporting soil shall be stated; see Paragraph 3.0 of this Practice for applicable literary references.
When piles are required, the structural drawings and specifications package shall include the type and capacity of the piles, the pile length or depth of penetration, the characteristics of the pile tip supporting stratum, or all three. Complete logs of all test borings and pits shall be indicated.
Structural drawings and specifications packages shall indicate erection sequence. Additionally, calculations indicating that consideration has been given to temporary construction loads shall be provided.
Mechanical Drawings
Plumbing drawings and specifications shall include the following:
Story heights.
Location of all plumbing fixtures with diagrammatic arrangement of their connection to soil waste and vent piping, pipe sizes, materials and distribution routing.
All soil, waste and vent stacks from point of connection with building drain to termination above the roof.

All roof drainage piping, including overflow drains.
All water and gas risers.
Relative elevation of lowest fixture with reference to inside tip of sewers and number, size and location of all proposed sewer connections relative to all water mains.
Fixture and equipment spacing and schedules.
Special piping such as air, nitrogen, distilled water, etc.
All valves and accessories, including backflow preventers.
Air conditioning and ventilation drawings and specifications shall include the following:
Locations and sizes of all ducts; locations of all fire dampers, motor fans and filters; type, capacity and size of all equipment; and operating weight and manner of support of all equipment weighing in excess of 500 pounds.
Location and size of fresh air intakes design population and ventilation schedule for each room or space.
Volume of air to be exhausted or supplied by each register or grille.
Operating manual for installed systems.
Energy load (expressed in Btu per hour) imposed by lighting facilities or other heat– liberating facility included in the HVAC design.
Details for ventilating or exhaust systems for laboratories
Heating drawings and specifications shall include the following:
Piping and duct layout and sizes.
Piping type and duct material specifications.
Heat emission rate (expressed in Btu per hour) of any electric unit.
Heater room layout, if required.
Design conditions.
Schematic layout of controls.
Electrical Drawings

(*)The Owner’s Engineer shall specify requirements for electrical drawings.

BUILDING INSPECTION

Shop and field inspection of buildings and building components shall be provided in accordance with applicable codes and standards and IPE Engineering Practices. These inspections and their timing shall include, but not be limited to, shop and field inspection, as follows:

Foundation inspection after excavation, formwork and reinforcement placement is complete, if applicable.
Concrete slab inspection after in–slab or under–floor conduit, piping and equipment is in place, but prior to placement of concrete.
Frame inspection after all framing is in place and pipes, chimneys, vents, rough electrical, plumbing, and heating wires and ducts have been approved.
Pre–plastering inspection before gypsum joints are taped and plaster is applied.
Final inspection prior to occupancy.

The Inspector reserves the right to conduct inspections of all building construction or work for which a permit is required, including, but not limited to, concrete work, high–strength bolting, welding, reinforcing and prestressing steel work, structural framing. masonry work, fireproofing, piling, piers and caissons, grading, excavation and filling.
Such work shall remain accessible and exposed until inspections have been completed or the Inspector has given his release for continuation of construction.
It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to notify the Inspector and appropriate building officials that work is ready for inspection.
It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to make ladders, scaffolding and other equipment necessary for safe access to the work available to building officials and Inspectors.
The Inspector reserves the right to periodically conduct shop inspections to monitor the quality assurance programs of Manufacturers.
(*)Results of all inspections shall be recorded on EP 4–6–1C or an alternative format acceptable to the Owner’s Engineer.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Control Center Buildings
(*)Unless otherwise specified by the Owner’s Engineer, control centers shall be designed to be blast resistant. Control centers specified not to be blast resistant shall be of masonry construction with a structural steel or reinforced concrete frame.
Materials and design shall be such as to minimize condensation on inside surfaces of the building.
The ventilation system shall be designed as follows:
Continuous air movement shall be provided to eliminate stagnant air. This applies to areas behind instrument panels, above false ceilings, in crawl spaces, in pipe trenches, cable trenches below false floors, etc., as well as to the control room proper. Use of space above false ceilings and below false floors as air plenums shall be considered.
An explosivity analyzer shall be installed in the air intake and be connected to an alarm in the control center. Detection of combustibles shall be set at the more–stringent of 25 percent of the lower explosive limit, or the limit required by the jurisdiction.
Ionization type smoke detectors shall be furnished and installed per the following:
(*)A smoke detector shall be located in rooms where people are not normally present, in each room housing computer or major electronic equipment, and in enclosed cable runs. Individual offices do not require smoke detectors. Final smoke detector placement shall be reviewed by the Owner’s Engineer.
Smoke detectors shall individually alarm, both visibly and audibly, at a panel in the main control room. Each alarm shall be identified with the location of the smoke detector.

Air filtration shall be provided to control allowable contaminate levels for operating equipment such as electronic instrumentation and computers in accordance with the equipment supplier’s recommendations.
No liquids or gases except steam, instrument air, water, and fresh air from a safe location shall be piped into control centers.
All piping, wiring and conduit (power, signal, control) entering the control center shall be sealed at the point of entry.
Sample laboratories and battery rooms that are part of a control center shall have direct access to the outside and shall not have any direct access to the control room.
Offices that are part of a control center shall have separate, direct access to the plant area as well as to the control room.
The control room shall have direct access to the plant.
An accessway, at least 30 inches wide, shall be provided between the back of the panelboard or console instruments and the control center wall or wall–mounted assemblies. This area shall be totally enclosed and provided with at least two doors for quick egress from behind the panel. If the panelboard exceeds 30 feet in length, an additional emergency exit shall be provided near the mid–point of the panelboard.
Acoustical wall and ceiling materials shall be provided to minimize noise.
(*)Control centers shall be air conditioned and pressurized as specified by the Owner’s Engineer.
The concrete surface below the false floor in the terminal room, computer room and control room shall be steel trowel finished.
Immediately after the installation of false floors and during construction, the false floors shall be covered with 3/8 inch or 1/2 inch fiberboard. Fiberboard joints shall be taped with masking tape.
Additional requirements for control centers are covered in EP 12–6–1.
Maintenance Shops and Storage Buildings
The basic layout, equipment, and type of construction for maintenance shops and storage buildings shall be specified by the Owner’s Engineer.
(*)The fire protection system design shall be submitted to the Owner’s Engineer for approval.
Indoor Sub–stations and Switch Houses
Buildings subject to the additional requirements of this Practice include, but are not limited to, electrical sub–station buildings and switch houses, including facilities for accommodating transformers outside of a building, but excluding accommodations provided for electrical apparatus in buildings whose primary purpose is other than housing electrical equipment.
Sub–stations shall have masonry or precast concrete walls.
The structural integrity of the buildings roof system shall not be endangered by damage to the walls.

(*)Whenever practical, sub–stations and switch houses shall be non-pressurized and located in a safe area. The actual siting and type of building, i.e., pressurized or non–pressurized shall be approved by the Owner’s Engineer. Switch rooms shall be pressurized to exclude flammable or toxic gases only when approved by the Owner’s Engineer.
Switch rooms shall be designed to incorporate the required instrumentation and controls while providing non–hazardous conditions for personnel.
Buildings shall typically be single story served by a cable trench or cable basement with the following requirements:
Trenches, ducts or special mezzanine or basement floors shall be used for installation cables below or between floor levels within buildings.
(*)Power cables operating at 380 volts or higher shall not be routed below a raised unfixed floor system unless approved by the Owner’s Engineer.
Floor–to–ceiling height, measured between the floor and the underneath side of ceiling support beams or other restrictions, shall be a minimum of 4 feet in special basement or mezzanine spaces where personnel access is required for construction or maintenance.
Irrespective of area classification, wherever toxic or flammable fluids may be present in the vicinity, buildings shall be designed to eliminate the ingress and the accumulation of these fluids. In designing systems to prevent such ingress and accumulation, special attention shall be given to the avoidance of cable damage due to differential settlement.
(*)The bottom of internal cable trenches, cable ducts and basement floor spaces shall be a minimum of 8 inches above the external grade level unless otherwise approved by the Owner’s Engineer.
Basement and mezzanine space provided for cable installations shall be freely ventilated.
Cable trenches within substations shall not be filled after cable laying, but shall have an open type metal floor covering installed over load bearing members.
Floor finish and hardness shall be designed to ensure that damage due to equipment moving loads is minimized. Additionally, means shall be designed to prevent misalignment between moving and stationary equipment due to floor wear. Concrete floors not subject to heavy equipment moving loads shall be epoxy paint sealed.
Floor–to–ceiling height, except in special basements and mezzanines, shall be a minimum of 10 feet. Consideration shall be given to equipment height, lighting requirements and the use of lifting equipment in the determination of the actual floor–to–ceiling height.
An unloading platform shall be provided outside the building at double doors, capable of accommodating the largest and heaviest equipment installed.
(*)Unless otherwise specified by the Owner’s Engineer, windows shall be provided on external walls at a height and location that affords maximum wall space for equipment.
Doors shall be fitted with panic hardware on the inside and shall be able to be unlocked and opened from the outside. Keys shall be retained in break glass boxes outside of the sub–station or switch room.

Battery rooms shall be provided with a cold water supply over a glazed fired clay sink with an acid–resisting waste pipe. The sink’s dimensions shall be not less than 24 inches x 18 inches x 10 inches. An emergency shower and eyewash unit shall be provided.
Stairways shall be provided outside buildings that are elevated above grade for access to all doors. General access ramps, where provided, shall have a maximum slope of 1:12 and shall incorporate a non-slip surface finish. ADA requirements for ramps are given in EP 4–6–2.
Transformers adjacent to substations and switch rooms shall be separated by a firewall. Fencing shall be provided around transformers with a personnel access gate. One section of the fencing shall be removable to permit the installation and removal of transformer equipment.
In facilities containing equipment with large volumes of flammable insulating oil, provision shall be made for limiting the spread of spills and fire.
Additional requirements for “Electrical Equipment Shelters” can be found in EP 13–16–1.
Industrial Buildings
Industrial buildings include workshops, stores, and housings for equipment and plant not otherwise specified in this Practice.
Industrial buildings shall have masonry or sheet metal cladding and steel or reinforced concrete frames.
Bottom chords of trusses in industrial buildings with ceilings shall be designed to carry a catwalk at any point along the span.
Crawling ladders or others means shall be provided to give maintenance access to roof ventilators or other roof–installed equipment.
Personnel doors shall open to the outside. Main access shall be provided by an electrically- operated overhead coiling door, whose size is based on equipment requirements. The door shall have manual override capability.
Stairways shall be provided outside buildings elevated above grade for access to all doors. General access ramps shall have a maximum slope of 1:12 and shall incorporate a non–slip surface finish. ADA requirements for ramps are given in EP 4–6–2.
Buildings equipped with cranes that carry an operator’s cab shall have access provided by means of a ladder and platform.
Laboratories
Laboratories shall be located in safe areas. Layout shall consider general requirements for personnel safety in addition to requirements for ease of communication and work functionality.
The Owner’s Engineer shall approve overall building dimensions.
External and fire–rated metal stud walls shall be masonry. Steel or reinforced concrete shall be used for the building frame.
Laboratories shall be treated as secured facilities. All entrances shall consist of lockable doors.
Windows shall be provided for daylight illumination, bearing in mind the secure nature of the facility.

Roadways shall be provided for access to the personnel areas of the building and any adjacent storage or delivery areas. A parking area shall be provided adjacent to the facility. Adjacent grounds shall be well lighted.
Accommodations in laboratories shall include but not be limited to some or all of the following facilities:
laboratories
offices
workshops
locker and restroom facilities
storage (including gas cylinder storage)
reception areas
Emergency showers and eyewashes shall be provided.
Fire Stations
(*)Fire stations shall be located in the most effective location relative to other structures on the site and in locations where the fire station itself is unlikely to be involved in any major on–site emergency. The Owner’s Engineer shall approve the site location.
(*)The Owner’s Engineer shall approve the building dimensions.
Building frame type and materials shall be compatible with the intended use of the facility.
Full–width by full–height sliding or rolling doors shall be provided at each end of garage bays.
Windows shall be provided for daylight illumination, bearing in mind the nature of the facility.
A paved approach shall be provided at both ends of garage bays. These approaches shall be sized to permit parking and turning of fire fighting vehicles. The approaches shall be connected to each other and to the main road systems via paved roadways. Adjacent grounds shall be well lighted.
Accommodations in fire stations shall include, but not be limited to, some or all of the following internal facilities:
garages
offices
workshops
locker and restroom facilities
storage
training rooms
cleaning rooms
kitchen and dining facilities
Accommodations in fire stations shall include, but not be limited to, some or all of the following external facilities:
vehicle wash down areas
oil storage tanks
training facilities
foam tanks
Shelters for Heavy and Rotating Equipment

The following requirements apply to all heavy machinery shelters:
Heavy machinery is any equipment having reciprocating or rotating masses as the major moving parts (such as reciprocating or rotary compressors, pumps, engines and turbines) and having a gross plan area of more than 20 square feet or a total weight greater than 4,000 pounds.
All parts of heavy machinery supports shall be independent of adjacent foundations and buildings.
Concrete floor slabs adjacent to the machine foundation shall be spaced with a minimum of 1/2 inch from the foundation. The space between the two shall be filled with a flexible joint filler.
The following requirements apply to compressor shelters:
(*)Unless otherwise specified by the Owner’s Engineer, gas compressor shelters handling flammables shall be constructed with at least three sides open from the ground level to a minimum of 8 feet above the operating platform. In addition, continuous roof ventilation shall be provided for gabled roofs, and equivalent ventilation shall be provided for flat or near–flat roofs.
For compressors with bottom process piping connections, the operating floor shall be elevated to avoid pits or trenches for piping.
Vent lines from seal oil compressors shall be extended above the highest point of the compressor shelter roof.
Reactor Buildings
Floors in reactor buildings where flammables or toxic materials are handled shall be of open grate construction for ventilation purposes. However, if hazardous solids, such as phosphorous pentasulfide, are to be charged into reactors, the charging area shall have solid flooring.
(*)Unless otherwise specified by the Owner’s Engineer, reactor buildings handling flammables shall be constructed with at least three sides open from the ground level to a minimum of 8 feet above the operating platform. In addition, continuous roof ventilation shall be provided for gabled roofs, and equivalent ventilation shall be provided for flat or near–flat roofs.
Buildings Housing Chlorine Evaporators
Evaporators shall be housed in heated buildings
The buildings shall be forced–ventilated as follows:
Ventilation shall be dual fans, one continuously operating and one manually started backup. Each fan shall be capable of supplying the greater of 150 cfm or six room changes per hour.
Each fan shall be equipped with a manual starter or a contactor–type motor starter with two wire control having under–voltage release. Fan motors shall be three phase. The manual starter, or for two–wire control the start/stop switch, shall be mounted on the exterior of the shelter.
The backup fan, when used in conjunction with the main fan, shall have sufficient capacity to ensure that the inside temperature of the building will not exceed the greater of 100°F or 11°F above the ambient temperature.

Air shall be taken from Class 1 Division 2, or non–classified area.
Fans shall be located at the bottom (near grade) of the building and fitted with diffusers to direct ventilating air to all parts of the building.
Air exhaust louvers shall be located near the roof in the corners and near the floor, located to prevent vapor accumulation.
A flow switch shall be provided on each fan to give an alarm on low flow. The switch shall be connected to an alarm in the control house.
(*)Final design of the ventilation system and location of air intakes shall be approved by the Owner’s Engineer.
A sign listing precautions relative to the handling of chlorine and procedures in case of accidents shall be posted at the entrance to the building.
Enclosed Buildings for Diesel Engines and Diesel Engine Generators
The diesel engine generator shall be installed in a room separate from any other equipment.
(*)Diesel engines driving water pumps shall be housed in the same building as other water pumps, unless otherwise specified by the Owner’s Engineer.
The fuel supply tank shall be located outside of the building.
The following shall be provided for systems shutdown:
Facilities for remote shutdown of the diesel engine generator.
Block valves in the fuel supply piping, located outside of, but close to, the building.
Diesel engine exhaust shall discharge to atmosphere at least 15 feet above the roof and at least 25 feet from any ventilation air intake. The exhaust pipe shall be insulated and the muffler located outside of the building.
Ventilation air shall be taken from one of the following:
The main air system when the room is integral with a control house.
A fan taking air from a non–classified area when in a separated building.
Air intakes shall be located near the tops of walls. Air exhaust louvers shall be located near the floor. Loss of ventilation air shall sound an alarm in the control house.
A fire detector shall be installed in the room and shall sound an alarm in the control house.
Carbon dioxide or dry chemical hand fire extinguishers shall be located outside of the room at each entrance.
Two doors shall be provided, located at opposite ends of the room or shelter. Each door shall be equipped with panic hardware on the inside, which must override the exterior lock.
Electrical equipment shall be suitable for non–classified locations.
Offices
Functionality and safety shall be the primary considerations when locating office buildings.
(*)Building dimensions and layout shall be approved by the Owner’s Engineer.

All corridors to be used for both equipment movement and personnel movement shall be a minimum of 6 feet in width.
A reception and visitors’ waiting area shall be provided.
Accommodations in office buildings shall include, but not be limited to, some or all of the following facilities:
offices
conference rooms
restrooms
reception and visitors’ waiting areas
vending/refreshment areas
maintenance storerooms
cafeteria including kitchen
Locker, Shower, Wash, and Rest Room Facilities
(*)The number and general arrangement of lockers. water closets, urinals, wash basins, showers, and other sanitary accessories will be specified by the Owner. Where compliance with a code or standard by local jurisdiction is mandatory, the requirements presented therein shall also be met. Facilities shall be based on the maximum number of employees on day work or the maximum number of employees on a single shift for shift work.
Separate restroom, wash and changing facilities shall be provided for each sex.
Inside toilet rooms without windows shall have forced–air ventilation.
A floor drain shall be provided in each locker room, wash room, and rest room, and shall tie into a sanitary sewer system.
A janitor’s closet shall be provided accessible from the locker and wash room. It shall be equipped with a service sink, hot and cold water, storage space for cleaning equipment, and a lock on the door.
Interior finish materials shall be of a sanitary nature such as tile floors and wainscots and plaster walls and ceilings.
Other Buildings
A medical facility shall be provided within another building or located separately on the plant site. The following requirements apply to the design of medical facilities:
If a medical facility is housed in a separate building, functionality and safety shall be prime considerations when locating the building.
Where a medical facility is housed in a multi–purpose building, it shall have a separate entrance.
All medical facilities shall be one-floor buildings or shall be located on the ground floor of multi– purpose buildings.
Accommodations in medical buildings or medical wings of multipurpose buildings shall include, but not be limited to, some or all of the following facilities:
Doctor’s examination room

Patient’s changing room with adjacent restroom
Surgery bay with storage for surgical instruments and medications and surgeon’s wash facilities
General restrooms
Rest and recovery room accessible from surgery room with single hospital bed and private restroom
Reception and waiting areas
Storerooms
Maintenance storerooms
Offices
External ambulance bay
A gatehouse shall be provided at the main entrance to the plant for purposes of locating security guards, barriers to pedestrian and vehicular traffic and security control systems, and to serve as a central muster point for emergency teams. The following requirements apply to the design of gatehouses:
(*)Any need for special design requirements or equipment shall be subject to approval by the Owner’s Engineer.
Security guard rooms shall be fitted with barriers to pedestrian and vehicular traffic and a reception opening. Special glass shall be used to provide unobstructed views of these barriers and roadways to and from the gatehouse area.
Accommodations in gatehouses shall include, but not be limited to, some or all of the following facilities:
security guard room
reception opening
waiting area
restroom
alarm systems control room
(*)A cafeteria shall be provided within another building or located separately on the plant site. Special design requirements and equipment for cafeterias shall be subject to the approval of the Owner’s Engineer.

12.0 TABLES

TABLE 1

DESIGN CRITERIA FOR WINDOWS

CONDITION INSIDE BUILDING	WALL DISTANCE TO EQUIPMENT (RELEASE SOURCE OUTSIDE BUILDING)	WALL DISTANCE TO EQUIPMENT (RELEASE SOURCE OUTSIDE BUILDING)
	<100FT	>100 TO 200 FT.
1. No source which might release flammable vapors; and people normally present in building	Glass: G1 of G3 Window Area: A1 Frame Design: F1	Wall Facing Equipment Glass: G1 or G3 Window Area: A1 Frame Design: F1 Other Walls Glass: G1 or G2 Window Area: A1 and A3 Frame Design: F1
2. No source which might release flammable vapors; and people not normally present in building.	Glass: G1 or G2 Window Area: A2 and A3 Frame Design: F1	Glass: G1 or G2 Window Area: A4 Frame Design: F2
3. Source which might release flammable vapors; whether or not people present	Glass: G1 or G3 Window Area: A1 Frame Design: F1(1)	Glass: G1 or G2 Window Area: Note (2) Frame Design: F2

LEGEND: Glass: Frame and sash Design:

GI - 1/4inch fully tempered F1 - For each window, the frame, sash, and anchorage

G2 -1/4 inch laminated with shall be designed for a static pressure of 150 psf 0.015–inch interlayer acting either inward or outward

G3 -1/4–inch with 0.06 inch interlayer F2 - standard industrial sash and frame Areas of Glass (Window size) Limitations:

A1 - 2 sq. feet in doors; 5 sq. feet per window pane

A2 - 5 sq. feet per window pane

A3 - 5% of the wall area of each wall

A4 - 10% of the wall area of each wall

NOTES:

(1) In addition, for fully enclosed buildings, pressure relief panel(s) (blowout panels) shall be provided.

(*)Window areas to be developed with Owner’s Engineer approval.

TABLE 2 DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS FOR GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDINGS PER EP 4–6–1

Item	Description	Format	As–Built
1	Drawings and specifications for approval.	See EP 2-5-2	Yes
2	Guarantees and warranties..	Text	N/A
3	Proposals for building construction.	Text	N/A
4	Designs involving the use of bearing walls requiring approval.	Text	N/A
5	Fire protection drawings and specifications.	See EP 2-5-2	Yes
6	Economic comparison study of heating systems.	Text	N/A
7	Economic comparison study of air conditioning systems.	Text	N/A
8	Drawings and specifications, including Structural, Architectural, Mechanical and Electrical designs, in accordance with Section 9.0 of this Practice.	See EP 2-5-2	Yes
9	Inspection results.	See EP 2-5-2	Yes
10	Fire protection designs for shops and storage buildings.	See EP 2-5-2	Yes
11	Ventilation system designs for building housing chlorine evaporators.	See EP 2-5-2	Yes

© 2026 Inflection Point Engineering, LLC. All rights reserved. The content of this page — including calculation methods, reference data, written analysis, interactive tools, and source code — is the intellectual property of Inflection Point Engineering, LLC and is protected under applicable copyright, trademark, and trade secret laws. Unauthorized reproduction, redistribution, modification, or derivative use in whole or in part is prohibited without prior written consent.

Disclaimer. This material is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional engineering advice. Calculations, reference data, and methodologies are based on published standards and accepted engineering practice but are not a substitute for engineering judgment, site-specific analysis, or review by a licensed Professional Engineer. Inflection Point Engineering, LLC makes no warranties, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, or fitness for a particular purpose of any content presented here, and shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from its use. Users assume all risk associated with applying this content to real-world design, operations, or decisions.