3-1-08 The project we will be featuring is a 4 story apartment building with a lower floor (basement) that has apartments and retail space. This building was built in the 1920’s. The building was gutted and extensive repairs were done to the roof and floor framing. The architect designed the reconstruction using the compliance alternative provisions of Chapter 34 of The Michigan Building Code 2003. This method uses a system of points assigned to fire safety, means of egress and general safety components of the building. If a minimum score is reached for the buildings use group, it is assumed that a greater or equal degree of safety and health exists in the building. The largest single amount of points was derived from compartmentalizing the building with 2-hr fire-barrier walls, making use of the many existing brick fire walls.

The building is type 3B construction, without fire suppression. A fire alarm system will be installed. At this point, the framing repairs have been made and work continues on the wall rough framing.