Since Seattle weather is notoriously overcast for much of the year, many building owners and architects want to install structures to provide weather protection on roof decks. Although they may be outside of the building envelope, these structures are considered a part of the building area and need to comply with the fire-resistance and separation requirements in the Seattle Building Code.
Over the years, we have granted Code Modification Requests for relief from strict compliance to these code requirements on a case-by-case basis. To provide consistency and predictability for designers, we have recently published a new Construction Code Interpretation for Occupied Rooftop Structures.
This Code Interpretation provides two paths for compliance, waiving fire-resistance ratings for smaller structures and allowing the required rating to be reduced for those that are larger. Designs meeting all of the conditions described in the Code Interpretation can be approved with a Code Modification Request. Other variations will continue to be evaluated individually. Our goal is to provide flexibility for designers and building owners, while maintaining a reasonable level of safety for the building occupants.
If you have questions, please contact:
Amy Barnett|
(206) 684-3965
amy.barnett@seattle.gov
Alan Lee
(206) 256-5318
AlanW.Lee@seattle.gov