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Exterior Load-Bearing Walls of a 56 Unit Multistory Construction

This 56 unit luxury condominium complex consists of three buildings of 36,000, 32,000, and 28,000 square feet.  They contain five floors of living space.  Either the Uniform Building Code or the International Building Code can be used for their design and construction.

The complex is constructed on a sloping site.  Based on the definition of "Story, First" in the Uniform Building Code and "Story Above Grade Plane" in the International Building Code. they are considered four story buildings.  They are Type III construction and because of the area are sprinklered.

Under both codes the exterior bearing walls of Type III construction are allowed to be constructed with Pyro-Guard® fire retardant treated wood studs.

In addition to the increase allowed in the base area for a multistory building and open space, the International Building Code permits the allowable area to be doubled and a one story heigh increase when an NFPA 13 fire sprinkler system is installed.  Because the height is within that allowed for Type III construction, the area increase for sprinklers was used.