INT322 - Wk. 12

Summary

Building regulations and design considerations emphasize safety, accessibility, and sustainability throughout the design process. The phases of a design project, from programming and schematic design to post-occupancy evaluation, ensure that user needs, code compliance, and material selection are addressed at each stage. A strong focus is placed on life safety measures, particularly the means of egress, which include well-marked and illuminated exit paths, alternative travel routes, and fire separation. Detection and suppression systems, such as smoke alarms and sprinklers, are critical components for emergency planning. Accessibility is ensured through compliance with regulations requiring features like compliant ramps, wide doorways, accessible restrooms, clear signage, and areas of refuge. Sustainable design practices, including the integration of environmentally friendly standards and quality testing, are vital for efficiency and resilience. Local jurisdictions often modify and adopt building codes, always prioritizing the most restrictive guidelines to ensure safety and compliance.

Egress Diagram






Sprinkler System Diagram









Building Assessment

One building on campus with features that do not meet ADA requirements is Volkman Hall. The building has 3 floors; a basement that is accessed at the ground level and two floors that contain apartments. Each floor, including the basement, can only be accessed via stairs, and there are no ramps or elevators, so an individual in a wheelchair would not be able to access any part of the building. The doorways are also not very wide, and there is no signage other than the numbers on the apartments. 

Comments

  1. Sami FordNovember 21, 2024 at 8:03 AM

    I wish your pictures were a bit bigger because they look so helpful and well done! I also did an analysis of Volkman and they could definitely work on a few improvements! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lena Fehrenbach November 21, 2024 at 12:26 PM

    You did a great job highlighting the accessibility issues in Volkman Hall, and your detailed observations about the lack of ramps, elevators, and appropriate signage emphasize the importance of improving inclusivity on campus.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Professor VanderNoordaaNovember 23, 2024 at 11:17 AM

    Katie,
    Great summary on Regulations. Nice egress diagrams. 50/50 points

    ReplyDelete

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