Saskatoon Buildings Committee working with City of Saskatoon Part 2

Saskatoon Buildings Committee met with City of Saskatoon to clarify Building Code implementation processes.  This is the second of a series of articles that will provide guidance to members about these processes.  The articles are in a question and answer format.

This link is to a set of City of Saskatoon forms that will be referenced in the series of articles to be published over the next several months.

Question:

As part of the City of Saskatoon permit application, a structural engineer is required to sign and submit a “Commitment for Field Review” letter.  At project completion, the engineer is required to submit an “Assurance of Field Review” letter.  What is the best process for submitting the assurance letter to the City of Saskatoon?

Response:
All assurance letters can be sent via email to:  inspections@saskatoon.ca
Include the building permit number and/or project address on the letter and email.

Question:

What are the requirements for sprinkler system drawings, particularly for multi-unit residential buildings? Would the COS consider having notes or specifications on the permit drawings instructing the contractor to prepare fire protection shop drawings according to the specific NFPA and AHJ requirements in lieu of laying out a system on the drawings and having the sprinkler contractor "redesign" it?

Response:
Either mechanical drawings detailing the head layout or sprinkler shop drawings and hydraulic calculations are required to be submitted as part of the building permit application package. If mechanical drawings detailing the head layout are submitted, the building permit will be approved with the condition that sprinkler shop drawings and hydraulic calculations are submitted for review prior to installation. All drawings shall be signed and sealed by a mechanical engineer licensed to practice in the province of Saskatchewan. These shop drawings will be reviewed for things like NFPA standard, sprinkler system design, sprinkler piping material, and locations of sprinkler heads.

Question:
Under what circumstances does the City of Saskatoon require sealed shop drawings be submitted for guard rails?

Response:
If the specified glass guard is detailed on the submitted sealed structural drawings and the loading is confirmed on those drawings, then we do not require additional shop drawings to be submitted. If the glass guard is not detailed on the structural drawings then we require shop drawings that include the design loads or reference to the applicable sentence in clause 4.1.5.14 of the NBCC to be signed and sealed by a structural engineer. The shop drawings are not required to detail the connection or attachment to the stair or floor. 

Currently Building Standards does not require sealed shop drawings to be submitted for any other type of guard system. That being said, if plans are reviewed and the proposed guards do not seem to meet the intent of the NBCC for protecting against failing, Building Standards may ask the building owner or design professional to address how the proposed guards will function when loads are applied.

 

 

 

 


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