Interpreting IEBC - Repairs vs Alterations

[Boozie]

I am working on an aircraft hangar "repair" project. Typical steel structure founded on a slab on grade. Some of the roof panels (limited to one bay) were ripped off by a hurricane. Most of the purlins/bracing is okay, some may need replacement.

Regardless, the customer now wants to replace ALL roof panels, even though they didn't need to. I have two questions:

1. Since the hurricane damage triggered this work, would it be classified as a repair, or as an alteration?

2. Assuming it's an alteration, if they are just taking out the old panels and putting new ones in, I am tracking this to be a Level 1 alteration. However, since they are touching at least 50% of the building footprint (complete roof replacement), does that automatically classify this as a level 3 alteration ?

 

[bones206]

I think it could be argued either way, but IEBC gives me a headache.

Maybe the practical and prudent approach would be to follow the high-wind region diaphragm upgrade provisions. I'm assuming the owner doesn't want to roof to blow off again.

 

[SWComposites]

if you replaced the roof panels because they got rusty and leaked, would you call that an "alteration"? I doubt it. So don't see this any different. You are replacing like for like, so its a repair to me.

 

[ANE91]

NCSEA has a fantastic two-part webinar series on the IEBC.

Agree that this work falls under Alterations. A repair (Chapter 4) would simply be addressing the one bay.

It doesn’t matter what caused the damage, per 405.2 Commentary. (Ignoring snow and seismic for the purpose of this thread.) One bay doesn’t constitute Substantial Structural Damage. IEBC presumes that the building is compliant with in-place codes at time of construction.

Which method are you using? Prescription vs. Work Area vs. Performance. Start with Chapter 5. Alterations are to conform to the requirements for new structures. Reroofing like this is typically a Level I alteration. See 705.2 for reference, but stick to the Prescriptive Method.