Rehab of Fraternity House

[Scott555]

Project:
Private University (in Illinois) - Fraternity House renovation
Originally built circa 1930's, Updated 1955, kitchen update 1980's, 4 stories + basement.
Boarding rooms, common bathroom each floor, common hall on 1st floor (club room), dining hall in basement w/commercial kitchen. 1st floor is +/-4' above finished grade with steps/stoop at main entry.

Client is renovating building to conform with city ordinance (adding sprinklers) and also doing various cosmetic repairs (i.e. - paint, repair walls, replace some windows, new flooring, repair roof, adding wi-fi, etc, etc.). We are doing preliminary code review to determine a budget/scope for the Client. Two major issues are being debated between the City, University Facility Department requirements & Client as far as the extent of the rehab and dollars associated.

1. Existing corridors on floors 2, 3, 4 end with escape window or fire exit door onto exterior metal fire escape (vintage 1940's Brooklyn style with ballast to extend ladder from 2nd floor to grade). Is this acceptable for current 2009 IBC requirements? If not - is it exempt from bringing to current because of type of rehab being performed?

2. ADA requirements. Are they required because of type of rehab? If so, a lift or ramp to enter building and lift/elevator to get from 1st floor to basement dining only? The 1st floor has boarding rooms and a common bathroom that can be designed to accessibly requirements, if it must.

Opinions please - and code sections if applicable.

Thank you!
Scott

[Jerry Peck - Codeman]

[Scott555]

Thank you Jerry - very informative and helpful.
Scott