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City Council to review Denver Building Code amendments

Community Planning and Development and Denver Fire have proposed a set of amendments to clarify certain components of the 2016 Denver Building and Fire Code. The amendment package was written to resolve errors, improve clarity, add a new amendment pertaining to gender-neutral signage on single-stall restrooms, and add Section 305 of the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code back in as an appendix to the IBC and IRC. An open house for public comments/questions was held on November 1.
Anticipated schedule for review and approval of the amendment package:
  • City Council Land Use, Transportation & Infrastructure Committee - Nov. 29, 10:30 a.m.
  • City Council first reading - Dec. 12, 5:30 p.m.
  • City Council public hearing - Dec. 19, 5:30 p.m.
Tips for submitting commercial kitchen drawings

The kitchen exhaust system is a fundamental part of the construction drawings for restaurants and other commercial projects. It is also one of the most overlooked, often with little detail provided on plans as to how the system interfaces with the whole building design. 
  • To help expedite permitting and reduce delays, the IMC 506, 507, 508 policy outlines the minimum amount of information that must be included on mechanical plans for kitchen hoods, exhaust fans, pollution control units (grease scrubbers), and grease ducts, in order to comply with 2015 IMC Sections 506-508 and DBC Sections 133.1 and 133.2.
  • Drawings and fabrication details from the kitchen hood vendor or a kitchen designer (foodservice equipment plan) that are labeled "not for construction" are not sufficient. 
  • Projects must designate one licensed, professional engineer who takes responsibility for the holistic kitchen exhaust system, and include the elements listed in the IMC 506, 507, 508 policy on construction documents with the engineer's seal.
Did you know? Tenant finish projects can start construction while building plans are under review.

CPD allows commercial tenant finish projects to expedite construction and start interior demolition and preliminary (non-structural) framing, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and fire suppression and alarm work before building plans receive final approval. This is a time saver for developers wanting to take advantage of the time building plans are under review. 

In order to pull a preparatory demolition ("prep demo") and non-structural framing permit or other trade-specific permits during plan review, projects must be classified as IBC Group B or M occupancies (or some S1 and S2 occupancies), must have an affidavit signed by the architect or engineer stating that the plans submitted for review are 100% complete, and must have received an SUDP (wastewater) permit if it is needed. Construction can only be completed up to the point of rough inspection. 

Consult  ADMIN policy 131.2  for details on scope, fees, and process.
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