"Minor" Storage Facility

[BSVBD]

What defines a "Minor" Storage Facility?

ASCE 7-05, Table 1-1 lists "Minor Storage Facility" in Occupancy Category "I".

ASCE 7-05, Table 7-4 lists the Importance Factor as 0.8 for an Occupancy Category of "I".

My snow load can be 7 PSF less, with significantly less stress on the purlins at the threshold of failure, for a "Minor Storage Facility" than for "All buildings and other structures except those listed in Occupancy Categories I, III and IV.

Is "Minor Storage Facility" based on whether the structure is either occupied or unoccupied, or is it dependent upon whether it is a moderate or high hazard occupancy, or other?

What defines a "Minor" Storage Facility? Please provide references.

Thank you!

 

[calvinandhobbes10]

ASCE 7-10 ("risk category" now), Commentary section C1.5.
It sounds like roof live load will govern whether it's I or II.

 

[BSVBD]

calvinandhobbes... Thank you for your effort, but, in Wisconsin, we are still under IBC 2009 and ASCE 7-05.

I need references to those.

 

[BadgerPE]

I have typically used Category I for ag facilities and unoccupied/unconditioned storage facilities. A seed corn storage building was the last that I used this provision. I usually talk with our plan reviewer at DSPS to make sure we are on the same page.

 

[sandman21]

Section C1.5 in ASCE7-5 gives examples.

 

[BSVBD]

sandman... thank you for your effort, but, Section C1.5 in ASCE7-5 give examples of agricultural structures. It does not mention "minor" storage facilities.

 

[sandman21]

Well the sentence right before the agricultural structures example gives you examples of Occupancy I building, small number of occupants or limited periods of exposure. You can also use the agricultural structures as examples and determine if whatever you are designing is similar to them.

 

[calvinandhobbes10]

My mistake.
I am not sure if you'll find a definitive answer to your question in the code without application of engineering judgment. "Low hazard to human life" and "minor" (terms from 7-05) seem to be intentionally qualitative and vague.
Consider calling your local building official for an interpretation since they will presumably be issuing the permit. Also helps with liability and in any conversation about cost with the owner.

 

[wannabeSE]

The 2102 IBC commentary for occupancy category 1 is similar stating " . . . they have little or no human occupants, or for those that are temporary . . ." It also mentions minor storage facilities: " . . . but the code does not provide an explanation of which storage facilities could be considered minor."

 

[BSVBD]

For the current project, I am considering this a minor storage facility since it is an "S-1" moderate hazard storage facility and not an "H" high hazard facility.

Thank you all for your effort!