The storage is open to retail (the public), so i thought that 15 would direct me right back to 12 requirements... which i think it does for seismic loading, but you are right, at least there is an argument that this falls into "all other self supporting" and therefore, a "carport" storage mezzanine is allowed. The r -value is worse though! My knee connections are already a bit max'd out as it is ....20% additional from 1.5 to 1.25 R.... doesnt help!
im going to suggest that we do shear wall corners for the mezzanine, as opposed to strictly posts.
any other thoughts? also, of great importance to me... anybody else regularly employ the 1.5 Ss Max (12.8.1.3) It matters a great deal in zone D-F. When I do, i dont apply the .7E, but certain building officials apparantly are used to seeing unreduced Ss being used in load comb 8.