Bryan Posted December 17, 2009 Report Posted December 17, 2009 Is their a standard recommendation for the minimum amount of slope for on grade concrete porches and stoops? Bryan
Mike Lamb Posted December 17, 2009 Report Posted December 17, 2009 Yes. IRC R401.3 6" over a 10' run with some exceptions.
Bryan Posted December 17, 2009 Author Report Posted December 17, 2009 Yes. IRC R401.3 6" over a 10' run with some exceptions. I looked at that and was not sure it would apply? If so, under the exceptions, the slope would be 2% given that most concrete is impervious. Bryan
Chris Bernhardt Posted December 17, 2009 Report Posted December 17, 2009 I generally wouldn't cite the 2%. I would just tell them to slope it to ensure positive drainage. Hard to argue with that, but boy they sure will argue over a stupid number. Chris, Oregon
Bryan Posted December 17, 2009 Author Report Posted December 17, 2009 I generally wouldn't cite the 2%. I would just tell them to slope it to ensure positive drainage. Hard to argue with that, but boy they sure will argue over a stupid number. Chris, Oregon I agree. The development was a two year old apartment complex. Each of the patio and entrance stoops were installed level and essentially even with the interior floor slab. It does not take much water to find its way back into the units, or in freezing conditions to heave the slab and create a trip hazard. In this same area last year I saw a sidewalk heave 2 1/2 to 3 inches at the entrance to the office area. They ended up tearing it out and replacing it after everything thawed out. Bryan
Mike Lamb Posted December 17, 2009 Report Posted December 17, 2009 Yes. IRC R401.3 6" over a 10' run with some exceptions. I looked at that and was not sure it would apply? Bryan It would apply if you are to follow IRC. Grade is the finished ground next to the outside walls whether it's sidewalk, dirt, patio or whatever.
Chad Fabry Posted December 17, 2009 Report Posted December 17, 2009 Is their a standard recommendation for the minimum amount of slope for on grade concrete porches and stoops? Porches and stoops aren't at grade. 6" over 10' is a ADA ramp.
Bryan Posted December 17, 2009 Author Report Posted December 17, 2009 Is their a standard recommendation for the minimum amount of slope for on grade concrete porches and stoops? Porches and stoops aren't at grade. 6" over 10' is a ADA ramp. Chad, Do you mean that since this is the entrance into an apartment it has to meet ADA specs in its slope? Bryan
Chad Fabry Posted December 17, 2009 Report Posted December 17, 2009 My bad..I just fully read what you wrote... where I'm from porches and stoops are always above grade. FTR, stoop means step so by default it'd be above grade. If it's at grade then it's 6" over 10 feet like Mike said.
Brandon Whitmore Posted December 17, 2009 Report Posted December 17, 2009 On any exterior concrete surfaces I stick to a 2% grade recommendation. What's the point in having a 5% grade when water is gonna drain either way? Plus, the more slope you have on the concrete, the more chance someone will slip and fall under the right conditions.
Jim Katen Posted December 17, 2009 Report Posted December 17, 2009 Is their a standard recommendation for the minimum amount of slope for on grade concrete porches and stoops? Bryan The IRC specified a minimum 2% grade for those items in the exceptions under 401.3. If the surface is a landing or tread of a stairway, it can't be any steeper than 2% per 311.5.5. - Jim Katen, Oregon
Nolan Kienitz Posted December 17, 2009 Report Posted December 17, 2009 IRC covers one & two family dwellings. Be sure you look at correct code book for "apartments".
Rocon Posted December 18, 2009 Report Posted December 18, 2009 How often do youu inspect apartments? Who is your client (the tenant)?
kurt Posted December 18, 2009 Report Posted December 18, 2009 .................given that most concrete is impervious. Bryan Are you saying most concrete is water proof?
Bryan Posted December 18, 2009 Author Report Posted December 18, 2009 .................given that most concrete is impervious. Bryan Are you saying most concrete is water proof? By no means; however, I believe that is is more impervious than lots of other materials. When I used to work in the green houses industry we had acres and acres of porous concrete floors. If you could keep them clean water would run right through. Bryan Bryan
Bryan Posted December 18, 2009 Author Report Posted December 18, 2009 How often do youu inspect apartments? Who is your client (the tenant)? This was actually the third complex in six weeks. Previous to that it had been awhile due to the banking and lending issues out their. These PCA inspections are for lenders, investors and sometimes buyers. I do them for a local company which I do other commercial work for. This one was about six hours from my base and an over night trip. Bryan
Jim Katen Posted December 18, 2009 Report Posted December 18, 2009 IRC covers one & two family dwellings. Be sure you look at correct code book for "apartments". Good point. The numbers, however, remain the same. The IBC says that exterior landings at doors shouldn't slope more than 1/4" per foot (2% slope). (1008.1.4) Impervious surfaces near the building have to slope at least 2% per 1803.3. So there really isn't any window. They should be *at* 2%. - Jim Katen, Oregon
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