Chapter 2
COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDING
Article 2.1 Scope
2.1.1 This chapter covers general guidelines in the choice and design of industrial buildings. It
includes safety rules and requirements for the various aspects of industrial buildings,
and matters on machinery and equipment foundation designs.
Article 2.2 Plant Design Procedure
2.2.1 Basis of the Structure Design. For industrial works, the utilization demands of the
industry for which the building is to be used are of outmost importance in the design of
the buildings.
Aside from the geographical location and economic consideration, the mechanical and
electrical equipment requirements are extremely important for all modern buildings
particularly factories.
The design should give particular attention to the following:
[Link] Requirements for number, size, location and height of rise for elevators with particular
attention to penthouse dimension and equipment loads.
[Link] General requirements for plumbing with particular attention to the location of soil stacks,
standpipes, main pumps, water-storage tanks and sprinkler systems.
[Link] If steam is to be produce d within the buildings, requirements of the boiler room and
accessories, such as fuel storage, the probable location of steam mains and ducts and
their approximate sizes in order to avoid interference with a structure member or other
utilities.
[Link] Typical lighting demands with particular attention to ceiling outlets as their proper
locations may influence the framing of the building and the necessary space required for
the electric conduits often affect the floor design.
[Link] For industrial buildings, all specific demands of the manufacturing processes such as
special mechanical and electrical equipment of interior clearances, should be identified.
Article 2.3 General Requirements
2.3.1 Space Requirements
[Link] Work rooms (referring to maintenance shop and machine room) shall be at least 3,000
mm in height from floor to ceiling.
[Link] The maximum number of persons working or will be working shall not exceed one
person per 12 cubic meter. In calculating the working space requirement, no deduction
shall be made for benches or other furniture, machines or material but height exceeding
3,000 mm shall be excluded.
2.3.2 Crowding of Floor Space
[Link] The floor space in a machine room shall strictly follow safety requirements and shall not
be crowded with machineries in a manner dangerous to employees, or be over crowded
with materials or products so as to constitute hazards to them.
[Link] Sufficient space shall be provided around the individual machine or process units to
allow for normal operation, adjustments, ordinary repairs, and for materials supplied, in
process or completed.
2.3.3 Stumbling Hazard:
[Link] The parts of floors over which any person is liable to work shall be sufficiently even to
afford safe walking and safe trucking of materials.
[Link] Such parts shall be free from holes and splinters, improperly fitted covers for gutters or
conduits, protruding nails and bolts, projecting valves or pipes, or other projections and
obstructions which might create stumbling hazards.
2.3.3 Slipping Hazards
[Link] Floors, Stair treads and landing shall not be slippery under any condition or made of
any material which will become slippery through wear. In the case of concrete stairs,
checkered plate or standard metals and non-slip strip shall be used.
[Link] Stairways, ramps, elevators, platforms and similar places where slipping may be
especially hazardous, shall be provided with non-slip walk away surfaces.
2.3.5 Floor and Wall Openings:
[Link] Ladder way floor opening shall be guarded on all exposed sides, except at the entrance
to the opening, by permanent railings and toe boards, the passage through the railings
shall be provided with a barrier or gate so arranged that a person cannot walk directly
into the opening.
[Link] Stairway floor openings shall be guarded on all exposed sides, except at the stair ways,
by permanent railings and toe board.
[Link] For seldom used stair ways where traffic across the opening prevents the use of
permanent railings, the guard shall consist of a flush hinged cover of adequate
strength equipped with railings attached thereto so as to leave only one side exposed
when the cover is open.
[Link] Hatchway chute, pit and trap door openings (it could be an elevator pit or a
maintenance pit) shall be guarded by:
(a) Removable railings with toe boards on not more than two sides and permanent
railings with toe boards on all other exposed sides, or
(b) Flush hinged cover as specified foe stair way floor openings.
2.3.6 Manholes and other openings:
[Link] Manhole floor openings shall be provided with manhole covers of adequate strength
which need not be hinged.
[Link] Other floor openings into which persons can accidentally fall through shall be guarded
either by permanent railings and toe boards on all exposed sides or by hinged floor
opening covers of adequate strength.
[Link] When covers for either type are not in place, the opening shall be constantly attended
to by someone or protected by portable enclosing railings.
[Link] Floor openings into which person cannot accidentally walk on account of fixed
machinery, equipment or walls shall be guarded by covers securely held in place and
leaving no openings more than 25 mm in width or by toe boards on all exposed sides.
[Link] All wall openings less than 1,000 mm from the floor having a height of at least 750 mm
and width of 450 mm from which there is a drop of more than 2,000 mm shall be
solidly enclosed or guarded by fixed or rolling barrier rails, picket fences, half doors,
or equivalent barriers, capable of withstanding a load of at least 100 kg applied in any
direction except vertically upward at any point on the top rail or corresponding
member.
[Link] All other wall openings, irrespective of their width shall, if their lower edge is either 80
mm or less above floor level on the near side or 2,000 mm or more above ground , or
floor level on the far side, be guarded by:
(a) A toe board across the bottom of the opening or
(b) An enclosing screen, either solid or of grilles or slat work with openings not
more than 25 mm in width.
2.3.7 Railings
[Link] All railings shall be constructed in a permanent and substantial manner of wood, pipe,
structural metal or other material of sufficient strength.
[Link] Standard railings shall be at least 1,000 mm from the upper surface of the top rail to
floor level.
[Link] Standard railings shall have posts not more than 2,000 mm apart and an intermediate
rail halfway between top rail and the floor.
[Link] The dimensions of railings and posts and the anchoring and framing of members shall
be such that the completed structure shall be capable of withstanding a load of at least
100 kg applied in any direction at any point of the top rail.
[Link] Railings of the following types of construction shall be deemed satisfactory.
(a) For Wood Railings: Top rails and posts of at least 50 mm x 100 mm stock and
intermediate rails of at least 50 mmx 50 mm or 20 mm x100 mm stock. All
such railings shall be smooth and free from large or loose knots, protruding
nails or bolts, splinters, fine slivers or cracks.
(b) For Pipe Railings: Top rails and posts of metal pipe of at least
30mm dia. And intermediate rails of metal pipe of at least 25 mm diameter.
(c) For Structural Metal Railings: Top rails and posts of single iron at least 38 mm
x 38 mm x 5mm and intermediate rails of angle iron of at least 32 mm x 32 mm
x 3 mm.
[Link] All railings shall be of sound material free from defects and all
sharp corners shall be rounded and smoothed.
[Link] Toeboards shall be at least 150 mm in height.
[Link] Toeboards may be made of wood, iron, steel, or other substantial material.
[Link] Toeboards shall be securely fastened in place with not more than 6 mm clearance
above floor level.
2.3.8 Stairs
[Link] All stairs, platforms, and landing shall be of sufficient strength to sustain safely a live
load of not less than 500 kg with a factor of safely of four (4).
[Link] Width of stairs ,i.e. giving access to oiling platforms, shall in no case be less than 900
mm. And should be at least 1120 mm away from all obstructions except handrails.
[Link] Except for service stairs, the pitch of stairways should be between 30 and 38from the
horizontal and the slope should not be less than 20, nor more than 45.
[Link] Where the slope would be less than than 20a ramp should be installed, and where the
slope is more than 45, a fixed ladder should be provided.
[Link] No stairways shall have a height of more than 2,750 mm between landings and
intermediate landings shall have dimensions of not less than 1.120 mm measured in
the direction of the run.
[Link] Headroom shall be provided at all points in the stair well. The vertical clearance shall
not be less than 2,200 mm from the top of the tread in line with the of the riser.
[Link] Except for service stairs, the treads, exclusive of noosing projections, shall not be less
than 230 mm in width and the risers shall not be more than 200 mm nor less than 130
mm in height.
[Link] There shall be no variation in the width of the treads and the heights of the risers in
any flight; the top and bottom treads of any flight should be clearly distinguishable,
[Link] All stairways having four or more risers shall be equipped with stair railings on any
open side.
[Link] Enclosed stairways less than 1,120 mm I width shall be equipped with the stair railings
on any open side.
[Link] Enclosed stairways less than 1,120 mm in width shall be equipped with at least one
handrail preferably on the right side descending.
[Link] Stairways 1,120 mm or more in width shall be equipped with one stair railing on each
open edge and one handrail on each enclosed side.
[Link] In addition to the railings provided in section [Link], stairways 2,250 mm or more in
width shall be equipped with an intermediate handrail located approximately midway
of the width.
[Link] Stair railings shall be constructed in a permanent and substantial manner of wood,
pipe, structural metal or other material of sufficient strength.
[Link] The height of stair railings, from the upper surface of the rail to the surface of the top
rail to the surface of the tread in the line with the face of the riser at the forward edge
of the tread, shall not be more than 860 mm nor less than 760 mm.
[Link] Handrails shall be continuous throughout a flight of stairs and at landings and
without obstructions other than those intended to prevent persons from sliding.
[Link] If made of wood, handrails shall be at least 50 mm x 50 mm in cross section and if of
metal pipe at least 40 mm in diameter.
[Link] Handrails mounted directly on walls or partitions shall be fixed by means of brackets
attached to the lower side of the rails, so as not to interface with the smoothness of the
top and surface of the rails.
[Link] Brackets shall be spaced not more than 2,000 mm apart and shall be of sufficient
strength to provide a clearance of at least 40 mm between the rails and walls or any
obstruction on the walls.
[Link] The completed structure shall be capable of the with standing a load of at least 100 kg
applied in any direction at any point on the rail.
[Link] The clear width of service stairs, such as stairs in engine and boiler rooms or stairs
leading to service platforms around machinery, shall be at least 560 mm.
[Link] The pitch of service stairs shall not be more than 60 an dthe width of the treads shall
not be less than 150 mm.
[Link] Window opening at stairs landings, where the opening is more than 300 mm in width
and the sill is less than 900 mm above the landing shall be guarded securely by bars,
slats, or grill work to prevent persons from failing through.
[Link] Ramps used by persons of ascent or descent one level to another shall be limited to a
slope of not more than 1 in 10 and shall conform to all relevant requirements for
construction width, enclosures and railings applying to stairways.
[Link] Where railings for ramps may be subjected to heavy stresses, from trucking or
handling materials, additional strength shall be provided by use of heavier stocks,
close spacing of posts. Bracing, etc.
2.3.9 Fixed Ladders, Catwalks, Runaways and Platforms;
[Link] All metal parts or fittings of ladders shall be made structural steel.
[Link] Fixed ladders shall be installed that:
(a) The distance from the front of the rungs to the nearest fixed object on the
climbing side of the ladder is at least 760 mm.
(b) The distance from the back of the rungs to the nearest fixed object is at least
160 mm.
(c) Except in the case of ladders equipped with cages, baskets or equivalent
devices, there should be a clearance of at least 380 mm from the center line of
the ladder on either side across the front of the ladder.
[Link] If fixed ladders are used to ascend heights exceeding 9,000 mm.
(a) Landing platforms should be provided for each 9,000 mm or fraction thereof.
(b) The sections of the ladder should be staggered.
[Link] Catwalks working platforms or open sided floors 2,000 mm or more
above floor or ground level, except platforms used for loading and unloading of
height, and small platforms used for motors or similar equipment which cannot afford
standing space for persons, shall be guarded on all open sides by standard railings and
toeboards.
[Link] Catwalks used for filling of tanks, cars or for oiling may have the railing on one side
omitted, it necessary, subject to the hazard of falling being reduced by the used of
runways not less than 560 mm in width.
[Link] All runways or platforms constructed over conveyors or machinery shall be guarded
on all open sides by standard railings and toeboards.
2.3.10 Yards, Gates, Roadways, Walkways:
[Link] Plant yards shall be properly drained and graded in order to
facilitate safe access to buildings and safe handling of material and
equipment.
[Link] Drain pools and catch basins shall be provided where necessary, and properly be
covered or enclosed
[Link] Ditches, pits and other hazardous openings shall be provided with substantial covers,
enclosed, or substantial guards.
[Link] Walkways, roadways and tracks for plant railways should be carefully laid out in such
a manner as to avoid dangerous grade crossings.
[Link] Where the premises are surrounded by fences or walls, separate entrance and exit
gates shall be provided for pedestrians, vehicular and railroad traffic.
[Link] Gates for pedestrian traffic should be located at a safe distance from those for
vehicular and railroad traffic and should be of sufficient width to permit passage of
employees at rush hours
[Link] Safe walkways should be constructed along the shortest line between important
points.
[Link] Walkways should not be located under the eaves of the building where they may
become slippery
[Link] Where it is necessary for pedestrian to cross railroad tracks or vehicular roadways,
bridges or underpass should be provided, and the track or roadway should be fenced
so as to prevent direct crossing at such points.
[Link] Walking along railway track by unauthorized persons should be prohibited.
[Link] Railings should be installed along walkways on bridges, on steeps slopes, at slippery
places and at places where pedestrians are liable to injury by passing vehicles
[Link] Roadways fo automobiles, tractors or other vehicles should be soundly constructed
with surfaces made of good working materials.
[Link] Roadways should be of adequate width, and where used by two way traffic, shall be at
least twice the width of the wildest vehicle normally used, plus 1,2500 mm. Sufficient
clearance from overhead structure should be provided.
[Link] Where the establishment of grade or level crossings cannot be avoided, such crossings
should be protected by watchmen, gates or automatic signals.
[Link] Substantial railings or walls should be provided along bridges, slopes and sharp
curves.
Article 2.4 Machinery & Equipment
2.4.1 General Requirements.
[Link] All heavy machinery should be supported on solid foundations of sufficient mass and base
area to prevent or minimize the transmission of objectionable vibration to the building
and occupied space and to maintain the supported machine and it’s proper elevation and
alignment.
[Link] Foundation mass should be from 3 to 5 times the weight of the machinery it is supposed to
support, or may be designed in conformance with Section 2.4.2
If the unbalanced inertial forces produce by the machine can be calculated, a mass of
weight equal to 10 to 20 times the forces should be used to dampen vibration.
For stability, the total combined engine, driven equipment, and foundation center of gravity
must be kept below the foundation’s top.
[Link] The weight of the machine plus the weight of the foundation should be distributed over a
sufficient soil area which is large enough to cause a bearing stress within the safe bearing
capacity of the soil with a factor of safety of live.
[Link] Foundations should be isolated from the floor slabs or building footings by at least 25 mm
around its perimeter to eliminate transmission of vibration. Fill openings with water
tight-mastic.
When installing machinery above grade level of a building, additional stiffness must be
provided in the structural members of the building to dampen machine vibration.
[Link] Foundations are preferably built of concrete in the proportion of one (1) measure of
Portland Cement to two (2) measure of sand and four (4) measure of screened crushed
stones. The machine should not be placed on the foundation until seven (7) days have
elapsed or operated until another seven (7) days have passed.
[Link] Concrete foundations should have steel bar reinforcement placed both vertically and
horizontally, to avoid thermal cracking. Weight of reinforcing steel should be ½% to 1%
of the weight of the foundation.
[Link] Foundation bolts of specified size should be used and surrounded by a pipe sleeve with an
inside diameter of at least three (3) time sthe diameter of the anchor bolt and a length of
at least 18 times the diameter of the bolt. No foundation bolts shall be less than 12 mm
diameter.
[Link] Machine should be leveled by driving wedges between the machine’s base and concrete
foundation and with the aid of a spirit level. Grout all spaces under the machine bed with
a thin mixture of one part cement and one part sand. The level wedges should be
removed after grout has thoroughly set and fill wedges holes with grout.
[Link] For Stacks – stacks and foundation become integral structures. The maximum pressure on
the soil is equal to the pressure due to the weight and the wind movement. Allowable pressure
may be taken as the sum of 2,566.36 kgm2/ due to wind or a total of 5,132.73 kg/m2/m depth of the
foundation.
(a) Guyed Steel Stacks. These are used principally because of their relative cheapness.
Heavy foundations are unnecessary. Guyed stacks seldom exceed 1.83 m diameter and 30.48
meter high. Guys are usually applied in one to three sets. The angle between the stack and guy
wire is usually 60, and the angle between wires in a set is 120 for a set of three.