Approvals and permits from local Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) over a facility are a critical component of a properly permitted facility.  However, many owners find discrepancies between the various codes frustrating and hard to understand.  Scott Moore, licensed architect and contractor, offers a two-hour seminar titled “Code Considerations for Craft Distilleries.”  This two-hour presentation provides an overview of the various permits and approvals that may be required by local building and fire officials. Conflicts within the various codes related specifically to distillery operations are highlighted.  Solutions require some detail about the hierarchy of the codes, potential cost effective solutions and additional information available from outside sources to present to reviewing officials on behalf of the distillery.

The seminar is designed as a break out session to provide distillery related employees, owners and investors with a vocabulary and conceptual familiarity in order to better communicate with the AHJ and design professionals.  The seminar provides an overview of the model codes, used by many municipalities in the United States, including the chapters specifically relevant to distilleries and distillery operations.  Occupancy Classifications, Building Types and their relationship to Maximum Allowable Quantities allowed by the code will be covered in depth. Upon completion, students are expected to have a basic understanding of the principals of code compliant distillery design and construction.  The course intends to fulfill this goal as outlined below.

A.        Types of codes

1. The difference between zoning, building, and fire codes will be explained.
2. The means by which codes become law will be explained.
3. The difference between codes and standards will be explained.
4. The most commonly applicable codes and standards will be referenced.
5. This seminar focuses primarily on building and fire codes.

B.        Basic building design

1. Occupancy classifications most applicable to distilleries will be identified.
2. The concept of allowable area will be explained.
3. Mixed occupancy classification and occupancy separation will be discussed.
4. Fire resistive construction assemblies & fire protection will be discussed.
5. Code upgrades required in existing buildings will be discussed.

C.            Distillery specific code considerations

1. Maximum allowable quantities of hazardous materials will be discussed.
2. Flammable and Combustible Liquid will be defined.
3. The relevance of flash point and boiling point will be revealed.
4. The detailed requirements of the H-3 (hazardous occupancy) will be discussed.
5. The student will be expected to understand when and why a distillery may be classified as a hazardous occupancy.
6. The importance of sprinklers will be stressed and explained.
7. Other fire code considerations such as High Piled Storage will be addressed.

D.            Mechanical and electrical considerations

1. Ventilation and plumbing systems will be addressed.
2. Electrical classification and wiring methods will be explained.

For more information on attending or scheduling a seminar please use the contact form to connect with us. Or, call our office at 303/765.1295.