How do I describe a commercial project?

NOTE: The following example project is based on the 2000 IBC. Input and reports for the

FBC, NBC, SBC and UBC versions are very similar but are customized for each code.

You simply enter the size of the building, select the use of each area from an extensive use menu

and describe the site. Plan Analyst will set defaults for the rest of the input information. You may

use the defaults or change them to match your project.

The first step is to enter the basic building description.

You then enter the basic description for each floor.

You then select the use of each area and enter the floor area. Additional information is required

for some uses so that the correct occupancy and special requirements can be determined.

Examples of some uses requiring additional information are:

Stage?

Fixed Seats?

Material used or stored in the area?

After you enter the description for each area, you then enter a description of the site.

You then indicate the type of construction if known and indicate whether the building has

an automatic sprinkler system or not. Note: You may ask Plan Analyst to find all of the 

construction types that work or to check a specific type of construction.

The last step is to select any applicable additional building features.

The following examples are from a typical Plan Analyst analysis report using the simple input

procedure that you have just seen. As you review the following examples, please consider the

tedious code study time that you could save with this powerful plan check software tool in 

your office. A typical analysis report is 15 to 20 pages long. Reports do not contain just

basic information, they also include all exceptions and special requirements that apply.

After creating the analysis report, Plan Analyst will generate a customized checklist based on this project.

As you go through the checklist, you simply select whether each item is ok or not on the plans. If you indicate that it is not ok, you will be asked to enter the location of the problem and Plan Analyst will describe the problem including the applicable code references. When you are finished, you will be able to print a correction report showing all of the problems on the plan and the precise code reference number for each problem.

Each question in the checklist will be asked using the above screen.

If you select [ Not Correct ], the following screen will be displayed.

For any correction needed, all that you need to do is enter the sheet number and any identification

needed to help the applicant understand where the problem is (ie. door number, room number/name,

section number, grid line, etc.).

The following sample correction report shows the format and type of information provided by Plan 

Analyst. You can easily customize these reports to reflect local requirements. You can then return

this professional quality correction report with the project plans to clearly show what changes must  

be made for code compliance and project approval.

Note: All code requirements and corrections can be edited.