Re: Title 24 requirments
occupation to the handicapped. Now, I know this may seem odd to some of you, and of no interest at all as you are only interested in what you can do to your home studio.
Actually, I am extremely interested in this code for many reasons.
Regarding handicap laws, the facility won't require more than one designated handicapped parking spot. This is because it has first floor access and the second floor (the slab above the office space) is undeveloped. If I change that, then I will need to shell out a lot of money for an elevator, or ensure that all handicapped employees work on the first floor in equivilent facilites as whats available upstairs. Thats about as much of the law as I know.
Regarding people flow, well, thats extremely important to me. I'm a big fan of ergonomics in all senses of the word, and intend not to skimp in that regard in designing the facility.
I'm trying to achieve a really good flow for humans of any designation (employees or clients), but also keep access to the two control rooms controlled.
Several things I deem important:
1. People wandering in cannot get past the reception area unless I allow them to. Since I won't have a receptionist/office manager for a loooooooooong time, the double doors between the reception area and the rest of the facility will be electronically locked to the outside. The inside will of course have fire escape pushbars for safety.
2. I have two control rooms, and I absolutely do not want clients in there unless I decide to. If they pay to, fabulous, they're in. But I am very comfortable with the idea of having "them" on that side of the double glass, and "us" on this side of the same glass. Too many people in there will make it hot, crowded, and its certainly a distraction.
3. Flow. The facility needs to be easy to navigate for customers. I don't mind if I or any guest engineers have to navigate an extra door or two, but the flow of the facility must be such that customers don't get lost, don't lose their stuff in some unknown room, that sorta thing.
construct, rent out, run a business out of or any other use of a building that is open to the public, with out complying with the law.
While I don't know that particular law well at all, there are two ways to comply. Following it, and making donations

I will be following it.
Actually, I have an architect that owes me a huge favor, so he and I have already discussed what his repayment will be. I give him my visio diagrams on paper with measurements, and he'll convert them to geographically legal diagrams complete with electrical, plumbing and whatever else the planning board needs to issue me my $650 in permits for all the different kinds of work.
Before I shelled out the cash for the building, I did go before the planning board in that town, and sought approval conceptionally for the type of business I wanted to run. Aside from a slew of positive comments I received, I could see on their faces they were clearly not opposed, at all. I think this is because there has been a rash of dunkin donut type places going up every few blocks in that particular town, as well as other types of businesses in the area that my building is in that could have taken it over - mostly industrial hellholes. So I presented it ("Spun" if you have a sales background) that my company/business would be improving the neighborhood by bringing in a new class of business.
Perception is reality - dont ever forget it
Excuse this book. How else can I ask these questions? My interest in this is solely out of professional curiosity.
You (and everyone else) are welcomed to ask, say, comment, refute, disagree, help, improve or laugh at anything I say, draw, post or otherwise share. If I wasn't interested in this dialog I wouldn't be a member of this BBS. I find this enlightening and enjoyable. Even if I don't take certain advice, I know I'm stubborn (and I write harshly too!) but its all mean as good.
professional designer, I still have to personally design, using Title 24 as one of the criteria for successful commercial interior design. Commercial Studios in this county must comply.
Do you know of a web link or where I can obtain a pdf of this title 24? While I probably have it covered, I have this need to fully understand my surroundings to the nth degree. If you have it handy, if not, I'll ask my owes-me-a-favor architect to provide it.
And thats not all. Every building has an occupancy load. And this load determines how you interpret Title 24. Frederic, do you have to comply with Title 24 for your commercial studio? I have yet to see anything published in regards to how
Here is what I know, and I must say its not complete information.
Once I present my design for my side of the facility the planning board will nitpick it until they are satisfied I've met all the codes. They have a consulting architect that I have to pay a fee to for approval of my design. Once the design is finalized and approved, I'm assigned an occupancy specification for the entire facility, as well as specific areas. For example, I might have a 100 person occupancy, but there may be a limit in the console room to four, because it only has one exit and is behind three sets of doors. Made up example but you get the idea I'm sure. The only signs/documents I have to display in the entrance or some place obvious is the business license, the fire inspection, and the occupancy certificate. I will also display police boosters
Handicapped. There are no handicapped people seeking a job in a studio! This is for wanabe and actual rock stars!
Statistically, I would agree with you, however like you said, I'm required by law to make my facility handicapped accessable and to be honest, I really have no issue doing so. For this facility, I can comply with that law by painting and signing a single parking spot, and putting a handrail in the bathrooms. Very easy to comply with, and certainly not something I would ever fight.
and such, although I am a musician also, so please don't take offence to that.
No offense taken. None at all
Anyway, to my diagram, I'm still suffering with flow. And whether I should move the office/conference room upstairs onto the 2nd floor partial slab. Ugh.
I think I'm going to take a little break for a while
