Agricultural Buildings?

[stephena]

Would a horse arena be considered an agricultural building? Who decides if there is excessive dust and if there is then does it have to meet the article 500 definition of smaller than 500 microns? Thank you.

 

[ptonsparky]

Look at 547.

Normally the arena will not fit the definition of (A) or (B). PP housekeeping may eventually lead to it, but IMO, that would take a long time.

 

[ceb58]

I would say nothing in 500 would apply but IMPO if it has to do with livestock it would fall under 547.

 

[mgookin]

An arena is a place of assembly. The fact you have livestock in there is subordinate to the occupancy classification.

I would not call this an agricultural building for the purpose of exemption from code.

I would call it agricultural or livestock operations for the purpose of dust & hazard mitigation.

JMO

 

[kwired]

547.1 Scope.
The provisions of this article shall apply to the following agricultural buildings or that part of a building or adjacent areas of similar or like nature as specified in 547.1(A) or (B).
(A) Excessive Dust and Dust with Water.
Agricultural buildings where excessive dust and dust with water may accumulate, including all areas of poultry, livestock, and fish confinement systems, where litter dust or feed dust, including mineral feed particles, may accumulate.
(B) Corrosive Atmosphere.
Agricultural buildings where a corrosive atmosphere exists. Such buildings include areas where the following conditions exist:
Poultry and animal excrement may cause corrosive vapors.
Corrosive particles may combine with water.
The area is damp and wet by reason of periodic washing for cleaning and sanitizing with water and cleansing agents.
Similar conditions exist.

I think application of 547 is at a bit of discretion to the AHJ. I believe most will consider the area where animals are housed on a regular basis or adjacent areas with very similar environmental conditions to be a 547 application.

A performance horse arena often will not be a 547 application, but areas where animals are handled or housed when not performing are.
A racetrack would also be a similar application.

 

[ptonsparky]

A riding arena on a farm or ranch typically does not have seating, unless you bring your own folding chair or hay bale.

While it does have the square footage, Place of Assembly, it is not.

 

[mgookin]

A riding arena on a farm or ranch typically does not have seating, unless you bring your own folding chair or hay bale.

While it does have the square footage, Place of Assembly, it is not.

Sort of like an indoor football field for NFL teams to practice is not a stadium? I agree.

 

[kwired]

Sort of like an indoor football field for NFL teams to practice is not a stadium? I agree.

Until that same facility is used for something other then for the team to practice. Large open space like that is often rented for special events - now it has more then just the purpose of football practice.

 

[mwm1752]

Would a horse arena be considered an agricultural building? Who decides if there is excessive dust and if there is then does it have to meet the article 500 definition of smaller than 500 microns? Thank you.

Does this arena have a roof assembly over it, walls on the side, open to the atmosphere? Private or public? Been to plenty of rodeos which is basically an arena in which fence surrounding it is plenty cover with dust, dirt, crap but would also be considered a wet location.
Are you trying to determine a wiring method or equipotential plane?