Minimum requirement by code on shell building

[mike9999]

I am doing a shell building that will become a multi-tenant facility in the future. It is 35,000 sq ft with smallest tenant around 4000 sq ft. The owner wants to design the minimum requirements for electrical, mechanical and fire alarm thinking that the tenant will provide most of the tenant panels and transformers, ltg, heaters, exit sign, strobes, etc when they move in. My question is regarding the future tenant areas (not the common areas, corridors, utilities, etc.), owner does not want to provide exit lights, strobe lights, no heaters (this is in Virginia), he wants a single emergency strip light for each 4000 sq ft area, etc. Will this be violation of any codes?

 

[bphgravity]

Only your local building department / fire marshal can answer this question for you. Every jurisdiction will have their own specific minimum requirements for shell construction and tenant improvement buildouts. In some cases, the matter depends on the relationship between the developer and owner of the future building and unit spaces.

In general, exit and emergency lighting is required at each exit and exit discharge as a minimum for shell construction. In most cases, the service equipment is completed at time of the shell construction with only the housepanel released to utility for energizing.

Most if not all life/fire safety equipment and devices will have to be installed for the structure on the shell to comply with your local fire codes.