Which IBC table would you consult to determine the maximum allowable building height above grade plane for a small warehouse?

• A. Table 508.4 Required Separation of Occupancies
• B. Table 722.24 Minimum Dimension of Concrete Columns
• C. Table 1004.5 Maximum Floor Area Allowances per Occupant
• D. Table 504.3 Allowable Building Height in Feet Above Grade Plane

Answer: (D)

The maximum height above grade plane is found in the table that directly lists Allowable Building Height in Feet Above Grade Plane. This table ties together construction type and occupancy to specify how tall a building can be, which is exactly what you need for a warehouse project. Other tables cover fire separation between occupancies, minimum column dimensions, or floor-area per occupant—topics that don’t determine how tall the building may be. Remember that height limits can also shift depending on whether the building is sprinklered, but the starting point for determining allowable height is that table of height allowances.