The Institution of Structural Engineers and The Institution of Highways and Transportation JANUARY 1984 Design recommendations for multi-storey and underground car parks (2nd edition) Published by the Institution of Structural EngineersThe Institution of Structural Engineers and The Institution of Highways and Transportation. Design recommendations for multi-storey and underground car parks (2nd edition) JANUARY 1984 The Institution of Structural Engineers UPPER BELGRAVE STREET, LONDONSW3X 8HConstitution of Joint Committee D. R. Sharp, OBE, DSc, DipTP(Lond), CEng, FiStruetE, FICE, FIMunE, FIT (Chairman) John Campbell, MCIBS K. J. C. Clayden, BSc, CEng, FiStructE, FICE, FIHT E. W. Dore, CEng, FiStructE, MICE, MIMunE A. F. Gee, MA, Cing, FiStructE, FICE, FIMechE, FIHT John Glanville, BSc(Eng), ACGI, CEng. FICE, FIAT W. E. A. Skinner, CEng, FiStructE, FICE, FHKIE W. P. Winston, BSc(Tech), CEng, FICE, FIHT, M ASCE R. J. W. Milne, BSc (Secretary) 2nd edition published January 1984; reprinted December 1988 with new style cover and title page © 1984: The Institution of Structural Engineers This publication is copyright under the Berne Convention and the International Copyright Convention. All rights reserved. Apart from any copyingunder the UK ‘Copyright Act 1956, part 1, section 7, whereby a single copy of an article may be supplied, under certain conditions. for the purposes of research or private study. bya library of aclass prescribed by the UK Board of Trade Regulations (Statutory Instruments, 1957, no. 868), no part ofthis publication may be reproduced, storedin retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior permission of the copyright owners. Permission isnot. however. required tocopy extractson conditions that a fll reference to the source isshown. Multiple cop ying of the contents ofthe publication without permission contravenes the aforementioned Act.Contents FOREWORD GLOSSARY 1 CLIENT’S BRIEF AND PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION 1.1 Introduction Scope ‘Mixed-use structures Limitations imposed by statutory requirements and public policy Design brief 1.2. Information to be considered for inclusion in the brief Theaim Thesite Site conditions Highway access Statutory undertakers Re-use ‘Submission ofthe design and costs 1.3 Designconsiderations Structural Environmental Town planning Building regulations 1.4 Performance specification General Traffic feasibility requirements Site feasibility requirements ‘Accommodation and operational requirements ‘Schedule Choice of solution 2 APPEARANCE AND PLANNING 10 3 DESIGN GEOMETRY 2 3.1 Introduction 2 3.2. Thecar 2 33. Staticrequirements 1B Scall width, stall length, aisle width ‘and bin width 13 Side clearances on structure B Columns B Height 4 Floor gradient 4 Ramp and accessway gradients 4 Ramp and accessway curvature, widths ‘and clearance on structure 4 Superelevation 4 Kerb height 4 Entry and exitarrangements 14 3.4. Layout ofcar parks 15 Principles 15 Cul-de-sac parking 16 ‘One-and two-way aisles 16 Parking angle Layout controls Parking-area layout Ramps Entrances and exits Choice oflayout 3.5. Dynamicrequirements Procedure Traffic demand Dynamic capacity Vehicle speed Capacities of aisles and stalls Time taken to park, and stall width Parking angle Ramp capacity ‘Accessway and carriageway capacity ‘Bends on accessway and ramps Entrance-barrier capacity Vehicle reservoir at entrance, and entrance ayout Exit-barrier capacity Exiteapacity Vehicle reservoir atexit Turnover 4 VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN CONTROL 4.1. Vehicle control Introduction Entry control Capacity of entry lanes Control within the car park Signs Vehicle safety barriers Collection of parking fees Fraud Methods of payment Control ofexit Exitcapacities 4.2. Pedestrian control Introduction Pedestrian! vehicle conflict Stair and liftshafts Ramps Aisles Lifts Disabled persons 5 DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF CAR PARKS 5.1 Classification of above-ground car parks 5.2. Materials and methods of construction for above-ground car parks Materials Concrete construction ‘Steel construction Composite construction 33338853 34 55 5.6 39 Constraints in above-ground car parks Column positions Loading Design solutions for above-ground car parks Precastconcrete Insituconcrete Composite construction Structural discontinuities in above-ground car parks Movement joints (full lateral discontinuity) Foundations Deflection limits Stability Cladding General Categories of cladding Fixings Underground car parks Design criteria for underground car parks Geometry and circulation Fire precautions ‘Smoke precautions and extraction Mechanical services Noise Drainage Site investigation Methods of construction and structural design for underground car parks General ‘Types of car park Methods of construction 5.10 Landscaping of underground car parks Design criteria Control of moisture conditions After-care Water features 6 LIGHTING, HEATING AND VENTILATION 61 62 63 Lighting General Rlumination standards Selection of electrical equipment (general requirements) Choice of tuminaires Circuit arrangement Heating General Ramps Roofs Space heating Ventilation Reasons for ventilation ‘Natural ventilation ‘Mechanical ventilation Noise levels General recommendations 30 30 30 30 30 31 31 34 34 35, BRISSRRRRRARRRE SSSRSB2BR 7 FIRE CONSIDERATIONS 7A 72 73 14 Fire prevention Fire resistance Fire detection and extinguishing equipment General Sprinklers Automatic fire alarms Hand appliances Means of escape Governing bodies Rules for guidance 8 WATERPROOFING, DRAINAGE, FLOOR FINISHES AND MAINTENANCE 81 82 83 84 85 Waterproofing General Alternative approaches to waterproofing Concrete deck slabs without waterproof ‘membrane Concrete deck waterproofed by use of a ‘membrane Vulnerable details Movement joints Drainage Introduction Theroof Intermediate floors Floor finishes Introduction Underground floors Lineand level Typical floor specifications Guring concrete floors Cold-weather construction Hot-weather construction. Admixtures Precautions against snow and ice Floor hardeners Special surfaces Maintenance of waterproofing and floors Definition of maintenance Designer's interest in maintenance Costof ignoring the need for maintenance Premature failures Maintenance staff Conclusion 9 CAR PARKS OUTSIDE THE UNITED KINGDOM REFERENCES 56 7Foreword In May 1973 the Institution of Structural Engineers and the Institution of Highway Engineers, as it was then, held a conference in London on the subject of multi-storey and underground car parks, where the emphasis was on design. The information presented at this conference was clearly of considerable value, and the two Institutions therefore appointed a Joint Committee to prepare compre hensive recommendations on design, using the conference proceedings as a starting point. The Committee moved very quickly, and in December 1975 the Joint Report was published by the Institution of Structural Engineers on behalf of the two Institutions. It was clear from the beginning that the document filled a considerable gap, and itis probably true to say that it became the standard work on the subject in the UK. and in many countries overseas, particularly where British designers have influence. The best recommendations date with time, and it was therefore inevitable that the two Institutions should decide that a revision should be undertaken. The result is this report. ‘The original Committee comprised eight members with the invaluable support of the Assistant Secretary (Technical) of the Institution of Structural Engineers. We were extremely fortunate for the revision in that all the original members of, the Joint Committee were available, with one exception, thus ensuring the greatest amount of continuity. Although the original report has stood up well to the passage of time, the opportunity has been taken in the new edition, not only to update the information originally presented, but also to introduce new data and ideas. The Joint Committee welcomes feedback from users of the report. December 1983 D.R.SHarp, Chairman, Joint CommitteeGlossary Accessway Aisle Bin Clearway ramp Dynamic capacity Parking angle Ramp Reservoir Stalt Statie capacity Carriageway not adjoining stalls and used solely for the movement of vehicles, Am accessway serving adjoining stalls, ‘Two rows of stalls with the access aisle running between them. A half-bin is one row of stalls and the aisle serving them. A ramp system that does not include an aisle in its circulation and which provides unencumbered access between the parking floors and an entrance or exit. ‘This term may be applied either to the individual parts of a car park or toa car park as a whole, tis the maximum flow of cars, or where appropriate people, which the part of the car park or the car park as a whole as the case may be, can accommodate. The angle between the length of a stall and the aisle from which it is served. An accessway or aisle connecting parking areas at different levels. More usually the term is applied to accessways only. ‘An accessway where cars may queue without obstructing movements in other parts of a car park or the external road system. A reservoir may also be described as a vehicle reservoir. ‘The parking area, exclusive of aisle or other adjoining area, allocated to one car. ‘The total number of stalls in a car park.Client’s briefand performance specification 11 Introduction Scope ‘These notes are designed to assist the client who wishes to commission a design for a car-parking facility either above or below ground and operated on the direct-flow ramp principle. Single-level parking lots are not specifi- cally dealt with; mechanically-operated stacking devices have been excluded. Nevertheless much of the informa- tion required for these two latter projects is common to the multi-storey ramped facility. It may well be neces- sary before a client commissions a detailed design for a separate feasibility study to be undertaken in order to establish requirements to be met for the project to be acceptable. ‘There may well be situations where a multi-storey car park is to be incorporated in a structure that will have other uses; ancillary services, in particular the sale of petrol, may be envisaged, and these will pose particular, design problems. It is ‘necessary to consider these matters in conjunction with the design of the car park itself. Limitations imposed by statutory requirements and public policy Car-parking provision is constrained not only by re- quirements usually affecting the design, construction and equipment of structures of this nature but may also be affected by national and local policies aimed at traffic regulation either through limited provision of parking spaces, by application of the price-tariff mechanism or by ther devices. Many of these techniques are presently being developed and are subject to change. It is, therefore important that before embarking on any project the client considers current trends before enter: ing into any firm commitment. Design brief Asin the design of any structure, there must be a certain amount of dialogue between client and designer in the formative stages of the design, and the original brief must be reviewed in the light of feedback from the design team. In this respect itis important to carry out a feasibility study based on a number of sketch designs that fulfil, or as nearly as possible fulfil, the require- ments of the performance specification. It may then be found that the benefits arising from variation of certain items in the original brief, such as the boundaries of the site or the position of entrances and exits, are such as to justify their reconsideration, The whole brief should then be reviewed. Since several alternative designs may have to be evaluated, however, itis important to agree with the client at the outset the criteria to be adopted for the selection of the ‘best’ solution. Clearly this will often, but not necessarily always, be on the basis of cost per car space 1.2 Information to be considered for inclusion in the brief The aim The aim of the client must be stated explicitly, in particular the purpose to which the car-park building will be put. A car park can be used for a number of separate purposes, or a combination of them, namely: ‘© a public car park operated as a public service for profit or through a subsidy ‘@ a facility for a specific development where the pattern of use may be expected to remain reasonably constant throughout the day facility for a given activity that will generate high peak demands at given times or lead to the assumption that there may otherwise be special design considera- tions. The type of vehicle for which the car park is required to cater should be mentioned if there is likely to be any special requirement because of unusual vehicle dimen- sion, The site ‘The brief should contain a full description of the site and its environs, with particular note of the adjacent high- way network. The status of land atthe time of writing the brief must be disclosed, particularly any restraints imposed by covenant or otherwise on building or access. The brief must clearly state the situation regarding statutory consents and with whom the client expects the lity for the progressing of these consents to lie. conditions information concerning existing site conditions All should be stated, particularly the known subsoil condi- tions including water table and drainage levels. The arrangements for site clearance and collection of design data relating to ground conditions should be explained, Highway access ‘The purpose, layout, and present and future use of the adjacent highway network should be stated since they can affect the viability of the project, the detailed entrance and exit arrangements and the future manage- ment policy. Attention should be drawn to any known street improvements proposed, the possibility of them being required in consequence of the car park's con- struction, or any other matter that will affect the net site area available. The necessity to establish survey levels at an carly stage should be emphasised. Attention should also be drawn to the possibility that the street lighting nits might be conveniently incorporated in the fascia of the structure where it abuts a public highway. Statutory undertakers ‘Any mains, cables, ete. within or adjacent to the site and likely to be affected in any way by the works should be ‘mentioned.Re-use Finally the client should indicate whether consideration should be given at the design stage to the re-use of the car park for other purposes at some time in the future. ‘Submission of the design and costs The client must set out the manner in which the completed scheme is to be submitted to him and the time-scale that he requires. It will be for the client to describe the manner in which he will expect the details of cost to be presented to him, but the brief will necessarily include all the figures in his possession to enable his, wishes to be complied with 13 Design considerations Structural The brief should state: « the preferred material or make clear that the choice is left to the designer ‘# whether the structure is expected to be wholly above ground, wholly underground or partly above and partly below: ‘the final recommendations may rest with the designer in the light of his investigations, but any over-riding factor affecting his choice must be stated, Environmental The client must state his wishes concerning the finished appearance of the building, drawing attention to any special circumstances known to him that will affect the final choice. Attention should be drawn to any require- ‘ment to protect adjacent buildings from noise, dirt or fumes not only from vehicles but also heating, cleaning and ventilating plant. Town planning Attention should be drawn to the requirements of the local planning authority, and any documents already in the client’ possession should be supplied with the brief, Special planning requirements, particularly in respect of preservation, conservation and redevelopment should be noted Building regulations The client should similarly disclose any exchange of documents concerning the application of the relevant building regulations: he should ask for a clear explana- tion of any assumptions as to relaxation if the completed design or estimate of cost assumes that these have been or can be obtained 14 Performance specification General Itis recommended that the performance specification be prepared in three stages: ‘traffic feasibility requirements # site feasibility requirements ‘¢ accommodation and operational requirements. For car parks of less than about 200 stalls capacity the feasibility requirements are commonly reasonably self- evident. In such instances the three stages are usually combined. With larger developments itis recommended that a feasibility study be executed to determine the performance requirements. Large parking develop- ments and, in some instances, medium-sized parking developments may generate high traffic flows, and the need to meet traffic requirements is of primary import- ance. In such cases itis recommended that a traffic study 8 be done initially followed by a site study, the two constituting a feasibility study. A parking development may be associated with another development. In such instances it may be convenient to execute a feasibility study for the develop- ment as a whole. Certain geometric requirements are determined by the feasibility study. In other cases the dimensions given in Section 3 are recommended and may be regarded as ‘common to all car parks; hence they are not included in the performance specification. ‘Traffic feasibility requirements Where a separate traffic feasibility study is required it should include the external road system. The traffic study provides the flows required for the site study. The traffic study also identifies key requirements. For exam- ple in urban areas with high car-park flows the siting of ‘entrances and exits and their design may be critical. The traffic feasibility study also establishes the capacity (see (a) of Schedule below), Site feasibility requirements Atthis stage the functional design appropriate to the site and parking requirements is prepared. This process may involve preparing trial designs in accordance with the client's brief and the traffic requirements. The perform- ance requirements determined at this stage are given in (b) and (c) of the Schedule below. ‘Accommodation and operational requirements ‘To complete the performance specification the accom- modation and operational requirements should be listed. The Schedule (points (d) to (u) below) is not necessarily complete and indicates points that may need taking into consideration Schedule ‘The points to be considered in the three stages are: (a) Capacity (This the number of car spaces (stalls) required and is usually stated as a minimum capacity If part of the park is to be used for a special category of user, or part of it to be partitioned as individual lock-ups, a breakdown into types of accommodation is ‘required (ii) The capacity is usually derived from the de- velopment that the car park serves; alterna- tively, the requirement may be to make appropriate use of a particular site (®) Layout Floor and ramp arrangement (ii) Arrangements of entrancelexit lanes and pro- vision of reversible lanes Arrangement of control gates including the preferred method of checking entry and exit (iv)Reservoir space at entry (v) Reservoir space at exit (vi) The arrangement required for pedestrian entr- ance, egress and circulation, including provi- sion for the disabled (vii) Escalators and lifts. Requirements should be specified; any special requirement, for inst- ance for shopping trolleys, should be stated (c) Dimensions (i) Stall size (width and length). Where there are