Hazardous Materials Storage Lockers are manufactured for specialized used of holding hazardous materials. They can be stored inside or outside, but are often used for additional storage outside of buildings Special regulations for these type of units are found in NFPA 30, the Flammable & Combustible liquids codes. Pertinent requirements include: The chapter does not […]
The common path of egress travel distance is an import concept of egress in the international building code (IBC). Here we will dive deep into exactly what it means and how it affects the code design of a building. All references uses the 2021 edition of the IBC, but this concept is also found in […]
If you are remodeling or adding bathrooms in a commercial building, you’ll likely have to bring the restroom(s) up to current accessibility (ADA) Standards. Here we go over some of these main requirements for ADA compliant restrooms, particularly single user toilet rooms. IBC (International Building Code) The IBC, the model building code used throughout the […]
Matthew Taylor-Rennert just received an architect license in Montana! This brings the total number of licenses that Dalkita has in the US to 25! Whether your project is in one of the states we are licensed in or not, we can likely still work on your project, as we are NCARB certified and able to […]
If you are adding an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) attached to an exisitng, main dwelling, then you may be required to provide a fire rated separation between the 2 units. Section R302.3 from the IRC (International Residential Code), 2018 edition mandates a 1 hour fire rating between dwelling units when there are two dwelling units […]
There are some major changes found in the 2024 edition of the International Building Code (IBC) and International Fire Code (IFC) that affect distillery design. Jurisdictions around the country adopt these codes at their own pace, so check with your state or locality to see what edition of codes is adopted/planned to be adopted soon. […]
Kauai County has 3 different zoning designations for accessory type of dwelling units on residential properties. Here we cover the differences of these designations. ARU (Additional Rental Unit) ARU zoning code defintion: Means a rental unit that includes a kitchen, bedroom(s) and bathroom facilities, attached or detached from a dwelling unit that is used for […]
Usually, the building codes mandate a maximum square footage for a building based on its occupancy and construction type (fire resistance of materials). But, there are certain provisions for buildings that have no limit to the allowable area, given certain requirements are met. Here we will discuss an overview of how the IBC permits unlimited […]
We’re thrilled to share progress on Stilleven Spirits, a new small-but-mighty distillery coming to Jordan, Minnesota! This project blends traditional craft with thoughtful design—centered around a compact still that will produce Jenever, a Dutch-style botanical spirit. The tasting room is shaping up to be a warm, welcoming space, with carefully curated interior finishes and lighting […]
Designing a distillery is exciting—but it also means navigating complex life safety codes. Here are three common (and costly) mistakes we see all too often, plus how to avoid them: 1. Overdoing the Code 🔧 Sometimes more isn’t better. Installing extreme fireproofing or excessive separations—beyond what’s required—can waste time and money. The key is understanding […]
In the world of design and construction, life safety isn’t just a checkbox—it’s a critical layer that protects people, property, and projects. At Dalkita, we specialize in helping building owners, architects, and engineers navigate the complex web of fire and life safety codes with clarity and confidence. The Challenge:Code requirements can be overwhelming—especially when they […]
Elevated Living in the Rockies Nestled in the rugged beauty of the Rocky Mountains, the Granite Crag residence exemplifies Dalkita’s commitment to blending innovative design with the natural environment. This custom home showcases our expertise in creating spaces that are both functional and harmonious with their surroundings. Design Highlights: At Dalkita, we take pride in […]
At Dalkita, we design and consult on complex spaces—distilleries, homes, and life safety systems—built to work beautifully and safely. 👷‍♂️ Scott Moore President and Principal Architect With 30+ years of experience in architecture and construction, Scott brings deep knowledge across commercial and industrial projects. Since leading the design for Stranahan’s Distillery in 2009, he’s helped […]
The International Building Code (IBC) determines the occupant load of a space within a building. This figure is used for various other requirements found in the code. Occupant load factors are found in table 1004.5 of the 2021 IBC, shown below. Certain functions of space, like warehouses have a very high square footage per occupant […]
Ventilation is an important aspect of a distillery’s function and safety. The model building codes, mechanical codes, and fire codes inform us on much of the requirements surrounding this topic. But, experience is what tells us the best way to design ventilation in distilleries. Here we will learn about the main ventilation concepts in distilleries. […]
We talk a lot about the “Electric Sombrero of Death”. Here is an overview of what it means, and how it affects your distillery. The electric sombrero of death is all about electrical classification/ classified areas. Whenever you have a potential flammable vapor source within a building/ distillery, for example a still, you must consider […]
The IBC (International Building Code) Mandates allowable areas for buildings, adopted through a majority of the US. It tells us maximum square footage, height, and stories. Here we will give an overview of some of the common requirements that occur for a distillery type of building. F-1 Occupancy You’re distillery, or a portion of your […]
The 2021 IBC introduced key changes expanding the use of single-user, gender neutral bathrooms. We recently consulted with the ICC to get clarification on this issue and thought it was relevant to share our finding on this often confusing issue. Under 2021 and newer codes, a designer can opt to provide all single-user restrooms in […]
Introducing Dalkita Life-Safety, Code, and Constructability Consulting For the past 15 + years, Dalkita has specialized in distillery design and construction. As our practice grew from providing local turn key design and build services to national (and on occasion international) distillery consulting, a couple of interesting things happened. So, for 2025, we are rolling out […]
ADU’s are becoming increasingly popular across the US. Here we will go over planning for an ADU Accessory Dwelling Unit. They are typically small, detached (or attached) living units subsidiary to a main home, that typically include at least 1 bedroom/ studio, a bathroom, and a kitchen. They are often designed to be used for […]
Dalkita architect Matt Taylor-Rennert is now living in Kaua’i, HI with his family, and offering architecture services locally in addition to Dalkita’s nationwide projects. Please reach out if you’d like to design/ visualize your dream home or any type of project in Kaua’i 🙂 We specialize in custom single family homes, ADU designs, and more! […]
The fire code (IFC) has several pertinent regulations regarding the design of a site a building is on. Here we will give an overview of topics like fire apparatus access roads (fire lanes), fire hydrant distances and flows, addressing, and more that may apply to any building type. Fire Apparatus Access Roads Fire apparatus access […]
The Kentucky building code has several special exceptions to the IBC that allow for larger rickhouses for storing barrels filled with alcohol. This is in consideration of the history of Rickhouses in the area. Under the IBC, these structures would be too large to be built out of wood and be unsprinklered. The Kentucky codes […]
A new project features a micro distillery and cozy tasting room. Inspired by the “brown bars” of Amsterdam, the tasting room will feature rich interiors and unique indirect lighting. Article Written By: Matthew Taylor-Rennert
Scott Moore with Dalkita architecture has appeared on the latest episode of A Colorado Craft Podcast. We discuss what goes into designing a distillery, some of the projects that have stood out over his career, and more! Check out the podcast on on YouTube or on Spotify/Apple/GoodPods etc. https://milehighbourbon.com/ https://www.instagram.com/milehighbourbon https://www.facebook.com/MileHighBourbonRye/about Article Written By: Matthew Taylor-Rennert
Dalkita has been designing distilleries for over 10 years. We have identified these main aspects to look out when laying out a distillery. Here we will learn about Distillery Layouts- Flow, Adjacencies, and Views: Flow and Process Flow The most important consideration when layout out the distillery is that the process flows in a sensible […]
This post provides an overview of the alarm requirements in a distillery, when the apply, and how they apply. This article is based on 2018 IBC & IFC. When do alarms apply? Alarms come into play when a distillery is designated as an H occupancy. This occurs when the MAQ (maximum allowable quantity) of 240 […]
NFPA 30 (2015 edition mentioned here), the “Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code” Offers a route for buildings containing large volumes of flammable liquid to be non – sprinklered. Normally, when exceeding the MAQ’s of 120 gallons, sprinklers would be required, but chapter 13 of NFPA 30 provides an exception to allow for an unprotected (non […]
Dalkita and Greystone Technology have been working hard on re-vamping our website. Well, the time has come, our new site is up and running, so check it out! We spent a lot of time expanding our portfolio to display our breadth of experience that we are very proud of, as well as some other additional […]
