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
Window sprinklers and water curtains are similar in appearance, but quite different. A water curtain is used in an exterior wall that is required to have up to a 1hr fire rating based on FSD (Fire Separation Distance). They include roughly adding standard sprinkler heads at 6′ on center, 6″ from the wall. Adding the water curtain allows for unlimited openings […]
Dalkita has been designing distilleries for over 10 years. We have identified these main aspects to look out when laying out a distillery. Process Flow The most important consideration when layout out the distillery is that the process flows in a sensible manner. The typical flow / order for a distillery is: 1. Receiving2. Milling3. […]
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 […]
As mentioned in a previous post, there were some major changes to the 2021 and new codes affecting distilleries. One of these major changes were how barrel storage is classified and treated. IFC Chapter 40 2021 IFC (International Fire Code) added a whole new chapter 40 , Storage of Distilled spirits and wines. The chapter […]
If you are storing barrels containing spirits in your facility, over 6 ft in height, then the provisions of chapter 32 of the IFC apply. This post is based on the 2015 IFC. These concepts generally apply to 2021 IFC as well, with minor adjustments. Chapter 32 of the IFC is titled “High-Piled Combustible Storage”, […]
The 2021 and newer editions of the IBC (International Building Code) involved major changes affecting the design of distilleries. Jurisdictions adopt different editions at varying times. Many jurisdictions are still utilizing 2018 and earlier codes, but in the coming years, most jurisdictions will begin to adopt 2021 and newer editions. Check with your location jurisdiction […]
Metal Buildings can often have some specific considerations in the energy code when it comes to insulation that can be a bit different than the requirements for other buildings. This post is based on the 2021 International Energy ConservationCOde (IECC), but local jurisdictions may adopt publications from different years or have amendments specific to their […]
This is a question we get a lot. As with most questions in life, the answer is “maybe.” We can say, more often than not, bottling equipment does not have to be in a hazardous occupancy. Where International Code Council (ICC) Building Codes or National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Life Safety Codes are concerned the […]
There are several instances when you may be required to have a fire resistant wall between two areas or rooms within a building. One of the most common reasons for this would be two different occupancies that require a fire rating between them. For instance, an H-3 (High Hazard) occupancy adjacent to an A-2 (Assembly […]
Here we will cover cover the general processes that go on when getting a building permit for a new building or remodel. While every jurisdiction will have their own specific ways of permitting, there are many similarities that seem to span across many different places. Zoning Review Most jurisdictions have zoning rules. Some areas will […]
This article will cover which “outdoor” building portions are or aren’t considered part of the building and which are or aren’t subject to varying codes. What is part of the building area? Any area that is covered by a roof covering. So, this could include entryways/ driveway overhanging, covered patios, canopies, decks, porte-cocheres, other projections, […]
Colleen Moore of Dalkita talks with Hope Ewing of Vervet out of Los Angeles, CA talks with us a bit about her book Movers & Shakers, the development of Vervet a line of canned cocktails available in the very urban area of Los Angeles, CA – including some interesting history on cocktail styles and the background of flavors from L.A.’s ethnic heritage.
The majority of liquid waste from a distillery is stillage/ spent wash: the leftover liquid after a still run, mostly water. Wastewater districts typically have rules and regulations stating what, and how much of different materials they will accept in their system. Every locality is different, so contact your local wastewater treatment authority to find […]
Building Codes (IBC) sets limits of building areas, heights, and stories based on how fire restive the building is. Why It Matters When a new tenant or owner of a building comes in and wants to change the occupancy of all or part of the building, it is incumbent on them to make sure that […]
MAQ’s (Maximum Allowable Quantities) are an important concept when designing and building a distillery. The concept of MAQ’s comes from the International Building & Fire Codes (IBC & IFC). These codes regulate the safety of design and operations within buildings. The MAQ’s sets limits for different materials used or stored within building to determine at […]
Automatic fire sprinklers have been in existence for over a century, and since their widespread implementation, have extinguished many fires and saved countless lives. A majority of fires are extinguished in buildings that are designed and maintained properly. How Sprinklers Work Sprinkler piping is distributed throughout a building, usually overhead at ceilings, with spray heads […]
What is Static Electricity? stat·ic e·lec·tric·i·ty (noun) a stationary electric charge, typically produced by friction, that causes sparks. The Basics: -The world is made of atoms -Atoms have electrons protons and neutrons -Protons and neutrons are held tightly to the nucleus of the atom. -Electrons are loosely connected to atoms and can easily move to […]
What is a distillers process description? This is a written document that clearly describes every step of the process that is involved with making your product. From delivery methods through bottling, it details each step so that someone who may be unfamiliar with the distilling industry (i.e. a fire or building code official) can quickly […]
Dalkita just moved offices! We’ve moved into a small office building just West of Downtown Littleton (South Metro Denver). Since recently dealing with the move, we thought why not write about it and share our experiences, thoughts, and tips! Matt’s new office Moving can be stressful, fun, exciting, annoying, exhausting…and the list goes on. […]
What is the LFL? The LFL (Lower Flammable Limit) is a concept related to flammability & fire safety. The LFL is defined as : Usually expressed in volume per cent, is the lower end of the concentration range over which a flammable mixture of gas or vapour in air can be ignited at a given […]
The IBC (International Building Code) and the IPC (International Plumbing Code) provide prescriptive requirements to calculating the minimum number of plumbing facilities needed in a building, including toilets, sinks, & drinking fountains. Calculate Occupant Load First you need to calculate the number of occupants for a space. The occupant load table in chapter 10 of […]
One of the first steps in the planning and design of a Distillery is Programming. It is an important process that will help you define the space you need, or want to have to achieve your goals as a business. Architectural programming is a structured research and problem-solving process used to identify, examine, and elaborate upon […]
PoTAto/Potato w/ Mark Kleckner from Woody Creek – Basalt, CO Distilling Craft: Potato-Potato by Dalkita Architecture & Construction is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Potato fermentation is covered including ways that it is similar to and different from grain. What to look for in your potato crop is also covered. Mark Kleckner from […]
In the U.S. , a lot of folks that are in rural areas may think that they don’t have any building codes where they live. Well, the truth is, that there certainly is code in most places in the country. What they are really lacking is regulation. While freedom from building codes may seem great, […]
What Are IBC Plastic Totes and what is prohibited from being stored in them? If you’ve been to a few distilleries, you might have seen these around: Large plastic IBC (intermediate bulk container) totes. IBC totes are lightweight, come in a variety of sizes (often seen in 275 gallons or more), and are affordable. They […]
Rye, Matey! w/ Campbell Morrissey from Mother Road Brewing Co. – Flagstaff, AZ Distilling Craft: Rye, Matey! by Dalkita Architecture & Construction is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Rye mashing, milling, and fermentation are discussed to finish up the grain portion of the fermentation series. Campbell Morrissey of Mother Road Brewing is […]
Apple a Day w/ Colin Keegan & Noya Gilmore from Santa Fe Spirits in NM Distilling Craft: Apple A Day by Dalkita Architecture & Construction is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Distilling Craft Podcast Episode 16Apple fermentation is discussed including different sources and the treatment of freshly picked apples to get […]
example of a steam boiler used in a distillery Location, Location, Location Ideally, the location of a boiler room in your distillery wants to be as close to the equipment that it is serving as possible. In general, this means as close to your still and fermenters as possible. This is meant to minimize the […]
Yum! Candy Corn with Mike Reppucci of Sons of Liberty Spirits Company Distilling Craft: Yum! Candy Corn by Dalkita Architecture & Construction is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. In this episode of Distilling Craft corn fermentation and mashing are reviewed with techniques to reduce mash viscosity. Mike Reppucci from Sons of […]
What is Secondary Containment? Secondary containment requirements are found in the International Fire Code, a model code that is extensively used throughout the U.S. for safe building design and function. Most jurisdictions in the U.S. adopt this code as law, with some jurisdictions adopting a variation of it. For the purpose of distilleries, high proof […]
Amber Waves with Chad Butters from Eight Oak Craft Distillery – New Tripoli, PA Distilling Craft: Amber Waves by Dalkita Architecture & Construction is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. In this episode various aspects of using wheat as a fermentation base are discussed including selecting the grain, milling and mashing. Chad Butters […]
Welcome! The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) is an important topic that those involved with the construction or remodel of buildings or spaces should be aware of and informed on. This post touches on some of the main ADA design issues we often come across when working with new and existing buildings, especially in distilleries! […]
My Lucky Barley with Dylan Mobley from Bottle Logic Brewery in Anaheim, CA Distilling Craft: My Lucky Barley by Dalkita Architecture & Construction is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. In this episode, we talk about Barley and what to look for in selecting the variety you use for fermentation. Dylan Mobley […]
Breakin’ Chains with Ryan Hembree from Skip Rock Distillers in Snohomish, WA Distilling Craft: Breakin’ Chains by Dalkita Architecture & Construction is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. In this episode, we talk about different sources of sugar and how they change between different fermentation base materials. Ryan Hembree from Skip Rock […]
8675309/(Gin)y with Rob Masters from Family Jones Distilling in Breckenridge, CO Distilling Craft: 8675309-(Gin)y by Dalkita Architecture & Construction is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. In this episode, we are talking about gin and the different ways to make it. Then Rob Masters is the interview but unfortunately, it was partially […]
Milling It Over with Jody Thorpe from Dancing Pines Distilling Craft: Milling it Over by Dalkita Architecture & Construction is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. In this episode, we are talking about milling of grains and the pluses and minuses to different ways to get grain into your distillery. The interview […]
You Only Still Twice with Chip Tate Distilling Craft: You Only Still Twice by Dalkita Architecture & Construction is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. In this episode, we are talking about custom still design and more info on pot stills. Later in the podcast, I bring in Chip Tate of Tate […]
