I am designing a two-story dormitory Type II-B (under 2018 IBC) with CMU walls throughout.
The floor deck consists of 5-inch composite metal deck. The corridor walls and walls between suites must be 1/2-hour (due to sprinkler exception - NFPA 13 fully sprinklered). There is also a horizontal separation between the two floors of 1/2-hour minimum. There are two stair towers which are required to be 1-hour fire rated. With the walls of the stair tower requiring a higher rating than is required between the two floors, is the floor then required to also be 1 hour? In other words, can the floor penetrating a shaft enclosure (the walls of the stair shaft will sit on the metal deck) be of a lesser rating than the actual stair enclosure walls? From what I've read regarding continuity, I'd say the floor rating would have to be 1 hour; but, I'm not clear. Please help. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
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If a material has a Class A flame spread rating, can I assume that it does not diminish the rating of a fire-rated assembly?
Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe We are working on a whole suite of fire protection systems designed for a new power plant. We'll be submitting the systems for owner and consultant's approval.
Are power utilities governed by the same jurisdiction (building code) as other properties? If not, how are they regulated in regards to determining the building code (ie: who dictates the applicable codes)? Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe I am doing some work on a combined fire-fighting/domestic pump house for a small community.
A couple things look odd to me.
There seem to be two deviations from NFPA standards here: First, the jockey pump should be small , so that in case of fire it is the fire pump taking the load, and second, the starting sequence requires the jockey pump to start above the fire pump churn, the first fire pump a little lower and so on. Is there any exception for such combined domestic/fire protection systems in the NFPA line of standards? Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe I'm working on a mid-rise 5-story residential building.
The building structure is permitted to be combustible construction per 3.2.2.50 of the National Building Code of Canada. For sound proofing the developer decided to build with cast in-place concrete columns and slabs, but decided to use combustible studs for the interior partitions . So far, nothing wrong here. Now being that the ceiling is 10-ft high, a drop ceiling was built creating a concealed space for the duct and wiring and so on. The architect says that the top part of the interior combustible partition needed not to be drywalled inside the concealed space to the underside of the concrete slab. The concealed space is made up of a concrete slab with fire separations sealed to the underside of the slab containing every unit individually without sharing any concealed space with the other units. On the other hand the sprinkler guy says that the exposed 2x4 studs surface in the concealed scape are not considered "limited combustible material," per NFPA 13 Section 8.15.1, and the space should be sprinklered or filled with non-combustible insulation. Being that the building was permitted to be of combustible construction and the developer went above and beyond with the concrete structure, I'm not sure whether the space needs to be sprinkler protected or not. Anybody had this scenario happen before, and if so, how should it be addressed? Thanks. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe I have a project involving spray application of resin, and an exhaust system including multiple 60-ft tall exhaust stacks.
We are located in Ontario Canada, and the Ontario Building Code takes precedence. Any other codes cited need to be enacted by the OBC, or by a code enacted by OBC in order to be relevant. NFPA 13 is relevant here. Chapter 26 (NFPA 13-2019) includes material from other codes. Section 26.4 relates to Spray Application Using Flammable or Combustible Materials, and references NFPA 33. I have not found a reference in NFPA 13 that states that an in-duct sprinkler system SHALL be provided. It appears to me that Section 26.4 states requirements for IF a system is provided. Unless otherwise stated, are the requirements of Chapter 26 to be used in isolation, without enacting the full text of the other NFPA Code/Standard cited? If another NFPA Code/Standard is cited in Chapter 26, is the full text of the cited document to be followed? Where is the line drawn between the two documents? I have the NFPA 13 Handbook, and the supplemental text does not clarify this for me. Thank you very much for taking the time to read through this one. We have a stand alone open-air pool pavilion with no attached building.
There is a gas grill under the roof with a very elaborate hood/exhaust/Ansul system. There is no fire alarm system in this pool pavilion. The Fire Inspector wants the Ansul system monitored by the clubhouse fire alarm system that is 100-ft away. Is he correct by code? Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe We are a sprinkler contractor running into a new situation for an apartment building. The apartment is designed under NFPA 13R. We have an inspector requesting that we firestop a draft stop from the corridor into an apartment. Can you point us in the right direction whether this is required? Thanks in advance for your help.
Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe A high-rise is considered a building with an occupied floor located more than 75-ft above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.
Would a rooftop access stair with floor level located at 76' warrant the requirements of a high-rise building? IBC 2015 Section 1011.12.2 states that where a stairway is provided for roof access shall be provided through a penthouse complying with 1510.2. Section 1510.2 states penthouse complying with 1510.2.1-5 shall be considered part of the story below. The roof is not occupied and is only provided for egress for equipment access for equipment located on the roof. Technically a portion of the occupied story is located above 75-ft. Do I need to meet highrise requirements? Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe We have a new construction highrise that's more than 128-ft in height.
Under the IBC, 2018, Section 3007, it would require two firefighter elevators. Can we use one dedicated firefighter elevator, with a protected lobby, and the other one an emergency passenger elevator, without a lobby, where we would use the pressurization option in lieu of the elevator lobby requirement? Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe We have a building that was designed with exit width and stair width per occupant using the exception CBC 1005.3.1 for a sprinklered building with EVACS (emergency voice/alarm communication system), however, the fire alarm design drawings show horns/strobes.
Found out through the fire alarm deferred submittal corrections. Changing the width of stairs and exit doors is not an option as the shell is already built. The EVACS option will cause delays, cost impacts, and material procurement challenges and not advised by FD because building has inherent ambient noise associated with building operations. What options do we have? Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe I am an architect working on a project where we're construction an air-supported structure (dome) for a school district to use as their physical education gymnasium.
The fire marshal here wants the dome fire suppressed. I told him we cannot hang water piping from the dome. What are the options to provide fire suppression inside of a air supported structure that is 180 x 135 feet? Are there alternatives, like water cannons along the perimeter? If so, what kind of costs might that suggest? Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe I come from a consulting perspective, working for contractors and architects, but I have a question that I would appreciate others' perspective on, especially other consultants and AHJs.
I've been in multiple project meetings where an architect or building owner for a warehouse or storage area has suggested (not outright said, but either hinted or suggested) that they'll just wait until the project is completed to store however they want with whatever they want to store. This is usually when we're trying to figure out commodities and design criteria for large storage areas, and the owner is far less concerned about the sprinkler system suppressing a fire and much more concerned that an ESFR system or in-rack sprinklers are 'overkill' or too expensive. A big piece of this is education and advocating for proper protection of their assets. I get that part. Many owners get that too, so I don't want to say that it's always bad, but I've just had a few projects and one here recently where a building owner directed a Fitter in the field to 'not install the in-rack sprinklers' because they didn't want them (even though it had been discussed at length), also saying that they were going to move around their plastics however they wanted after our guys left the job. I see this as a major issue. I can put it in writing, put disclaimers on the drawings, document what information we do get from the owner, and I can try to educate an owner, but ultimately its not always a situation where I'm going to convince them of anything they're not open to hearing. Part of it is legal, which I think we generally do our due diligence in that respect. But the other part is just practical - trying to create a situation where the system actually has a chance to suppress a fire. How do you navigate these situations, or recommend that I do? How do you address owners like this who might be intentionally deceiving the engineering and contracting teams to keep costs low knowing full-well that they will store whatever they want, however they want after we all leave? Is this something, as an AHJ, you want tipped off? In some cases (some of these areas) we don't have strong enforcement bodies so building owners are left a little to themselves and their insurer visits to catch anything after we're off the job. Thanks for your input, sorry for the long-winded question. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe I am a recent architectural graduate designing and developing a small apartment building with a robust dedicated bike storage room (in lieu of car parking). The goal is to foster sustainable, walkable, urban design.
My concern is the recent and growing occurrence of e-bike electrical fires often triggered by non-UL certified lithium batteries. As I understand it, electrical fires are a different animal than your traditional wood fuel fire, in so far as effective suppression, burn rate, etc. Does current code satisfy any electrical fire concerns? Does NFPA 13 or even 13R provide sufficient protection for tenants and occupants in this new e-bike era? Is this a topic of discussion among the ICC and code communities? Concerned and looking out for safety. Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe Is there a code requirement - IBC, IFC, or somewhere else - for a Knox Box?
I understand some jurisdictions amend code to require a specific key box - and I'm sure a specific "Knox Box" brand isn't written into code - but just a requirement that triggers the fire department key box to begin with. I've always asked the jurisdictions whether they wanted one, and they usually do, but I've never found a requirement that I probably should know about by now. Also, I've had this missed on many a job in a scope gap between subcontractors and the general contractor. What division would supply and install these? As a consultant I usually get a bunch of pointed fingers elsewhere anytime I ask who is planning on providing it. Thanks in advance, appreciate the variety of perspectives here. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe I have a project with four separate apartment buildings with 4-units in each building.
All buildings identified as R-3 Occupancy, Type V-B Construction, single story. There are demising walls between each unit that are 1-hour fire-resistance-rated including a 1-hour draft stop between each unit. The Architect has noted on the approved plans, "Fire Sprinklers Per NFPA-13D". My question #1: would NFPA-13D be allowed in these 4-unit buildings? These are not townhome style zero lot line buildings built independent to one another. I think the project should be designed according to NFPA-13R. Question #2: One building has a unit designated as a "Laundry room and folding room". I think this single unit should be designed according to NFPA-13 under Ordinary Hazard Group-1, correct? Thanks in advance for your feedback! Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe Is there a situation, other than a fire pump room, where a sprinkler riser room would be required to have direct access to the exterior?
Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe What are the required system components for a Fire Alarm System versus a Fire Sprinkler Monitoring System?
I've ran into a debate on this in multiple jurisdictions. I know a fire alarm system has occupant notification and initiating devices, such as the smoke detectors, pull stations, waterflow, etc., whereas sprinkler monitoring is just waterflow notification. But, is occupant notification required for a Sprinkler Monitoring System? Furthermore, do horn/strobes need to have a secondary power supply, like Fire Alarm System components do? Is a smoke detector required above the panel/radio/dialer? I know it depends on the local AHJ, but I'm looking for some guidance here... I am the local AHJ. Thanks for your input! Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe Are there any code requirements, or restrictions, to using spray-applied cementitious fireproofing on a steel structure in the space above the ceiling of a building when it is being used as a return air plenum?
Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe Can two electrical boxes be placed in the same stud cavity?
If so, are there restrictions by code? Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe We are designing a barge loading/unloading slip. The product will be used motor oil. The barge slip will be protected by fire monitors. These will be supplied by a fire water pump house.
Due to space limitations, the pump house will be within a 50-ft radius of the corner of a barge (potential fire source). The pump house will enclose two diesel pumps and day tanks and will be sprinkler protected. Only three walls of the pump house will fall within the 50-ft circle. Question 1) NFPA Table 4.13.1.1.2 would dictate a 2-hour fire-resistance rating needed, but the IBC would lead you to believe a 1-hour rating is required. Can someone clarify which is required? Question 2) Do all the walls and the roof need to meet the rating? The simple solution would be to make everything a 2-hour rating. However, the pump house will have a 10'x10' door, roof hatches, and ventilation louvers. Placing these on the wall opposite to the fire source and outside of the 50 ft. circle would greatly simplify the design. Thank you in advance! Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe We have a project with a unique strobe situation.
New installation into an existing building, Department of Defense so we're under UFC criteria. The new fire alarm and mass notification system uses Alert strobes (as is common), but in some portions of the building there are blue security strobes. These are used as a warning with non-classified personnel are in the area. These blue strobes flash at the same rate as the fire alarm/mass notification strobes, but they are not synchronized. The blue security strobes are manually activated at an attendant's desk. Is there a requirement to synchronize these different systems, from UFC criteria or elsewhere? Fundamentally, the strobe synchronization issue and potential epileptic exposure is the same concern whether or not it's a concert, fire alarm system, security or dancing club - I certainly understand that we don't want the hazard from the strobes. I do wonder if any of you have come across this, and/or what your opinion might be to handle the situation. We're on closeout for the project and there has been explicit requirement to override, synchronize or shutdown either the fire alarm or security strobes. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe Is there a minimum ceiling height that would be required for a Fire Pump Room?
Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe I've wondered for a long time if Section 19.3.3.1.5.1 of NFPA 13 (2019 edition) in a way allows for unsprinklered combustible concealed spaces, like a large wood canopy, if the remote operating adjacent to the area is increased to 3000 sf and there's a fire barrier between the two areas?
Is this an acceptable approach? I'm assuming the barrier's rated must be equivalent to the required water supply duration, if so. Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe I have a parking structure that is sitting in the middle of an apartment complex. The bottom two floors are "podium" design and the architect is saying those floors are "enclosed" - thus requiring dry sprinklers throughout those floors.
Above the podium the garage floors are considered "open" and therefore I believe do not require sprinklers. Has anyone run into a similar situation? Perhaps with a parking structure that has underground portions and above ground portions? In those cases, what is the code logic for sprinklers in one area versus throughout? Thanks for any assistance! Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe |
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