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We have an old Convent building (3-stories with long corridors) that currently has a Type III manual wet standpipe system and no sprinklers. They are remodeling and are installing sprinklers throughout, and want to remove the standpipe system.
As the AHJ, I would like to keep the standpipes but remove the hose cabinets, essentially to make it Class I. Is there a relevant code path to keep the standpipes even though, for new construction, they would not need them? Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
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I am the third-party reviewer for an existing building that is a high-rise but does not have elevator pressurization.
If this were a new building, IBC (2021) Section 3006.3 would apply. But, this is an existing building, and the work qualifies as an Alteration Level 2. The primary engineer says that since the freight elevator is within the work area (although not being touched), per IEBC 801.3, the client will need to install either elevator curtains or a vestibule to keep smoke out per Section 3006.3. I am of the opinion that since they aren't touching the elevator, I think the IEBC 803.1 is a stretch, and the fact that per Exception 5 of the Vertical Openings Section (803.2.1), the elevator isn't even required to be enclosed. (I do think it's a good idea though, and it's not like it's every floor, only their project space would get curtained. This is purely a code required question, though. Does an existing high-rise with Level 2 Alteration trigger smoke management here, even though the elevator is not altered? Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe Existing High Rise that was converted from office to residential (large Massachusetts program). I am the third party reviewer and they currently don't have a elevator recall.
Google searches point to that if the elevator doesn't change they don't need add recall, but for the "Trust but Verify" portion of this code investigation is turning up naught. Closest I can find is IEBC, Section 902.1.2 commentary, but as this is a change of occupancy I am not sure if I can apply Level 3 Alterations Requirements to Change in Occupancy. Is there an applicable code or standard reference that requires retrofit of elevator recall for an elevator that doesn't already have this capability? Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe I hear so many times that if the fire alarm panel dies, the entire building's fire alarm system must be brought up to current code.
Can anyone educate the world on when building fire alarm systems must be completely upgraded to the current code? The International Existing Building Code (IEBC) Section 6 lists all possible combinations. Level 1, level 2, and Level 3. None of them require a full upgrade to the current code when the main panel hits its end of life. If a system was to need to replace all items in its location with a different system, reusing locations and wire, it would not meet a Level 3 requirement alone and would simply be using new equipment or fixtures that serve the same purpose. Can someone give me an actual code path that requires a full upgrade in this scenario? Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe |
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