|
|
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
14 Comments
We have received a request from an owner of a small office/warehouse (Group S-1) which is approximately 2,000 sqft to omit sprinkler drops into the office buildout portion.
The office buildout portions is about 500 sqft of the total space. There are existing sprinklers located at the ceiling level throughout the space and 1-hour partitions dividing the space from other owners. The background: This individual office/warehouse is in an inline building that is separated into multiple office/warehouse spaces, all individually owned as "office condos". The overall building (approximately 14,000 sqft) was provided with a sprinkler system throughout as it was unknown how the building was going to be divided in the future for the individual spaces. The ownership closing documents and the "condo" association that controls the building have no comments or requirements for the individual owners regarding the installation of dropped sprinkler heads into built-out areas. Since the individual office/warehouse space is per code (2015 IFC) too small to require a sprinkler system and the existing sprinkler overhead system is already in place providing protection for the space, is it OK for the owner to omit the drops into the small office area if not required by code? 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 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 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 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 We have a proposed fire hydrant in our county that will have pressures ranging from 210 psi to 250 psi according to the engineer designing the underground line.
My Chief and I are looking into this in regards to NFPA standards/applicable code, and are concerned that the high pressure could injure firefighters or damage equipment. Is there a maximum permitted pressure that a hydrant can be, per code? Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe A question came to me about the survivability requirements for an elevator landing communication system required by 2018 IBC 1009.8/NFPA 101 7.2.12.1. 2016 is the applicable NFPA 72 edition.
The designer is arguing that since NFPA 72 Section 24.3.13 doesn't call out "elevator landing communication systems" by name that it falls under Section 24.3.13.12 and requires a risk analysis. They did note that the 2019 edition "clears up some confusion" but don't mention that the 2019 edition modifies section 24.3.7.2 to reference "elevator landing communication systems" and refer their design to the area of refuge/rescue assistance section 24.10 along with stair communication systems. The 2016 edition of 24.3.7.2 just references "elevator emergency communication systems, section 24.11" which is pretty clearly about the in-car call systems, not the systems required at the landings by IBC/101. Now I've done my homework, its pretty clear that from 2016-2019 NFPA wants elevator landing communication systems to meet the same requirements as an area of refuge communication system, and from 2019-2022 its explicitly clear that the elevator landing communication systems need to be robust; further more the commentary language of the IBC, NFPA 101 and NFPA 72 for the elevator landing and area of refuge communication systems all pretty much say the same thing that non-self-evacuating occupants needs a reliable means of communication for the duration they remain in the building, so the two systems would need to function the same. My problem is that for the 2016 edition this is all implied and implicit language. I am very confident that elevator landing systems require the same survivability as area of refuge systems but can't find an explicit code reference to support it. Is there a section/commentary section/something I'm missing? Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe Is there an applicable code reference for minimum distance between a fire hydrant and a transformer?
Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe Hoping to gain some insight from industry here:
Working on preliminary layouts for a large industrial facility that is comprised of tilt-up precast single-story building (~40' tall) and flanked on one side by an equipment yard (think generators, switchgears, mechanical equipment) configured in two levels (think mezzanine). Question is on fire access to the main building: The mechanical yard runs the entire length of the main building and we are considering fire access as the depth of the equipment yard is ~100ft with a limited service corridor separating the two (~12ft) for maintenance and building egress. There will be periodic gaps (~6ft wide) between equipment located at grade, however the access will require passing through the yard on foot (underneath the second level of equipment on the mezzanine) to gain access to the main building. Per IFC 503.1.1 our fire access roads must provide continuous access to the exterior within 150ft of the building. Would passing "through" the mechanical yard at grade meet this requirement? Would placing "driveways" through the yard to allow a truck to pull closer to the building (but being parked underneath the second level) be kosher? A similar question exists regarding having hydrants located directly under the second level near the extents of the yard, is this OK? Have been unsuccessful at locating any code references regarding fire access through a "tunnel" if you would. An AHJ perspective would be much appreciated, along with any other thoughts/feedback. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe Is there an established method to "prove" that we have enough fire flow for a project site?
I understand that the premise is to be sure we have the correct water supply available at the site. We do. I'm just interested in the technical 'design' portion to validate that concept. Typically, I run a hydrant flow test at the site with nearby available hydrants. In this case, we're adding new hydrants but I understand the water supply nearby with recent testing. Is a hydraulic graph (N^1.85) showing the available water supply at 20 psi sufficient to "prove" fire flow, or should I be conducting some type of calculation where I'm "flowing" hydrants? We do sprinkler calculations all the time, but I'm just curious if I'm either overcomplicating things or if there's a process for fire flow that I'm not yet doing which I should be. Trying to get things right. Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe Can anyone point me in the right direction for codes pertaining to the construction of a draft curtain?
My client will be installing them as part of an attic design, where draft curtains are required per the sprinkler listing. The sprinkler data sheet covers the depth requirement of the draft curtain. From browsing some websites I can gather they can be constructed of fire-resistant fiberglass woven textiles, glass (smoke baffles), or even panels of sheet metal. Does NFPA or the IBC define how they are to be constructed? My client will most likely use sheet metal. I'm curious if there is a gauge requirement for the metal. I may be overthinking it, but I like to see the code defining the curtain requirement, to avoid the contractor putting the wrong materials in place. I appreciate any help that anyone can provide. Thank you. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe What are you all seeing or specifying for firestop identification labels?
Masterspec calls for metal or plastic labels. I found an FCIA (Firestop Contractors International Association) article that speaks to stamped metal tags or ceramic fiber tags (Google is failing on what that actually would look like). It seems the firestop manufacturers all have stickers. I have always specified the metal or plastic labels using the Masterspec language. If I get anything at all installed, it is the manufacturer stickers. I have concerns about the longevity of the stickers. I’m curious what others are calling for, what your AHJs or clients ask for, and what is actually getting installed. Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe How is it determined whether a steel structure will have spray-applied fire resistant materials?
I'm creating performance specification for a bid-set on a project, so I don't yet have input from a structural engineer. The project is a warehouse with large fire loads and exposed steel. Recently, a project out for bid is a low-rise office building, 100% sprinklered with a wet-pipe system that is concealed by a suspended ceiling. On that project, all of the structural steel has spray-applied fire resistant materials. What drives the issue of spray-applied fire resistive materials? Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe I have an existing business that is approximately 4,000 sqft. It's a single-story building being renovated into an infusion center with (14) IV patient rooms.
I would consider this type of occupancy to be an Ambulatory Care occupancy because of (4) or more care recipients to be incapable of self preservation at any time. Under Ambulatory Care, this building would need to be sprinkler protected under the International Fire Code. Are these type of centers considered to fall under Ambulatory Care, or just a doctor's out patient Business occupancy? Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe When would a parking garage require an occupant notification system?
NFPA 101 has some fairly clear guidelines but isn't applicable in my project, the 2015 ICC codes are. I can't find anything in Section 907 for S occupancies and Section 406 doesn't really give much direction either. Open, enclosed, above or below grade, and above or below other occupancies; It doesn't seem super straight-forward. Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe I have a rather basic question about fire flow . I'm a site/civil engineer working to validate a municipality's capacity for fire flow demand at a townhome development.
According to the New York State Building Code, townhomes do not required sprinkler systems. My next approach was to use the ISO Guide to determine Needed Fire Flow which is based on a few different architectural components. What I'm confused about is where is ISO used versus the NFPA 1142 standard? Are both of the standards meant to consider the large individual unit or building's area? Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe I have a project where we are discussing what code year of NFPA 13 will be applicable for the project.
Is the edition of NFPA 13 determined by the AHJ, the I-code year of adoption, or the state? Some of our cities spell it out, but others do not specify NFPA years of adoption, on the I-Code series. Curious to your thoughts, since this could impact exterior projection interpretation for the project. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe I wanted to pose the question on hazardous material storage lockers. We wish to protect the locker in accordance with Chapter 14 of NFPA 30 and have rated it for 4-hours to eliminate the need for fire separation distance to the immediately-adjacent main building as allowed.
The locker will not be structurally attached and will only have flashing connecting the two to keep out the elements, garbage, and animals. The locker will only have people in as necessary to get the liquids out. The main building has a door on the "exterior wall" that opens and "reveals" the 3-hour rated hazardous material locker door, which you have to open to get inside the locker. NFPA 30 2015 handbook Section 14.4.3 denotes that lockers over 1500 sqft should be protected permanent building such as attached buildings or warehouses. Our locker is under the 1500 sqft requirements so therefore I would say we are not a building but a "locker". Therefore, the exterior wall openings allowances of IBC (2015) Table 705.8 would be to the lot line (over 10ft) and not the locker itself (0ft), allowing our client to access the locker from the inside of the main building and not having to go outside to access it from the exterior. I was wondering if anyone has had a similar experience or if we should just call it part of the main building and protect it as such and lose the allowances of Chapter 14. Thanks in advance! Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe Is there a minimum distance requirement between a unit heater and a diesel fuel tank within a fire pump room?
Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe I have a customer that has a paint storage facility. All the liquids are Class III-B and stored at a maximum height of 6-ft with a minimum 8-ft aisle.
Does anyone have helpful information/guidance information for designing spill containment and coordinating ventilation requirements for a space like this? I know containment is touched on in NFPA 30 - but I'm looking for some more in-depth guidance to get started. Thanks in advance. I have a high-piled storage project that falls under both the International Fire Code and FM Global. We are using FM Storage Sprinklers.
Are smoke and heat vents required? Under the International Fire Code Chapter 32, I am directed to Section 910 for smoke and heat vents. Section 910 states that if ESFR sprinklers are used then smoke and heat vents are not required. I have read several definitions for ESFR, and they appear to be essentially the same as FM Storage Sprinklers. My problem is that per the interpretation, if I follow FM Global Data Sheet 8-0 and use Storage Sprinklers, then per IFC Section 910.3 I must have the architect add smoke and heat vents for every 50,000 sqft of the buliding. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe Section 903.3.5.2 (IBC 2012)/Section 403.3.3 (IBC 2015) requires and automatic secondary water supply. I am an FPE and I work in a jurisdiction (Hawaii) that has never required this secondary water supply due to local code amendments to IBC. Recent code revisions now require this secondary supply, and I now have my first project subject to this requirement. I'm planning to meet this requirement as as follows;
Am I on the right track here? Is this primary/secondary supply arrangement viable? Does anyone foresee any code or other issues that may be a problem with this arrangement? Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe |
ALL-ACCESS
SUBSCRIBESubscribe and learn something new each day:
COMMUNITYTop August '22 Contributors
YOUR POSTPE EXAMGet 100 Days of Free Sample Questions right to you!
FILTERS
All
ARCHIVES
September 2022
PE PREP SERIES
|
RSS Feed
