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I’m working on a fire protection assessment for a facility that stores multiple oxygen cylinders, and I need to verify whether the stored quantity exceeds the Maximum Allowable Quantity (MAQ) per control area per the IBC/IFC.
The facility has a mix of oxygen cylinders in different sizes, and I’m trying to determine the correct method to calculate the aggregate oxidizing gas quantity. My main question is: When calculating total oxygen gas quantity, is it correct to standardize the volume to NTP (Normal Temperature and Pressure) before comparing with IFC/IBC MAQ limits? Or should the calculation simply use the manufacturer’s stated gas content (e.g., cubic meters or SCF at normal conditions)? The reason I’m asking is that if I convert pressurized gas to NTP volume, even a single “standard” 40-liter cylinder at 140 bar would exceed the MAQ for oxidizing gases and potentially classify the space as a High-Hazard Occupancy (H-2/H-3). I want to confirm whether this interpretation is correct, or if the code expects the use of the manufacturer’s rated gas quantity instead of a full expansion-to-NTP calculation. Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
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There is a seemingly willful gap in information in scoping code (IBC) for small group R structures: those on the threshold of IRC/IBC: I am working on an existing 4 unit building where we do not have verified assembly information so the construction is assumed to be V-B.
The owner would like to renovate the existing basement, which is ~50% above grade, into an apartment with a new exterior exit. Three of the units share a common interior exit stairway & the upper ones are served by a fire escape. The 4th unit is built like a townhouse on the rear of the building and does not share any exit components. If an existing 4-unit residential building (currently not sprinkler protected) adds a 5th unit in the basement — and that unit does not share exit components — is there a code path that allows the project to proceed without installing sprinklers throughout the entire building? Or, a way to construct the new unit in an existing fire area in a way that does not increase risk (ie: 2-hour separation)? While the group is a trigger for requiring a system, looking at Chapter 5 as a scoping reference, the total fire area is below the threshold for a sprinkler system in group R-2 with V-B construction. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe My fire department is requesting that a new large development in our district install a more robust water storage tank (20,000 gallons more than required by code, along with a wet hydrant adjacent to the tank).
We will use the extra water for fires in the area. My question is - how can the fire department refill the tank after the nearby fire is under control? Can we require a FDC adjacent to the tank (5"storz connection) so we can refill the water storage tank quickly from FD tankers? There is no public water supply in area-wells only. Thanks! Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe I have a client who has created a spray finishing area in the back of a semi-trailer. The spray booth area is noncombustible construction, but the surrounding area is typical semi-construction (combustible plywood). Are there any fire-related code requirements regarding spray finishing in a semi-trailer? Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe  I'm seeking clarification on where in code it dictates the need for a strobe device in the bathroom of a R-1 occupancy type (for the number of sleeping units required to have visual devices from IFC Table 907.5.2.3.2).
IFC 2024 Section 907.5.2.3.2 states "Habitable spaces in dwelling units and sleeping units" ... shall be provided with visible alarm notification. The definition of "habitable space" from Chapter 3 is "A space in a building for living, sleeping, eating, or cooking. Bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets, halls, storage or utility spaces, and similar areas are NOT considered habitable spaces". The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, Section 702.1, states that alarms in guest rooms required to provide communication features shall comply with Sections 4-3 and 4-4 of NFPA 72 (1999 edition) or Sections 7.4 and 7.5 of NFPA 72 (2002 edition). Neither of these sections mandates a strobe in the bathroom. I would like some context on when this became an industry standard (if it has) and where the code reference driving it comes from. Thanks in advance!!! Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe Clarification on Use of Passive Natural Smoke Relief Openings in Walls Below ESFR Sprinkler Elevation
I am requesting clarification regarding the compatibility of 'passive natural smoke relief openings located in exterior walls' of buildings protected by ESFR systems. NFPA 13 prohibits the use of automatic roof-mounted heat or smoke vents unless they use high-temperature, standard-response sprinklers, due to possible premature venting interfering with sprinkler operation. Does NFPA 13 or NFPA 92 prohibit or restrict the use of passive, fixed, natural smoke relief openings located in exterior walls (not roofs), which are positioned below the elevation of the ESFR sprinklers and have no operating mechanism (neither automatic nor manual)? These openings are permanently open (fixed, non-operable), not connected to any fire detection or alarm system, intended solely to allow natural smoke movement during fire events, and located entirely below the sprinkler deflector level. Looking to see if these openings are acceptable and whether they otherwise would introduce any related concerns on sprinkler performance or smoke control strategy. Much appreciated. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe We have a high-rise residential project with a sprinkler-protected glazing assembly on the 2nd floor, forming a glass screen facing a two-story space.
The currently proposed system is:
We would appreciate guidance on the following: For sprinkler-protected glazing, should the glass be fully tempered, or is proposed annealed laminated glass acceptable? Is the application of privacy film on the glass surface acceptable for a sprinkler-protected glazing assembly? Are frameless glass panels with structural silicone joints generally acceptable, or is full framing of each glass lite typically required for fire performance? Are there any height or size limitations we should be aware of for a 13-ft 1.5 inches (4.0 m) tall sprinkler-protected glass screen? Any references to IBC / NFPA 13 or relevant testing experience would be greatly appreciated! Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe 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 IBC 3008.1 states that when elevators are used for occupant self‑evacuation, all passenger elevators for general public use must comply with Sections 3008.1–3008.10.
The language is unclear: does this require full 3008 compliance for every passenger elevator in the building, or only for the elevators specifically designated for occupant self‑evacuation (e.g., those serving levels above 420 ft / 128 m)? How is this typically interpreted in super high‑rise buildings where adding an additional exit stair is not feasible? Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe In the absence of a code-mandated requirement, what safety factor should we apply when evaluating fire flow, if you apply one at all? I am currently working on a building that has a code-required fire flow of 2,000 gpm at 20 psi. Using the MeyerFire Toolkit to evaluate the water supply, I found that the available fire flow is 2,004 gpm at 20 psi. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe  I have a 115,ooo sq ft warehouse with a monitored sprinkler system. There is a pump room 200 feet away that has the FACP. The main water supply enters the building, then has three separate risers labeled as system 1, system 2, and system 3. Is there a fire code that requires the building to have signage on the exterior of the structure indicating where Zone 1, 2, or 3 is? Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe  How do people do elevator recall during dust-producing construction/tenant fit-outs?
I have heard smoke detectors being replaced with temporary heat detectors. I have heard bag the smoke detectors (but keep it live) and install an adjacent heat detector so that flames could melt the plastic bag. How have people done this? Before people say ask the AHJ, I am an AHJ, and I am trying to keep my constituents safe and am waffling back and forth. Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe I have a 10-story condo building with 70 units. Each floor has 7 units, and the unit doors open to an open-atmosphere walkway with two exit stairwells at each end.
Do each unit door that swings into the unit need self-closing hinges? Thanks in advance for your help or guidance with this. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe Is there a code or standard that requires inspection or testing, or preventative annual, quarterly or monthly maintenance of smoke management systems?
Is this spelled out somewhere and I'm just missing it? Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe What are the applicable requirements for speaker placement in high-rise Group R-2 buildings equipped with fire alarm or emergency voice/alarm communication systems, specifically regarding speakers inside dwelling or sleeping units?
What practices have you been applying or enforcing in these areas? Industry feedback suggests inconsistent approaches: some designs include speakers within bedrooms and living rooms, while others install speakers only in the corridors and rely on in-unit smoke-detector sounder bases for occupant notification, expecting residents to move into the corridor to hear prerecorded or live voice messages. Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe When installing a mechanical tee, is there a requirement to hang the drilled core/coupon/blank at the seal?
Anything from NFPA, IFC, manufacturer's listing, or just best practice? Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe The International Fire Code, Appendix B, describes one method for determining Fire Flow (water available at the site for manual firefighting via hydrants).
However, Appendix B is not enforceable unless it's specifically adopted. The 2024 IFC Section 507.3 simply states, "Fire-flow requirements for buildings or portions of buildings and facilities shall be determined by an approved method." Is Appendix B the only method actually used in practice in North America? If not, what alternative methods do you see adopted, or does your jurisdiction adopt? Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe Is there an NFPA 13 or 14 restriction for a combined sprinkler - standpipe dry system?
This is an open parking structure. Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe I am working on a project that is building and connecting an open parking ramp to an existing building via an open bridge. The open garage will be going next to an existing building (different from the one it will be connecting to).
Does the open parking ramp need a dry standpipe? It will be just over 69 feet tall, and it doesn't look like there are elevators within the enclosed stairwells from the architect's rendering. I don't have a CAD background to compare to yet. Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe We are completing a buildout for a spec suite; the shell warehouse building was just constructed and has a fire sprinkler supervising panel.
The fire department is saying we have to tie the duct detector into the fire alarm panel. This building does not have fire alarm, only sprinkler monitoring. Are they correct in saying we have to tie in the duct detector? Thank you! Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe I am modeling the elevator pressurization system in CONTAM to demonstrate compliance with SBC 201 (IBC-based) requirements.
Normally, we use simplified spreadsheets, but code enforcement now requires performance verification through simulation. In a model where the elevator shaft is adjacent to a protected service lobby, shell and core area, and a loading bay, is it sufficient to demonstrate pressure differentials only along the egress path (shaft → lobby → stair), or should other adjacent but enclosed spaces also be included? What method do you recommend for extracting and presenting results—direct export from simulation (as in ASHRAE Applications, Fig. 21 Ch. 54) or summarized plots similar to Fig. 11.13 in the Handbook of Smoke Control Engineering, 2nd Ed.? Lastly, when modeling the shaft, should it be defined as a flow path with cross-sectional area and perimeter replicated across all floors, except the top floor? Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe How do you coordinate what dialing out method with the client/telecom group, etc.?
A new fire alarm system, let's say a college building, for example, what do you typically see? Does the college have its own monitoring station? Do you dial out signals via cellular or internet, or both? Do dial-out signals go to both the college monitoring station (say, a life safety office) and a central monitoring station? Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe I have a hotel building that requires a standpipe in each of the two staircases. One of the stair shafts has a door to the outside at grade level, but there is no door to the first level inside. The lowest level with an interior door is the second floor, which has its own hose connection.
It doesn't make sense to provide a hose connection at the ground floor, but is there a code basis to support this? Thanks! Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe How are we supposed to approach Fire Alarm requirement for elevator recall on key lock private elevator (elevators that goes directly into an apartment)?
I'm working on a new 3 story small apartment building where the first floor is only S-2 occupancy with no dwelling units and the 2nd and 3rd are R-2. Each floor classified as R-2 has 3 apartments and each one has a corresponding elevator that goes from the 1st floor and enter directly to each apartment. Access to each apartment is granted with a key that goes into the elevator. The building will have sprinklers likely NFPA 13 and will have smoke detectors with sounder base inside the dwelling units for notification. My question is how would you approach the elevator recall in this case taking into account that the only common area that the elevator land to on the whole building is the S-2 garage on the first floor? Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe Does a panoramic or free-standing elevator have to be in a fire-rated shaft if it's not penetrating a floor assembly? IBC 3002.1 requires shaft enclosures per Sections 712 and 713 and opening protections for the shaft, but in this photo example of an elevator in an open atrium, I wouldn't think it's penetrating a floor slab, so it would be required to be in a shaft. I believe that the wall facing the floor would need to be rated accordingly, but not the rest of the shaft. I'm pretty sure this makes sense, but I don't see any code language that would explicitly say this is right. Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe  |
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