Our University is currently in design of an Applied Research Center which is configured as two lineal building bars separated by an atrium space. One bar will house our shipping and receiving area for chemicals, flammables, and hazardous waste storage. The other building bar will contain the majority of wet and dry labs for research.

The only pathway for transport of these chemicals, flammables and hazardous waste is designed to occur through the atrium space. Also, the only way to transport these items to second floor labs is by a passenger elevator located in the atrium. I can find no references in NFPA that prohibits utilizing the atrium for transporting these items.

Does anyone have any information on whether this process is acceptable or not? Thank you!

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Based on the energy code many buildings have vestibules with two lines of doors. At what point along the vestibule is travel distance taken? 

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For standpipe hose connections within stairwells, does ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) restrictions apply to the dimensions of hose valves coming off pipe? 

ADA - 2010 Standard

307.2 Protrusion Limits. Objects with leading edges more than 27 inches (685 mm) and not more than 80 inches (2030 mm) above the finish floor or ground shall protrude 4 inches (100 mm) maximum horizontally into the circulation path.

307.3 Post-Mounted Objects. Free-standing objects mounted on posts or pylons shall overhang circulation paths 12 inches (305 mm) maximum when located 27 inches (685 mm) minimum and 80 inches (2030 mm) maximum above the finish floor or ground. 
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In particular, I'm wondering if the 4" protrusion limit applies to standpipe hose connections off of a vertical standpipe, and if it does, if it only applies if the standpipe hose connection is pointed into the path of egress?

I would imagine there's some life safety experts that could explain this better than I surely am.

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Solution | Posted 06/10/19

In my experience I've seen a handful of methods in Revit to create life safety plans, and in general they're all developed by the teams I've worked with using a combination of "rooms" and "railings" to calculate occupant loads and travel distances. 

Is there any third-party add-ins or software that others use that could possibly help streamline these efforts?

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Can I determine a room capacity for a classroom or lab by just walking in and measuring the room's square footage and using a load factor?

Some of our classrooms have so many desks it looks like a cattle car going to slaughter. I'd like to be able to go room to room and say, "This is the maximum allowable seats...". Appreciate any simple tips for a simple guy. Thanks. 

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​So the calculation for occupant load for classrooms, etc., uses an occupant load factor that is a net factor.

How do we calculate for additional students occupying corridors outside classrooms while classes are in session?

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Which of the following occupancies have no difference in maximum permitted travel distance for sprinklered versus unsprinklered buildings?
a. Existing Day Care
b. Residential Lodging
c. Existing Mercantile
d. New Business

Solution | Posted 08/28/18

If Element A is a 45-minute interior door, B is a corridor, C is a 2-hour rated stair, and D is a non-rated exterior door, which element identified would be considered an exit?

a. 45-minute Interior Door A
b. Corridor B
c. 2-hour Rated Stair
d. Non-Rated Exterior Door

Solution | Posted 08/13/18

Determine the visibility (in meters) for a light reflecting exit sign with smoke that is produced by pyrolysis of plastic. Assume the smoke has a mass concentration of 0.09 grams per cubic meter.
a. 4.4 m
b. 7.6 m
c. 11.7 m
d. 20.2 m

Solution | Posted 07/27/18

Solution | Posted 06/05/18

Is there any scenario where egress is allowed through a back-of-house (storage and warehouse) space? This project has retail up front and is governed by NFPA 101.

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When conducting means of egress calculations, is there a standard way to round? For instance, if the square footage of a room suggests 48.1 people, is the occupant load always rounded (conservatively) to 49 people? Or does rounding follow standard convention, where 0.50 and up rounds up, and everything below rounds down?

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