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"Concealed" if Has Catwalk Behind Locked Door?

11/22/2022

8 Comments

 
A non-combustible building has an 8-ft high space above an acoustic tile ceiling with a 30-inch wide expanded steel catwalk that is accessible from a stair shaft by a locked door.

The space is congested with building services, such as ducts, cables, and cast iron plumbing.

Does the NFPA 13-2019 9.2.1.2 exception apply?

NFPA 13-2019 9.2.1.2 (8.15.1.2.2 in 2016) Concealed spaces of noncombustible and limited-combustible construction with limited access and not permitting occupancy or storage of combustibles shall not require sprinkler protection.

Thanks in advance.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
8 Comments
Dan Wilder
11/22/2022 06:50:53 am

Unfortunately, the door and the catwalk make it accessible, no different than a mechanical room. Locked doors do not qualify an area to be limited access, having to remove a ceiling tile or even possibly an access panel. The other aspect is the "not permitting storage"...catwalks are ripe with air filters and boxes of stuff that need homes.

If under 10 FT², maybe a pipe chase qualification.

Reply
Anthony
11/22/2022 07:15:26 am

Totally agree with Dan here. Catwalks and walkable ceilings are becoming more common place especially in industrial settings and require sprinkler coverage.

Reply
Todd E Wyatt
11/22/2022 08:15:41 am

The "catwalk" condition you describe are defined by 2021 IBC as "equipment platforms" (EP) and are defined as follows :

EQUIPMENT PLATFORM. An unoccupied, elevated platform used exclusively for mechanical systems or industrial process equipment, including the associated elevated walkways, stairways, alternating tread devices and ladders necessary to access the platform (see Section 505.3).

The adopted Fire Code (e.g. 2021 IBC) is the scoping Code as to WHERE automatic sprinkler systems (ASPS) are required (and where ASPS installation is exempted) :

505.3.2 Automatic Sprinkler System
Where located in a building that is required to be protected by an automatic sprinkler system, equipment platforms shall be fully protected by sprinklers above and below the platform, where required by the standards referenced in Section 903.3.

The referenced standard (2019 NFPA 13) by the scoping Code (2021 IBC) identifies how an ASPS is to be designed, installed, tested, and maintained.

Reply
Adam
11/22/2022 08:45:15 am

I'm wondering about the 'occupancy' statement. Does strict maintenance work qualify as occupying the space?

Reply
Glenn Berger
11/22/2022 08:48:09 am

Exception does not apply, since a door is provided. The fact that a platform is provided also works against you in trying to use the exception.

Reply
Alex
11/22/2022 09:08:50 am

I agree with others above, since a door is provided, I would not consider this a concealed space.

Reply
Jesse
11/22/2022 09:56:16 am

The door is the downfall. It needs to be protected.

Reply
Robb K
11/22/2022 07:50:31 pm

I have same issue... I am on a project with a larger ceiling space with catwalks - above a corrosion repair hangar and only accessible by a man-ladder with an OSHA cage - USNavy NAVFAC just demanded heat detection in this space inlieu of sprinklers - which seems wrong. I am the Eng Tech and argued against my FPE DOR, as he accepted this. everything is noncombustible - accept for mayber wire insulation and fan belts. So I told the prime contractor - the government needs to pay additional as this is not required by the code, am i wrong?

Reply



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  • Blog
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  • THE TOOLKIT
    • SUBMIT AN IDEA
    • BACKFLOW DATABASE*
    • CLEAN AGENT ESTIMATOR*
    • CLOUD CEILING CALCULATOR
    • DOMESTIC DEMAND*
    • FIRE FLOW CALCULATOR*
    • FIRE PUMP ANALYZER*
    • FIRE PUMP DATABASE*
    • FRICTION LOSS CALCULATOR
    • HANGER SPACER*
    • IBC TRANSLATOR*
    • K-FACTOR SELECTOR*
    • NFPA 13 EDITION TRANSLATOR ('19 ONLY)
    • NFPA 13 EDITION TRANSLATOR ('99-'22)*
    • LIQUIDS ANALYZER*
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    • OBSTRUCTIONS AGAINST WALL*
    • PLUMBING FIXTURE COUNTS
    • QUICK RESPONSE AREA REDUCTION
    • REMOTE AREA ANALYZER*
    • SPRINKLER DATABASE*
    • SPRINKLER FLOW*
    • SYSTEM ESTIMATOR*
    • TEST & DRAIN CALCULATOR
    • THRUST BLOCK CALCULATOR
    • TRAPEZE CALCULATOR
    • UNIT CONVERTER
    • VOLUME & COMPRESSOR CALCULATOR
    • WATER STORAGE*
    • WATER SUPPLY (US)
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