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Fire Alarm Required in Detached Cooler?

7/11/2022

7 Comments

 
We are designing a new/upgraded fire alarm system for a remodeled highrise (our local codes are 2012 IBC and 2018 NFPA 1) and there is a detached walk-in cooler for the restaurant, located relatively close to the main building (~3' away from the nearest exterior wall).

We received an RFI asking whether fire alarm devices are required in the coolers - good question(!). I'm not able to find anything specific for fire alarm devices in detached storage buildings.

Do you see fire alarm required for the detached cooler?

If anyone has any insight (or NFPA references that I've overlooked), it would be very much appreciated!

Thanks for a great community!

​
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7 Comments
chad
7/11/2022 08:09:00 am

I realize some will argue it needs occupant notification but IMO, no. Nor would it need sprinklers, IMO. I don't have a code reference stating its not required but I would not require it as an AHJ, its not part of the structure.

Reply
sean
7/11/2022 10:44:00 am

There are building design decisions that may require it be treated as part of the same building and therefor require sprinkler and notification.

The trade off for the designer is not having to have fire rated exterior walls when they are this close.

Reply
Michael
7/11/2022 08:12:49 am

I would think this would be required unless there is a rated separation between the two.

Reply
Glenn Berger
7/11/2022 08:29:50 am

Work with the AHJ to determine the applicable requirements to be used. I am not seen any consistent for the independent annexes to these types of facilities.

Reply
DS
7/11/2022 08:49:37 am

This seems to come up every so often in a new building or panel migration/upgrade for buildings with walk-in coolers/freezers where I work. I believe the code does not support the installation of occupant notification inside of these storage spaces. People may use 101:9.6.3.6.1 as a pathway to support the installation of notification appliances in these spaces. These installations have also been a cause for system troubles from ground faults. This is usually caused from water getting trapped inside the weatherproof appliance. I don't think it is a good or necessary practice to install appliances that cause system troubles in an area that is not normally occupied.

Reply
sean
7/11/2022 10:46:39 am

I would be asking the architect is the high rise and this structure designed as two separate buildings* with an invisible lot line or one structure?

Two buildings* it would be evaluated for sprinkler/fire alarm coverage separate.

One building* it would require sprinkler and depending on the size fire alarm (work area vs common area).

*building as in the defined terms form the IBC, two structures can be designed as one building

Reply
Alex
7/11/2022 01:02:31 pm

Hi,

IBC (2012) Table 602 outlines the fire separation distance. Assuming that the walk in cooler does not have a 1 hour fire resistance rating, it is deemed part of the primary building. Therefore, it requires the same life safety features as the primary structure.

Thanks,
Alex

Reply



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