An architectural detail for a project we're bidding shows EIFS being used to wrap the outside of a large overhang above a pickup/drop off area for a building.
We're looking at whether sprinklers are required below the canopy, and the applicable section that would apply to omit sprinklers would be NFPA 13-2016 8.15.7.3: "8.15.7.3 Sprinklers shall be permitted to be omitted from below the exterior projections of combustible construction, provided the exposed finish material on the exterior projections are noncombustible, limited-combustible, or fire retardant–treated wood as defined in NFPA 703..." My question is, is EIFS considered combustible or limited-combustible? As best I can tell it's considered combustible but am interested if others have already dug into this in more detail. Thanks in advance. Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
5 Comments
Sean
9/16/2019 01:21:24 pm
Unless they can show it has fire retardant properties per nfpa 703 it would have to be combustible
Reply
Jonathan Sullivan
9/17/2019 03:55:49 pm
For the purposes of this exception NFPA 703 only allows fire-retardant treated wood. Typically this is dimensional, pressure treated lumber.
Reply
Arthur J Tiroly
9/16/2019 02:35:10 pm
The size of this overhang is not mentioned. If it is directly attached to the building this looks like a port cochere. ,From previous discussion this requires sprinklers if over 4' wide and directly attached or within 5'.
Reply
CHRIS
9/17/2019 06:29:03 am
For this project it's over four feet in width, detached from the building but very near the building (only 1 or 2 feet off the face with no exterior separation) - so the overhang is considered part of the main building.
Reply
Franck
9/17/2019 02:28:39 am
EIFS is to be considered as combustible in most cases. Many bad return on experience (Monte Carlo casino hotel in Las Vegas in January 2008 for example)
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Free SignupSubscribe and learn something new each day:
CommunityThank You to Our Top
October '20 Contributors!
Your PostThe ToolkitSprinkler Designer or Engineer?
Get all of our tools, including the Sprinkler Database, Friction Loss Calculator, Fire Pump Analyzer and more: Filters
All
Archives
January 2021
Daily
Daily discussions are open-ended fire protection, fire alarm, and life safety questions submitted anonymously for the benefit of sharing expertise and learning from other perspectives. Anyone can submit a question here:
Exam Prep2020 PE Prep Guide
(Available Now!) PE Prep Series
(Available Now!) 2020 PE Prep Series
Current Leaderboard (Click to enlarge) PE Problems
Visit July-October for daily Fire Protection PE Exam sample questions.
Solutions are posted the day after posting. Comment with your solutions, questions or clarifications. Please note that questions posted are unofficial and in accordance with NCEES rules are intended to be similar to actual exam questions, not actual exam questions themselves. |