Does anyone have experience with auditory testing booths?
We have a 6-ft x6-ft audiology testing booth with a fully enclosed ceiling. It is about 7-ft tall and has been installed in a school for over seven years. Recently on an inspection, it was noted that it was required to have a sprinkler. I have dug through the code and can't see where it would not be required. The only thing I found was in IBC 903.3.1.1.2 that it is "A room or space where sprinklers are considered undesirable because of the nature of the contents, where approved by the fire code official." In that case, it looks like we could add a smoke detector in there if it was approved by the code official. They are very similar to office pods or even walk-in coolers and they are required in those situations. Because of the nature of the booth, I'm getting a lot of pushback from the users of the booth. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
18 Comments
Franck
5/31/2021 08:20:32 am
Several questions in my answer :
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Chad
5/31/2021 08:40:12 am
I concur with this except the 100sq ft, too large of an area to except, in my opinion. There are reasonable exceptions if the fire load is negligible.
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franck
6/1/2021 11:29:02 am
The 100 sq ft “rule of thumb” is coming from the fact that sprinklers at the ceiling level should cover 100 sq ft each (sometimes more, but 100 sq ft is normally the maximum for EH and storage).
Glenn Berger
5/31/2021 08:55:19 am
I have used this exact clause to not provide a sprinkler in a "piece of equipment." Be careful on the installing of any type of smoke detector as it may also have detrimental effects of the testing apparatus.
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Pete
5/31/2021 09:48:06 am
I absolutely loathe when people want to "push back", but they can't formulate an argument, because they don't know the first thing about it. So you end up with, "We never had to have a sprinkler before.", and a bunch of other nonsensical permutations.
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Zev Schramm
5/31/2021 04:31:26 pm
A sprinkler is definitely indicated, and should be installed.
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Jay
6/1/2021 08:08:36 am
Doesn't the ceiling of the booth represent an obstruction over 4ft in width that prevents the sprinkler discharge from reaching the hazard?
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James
6/1/2021 08:13:28 am
Yes, it does.
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James
6/1/2021 08:13:05 am
I have not worked on an anechoic chamber myself, but they do make telescoping sprinklers (which I believe are FM approved) that are on flexible drops (to avoid sound transmission) and only drop down into the space with activation.
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Brad K
6/1/2021 10:51:21 am
I too have seen these used in the past.
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Jesse
6/1/2021 09:29:21 am
I think instead of trying to find a place in 13 that says a sprinkler is required - you should begin with the presumption that protection is required, and then look for a code section allowing you to omit it.
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James
6/1/2021 09:34:03 am
Agreed; NFPA 13 says as much right at the beginning (2016 Edition):
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Franck
6/5/2021 03:00:20 am
From a code perspective, sprinkler would certainly be required because of the obstruction.
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sean
6/5/2021 07:27:48 am
I would not accept that section as justification. I would tell you to put a head in there. It doesn't help the case you are asking for forgiveness instead of permission.
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Mike
6/9/2021 08:17:17 am
Ask the AHJ. The auditory rooms could be considered pre-manufactured furniture where a sprinkler head may not be required. On the other side, I've had to put sprinkler heads in pre-manufactured phone booths. It all depends on the AHJ's interpretation.
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sean
6/9/2021 10:44:35 am
In my opinion using the furniture exemption does not apply. You do not occupy furniture.
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10/20/2021 10:01:37 am
See NFPA 13:(2019).9..2.10 -Sprinkler are not required in hearing booths.
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Jay
10/21/2021 10:41:14 am
9.2.10 is for unoccupiable equipment enclosures. A hearing testing booth is an occupiable space
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