PE Problem #43

9/2/2020

A new healthcare building is being designed with a suite with no sleeping areas and full smoke detection. What is the required construction for the corridor walls?
a. smoke partition only
b. smoke barrier only
c. 1-hour fire resistance and smoke barrier
d. none of the above

Solution | Posted 09/03/20

d. None of the above, in accordance with NFPA 101-2018 18.3.6.2.3. The suite corridor walls are required to resist smoke, but are specifically not required to be a smoke barrier or smoke partition as identified in the Annex Section A.18.3.6.2.3.

8 Comments

Joe

9/2/2020 08:40:22 am

A

Pg 101-203. 101-437

RYAN

9/2/2020 10:12:48 am

Todd Wyatt

9/2/2020 11:00:33 am

The (2) applicable Codes would be the 2012 NFPA Life Safety Code (LSC) per CMS and probably the IBC, depending on the State Agency (SA) licensure requirements. Each has slightly different requirements for the construction of corridor walls.

LSC 18.3.6.2.3 states that "Corridor walls shall form a barrier to limit the transfer of smoke." There is no mention of this wall construction requiring it to be a Smoke Partition.

LSC Appendix states "A.18.3.6.2.3 While a corridor wall is required to form a barrier to limit the transfer of smoke, such a barrier is not required to be either a smoke barrier or a smoke partition — two terms for which specific Code definitions and requirements apply."

The IBC requires corridor walls in Group I-2 Institutional occupancies to be 0-Hour Smoke Partitions (0SP) and includes "exceptions" to the doors in these 0SPs.

NinaB

9/2/2020 11:19:55 am

d. NFPA-101. A.18.3.6.2.3.

NearEngineer

9/2/2020 03:02:57 pm

9/2/2020 04:13:25 pm

9/2/2020 05:07:21 pm

D - none of the above.

Rocket

9/4/2020 04:22:29 am

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