Smoke Removal and ESFR vs. OH2 for EV Factory?

2/14/2024

We are working on a new electric car factory. Under the 2018 IBC, it's classified as an F-2 occupancy. Earlier we had provided ESFR sprinklers in these buildings.

Since there is no specific requirement for smoke removal for an F-2 occupancy, we want to provide standard response or quick response sprinklers instead of ESFR, by classifying parts of the building as Ordinary Hazard Group 2 (OH2) in NFPA 13.

Is this reasonable for all areas? Production areas?

Would an OH2 classified space require smoke removal?

Thanks in advance.

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6 Comments

Anthony

2/14/2024 07:54:04 am

OH2 is reasonable for all the non battery dense areas. I'd suggest no less than EH1 for ay areas where the battery skid is attached to the cabin. I'd suggest EH2 in any areas where the battery skid is assembled.

There's a reasonable argument to provide EH2 over any area where batteries are stored, processed or used in less than 5'-0.
Any rack storage will require looking in to NFPA 855 which will ask for fire testing.

My favorite battery/sprinkler demo:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp-vJNC4gqI&t=164s

Glenn Berger

2/14/2024 08:20:23 am

Classifying the entire facility as F-2 would not be appropriate. Neither would OH2 be appropriate for the entire facility.

Each and every area/ hazard / activity of the facility needs to be reviewed for its proper designation as far as building code and sprinkler protection is required.

The required smoke exhaust system is more a requirement of building geometry and would need to be determined as part of the code analysis with the approval of the proper authorities.

Jesse

2/14/2024 08:33:48 am

Manufacturing facilities commonly have multiple occupancy hazard classes, and as such are protected with different design approaches. I wouldn't look at the entirety as F2. Raw material storage may be protected one way, manufacturing may be OH 2, and finished product may again be protected as storage.

In your case you could use ESFR in storage areas and OH 2in production / assembly areas. I'd recommend EH2 in the battery assembly areas. You could use ESFR over storage and assembly, and then EH2 for the batteries

Todd E Wyatt

2/14/2024 11:06:54 am

Correct Occupancy Classification (OC) per IBC-2018 = Group F-1

Smoke Removal requirements as to WHERE it is required are determined by the scoping Code (IBC-2018) and not the referenced Standards.

Smoke and heat vents are required in a Group F-1 “having more than 50,000 square feet (4645 m2) of undivided area” and a Mechanical Smoke Removal System (MSRS) is required in sprinklered buildings per IBC-2018 910.2.1.

An automatic sprinkler system (ASPS) is required in Group F-1 meeting (1) of the (4) conditions per IBC-2018 903.2.4.

Todd E Wyatt

2/14/2024 11:07:46 am

REFERENCES
IBC-2018
Chapter 3 Occupancy Classification and Use
Section 306 Factory Group F
306.2 Moderate-Hazard Factory Industrial, Group F-1
Factory industrial uses that are not classified as Factory Industrial F-2 Low Hazard shall be classified as F-1 Moderate Hazard and shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
Automobiles and other motor vehicles
306.3 Low-Hazard Factory Industrial, Group F-2
Factory industrial uses that involve the fabrication or manufacturing of noncombustible materials that during finishing, packing or processing do not involve a significant fire hazard shall be classified as F-2 occupancies and shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
1. Beverages: up to and including 16-percent alcohol content
2. Brick and masonry
3. Ceramic products
4. Foundries
5. Glass products
6. Gypsum
7. Ice
8. Metal products (fabrication and assembly)

Chapter 9 Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems
Section 910 Smoke and Heat Removal
910.2 Where Required
Smoke and heat vents or a mechanical smoke removal system shall be installed as required by Sections 910.2.1 and 910.2.2.
Exceptions:
1. Frozen food warehouses used solely for storage of Class I and II commodities where protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system.
2. Smoke and heat removal shall not be required in areas of buildings equipped with early suppression fast-response (ESFR) sprinklers.
3. Smoke and heat removal shall not be required in areas of buildings equipped with control mode special application sprinklers with a response time index of 50 (m • s)1/2 or less that are listed to control a fire in stored commodities with 12 or fewer sprinklers.

Chapter 9 Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems
910.2.1 Group F-1 or S-1
Smoke and heat vents installed in accordance with Section 910.3 or a mechanical smoke removal system installed in accordance with Section 910.4 shall be installed in buildings and portions thereof used as a Group F-1 or S-1 occupancy having more than 50,000 square feet (4645 m2) of undivided area. In occupied portions of a building equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 where the upper surface of the story is not a roof assembly, a mechanical smoke removal system in accordance with Section 910.4 shall be installed.
Exception: Group S-1 aircraft repair hangars.

910.3 Smoke and Heat Vents
The design and installation of smoke and heat vents shall be in accordance with Sections 910.3.1 through 910.3.3.
910.3.1 Listing and Labeling
910.3.2 Smoke and Heat Vent Locations
910.3.3 Smoke and Heat Vents Area

910.4 Mechanical Smoke Removal Systems
Mechanical smoke removal systems shall be designed and installed in accordance with Sections 910.4.1 through 910.4.7.
910.4.1 Automatic Sprinklers Required
910.4.2 Exhaust Fan Construction
910.4.3 System Design Criteria
910.4.4 Activation
910.4.5 Manual Control Location
910.4.7 Controls

903.2.4 Group F-1
An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings containing a Group F-1 occupancy where one of the following conditions exists:
1. A Group F-1 fire area exceeds 12,000 square feet (1115 m2).
2. A Group F-1 fire area is located more than three stories above grade plane.
3. The combined area of all Group F-1 fire areas on all floors, including any mezzanines, exceeds 24,000 square feet (2230 m2).
4. A Group F-1 occupancy used for the manufacture of upholstered furniture or mattresses exceeds 2,500 square feet (232 m2).

903.3 Installation Requirements
903.3.1 Standards
903.3.1.1 NFPA 13 Sprinkler Systems
Where the provisions of this code require that a building or portion thereof be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with this section, sprinklers shall be installed throughout in accordance with NFPA 13 except as provided in Sections 903.3.1.1.1 and 903.3.1.1.2.

Jaber Alhaji

2/14/2024 11:05:36 pm

Thanks all for your insights.

Smoke Removal and ESFR vs. OH2 for EV Factory?

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