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Sprinkler Floor Control For 2-Story + Mezzanine?

5/4/2021

4 Comments

 
I have a multi-story building under a single owner. It consists of a first floor 25,000 sqft area and a second floor, also of 25,000 sqft in area which has a high barrel roof, about 40 ft above the floor.

This second level is unique in that a portion of its area has two levels of rooms, one stacked on the other. Each level is 10,000 sqft in area. To visualize these, consider the first level being individual meeting/office/bathrooms having ceilings and a structure overtop. The second level is of similar area/occupancy/ceiling and is built on top of this lower structure. The architect actually refers to this second level as a mezzanine. The area above the these rooms is open to the high roof. The building is sprinklered throughout per NFPA 13 (2016). A standpipe is not required per IBC 905.3.1.

My position is that the building can be protected as a single zone without floor control valves as it is two stories in height plus a mezzanine under the control of a single owner. Further, the two levels of rooms at Floor 2 are referred in A.8.2.4.1 which gives guidance that 8.2.4.1 is not intending to require floor control valves on small buildings under the supervision of a single owner. Reference NFPA 13 (2016) 8.2.4.1, A.8.2.4.1, 8.2.1, 8.2.2.

Strictly per the standard, are floor control valves required for each level of this building?

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
4 Comments
chad
5/4/2021 12:34:40 pm

By the strict definition of the code I believe you are right.

From contractor's perspective i get that its easier and cheaper to do without it. But it may benefit you depending on the maintenance required and site conditions etc.

From an AHJ's perspective, I want the 2nd floor to have a floor control valve. It doesn't really even need its own flow and gauge, just a valve and drain. If we need to shut down the whole building, they cannot occupy it. Depending on the occupancy type, if shutting down the 2nd floor keeps the 1st floor active, we may allow occupancy to continue on the 1st.

We do not push it on two story buildings but we mandate it for 3 plus.

Reply
Jihn Galante
5/5/2021 11:39:12 am

Agree.

Reply
Jay
5/4/2021 08:38:22 pm

Based on the information provided, the top occupiable area cannot be classified as a mezzanine, it is required to be classified as a story (3rd floor of the building).
See IBC:505 or NFPA 101:8.6.10.2 for area limitations of mezzanines. The mezzanine (10k sq ft) is 2/3 the area of the room it opens onto (15k sq ft) and therefore is required to be called a story.
Also see the requirements for openess of a mezzanine.

Reply
Thomas
5/5/2021 07:59:37 am

Under the building code a mezzanine can only be one third of the floor below. So I believe you have to treat it as another level, thus needing control valves.

Reply



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  • Blog
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  • THE TOOLKIT
    • SUBMIT AN IDEA
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    • CLOUD CEILING CALCULATOR
    • DOMESTIC DEMAND*
    • FIRE FLOW CALCULATOR*
    • FIRE PUMP ANALYZER*
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    • FRICTION LOSS CALCULATOR
    • HANGER SPACER*
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    • NFPA 13 EDITION TRANSLATOR ('19 ONLY)
    • NFPA 13 EDITION TRANSLATOR ('99-'22)*
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    • OBSTRUCTIONS AGAINST WALL*
    • PLUMBING FIXTURE COUNTS
    • QUICK RESPONSE AREA REDUCTION
    • REMOTE AREA ANALYZER*
    • SPRINKLER DATABASE*
    • SPRINKLER FLOW*
    • SYSTEM ESTIMATOR*
    • TEST & DRAIN CALCULATOR
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