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I have a 20-ft x 30-ft exterior projection that was initially supposed to be open to the sky. The builder made it open on two sides at the bottom with a 12-ft lid. The construction above goes to the roof and is concealed with no access from inside or outside, and it all is of non-combustible steel beams and joists with metal siding.
The million dollar question - sprinklers above and/or below? Or nothing at all? Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
11 Comments
NK
6/14/2021 08:17:29 am
The post from 02/15/2018 regarding canopies might be helpful:
CJ Bonczyk
6/14/2021 08:50:59 am
In my opinion you can address this via code and get out of protection if no storage is below, the canopy is detached, the area above canopy is not an occupied space, and is non combustible per NFPA 13 & NFPA 703. However if the canopy used for transient storage below, temporary occupied vehicle space such as an ambulatory drop off, or as the only means of egress, then sprinklers are required. However, this ultimately is an AHJ question because many times I have run into the issue where it may be able to be excluded by code but the local AHJ may have something in the local fire code amendments that requires them or they themselves require them regardless and its not documented in any local code ordinances. When discussing this with your AHJ provide all documentation about the canopy (construction, use, layout) and code information backup as to why protection is not required, sometimes the AHJ will be lenient about removing them assuming everything meets all minimum code requirements. Hope that helps.
Glenn Berger
6/14/2021 09:03:12 am
CJ is right on the money. Without seeing a section of the canopy it is difficult to provide a definite answer.
Mike
6/14/2021 09:55:50 am
Reference 8.15.7 -13, '13 edition for more information.
Mike
6/14/2021 09:57:50 am
8.15.1.2.18 "Soffits, Eaves, Overhangs, and Decorative Frame
Jessica Lutz
6/14/2021 10:09:46 am
This would be yet another value of pre-construction design, which seems to be unfortunately almost non-existent in LA.
James
6/14/2021 10:16:26 am
Not just LA! We see all kinds of projects go out for bid that have little or poor pre-construction design for fire protection. Just the basics - like specs and these kinds of coordination items can be extremely helpful.
Pete
6/14/2021 11:24:45 am
Why is it a million $ question?
Jessica Lutz
6/14/2021 11:43:05 am
Around here, the culture seems to have been born from LA's permission to defer sprinkler design drawings; when the sub-contractor becomes the Engineer whom is very late to the party, and then couple that with incomplete architectural design, and also Inspectors who are more thorough and strict vs. their plan-reviewer colleagues. The system needs revision.
Brian Gerdwagen
6/14/2021 05:04:50 pm
While this is getting a bit off topic, when I worked for a Design-Build fire sprinkler contractor in SoCal, this was also my experience. If we were brought in early by the owner and could coordinate our design with the Architect and Structural, it worked out well. When we were brought in during construction, it was a disaster. How do you have delegated design for ESFR without verification that the system can be installed without obstructions?
Frank Marvitz
6/15/2021 12:01:18 pm
One of thing you may want to consider. If this canopy will be part of the fire access, that canopy needs to be a minimum 13', 6" in height for vertical clearance of apparatus. I know our trucks are 12' 7" in height. Leave a Reply. |
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