Sprinklers Req'd for Wood Shop Training Facility?

9/15/2020

Working with a 10,500 square foot building that is primarily a wood shop (as the AHJ, fire official). In this building they basically saw cut raw lumber on a large gasoline powered (vented) saw mill inside of the building (this is an issue I question as well). This is a two-part question, at the least!

The occupants claim they are a E occupancy (based on the 2012 IBC/IFC) and that they fall under the 12,000 square feet for automatic fire sprinkler requirements in chapter 9.

I look at this as a woodworking facility over 2,500 square feet per 903.2.4.1, that would require automatic fire sprinklers.

The organization is not a school, but rather consider themselves as a vocational school that serves students working on their G.E.D. along with troubled students needing extra guidance, and they pay these students. They teach life/work skills and help with job placement.

I feel this would either fall under a B-Occupancy for training and skill development not within a school or academic program, or an F-1.

Thoughts on this part?

Next, even if we would call this an E-Occupancy, would sprinklers be required since it is under the 12,000 square feet? I would think yes because of section 903.2.4.1, however the organization says no because they believe they are an E.

I know where I am leaning on this issue, but would welcome any other input. I am all about helping this organization out, but also need to take safety and property preservation into account. This place keeps me up at night with all of the students and hazards present.

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7 Comments

Henry

9/15/2020 10:11:16 am

B occupancy for vocational (such as a community college)...never received any money for going to an actual school (E occupancy) so I would not classify it as that...wood working operation as well would require a sprinkler.

Bill

9/15/2020 10:54:03 am

903.2.4.1 would only apply if it is classified at an F-1, and the 2500 sq ft is not the entire building area. It would only apply to the wood-working portion where finely divided combustible waste or materials are used. If you classify it as a "B" or an "E", there would be no sprinkler requirements.

John

9/15/2020 12:55:24 pm

In my opinion the occupancy classification should be F1 based on highest hazard use of occupancy, or at least a Mixed Occupancy Classification. F1 and B.

903.2.4.1 would apply then as Bill stated above.

Tony

9/16/2020 08:58:02 am

It is not an E occupancy. IBC 305.1 is clear that E occupancys only apply to students up to the 12 grade. Based on your description, the occupants in this facility are legal adults and over the age of 18.

Generally, I do not care about the intentions of a space when it comes to classifying the occupancy, just because they are teaching students to wood work, the fire hazard is the same as professionals wood working. The fact that the students are being paid even further confirms my opinion that this should be an F-1.

I could see an argument for classifying this as a skill development, but the examples that the IBC gives are low hazard areas such as tutoring, gymnastics, and martial arts.

If this is an E occupancy, sprinklers would not be required, your entire building is is less than 12,000 square feet. So your fire area must be less than that (assuming you have no horizontal projections).

If this is an F occupancy, which I believe it is, sprinklers would be required per 903.2.4.1. That code requirement is under the 903.2.4 section so it only applies to F-1 occupancys. The sprinkler system must be throughout the fire area. So it would be the entire building or the area within the fire barriers (if that building has any).

9/16/2020 05:52:42 pm

To determine if it is a B or an F1, more information is needed. The exchange of money does not determine occupancy type. There are many vocational training programs that compensate the participants. If there is a scheduled training program, especially if there is a certification, this is most likely a B occupancy, as this would be an educational occupancy for students above 12th grade or training or skill development.

If you determine this to be an F1, sprinklers would only be required if the area dedicated to woodworking operations exceed 2500 sq ft., regardless of fire area.

Oscar Anderson

6/23/2022 08:01:38 am

What ICC Occupancy Use Group is a sawmill ? Thank you in advance.

Garen

10/7/2022 08:09:08 am

I See this is old but does the 2500 sqft mean total area or can it divided by a wall. I am looking at adding on and the way I understood it when I built my building originally is that I could build 2500sqft and have another 2500 sqft if separated by a door. I am also in the country where I have no access to municipal water supply. I have heard people using tanks for stored water and also people getting exemptions from needing a sprinkler system. Also how do they classify dry storage? Can it be over 2500sqft if not doing any machining or any generation of dust in the area other then dry storage.

Sprinklers Req'd for Wood Shop Training Facility?

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