Sprinklers Required for H-3 Retail Fireworks?

6/19/2024

Are sprinklers required for an H-3 Occupancy, retail fireworks (1.4g class) if less than 125lb?

IBC Section 415.1 states only need a automatic sprinkler if in excess of 125lb (25% of net weight of package fireworks).

But, in Chapter 10 Table 1006.2.1, regarding means of egress, it says Not Permitted regarding H-3 units with no sprinkler system.

Any help here is appreciated. Thank you!

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9 Comments

Brett

6/19/2024 06:52:36 am

All new group H occupancies require automatic sprinkler systems. See 415.4 and 903.2.5 of the 2024 IBC.

Pete H

6/19/2024 07:04:27 am

NYS Building Code (Adapted from IBC) 2020 reads:

415.4 Group H occupancies shall be equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.2.5

903.2.5 Automatic sprinkler systems shall be provided in high-hazard occupancies as required in sections 903.2.5.1 - 903.2.5.3
903.2.5.1 An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in group H occupancies.
--

There's no exception for H-3 that I can see.

Glenn Berger

6/19/2024 08:10:13 am

Agree with above comments; however -

IBC (2024) Table 307.1(1) If you truly have less than 125 lbs of material, the occupancy is not H-3 as you have less than the maximum allowable quantity per control area of hazardous materials... It would be an H-3 occupancy (3rd column) when you exceed the max quantity listed in the table.

The requirement to provide automatic sprinklers would be determined based upon a complete code analysis of the entire facility.

Jesse

6/19/2024 09:53:35 am

Glenn makes an important point about the maximum allowable quantities. MAQ is a very important consideration.

In my area, its very common for fire works stands to be in unincorporated areas where IBC doesn't apply.

Todd E Wyatt

6/19/2024 08:44:14 am

The scoping Code (e.g. IBC-2021) identifies where an automatic sprinkler system (ASPS) is required based on the Occupancy Classification(s) (OC) assigned to the building.

Section 903 Automatic Sprinkler Systems
903.2 Where Required
903.2.5 Group H
Automatic sprinkler systems shall be provided in high-hazard occupancies as required in Sections 903.2.5.1 through 903.2.5.3.
903.2.5.1 General
An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in Group H occupancies.

Warren M

6/19/2024 10:40:48 am

Everyone has addressed the IBC requirements but NFPA 13 does not address fireworks. So what Hazard Classification are you going to assign to this?

Jack G

6/19/2024 11:18:10 am

If it’s classified an H-3 there has to be other chemicals, gasses etc that pose a health risk. H occupancies require sprinklers.
What should your density be?
The state of NJ requires ex haz 1.
For h occupancies.

Todd E Wyatt

6/19/2024 05:01:17 pm

The scoping Code (e.g. IBC-2021) defines the following applicable terms in Chapter 2:

"EXPLOSIVE" as a “chemical compound, mixture or device, the primary or common purpose of which is to function by explosion.”

“FIREWORKS” as “any composition or device for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect for entertainment purposes by combustion, deflagration or detonation that meets the definition of 1.4G fireworks or 1.3G fireworks.”

Chapter 3 Occupancy Classification and Use, TABLE 307.1(1) MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE QUANTITY PER CONTROL AREA OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS POSING A PHYSICAL HAZARD references “”FIREWORKS” per the following :
“i. Net weight of the pyrotechnic composition of the FIREWORKS. Where the net weight of the pyrotechnic composition of the FIREWORKS is not known, 25 percent of the gross weight of the FIREWORKS, including packaging, shall be used.”

307.5 High-Hazard Group H-3 includes “Buildings and structures containing materials that readily support combustion or that pose a physical hazard shall be classified as Group H-3. Such materials shall include, but not be limited to, the following: Consumer FIRWORKS, 1.4G (Class C, Common).”

The Design Professional (e.g. Architect and/or Hazardous Material consultant) is responsible for determining the quantities of Hazardous Materials (HM) in order to determine the Occupancy Classification(s) (OC). This shall be submitted to the AHJs (Building Official & Fire Marshal) for their review and approval.

Todd E Wyatt

6/19/2024 05:02:06 pm

REFERENCES
IBC-2021
Chapter 2 Definitions
EXPLOSIVE. A chemical compound, mixture or device, the primary or common purpose of which is to function by explosion. The term includes, but is not limited to: dynamite, black powder, pellet powder, initiating explosives, detonators, safety fuses, squibs, detonating cord, igniter cord, and igniters. The term "explosive" includes any material determined to be within the scope of USC Title 18: Chapter 40 and also includes any material classified as an explosive other than consumer fireworks, 1.4G by the hazardous materials regulations of DOTn 49 CFR Parts 100-185.

High explosive. Explosive material, such as dynamite, which can be caused to detonate by means of a No. 8 test blasting cap when unconfined.
Low explosive. Explosive material that will burn or deflagrate when ignited. It is characterized by a rate of reaction that is less than the speed of sound. Examples of low explosives include, but are not limited to: black powder; safety fuse; igniters; igniter cord; fuse lighters; fireworks; and propellants, 1.3C.
Mass-detonating explosives. Division 1.1, 1.2 and 1.5 explosives alone or in combination, or loaded into various types of ammunition or containers, most of which can be expected to explode virtually instantaneously when a small portion is subjected to fire, severe concussion, impact, the impulse of an initiating agent or the effect of a considerable discharge of energy from without. Materials that react in this manner represent a mass explosion hazard. Such an explosive will normally cause severe structural damage to adjacent objects. Explosive propagation could occur immediately to other items of ammunition and explosives stored sufficiently close to and not adequately protected from the initially exploding pile with a time interval short enough so that two or more quantities must be considered as one for quantity-distance purposes.
UN/DOTn Class 1 explosives. The former classification system used by DOTn included the terms "high" and "low" explosives as defined herein. The following terms further define explosives under the current system applied by DOTn for all explosive materials defined as hazard Class 1 materials. Compatibility group letters are used in concert with the division to specify further limitations on each division noted (i.e., the letter G identifies the material as a pyrotechnic substance or article containing a pyrotechnic substance and similar materials).
Division 1.1. Explosives that have a mass explosion hazard. A mass explosion is one which affects almost the entire load instantaneously.
Division 1.2. Explosives that have a projection hazard but not a mass explosion hazard.
Division 1.3. Explosives that have a fire hazard and either a minor blast hazard or a minor projection hazard or both, but not a mass explosion hazard.
Division 1.4. Explosives that pose a minor explosion hazard. The explosive effects are largely confined to the package and no projection of fragments of appreciable size or range is to be expected. An external fire must not cause virtually instantaneous explosion of almost the entire contents of the package.
Division 1.5. Very insensitive explosives. This division is comprised of substances that have a mass explosion hazard, but that are so insensitive there is very little probability of initiation or of transition from burning to detonation under normal conditions of transport.
Division 1.6. Extremely insensitive articles which do not have a mass explosion hazard. This division is comprised of articles that contain only extremely insensitive detonating substances and which demonstrate a negligible probability of accidental initiation or propagation.

FIREWORKS. Any composition or device for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect for entertainment purposes by combustion, deflagration or detonation that meets the definition of 1.4G fireworks or 1.3G fireworks.

Fireworks, 1.3G. Large fireworks devices, which are explosive materials, intended for use in fireworks displays and designed to produce audible or visible effects by combustion, deflagration or detonation. Such 1.3G fireworks include, but are not limited to, firecrackers containing more than 130 milligrams (2 grains) of explosive composition, aerial shells containing more than 40 grams of pyrotechnic composition, and other display pieces which exceed the limits for classification as 1.4G fireworks. Such 1.3G fireworks are also described as fireworks, UN0335 by the DOTn.

Fireworks, 1.4G. Small fireworks devices containing restricted amounts of pyrotechnic composition designed primarily to produce visible or audible effects by combustion or deflagration that complies with the construction, chemical composition and labeling regulations of the DOTn for fireworks, UN0336, and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) as set forth in CPSC 16 CFR: Parts 1500 and 1507.

Sprinklers Required for H-3 Retail Fireworks?

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