Water curtain using automatic sprinklers to avoid providing opening protectives - there's a lot of confusion on this.
Exception stated under Section 705.8.2 of 2021 International Building Code (OBC) states that Opening protectives are not required where the building is equipped through an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.1.1 and the exterior openings are protected by a water curtain using automatic sprinkler systems approved for that use. Can we use this exception and provide a water curtain using automatic sprinklers to avoid fire rated doors in the loading dock of a building? Is there anything else that I need to be concerned about while designing these sprinklers for the water curtain? Need more clarity here before recommending an approach. Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
9 Comments
Glenn Berger
5/31/2023 08:16:51 am
You need to closely examine whether or not exterior opening protection is required based upon the relationship to adjacent buildings.
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Pete H
5/31/2023 08:33:51 am
I'm just going to echo Glenn here, you're way better off using a fire rated exterior door than a water curtain for the exit.
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Todd E Wyatt
5/31/2023 08:54:41 am
Q : Can we use this exception and provide a water curtain using automatic sprinklers to avoid fire rated doors in the loading dock of a building?
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I would avoid the water approach at an exterior door for a number of reasons especially due to exposure to the exterior/freezing. It also adds more cost overall than a rated door. To expand on what has been written above, first determine your fire separation distance. Next, based on FSD, decide if the wall even needs a rating. If it needs to be rated, use the FSD to determine the percentage of allowable unprotected openings.
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SCHULMAN
5/31/2023 09:52:30 am
I'm on the side of the responders who are questioning the requirement ... in all my years of doing this I have yet to design or see a design where the wall and/or doors at the loading dock needs to be rated. Typically, the interior walls that separate the loading area from the rest of the building are rated. Would love to know why or more ...
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MICHELE RIVAROLA
6/1/2023 01:32:59 am
It depends on whether fire rated separation is required or not. If it is required then a water curtain is not a substitute for a fire rated door. If a fire rated separation is not required and the loading dock is provided with a canopy then the sprinklers in the canopy will provide protection and no water curtain is necessary. If no fire separation is required and the loading dock is not provided with a canopy and trucks are parked at the loading dock unmanned then a water curtain is probably a viable system of detection but unlikely to provide adequate protection.
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Anthony
6/1/2023 08:35:18 am
My 2 cents: with the exception of some very special sprinklers, sprinklers do not and should not be used for rating structure. I believe it is not good practice to replace a rated architectural/structural component with a 'water curtain'. The design intent often gets lost in subsequent years when it comes time to renovate under the best of circumstances like at a university where documents are better organized. At a commercial or industrial setting where a structure can changes hands 'relatively' quickly this problem is exasperated. Add to that the reliability of a door compared to a sprinkler system and your choice should be clear.
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Alex
6/2/2023 04:27:52 am
Late to the party here but want to echo what others have said.
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