Jim, NFPA 409 does not require a sprinkler system (Group III Hangar) if there is no fuel transfer, welding, torch cutting or soldering, doping, or spray painting. The only requirement is a portable fire extinguisher in accordance with NFPA 10. NFPA 101 does not require a storage building to be sprinklered. If the building code requires it then you have a choice either protect it as a Group II Hangar or use the storage criteria out of NFPA 13 (EH-1). There should be no AHJ judgment on the demand of the system. Either is code compliant as long as you provide coverage in accordance with all the Group II demands for an automatic sprinkler system, or the storage requirement demand from NFPA 13 (EH-1). The only judgment I would use, as an AHJ, is that the hazards listed above are truly not present. Usually, I ask for this in writing from the owner of the hangar and the owner of the plane (if different), so when a follow up inspection, on a complaint basis, is done and the hazards exist I can issue a violation and make the sprinkler system mandatory.
It is always better to get the sprinkler system installed up front. It causes the owner of the hangar less headaches in the end and more flexibility when leasing the space. Duane Fox, Jr. DE State Fire Marshal's Office -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Thiesse, Jim Sent: Wednesday, September 03, 2008 2:05 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Protection of Group 3 Aircraft Hangars The code plan lists this as a group 3 hangar (S-2 Occupancy), and there will definitely be aircraft stored inside, but there's no indication that the hangar will be used for any fuel transfer, welding, torch cutting, torch soldering, doping or spray painting, so it appears to be just an aircraft storage hangar. What your saying is that a group 3 hangar meeting this criteria should be protected using NFPA-13 EHG1, but NFPA 409 doesn't specifically tell you that in chapter 8.9, nor does it refer you to 13 at all, so is it just a case by case judgment call to me made by each local AHJ? Thanks for the help! Jim -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Roland Huggins Sent: Wednesday, September 03, 2008 7:57 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Protection of Group 3 Aircraft Hangars What is being stored? IF it isn't airplanes, why call it a hangar? Assuming it IS a hangar (and not a building on an air field that looks like a duck but isn't one) and as pointed out, does not have the hazards identified in 409 then it is not required to be sprinklered per 409. IF something else triggers the requirement for sprinklers THEN you go to NFPA 13 which dictates an EHG1 category. Hopefully that extracts some of the mud from the water. Roland On Sep 2, 2008, at 3:21 PM, Thiesse, Jim wrote: > I could use some help regarding NFPA 409, specifically the design > requirements for a group 3 aircraft hangar. > > > > I found the requirements for hangar groups 1&2, but section 8.9 (FIRE > PROTECTION FOR GROUP 3 HANGARS) says: > > 8.9.1* > <javascript:parent.loadDoc('/nfpa0400-0499/0409/codes-0197222',%20'', > %20 > 'codes-id00040901511')> Where hazardous operations, including fuel > transfer, welding, torch cutting, torch soldering, doping, and spray > painting, are performed in any Group III hangar, the Group III hangar > shall be protected with the fire protection specified in Chapter 7 > <javascript:parent.loadDoc('/nfpa0400-0499/0409/codes-0196850', > %20'/',%2 > 0'codes-id00040900688')> and also shall meet the requirements > specified > in 5.4.2 > <javascript:parent.loadDoc('/nfpa0400-0499/0409/codes-0196560', > %20'/',%2 > 0'codes-id00040900166')> . > > > > What if it's just a storage hangar and the above listed operations are > not expected? Group 2 hangars require a .17/5,000 sq. ft. Does that > also apply to ALL group 3 hangars? > > > > In NFPA 13 under extra hazard (group 1) occupancies it lists aircraft > hangars (except as governed by NFPA 409). I don't see any > exceptions in > NFPA 409 exempting any hangars. > > > > Any help would be appreciated. > > > > Thanks, > > Jim Thiesse > > _______________________________________________ > Sprinklerforum mailing list > http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum > For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) > _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
