As always, I should have clarified... I was looking at the North Carolina IBC. Table 302.3.2 in the NCIBC (table 508.3.3 in the 2006 IBC) omitted the (S) and (NS) designations for the required separation of occupancies. Which basically means you don't necessarily have to stick to 903.3.1.1 for sprinkler system type. Thus in North Carolina, you can have a separated mixed use building, I.E. group R above an S, B, M, ect... where the sprinkler system only needs to meet the requirements for the occupancy as long as you comply with the separation requirements. So in NC, non separated mixed use... full 13. Separated mixed use, system per occupancy classification as long as you haven't exceeded height, area, open area, fire lane ect. limitations and the AHJ is ok with it. When did Dixie become so progressive?
John, I would agree whole heartedly that anything horizontal isn't termed a wall. It's a fire barrier. I've gotten called out on the carpet for that verbiage before :) Jamie Seidl -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of John Drucker Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 2:35 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Mixed-Use Code Question Careful on the IBC 509 provisions, i.e. so called "horizontal firewalls". First and foremost anything horizontal isn't termed a wall. Second firewalls must meet the criteria of being able to collapse on either side, but not both, without effecting the opposite side. As Scotty once said "Captain I cant defy the laws of physics !" When the lower floor goes, well I guess you know what happens next. So much for "horizontal firewalls" and separate buildings created by them. Lets take a closer look at 509, ....509.2 to be exact. Heres what it says; "A basement and/or the first story above grade plane of a building shall be considered as a separate and distinct building for the purpose of determining area limitations, continuity of fire walls, limitation of number of stories and type of construction." The commentary hits the nail on the head; "The subsections of Section 509 are EXCEPTIONS to the general HEIGHT AND AREA limitations of Chapter 5." Nothing in there about exceptions for Chapter 9, Mixed Uses and Sprinklers. In the end its still a mixed use building where an allowance for height, area and construction type has been made for a "3 Hr horizontal assembly". Back in the day we called this taxpayer buildings making good use of available land, parking below, commercial/mercantile at grade and residential above the first floor. The IBC merely accomodates this with regards to building construction. So in the end if its mixed its 13. Hope that helps John Drucker Fire Protection Subcode Official -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jamie Seidl Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 1:28 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Mixed-Use Code Question In IBC land, there is Separated and Non-separated mixed use. Non separated, your entire building would be full 13. In separated mixed use, as long as the ratings meet the required separations or "separate buildings" of the code, (including horizontal) you can use 13 for the lower area and 13R for the upper. There has been some contention on the designation of a separate building and a horizontal fire barrier, but this configuration has met the intent of the code in the jurisdictions I've dealt with. Jamie Seidl -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Tom Duross Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 12:23 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Mixed-Use Code Question I have a question about a small project I'm bidding and how it relates to other's building codes. Four storey 8 unit residential building, in bid stage, just got notification that one unit, half the ground floor, will be zoned for commercial use. I'm at odds if this changes the building to mixed-use or not. I've asked the gc if he's still applying as an R2 and he's not sure, architect in on vacation (go figure). I'm leafing through our building code (ICC-03) right now to see if this qualifies as ancillary with regards to design (13 vs. 13R) but I just thought I'd ask the masses with a little time on their hands how this would resolve under their current codes. Often we have similar provisions and interpretations and I don't have the workbook, tabs or supplement yet for ours. We're new to this edition. I'm able to refer to 13 for design in areas like Basements but still base the remainder of the system under 13R requirements and our old code gave little guidance as to percentages with regards to areas outside of the use group. I'm wondering if, disregarding permit application for now, the addition of one of the 8 units from residential use to commercial use (will be a store) will effect the design. 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