So let's look at this logic stream. If you had a 500 sf indoor storage area at say .30/3000sf adjacent to a 10,000 sf office space .10/1500sf, different occupancies separated by appropriate rated assemblies, storage area constructed per code, would you extend the .30/3000 into 2500 sq. ft of the office space?
What if the office space was only 1500sf, then would you design the entire building, storage and office space at .30/entire area? I doubt any contractor would pay attention to a design criteria like that. The design criteria should be appropriate for the space when appropriate physical separations between different occupancies are provided. I'm having a hard time finding any requirement in the IFC,IBC, NFPA or other reference to extend the higher design criteria into an adjacent space other than when they are open to each other. There is wording in 13 that references the density for a particular occupancy hazard is to remain constant even if the design area is less than that indicated. There are two methods of design mentioned, the density/area method or the room design method. Craig L. Prahl, CET Fire Protection Specialist Mechanical Department CH2MHILL Lockwood Greene 1500 International Drive PO Box 491, Spartanburg, SC 29304-0491 Direct - 864.599.4102 Fax - 864.599.8439 [email protected] http://www.ch2m.com -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Sprinkler Academy - C Bilbo Sent: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 1:27 PM To: FORUM Subject: IFC requirements Hi Scott, What a great reference for future use! I can see where the 3,000 sq ft minimum could apply, but I don't really see how the IFC allows the reduction of the design to the room only (not that I thought it should). Based on the language of 2704.5 which reads (and I realize you already know the language), "Indoor storage areas and storage buildings shall be equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. The design of the sprinkler system shall not be less than that required for Ordinary Hazard Group 2 with a minimum design area of 3,000 square feet (279 m2). Where the materials or storage arrangement are required by other regulations to be provided with a higher level of sprinkler system protection, the higher level of sprinkler system protection shall be provided." I would also read 2704.2.2.3 to base the design of the containment on the area of the room or of the storage here. I don't think this is stating that the remote area for the sprinkler system could be reduced to that area. In this particular case, it's also my assertion that we would still look to NFPA 13 to find the direction for our minimum remote area size and which densities to apply when we have mixed occupancies. I think we are on the same page but wanted to run this by you to be sure. It should be recognized that the above is my opinion as a member of the NFPA 13 Committee on Installation Criteria representing the NFSA, and has not been processed as a formal interpretation in accordance with the NFPA Regulations Governing Committee Projects and should therefore not be considered, nor relied upon, as the official position of the NFSA nor the NFPA, nor any of their technical committees. Sincerely, Cecil Bilbo Academy of Fire Sprinkler Technology Champaign, IL 845-878-4200 x138 www.sprinkleracademy.com _______________________________________________ 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)
