Todd, Save the owner some money. I believe the primary reason for this criteria is barbeque' s and other flame producing devices such as turkey fryers, etc.. If all there is a 12" projection above the sprinklers can be omitted. I think, but, it's been a while since I read it, that there is some wording in the IFC/IBC that explains this. As far as the area beneath, it will most likely need to meet all the criteria of spaces beneath ground floors found in 13. The trouble with a 3 to 5' space is that some yahoo will decide that's a good place to keep his turkey fryer out of the wind and rain, then the next thing ya know.....
Bob Knight, CET III 208-318-3057 www.firebyknight.com -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Todd Williams Sent: Tuesday, November 08, 2011 8:08 AM To: [email protected] Subject: balcony protection - 13R The IBC states the following: 903.3.1.2.1 Balconies. Sprinkler protection shall be provided for exterior balconies and ground-floor patios of dwelling units where the building is of Type V construction. Sidewall sprinklers that are used to protect such areas shall be permitted to be located such that their deflectors are within 1 inch (25 mm) to 6 inches (152 mm) below the structural members, and a maximum distance of 14 inches (356 mm) below the deck of the exterior balconies that are constructed of open wood joist construction. I am working on a project which is a complex of apartment buildings which are all protected per 13R. The architect just discovered this section and now wants us to add sprinklers. The problem is that only the first floor units have decks and they are located 3-5 ft above grade. Atbove the door on to the patio is a projection approximately 12" out from the building. Dry sidewall sprinklers are to be installed under this. Obviously they are not going to do anything and they do not address what this section is talking about. However, the wording does not directly reference sprinklers being located beneath the balcony above. Nor does it address a minimum size projection. One of my fears is that if we convince him that the sprinklers are only required when a deck is above, the we will end up having to install sprinklers in the 3-5 ft space under the ground floor deck. FWIW, the owner is willing to pay for this. Any thoughts? Todd G. Williams, PE Fire Protection Design/Consulting Stonington, CT 860.535.2080 www.fpdc.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/private/sprinklerforum/attachment s/20111108/515e0aa1/attachment.html> _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum
