Uhmm.. Bingo... What Steve said....
Rod at Rapid -----Original Message----- From: Sprinklerforum [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Steve Leyton Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2015 12:53 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Noncombustible concealed space Little known fact: "Accessible" isn't defined in the building and there are only references to ADA in the California Codes. The AHJ's observation is BS but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and let's call this a teachable moment. "Dear Fire Official: You have indicated that you believe the presence of removable ceiling tiles creates an accessible space above. Accessibility as it is referred to in the building code is used in the context of moving people into a particular space. It is an underlying premise of the building code that spaces are either occupiable or not; accessing a space and the requirements for that (ADA primarily) all infer that the space in question is occupiable and has a designated use and occupant load. However, the noncombustible interstial space above a suspended t-bar ceiling does not meet those criteria: there is no support or structure for storage or human occupancy and there is no dedicated use or occupancy classification as per the building code. Therefore, such spaces meet the intent of NFPA 13, ยง8.15.1.2.2 and no sprinkler protection is required. Our firm is contracted to design and install sprinklers per the adopted code and referenced standards. In this case, it is widely accepted that such spaces are not considered occupied and sprinkler protection is not required. If additional protection is required, I have to substantiate to the building owner why the additional costs are being incurred and I would greatly appreciate your assistance in that regard. Please furnish any references or formal interpretations from NFPA or ICC or a recognized third party that you may have or on which your interpretation is based. I look forward to reviewing this information with my client." -----Original Message----- From: Sprinklerforum [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Marc Walter, SET Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2015 11:31 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Noncombustible concealed space I have a 1,300SF tenant finish project in a building that is post tension concrete. The tenant is dropping in a T-Bar grid ceiling throughout the space. I have the existing piping dropping new pendents to the ceiling and removing the uprights. The AHJ has rejected the plans based on the removal of the uprights citing 8.15.1.2.1 and 8.15.1.2.2 (NFPA 13:2013). His contention is that a T-Bar ceiling is a fully accessible space, and therefore requires sprinkler protection above. Anyone been hit with this before? Marc Walter, SET Sprinkler Design Services 780 6th Avenue Seaside, OR 97138 (503) 956-4019 _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org
