I'm not an expert on this particular section, but to me it's a matter of differentiating "stairway" from "stair shaft". The stairway, imho, is what you stand on, and the shaft is what it's in. If we were to remove the stairs and just call this a vertical shaft, would it be a combustible or non-combusible? If it was wood framed but covered on the side facing the shaft with sheet rock I'm saying it's a non-combustible shaft. And since it contains a non-combustible stairway which doesn't trigger the first section I would move on to the second section which to me is applicable as the "shaft" itself is non-com. I would design it with a head at the top and bottom and let someone show me why that isn't correct. The wood framing itself lives in it's own combustible concealed space, but that's exempted from protection and the 3k sq ft as long as it's a typical wall stud/drywall arrangement.
Mike Morey CFPS 3229 * NICET S.E.T. 123677 Project Manager * Fire Protection Group Shambaugh & Son, LP an EMCOR Company 7614 Opportunity Drive * Fort Wayne, IN * 46825 direct 260.487.7824 / cell 260.417.0625 / fax 260.487.7991 email [email protected] -----Original Message----- From: Sprinklerforum <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Bruce Hermanson via Sprinklerforum Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2021 6:17 AM To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Subject: Sprinklers in stairways BE ADVISED - This email originated outside EMCOR. We have a wood framed building where the stair shaft is made of wood with drywall that gives it a 3 hour fire rating. The stairs are steel and concrete. I have been asked if we need to provide sprinkler heads at each level or just at the top and below the lowest landing. We are currently in the 2013 edition of NFPA 13. I am a bit confused on the wording in Section https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://8.15.3.1__;!!FaxH778!OPhfng3N2P1Kg7dYtLr-pb5SM8-vcH6y-gW6XUVgBVbjhBLx1JI9hhhBPjRcvJGm$ where they reference sprinklers beneath all stairways of combustible construction. Section 8.15.3.2.1 references non combustible stair shafts having non combustible stairs with non combustible or limited combustible finishes requiring sprinklers only at the top and under the first accessible landing. I would be interested in the forum's opinion on this. Bruce Hermanson President TSFP Holdings Inc. (734) 454-1350 _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org__;!!FaxH778!OPhfng3N2P1Kg7dYtLr-pb5SM8-vcH6y-gW6XUVgBVbjhBLx1JI9hhhBPlATk0uB$ This message is for the named person's use only. It may contain confidential, proprietary or legally privileged information. No confidentiality or privilege is waived or lost by any mistransmission. If you receive this message in error, please immediately delete it and all copies of it from your system, destroy any hard copies of it and notify the sender. You must not, directly or indirectly, use, disclose, distribute, print, or copy any part of this message if you are not the intended recipient. _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org
