September 12, 2016
IFC and Retrofitting Existing Standpipes “The International Fire Code (IFC) states in section 1103.6 Standpipes: ‘Existing structures shall be equipped with standpipes installed in accordance with Section 905 where required in sections 1103.6.1 and 1103.6.2.’ The fire code official is authorized to approve the installation of manual standpipe systems to achieve compliance with this section where the responding fire department is capable of providing the required hose flow at the highest standpipe outlet. Does this mean that buildings with an existing standpipe system are required to be upgraded to meet current criteria (100 psi at the top most outlet)?” We have reviewed the 2012 edition of the IFC you indicated as the applicable code. Our informal interpretation is it does not apply to existing standpipes. The wording in section 1103.6, unfortunately, is very poor. If you read just the first sentence, a literal interpretation implies existing systems must be upgraded. If you include the second sentence, though, it is providing guidance on installing a new system (allowing a manual system even for a high rise in order to control costs). A basic premise of the building codes is that facilities are not required to be upgraded when new editions come out. In prior years, a standpipe was not required except for high-rise buildings (occupied floor greater than 75 ft). Current codes now require standpipes starting at 30 ft. As identified in section 1103.6.1, the IFC wants those buildings between 50 and 75 ft that don’t have a standpipe to retroactively install one. This section used the same awkward phrase of “shall be equipped” as section 1103.6. Everyone should agree that this is meant to trigger where new standpipes are to be installed. Looking at the entire section clearly shows us the intent is to address existing buildings that do not have an existing standpipe system. We discussed the issue with an ICC representative, who concurred that this interpretation is correct. ------------ Technical Update is prepared by the Technical Services Dept. of the AFSA: Roland Huggins, a PE registered in fire protection engineering, Vice President of Engineering and Technical Services; and Tom Wellen, a PE registered in fire protection engineering. This is provided with the understanding that the AFSA assumes no liability for this opinion or actions taken on it and they are not to be considered the official position of the NFPA or its technical committees. Copyright 2016, American Fire Sprinkler Association. All Rights Reserved. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://lists.firesprinkler.org/private.cgi/sprinklernotes-firesprinkler.org/attachments/20160912/654e96bd/attachment.htm>
