I believe part of the answer lies in whether or not this space is a true atrium. If it meets the definition of an atrium then the fuel loading on the floor of the space is limited to low hazard uses and only approved materials and decorations. There is an exception within the code, that indicates that since the atrium space is being provided with sprinklers, the atrium floor area is permitted to be used for any approved use. The key words are approved use which is where the AHJ has the say so. In my experience the AHJ has typically followed the low hazard rule even when providing sprinklers. The second item is that if it is an atrium, then a smoke control system is required. This system is required to be installed and evaluated per Section 909 of the IBC and NFPA 92B. Therefore, you would not want to drop the buoyant smoke as the intent and design of the system is to lift the smoke above the occupiable floor areas to create a tenanble environment.
There are also protective measures that can be taken to separate the atrium sprinklers from the sprinklers for the rest of the building. IF you would like to discuss these, please contact me off-line. Thanks, Carl Chappell Phone: (702) 699-5391 Fax: (702) 699-5534 Cell: (702) 400-8736 -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Roland Huggins Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2007 10:27 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Atrium Sounds like someone is blowing smoke up your..... well lets not go there. The point is that, you can't eliminate buoyant smoke. You eliminate the buoyancy of the smoke so that it drops to the floor. I haven't seen any hard data on what density is required but applying logic (which can lead one astray), once you are away from the fire plume and simply pulling the heat out of the smoke, a high density is not required. It may be that their intent to provide enough overkill so that they believe the fire will be knocked out avoiding the production of smoke but I'm just guessing. Equivalencies for performance based BUILDING design should have a high level of clarity. Is there more information that the AHJ/building official (ie stakeholders) have seen in accepting this approach? Roland On Dec 27, 2007, at 9:49 AM, Joe Burtell wrote: > This atrium is for a cancer center/clinic. I don't have any furniture > layouts but I am sure they will have some seating, information > desk, etc.... > This is also not a FM project. Any thoughts of the OH1 balconies for > elimination of buoyant smoke? > > Joe Burtell, SET, CFPS > Burtell Fire Protection, Inc. > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > www.burtellfire.com > > _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
