Tom, The intent of this requirement is to protect areas in the "R" occupancy that most likely will have outdoor cooking activities taking place. If you have access to the IBC Commentary it explains this. It gives the allowance to be 1" to 6" below the structural members and 14" below the decks clearly against NFPA's requirements, with this said you might want to check with the manufacturer of the heads and see if they will honor this criteria. I have spoke to the mfg that we use, they mentioned if we go outside their listings we would be on our own if it didn't work the way is was supposed to. As far as I know there is no requirement to protect the stairways, although if it is a primary egress probably not a bad idea since it is "life safety" but not required by codes. I have never concerned myself about calculating this sprinkler, shouldn't be an issue provided that you are putting in a adequately sized system for the rest of the structure. As far as the top decks go the head is still required even though there might not be anything to bank the heat, the commentary addresses this also. My job after work hours is a vol. firefighter I have seen fires originate at these locations and get into the attic so there is justification to put them here, Mr. Cahill could probably attest to this as well as any other ff's on this forum.
Jim Johnston, P.E. Fire Protection Engineer Inland Fire Protection, Inc 1100 Ahtanum Road Yakima, WA 98903 Phone 509-248-4471 Fax 509-248-1180 [email protected] -----Original Message----- From: Tom Duross [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 5:26 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Exterior Decks/Balconies 13R I have an existing 4 sty. 13R building, sprinklered, maybe 5 years old. 2 units/floor. IBC. The small existing cantilevered decks (3x10) are being replaced with larger (6x10) ones. They're installing outside decks/balconies to the stairs off the sliders from the living rooms. The stairs will are open and will connect to each deck as a second/third(?) means of egress although the stairs serve the back doors now too. They're asking me to install dry sidewalls to protect the decks/balconies but I have a few questions. 1. Do I have to also protect the stairs (existing but will connect to the new decks) if they're open? 2. How close to the underside of the deck overhead can I install the sidewall? 3. What about the top decks that aren't covered? Just place a head over it? 4. What would you guys design this too? All heads? I've got a stack of HVAC closets adjacent to the sliders so I think I can run the risers there and just tee off on each floor. One contractor has already stated a dry pipe standpipe is required, I'm not sure about that. This isn't my design, just being asked to quote a sketch. I asked how close the decks were going to be to the property line thinking it might be a protection issue but apparently the building inspector has signed off on the new decks providing they hire a sprinkie to put in the heads. Tom _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
