On a building of this construction type, there may be value to protecting the attic with sprinklers in lieu of draft-stopping as prescribed by code; we've done this on more than just a couple of projects. And keeping in mind that it doesn't turn into a 13 design. It's still 13R, but with the attic protected per 13 as an "area outside the dwelling units"
Steve L. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry -----Original Message----- From: "David Blackwell" <[email protected]> Date: Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:57:14 To: <[email protected]> Subject: RE: concealed space What George refers to is a very important aspect of the building code that may be overlooked. The architect's design choices can force you to use a "higher" standard (NFPA 13 or NFPA 13R) system in the building that otherwise falls within the scope of a "lower" standard (NFPA 13R or NFPA 13D) system. The (2006) IBC Code and Commentary Figure 903.3.1.1 contains a useful table for understanding why an architect may specify a higher standard than a sprinkler contractor may think is necessary. David W. S. Blackwell, II, PE, CFI-I, CFPE Engineering ---------------------------------------------------------------- Office of State Fire Marshal 141 Monticello Trail Columbia, SC 29203 Phone: 803.896.9833 Fax: 803.896.9806 Email: [email protected] OSFM Website: http://www.llr.state.sc.us/firemarshal.asp <http://www.llr.state.sc.us/firemarshal.asp> ---------------------------------------------------------------- -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> ] On Behalf Of George Church Sent: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 12:20 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: concealed space And you can't use 13R under the 2006 IBC if the design team used the sprinkler increase in order to build it, you can add a story but the SF increase must come from frontage or other, non-sprinkler factors. Doubt this applies to YOUR building as it could also be under the Int'l Existing Building Code. I'D BE AMAZED IF A SCHOOL CONVERTED TO APTS IS ABLE TO BE PROTECTED APPROPRIATELY BY NFPA 13D !!!!!!!! We've done 2 schools and a church converted to apts in the past year, all 13R. There isn't a lot of difference in cost to do it correctly (13R) and if you need to, have em add some 8' deep lintels where the living room ends and a corridor to bedrooms start- you'll not have to flow the corridor heads in that calc with the living/dining/kitchen area. This can get you down to a 2 or 3 head calc, max 4 in 13R. The little country church ended up as a 2-head flow, a challenging 35 GPM at 30 PSI for a water supply- the developer had to change the well pump, big deal. While you may find something on the AFSA site comparing 13r and 13D, the text is available for free reading at www.nfpa.org codes and standards, list of codes and standards, click on 13r, applicable edition in your jurisdiction, and then down at the bottom of the page, click on PREVIEW THIS DOCUMENT and fill out the questionnaire if you aren't logged in already. David offers wise words WRT the IBC impact, although you likely don't have balconies in a school->apt conversion. To ALL my friends on the Forum, best wishes for a thoroughly enjoyable thanksgiving respite. George Church Rowe Sprinkler _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum <http://fireball.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) __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 4636 (20091125)__________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com <http://www.eset.com> _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.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)
