I think the point is you have combustible construction (pvc vent stacks & combustible pipe insulation) in a building designated as non-combustible. The question is not only whether you need sprinklers in this concealed space but also whether you can have combustible material in a non-combustible building. You will have to look at your building code. Certain combustible material such as millwork and combustible sprinkler piping may be permitted, but most other combustible material may not be. Providing sprinklers in this concealed space may not be a solution, although it may be used to obtain a variance.
I really don't understand the advice given by your consultant and what bearing it has on this issue. Are they saying all material in the concealed space are either non-combustible or limited combustible? You need to find out if this is correct. I think you are confusing two issues here. This is not primarily a sprinkler issue, but whether you are are allowed certain combustible material in a non-combustible building. Tony -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jeff Hewitt Sent: August 20, 2010 3:13 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Question on sprinklering an attic space Sounds like your consultant is correct in accordance with NFPA 13. But that does not address whether there are any specially adopted requirements via the Department of Health. Jeff Hewitt, PE, SET, SFPE (Professional Member) Corporate Engineer Bi-State Fire Protection Corporation 241 Hughes Lane St. Charles, MO 63301 636-946-0011 636-946-5172 (fax) 314-574-6989 (cell) Fire Sprinklers Save lives. Can You Live Without Them? -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Dennis Schwarzauer Sent: Friday, August 20, 2010 3:47 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Question on sprinklering an attic space I have a single story residential-style structure used for housing semi-dependent residents for the State Department of Mental Health. The unit is an Intermediate Care Facility for the Mentally Retarded, but is viewed as a nursing home by the state agencies. The building is non-combustible construction; CMU bearing walls with light gauge metal trusses and standing seam metal roof. The single floor is fully sprinklered & that is where my problem begins. My boss had me direct the Consultants to eliminate the sprinkler in the attic, to save money, as the building was of non-combustible construction. Now the Fire Marshal & reviewer for the State Health Department are telling me that all the PVC vent stacks and piping insulation is non-compliant. My Consultant is telling me that, as these are concealed spaces, the IBC allows non-combustible & limited combustible materials to be present without sprinklers. Any thoughts? Thanks, Dennis M. Schwarzauer Eley Guild Hardy Architects PA 418 East Capitol Street Jackson, Mississippi 39201 T 601.354.2572 F 601.355.2006 www.eleyguildhardy.com P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify us immediately by replying to the sender and deleting this copy from your system. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Eley Guild Hardy Architects PA. Finally, the recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. Eley Guild Hardy Architects PA accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email. _______________________________________________ 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) _______________________________________________ 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) _______________________________________________ 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)
