As stated in my posting, I don't think this is primarily a sprinkler issue. Is the combustible loading (however minimal) permitted in the non-combustible building? If it is, then you go to the sprinkler issue, and maybe determine that sprinklers are not required, due to the minimal loading of combustible material. However, if the combustible material is not permitted, then you lose the advantages of a non-combustible building and need to comply with other building code requirements for a combustible building. If that is now not possible, sprinklering this space (even if not required by NFPA) may be a possible solution to obtain a variance.
I'm not saying that the material you have is permitted or not-permitted. But just to check it out, as I think that this is the route the fire marshall and reviewer are going. Tony -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Greg McGahan Sent: August 21, 2010 9:35 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Question on sprinklering an attic space I don't think the presence of pvc pipes and pipe insulation have ever been considered on any project I have been involved with in determining if a space is non combustible or not. I think 8.15.1.1 answers the question because it references the construction of the space and then 8.15.1.2.1 states that non combustible / limited comb spaces with minimal combustible loading do not require protection. IMHO, if there were a great deal of combustible materials then maybe protection would be required per 13, but I would say that if the tops of wood stud walls do not cause a space to require protection, then a few pipes wouldn't either. Greg On 8/21/2010 9:21 AM, [email protected] wrote: > S > > Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone > > ----- Reply message ----- > From: "A.P.Silva"<[email protected]> > Date: Fri, Aug 20, 2010 5:40 pm > Subject: Question on sprinklering an attic space > To:<[email protected]> > > 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. > _______________________________________________ > 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)
