Thanks to everyone for their input. I tend to agree with everything that was said as we have always installed sprinklers in similar situations. The owner seems to be driven to find something to justify saving a few hundred dollars and avoiding the requested changes.
Eric -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Steve Leyton Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2011 4:20 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Walk-in Type Freezers & Coolers Does it represent a change in use and occupancy of the building? Is the building being retrofitted or are sprinklers all existing? If the building official has ruled that the dwelling units on the 3rd floor represent a change in use and occupancy, then the owner may be subject to bringing the building up to current code. If it's localized at the third floor, but sprinklers were found to be missing from the cooler and freezer boxes in the course of the project, I think it would be a deficiency as one might find/identify during ITM. Either way, I'd think that you still have to deal with it. Who's to say that these compartments weren't added or revised after the original occupancy permit, and simply slipped through the cracks? Or were perhaps added or revised without a permit? I'm located in California where we have a law that every 5 years a sprinkler system must be inspected and certified. As a consultant, when I'm dealing with an existing system that is subject to addition or improvement as part of a new or remodel construction contract, I always specify that the installing contractor shall perform an inspection of all work, including the existing work in place, and issue a fresh 5-year cert along with their warranty for the contracted scope of work, upon completion and closeout. I think alleviates confusion or doubt as to intent in situations like these. Steve -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Eric Flora Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2011 1:01 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Walk-in Type Freezers & Coolers Existing facility that has been undergoing renovations. However, the renovations are not in the area of the walk-in coolers/freezers. The owner took an existing 3-story building and put apartments on the 3rd floor. The coolers/freezers are on the 1st floor. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2011 3:58 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Walk-in Type Freezers & Coolers If it's a new installation what does it matter when this was implemented? So is this a new project or existing with renovations or what? More specifics are needed. Craig L. Prahl, CET Fire Protection CH2MHILL Lockwood Greene 1500 International Drive Spartanburg, SC 29304-0491 Direct - 864.599.4102 Fax - 864.599.8439 CH2MHILL Extension 74102 [email protected] -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Eric Flora Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2011 3:49 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Walk-in Type Freezers & Coolers NFPA's Formal Interpretation 78-6 says that walk-in type freezers/coolers require sprinklers because they are part of the premises. NFPA 13 requires that sprinklers be installed throughout the premises in accordance with Section 4-1.1. Does anyone know when this became an NFPA requirement? I have heard the mid 80s mentioned. We have a building owner in a tussle with the AHJ. Thanks, Eric Flora Brenneco Fire Protection, Inc. _______________________________________________ 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) _______________________________________________ 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)
