What is the occupancy that is moving into the building? Per the IBC
Table 307.1(1) you are permitted to have 3,000 cubic ft of oxidizing gas
in a facility any amount greater than this amount will change the use
group to an H-3 Hazardous Use Group. NFPA 55 does not reference any of
the building code required fire separation ratings between different use
groups. Other issues will be how will the cylinders be filled? Will
there be cryogenic oxygen stored? Will there be trans-filling of
containers? What type of floor surface is in the area. If a hydrocarbon
based product oxygen-enriched atmosphere can cause these products to
ignite faster, and burn faster and hotter than usual. NFPA 55 only
requires a one hour separation while the IBC requires up to a 2 hour
fire separation between occupancies.
Someone needs to sit down with the owner and explain that this issue is
not in the realm of the sprinkler contractor's expertise unless the
contractor would like to add to their uninsured liability potential.
This would require an engineering analysis by a FPE who has experience
in industrial gas storage facilities and Hazardous Use Group Occupancies
of the IBC. If you think Mechanical PE's practicing in the discipline of
fire protection are funny, wait until you see them perform in the
industrial gas arena.
Have a fire safe day!
Regards
Jim
DAVIDSON ASSOCIATES
Fire Protection Engineering P. O. Box 4010
Code Consultants Greenville, DE 19807-0010
Medical Gas Systems Engineering (302) 994-9500
Fax (302) 234-1781
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Greg
McGahan
Sent: Friday, August 10, 2012 2:01 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: 02 storage
This is a completely new area for me so any help is appreciated.
Issue: Medical Gas Storage of 02 only in various cylinders.
The tenant and owner of this Commercial / Industrial Strip center is
having difficulty with the AHJ who claims that even if they classify the
warehouse portion of this space as Storage Occupancy instead of
Business, The maximum cubic footage of 02 allowed to be stored in one
place is 12,000 with "High Hazard" Sprinkler protection. The tenant
needs to store almost 20,000 cubic feet.
Does anyone have expertise in this area?
Thanks,
Greg
--
Greg McGahan
Living Water Fire Protection, LLC <http://www.livingwaterfp.com>
1160 McKenzie Road
Cantonment, FL 32533
850-937-1850
fax 850-937-1852
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