I can't speak for the over-zealous AHJ you're obviously dealing with but I've had state agency plan reviewers here in CA tell us that we had to put sprinklers in the non-combustible concealed spaces above the t-bar ceilings of steel-framed Type II buildings. We successfully pushed back each time, but not because of anything related to the word "access". As best as I can tell, "Accessible" is NOT a defined term in the ICC. There's the concept of fire-fighter access to be sure, but the only references to "Accessible" in the CA code set is with regard to Handicapable or ADA compliance. IMHO, one has to be both limber and determined enough to stick their head well into a sub-abdominal cavity to arrive at the conclusion that a t-bar ceiling creates and accessible compartment that could be used for occupancy and/or storage when the "floor" of that compartment is a t-bar ceiling. But that's based on Webster's, common sense and years of experience ...
SML -----Original Message----- From: Sprinklerforum [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Friday, June 19, 2015 10:52 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Condealed Space Access definition Happy Friday Forumites I'm looking for clarification/definition for intent in NFPA 13 12010 Edition section 8.15.1.2.2 Concealed spaces of noncombustible and limited-combustible construction with limited access and not permitting occupancy or storage of combustibles shall not require sprinkler protection. First question - Does the space above the suspended ceiling of an office occupancy, from the ceiling to the roof deck above meet the definition of "concealed space"? Second question- Does this same suspended ceiling (either acoustic tile or sheetrock tile) meet the definition of "limited access"? Mark at Aero 602 820-7894 _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler .org _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org
