What Craig said and more. The rule in CA is that a building must be maintained in accordance with codes and standards in effect when it was first permitted for occupancy. If this is an office building and was first certified for B Occupancy, and has been continuously used for Group B, and the new tenancy is classified as Group B, then a retrofit is not required by code, unless there are extenuating circumstances. F’rinstance, does the mezzanine meet travel distance requirements?
But it sounds like you’re describing a single tenant in a building that is 20,000 sq. ft. including said office/mezz, which leaves 13,000 sq. ft. of… storage perhaps? If the building is an unsprinklered S-1, it may still be grandfathered if the new tenant is S-1. But if it’s Group F (as Craig alluded to), and they want to store in the high-bay portion, then it’s a change of use and the building official is specifically empowered by CBC to throw the new book at it. And since you’re in LACFD jurisdiction, there may very well be a bureau policy regarding changes of tenancy, use, etc. The determination of whether a permit requires sprinklers shouldn’t be in your scope unless you’ve been tasked with it as the sprinkler contractor. The architect and owner need to determine whether a retrofit provision in the code is applicable to this project prior to submission for approval of the general building permit. Steve L. From: George Medina Jr. <los_amigos_b...@yahoo.com> Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2024 10:11 AM To: Discussion List On Issues Relating To Automatic Fire Sprinklers <sprinklerforum@lists.firesprinkler.org> Subject: [Sprinklerforum] Non Sprinklered Building Retrofit in California There is a 20,000 sq. ft. building with 7,000 sq. ft. of office & mezzanine (About 17' high). The building is not sprinklered and vacant. New tenant (Our Client) wants to occupy with the same occupancy (no change in occupancy). Would they need to put sprinklers? It is located in Marina Del Ray (LA County). Where would it address it in the 2022 CBC or CFC, or any LA County regulations? Thanks for any Inputs, George Medina Jr. Sr. Fire Sprinkler Designer SINGLETON FIRE PROTECTION INC.
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