Fire area separations

[PETER CIRILLO]

Is every floor in a multistory building (3-4 stories) considered a "Fire area", and should all floors be separated from adjacent floors per IBC table 707.3.10 ?

 

[fatboy]

No, separation would be when you hit the cumulative sq ft threshold.

Now if you are separating occupancies, then that's another story.

 

[mtlogcabin]

The entire building is one big fire area unless separated as defined

[BF] FIRE AREA. The aggregate floor area enclosed and bounded by fire walls, fire barriers, exterior walls or horizontal assemblies of a building. Areas of the building not provided with surrounding walls shall be included in the fire area if such areas are included within the horizontal projection of the roof or floor next above.

[BF] HORIZONTAL ASSEMBLY. A fire-resistance-rated floor or roof assembly of materials designed to restrict the spread of fire in which continuity is maintained.

 

[PETER CIRILLO]

No, separation would be when you hit the cumulative sq ft threshold.

Now if you are separating occupancies, then that's another story.

I thought at that point when i reach the cumulative sq. ft. threshold I need a firewall ? Creating a separate building

 

[mtlogcabin]

Fire areas are limited in Section 903 of the building code depending on the occupancy type.
Separate buildings requiring a fire wall would come under Chapter 5 when you exceed the allowable area based on occupancy and construction type.

 

[PETER CIRILLO]

Fire areas are limited in Section 903 of the building code depending on the occupancy type.
Separate buildings requiring a fire wall would come under Chapter 5 when you exceed the allowable area based on occupancy and construction type.

So, you would only ever use fire areas to limit the requirements for fire protection (sprinkler system ) ?

 

[mtlogcabin]

Pretty much that is what the code allows.
Similar to the Legacy Codes that required "Area Separation Walls" to compartmentalize buildings using a passive system to reduce and slow down the spread of fire.

A fire area separation will usually require a higher hourly fire rating than an occupancy fire separation requirement

 

[PETER CIRILLO]

Pretty much that is what the code allows.
Similar to the Legacy Codes that required "Area Separation Walls" to compartmentalize buildings using a passive system to reduce and slow down the spread of fire.

A fire area separation will usually require a higher hourly fire rating than an occupancy fire separation requirement

Thank you !! Much appreciated