Enclosed Mezzanine Rating for a Repair Garage

[crutledge]

Hi,

I have an enclosed mezzanine (both main floor and top floor) which is placed in a "repair garage". Both spaces are intended to be office spaces related to the shop. I am wondering if the required "2 hour" separation would be applicable for this because its enclosed offices, or since its considered a mezzanine would it be void?

 

[RLGA]

Before I answer, I would like to know why you think there is a required 2-hour separation.

 

[crutledge]

Before I answer, I would like to know why you think there is a required 2-hour separation.

I am working with the NBC of Canada - there is a clause for repair garages that states other occupancies must be separated by 2hrs. (3.3.5.5.) I just wonder if this is applicable in this situation.

 

[RLGA]

Unfortunately, I have never worked with the Canadian NBC, so I do not have the first clue about its application.

If it explicitly states that repair garages are to be separated from other occupancies in the building, then I would think that it would apply to you since you stated it is a repair garage. However, if the area below the mezzanine is enclosed, and the area on the mezzanine is enclosed, then the floor between the two is not exposed to the repair garage--just the walls surrounding the enclosed space. Thus, my educated guess on this situation is that the walls enclosing the office spaces are required to have a 2-hour rating, but the floor between the two office spaces is not required to have a 2-hour rating.

Hopefully, someone here may have experience with the NBC of Canada and can give you a more definitive answer.