Fire Code Help (2018) - Existing Building

[mlarsen2000]

I am a humble building owner in need of help from a new fire inspector, and was needing some information from the experts. I came here some months back, and had incredible help from everyone proving I didn't have to add an elevator to my existing two story building.

The Scenario:

I own a 2 story childcare center (converted from an old church built in 1993), and we are adding a 2nd story in what was the old church sanctuary. Sprinklers were added to the building when we bought it back in 2020 and remodeled back then.

The fire inspector is saying on the 2nd floor we have to have sprinklers above the suspended ceiling. Above the suspended ceiling it is all metal and noncombustible up to the roof (roof is made of sheet metal).

Also he is wanting me to add sprinklers above the existing egress stairwell suspended ceilings as well, and wants things one hour fire rated, so no issues there. There are already sprinklers heads below the suspended ceiling throughout the entire building.

Thank you in advance for any time and help.

Matt

 

[mlarsen2000]

I am a humble building owner in need of help from a new fire inspector, and was needing some information from the experts. I came here some months back, and had incredible help from everyone proving I didn't have to add an elevator to my existing two story building.

The Scenario:

I own a 2 story childcare center (converted from an old church built in 1993), and we are adding a 2nd story in what was the old church sanctuary. Sprinklers were added to the building when we bought it back in 2020 and remodeled back then.

The fire inspector is saying on the 2nd floor we have to have sprinklers above the suspended ceiling. Above the suspended ceiling it is all metal and noncombustible up to the roof (roof is made of sheet metal).

Also he is wanting me to add sprinklers above the existing egress stairwell suspended ceilings as well, and wants things one hour fire rated, so no issues there. There are already sprinklers heads below the suspended ceiling throughout the entire building.

Thank you in advance for any time and help.

Matt

Also I live in Iowa in case anyone wanted to know what State.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

The standard governing where sprinkler heads are required is NFPA 13. NFPA requires protection (heads) in some concealed spaces. You need to consult a fire protection engineer with expertise in NFPA 13.

 

[mtlogcabin]

Sprinklers were added to the building when we bought it back in 2020 and remodeled back then.

The existing system was designed and installed in 2020 then you should contact the installer and designer of the system. They should have all calculations that would be needed to determine if additional heads can be added to the existing system. Also what the fire inspector is directing you to do sounds like it may not be required, you will need the designer to educate the fire inspector on how to apply the code along with when an exception may apply.

 

[tmurray]

The answer is that it probably doesn't require sprinkler protection.

8.15.1.2.1* Concealed spaces of noncombustible and limited combustible
construction with minimal combustible loading
having no access shall not require sprinkler protection.

Your sprinkler designer should be able to educate the fire official.

 

[MtnArch]

The answer is that it probably doesn't require sprinkler protection.

8.15.1.2.1* Concealed spaces of noncombustible and limited combustible
construction with minimal combustible loading
having no access shall not require sprinkler protection.

Your sprinkler designer should be able to educate the fire official.

The OP stated that in both instances (2nd floor and stairwell) they have suspended ceilings; if it's t-bar, there is a lot of access (points) and the exception wouldn't apply.

 

[classicT]

To me, it sounds like your new fire inspector is on top of things and caught an issue with the work that was previously done. Kudos to them. Unfortunate for the OP. But this is life safety. Needs to be done and done right.

 

[tmurray]

The OP stated that in both instances (2nd floor and stairwell) they have suspended ceilings; if it's t-bar, there is a lot of access (points) and the exception wouldn't apply.

Interesting. I've never considered t-bar ceilings to be providing access for this context.

 

[steveray]

Interesting. I've never considered t-bar ceilings to be providing access for this context.

Don't worry... I got you....
9.2.1.2
Concealed spaces of noncombustible and limited-combustible construction with limited access and not permitting occupancy or storage of combustibles shall not require sprinkler protection.

I believe the intent is that most people are not accessing the space to "start a fire" by storing or occupying the space which has been clarified in later versions of 13 IMO....

 

[tmurray]

Don't worry... I got you....
9.2.1.2
Concealed spaces of noncombustible and limited-combustible construction with limited access and not permitting occupancy or storage of combustibles shall not require sprinkler protection.

I believe the intent is that most people are not accessing the space to "start a fire" by storing or occupying the space which has been clarified in later versions of 13 IMO....

OK. That was where my head was.

Now, I've never seen anyone store anything above ceiling tiles, so this could be colouring my interpretation.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

Now, I've never seen anyone store anything above ceiling tiles, so this could be colouring my interpretation.

I have ...