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IEBC Change of Use 1012.5.3 Fire Barriers

kas

Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2015
Messages
7
Location
ny
Thank you in advance-


Work area (950 sf) is part of the Ground floor- (total floor sf 1200 sf) changing from M to B.
2 floors above – R-2 total of 4 units

1012.1. From IEBC- partial change of use- intend to provide fire barriers per IBC so only need to apply Level 3 requirements only to the ground floor not the whole building.

per IBC 420- need separation between R2 / B. -fire barriers and horizontal assemblies

IBC 508 says 2 hr needed

IEBC- This section confuses me-

The section reads as follows-

When a change of occupancy classification is made to a higher hazard category as shown in Table 1012.5, fire barriers in separated mixed-use buildings shall comply with the fire-resistance requirements of the International Building Code.

How does that relate to 1012.1?
What is the opposite condition? Would this be correct?
Are horizontal barriers included as fire barrier?

When a change of occupancy classification is made to a LOWER category as shown in Table 1012.5, fire barriers in separated mixed use buildings DO NOT NEED TO COMPLY resistance requirements of the International Building Code.
 
I'm assuming you're using the 2015 I-Codes.

Section 420 only requires fire partitions and horizontal assemblies—not fire barriers. Table 508.4 requires fire barriers and horizontal assemblies. Horizontal assemblies are neither fire barriers or fire partitions—they are their own assembly type. So, where a horizontal assembly is needed for separation in conditions applicable to Section 420 (30-min. or 1-hour) or Table 508.4, (1- or 2-hour), the requirements for a horizontal assembly are the same for either per IBC Section 711.

When a change of occupancy classification is made to a higher hazard category as shown in Table 1012.5, fire barriers in separated mixed-use buildings shall comply with the fire-resistance requirements of the International Building Code.

This quote above is from IEBC Section 1012.5.3, which only applies when determining building area and height—it has no bearing on this discussion since I believe you have neither a height nor area problem.

Regardless, what IEBC Section 1012.1.1 is stating is that you have two options on how to handle a partial occupancy separation: (1) The entire building complies with IEBC Chapter 9 (which means compliance with Chapters 7 and 8, too) for the most restrictive occupancy group (R-2 in your case), or (2) separate the area with a change of occupancy from the remainder of the building per IBC Section 508.4 for separation of occupancies.

Per the first one option, a sprinkler system may be required throughout the building if the tenants (either the occupants on the first story or the residents on the second story) share an exit or corridor. Also, the Group R-2 apartments would need to be separated from each other per IBC Section 420 (1-hour horizontal assembly and fire partitions).

The second option has two approaches. Since the Group R-2 must be separated from the Group B with 2-hour assemblies and the Group B and M do not require separation, you have the choice of constructing a 2-hour horizontal assembly for the entire floor/ceiling assembly between the first and second stories; or, constructing a 2-hour horizontal assembly only where the new Group B will exist and also separating the new Group B from the remainder of the first story with 2-hour fire barriers. This is to ensure a complete separation between the new Group B and the existing Group R-2. (Otherwise, it would be like building half of a dam to control floodwater—it just won't work.)
 
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