Mr. Inspector
SAWHORSE
An office supply store just moved in where a dollar store use to be recently. It was not considered a change of occupancy and there was not any construction so no permit was required. I stopped there yesterday and they had some upholstered office chairs on display for sale. It's part of a old strip mall that is way over 5,000 sq. ft. and not sprinklered.
2015 IBC:
[F] 903.2.7 Group M. An automatic sprinkler system
shall be provided throughout buildings containing a Group
M occupancy where one of the following conditions
exists:
1. A Group M fire area exceeds 12,000 square feet
(1115 m2).
2. A Group M fire area is located more than three stories
above grade plane.
3. The combined area of all Group M fire areas on all
floors, including any mezzanines, exceeds 24,000
square feet (2230 m2).
4. A Group M occupancy used for the display and sale
of upholstered furniture or mattresses exceeds 5,000
square feet (464 m2).
Should I require a permit for a change of occupancy and require sprinklers in the whole strip mall building?
2015 IBC:
[F] 903.2.7 Group M. An automatic sprinkler system
shall be provided throughout buildings containing a Group
M occupancy where one of the following conditions
exists:
1. A Group M fire area exceeds 12,000 square feet
(1115 m2).
2. A Group M fire area is located more than three stories
above grade plane.
3. The combined area of all Group M fire areas on all
floors, including any mezzanines, exceeds 24,000
square feet (2230 m2).
4. A Group M occupancy used for the display and sale
of upholstered furniture or mattresses exceeds 5,000
square feet (464 m2).
Should I require a permit for a change of occupancy and require sprinklers in the whole strip mall building?