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Sprinkler requirements for separated occupancies (2020 NYSBC)

V

VLADIMIR LEVIN

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NY
I'm doing an addition to an existing building. The addition is a new building attached to the existing building but separated from it by an exit passageway (see attached).
The new building is an A3 occupancy and requires sprinklers.
I guess the general question is whether the sprinkler requirement of one occupancy is extended to the entire building even if the other occupancy does not require sprinklers.

1764596739844.png

I think based on the section 508.4.1, if the occupancies are separated by a fire barrier than the sprinkler system is not required throughout the building but only required in the occupancy that is required by chapter 9 to have one.
 

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VLADIMIR LEVIN said:
Technically it is not a separate building because it is connected to the existing building
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There is no "technically" in the building code. Either it's one building, or it's two buildings. If the occupation separation is a fire barrier, it's one building. If the building requires an automatic sprinkler system based on height, total building area, or occupant load, then the entire building must be sprinklered.

If you want the addition to be a separate building, the separation must be a firewall, as defined in the code.
 
Yankee Chronicler said:
There is no "technically" in the building code. Either it's one building, or it's two buildings. If the occupation separation is a fire barrier, it's one building. If the building requires an automatic sprinkler system based on height, total building area, or occupant load, then the entire building must be sprinklered.

If you want the addition to be a separate building, the separation must be a firewall, as defined in the code.
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So, what does section 508.4.1 require?
 
Yankee Chronicler said:
What's the total area of the building (with addition), what's the height of the building (in stories above grade and in feet above grade) with the addition, what are the occupancy classifications, and what is the occupant load of each fire area?
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The question is about mixed us, separated occupancies.
I think Section 508.4.1 says that if sprinklers are required for one of the occupanicies then they shall be applied to the entire building unless the occupancies are seperated by a fire barrier.
1764617609406.png
 
VLADIMIR LEVIN said:
The question is about mixed us, separated occupancies.
I think Section 508.4.1 says that if sprinklers are required for one of the occupanicies then they shall be applied to the entire building unless the occupancies are seperated by a fire barrier.
View attachment 17254
Click to expand...

The way you phrased the original question, you were asking about what it appeared that you considered to be two buildings.

With mixed occupancies, the first step in the analysis is to determine whether or not the building (as a whole) requires automatic sprinkler protection. That's why I asked about overall height and area (and I should have asked about construction type, as well).

**IF** it is determined that the overall building does not require sprinklers, then you look into whether any of the individual occupancies requires being in a separated fire area with a sprinkler system serving only that fire area.
 
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