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  1. IJHumberson

    903.2.11.1.1 ?

    mtlogcabin, I agree with you - they are overreaching the code requirement. If you think about it, the quoted code section applies to all buildings other than Group U, and the "openings" in typical buildings are not open-air openings into the building. In almost all buildings, the required...
  2. IJHumberson

    Unsprinklered attic?

    steveray, Sorry I'm a little late to this party, but IMHO the IBC section referenced in your original post allows exemption of sprinklers where NFPA 13 would otherwise require them. The way that Section 903.1.1 is written, it says that sprinklers have to be installed per NFPA 13, EXCEPT as...
  3. IJHumberson

    Fire separation for storage?

    Not sure if IL or your jurisdiction is an NFPA 101 area, but for what it's worth, NFPA 101 requires the storage area to be 1-hour separated or sprinklered in a Mercantile Occupancy that is not fully sprinklered.
  4. IJHumberson

    Hinges Deal or Dud????

    Interesting, but I'm curious how it would react in a full-scale fire test - we all know it's not the fire that kills, it's the products of combustion, and I'm thinking that the fire would have to be generating a LOT of heat (and a lot more smoke and gases) before this door hinge would achieve...
  5. IJHumberson

    Occupancy Load Cal vs. proposed occupancy load

    The questions about plumbing fixtures and parking always comes up, but that's a whole different question that I usually reply to the designer that the plumbing code might have more guidance on fixture counts and where they base their occupant loads, and the parking goes by the planning people...
  6. IJHumberson

    Occupancy Load Cal vs. proposed occupancy load

    BUT, only if it is "Fixed Seating" which, per the definition in Chapt. 2, is seats that are secured in place. Movable tables and chairs does not meet the definition of fixed seating, and, therefore, has to be calculated at 1 person per 15 sq.ft. net. (per Table 1004.1.2) Also, per 1004.1, the...
  7. IJHumberson

    Do all doors in a building on door holders have to relase at the same time?

    I don't see anything in IBC that would require it, but it IS required for any jurisdictions that adopt NFPA codes - NFPA 101 (2012 ed.), Section 7.2.1.8.2(5) states "The release by means of smoke detection of one door leaf in a stair enclosure results in closing all door leaves serving that stair".
  8. IJHumberson

    Corridor Egress

    When I first looked at the diagram, I thought there was no way that it could be compliant with one exit from each corridor, but the more I read the OP's further descriptions, I really don't see where the code violation exists... As the OP has described, he has three theaters emptying into a...
  9. IJHumberson

    2009 Mixed Use and Occupancy Section 508

    SMH ... that's "Construction Code 101" - it's a shame that any jurisdiction would put an inspector on the street without basic knowledge. Glad to hear you got it squared away!
  10. IJHumberson

    Existing elevator shaft not to code?

    From what you've described, and only being able to get to the walls from within the shaft, the 1-hour shaftwall arrangement like in the link Mark Handler posted would be what I would recommend (the 1-hour, UL-U415 on page 14). It meets the requirement for 1-hour rating (from both sides) and can...
  11. IJHumberson

    Energy conservation v. Concealed sprinkler heads

    Conarb, From Section R313.2 of the IRC: "Effective January 1, 2011, an automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall be installed in one- and two- family dwellings." So I would say, since two years ago the IRC has required sprinkler systems in all residences. As for their statement...
  12. IJHumberson

    BEST LED flash light? Suggestions?

    I have a couple Cree Mini's and they are AWESOME little lights for the price ($5 and free shipping), and put out plenty of light for most inspection work. You can use a regular AA battery or a 3.7V battery that is the same size as the AA. Just Google "300lm Mini Cree Led Flashlight" and you...
  13. IJHumberson

    glazing interior partition - not glass

    I realize it wasn't part of your question, but I would question the 72-inch wide x 18-inch tall plexiglass panels as being sufficient to not require strobe relocation. Unfortunately, NFPA 72 has very little guidance as to what height a non-full-height partition can be before it is considered as...
  14. IJHumberson

    Tapered Steps

    Maybe I'm missing something, but wouldn't this comply with 1009.4.4 of the '09 IBC: Where the bottom or top riser adjoins a sloping public way, walkway or driveway having an established grade and serving as a landing, the bottom or top riser is permitted to be reduced along the slope to less...
  15. IJHumberson

    Raised Threshold at Fire Door?

    Lori, combustible floor is not uncommon - especially in projects under 5 stories in height. We see a lot of multi-family construction utilizing horizontal exits as much of the required exiting. The construction at the fire door is tricky, especially when the fire walls are Type V construction...
  16. IJHumberson

    Lock on an exit

    Is the language in the '06 IFC different from the language in the '06 IBC? (I don't have a copy of the '06 IFC) Because, in the '06 IBC, Section 1008.1.9 states that, for Group A occupancy of 50 or more persons, doors in a means of egress shall not have a lock or latch unless it is panic...
  17. IJHumberson

    Hydro Testing

    We require it per the NFPA 13 specifications: 20 or fewer sprinklers altered, hydrostatic test for 2 hours at normal system pressure; more than 20 sprinklers altered, hydrostatic test at 200 psi, or 50 psi above the system working pressure when the system working pressure is greater than 150...
  18. IJHumberson

    Intermediate Handrails at Monumental Stairs

    I agree with Glennman, they have 120" of required width provided - if they want to use the 30 inches along the outermost ends, they'd have to move the outer handrails over, but without adding a 4th handrail, they still only account for 120 inches of required width because each handrail can only...
  19. IJHumberson

    exit sign

    I would have to agree with ICE on this one...
  20. IJHumberson

    Sprinkler heads in elevator shafts

    I agree with your stance on this JAR - Codes are for a MINIMUM level of protection - if the RDP wants to specify something above and beyond that, then there's nothing prohibiting it. I've had people try to get me to say that it can't be done because the code doesn't require it - I try to...
  21. IJHumberson

    Pilkington Pyrostop

    RLGA is right - we have fire rated glazing enclosing the exit stair enclosure at the Gaithersburg City Arts Barn (constructed in 2001) so that, when entering the building, you can see into the ground floor space, and to allow light into the areas through the stair.
  22. IJHumberson

    Combination NFPA 13 and NFPA 13R sprinkler system

    Since you have non-separated mixed use, whether or not the garage design is required to be per NFPA 13 or NFPA 13R depends on whether the garage is accessible by people from more than one dwelling unit. From the '02 edition of NFPA 13R: 6.7.3.2 Garages that are accessible by people from more...
  23. IJHumberson

    nfpa 72 question

    NFPA 72 isn't really specific as to what type use requires notification appliances other than "public mode" meaning that the fire alarm is for general evacuation. When such is the case, the audibility has to be met throughout the building or fire area that is required to have a fire alarm...
  24. IJHumberson

    Emergency escape & rescue openings

    This is the kind of things that the local politicians don't realize when they just take out the sprinkler requirement - there are many other requirements (or lack thereof) in the code based on the assumption that the building will have a sprinkler system because it is now required... Now we'll...
  25. IJHumberson

    Occupancy/Separations

    I agree - It's a mercantile occupancy with accessory F-2.
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