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  1. P

    Swinging over a step

    I agree with mtlogcabin. The stairs are required to comply, just like an exterior 2nd floor balcony with no grade access (thus, no means of egress) is required to comply with R311.5.1.
  2. P

    Swinging over a step

    Yeah, doesn't 311 only refer to means of egress? :popcorn
  3. P

    Auto Dealership / Occupancy / Toilets

    Separation of occupancies and creating multiple fire areas are not the same thing. You could build your 3-hr wall to create separate fire areas anywhere in the building you want to, as long as you don't exceed 12,000 s.f. on either side. In a 13,100 s.f. building, you could simply wall off...
  4. P

    Rhode Island 2-20-2003

    Most peoples' only experience with fire is in a controlled environment such as a fireplace or a campfire. They can be difficult to start, and once they start, they don't move very suddenly. Instead, they creep from the point of origin at a somewhat slow and steady pace, staying relatively...
  5. P

    Rhode Island 2-20-2003

    Hindsight is always 20/20. I think it took some time for them to realize the flames they were seeing weren't part of the show. I'm not sure a faster reaction time would have made a difference for most of them. There were just too many things working against them. It will probably happen...
  6. P

    Architect pleads not guilty in firefighter's death

    The impression I'm getting from reading the link above is that the fire originated in a wall next to the fireplace rather than in the compartment where sprinklers could have had an effect. It wasn't entirely a steel structure. The information also make several references to wood framing. I...
  7. P

    Architect pleads not guilty in firefighter's death

    Sorry for the bad link. I think this one will work: http://documents.latimes.com/architect-charged-lafd-firefighters-death/
  8. P

    Architect pleads not guilty in firefighter's death

    Since this ended up at the bottom of the previous page in this thread, I'm re-posting it (Thanks to Phil for posting it): http://documents.latimes.com/archite...ighters-death/ Bearing in mind that it is primarily presenting one side of the story, I'd encourage everyone to take a look at the...
  9. P

    A use group or B use group

    So they adopt the codes in their entirety without making any amendments? A law is a law. Regardless of who implemented it, there is a process to change it. You could change it at the national level through ICC, you could vote legislators who disagree out of office, you could raise public...
  10. P

    A use group or B use group

    . . . apply the code. Since restrooms are so frequently a topic of debate, how many who are so hell-bent on trying to let owners wiggle out of the requirements have suggested a code change or a local amendment for these types of facilities? Passing the adopting ordinance and then bending over...
  11. P

    A use group or B use group

    Mercantile Group M. Mercantile Group M occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure or a portion thereof, for the display and sale of merchandise and involves stocks of goods, wares or merchandise incidental to such purposes and accessible to the public. This isn't an M.
  12. P

    A use group or B use group

    You say tomato . . .
  13. P

    A use group or B use group

    As per Table 1004.1.1, occupant loads are based on the "Function of Space", NOT the occupancy classification. You are calculating correctly based on the specific uses you describe. If the AHJ is willing to approve a lower occupant load than calculated per the exception to section 1004.1.1...
  14. P

    Architect pleads not guilty in firefighter's death

    I meant we don't have information that indicates they were incorrectly installed.
  15. P

    Architect pleads not guilty in firefighter's death

    I don't know that we have enough information to make that assumption.
  16. P

    Existing Building and Sprinklers

    They only need a fire barrier to create separate fire areas (not a fire wall). They could also build a smaller addition, or no addition at all. Any design professional worth their salt could find a way to make this comply without adding sprinklers.
  17. P

    Illinois Sides prepare to support, fight sprinkler mandate

    The information is freely available on the USFA website: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/statistics/estimates/index.shtm I don't know when or from where the reporter got the information, as the 2009 numbers listed currently are different (356,200 fires, 2,480 deaths, 12,600 injuries, $7.4 billion in...
  18. P

    Illinois Sides prepare to support, fight sprinkler mandate

    Based on your logic, building codes should never have been developed in the first place since they wouldn't have applied to construction that preceded their implementation. Most can see the absurdity of that logic. There may be legitimate arguments against RFS, but this isn't one of them.
  19. P

    Is this still good?

    That's sweet! I can't believe the tamper seal is still intact. I'd be putting it on a shelf in my office.
  20. P

    Illinois Sides prepare to support, fight sprinkler mandate

    This man is severely misinformed on several important facts. With the exception of cost, which we've established is difficult to debate over such a large geographic area, every argument he is making is easily proven false. Newer consruction is not safer (the opposite is true), maintenance...
  21. P

    commercial condos

    If they are truly individual lots and fire separation distance is an issue, then they could always replat and dissolve the lot lines.
  22. P

    News Release from:...Sprinklers Are Too Darn High Party.... REALLY?!?

    I thought that was barely a living wage out there! What, do you want the guy to live in a refrigerator box or something? :)
  23. P

    News Release from:...Sprinklers Are Too Darn High Party.... REALLY?!?

    Drama, drama, drama . . . forensics, installing sprinklers will not remove the need to build fire stations altogether, as you seem to be suggesting. The closest station being that far away from so many homes is a bad idea, period. conarb, did you happen to notice that the Fire Chief in your...
  24. P

    "Jump Platform" for Egress?

    Here's a link with contact information for the Egg Harbor Volunteer Fire Department (they don't have their own website): http://www.villageofeggharbor.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={90FBC6BC-AA4E-4385-AFE3-8DD7F48169B5} Egg Harbor is a village of 250 year-round residents and 2,500 seasonal...
  25. P

    Exit sign placement

    This is hardly a case of "throwing the dice". In an emergency, most people seek to go out the way they came in. This is true even when a closer exit is available, which is recognized by the exception in the code. If this is the main entrance with glass doors clearly leading to the outside, it...
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