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  1. IJHumberson

    Fire pump room requirements

    Chapter 4 in NFPA 20, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection, also has separation requirements for the Fire Pump room (basically, for high-rise it's 2-hr, for non-high-rise it's 1-hr).
  2. IJHumberson

    horizontal pickets at guardrails

    That was an old BOCA limitation. From the 1999 edition: 1021.3 Opening limitations: In occupancies in Use Groups A, B, E, H-4, I-1, I-2, M and R, and in public garages and open parking structures, open guards shall have balusters or be of solid material such that a sphere with a diameter of 4...
  3. IJHumberson

    COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL IN TYPE I AND II

    I would say that it is not part of the structure, so it is not prohibited as a combustible material. However, then it would have to meet Interior Finish requirements, and there is no way that it has been tested to meet interior flamespread requirements in the configuration in which it is being...
  4. IJHumberson

    Apartment Bedroom Egress Windows

    This doesn't make sense - I totally disagree with this interpretation. Table 1006.3.2(1) and Table 1006.3.2(2) both only allow a single exit in an R-2 when the building is sprinklered in accordance with NFPA 13 or NFPA 13R AND provided emergency escape and rescue openings in accordance with...
  5. IJHumberson

    Horizontal Handrail Location

    I see a code change proposal in the next edition of the IBC... :cool:
  6. IJHumberson

    Who is allowed to clean fire sprinkler heads?

    Dusty (loaded) sprinklers can be cleaned by compressed air or vacuum, so long as the equipment doesn't touch the sprinkler. (Paragraph A.5.2.1.1.2(5) of NFPA 25, 2014 edition: "In lieu of replacing sprinklers that are loaded with a coating of dust, it is permitted to clean sprinklers with...
  7. IJHumberson

    Residential Fire Suppression System

    From the video on the HavenOntario.com website, it looks like it's just a dry chem (ABC) extinguisher with a fusible link to activate it. (And it says "No water damage - easy to clean up" - Easy to clean up? Sure!) Definitely not going to be able to be used as a substitute for a 13D suppression...
  8. IJHumberson

    Low frequency Audio for sleeping area

    We've been requiring the low frequency audible appliances in sleeping rooms. While we don't require them in the Living Room or main living areas, we do have an amendment that reads thus: "Enclosed rooms such as dens, libraries, studies, or sitting rooms which could be used as a temporary...
  9. IJHumberson

    Door Hardware

    If it's in a jurisdiction that adopts NFPA 101, the double keyed cylinder would not be allowed. (101 still has the "exterior door" language)
  10. IJHumberson

    Means of egress design

    Chair count is not permitted unless it is fixed seating (i.e. bolted in place, as in a movie theater). mtlogcabin is correct - the occupant load is 70.
  11. IJHumberson

    Vertical CPVC pipe to each sprinkler ? TX, San antonio

    unsetjet, First off, excellent resourcefulness in minimizing the water flow! Why it would take any maintenance engineer that is supposedly familiar with the building 35 minutes to find the sprinkler system shutoff valve is beyond belief. That's the kind of thing that should be a no-brainer for...
  12. IJHumberson

    Require distance between exits...

    I concur with RLGA - since two means of egress are required in order to stay within the maximum allowable common path of travel, then the two required means of egress must be separated by 1/3 the diagonal.
  13. IJHumberson

    Sprinkler omission/design?

    Looks to me like they have to provide the 1/2-inch gyp board (or equivalent) firestopping or design the sprinkler demand for the added amounts per the concealed space.
  14. IJHumberson

    tools do not make us smarter

    :eek:
  15. IJHumberson

    Library fire sprinkler system installed without water pipes

    How in the world did it get to the final stages without being discovered?? Apparently there were no inspections at the rough-in/hydrostatic test phase??
  16. IJHumberson

    Sleeping Room with door to exterior

    By pure definition, it definitely sounds like a transient congregate living facility. As such, since there is no custodial care, the only category it fits is R-1. As fatboy pointed out, any R occupancy requires sprinklers, and 903 only allows NFPA 13D systems in R-3 and R-4 occupancies, so at a...
  17. IJHumberson

    Clearance @ fire stair tread and door

    Per Section 1010.1.6 of the IBC (2015 ed.), doors have to have a landing on each side, and shall have a width not less than the width of the door or the stairway, whichever is greater.
  18. IJHumberson

    Two Exits and Travel Distances to Each

    When measuring travel distance, you can count all the exits - you don't have to assume one is blocked. Think about it, if you have to have three exits (or more), it could get really confusing how to decide what the travel distance is if you had to consider one (or more) blocked.
  19. IJHumberson

    Egress through Courtyard

    Seems to me like Sect. 1027.5 would apply, but the layout doesn't appear to meet 1027.5.1, which requires the reduction in available width to be gradual. Another issue I see is that they have the Vestibule (or at least some of it) discharging through the courtyard as the side doors opening into...
  20. IJHumberson

    Fireblocking

    Per R302.11 fireblocking at openings at vents, pipes, ducts, cables, etc., must be of an approved material. This should not be confused with a listed product. "Approved", as defined in Chapter 2, means that it is acceptable to the building code official. Therefore, most products are not going to...
  21. IJHumberson

    Emergency lights with generator

    Also, something to consider is that the emergency lighting is required to illuminate when the normal lighting circuit loses power (such as an open circuit breaker or similar). Often, the emergency generator is arranged to kick on only upon total power loss to the main panel - if that is the...
  22. IJHumberson

    Fire Department Access & Site Plan Notes

    It would also be a good idea to show the locations of the main utility rooms (gas, electric, water), and the access to those.
  23. IJHumberson

    NFPA 72 2013 edition

    Per NFPA 72 ('13 ed.), Sect. 26.6.3.2.1.4, one phone line is allowed, but the second transmission means needs to be either 1-way private radio alarm system, 2-way RF multiplex system, or any means complying with Sect. 26.6.3.1 (Performance-based Technologies). It is my understanding that this...
  24. IJHumberson

    Recessed Step Platform

    Sounds like you want to build it for an intended purpose, but not meet all the code requirements that would apply if you call it what it is intended to be used as - your best bet is to call it as it is intended to be used, and build it to meet the codes applicable to the intended use.
  25. IJHumberson

    Banquette as concealed space

    The critical text from NFPA 13 is: 8.15.1.1 Concealed Spaces Requiring Sprinkler Protection. Concealed spaces of exposed combustible construction shall be protected by sprinklers except in concealed spaces where sprinklers are not required to be installed by 8.15.1.2.1 through 8.15.1.2.18 and...
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