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  1. IJHumberson

    exposed wood in a soffit

    There isn't any requirement in NFPA 13 to provide access to sprinklers in concealed spaces - when you have entire floor/ceiling assemblies with sprinkler protection in the interstitial space, it really is impractical to provide enough openings to be able to inspect all the sprinklers inside the...
  2. IJHumberson

    BlazeMaster Approval for Exposed Locations

    Yes, but if you look at the manufacturer's specifications, you'll find this: "Use of BlazeMaster CPVC pipe and fittings is limited to basements where the quantity and combustibility of contents is low and fires with relatively low rates of heat release are expected." I'm not sure what the...
  3. IJHumberson

    1004.1.2 Floor area allowances

    From the pictures posted, I don't see anything that would allow them to calculate occupant load at anything other than 1:20. IMHO the "Shops & other vocational room areas" is intended for Chemistry Labs, Auto Shop, Wood Shop, and the like, where there has to be large tables or equipment...
  4. IJHumberson

    2006 IBC: Are dutch style doors permitted as a means of egress door?

    Another issue I've commonly found with Dutch Doors is that the lower half typically has a small "shelf", and sometimes that can obstruct the required egress width when the door is fully open...depends on the size of the shelf and how many degrees the door can rotate.
  5. IJHumberson

    Negligence?

    FM Burns: No, I only saw that article shortly after it came out and all I know about the case is what that article says.
  6. IJHumberson

    Negligence?

    Here's one about lack of maintenance of a sprinkler system: http://www.whas11.com/home/Judge-says-no-insurance-cash-for-Ind-concert-hall-125212544.html
  7. IJHumberson

    Hallway vs corridor

    Papio...I've heard it argued that, because the definition of corridor says it is a "component that defines and provides a path of egress travel TO AN EXIT", then corridors/hallways in tenant spaces do not fall within that definition because they provide a path to an EXIT ACCESS, not an EXIT...
  8. IJHumberson

    nfpa 25

    We've just started (in the past couple years) requiring all commercial and multi-family residential properties with fire protection systems to submit copies of their maintenance/testing reports on an annual basis - apparently, not too many sprinkler contractors provide the testing and...
  9. IJHumberson

    Wood Burning Pizza Ovens

    I've seen a couple of them in recent years, and both devices had good installation instructions provided by the manufacturer, but don't forget that Chapter 14 of NFPA 96 has a whole bunch of special requirements for solid fuel cooking appliances - when I brought those to the attention of the...
  10. IJHumberson

    Hallway vs corridor

    (Tossing a wrench into the works...) So, within the bounds of a tenant space, where no corridor rating is required (because it's fully sprinklered or meets one of the other exceptions), if they decide to build walls and create hallways, do the dead-end corridor restrictions apply? I've always...
  11. IJHumberson

    Latching requirements on a pair of 90 minute doors

    @Doorman, I was asked by a Condo Management company because they are repairing/replacing some doors and they asked me if both top & bottom latching was required because their doors had both originally, but some doors have had it removed due to damage... In researching it for them, I couldn't...
  12. IJHumberson

    Latching requirements on a pair of 90 minute doors

    Recently, I've had a few apartment projects that use the horizontal exiting allowances in the codes to the maximum extent allowable. This creates a lot of cross-corridor doors in the building, and we have had to closely examine the doors and the latching of them for the 90 minute fire doors at...
  13. IJHumberson

    Dollars as Decorations

    I agree with cda, the dollar bills shown in the picture are not "applied" to the ceiling - they are hanging from it.
  14. IJHumberson

    Basement Ceilings - sprinklers or drywall or nothing

    Correction to my previous post - I was discussing this topic with our Residential Plans Reviewer, and he just happened to be looking at the "Significant Changes in the 2012 IRC" booklet, and the requirement for protection of unfinished TJI's is a new requirement in IRC.
  15. IJHumberson

    Fire hydrant line size

    Here's what NFPA 24 ('07 ed.) says: 5.2 Size of Fire Mains. 5.2.1 Private Fire Service Mains. Pipe smaller than 6 in. (152.4 mm) in diameter shall not be installed as a private service main suppling hydrants. 5.2.2 Mains Not Supplying Hydrants. For mains that do not supply hydrants, sizes...
  16. IJHumberson

    Basement Ceilings - sprinklers or drywall or nothing

    As I understand it, the PA code cited by Jar546 (and several others around the nation) was a compromise met when the local jurisdictions chose to "opt out" of sprinkler protection required in IRC for new R-3 Construction - one of the major arguments put forth by fire service personnel in favor...
  17. IJHumberson

    1017.4 for 2009 IBC

    I initially thought I would agree with your assessment, but in looking at Section 1014.4.3 of the '06 IBC, I'm not sure the 12" aisle accessway would be required - the Exception to Section 1014.4.3.2 eliminates the need for an aisle accessway width when the aisle accessway has a lenght not...
  18. IJHumberson

    type I hoods

    Keep in mind, though, the requirement for shut-down of make-up air only applies when the m/u air is "supplied internally to a hood" - I've not seen very many hood/duct systems that the make up air supplies internally to the hood - it usually is fed external to the hood and near the top of the hood.
  19. IJHumberson

    Fire walls - didn't want to hijack overhead fire shutters

    Re: Fire walls - didn't want to hijack overhead fire shutters Well, if you are talking "fire walls" and not "fire barriers" and you are using these fire walls to create separate buildings, why would you have a single sprinkler (and fire alarm) system serving multiple buildings? For instance, if...
  20. IJHumberson

    Portable LPG Heaters Group A

    Re: Portable LPG Heaters Group A We've seen quite a proliferation of these devices since the state-wide smoking ban in Maryland went into effect - mostly at bars and restaurants to provide some sort of comfort during the winter months to the smokers that have to go outdoors to smoke. The...
  21. IJHumberson

    Fire walls - didn't want to hijack overhead fire shutters

    Re: Fire walls - didn't want to hijack overhead fire shutters Builder Bob, From what you've described, it sounds like a school with an original structure (Bldg. A) and a new "addition" (Bldg. B) that was constructed adjacent to the original structure with a fire wall in between so that the...
  22. IJHumberson

    delivery door requirements

    Re: delivery door requirements Why would a landing be required at a door that is not a means of egress?? If you wanted to, you could have a loading dock with a roll-up door - so why would a side-hinged swinging door have to have a landing on both sides. As long as it is not required for...
  23. IJHumberson

    CPVC Blazemaster

    Re: CPVC Blazemaster I think what the question actually boils down to is, are you going to require the sprinkler system to be fully compliant in an unoccupied shell space?? Typically, in shell spaces prior to the initial occupancy the sprinkler heads are not installed in a code compliant manner...
  24. IJHumberson

    Locker doors

    Re: Locker doors I would say that, with the locker doors removed, the arrangement does not meet code. IMHO, the intent is that a fire in or near a locker would not be readily propagated down the hallway by ignition of combustibles in nearby lockers. Even though there are vents in the locker...
  25. IJHumberson

    Common path of travel

    Re: Common path of travel Big Mac, I concur. Also, I stand corrected - , Section 1021.1, Exception 5: "Within a story, rooms and spaces complying with Section 1015.1 with exits that discharge directly to the exterior at the level of exit discharge, are permitted to have one exit. So, since...
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