2018 IEBC Alternation Level-2 Highrise

[Chris_Y]

Hi All,

I've a project with renovating an existing 18 Stories historic high rise building under IEBC Alternation Level-2. However, the section about level-2 alternation from 2018 IEBC doesn't mention anything about smoke control. Does a new smoke control system still need? A tricky situation is that the building has an old exterior fire escape as part of the stairway and can't be considered as a smoke-proof enclosure. In this case, Is a stair pressurization system still needed? Thanks all.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

First, what's the nature and extent of the alterations (not "alternations") you are planning? If you are classifying it as Level 2, this means you are working in less than half the floor area of the building -- is this correct?

Second, since you mention "Level 2," can we assume that you are proceeding under the Work Area Method in the IEBC?

Third, why are you concerned about smoke control? What code section or sections causes you to worry about this?

 

[Chris_Y]

First, what's the nature and extent of the alterations (not "alternations") you are planning? If you are classifying it as Level 2, this means you are working in less than half the floor area of the building -- is this correct?

Second, since you mention "Level 2," can we assume that you are proceeding under the Work Area Method in the IEBC?

Third, why are you concerned about smoke control? What code section or sections causes you to worry about this?

Hi Yankee,

1 and 2: Yes, it’s correct and less than 50% total floor area will go through alternation/renovation. And the process is under 2018 IEBC Chapter 8 alteration level-2

3. My concern is that since IEBC didn’t mention anything about smoke control under level-2 alternation. Since it’s a high rise building, do we need to comply with IBC on smoke control?

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

You haven't provided a direct answer to my second question, so I'm going to assume that you are proceeding under the Work Area Method. You also haven't answer my third question, which is what code section or sections cause you to worry about smoke control?

So what does Chapter 8 say?

801.1 Scope. Level 2 alterations as described in Section 603
shall comply with the requirements of this chapter.

It says Level 2 alterations shall comply with requirements of Chapter 8. Does Chapter 8 say anything about smoke control or smoke-proof stair enclosures?

Stair towers are holes in floors -- vertical openings.

802.2 Vertical openings. Existing vertical openings shall
comply with the provisions of Sections 802.2.1, 802.2.2 and
802.2.3.

802.2.1 Existing vertical openings. Existing interior vertical
openings connecting two or more floors shall be enclosed
with approved assemblies having a fire-resistance rating of
not less than 1 hour with approved opening protectives.

802.2.2 Supplemental shaft and floor opening enclosure
requirements. Where the work area on any floor exceeds 50
percent of that floor area, the enclosure requirements of Section
802.2 shall apply to vertical openings other than stairways
throughout the floor.

802.2.3 Supplemental stairway enclosure requirements.
Where the work area on any floor exceeds 50 percent of that
floor area, stairways that are part of the means of egress serving
the work area shall, at a minimum, be enclosed with
smoke-tight construction on the highest work area floor and
all floors below.

Exception: Where stairway enclosure is not required by
the International Building Code or the International Fire
Code.

There's nothing here about smoke control or smoke-proof stair enclosures. The basic requirement is enclosure with at least 1-hour rated construction. Does the work area on any story exceed 50% of the area of that story? If not, 802.2.2 and 802.2.3 don't apply. If they do apply, 802.2.2 applies to vertical openings other than stairs, so it's not relevant to the question. And 803.2.3 is less restrictive than 802.2.1.

Section 803 gets into fire protection. It gets into a lot of discussion about triggers for when sprinklers and/or fire alarms are required. Nothing about smoke-proof stair enclosures.

Section 805 addresses means of egress. There is nothing in Section 805 that discusses smoke-proof stair enclosures.

I have to assume that you are looking at provisions in the IBC. For projects under the IEBC, you only look at the IBC if the IEBC sends you there, then then you only look at the IBC provisions the IEBC sends you to.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

And the word is ALTERATION, not ALTERNATION.

 

[Chris_Y]

You haven't provided a direct answer to my second question, so I'm going to assume that you are proceeding under the Work Area Method. You also haven't answer my third question, which is what code section or sections cause you to worry about smoke control?

So what does Chapter 8 say?



It says Level 2 alterations shall comply with requirements of Chapter 8. Does Chapter 8 say anything about smoke control or smoke-proof stair enclosures?

Stair towers are holes in floors -- vertical openings.



There's nothing here about smoke control or smoke-proof stair enclosures. The basic requirement is enclosure with at least 1-hour rated construction. Does the work area on any story exceed 50% of the area of that story? If not, 802.2.2 and 802.2.3 don't apply. If they do apply, 802.2.2 applies to vertical openings other than stairs, so it's not relevant to the question. And 803.2.3 is less restrictive than 802.2.1.

Section 803 gets into fire protection. It gets into a lot of discussion about triggers for when sprinklers and/or fire alarms are required. Nothing about smoke-proof stair enclosures.

Section 805 addresses means of egress. There is nothing in Section 805 that discusses smoke-proof stair enclosures.

I have to assume that you are looking at provisions in the IBC. For projects under the IEBC, you only look at the IBC if the IEBC sends you there, then then you only look at the IBC provisions the IEBC sends you to.

Thanks Yankee for your explanation. Your assumption is correct since I’m looking at 2018 IBC section 403.5.4 for required smoke proof stair enclosures for high rise. Could you guide me to the section in IEBC indicating that I only need to comply With IBC if the IEBC sends me there? Thanks for your help!

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

And then, from the 2018 IBC itself:

 

[steveray]

Do you use an existing minimum fire code like NFPA 101 that might drive an upgrade?