A2 Mezanine Addition

[benny]

We have an application for an existing storage building to be added onto and modified for an A2 occupancy. We use the 2009 IBC. Here are the details:

Existing 720 sqft. storage building, Type VB (CMU walls, deteriorating rafters), approximate 10' wall height.

Proposed 160 sqft. storage and ADA unisex restroom addition, lean-to type.

Proposed 240 interior balcony (mezzanine) and 300 sqft. exterior balcony, roof extends over exterior balcony.

Existing exterior walls will be added onto approximately 10' in height.

Single stairway to each balcony, no door between the two, so there is only a single exit from each.

From what I can tell, both mezzanines are required to be sprinklered per 903.2.1.2 #3. (?)

Also, does the exterior balcony fall under the mezzanine requirements of 505? If so they are way over the max 1/3 of the area.

Thanks in advance!

 

[brudgers]

IMO, this is a case where a design professional should be required...it's way more serious than attaching a deck.

 

[mtlogcabin]

Agree with brudgers

From what I can tell, both mezzanines are required to be sprinklered per 903.2.1.2 #3. (?)

Not correct see the definition of fire area.

 

[kilitact]

Not correct see the definition of fire area.

depends on where the level of exit discharge is, if at the mezzanine than no, if not at the mezzanine floor than yes fire sprinkler system would be required

 

[benny]

IMO, this is a case where a design professional should be required...it's way more serious than attaching a deck.

There is a design professional, structural engineer.

 

[benny]

Agree with brudgersNot correct see the definition of fire area.

From what I can tell the exterior deck is included in the fire area due to the roof overhead.

 

[north star]

+ = +

benny,

Is your structural engineer familiar with and competent

in designing MOE components and [ possible ] sprinkling,

rather than just structural design?

= + =

 

[benny]

It doesn't appear so; he has some code knowledge because the mezzanine is exactly 1/3 of the floor area. However, the firm is geared more toward civil engineering. I'm just getting started in the review process and am thinking about stopping to let them know sprinklers are required. At that point I know they will revise their plans. I just want to make sure I'm correct on the sprinkler requirement for the upper levels (mezzanine and exterior deck).

 

[brudgers]

It doesn't appear so; he has some code knowledge because the mezzanine is exactly 1/3 of the floor area. However, the firm is geared more toward civil engineering. I'm just getting started in the review process and am thinking about stopping to let them know sprinklers are required. At that point I know they will revise their plans. I just want to make sure I'm correct on the sprinkler requirement for the upper levels (mezzanine and exterior deck).

Ask for a complete life safety analysis...i.e. point to the incompleteness of the plans rather than specific code violations.

 

[benny]

After studying 903.2.1.2 #3 and the definition of "Level of Exit Discharge" I can see where if the mezzanine is located within the first story (level of exit discharge) it doesn't require sprinklers. Although if you assign the mezzanine it's own fire area it is located above the exit discharge although still within the first story. Which way to go?

 

[mtlogcabin]

Benny

It sounds like you may have a mezzanine which is inside the building and an exterior balcony that is accessed only from the outside. Is that correct.

I still think the Engineer needs to hirer an Arch or a code consultant to help him with this project otherwise he is going to rely on you to tell him what to do and you don't need to go that headache

Sprinkler requirements in Chapter 9 are for new buildings. You need to have a charging lanquage directing you to Chapter 9 from Chapter 34 or IEBC before you can use it.

 

[benny]

BennyIt sounds like you may have a mezzanine which is inside the building and an exterior balcony that is accessed only from the outside. Is that correct.

I still think the Engineer needs to hirer an Arch or a code consultant to help him with this project otherwise he is going to rely on you to tell him what to do and you don't need to go that headache

Sprinkler requirements in Chapter 9 are for new buildings. You need to have a charging lanquage directing you to Chapter 9 from Chapter 34 or IEBC before you can use it.

That is correct: mezzanine and exterior balcony.

 

[north star]

= + +

benny,

Agree with "brudgers" & "mtlogcabin" !.......Require a competent RDP

to submit a full life safety plan.......Not your responsibility!

= = +

 

[steveray]

New mezzanine, new A2 use, new fire area, new sprinklers.....how many occupants?

 

[benny]

interior mezzanine = 16 occupants (based on 15 sqft/occ)

exterior balcony = 20

main floor = 48

The mezzanine isn't above the level of exit discharge if the entire 1st story is considered the level of exit discharge. Fire area yes, level above exit discharge no.

The fireman in me would rather have sprinklers in the area below the mezzanine and balcony.

 

[benny]

Maybe the simple question is: are mezzanines meeting IBC 505 considered above the level of exit discharge?

 

[steveray]

MEZZANINE. An intermediate level or levels between the floor and ceiling of any story with an aggregate floor area of not more than one-third of the area of the room or space in which the level or levels are located

EXIT DISCHARGE, LEVEL OF. The horizontal plane located at the point at which an exit terminates and an exit discharge begins.

How is the mezzanine on the level of exit dicharge when it is defined as an intermediate level? I agree that is considered part of the first story....just think it is above the level of exit discharge by definition....

 

[benny]

So, you could have a non-sprinklered 1st floor with sprinklered mezzanines?

 

[mtlogcabin]

MEZZANINE. An intermediate level or levels between the floor and ceiling of any story with an aggregate floor area of not more than one-third of the area of the room or space in which the level or levels are located EXIT DISCHARGE, LEVEL OF. The horizontal plane located at the point at which an exit terminates and an exit discharge begins.

How is the mezzanine on the level of exit dicharge when it is defined as an intermediate level? I agree that is considered part of the first story....just think it is above the level of exit discharge by definition....

The mezzanine would be located within the exit access and the exit would be the door leading out of the 1st floor

The exterior balcony is not on the level Level of Discharge Exit because the exit is when you start down the exterior stairs.

EXIT. That portion of a means of egress system which is separated from other interior spaces of a building or structure by fire-resistance-rated construction and opening protectives as required to provide a protected path of egress travel between the exit access and the exit discharge . Exits include exterior exit doors at the level of exit discharge , vertical exit enclosures , exit passageways , exterior exit stairways , exterior exit ramps and horizontal exits .

EXIT ACCESS. That portion of a means of egress system that leads from any occupied portion of a building or structure to an exit .

 

[mtlogcabin]

EXIT DISCHARGE. That portion of a means of egress system between the termination of an exit and a public way

It is all about understanding and applying each definition to each part of the means of egress which can be confusing at times

The single exit from the mezzanine would have to meet the following requirements

505.3 Egress.

Each occupant of a mezzanine shall have access to at least two independent means of egress where the common path of egress travel exceeds the limitations of Section 1014.3. Where a stairway provides a means of exit access from a mezzanine , the maximum travel distance includes the distance traveled on the stairway measured in the plane of the tread nosing. Accessible means of egress shall be provided in accordance with Section 1007.

Exception: A single means of egress shall be permitted in accordance with Section 1015.1.

 

[benny]

The proposed mezzanine meets the codes for one means of egress.

I'm still up in the air as to if Section 903.2.1.2 #3 requires sprinklers in this case. If it does, it would seem to require them only on the mezzanine and balcony which seems odd.

 

[mtlogcabin]

The proposed mezzanine meets the codes for one means of egress. I'm still up in the air as to if Section 903.2.1.2 #3 requires sprinklers in this case. If it does, it would seem to require them only on the mezzanine and balcony which seems odd.

No not by chapter 9 from the IBC. You need to start with a charging lanquage to get there.

If you have adopted the IEBC you can use the following for the whole building ( should satisfy the fireman within you)

912.2 Fire protection systems.

Fire protection systems shall be provided in accordance with Sections 912.2.1 and 912.2.2.

912.2.1 Fire sprinkler system.

Where a change in occupancy classification occurs that requires an automatic fire sprinkler system to be provided based on the new occupancy in accordance with Chapter 9 of the International Building Code , such system shall be provided throughout the area where the change of occupancy occurs.

As inspectors we are quick to jump to a specific code section because we "know" something is required and when you don't have a code knowledgable design professional on the project and you have to start "requiring" items just make sure you can back up your decision from the beginning and how you arrived there.

 

[kilitact]

[quote name=We have an application for an existing storage building to be added onto and modified for an A2 occupancy. We use the 2009 IBC. Here are the details:

Fire sprinklers would be required. If existing, no change in occupancy classification mtlogcabin would be correct

 

[benny]

We have not adopted the IEBC. We have been using Section 3412.

IF this was a new building would it be required to be sprinklered? If so, just the mezzanine?

Thanks again for all of the input!