A2 Mezanine Addition

[kilitact]

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!

Read sec. 3404. new would require fire sprinklers, the change of occupancy to an A-2 with mezzinane above the level of exit discharge will require fire sprinklers.

 

[brudgers]

Read sec. 3404. new would require fire sprinklers, the change of occupancy to an A-2 with mezzinane above the level of exit discharge will require fire sprinklers.

Nonsense. Read the definition in IBC 2009.

 

[mtlogcabin]

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

1. The fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet (464.5 m2); Fire area does not exceed the allowable area No Sprinklers required.

2. The fire area has an occupant load of 100 or more; or Occupant Load 84 No Sprinklers required

3. The fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge serving such occupancies. Here is where Kilitact and I may disagree. I believe a mezzanine as defined by the code is a level within a floor area and in your case is within the exit access portion of the means of egress and the exit discharge are the exterior exit doors located on the ground level. No sprinklers required

MEZZANINE. An intermediate level or levels between the floor and ceiling of any story and in accordance with Section 505.

As I understand your post the exterior balcony/deck is located within the fire area (roof over the balcony/deck)

The exterior stairs are part of the exit and therefore does not comply with Item 3 and a fire sprinkler system is required.

[F] FIRE AREA. The aggregate floor area enclosed and bounded by fire walls, fire barriers , exterior walls or horizontal assemblies of a building. Areas of the building not provided with surrounding walls shall be included in the fire area if such areas are included within the horizontal projection of the roof or floor next above.

Loose the deck and no fire sprinklers are required and that is the job of a design professional. If you walk them through the code and give them the options you will be walking a thin line. Don't tell them and they go through the expense of a fire suppression system and find out later they could have eliminated the deck and avoided those cost and you knew and did not tell them well you can just imagine the damage to your department especially if they know "The fireman in me would rather have sprinklers" .

Well I think you know what to look for just tell the engineer to get compitant help on this one

 

[mtlogcabin]

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....

Because the mezzanine is located within the exit access. You have to go through an exit to get to the exit discharge

MEANS OF EGRESS. A continuous and unobstructed path of vertical and horizontal egress travel from any occupied portion of a building or structure to a public way . A means of egress consists of three separate and distinct parts: the exit access , the exit and the exit discharge

 

[mtlogcabin]

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!

3412 is probably the best section to use for a design proffessional to use. If a DP does not use 3412 then the depqartment should use 3408.1 and treat as a new building.

3408.1 Conformance.

No change shall be made in the use or occupancy of any building that would place the building in a different division of the same group of occupancies or in a different group of occupancies, unless such building is made to comply with the requirements of this code for such division or group of occupancies.

 

[brudgers]

IBC 2009 (which the OP references) has a new definition of "level of exit discharge." That definition references stories rather than planes.

 

[kilitact]

IBC 2009 (which the OP references) has a new definition of "level of exit discharge." That definition references stories rather than planes.

Section 903.2.1.2 references floors rather than stories, this includes mezzanines and basements.

 

[brudgers]

Section 903.2.1.2 references floors rather than stories, this includes mezzanines and basements.

Read the definition of "Mezzanine." It's a level between the floor and the ceiling. Just to prove to yourself that you've got it wrong, read the definition of "story" right below it. A story is between two floors.

 

[kilitact]

Read the definition of "Mezzanine." It's a level between the floor and the ceiling. Just to prove to yourself that you've got it wrong, read the definition of "story" right below it. A story is between two floors.

So, if you go up the downstairs you would still be on the same story but a different floor level.

 

[brudgers]

So, if you go up the downstairs you would still be on the same story but a different floor level.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.