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Apartment complex surface garages- fire rating required?

J

JZegowitz

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Metro Boston
I hope this is posted under the right category, I often read but this is a first post! The question is regarding surface garages built in MA associated with an apartment complex. MA goes by 2015 IBC w/MA amendments, none applicable to these buildings. These are typical stand alone 12 and 7 unit garages; side by side 22'x12' (+/-) stalls with individual overhead doors located on the site with no issues regarding fire separation distance. My read is that these fall under the Utility use group, private garages and require 1 hour separation assemblies between each stall. Experiencing pretty heavy push back quoting S2 use group, saying no separation required. I've used that line of reasoning in previous projects where ground level parking under R2 or underground parking under R2, but then follow the public garage requirements of sprinklers, O2 exhaust etc. Is there a path that allows Type 5B wood frame multi-stall garage with no separations or sprinklers/O2 exhaust? Thanks for your help, I always find the discussions helpful!
 
Welcome

Not my area, give it a few days for great answers

Yes there is a path, cannot give you the code sections though.

Maybe the path is call it a U ?


312.1 General

Buildings and structures of an accessory character and miscellaneous structures not classified in any specific occupancy shall be constructed, equipped and maintained to conform to the requirements of 780 CMR commensurate with the fire and life hazard incidental to their occupancy. Group U shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

  1. Agricultural buildings (see Appendix C for applicable requirements);
  2. Aircraft hangers, accessory to one- or two-family residence (see section 412.5);
  3. Barns;
  4. Carports;
  5. Fences more than six feet (1,829 mm) in height;
  6. Grain silos, accessory to a residential occupancy;
  7. Greenhouses;
  8. Livestock shelters;
  9. Private garages;

PRIVATE GARAGE. A building or portion of a building in which motor vehicles used by the tenants of the building or buildings on the premises are stored or kept, without provisions for repairing or servicing such vehicles for profit
 
The approach of calling this S2 would have been consistent with 2009 IBC 406.1.1. 2015 IBC has new language that makes the difference here.
 
406.3.4 Separation. For other than private garages adjacent to dwelling units, the separation of private garages from other occupancies shall comply with Section 508.
 
I wonder just how effective a sprinkler system is at putting out a car fire.
 
Thanks all. As noted above, I think these buildings should be classified as U use group, thereby requiring the 1 hour rated separation assemblies. In my opinion 2015 IRC S2 use group is intended for larger garages where sprinklers and CO ventilation are required. I don't see a path that would allow the S2 use group without sprinklers/CO ventilation. Thanks again. Ready for the next one????
 
JZegowitz said:
Thanks all. As noted above, I think these buildings should be classified as U use group, thereby requiring the 1 hour rated separation assemblies. In my opinion 2015 IRC S2 use group is intended for larger garages where sprinklers and CO ventilation are required. I don't see a path that would allow the S2 use group without sprinklers/CO ventilation. Thanks again. Ready for the next one????
Click to expand...

What sections are you looking at to

a. require one hour separation ??

b. require sprinklers

Have not seen any of these two in recent stand alone garages
 
cda said:
What sections are you looking at to

a. require one hour separation ??

b. require sprinklers

Have not seen any of these two in recent stand alone garages
Click to expand...
I agree, by default of typical construction you would most likely end up with a one hour wall, 2x4 w/5/8 both sides, but I can't find anything to require it. Something is tickling the back of my mind, but I can find it.
 
Hi all,
I'm seeing it like this:

2015 IBC, the overall project is really an apartment complex with these as amenities, so not under the IRC.
Chapter 3- Use:
312.1, Utility and Misc group U, including but not limited to... private garages
Chapter 4- Special Detailed Requirements Based on Use and Occupancy
406.3 Private garages and carports
406.3.1 Private garages and carports shall be classified as Group U. Each private garage shall be not greater than 1,000 s.f. in area. Multiple private garages are permitted in a building where each private garage is separated from the other private garages by 1 hour fire barriers in accordance with 707 (from slab to underside of roof sheathing), or 1 hour horiz. assemblies per 711 or both.

HOWEVER 406.3.4 Separation states: For other than private garages adjacent to dwelling units, the separation of private garages from other occupancies shall comply with Section 508. Separation of private garages from dwelling units shall comply with 406.3.4.1 through 406.3.4.3, but in our case we are not concerned with separation from dwelling units r anything else since these are stand alone buildings well separated from all lot lines and other buildings, so 508 Mixed Use and Occupancy wouldn't seem to apply.

Interested in your thoughts. Thanks!
 
Ok not my area

But will give you one hour between garages,

Which as stated already you are doing anyway with dry wall walls



406.3.1 Classification​


Private garages and carports shall be classified as Group Uoccupancies. Each private garageshall be not greater than 1,000 square feet (93 m2) in area. Multiple private garages are permitted in a building where each private garage is separated from the other private garages by 1-hour fire barriers in accordance with Section 707, or 1-hour horizontal assemblies in accordance with Section 711, or both
 
I said there was something nagging me about this thread! :mad:

Dang it!

Like I said, typical construction would dang near one hour.

Yes, one hour.
 
Interesting. A similar project, but I am wondering if the free-standing garage units are required to comply with 907.2 for fire alarm systems. I am assuming they do and since they are not required to have sprinklers, they would need manual pull stations. (2015 IBC, Colorado...they are still allowed to use 2015 in this jurisdiction for awhile).
 
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