CPET and Industrial Equipment

[alora]

Industrial project with large "U" shaped conveyor equipment (continuous).

F-2 occupancy, fully-sprinklered.

7'-0" wide conveyor X +/- 600' long (300' each side of "U").

7'-0" aisle between each leg of "U".

---

Plan review resulted in comment pertaining to 100' requirement of 1014.3, Exception #1. Building Official will not allow equipment to be used unless it is re-designed to accommodate required exit access/CPET.

Equipment is specialized/customized design.

Personnel will need to be within "U" for short periods of time for maintenance/inspection purposes.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[Coug Dad]

In addition to a 300 foot CPT issue, it also appears you have an exit travel distance issue also, or is the exit within 400 feet?

 

[alora]

In addition to a 300 foot CPT issue, it also appears you have an exit travel distance issue also, or is the exit within 400 feet?

Exits are within 400' (Table 1016.1) of the space at the 'bottom' of the "U" shaped conveyor.

 

[AegisFPE]

Sounds like some kind of an equipment platform, for which walkways providing access shall not serve as the building's means of egress per IBC 505.5.

Therefore, Chapter 10 may not be applicable for the routes to/from/over the unoccupied area exclusively serving the mechanical process equipment.

 

[Coug Dad]

Aegis - I'm not sure 505.5 helps here. It says that equipment platforms can not serve as a part of the building's means of egress, not that they are exempt from means of egress requirements.

 

[cda]

Ladders::;;

http://www.industrialproducts.com/ErectaStep-Example-Configurations-s/720.htm

Have to read 1014. Do not have the book now

 

[alora]

Ladders::;;...

It's an option; equipment is floor-mounted.

However, I'm leaning to just placing some type of access gate at the 'top' of the "U" and providing signage indicating maintenance access only.

A letter from the owner may also help in this regard.

Thanks!

 

[cda]

I know there was a recent thread about cpet

But in this case if I can hit an exit within the travel distance allowed does cpet apply?????

 

[AegisFPE]

...some type of access gate at the 'top' of the "U" and providing signage indicating maintenance access only

Bingo! Sounds like equipment area to me. Adding some element to create an "elevated" condition to strictly comply with the code may just add a trip hazard. Providing a guard barrier with a signed gate seems to promote limited access as would be anticipated with an equipment platform.Where 505.5 states, "the walkways, stairs, alternating tread devices and ladders providing access to an equipment platform shall not serve as a part of the means of egress from the building," I could see how it could be read that these elements could still be subject to Chapter 10, though they are prohibited from serving any other part of the building. However, the Commentary suggests:

The definition of “Equipment platform” includes the associated elevated walkways, stairs and ladders necessary to access the platform. Elements that serve an equipment platform are not permitted to serve as a means of egress for occupants of the building unless they meet all the requirements for means of egress in Chapter 10.

Therefore, the code appears to anticipate walkways, et al, serving an equipment platform not being subject to the provisions of Chapter 10.

 

[FM William Burns]

I concur with Afpe!

 

[cda]

Does not sound right

As long as you hit an exit with in 400 feet

It's basically an open floor area

 

[cda]

Read the book and looks like cpet applies

So if I am standing at an exterior exit and there is a 101 foot barrier running back into the building.

And the next exit is on the other side of the barrier, this does not meet code because I have to travel over 100 feet to get to a second exit???????

 

[AegisFPE]

IMHO the means of egress should be evaluated from the point of access to the equipment/platform. Once you cross the line and are "in" the equipment or "on" the equipment platform, the building code need not apply.

If there is a guard barrier along the equipment perimeter, I would say the gate in the guard could be considered part of the equipment and not subject to the IBC, but on the building-side of the gate, you should be provided with a means of egress per Chapter 10.