draft curtains and closely spaced sprinklers around a convenience stair

[Nicole Brooks]

The client would like to create a convenience stair between it's 2nd and 3rd floor suite in a type IIA office building. I am having trouble understanding whether or not a draft stop is required. I've attached the enhanced content of section of NFPA 13. It says under 9.3.5.1 that unless the requirements of 9.3.5.4 are met ( which my opening does not as it is only 18' wide and far less than 1000 sf), where moving stairways, staircases, or similar floor openings are unenclosed and where sprinkler protection is serving as the alternative to enclosure of the vertical opening, the floor openings shall be protected by closely spaced sprinklers in combination with draft curtains. The enhanced content states that "closely spaced sprinklers and draft stops are required around vertical opening s only if the local building code or NFPA 101 would otherwise require them. I meet all of the requirement of NFPA 101 for an unenclosed opening, so no barrier required, I have three enclosed egress stairs throughout the building. Then at the bottom of the enhanced content that a draft curtain is not required because of NFPA 101 9.3.5.1. There is no such section. It was probably in an older version, but I have yet to find it. Does this seem a logical conclusion that I don't need a draft curtain?

 

[Nicole Brooks]

The client would like to create a convenience stair between it's 2nd and 3rd floor suite in a type IIA office building. I am having trouble understanding whether or not a draft stop is required. I've attached the enhanced content of section of NFPA 13. It says under 9.3.5.1 that unless the requirements of 9.3.5.4 are met ( which my opening does not as it is only 18' wide and far less than 1000 sf), where moving stairways, staircases, or similar floor openings are unenclosed and where sprinkler protection is serving as the alternative to enclosure of the vertical opening, the floor openings shall be protected by closely spaced sprinklers in combination with draft curtains. The enhanced content states that "closely spaced sprinklers and draft stops are required around vertical opening s only if the local building code or NFPA 101 would otherwise require them. I meet all of the requirement of NFPA 101 for an unenclosed opening, so no barrier required, I have three enclosed egress stairs throughout the building. Then at the bottom of the enhanced content that a draft curtain is not required because of NFPA 101 9.3.5.1. There is no such section. It was probably in an older version, but I have yet to find it. Does this seem a logical conclusion that I don't need a draft curtain?

View attachment 10531


View attachment 10536
View attachment 10533

Forgot part of the enhanced code quote "closely spaced sprinklers and draft stops are required around vertical openings only if the local building code or NFPA 101 would otherwise require that it would be protected by a barrier.”

 

[steveray]

I assume you use IBC?

1019.3 Occupancies other than Groups I-2 and I-3. In
other than Group I-2 and I-3 occupancies, floor openings
containing exit access stairways or ramps shall be enclosed
with a shaft enclosure constructed in accordance with
Section 713.
Exceptions:
1. Exit access stairways and ramps that serve or
atmospherically communicate between only two
adjacent stories. Such interconnected stories shall
not be open to other stories.

 

[Nicole Brooks]

I assume you use IBC?

1019.3 Occupancies other than Groups I-2 and I-3. In
other than Group I-2 and I-3 occupancies, floor openings
containing exit access stairways or ramps shall be enclosed
with a shaft enclosure constructed in accordance with
Section 713.
Exceptions:
1. Exit access stairways and ramps that serve or
atmospherically communicate between only two
adjacent stories. Such interconnected stories shall
not be open to other stories.

We use both 2018 NFPA 101 and 2015 IBC. I concluded I was fine with a convenience opening in IBC per 7.12.1.9 - Two Story opening

 

[Nicole Brooks]

https://boabc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/201602171259.pdf

I also found this code interpretation, granted older version of NFPA 13, and a different building code, but they referenced the same enhanced content that is provided for the 2018 version.

 

[steveray]

The beginning of the section you started with is prefaced on the close sprinklers in lieu of a rating....If you are allowed an opening, you are good....At least in CT...