Equipment platform?

[steveray]

Any thoughts on whether or not a wood framed equipment platform is allowed in a IIB building? What about a wood structure that stuff hangs off of?

505.3​

Equipment platforms in buildings shall not be considered as a portion of the floor below. Such equipment platforms shall not contribute to either the building area or the number of stories as regulated by Section 503.1. The area of the equipment platform shall not be included in determining the fire area in accordance with Section 903. Equipment platforms shall not be a part of any mezzanine and such platforms and the walkways, stairways, 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 imagine they are going to argue that it is not a floor and I will argue it is and I will win...But it got me thinking that if it were a "superstructure" that they just wanted to hang stuff off of, would I have to allow it....?

Lets say they want to build a cleanroom with CFMF walls and a wooden truss system to support the gasketed hung ceiling....The trusses are not a floor, they are not a roof, they are not a partition...So they don't fit nicely into T601...603 is really a modifier to T601 IMO, and that situation is not really addressed, which could be grounds for disallowing...Maybe...

So to answer my own question, for platforms, no, per 410.3 anyway, but if it is not actually a platform it would seem to get weird...

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

IBC 602.2 says:602.2 Types I and II

602.2 Types I and II.

Types I and II construction are those types of construction in which the building elements specified in Table 601 are of noncombustible materials, except as permitted in Section 603 and elsewhere in this code.x

So then we go back to Table 601. Table 601 includes non-bearing walls and partitions, and floor construction and associated secondary structural members,

Then I look at definitions, and that doesn't help me much:

[BG] SECONDARY STRUCTURAL MEMBERS. The following structural members shall be considered secondary members and not part of the primary structural frame:

1. Structural members not having direct connections to the columns.

2. Members of the floor construction and roof construction not having direct connections to the columns.

3. Bracing members that are not designated as part of a primary structural frame or bearing wall.

So then I have to look at 603:

603.1 Allowable Materials. Combustible materials shall be permitted in buildings of Type I or II construction in the following applications and in accordance with Sections 603.1.1 through 603.1.3:

1. Fire-retardant-treated wood shall be permitted in:

1.1 Nonbearing partitions where the required fire-resistance
rating is 2 hours or less except in shaft enclosures within Group
I-2 occupancies and ambulatory care facilities.

1.2 Nonbearing exterior walls where fire-resistance-rated
construction is not required.

1.3 Roof construction, including girders, trusses, framing and
decking.

Exceptions:

1. In buildings of Type IA construction exceeding two stories
above grade plane, fire-retardant-treated wood is not
permitted in roof construction where the vertical distance
from the upper floor to the roof is less than 20 feet (6096
mm).

2. Group I-2, roof construction containing fire-retardant-
treated wood shall be covered by not less than a Class A
roof covering or roof assembly, and the roof assembly shall
have a fire-resistance rating where required by the
construction type.

1.4 Balconies, porches, decks and exterior stairways not used as
required exits on buildings three stories or less above grade
plane.

2. Thermal and acoustical insulation, other than foam plastics,
having a flame spread index of not more than 25.

Exceptions:

1. Insulation placed between two layers of noncombustible
materials without an intervening airspace shall be allowed to
have a flame spread index of not more than 100.

2. Insulation installed between a finished floor and solid
decking without intervening airspace shall be allowed to have
a flame spread index of not more than 200.

3. Foam plastics in accordance with Chapter 26.

4. Roof coverings that have an A, B or C classification.

5. Interior floor finish and floor covering materials installed in
accordance with Section 804.

6. Millwork such as doors, door frames, window sashes and frames.

7. Interior wall and ceiling finishes installed in accordance with
Section 803.

8. Trim installed in accordance with Section 806.

9. Where not installed greater than 15 feet (4572 mm) above grade,
show windows, nailing or furring strips and wooden bulkheads
below show windows, including their frames, aprons and show
cases.

10. Finish flooring installed in accordance with Section 805.

11. Partitions dividing portions of stores, offices or similar
places occupied by one tenant only and that do not establish a
corridor serving an occupant load of 30 or more shall be permitted
to be constructed of fire-retardant-treated wood, 1-hour fire-
resistance-rated construction or of wood panels or similar light
construction up to 6 feet (1829 mm) in height.

12. Stages and platforms constructed in accordance with Sections
410.2 and 410.3, respectively.

13. Combustible exterior wall coverings, balconies and similar
projections and bay or oriel windows in accordance with Chapter 14
and Section 705.2.3.1.

14. Blocking such as for handrails, millwork, cabinets and window
and door frames.

15. Light-transmitting plastics as permitted by Chapter 26.

16. Mastics and caulking materials applied to provide flexible seals
between components of exterior wall construction.

17. Exterior plastic veneer installed in accordance with Section
2605.2.

18. Nailing or furring strips as permitted by Section 803.15.

19. Heavy timber as permitted by Note c to Table 601 and Sections
602.4.4.4 and 705.2.3.1.

20. Aggregates, component materials and admixtures as permitted by
Section 703.2.1.2.

21. Sprayed fire-resistant materials and intumescent and mastic
fire-resistant coatings, determined on the basis of fire resistance
tests in accordance with Section 703.2 and installed in accordance
with Sections 1705.15 and 1705.16, respectively.

22. Materials used to protect penetrations in fire-resistance-rated
assemblies in accordance with Section 714.

23. Materials used to protect joints in fire-resistance-rated
assemblies in accordance with Section 715.

24. Materials allowed in the concealed spaces of buildings of Types
I and II construction in accordance with Section 718.5.

25. Materials exposed within plenums complying with Section 602 of
the International Mechanical Code.

26. Wall construction of freezers and coolers of less than 1,000
square feet (92.9 m2), in size, lined on both sides with
noncombustible materials and the building is protected throughout
with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
903.3.1.1.

27. Wood nailers for parapet flashing and roof cants.

I don't see anything listed in section 603 that allows what you seem to be describing, so my opinion is that it can't be wood. If it's going to wood, it has to be fire-retardent treated wood.

I don't view section 603 as a modifier of section 601. If it were, it would be numbered 601.x.x. Section 603 stands on its own, equal to and separate from 601.

 

[steveray]

IBC 602.2 says:602.2 Types I and II


So then we go back to Table 601. Table 601 includes non-bearing walls and partitions, and floor construction and associated secondary structural members,

Then I look at definitions, and that doesn't help me much:



So then I have to look at 603:



I don't see anything listed in section 603 that allows what you seem to be describing, so my opinion is that it can't be wood. If it's going to wood, it has to be fire-retardent treated wood.

I don't view section 603 as a modifier of section 601. If it were, it would be numbered 601.x.x. Section 603 stands on its own, equal to and separate from 601.

I kind of agree I just know I am getting some pushback on this one so I am playing devils advocate…

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

Of course you're getting pushback. Complying with that silly code costs MONEY!

 

[steveray]

Of course you're getting pushback. Complying with that silly code costs MONEY!

I agree, but I can see the confusion…there is nothing really that requires equipment and system supports to be noncombustible I don’t believe…. The “platform” is really the wrinkle..

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

I agree, but I can see the confusion…there is nothing really that requires equipment and system supports to be noncombustible I don’t believe…. The “platform” is really the wrinkle..

What about 603.1? If combustible materials are allowed only in the listed locations -- they aren't allowed elsewhere.

 

[steveray]

What about 603.1? If combustible materials are allowed only in the listed locations -- they aren't allowed elsewhere.

Sooooo....Pipe and duct hangars are not mentioned, can they be plastic? ( the pipe and ducts specifically can) Furniture and equipment are not mentioned, should they not be allowed? Can you use stackers or the plastic grommets for the steel studs?

 

[Tim Mailloux]

not allowed to be wood per 601 or 603

 

[bill1952]

In theatres and other places with stages, 410.2.2 allows the floors to be any approved material. Plywood and even t&g has been used. Might be helpful.

 

[Tim Mailloux]

In theatres and other places with stages, 410.2.2 allows the floors to be any approved material. Plywood and even t&g has been used. Might be helpful.

its allowed for stages and platforms which are specifically defined in chapter 2. Equipment platforms are also specifically defined in chapter 2 and note one of the named exceptions in 603

 

[bill1952]

its allowed for stages and platforms which are specifically defined in chapter 2. Equipment platforms are also specifically defined in chapter 2 and note one of the named exceptions in 603

What I referenced is for catwalks and other technical production areas. They are very similar to equipment platforms.

 

[steveray]

Equipment platforms are also specifically defined in chapter 2 and note one of the named exceptions in 603

Well they are named, but it just runs you full circle back to non combustible...:

12.Stages and platforms constructed in accordance with Sections 410.2 and 410.3, respectively.

Which is also Kinda dumb...But I guess that picks up FRTW for small and low platforms...

 

[steveray]

not allowed to be wood per 601 or 603

This is where I say 603 modifies 601 BTW​

602.2​

Types I and II construction are those types of construction in which the building elements specified in Table 601 are of noncombustible materials, except as permitted in Section 603 and elsewhere in this code.

Even though I agree that there is no way that all of the list of 603 falls under the items in T601..Like finishes in particular...