Exterior Walk-In Cooler

[Mech]

2009 IBC

Type IIB Construction

Multi-tenant building w/ 2 hour rated separation walls. Exterior walls are not rated.

A restaurant will be occupying the middle bay (adjacent tenants on either side). This tenant is looking to place their walk-in cooler outside at the rear of their space. Is the cooler considered part of the building? Does it count towards the building area? Must the cooler meet the requirements of Type IIB construction?

 

[cda]

Do you walk into the cooler directly from the lease space

Or

Completely walk outside to enter the cooler

Is it attached to the building or some separation

 

[steveray]

Very interesting question.....Very easy to yes to all 3....But I would try to find some wiggle somewhere if needed.

 

[Mech]

The cooler is accessed from the tenant space.

With other projects for the same client, the coolers had been indoors and I never had to worry about this.

I myself figured the cooler would increase the building size and be part of the building.

 

[mjesse]

Not in my jurisdiction, but I am familiar with one that was placed outside.

AHJ did not consider it part of the building or building area, and it was not required to meet Building Code construction type.

The only issue was the Health Department. They requested a screened enclosure between the cooler and building door so food was not required to be handled "outdoors"?

 

[steveray]

If the area is not an issue, I would just try to get out of IIB....I know those are made mostly of foam, but is there a metal frame at all that you could call structure?

 

[Mech]

I do not know what they are made of. I thought they were foam panels sandwiched between metal skins. I guess we will wait to see what the code reviewer and the township say.

 

[JBI]

The foam is really just the insulation, the skin and 'bones' are typically metal. Type IIB is non-combustible with little or no fire resistance rating, which the skin and bones should meet (unless made of Aluminum...). It sounds like the additional area shouldn't put them over the top.

 

[cda]

Agree part of the building

And if building is sprinkled cooler shall be sprinkled

 

[chris kennedy]

I know those are made mostly of foam, but is there a metal frame at all that you could call structure?

Even if it was made of just foam it would still be a structure.

From 2009 IBC def's;

'STRUCTURE. That which is built or constructed.'

 

[fatboy]

Yeah, I was told by a contractor that the cooler was not occupied, I asked him how in the heck did they get the product in and out? Sounds like it is occupied at that moment!

 

[steveray]

Agreed Chris....I was just trying to make sure the cooler could meet IIB (noncombustible structural elements)....otherwise they would "derate" the whole building to VB....That would be a tough one....

Even if it was made of just foam it would still be a structure.From 2009 IBC def's;

'STRUCTURE. That which is built or constructed.'