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fire alarm requirements for buildings with additions

N

Nicole Brooks

Registered User
Joined
Sep 21, 2018
Messages
67
Location
Baltimore
I have an existing single story building that is 36,000 sf. We are putting an addition on the building (still single story) which will increase the building to 44,000 sf. The occupancy is Business. If I use NPFA 101, an existing building is allowed a 1000 person occupant load before triggering a need for an alarm system, but a new business use is just 300 occupants. Which of these numbers applies to this scenario, new or existing? I've done the occupant count and it is over 300 people.
 
I just did a minor reno to a 4,000 sf building and got dinged by the fire marshall because he wanted an additional detector. I can’t imagine you can get by with a 44,000 sf building without a system.
 
NFPA 101 considers an addition as a category of rehabilitation, which kicks you into Chapter 43. The only way I could see the 1000 person occupant load being considered is if there is a fire-rated separation between the existing building and new addition.
 
Nicole Brooks said:
I have an existing single story building that is 36,000 sf. We are putting an addition on the building (still single story) which will increase the building to 44,000 sf. The occupancy is Business. If I use NPFA 101, an existing building is allowed a 1000 person occupant load before triggering a need for an alarm system, but a new business use is just 300 occupants. Which of these numbers applies to this scenario, new or existing? I've done the occupant count and it is over 300 people.
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So is NFPA 101 the adopted code for the city???

Does the existing building have a fire alarm system?

Does the existing building have a fire sprinkler system?
 
cda said:
So is NFPA 101 the adopted code for the city???

Does the existing building have a fire alarm system?

Does the existing building have a fire sprinkler system?
Click to expand...
Yes, NFPA 101 is adopted. Building does not have fire alarm, but is fully sprinklered.
 
Sounds like a question for the local ahj

1000 vs 300

I think my call would be no fire alarm needed.

Have not looked at 101 yet, will try today

So the fire sprinkler system is not monitored??
 
cda said:
Sounds like a question for the local ahj

1000 vs 300

I think my call would be no fire alarm needed.

Have not looked at 101 yet, will try today

So the fire sprinkler system is not monitored??
Click to expand...
The sprinkler system is monitored.
 
I'm guessing that Maryland still uses IBC as their building code and NFPA 101 as their fire safety code. I did some work in Baltimore County several years ago, and they interpreted both codes very strictly.
 
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