fire alarms for A-5 outdoor bleachers

[Francis Vineyard]

The commentary agrees with the accessibility provision with aggregate floor area but not true for the sprinklers.

"Enclosed areas such as retail areas, press boxes and concession stands require sprinklers if they are in excess of 1,000 square feet (93 m2). The 1,000- square-foot (93 m2) accessory use area is not intended to be an aggregate condition but rather per space. Thus, a press box that is 2,500 square feet (232 m2) in area would need to be subdivided into areas less than 1,000 square feet (93 m2) each in order to be below the threshold for sprinklers. There is no specific requirement for the separation of these spaces. It is assumed, however, that the separation would be a solid barrier of some type but without a required fire-resistance rating. The provision is meant to mirror that in Section 1028.6.2.3, which exempts press boxes and storage facilities less than 1,000 square feet (93 m2) in area from sprinkler requirements in smoke-protected assembly seating areas."

 

[cda]

IBC 2012 - 1028.6.2.3 Automatic sprinklers. Enclosed areas with walls and ceilings in buildings or structures containing smoke-protected assembly seating shall be protected with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.Exceptions:

2. Press boxes and storage facilities less than 1,000 square feet (93 m2) in area.

Therefore, if the press box is 1,000-sf or over automatic sprinklers are required. Also if the press box or press boxes have a total aggregate area of over 500-sf they have to be accessible for the physically disable. There are accessible exceptions regarding above the ground height. Notice AGGREGATE wording. ADA told me if the roof was to be used as camera platform then it had to be counted as floor area also. Having the roof used as a camera platform makes it an occupied roof by Building Code requiring a stair. With accessibility a ramp or elevator would be required to the roof is it is occupied.

The press box’s usage is for participation in or viewing outdoor activities and is therefore, an A-5 Occupancy Use Group. The Press Box is mentioned in sub section 1028.6.2.3 which is the Assembly occupancy use group, Section 1028 Assembly, of Chapter 10 Means of Egress. Somewhere in the Code I found the wording "press box’s usage is for participation in or viewing outdoor activities "

Also, ICC 300-12 Section 403.1 "... The occupant load of reviewing stands and press boxes shall be based on 5 square feet per person for standing space and 7 square feet per person for movable chair seating space . The occupant load for security, audio and camera platforms shall be based on the actual numb er of occupants." That loading is the same for Assembly occupants.

But in the scenario you have,

I take it the bleachers are out in the open

The press box sets on top of one of these bleachers

So you do not have any ""smoke-protected assembly seating"

And 1028.6.2.3 does not apply, so press box can be over 1000 sq ft

SMOKE-PROTECTED ASSEMBLY SEATING. Seating served by means of egress that is not subject to smoke accumulation within or under a structure.

An example of smoke-protected assembly seating is an open outdoor grandstand or an indoor arena with a smoke control system. The code has less stringent requirements for certain aspects of smoke-protected assembly seating than for seating that is not smoke protected, since occupants are subject to less hazard from the accumulation of smoke and fumes during a fire event. For example, an assembly dead-end aisle is permitted to be longer for a smoke-protected assembly area. For system requirements, see Section 909.

 

[mtlogcabin]

It is an A-5

[F] 903.2.1.5 Group A-5.

An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group A-5 occupancies in the following areas: concession stands, retail areas, press boxes and other accessory use areas in excess of 1,000 square feet (93 m2).

I do not believe it is correct to include the overhang in the sq ft calcs for the press box area as long as there are walls separating the two areas.

Can you use this section for the sprinklers thus saving money

[F] 903.3.5.1 Domestic services.

Where the domestic service provides the water supply for the automatic sprinkler system, the supply shall be in accordance with this section.

[F] 903.3.5.1.1 Limited area sprinkler systems.

Limited area sprinkler systems serving fewer than 20 sprinklers on any single connection are permitted to be connected to the domestic service where a wet automatic standpipe is not available. Limited area sprinkler systems connected to domestic water supplies shall comply with each of the following requirements:

1. Valves shall not be installed between the domestic water riser control valve and the sprinklers.

Exception: An approved indicating control valve supervised in the open position in accordance with Section 903.4.

2. The domestic service shall be capable of supplying the simultaneous domestic demand and the sprinkler demand required to be hydraulically calculated by NFPA 13, NFPA 13D or NFPA 13R.

 

[cda]

But a two hour wall somewhere!!!

 

[cda]

Enclosed areas such as retail areas, press boxes and concession stands require sprinklers if they are in excess of 1,000 square feet (93 m2). The 1,000-square-foot (93 m2) accessory use area is not intended to be an aggregate condition but rather per space. Thus, a press box that is 2,500 square feet (232 m2) in area would need to be subdivided into areas less than 1,000 square feet (93 m2) each in order to be below the threshold for sprinklers. There is no specific requirement for the separation of these spaces. It is assumed, however, that the separation would be a solid barrier of some type but without a required fire-resistance rating.