• Welcome to The Building Code Forum

    Your premier resource for building code knowledge.

    This forum remains free to the public thanks to the generous support of our Sawhorse Members and Corporate Sponsors. Their contributions help keep this community thriving and accessible.

    Want enhanced access to expert discussions and exclusive features? Learn more about the benefits here.

    Ready to upgrade? Log in and upgrade now.

Fire Engine Display in a new Fire House

D

dreadnought

Member
Joined
Jan 16, 2015
Messages
9
Location
Philadelphia
Hi,

New to the forum, this is my first post.

Question about a project I'm working on. Designing a new fire house for a mostly volunteer fire company. The new layout calls for a garage for 5 engines, separated by a 2 hour wall from the other part of the building containing offices on the first floor and bunk rooms, lounge, etc. on the second floor.

They have an old fire engine that they trot out for parades and events like that that they want to keep on display when not in use. They want to display it in the office part of the building, with its own garage door. The building will be sprinklered, so it needs to be separated from the office part of the floor by 1 hour walls, but I am wondering about the exhaust, oil and gas dripping from the engine, etc. I can't find anything in IBC covering this specifically, so does anyone know what the requirements are? does there need to be a drain, grease trap, anything like that? since they do take it out every so often they will need to start up the engine, so exhaust is a factor. any other items I'm not thinking of?

Thanks.
 
Interesting

Welcome

Pa has some different codes so I cannot answer it

But can you call it a "B" motor vehicle showroom,,, don't think any extra requirements
 
They could put a note on the steering wheel to open the door when running the engine.

See there cda was right on as usual.... well except for the solicitation on your first post. He must be working on commission.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Ok is anyone going to answer the original question.

Need to look good for the new person
 
dreadnought - your location is listed as Philadelphia. Philadelphia is a First Class City in Pennsylvania and has its own tweaks and codes from the typical Uniform Construction Code throughout Pennsylvania. Thought I recall seing atleats one Philly inspector belonging to this forum...
 
In fact, Philadelphia is the *only* first class city in PA (defined as having more than one million population). But in reality, I am in the suburbs and so is this project. Thanks though.
 
Check the fire code. There are sections in there about vehicles in a building (mall) for display. Usually the limit the amount of fuel in the tank.
 
So what occupancy do you all want to call it

Any separation required

Ventilation , drain,grease trap ????

Or just call it a B motor vehicle showroom,???
 
cda said:
So what occupancy do you all want to call itAny separation required

Ventilation , drain,grease trap ????

Or just call it a B motor vehicle showroom,???
Click to expand...
And just to make it even more interesting, I have had to come up with a plan option showing the sleeping quarters on the first floor, along with the display engine. So in that option, the prevailing occupancy is R-1 (transient). I don't know if that makes an impact or not, exploring it now.

I would like to keep the display area open if possible, not enclose it in 1 hour walls. I had assumed in my initial post that it would have to be enclosed, but if we can call it B vehicle display showroom, keep the battery disconnected, and only gas it to 1/4 capacity, would it be ok to keep it open?
 
Never mind, it looks as though in the fire code, section 313.2, "Vehicles powered by flammable liquids,... shall not be stored within the living space of Group R buildings. That means separation, not open display area.
 
"Vehicles powered by flammable liquids,... shall not be stored within the living space of Group R buildings.
Click to expand...
Don't put the large flat screen TV and large recliners in the same room then it in not a living space.

508.3 Nonseparated occupancies.

Buildings or portions of buildings that comply with the provisions of this section shall be considered as nonseparated occupancies.

508.3.1 Occupancy Classification.

Nonseparated occupancies shall be individually classified in accordance with Section 302.1. The requirements of this code shall apply to each portion of the building based on the occupancy classification of that space. In addition, the most restrictive provisions of Chapter 9 which apply to the nonseparated occupancies shall apply to the total nonseparated occupancy area. Where nonseparated occupancies occur in a high-rise building, the most restrictive requirements of Section 403 which apply to the nonseparated occupancies shall apply throughout the high-rise building.

508.3.2 Allowable building area and height.

The allowable building area and height of the building or portion thereof shall be based on the most restrictive allowances for the occupancy groups under consideration for the type of construction of the building in accordance with Section 503.1.

508.3.3 Separation.

No separation is required between nonseparated occupancies.

Exceptions:

1. Group H-2, H-3, H-4 and H-5 occupancies shall be separated from all other occupancies in accordance with Section 508.4.

2. Group I-1, R-1, R-2 and R-3 dwelling units and sleeping units shall be separated from other dwelling or sleeping units and from other occupancies contiguous to them in accordance with the requirements of Section 420.
 
dreadnought,

Please read on, see 2012 IBC section 314.4

Las Vegas PI, Dan Tanna parked his red Thunderbird in his living room!

pc1
 
Tell them it isn't a good idea, because if they leave the stove on when they rush out to fight a fire and the living part of the station burns down, the antique fire engine won't be protected by the 2-hour wall.

Could this room be considered as a private garage, and would that ease some of the requirements?
 
Paul Sweet said:
Tell them it isn't a good idea, because if they leave the stove on when they rush out to fight a fire and the living part of the station burns down, the antique fire engine won't be protected by the 2-hour wall.Could this room be considered as a private garage, and would that ease some of the requirements?
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, I don't think it could be considered a private garage because they want to keep the display area open, not enclosed. I believe I neglected to mention that the display area is right in the main entry. Its proximity to the actual door is going to present egress problems, but I can deal with those.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top