Fire Rated Storefront?

[BayPointArchitect]

Applicable codes:
2012 IBC
2012 IMC
2000 NFPA 101

Bar owner wants to construct a fire-rated room to manufacture 100% alcohol (moonshine). That alcohol will then be watered down with other ingredients to be served within the bar.

Question:
After separating the room from all other occupancies with a 3 hour-fire rated wall and providing proper ventilation in accordance with the mechanical code, does the window assembly facing the public right of way also need to be fire rated?

Thank you,

ICC Certified Plan Reviewer
NFPA Certified Fire Plan Examiner

https://www.dropbox.com/s/rfvd7anaqnr6q6d/FireRatedWindows.pdf?dl=0

 

[Builder Bob]

That depends - quantities involved, classifications, fire separation distances, and protection of the general public and the emergency responders.

Is this an H occupancy? What is the square footage involved?

Food for thought IFC -

5705.3.4 Location of processing vessels.
Processing vessels shall be located with respect to distances to lot lines of adjoining property which can be built on, in accordance with Tables 5705.3.4(1) and 5705.3.4(2).

Exception: Where the exterior wall facing the adjoining lot line is a blank wall having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 4 hours, the fire code official is authorized to modify the distances. The distance shall not be less than that set forth in the International Building Code, and when Class IA or unstable liquids are involved, explosion control shall be provided in accordance with Section 911.

TABLE 5705.3.4(1) SEPARATION OF PROCESSING VESSELS FROM LOT LINES

PROCESSING VESSELS WITH EMERGENCY RELIEF VENTING LOCATIONa
Stable liquids Unstable liquids
Not in excess of 2.5 psig Table 5705.3.4(2) 2.5 times Table 5705.3.4(2)
Over 2.5 psig 1.5 times Table 5705.3.4(2) 4 times Table 5705.3.4(2)

For SI: 1 pound per square inch gauge = 6.895 kPa.
a. Where protection of exposures by a public fire department or private fire brigade capable of providing cooling water streams on structures is not provided, distances shall be doubled.


TABLE 5705.3.4(2) REFERENCE TABLE FOR USE WITH TABLE 5705.3.4(1)

TANK CAPACITY
(gallons) MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM LOT LINE OF
A LOT WHICH IS OR CAN BE BUILT UPON,
INCLUDING THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF A PUBLIC WAY
(feet) MINIMUM DISTANCE FROM NEAREST SIDE OF
ANY PUBLIC WAY OR FROM NEAREST IMPORTANT BUILDING ON THE SAME PROPERTY
(feet)
275 or less 5 5
276 to 750 10 5
751 to 12,000 15 5
12,001 to 30,000 20 5
30,001 to 50,000 30 10
50,001 to 100,000 50 15
100,001 to 500,000 80 25
500,001 to 1,000,000 100 35
1,000,001 to 2,000,000 135 45
2,000,001 to 3,000,000 165 55
3,000,001 or more 175 60

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 gallon = 3.785 L.

5705.3.5.2 Occupancy quantity limits.
The following limits for quantities of flammable and combustible liquids used, dispensed or mixed based on occupancy classification shall not be exceeded:

Exception: Cleaning with Class I, II, or IIIA liquids shall be in accordance with Section 5705.3.6.

1. Group A occupancies: Quantities in Group A occupancies shall not exceed that necessary for demonstration, treatment, laboratory work, maintenance purposes and operation of equipment, and shall not exceed quantities set forth in Table 5003.1.1(1).

 

[steveray]

Good info BB!

 

[BayPointArchitect]

Yes, we have already established that this is a high-hazard H2 occupancy.
Let's say 150 S.F. and 150 gallons.
The windows in question are right on the property line adjacent to the longest main street in the United States of America. It is a public right of way.
Based on the information provided above, the window assembly would need to be 4 hour fire-rated.

 

[ICE]

It would make sense to fire rate on a side or rear property line because there could be another building on an adjacent property to protect. The front however has no neighboring building to be concered about....well there's people and their cars but they can get out of the way. What about the no openings allowed less than three feet away from a PL...Put the line at the center of the street.

Can you tell that I don't deal with this type of problem?

 

[ICE]

deleted double post

 

[mark handler]

Good luck in finding cost effective fire rated glass

 

[Builder Bob]

It would make sense to fire rate on a side or rear property line because there could be another building on an adjacent property to protect. The front however has no neighboring building to be concered about....well there's people and their cars but they can get out of the way. What about the no openings allowed less than three feet away from a PL...Put the line at the center of the street.

Can you tell that I don't deal with this type of problem?

The problem is when things go wrong unexpectedly, and the storefront blows out ...... shards of glass go flying.....

Not saying that fire rated protected glass won't, it just is a little more resistant to air pressure waves..

 

[Examiner]

Interesting discussion. In a small town downtown area they are renovating and existing two story building to Residential apartments with a small brewery and pub. I assume they are talking about beer. I was not asked to review the plans and know nothing about the project other than what I read in a news feed. However, I do question the requirements of separation from a residential occupancy group and the brewery. Seems that there is a trend to have visitors and customers in the brewery where they want the bar area to allow viewing of the brewery. I did do a preliminary Code Review on one years ago where the Architect's client wanted to renovate an existing building for a Vodka distillery that wanted the glazed window viewing area to the distillery and in a downtown zone. The distillery during processing produce a very high alcohol percentage which as you know if very flammable.

 

[Examiner]

Okay had a typo in the above response but cannot find how to edit my post after posting. What happened to the edit feature?

 

[Builder Bob]

EDIT FEATURE TEST???

I see the edit button is available on the bottom of the post shortly after you post. I wonder if this feature has a time frame before this feature becomes inactive?

 

[fatboy]

It appears it has to be within 24 hours.

 

[Builder Bob]

It appears it has to be within 24 hours.

Thank you for the information

 

[RANDOM]

Applicable codes:

does the window assembly facing the public right of way also need to be fire rated?

Do you need to have such an huge window for a room such as that one? Wouldn't you prefer to conceal any activities inside the "back office" ?

Or does the owner want to show the process in order to advertise the bar?

 

[JBI]

Interesting discussion. In a small town downtown area they are renovating and existing two story building to Residential apartments with a small brewery and pub. I assume they are talking about beer. I was not asked to review the plans and know nothing about the project other than what I read in a news feed. However, I do question the requirements of separation from a residential occupancy group and the brewery. Seems that there is a trend to have visitors and customers in the brewery where they want the bar area to allow viewing of the brewery. I did do a preliminary Code Review on one years ago where the Architect's client wanted to renovate an existing building for a Vodka distillery that wanted the glazed window viewing area to the distillery and in a downtown zone. The distillery during processing produce a very high alcohol percentage which as you know if very flammable.

A brewery would be low hazard, distillery moderate or high hazard.

On the OP, while an 'opening' would be restricted based on Fire Separation Distance as noted, a wall that includes fire resistance rated glazing might be possible, though I've not seen FRRG with that high a rating myself.