DTBarch
SAWHORSE
Scenario:
Existing Type III-B multi-tenant warehouse building was built in the early 80's under the UBC. Due to site constraints, in order to get the desired building area, the building was originally built with (3) 4-Hour fire walls separating each of the four separated tenant spaces. Those existing fire walls included several 4-Hour Rated Rolling Fire Shutter doors that allowed suites to be combined for a tenant who needed more space, providing the ability to pass thru these fire walls with forklifts, etc.
Current code requires only 3-Hour Rating vs. the original UBC Mandated 4-Hour Ratings.
Question #1: If we modify the existing 4-Hour wall, do we need to retain the original 4-hour rating, or do we just need to meet current IBC 3-hour rating?
Question #2: Can the existing 4-Hour fire shutters be physically locked in the down position if separate tenants occupy space on either side of demising (fire) walls. We've heard differing opinions as to whether locking them down affects the UL listing. Clearly, building owner/landlord wants to retain long term flexibility for future tenant configurations. Methods of lock down could be fastened brackets holding down bottom angle of shutter door, or even tack welding. They area obviously not a part of egress system. Is there anything in the Code that would restrict the ability to physically lock the fire shutters in the down position?
Existing Type III-B multi-tenant warehouse building was built in the early 80's under the UBC. Due to site constraints, in order to get the desired building area, the building was originally built with (3) 4-Hour fire walls separating each of the four separated tenant spaces. Those existing fire walls included several 4-Hour Rated Rolling Fire Shutter doors that allowed suites to be combined for a tenant who needed more space, providing the ability to pass thru these fire walls with forklifts, etc.
Current code requires only 3-Hour Rating vs. the original UBC Mandated 4-Hour Ratings.
Question #1: If we modify the existing 4-Hour wall, do we need to retain the original 4-hour rating, or do we just need to meet current IBC 3-hour rating?
Question #2: Can the existing 4-Hour fire shutters be physically locked in the down position if separate tenants occupy space on either side of demising (fire) walls. We've heard differing opinions as to whether locking them down affects the UL listing. Clearly, building owner/landlord wants to retain long term flexibility for future tenant configurations. Methods of lock down could be fastened brackets holding down bottom angle of shutter door, or even tack welding. They area obviously not a part of egress system. Is there anything in the Code that would restrict the ability to physically lock the fire shutters in the down position?
