fire sprinklers and area separation walls

[JayHawkInspector]

I have an interesting question. We are still on the 2003 IBC, I have an existing church (A-3) that is 7,242 square feet now they want to add on 5,000 square feet which makes them over the 12,000 square foot limit for sprinklers. Can they install a fire separation wall between the existing structure and the new addition to get by the sprinkler requirement? As of yet I don’t know what type of construction but will update as soon I find out.

 

[TJacobs]

Yes, as long as 1) the fire area is 12,000 or less and 2) the building meets height and area of Table 503 for type of construction. They don't have to separate the addition from the existing, they just have to keep the A-3 fire area at 12,000 or below.

 

[mark handler]

Since many of the fire suppression system thresholds (see Section 903.2) are based upon fire area, separation of a single occupancy into small fire areas would be an acceptable method form avoiding the use of sprinklers

706.3.7 Single-occupancy fire areas.

2003 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE® COMMENTARY

 

[Marshal Chris]

Also, make sure local jurisdictions don't have stricter requirements.

I know in my jurisdiction, it's 12,000 regardless of firewalls.

 

[cda]

mine tOOOOOOOOOOOOO

 

[Builder Bob]

The issue may be with required fire flows for fire suppression and not actual building code requirements.

for example, the addition plus existing may have a higher required fire flow for insurances purposes..... a 50% reduction may be given if the entire building (existing and addition) is sprinklered. The only other option per the IFC is a firewall between the two buildings...... thus allowing each building to be considered as seperate buildings.

 

[syarn]

don't u also have to consider the occupant load in each fire area that it is less than 300 people and that all fire areas are located on the level of exit discharge too?