Fire Suppression During Remodel

[Dr. J]

The major chain grocery store I shop in is undergoing a major remodel/expansion and is staying open for business during the work. The ceiling has been removed and the pendant sprinklers are now a good 4-5 feet down from the deck. This has been the case for a couple of weeks, and based on an educated guess, I'll bet they plan on keeping the ceilings out for several weeks (months?) more.The store is open for business, but most construction activity takes place at night when it is closed to the public.With the sprinklers so far from the deck, it is essentially an unsprinklered building. It appears to be 2B construction, and is in the neighborhood of 100,000 sf (they are taking over several adjacent spaces to make a "Supercenter").This is in a large-ish suburb with sophisiticated and knowledgable Fire and Building departments. For the moment, I will assume they are aware and approve of this situation. What would you AHJ's require for this? Documented fire watch? Reconfigure sprinklers to upright for the duration? Enhanced smoke detection? Restrict combustibles for sale?

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[Coug Dad]

Train the employees to be a documentable fire watch during those hours when the store is open.

 

[Insurance Engineer]

Not a problem the sprinkler control valve is most likely shut to prevent water damage during the construction!

 

[cda]

Have seen it numerous times, but do not think to the extent in the pictures and normaly for a week or less

and usualy work on one area the put the ceiling back and pull ceiling in another area

I think in this case require fire watch and get a time line to get it back together

 

[peach]

There's more combustibles below the ceiling than above.. fire watch... (we always make them put the grid around the heads back every day).

 

[FyrBldgGuy]

The sprinkler system will not work. Placement of some ceiling tiles, also does not work. Ceiling jet plumes will go above the sprinklers and if a sprinkler head operates it will be greatly delayed. This configuration will also likely lead to sprinkler skipping. This is a construction/business situation where the sprinkler system is out of service. If there are any smoke detectors those are also out of service for the same reasons.

On another note, the newer type of potato chips that are cooked in a high temp oil burn at a rate/temp similar to gasoline.

What should the AHJ do to ensure protection for the store. Nothing. Ensure the protection of the occupants. Make sure that responding fire companies know the fire systems are out of service. Store employees should be educated in fire safe practices.

IF the AHJ does the right thing it would require telling the Store Manager the store can not be occupied when the fire safety systems are out of service.

By the way how are those emergency lights? Exit signs? Fire Alarm Horn/Strobes?

 

[TJacobs]

Hope the insurance covers the loss.