Foam plastic refrigerated walk-in cooler/warehouse building

[Sifu]

I have an existing laboratory facility (original classification of B), built in 1997, type II-N. They are proposing a one-story addition of a 3,400sf² "free-standing" refrigerated warehouse. The manufactured cooler walls and ceiling are insulated with foam plastic. So because it contains foam plastic in a cooler > 1,000sf² (IBC 603.1 #26) I see this as a V-B addition, abutted to the main structure with 0' FSD between the two, requiring a 1-hr exterior wall per t602. However, IBC 2603.5 for foam plastic in exterior walls contains language that confuses me. It has specific language for exterior walls of I,II,III, or IV walls over one story which wouldn't apply? It also has language for any exterior wall of type V construction. Does this section negate 603 and only require the provisions of 2603.2 for labeling, 2603.2 for surface burning characteristics and 603.4 for thermal barriers?

 

[Sifu]

Put more simply:

Is a 3,400sf² panelized refrigerated warehouse wall with urethane foam insulation a type V building?

If so, and it is placed within 1' of an existing II-N (II-B) building, then does t602 apply and both buildings must have rated exterior walls? (The existing building would exceed the allowable area for type V)

 

[steveray]

SECTION 603
COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL
IN TYPES I AND II CONSTRUCTION
603.1 Allowable materials. Combustible materials shall be
permitted in buildings of Type I or II construction in the
following applications and in accordance with Sections
603.1.1 through 603.1.3:

3. Foam plastics in accordance with Chapter 26.

2603.5 Exterior walls of buildings of any height. Exterior
walls of buildings of Type I, II, III or IV construction of any
height shall comply with Sections 2603.5.1 through
2603.5.7. Exterior walls of cold storage buildings required to
be constructed of noncombustible materials, where the
building is more than one story in height, shall comply with
the provisions of Sections 2603.5.1 through 2603.5.7. Exterior
walls of buildings of Type V construction shall comply
with Sections 2603.2, 2603.3 and 2603.4. Fireblocking shall
be in accordance with Section 718.2.

 

[Sifu]

So as I have been pondering this I have come to start to believe that this is a type II construction, allowed to have foam plastic in accordance with 2603.5 as long as that plastic meets 2603.2 for labeling, 2603.2 for surface burning characteristics and 603.4 for thermal barriers.

That being the case, as a type II-B, it is the same as the existing building and could therefore be considered as part of the same building, and not require exterior walls per t602.

 

[Sifu]

Strike that last post. Since it is type II it must meet 2603.5.1 thru 2603.5.7.

 

[JMarsh]

Could not both buildings be considered portions of one building per 503.1.2?

My (very limited) experience with modular "equipment" like this is that it's permitted and inspected by a State agency, at the manufacturers facility. Locally, an Owner would only need pull a foundation permit.

 

[Sifu]

Yes, that is the route I am taking.