Sifu
SAWHORSE
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2011
- Messages
- 3,391
IBC 427 and IFC 5306 both provide direction for supply rooms for medical gases. Assuming the operational permit quantities for a given gas or cryogenic fluid are exceeded, the codes give two options: An exterior room & an interior room.
My understanding is that an exterior room is any room with an exterior wall, and an interior room is a room without any exterior wall. Each has different requirements. Does the designer have the option to use the interior room provisions even if the room is located with 1 exterior wall? Or must they use the exterior room option?
Related to that, for either room, both enclosed by fire barriers, with the HVAC system supply heat and return air to the room, fire dampers would be required. But with a fire damper, which is open under normal conditions, a gas leak could spread outside the system. Given an exterior room has the required vents directly outside, and an interior room has the required minimum mechanical exhaust, is that enough to mitigate the concern for leakage to the rest of the system? (I think NFPA 99 requires the room be kept at negative pressure, but I don't see that in the IBC/IFC) So how does the HVAC work for these rooms?
My understanding is that an exterior room is any room with an exterior wall, and an interior room is a room without any exterior wall. Each has different requirements. Does the designer have the option to use the interior room provisions even if the room is located with 1 exterior wall? Or must they use the exterior room option?
Related to that, for either room, both enclosed by fire barriers, with the HVAC system supply heat and return air to the room, fire dampers would be required. But with a fire damper, which is open under normal conditions, a gas leak could spread outside the system. Given an exterior room has the required vents directly outside, and an interior room has the required minimum mechanical exhaust, is that enough to mitigate the concern for leakage to the rest of the system? (I think NFPA 99 requires the room be kept at negative pressure, but I don't see that in the IBC/IFC) So how does the HVAC work for these rooms?