New to the forum

[stryker-65]

New to the forum. Tripped over this while trying to research some building code and fire code stuff for work. I work a rotational emergency response role in the mining sector, and volunteer as a firefighter when I am home.
Code stuff has always been talked about, but rarely examined in detail unless it was part of the role you were filling.
Hoping to pick a few brains here, and learn a bit.

Gordon

 

[stryker-65]

First question: can someone point me to a section that might deal with plywood clad partition walls in an industrial office area?
Someone has decided to create new 'offices' in an 'open concept' space and chosen 2x4 stud with 3/4 plywood cladding to do it.
I feel rather strongly that this is not Code but can't seem to locate the correct reference.

 

[Yikes]

Welcome to the forum!
When posting a specific question, it is helpful to either state the applicable code, or at least tell us where the project is located, so that we can help you find the applicable code. Your profile says you are in BC, but we don’t know if the alteration project is also in BC.

For your particular question a few other details would be helpful.
Do you know the “construction type”? If not, can you tell us what you think the other existing exterior and interior walls, floor and roof are made of?
Does the building have fire sprinklers?
How high will these new walls be? Will they go all the way up to the existing ceiling, or will they create their own new ceiling, or will there be now ceiling at the top of the walls (partial-height partitions)?
Do the walls either constrict or create a hallway, or obscure the existing views towards existing exit doors?

 

[stryker-65]

Welcome to the forum!
When posting a specific question, it is helpful to either state the applicable code, or at least tell us where the project is located, so that we can help you find the applicable code. Your profile says you are in BC, but we don’t know if the alteration project is also in BC.

For your particular question a few other details would be helpful.
Do you know the “construction type”? If not, can you tell us what you think the other existing exterior and interior walls, floor and roof are made of?
Does the building have fire sprinklers?
How high will these new walls be? Will they go all the way up to the existing ceiling, or will they create their own new ceiling, or will there be now ceiling at the top of the walls (partial-height partitions)?
Do the walls either constrict or create a hallway, or obscure the existing views towards existing exit doors?

Project is in BC.
I believe it is non-combustible construction. Steel frame with cladding, (it's a mine mill with office spaces).
Interior walls in the office space are drywall clad. Floor is concrete, with suspended ceiling and void space above.
Partition walls go 10 feet to the suspended ceiling.
Building is sprinklered.

 

[steveray]

Project is in BC.
I believe it is non-combustible construction. Steel frame with cladding, (it's a mine mill with office spaces).
Interior walls in the office space are drywall clad. Floor is concrete, with suspended ceiling and void space above.
Partition walls go 10 feet to the suspended ceiling.
Building is sprinklered.

Welcome to THE Forum...We do have some great Canadian folks here who might chime in soon and I believe a Canadian section too....As Yikes was saying, there are usually limitations on combustible construction in a non-combustible buildings. For us it's IBC Ch. 6 for metric code I am not sure...

 

[tmurray]

Do you know roughly how big the building is? Are there only offices in it?

 

[Inspector Gadget]

First question: can someone point me to a section that might deal with plywood clad partition walls in an industrial office area?
Someone has decided to create new 'offices' in an 'open concept' space and chosen 2x4 stud with 3/4 plywood cladding to do it.
I feel rather strongly that this is not Code but can't seem to locate the correct reference.

First off, assuming it's a big part 3 building, combustible elements are allowed in interior walls under certain circumstances [NBC 2015]

3.1.5.6
2) Partitions installed in a building of noncombustible construction are permitted to
contain wood framing provided
a) the building is not more than 3 storeys in building height,
b) the partitions are not located in a care, treatment or detention occupancy, and
c) the partitions are not installed as enclosures for exits or vertical service spaces.

The only other potential issue is flame-spread rating. You said the building was sprinklered. In that case, the general permitted flame-spread rating is 150, and plywood meets that requirement.

So based on what you've provided so far, I suspect that you don't, in fact, have a code issue.