PatrickGSR94
Member
I have an existing renovated outpatient care facility where an independent code consultant is stating that all storage rooms must be rated with closers on doors. The building is Business occupancy per the IBC, ambulatory care with fewer than 4 incapable of self-preservation, no general anesthesia used, and the building is nonsprinkled. They are citing NFPA 38.3.2.1 for New Business Occupancies (even though it's an existing building), which seems to indicate that ALL storage rooms must be rated or protected, regardless of size. But in 18.3.2.1 and 19.3.2.1 for new and existing health care facilities, the protected storage room requirement is only for 100 SF and larger.
So which one would apply here? The Business storage room protection requirements in the NFPA appear to be much more stringent than the IBC (no rated protection required for accessory storage under 100 SF), but for health care facilities they're pretty much aligned.
Despite the building falling under Business occupancy in the IBC, would this also be considered a health care facility in the NFPA?
So which one would apply here? The Business storage room protection requirements in the NFPA appear to be much more stringent than the IBC (no rated protection required for accessory storage under 100 SF), but for health care facilities they're pretty much aligned.
Despite the building falling under Business occupancy in the IBC, would this also be considered a health care facility in the NFPA?