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non-separated

J

jroseCDR

Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2014
Messages
7
Location
Worcester
I am doing a code review for an existing fire / police department structure that will be retrofitted into a fire station. The facility will house business group B, storage group S-2 and residential group R-2. I am using IBC 2009, approaching this review as a non-separated residential R-2 (508.3).

Without going into too much detail, below is some pertinent info in regards to my question:

*Based on exception 2 (508.3.3) the sleeping units will still require a fire separation rating.

*Corridor walls will require a fire-resistant rating (1018.1)

My question is regarding the interpretation of non-separated use groups.

My approach as stated above; the other interpretation is that because we established our building as ‘non-separated’ all groups now become R-2 (eliminating S-2 & B) therefore the sleeping units are only adjacent to R-2 occupancies which deletes the rating requirement between different occupancies.

I there is the potential to have a different approach to this review however I am curious to see how other's interpret non-separated occupancies.
 
Doesn't matter if it all one occupancy. Still need separation for sleeping units. This would include the hall walls.

SECTION 420 GROUPS I-1, R-1, R-2, R-3

420.1 General. Occupancies in Groups I-1, R-1, R-2 and R-3 shall comply with the provisions of this section and other applicable provisions of this code.

420.2 Separation walls. Walls separating dwelling units in the same building, walls separating sleeping units in the same building and walls separating dwelling or sleeping units from other occupancies contiguous to them in the same building shall be constructed as fire partitions in accordance with Section 709.

420.3 Horizontal separation. Floor assemblies separating dwelling units in the same buildings, floor assemblies separating sleeping units in the same building and floor assemblies separating dwelling or sleeping units from other occupancies contiguous to them in the same building shall be constructed as horizontal assemblies in accordance with Section 712.
 
The only part I think I missed is that I had the entire R-2 use fire separated rather than the sleeping units only. Do you agree that the only the sleeping unit should have a fire separation?
 
The other item that is in question is that R occupancy is requiring corridors to be rated (1018.1). Since we are non-separated R-2, the corridors in the Business Group area are required to be rated; which does seem a little strange.
 
SECTION 709 FIRE PARTITIONS

709.1 General. The following wall assemblies shall comply with this section.

1. Walls separating dwelling units in the same building as required by Section 420.2.2. Walls separating sleeping units in the same building as required by Section 420.2.

As far as the corridors, you don't get the sprinkler gimme?
 
Which NFPA 13 system are you proposing? A 13 or 13R or a mixture.

Personally I would go with a 13 throughout since it is for property protection and a 13R is not meant for property protection.
 
""""""""""Corridor walls will require a fire-resistant rating (1018.1)"""""""""\

where are the corridor walls????

exception 2

2. A fire-resistance rating is not required for corridors contained within a dwelling or sleeping unit in an occupancy in Group R.

are you able to post a simple floor plan??
 
Just because it is non-sep does not mean it all gets treated like an R....Just CH. 9 and now 403

508.3 Nonseparated occupancies. Buildings or portions of buildings that comply with the provisions of this section shall be considered as nonseparated occupancies.

508.3.1 Occupancy classification. Nonseparated occupancies shall be individually classified in accordance with Section 302.1. The requirements of this code shall apply to each portion of the building based on the occupancy classification of that space except that the most restrictive applicable provisions of Section 403 and Chapter 9 shall apply to the building or portion thereof in which the nonseparated occupancies are located.
 
It's not that the other occupancies 'go away' or cease to exist. The S-2 is still an S-2, the B is still a B, but the most restrictive requirements for chapter 9 is the R-2 use, so that use drives the sprinkler requirements. All other requirements must still be met. Occupancy separations not required but the sleeping area separations are.
 
The means of egress provisions of Chapter 10 will still apply to the intended use of the spaces..... read general requirements of chapter 10, sprinkler requirements will still apply as required by chapter 9.

The non-separated provisions of Chapter 5 really only apply to how allowable building area is determined, nothing more.

Every other chapter still applies individually as they relate tot he project. the only caveat may be the dwelling/ sleeping unit separation required. In this case a specific requirement trumps the general provisions of Chapter 5.
 
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