Occupancy classification for electric supply wholesale company

[sdr]

We have an electric supply wholesale company proposing a new building with 5,000 square feet of office space and 18,000 square feet of warehouse area. We believe this to be an S-1 occupancy (automatic sprinkler system required). The architect states his belief that it is an S-2 occupancy (automatic sprinkler system not required). Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

 

[mtlogcabin]

311.3 Low-hazard storage, Group S-2.

Includes, among others, buildings used for the storage of noncombustible materials such as products

The insulation on the wire, circuit breakers, smurf tubing, some light fixtures are combustible. Ask for a list of the products that will be in the building. I would lean towards an S-1 occupancy unless proven otherwise.

 

[north star]

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sdr,

Welcome the The Codes Forum!

From the 2006 IBC: "311.3 Low-hazard storage, Group S-2.

"Includes, among others, buildings used for the storage of noncombustible

materials such as products on wood pallets or in paper cartons with or without

single thickness divisions; or in paper wrappings.......Such products are

permitted to have a negligible amount of plastic trim, such as knobs, handles

or film wrapping. Storage uses shall include, but not be limited to, storage of

the following:

Aircraft hangar

Asbestos

Beverages up to and including 12-percent alcohol in metal, glass or ceramic containers

Cement in bags

Chalk and crayons

Dairy products in nonwaxed coated paper containers

Dry cell batteries

Electrical coils

Electrical motors

Empty cans

Food products

Foods in noncombustible containers

Fresh fruits and vegetables in nonplastic trays or containers

Frozen foods

Glass

Glass bottles, empty or filled with noncombustible liquids

Gypsum board

Inert pigments

Ivory

Meats

Metal cabinets

Metal desks with plastic tops and trim

Metal parts

Metals

Mirrors

Oil-filled and other types of distribution transformers

Parking garages, open or enclosed

Porcelain and pottery

Stoves

Talc and soapstones

Washers and dryers"

What information are you basing your "S-1" designation on?

* * * *

 

[sdr]

Thanks for the welcome. I am basing the designation of S-1 on the storage of wires with insulation,

circuilt breakers, smurf tubing, combustible light fixtures, plastic outlet covers, plastic switch covers, ceiling fans with wood or plastic paddles, etc.

 

[High Desert]

I would call it an S-1.

 

[north star]

* * * *

sdr,



Would it be possible / feasible to have a partially sprinkled building where

the storage of wires with insulation, circuilt breakers, smurf tubing,

combustible light fixtures, plastic outlet covers, plastic switch covers,

ceiling fans with wood or plastic paddles, etc. would be segrated from the

other non-combustible electrical components / materials? Just asking...

If however, the entire storage areas will be storing ONLY the components

that you listed, then I too would classify it as an S-1.

* * * *

 

[sdr]

I do not see a partially sprinkled building as an option. The code requires that the automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout the building. I do think they could install a 3 hour fire barrier to reduce the fire areas to less than 12,000 square feet to eliminate the requirement for a sprinkler system though.

 

[north star]

* * * *

Have you presented that option to the architect?

* * * *

 

[sdr]

Not yet. He is still sontending it is an S-2 occupancy.

 

[Coug Dad]

sounds like an S-1 to me.

 

[FM William Burns]

I'm with the S-1 crowd, based on the appreaciable amounts of combustible materials and oh yea the (batteries) not on the product inventory list submitted for review.

 

[cda]

OK I will ask

how high are they going to stack this stuff????????

 

[sdr]

11 feet 10 inches.

 

[FredK]

S-1 to me.

 

[cda]

Sounds like close to high piled stock and may need sprinklers because oh that

11'10"?????

 

[High Desert]

High-piled storage is 12 feet.

 

[cda]

Yea but is that 11'10". To the bottom of the top shelve or to the top of actual storage???

 

[Mule]

Funny how that number came out just below the 12 feet limit.

 

[Architect1281]

If it comes in cardboard it is not Low Hazard

 

[cda]

Either get a full inventory and decide if the stuff will burn or require a technical report from a FPE and evaluate the report

If you look at s-2 items it maybe the packaging is the only thing that might burn

 

[sdr]

11' 10" is to the top of the storage. I used the 11' 10" mark so the aspect of high piled storage did not enter into the equation.