annoyitated
SAWHORSE
We are currently renovating an Omnimax Theatre into a Large Screen Theatre and have a question concerning sprinkler protection.
The original theatre was required to meet 1990 BOCA which required all levels to be sprinklered in an A-1, with the exception of "auditorium areas". The existing Omnimax was not sprinklered.
We are now removing the perforated dome and putting in a flat perforated metal ceiling - matching the dome perforations to enable us to re-use much of the HVAC distribution system.
We are following 2009 IBC, Type IIA, A-3 Museum (building) and A-1 (theatre). The A-1 theatre does not exceed 300 occupants. It also does not appear to have a fire area greater than 12,000 feet although some of the fire barriers are existing walls and it has been difficult to determine if they would form the edge of the fire area. However, the fire area of the theatre could be considered to be located on a floor other than the level of exit discharge serving such occupancy since it has an exit level on the second floor and an entry level at the ground floor.
Our engineers are currently indicating upright sprinklers protecting the interstitial space above the perforated metal ceiling and concealed (drop down) heads in the perforated metal ceiling.
Do you feel you need both layers of protection would be required?
The original theatre was required to meet 1990 BOCA which required all levels to be sprinklered in an A-1, with the exception of "auditorium areas". The existing Omnimax was not sprinklered.
We are now removing the perforated dome and putting in a flat perforated metal ceiling - matching the dome perforations to enable us to re-use much of the HVAC distribution system.
We are following 2009 IBC, Type IIA, A-3 Museum (building) and A-1 (theatre). The A-1 theatre does not exceed 300 occupants. It also does not appear to have a fire area greater than 12,000 feet although some of the fire barriers are existing walls and it has been difficult to determine if they would form the edge of the fire area. However, the fire area of the theatre could be considered to be located on a floor other than the level of exit discharge serving such occupancy since it has an exit level on the second floor and an entry level at the ground floor.
Our engineers are currently indicating upright sprinklers protecting the interstitial space above the perforated metal ceiling and concealed (drop down) heads in the perforated metal ceiling.
Do you feel you need both layers of protection would be required?