Patio cover/canopy - not sprinkled - but what about a fire barrier?

[KHL]

I have an I-1 assisted living, VA const type, fully sprinkled, where we are wanting to build a roof over an existing concrete patio (a patio they use for enjoying time outside, not for "storage"). There is an exit door from the building that exits under the canopy. The canopy extends out about 15' from the exterior wall of the existing building.

Canopy will be constructed to meet the requirements of NFPA 13 Standard for the installation of Sprinkler Systems: 8.15.7.2: Sprinklers shall be permitted to be omitted where the canopies, roofs, port-cocheres, balconies, decks or similar projections are constructed with materials that are non-combustible, limited-combustible or fire-retardant treated wood.
So NO SPRINKLERS.

Question is: does IBC (2015) require a fire barrier separation between the non-combustible canopy and the existing exterior wall?

 

[steveray]

No....

 

[KHL]

The AHJ emailed some questions with one question being that he is "assuming a fire barrier will be provided" separating the new canopy/patio roof from the existing exterior wall. I'm trying to find in IBC (2015) where it either indicates in what situation a fire barrier would, or would not, be required?
An exterior wall would only need to be designed as a fire barrier if it was associated with a shaft or exit stairway enclosure, etc.
Was there a past code that required canopies to be separated from the building?

 

[classicT]

Not exactly sure where you code official is coming from... I think you need to ask for some more details.

They may be thinking about the exit discharge being at risk due to the accumulation of smoke under the canopy roof. Or perhaps, is the patio area part of an egress court?

2021 IBC 1028.4 Exit Discharge Components​

Exit discharge components shall be sufficiently open to the exterior so as to minimize the accumulation of smoke and toxic gases.

1029.3 Construction and Openings​

Where an egress court serving a building or portion thereof is less than 10 feet (3048 mm) in width, the egress court walls shall have not less than 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction for a distance of 10 feet (3048 mm) above the floor of the egress court. Openings within such walls shall be protected by opening protectives having a fire protection rating of not less than 3/4 hour.
Exceptions:

1. Egress courts serving an occupant load of less than 10.
2. Egress courts serving Group R-3.

 

[classicT]

Are there dwelling units on the interior side of the wall?

Another thought here... If the exterior wall described separates the patio space from a dwelling/sleeping unit, then the exterior wall would have to be constructed as a fire partition at minimum per 420.2.

2021 IBC 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 708.

 

[TheCommish]

Is there be a chance that combustible furnishing or decorations or combustible stuff stored under the overhang then sprinkler is required. ten the next step is the client wanting to put curtains around it to block the wind with some heating appliances, sprinkler again.

 

[steveray]

To play off of what CT and Commish said....if it is "sheltering a use" it is a fire area and part of a building and needs to be treated as such....Possibly sprinklers and separations. If it is just weather protection for egress or pickup and drop-off, maybe not so much....

 

[KHL]

Not exactly sure where you code official is coming from... I think you need to ask for some more details.

They may be thinking about the exit discharge being at risk due to the accumulation of smoke under the canopy roof. Or perhaps, is the patio area part of an egress court?

2021 IBC 1028.4 Exit Discharge Components​

Exit discharge components shall be sufficiently open to the exterior so as to minimize the accumulation of smoke and toxic gases.

1029.3 Construction and Openings​

Where an egress court serving a building or portion thereof is less than 10 feet (3048 mm) in width, the egress court walls shall have not less than 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction for a distance of 10 feet (3048 mm) above the floor of the egress court. Openings within such walls shall be protected by opening protectives having a fire protection rating of not less than 3/4 hour.
Exceptions:

1. Egress courts serving an occupant load of less than 10.
2. Egress courts serving Group R-3.

I totally need to ask more questions. lol.
Nothing about the accumulation of smoke/gases has come up yet. And it is not an egress court.

 

[KHL]

Are there dwelling units on the interior side of the wall?

Another thought here... If the exterior wall described separates the patio space from a dwelling/sleeping unit, then the exterior wall would have to be constructed as a fire partition at minimum per 420.2.

2021 IBC 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 708.

No dwelling units are near this patio cover. There is a dining room with an exit door to an outside patio that the occupants use for outdoor patio type activities (tables/chairs/rocking chairs)

 

[KHL]

Is there be a chance that combustible furnishing or decorations or combustible stuff stored under the overhang then sprinkler is required. ten the next step is the client wanting to put curtains around it to block the wind with some heating appliances, sprinkler again.

There will be patio furniture under the canopy for sure. It is very much like putting a roof over a concrete patio on the back of someone's house. You access the patio from the dining room. The patio will have patio furniture.

 

[steveray]

So it might be an extension of the assembly fire area...But you wouldn't likely need to separate assembly from assembly...

 

[MADrkTEK]

I am thinking the AHJ is looking at 1102.3 of the IEBC (Additions), which indicates that exiting fire areas being increased must comply with IBC chapter 9:

When the roof is added over the patio, you are creating additional building area that would normally need to have sprinklers if the entire building is required to have sprinklers. IEBC 1102.3 requires compliance with IBC Chapter 9 if any existing fire areas are being increased. The only way to avoid increasing the existing fire area of the building (that currently is bounded by the exterior wall), is to have that exterior wall become a fire barrier (2 hour rated). Then you avoid being required to comply with IBC Chapter 9.

If you do not establish the exterior wall as a 2 hour fire barrier and the existing fire area expands to include the additional covered patio area, then sprinklers are necessary as there is no exception for having sprinklers in that area under chapter 9 of the IBC for an "I" use.