Rated Coiling Door in an existing exterior wall

[SyrArch]

Hey there gurus - I have a condition in a project I am struggling with and was hoping someone here might be able to offer some guidance/ interpretation.

I’m working on a project involving an addition to an existing building. The new addition is classified as A-3, while the existing building contains a mix of A-3, B, and a small S-1 occupancy. The addition is connected to the existing structure via a corridor created by utilizing an existing exterior door. The existing building is fully sprinklered; however, the new addition is not sprinklered due to budget constraints.

To comply with the building and fire area requirements in the code, we’ve elected to use a fire-rated coiling door tied to the fire alarm system to provide the required separation. My question is: if I install a 2-hour rated overhead coiling door, am I also required to upgrade the existing wall it’s mounted to (formerly an exterior wall) to a 2-hour fire-resistance rating?

I hope that makes sense.

 

[steveray]

To not sprinkler the addition, it needs to be a separate building with a firewall and all of the details that go along with it.....

 

[TheCommish]

One again, inadequate budget being used and a reason to find an escape to code compliant sprinkler protection.

It maybe possible to build a code compliant firewall with the proper hourly rating of the wall and opening protctives, structuraly independent from each building, have the fire alarm detection and integration (providing the fire alarm panel can support integration) executed, and other associated cost of this method, good luck.

Spend the money on the sprinkler system, take advantage the design, construction methods and use flexibility offered immediately and in the future.

 

[steveray]

And I guess I spoke a little too quickly....How big is the building and how big is the addition and what are the occupant loads? (I assumed the building was already over a sprinkler threshold) It may be possible to call it 2 fire areas, and maybe a 2 or 3 hour wall to separate those fire areas....But yes, the wall and the door would need to be rated...

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

To not sprinkler the addition, it needs to be a separate building with a firewall and all of the details that go along with it.....

Or a separate building with its own exterior wall, and both buildings meeting requirements for a zero fire separation distance.

 

[steveray]

Or a separate building with its own exterior wall, and both buildings meeting requirements for a zero fire separation distance.

Yeah...I don't like to work that hard for free....