S.C. Mixed use occupancy classification and sprinkler requirements

[happyhomes]

New here and looking for some answers or where to find answers before going to the county! Spartanburg county , South Carolina. I have an existing shop of 1800s/ft metal construction (30x60x10ft roof 15ft) due to other limitations on the existing property it has become apparent that we encompass it within our new construction. So perpendicular to it almost bisecting the new building (hopefully 12000, but may limit to 75x140x 20 ft eave, 10500) I am trying to get the largest warehouse/storage area possible. It's for new appliances, toilets, tubs, etc. (seems to be S2 but not sure) This area is just for storage, the existing 1800 sq/ft will house the office, bathrooms, and small showroom with potentially a wall (possibly require a firewall) definitely a door or garage style door between the two structures.
My question(s) - Will I have to sprinkle the warehouse given that it's under 12000 and combined less that 24000 , and if not will I be required to put up a firewall between the old building and new to prevent having to install a sprinkler system. My goal is to avoid that requirement as this place is mainly for storage of inventory to be shipped and placed in other places for new construction or remodeling. I hope that's enough info.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

An S-1 occupancy requires sprinklers only if the S-1 fire area (not the building) exceeds 12,000 s.f. (Or 5,000 s.f. if motor vehicles are parked inside the space.) Chapter 9 of the IBC doesn't even list B occupancies in the list of occupancies requiring sprinklers, nor does it list S-2 other than parking garages. You don't need a fire wall to separate the B fire area from the S fire area, all you need is a fire barrier.

Keep in mind that under the IBC the building area is measured to the inside face of the exterior walls. A building that's 80' x 150' at the exterior dimensions is 12,000 s.f. for zoning purposes, but slightly less for building code purposes.

 

[happyhomes]

An S-1 occupancy requires sprinklers only if the S-1 fire area (not the building) exceeds 12,000 s.f. (Or 5,000 s.f. if motor vehicles are parked inside the space.) Chapter 9 of the IBC doesn't even list B occupancies in the list of occupancies requiring sprinklers, nor does it list S-2 other than parking garages. You don't need a fire wall to separate the B fire area from the S fire area, all you need is a fire barrier.

Keep in mind that under the IBC the building area is measured to the inside face of the exterior walls. A building that's 80' x 150' at the exterior dimensions is 12,000 s.f. for zoning purposes, but slightly less for building code purposes.

so if I am understanding properly, I can build a full 80x150 and add it to the existing structure without issues?

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

so if I am understanding properly, I can build a full 80x150 and add it to the existing structure without issues?

As long as you keep is to two separate fire areas.

IBC definition:

FIRE AREA. The aggregate floor area enclosed and
bounded by fire walls, fire barriers, exterior walls or horizontal
assemblies of a building. Areas of the building not provided
with surrounding walls shall be included in the fire area if such
areas are included within the horizontal projection of the roof
or floor next above.

Commentary:

**This term is used to describe a specific and controlled
area within a building that may consist of a portion of
the floor area within a single story, one entire story or
the combined floor area of several stories, depending
on how these areas are enclosed and separated from
other floor areas. Where a fire barrier with a fire-resis-
tance rating in accordance with Section 707.3.10
divides the floor area of a one-story building, the floor
area on each side of the wall would constitute a separate
fire area. Where a horizontal assembly separating
the two stories in a two-story building is fire-resistance
rated in accordance with Section 711.2.4, each story
would be a separate fire area. In cases where mezzanines
are present, the floor area of the mezzanine is
included in the fire area calculations, even though the
area of the mezzanine does not contribute to the building
area calculations. See the commentary to Sections
707.3.10 and 711.2.4 for further information.

Note that fire walls are one way of creating fire areas
but are typically used to create separate buildings.

 

[mtlogcabin]

It's for new appliances, toilets, tubs, etc.

Most tubs are made of some kind of combustible material such as plastic or fiberglass, they could put your use as an S-1. You would need to provide a commodities list of everything that will be in the new area for a correct determination between an S-1 or an S-2 occupancy classification.