SCBC/IBC Allowances on 150' perimeter hose stretch on fully sprinklered 4 story building

[DavenportBoston]

Has there been an interpretation regarding what distance is generally allowed by the AHJ to extend the 150' building perimeter fire hose stretch on a fully sprinklered 4 story building?

 

[RLGA]

It appears that South Carolina has not codified a specific extension; thus, you have to get the approval of the fire code official for any extension beyond 150 feet per the exception. You might want to call the local jurisdiction's fire plans examiner to find out what extension they may allow.

 

[DavenportBoston]

It appears that South Carolina has not codified a specific extension; thus, you have to get the approval of the fire code official for any extension beyond 150 feet per the exception. You might want to call the local jurisdiction's fire plans examiner to find out what extension they may allow.

Thank you.

 

[Yikes]

2021 South Carolina Fire Code - - see excerpt below.
Although the 150' limit is based in large part on how far a firefighter can manually drag a hose in order to fight a fire, the code expresses this limitation as a maximum distance from a fire road to the exterior walls of the building. (That's why it's hard to find if you are doing a word search on "hose".)
Note exception #1 and 2 below, both of which are subjective judgements on the part of the fire code official in terms of additional distance, determination of nonnegotiable access conditions, and approvable additional protection features (such as wet standpipes).

https://up.codes/viewer/south_carolina/ifc-2021/chapter/5/fire-service-features#503.1.1

503.1 Where Required​

Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided and maintained in accordance with Sections 503.1.1 through 503.1.3.

503.1.1 Buildings and Facilities​

Approved fire apparatus access roads shall be provided for every facility, building or portion of a building hereafter constructed or moved into or within the jurisdiction. The fire apparatus access road shall comply with the requirements of this section and shall extend to within 150 feet (45 720 mm) of all portions of the facility and all portions of the exterior walls of the first story of the building as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the building or facility.

Exceptions:

1. The fire code official is authorized to increase the dimension of 150 feet (45 720 mm) where any of the following conditions occur:
   1. The building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, 903.3.1.2 or 903.3.1.3.
   2. Fire apparatus access roads cannot be installed because of location on property, topography, waterways, nonnegotiable grades or other similar conditions, and an approved alternative means of fire protection is provided.
   3. There are not more than two Group R-3 or Group U occupancies.