section 307.2 protrusion limits ansi a117.1-2003

[syarn]

if u install surface mounted fire extinguishers in the common area hallway of an apartment building.

can the fire extinguisher protrude more than 4" off the wall into the hallway if the bottom of the extinguisher is less than 27" above the finished floor?

 

[High Desert]

Yes, I believe you can. You may also want to make sure it doesn't encroach into the required egress width.

 

[Examiner]

The 27" high rule is for cane detection. If the item is more than a 4" projection and occurs less than 27" above the floor then the cane will detect the item. As stated you may have an issue with egress width at that location.

 

[mark handler]

Can the fire extinguisher protrude more than 4" off the wall into the hallway if the bottom of the extinguisher is less than 27" above the finished floor?

If it is less than 27 inches, yes, but why would you mount a FE so low

 

[syarn]

mark

but if the bottom of the extinguisher and it's cabinet are lower than 27" AFF that falls outside of the protrusion limit of section 307.2 - right???

per examiner above the disable person with a cane would detect the protrusion....

307.2 Protrusion Limits. Objects with leading

edges more than 27 inches (685 mm) and not more

than 80 inches (2030 mm) above the floor shall protrude

4 inches (100 mm) maximum horizontally into

the circulation path.

 

[mark handler]

Ron Geren a contributor on the board wrote an article on Portable Fire Extinguishers

http://www.specsandcodes.com/Articles/The%20Code%20Corner%20No.%2031%20-%20Portable%20Fire%20Extinguishers.pdf

 

[mark handler]

but if the bottom of the extinguisher and it's cabinet are lower than 27" AFF that falls outside of the protrusion limit of section 307.2 - right???

per examiner above the disable person with a cane would detect the protrusion....

If the bottom of the cabinet is below 27" a cane user "should" be able to detect it

 

[syarn]

in order to install the required FEs in the hallway and comply with the protrusion rule....the long winded explanation has to do with GC not following the original drawings, owners not wanting to go back in for state plan reviews and local code officials not willing to exercise a judgment in lieu of the tedious state level review....IMO....

 

[SCBO1]

Mark, good article by Mr. Geren,

I agree with the examiner, 27" off the floor allows a blind person using his cane to locate the obstruction before running into it. The top of the fire extinguisher should also meet the maximum of 60" from FF.

Math: That gives you 33" for the extinguisher. And the FE should be out of the required egress path as mentioned.

 

[syarn]

mark yes thx u for the geren pdf....

the hallway is approx. 5'9" wide & calculated the min. egress width of 36" with less than 50 people....so should be good on the egress path...

yes pcinsp per nfpa 6.1.3.8.1 will note the top of the FEs can not be more than 60" aff. thx u as well.