Spray Rooms

[Kao Chen]

2006 IEBC. The local tech school is doing a remodel of the facility including the collision technology shop containing a spray room for flammable finishes. The alteration is a definite Level 2. The work area for the complete project does not exceed 50% of the floor area and the complete building was broken up by fire areas of less than 20,000 sq. feet in the original design (pre 1990's?) so an NFPA 13 system is not required for the remodel. Section 704.2.4 does require "other" suppression systems per Table 903.2.13 of the '06 IBC. My interpretation is that the existing spray room must be fitted with a fire suppression system even though this is a remodel and no plans were made to "touch" the spray room. Insights and opinons please.

 

[Builder Bob]

Re: Spray Rooms

I don't think the IEBC is the proper code to be using for this application - The IBC and IEBC tend to view things from a building's standpoint ( with some requirements for some hazards) required to be built into the structure at time of construction. The International Fire Code tends to regulate the uses being performed inside a structure. If the spray operations were not there before (and legal - permits, operational and or construction), if they start a new operation, it must meet the requirements of the IFC.

 

[gvictor]

Re: Spray Rooms

IF the spray booth was installed in the 1990s most codes would have required it to be protected with an extinguishing system. There are several types that could work. If I am reading the OP right it should already be protected, and since it is not, It will have to be before it can be used as a spray booth. There may be other considerations. What codes are you under now and what was adopted in the 1990s?

In my jurisdiction, we would have had them either install a system, or remove the booth, regardless of the remodel.

Greg

 

[cda]

Re: Spray Rooms

should have been protected a long time ago

now you say spray room

is the entire room a spray room as you wheel the car in and start shooting

or is there a stand alone booth

or open face booth???

how much spraying is actualy done

 

[JBI]

Re: Spray Rooms

IF the spray booth was compliant when it was installed, and it is not within the work area, I'm not sure you can require it.

Is the work area less than 50% of the fire area in which it is located?

Or less than 50% of the total floor area for that level of the building?

Is the 'spray room' a partitioned off area within a < 20,000 sf fire area?

Or is it open to the rest of the space? If partitioned, are they rated?

cda asks some pertinent questions as well.

So many questions...

 

[Kao Chen]

Re: Spray Rooms

Since my initial post I've been able to pin down some better historical information. The existing tech school building was built in 1979 with an addition added about 1993. No national standard building codes were adopted until the 1990 BOCA was adopted in 1990. The only codes that existed in 1979 were some very vague city ordinances that look like they were drawn from NFPA. There was no full time inspector then and most inspections were done as drive-bys by a volunteer fire departement.

This is a small municipality were the school district has a larger population of students that the town has full time residents. School budget is about five times that of the municipality. It makes for some interesting politics.

I believe that the IEBC is the primary standard. From that point you will reference the IBC, IFC, etc as required.

This is a spray room with doors. The spray room is built of CMU with a concrete ceiling so it assumed that it is rated for a minimum of one hour. The area being remodeled is less than 50% of the total building area but is more than 50% of this particular fire area [the architect has confirmed that the existing building was divided up by fire walls (minimum of two hours) into areas of less than 20,000 sq. ft.]. This spray room is not commercial so it is probably not used on a daily basis.

I am keying off of Sec. 704.2.4 of the '06 IEBC which would require that this room be provide with a suppression system based on Table 903.2.13 of the '06 IBC.

 

[cda]

Re: Spray Rooms

sounds like they may need an entire redo.

Is the thing safe???

ventialtion

electrical

cleanable surfaces

lighting

and least no suppression

would hit with distinct hazard and tell them to meet present code

 

[Gene Boecker]

Re: Spray Rooms

Does the fire department have the IFC adopted?

If so then Chapter 15 addresses all this for new and existing facilities. Under 1504.4 (2006) fire extinguishing systems are required.

Contact the fire official and get him to walk the space with you.