Stupid story question

[cda]

I normally do not have to worry about this,,

Basement with three floors on top of it,

Three story building
Or
Four story building

Let us say basement is completely buried.

 

[RLGA]

In terms of building height, three stories. In terms of number of stories within the building, four stories.

 

[cda]

Thank you

The question would a R-2 require a fire alarm if the building was more than three story.

In this example answer appears yes

 

[steveray]

As Ron said, it really depends on the particular code section you are looking at. For a stair shaft, it would likely be 4 stories. For Ch. 5 3 story

What code edition? 2012 says 3 or more....

 

[CityKin]

In the 2009 IBC 907.2.9.1: Manual fire alarm required if any dwelling unit is located 3 or more stories above the lowest level of exit discharge.

When evaluating the height and area in chapter 5, it is "stories above grade plane".

It is a 3 story building with a basement.

 

[cda]

In the 2009 IBC 907.2.9.1: Manual fire alarm required if any dwelling unit is located 3 or more stories above the lowest level of exit discharge.

When evaluating the height and area in chapter 5, it is "stories above grade plane".

It is a 3 story building with a basement.

Now I am totally mondayed,

So city would you say a fire alarm is required because of stories, with this scenario basement with three stories on top ????

 

[Francis Vineyard]

Manual fire alarm required if any dwelling unit is located 3 or more stories above the lowest level of exit discharge.

If the level of exit discharge is the first story above grade then this section requires it at 4 or more stories above grade.

EXIT DISCHARGE, LEVEL OF. The story at the point at which an exit terminates and an exit discharge begins.

 

[RLGA]

I agree with Francis. The requirement is based on stories above the level of exit discharge. So, if the level of exit discharge is the first story above grade plane as defined in Chapter 2, then the building would have to be 4 stories in building height (i.e., above the grade plane) to be required to have the alarm system.

 

[cda]

I agree with Francis. The requirement is based on stories above the level of exit discharge. So, if the level of exit discharge is the first story above grade plane as defined in Chapter 2, then the building would have to be 4 stories in building height (i.e., above the grade plane) to be required to have the alarm system.

I am totally mondayed,

So city would you say a fire alarm is required because of stories, with this scenario basement with three stories on top ????

 

[SCBO1]

cda, I agree with Francis too.

See definition of a story in the IBC.
I believe your describing a basement below grade plane. (all sides)

See definition of basement. A story that is not a story above grade plane.

So if the city claims it's a story, and the definition in the IBC states it's a story then alarm system wound be in order. (4 stories)

 

[RLGA]

cda: Does this help?

 

[cda]

As Ron said, it really depends on the particular code section you are looking at. For a stair shaft, it would likely be 4 stories. For Ch. 5 3 story

What code edition? 2012 says 3 or more....

Sorry this is getting more detailed than I thought

This is for an existing R-2 so I think chapter 11 IFC is being applied

Which says more than three stories in height

 

[cda]

cda: Does this help?
View attachment 2468

Yes I was trying to help someone else
And got stuck in the wording.
The question applies to chapter 11 2012 IFC

 

[RLGA]

The 2012 IFC Section 1103.7.6 says the same thing, but in a different way. The building is not more than three stories in height (which is the key here), so the requirement would not apply in your case.

 

[steveray]

Glad we got that cleared up!....As long as the basement doesn't have discharge, you are all set..

 

[cda]

Thanks

All

Have to read every word in the section,

I keep telling people that

 

[ADAguy]

And they said passing English 1 wasn't important (smiling).
How many of you had to "diagram" sentences in high school?

 

[RLGA]

Don't need to, there's an app for that...

 

[ADAguy]

Thanks RA, now I really feel old, a diagram AP!