Systems Control

[Pais]

Small Fire Hall 60' x 70' to be used for the storage of four fire trucks with four overhead doors. Can the mechanical ventilation system be operated by manual or automatic controls per secton 405 of the 2009 International Mechanical Code or would this be considered an enclosed parking garage per section 404 and the ventilation system would have to operate automatically upon detection of vehicle operation?

 

[globe trekker]

Pais,

To me, Section 404 seems to indicate the ventilation requirements would be for

when the occupants are in the bldg., ..."short term" ( i.e. - only driving

the vehicles in or out of the bldg. / space ), vs. Section 405 seems to be

indicating a "longer term" of actually staying in the bldg / space:

From Section 405, `09 IMC: "Air-conditioning systems that supply required

ventilation air shall be provided with controls designed to automatically

maintain the required outdoor air supply rate during occupancy."

Driving the vehicles in & out seems to indicate a shorter stay in the bldg.,

with no work / maintenance being performed on them. If a longer stay

by the occupants will be the norm, then I would apply Section 405.

.