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Travel Distance interpolation?

M

Marni

SAWHORSE
Joined
May 16, 2017
Messages
8
Location
North Carolina
I have a large warehouse that meets travel distance increase per 1017.2.2, however, at the exit doors, the ceiling drops to 20'. Do I take the most restrictive 250' allowed TD for the entire space, or could I interpolate, say 75% of the TD is in the area that allows 400' of TD and 25% is in the 250' of TD. My gut tells me most restrictive especially since the code does not have interpolation language, but curious as to others' thoughts. Thanks.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/400398223129339060/
 
Raise the roof to just those exits??

Move the exits a few feet.


Short exit passageway??

Sounds like will be up to ahj to decide.
My vote need the clearance
 
cda said:
Welcome !!!

How did you find us???
Click to expand...
Looking for code answers in internet searches, been heree for ages. I used to do commercial plan review in the jurisdiction I live in. I have shared the site with a lot of architects and code officials. Great forums and comments.
 
cda said:
Raise the roof to just those exits??

Move the exits a few feet.


Short exit passageway??

Sounds like will be up to ahj to decide.
My vote need the clearance
Click to expand...
Sure I could do all those things, maybe not raise the roof, just curious if anyone has insight into possible interpolation of TD here.
 
If this is a proposed building, what are the dimensions of the building??

Maybe not interpolation, in away, but with 34 foot ceiling in most of the area, some simple fire modeling could show the smoke would stay at a certain height for a specific time, till it reaches the 20 foot mark.

AHJ may like that fancy stuff and approve it, Or like I say set down with the ahj, and they may approve it as is.
 
That is a great first post! Welcome!...I would have to look a little deeper, but the gimmie comes from smoke banking (I believe), so it seems reasonable that there should be some flexibility...

Do you need to egress the "high ceiling people" through the low area? If not, then it is not in play me thinks....
 
cda said:
If this is a proposed building, what are the dimensions of the building??

Maybe not interpolation, in away, but with 34 foot ceiling in most of the area, some simple fire modeling could show the smoke would stay at a certain height for a specific time, till it reaches the 20 foot mark.

AHJ may like that fancy stuff and approve it, Or like I say set down with the ahj, and they may approve it as is.
Click to expand...
It is an existing metal building. it would probably be less expensive to add a door in the high ceiling area than fire modeling. I am meeting with them in a few days.
 
steveray said:
That is a great first post! Welcome!...I would have to look a little deeper, but the gimmie comes from smoke banking (I believe), so it seems reasonable that there should be some flexibility...

Do you need to egress the "high ceiling people" through the low area? If not, then it is not in play me thinks....
Click to expand...
Yes, that is the crux of the question. The exit doors are just inside the 20' ceiling area, so then does this mean the max TD is based on the 20' (250') not the increase of (400').
 
Marni said:
It is an existing metal building. it would probably be less expensive to add a door in the high ceiling area than fire modeling. I am meeting with them in a few days.
Click to expand...

I am thinking a good ahj will take it as a push

Especially existing building

What was the last use????

Now a question will they be doing storage over 15 feet???

Rack storage??
 
I find it hard to believe that you only have 2 exits in an 800' building unless this is just an exercise........ but I might logic that out with the first 150' of the 400' is at the tall height "bonus footage" (at least) and the last 250' comply without the height increase...
 
steveray said:
I find it hard to believe that you only have 2 exits in an 800' building unless this is just an exercise........ but I might logic that out with the first 150' of the 400' is at the tall height "bonus footage" (at least) and the last 250' comply without the height increase...
Click to expand...

Interesting

How does the smoke/ person know which portion of the

150' of the 400' is at the tall height "bonus footage" (at least) and the last 250'

They are in??
 
Smoke rises. It will make its way from the 20 ft. ceiling area into the 34 ft. ceiling area as long as there are no smoke curtains, large ducts, or similar obstructions. If there are obstructions, then short exit passageways would be a lot less expensive than raising parts of the roof another 14 ft.
 
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