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Truck Repair Building

Mr. Inspector

SAWHORSE
Joined
Nov 28, 2009
Messages
4,668
Location
Poconos/eastern PA
Doing a plan review for a 8,320 sq ft steel building that the use is truck repairs. They are calling it F2. But I think it should be S2. If S2 it will need fire sprinklers but not if is F2. They did not say if there were any hazardous materials. What do you think?

2018 IBC
306.1 Factory Industrial Group F. Factory Industrial Group
F occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or
structure, or a portion thereof, for assembling, disassembling,
fabricating, finishing, manufacturing, packaging, repair or
processing operations that are not classified as a Group H
hazardous or Group S storage occupancy.
306.2 Moderate-hazard factory industrial, Group F-1.
Factory industrial uses that are not classified as Factory
Industrial F-2 Low Hazard shall be classified as F-1 Moderate
Hazard and shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Automobiles and other motor vehicles

311.1 Storage Group S. Storage Group S occupancy
includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a
portion thereof, for storage that is not classified as a hazardous
occupancy.
311.2 Moderate-hazard storage, Group S-1. Storage Group
S-1 occupancies are buildings occupied for storage uses that
are not classified as Group S-2, including, but not limited to,
storage of the following:

Motor vehicle repair garages complying with the
maximum allowable quantities of hazardous materials
listed in Table 307.1(1) (see Section 406.8)

If it did have the maximum allowable quantities of hazardous materials listed in Table 307.1(1) would it be a H?
 
We recently permitted a heavy truck repair garage. 17,731 square feet. Type II-B construction, S-1. Sprinklered.

If it did have the maximum allowable quantities of hazardous materials listed in Table 307.1(1) would it be a H?

IBC:

307.1 High-hazard Group H. High-hazard Group H
occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or
structure, or a portion thereof, that involves the manufacturing,
processing, generation or storage of materials that
constitute a physical or health hazard in quantities in excess
of those allowed in control areas complying with Section
414, based on the maximum allowable quantity limits for

control areas set forth in Tables 307.1(1) and 307.1(2).
Hazardous occupancies are classified in Groups H-1, H-2,
H-3, H-4 and H-5 and shall be in accordance with this
section, the requirements of Section 415 and the International
Fire Code. Hazardous materials stored, or used on top
of roofs or canopies, shall be classified as outdoor storage or
use and shall comply with the International Fire Code.

So, yes -- if the quantities exceed the limits for the specific hazardous material(s), then they are Group H.
 
Repair garages are not an "F" occupancy they are an "S" occupancy
Start in IBC 406 and follow the code path. Sprinklers are required regardless the occupancy classification. You use the Fire Code Chapters 23 and 57 with regards to the type of fuel the vehicles use

2018 IBC

406.1 General.
All motor-vehicle-related occupancies shall comply with Section 406.2. Private garages and carports shall also comply with Section 406.3. Open public parking garages shall also comply with Sections 406.4 and 406.5. Enclosed public parking garages shall also comply with Sections 406.4 and 406.6. Motor fuel-dispensing facilities shall also comply with Section 406.7. Repair garages shall also comply with Section 406.8.

406.8 Repair garages.
Repair garages shall be constructed in accordance with the International Fire Code and Sections 406.2 and 406.8. This occupancy shall not include motor fuel-dispensing facilities, as regulated in Section 406.7.

[F] 406.8.3 Automatic sprinkler system.
A repair garage shall be equipped with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.2.9.1.

2018 IFC
2311.1 General.
Repair garages shall comply with this section and the International Building Code. Repair garages for vehicles that use more than one type of fuel shall comply with the applicable provisions of this section for each type of fuel used.

Where a repair garage includes a motor fuel-dispensing facility, the fuel-dispensing operation shall comply with the requirements of this chapter for motor fuel-dispensing facilities.

2311.2 Storage and use of flammable and combustible liquids.
The storage and use of flammable and combustible liquids in repair garages shall comply with Chapter 57 and Sections 2311.2.1 through 2311.2.4.
 
Repair garages are not an "F" occupancy they are an "S" occupancy
Start in IBC 406 and follow the code path. Sprinklers are required regardless the occupancy classification. You use the Fire Code Chapters 23 and 57 with regards to the type of fuel the vehicles use

For automobiles, repair shops do not require sprinklers if under 12,000 s.f in area. For commercial vehicles (as defined in the IBC -- over 10,000 pounds GVWR) sprinklers are required if over 5,000 s.f. IBC (2021) 903.2.9.1.

1722483146367.png
 
Yankee is correct I failed to follow the code path to Section 903.2.9.1.

[F] 406.8.3 Automatic sprinkler system.
A repair garage shall be equipped with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.2.9.1.
[F] 903.2.9.1 Repair garages.
An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings used as repair garages in accordance with Section 406, as shown:

1. Buildings having two or more stories above grade plane, including basements, with a fire area containing a repair garage exceeding 10,000 square feet (929 m2).

2. Buildings not more than one story above grade plane, with a fire area containing a repair garage exceeding 12,000 square feet (1115 m2).

3. Buildings with repair garages servicing vehicles parked in basements.

4. A Group S-1 fire area used for the repair of commercial motor vehicles where the fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet (464 m2

Just goes to show that after 30 years I can still make rookie mistakes.
 
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