Wall classification between sprinklered and non-sprinklered

[Morphdesigns]

I have an existing VB, A-2 occupancy building that is sprinklered, and well under the allowable area requirements per IBC chapter 5.
Not that it matters, but this state follows IBC 2015

They want to put a kitchen addition to this facility. It is classified as VB and A-2 (accessory to the original builidng), but they do not want to sprinkler this addition because of cost and the limitation of the existing sprinkler system. They are under the requirements called out in 903.2.1.2, so per code, no need to be sprinklered.

So the main question is what type of fire resistive wall would this need to be to separate a sprinklered building and a non-sprinklered area. Would this be considered a fire barrier (IBC 707), as it is separating fire areas, or would it need to be a firewall (IBC 706) because you are separating buildings.

As most people in this forum know, a firewall needs to be designed so a building can fall down on either side, and not take this FW down. A FB wall does not have this requirement.
In either case, this fire resistive wall can be 2-hr rated.

 

[RLGA]

Would the building be within the allowable if it was not considered a sprinkler building? In other words, what is the building area before and after the addition?

 

[classicT]

First, I see where Ron is going, and we need the answer to his question.

But, beyond that, Ch. 9 requires sprinklers to be installed in buildings, not in occupancy group fire areas. Sprinkle the building, all of it. The only way out of that is to create a separate building, which a fire wall can do, but a fire barrier will not.

 

[Morphdesigns]

The existing is sprinklered because of the requirements of 903.2.1.2
The fire area is over 5000 sqft
The occupant load is over 100
The building is built into a hill, so 1 side is 2 story, and the other side is 1. So the fire area is on a different level of exit discharge.

 

[classicT]

IEBC Ch. 11 - Additions specifies the following FYI.

1102.3 Fire Protection Systems
Existing fire areas increased by the addition shall comply with Chapter 9 of the International Building Code.​

 

[Morphdesigns]

First, I see where Ron is going, and we need the answer to his question.

But, beyond that, Ch. 9 requires sprinklers to be installed in buildings, not in occupancy group fire areas. Sprinkle the building, all of it. The only way out of that is to create a separate building, which a fire wall can do, but a fire barrier will not.

That is what I had thought, because each is considered a different building. But another architect I work with has stated, no, you are separating fire areas. So a FB wall is what you need.

 

[classicT]

The existing is sprinklered because of the requirements of 903.2.1.2
The fire area is over 5000 sqft
The occupant load is over 100
The building is built into a hill, so 1 side is 2 story, and the other side is 1. So the fire area is on a different level of exit discharge.

We still need to know the building area both prior to and proposed. Must first meet the requirements of Ch. 5.

 

[classicT]

Well, you may be able to work with the language highlighted in red below.

[F] 903.2.1 Group A
An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings and portions thereof used as Group A occupancies as provided in this section. For Group A-1, A-2, A-3 and A-4 occupancies, the automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout the story where the fire area containing the Group A-1, A-2, A-3 or A-4 occupancy is located, and throughout all stories from the Group A occupancy to, and including, the levels of exit discharge serving the Group A occupancy. For Group A-5 occupancies, the automatic sprinkler system shall be provided in the spaces indicated in Section 903.2.1.5.

[F] 903.2.1.2 Group A-2
An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for fire areas containing Group A-2 occupancies and intervening floors of the building where one of the following conditions exists:

1. The fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet (464.5 m2).
2. The fire area has an occupant load of 100 or more.
3. The fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge serving such occupancies.

 

[Morphdesigns]

We still need to know the building area both prior to and proposed. Must first meet the requirements of Ch. 5.

The existing building is 2 floors, both are A-2 occupancy. Each floor is around 9000 sqft. Sprinklered, 2-story code (table 506.2) allows 18,000 sqft/floor
The new addition is 2600 sqft

 

[classicT]

A-2 (accessory to the original builidng)

The new addition is 2600 sqft

2 floors, both are A-2 occupancy. Each floor is around 9000 sqft.

FYI, cannot be accessory, as accessory uses are limited to 10%. 2600sf > 1800sf (10% of 18000sf)

508.2.3 Allowable Building Area
The allowable area of the building shall be based on the applicable provisions of Section 506 for the main occupancy of the building. Aggregate accessory occupancies shall not occupy more than 10 percent of the floor area of the story in which they are located and shall not exceed the tabular values for nonsprinklered buildings in Table 506.2 for each such accessory occupancy.​

Given that both stories include an A-2 use, 903.2.1 (posted above) indicates that "...the automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout the story where the fire area containing the Group A-1, A-2, A-3 or A-4 occupancy is located, and throughout all stories from the Group A occupancy to, and including, the levels of exit discharge serving the Group A occupancy."

And heads up too, "Food processing establishments and commercial kitchens not associated with restaurants, cafeterias and similar dining facilities more than 2,500 square feet (232m2) in area." are listed under Section 306.2 as an F-1 use.

 

[RLGA]

First, I see where Ron is going, and we need the answer to his question.

But, beyond that, Ch. 9 requires sprinklers to be installed in buildings, not in occupancy group fire areas. Sprinkle the building, all of it. The only way out of that is to create a separate building, which a fire wall can do, but a fire barrier will not.

Not entirely true. To use sprinklers for an area and height increase, the building must be sprinkled throughout. In Chapter 9, however, it depends on the language used.

For example, using the 2015 IBC since that is the OP's code, Section 903.2.8 for Group R states "An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3 shall be provided throughout all buildings with a Group R fire area."

However, for Group A-2, Section 903.2.1.2 states "An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for fire areas containing Group A-2 occupancies and intervening floors of the building where one of the following conditions exist." Notice that in this case only the fire area containing a Group A-2 is required to have the fire sprinkler system and not throughout the building.

 

[classicT]

Not entirely true. To use sprinklers for an area and height increase, the building must be sprinkled throughout. In Chapter 9, however, it depends on the language used.

For example, using the 2015 IBC since that is the OP's code, Section 903.2.8 for Group R states "An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3 shall be provided throughout all buildings with a Group R fire area."

However, for Group A-2, Section 903.2.1.2 states "An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for fire areas containing Group A-2 occupancies and intervening floors of the building where one of the following conditions exist." Notice that in this case only the fire area containing a Group A-2 is required to have the fire sprinkler system and not throughout the building.

I corrected myself in the subsequent posts. See above.

 

[RLGA]

The existing building is 2 floors, both are A-2 occupancy. Each floor is around 9000 sqft. Sprinklered, 2-story code (table 506.2) allows 18,000 sqft/floor
The new addition is 2600 sqft

Per Condition 3 of Section 903.2.1.2, the Group A-2 fire area must be sprinkled; however, the building exceeds the allowable area for a nonsprinklered building. This means the addition must be sprinkled or a fire wall is provided to separate the sprinklered "building" from the nonsprinklered "building."

 

[cda]

The existing building is 2 floors, both are A-2 occupancy. Each floor is around 9000 sqft. Sprinklered, 2-story code (table 506.2) allows 18,000 sqft/floor
The new addition is 2600 sqft

An already sprinkled building

Adding just 2600 sq ft

An the existing fire sprinkler system could not handle that???

Sounds like they have a bigger problem

 

[Morphdesigns]

An already sprinkled building

Adding just 2600 sq ft

An the existing fire sprinkler system could not handle that???

Sounds like they have a bigger problem

It is one of those barns turned into a wedding / large gathering venue. They guy spent big bucks to converting his barn, including AC, to do it right. Instead of those temporary facilities.

The issue with sprinklering this addition, which is the kitchen, is that the roof system will have an "attic" space, and since it is classified as a VB, he would need to sprinkler this "attic" space. So this requires him to have a dry sprinkler system to service the attic space. The "barn" has insulation panels on the walls and roof, so no "attic" space. And this place is out in the country, so he has an underground tank filled with water, with multiple wells to pull the required water pressure.

 

[tmurray]

Can he condition the attic to prevent freezing? how tall is the attic? Can he run dry heads off the wet pipe?

 

[cda]

It is one of those barns turned into a wedding / large gathering venue. They guy spent big bucks to converting his barn, including AC, to do it right. Instead of those temporary facilities.

The issue with sprinklering this addition, which is the kitchen, is that the roof system will have an "attic" space, and since it is classified as a VB, he would need to sprinkler this "attic" space. So this requires him to have a dry sprinkler system to service the attic space. The "barn" has insulation panels on the walls and roof, so no "attic" space. And this place is out in the country, so he has an underground tank filled with water, with multiple wells to pull the required water pressure.

Yep that is a bigger problem.

 

[cda]

It is one of those barns turned into a wedding / large gathering venue. They guy spent big bucks to converting his barn, including AC, to do it right. Instead of those temporary facilities.

The issue with sprinklering this addition, which is the kitchen, is that the roof system will have an "attic" space, and since it is classified as a VB, he would need to sprinkler this "attic" space. So this requires him to have a dry sprinkler system to service the attic space. The "barn" has insulation panels on the walls and roof, so no "attic" space. And this place is out in the country, so he has an underground tank filled with water, with multiple wells to pull the required water pressure.

Has a fire sprinkler company looked at the design

Adding 2600 attic

On its own dry system, seems like available water should support it