I have an older warehouse being converted to an public assembly arena. Does anything need to be done with the sprinkler system?

So what will the building be used for ?

It's probably fine. The only way to really know is to survey and calc.

How big of an arena? Over 1,000 occupants?

The total building is 80,000 sq ft.

Maybe I am wrong but the way I read it is quick response sprinklers are only required if the design is for a light hazard occupancy which, at a density of .25/3,000+500 hose it is not.

As far as the occupant load I would leave that up to the architect of record. As a sprinkler designer that is not my call to make and even if I knew how to do it I wouldn't.

cdafd said:

So what will the building be used for ?

Click to expand...

I was told it would be used as boxing rink? Seems strange but I was asked if any work needed to be done.

I don't think so as far as the sprinkler system goes but I am pretty sure the fire alarm system will need some work but I know enough about fire alarms to be dangerous.

You could use the retroactivity clause of 1.4 to say it was approved as storage so a lighter hazard should be ok. I would have AHJ sign off on that and make them aware of the QR/SR question. 30.3.3 states existing systems with SR sprinklers can have sprinklers replaced with new SR sprinklers, you could argue that logic since the existing system did not use any remote area reductions or other benefits or QR sprinklers. I think i'd be OK with it, provided the existing sprinklers are not high temp in what is now a conditioned space (assuming the building will be air-conditioned and it wasn't before since it was storage and will now be assembly occupancy). I'd check 7.2.4 for max ceiling temperatures and compare to the installed sprinklers. Just my two cents. (all refs are to 2022 nfpa 13).

As for alarm, generally storage occupancies require little to no alarm depending on size. I'd give the GC or architect a heads up they should expect more alarm scope by changing occupancy from storage to assembly.