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The building is a small 4 unit multi-family with a private 2 car garage (Type S-2). I'm not clear whether mechanical ventilation would apply here or not. It is not a public garage so I am leaning towards now but I'm not sure. Would appreciate your thoughts. Picture of the architectural plan...

Thanks for your feedback. Is it a specific code requirement though?

The contractor installed the sprinklers exposed pvc in the mechanical closets. Found out the builder didn't drywall the ceilings in these closets due to a lot of piping. My question is, are these closets required to have drywall ceiling per code? Pictures for reference...

So, to update... The architect has deemed this attic to be no storage. Therefore, not requiring sprinklers per NFPA 13R. However, architect has shown a pull-down hatch into the attic inside the 3'rd floor unit, which is on the highest habitable floor. My predicament here is that he's...

I believe, from everything I've read and researched so far, that if the tenant gains access to the attic then sprinklers would be required up there. Which leads me to a follow up- If procedeeng with adding sprinklers in the attic, can you simply install a wet pipe system up there if space...

"I believe also each tenant is required, by code, attic access, if there is an attic above their unit." Thank you but definitely cannot be the case. I live on top floor of multi family builing myself and have no attic acess. "What kind of access??? Scuttle hole Door?? Pull down stairs??" The...

Thanks for the warning, it is good to let the architect make the call on system type to be used. I agree. For my question... In a multi-family attic, that is accessable to one of the tenants, will the attic need to be sprinklered? Obviously the tenant will use it for storage. So as I said...

I'm working on a project that is 3 stories with attic, multifamily residential, type VA construction. We designed the system to NFPA 13R, with no sprinklers in the attic. Now the architect wants to add access to the attic for the 3'rd floor tenant. (note, there's only one tenant on the 3rd...

A multi-family fit up project will have existing to remain upper floor and new first floor apt. units. Currently the building is not sprinkled and will have a new sprinkler system. The contractor wants to run the new sprinkler pipe exposed using CPVC in the existing upper level units. NFPA 13R...

Working on 4 unit multi-family complex where the inspector has raised concerns about the exist. elec. service equipment. The meter centers and main disconnects are rusting to the point where he feels they might not properly function, perform their interrupt function etc. I'm unsure at what...

I'm working on a supermarket project that has a bunch of walk-in coolers/freezers for storage and clear glass displays. Do you normally apply 220.56 kitchen equipment demand to the above or just go conservative and use 100% demand? Thanks

I appreciate the excellent feedback! A couple things I took away... 1) Existing 120/240V Meter Center probably will not work correctly at 120/208V so a complete upgrade would be needed. 2) Existing 240V heating loads probably will not work as efficiently at 208V and will take longer to take...

Working on a mixed-use building (retail/residential) currently supplied by single phase service. The single phase needs to be upgraded to 3 phase to handle some larger loads going in one of the retail spaces. There's an existing 1 phase meter center. I'm unsure if there would be any problems...

The mechanical code Sec. 403.2.1 - Recirculation of Air says that "The outdoor air required by Section 403.3 (Group R-2, R-3 and R-4 occupancies three stories and less in height above grade) shall not be recirculated." Does that mean you can't duct the OSA into the return of the air handler?

A 5 unit multi-family project I am working on has an attic on top of the 5 apartment units. Are there any issues with putting the tenant air handlers & water heaters in the attic? Thanks

I am working on a project with an open parking garage. The ceiling of the open parking garage will be a drop ceiling. We are providing three 5kW elec. unit heaters above the drop ceiling to protect the water piping. Do you think this will be adequate to prevent pipes freezing in Boston area...

Project I'm working on has an open parking garage that will have a Drop Ceiling. Design requires some hot & cold water pipes routed above this drop ceiling. HVAC engineer provided unit heaters above in order to prevent the pipes freezing. My question is whether the unit heaters provided would...

Industrial warehouse building is adding a large cold kitchen to an area of the building. The cold kitchen will have drop ceiling, although I'm not entirely sure of the architectural details at this point. There's an existing electric unit heater above where the cold kitchen will go. Would it...

Bit of a strange situation where a building owner has a 3 phase electrical system (for educational/assembly building roughly 18,000 sq.ft). They installed a 3 phase motor (I assume it's actually a motor based on what owner said). No one actually knows why this "motor" was installed. They assume...

Have a project with a large worship room with 19 ft. drop ceilings My HVAC engineer says fan coil units don't provide enough power for this height. Would like to check if you agree with this? Thanks