Ambulatory Surgical Center - NFPA - Glass Wall Entrance 1

[rdgraham]

All - Need some help on NFPA code related issues. We are finalizing a Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) and the separation wall between the other areas of the facility requires a 1 hour rating. We currently have a glass wall entrance into the ASC. A few questions:

1. In lieu of having the glass rated to 1 hour (expensive), can a water curtain system be installed to achieve the 1 hour rating required?
2. Does it need to be a water curtain system or a deluge system?
3. Can somebody point me to the correct code stating what can be installed for fire sprinkler protection in lieu of actually rating the glass at the ASC entrance?

Thanks.

 

[stookeyfpe]

Is this in the United States and if so, what building code is governing the design?

 

[rdgraham]

Yes, in the US. Ambulatory needs to follow NFPA 101, chapter 20, which isn't too clear on requirements. Building code is 2012 IBC

 

[stookeyfpe]

Under the 2012 IBC Section 703.4 automatic sprinklers can be used as an equivalent means of complying the IBC Chapter 7 requirements for fire-resistive rated construction. For sprinklers protecting glazing one code compliant design is presented in the International Code Council Evaluation Service Report 2397:

https://www.icc-es.org/wp-content/uploads/report-directory/ESR-2397.pdf

If your design follows this design as prescribed in the ESR, the design should be deemed compliant per IBC Section 703.4. You should confirm this with the Building Official.

Be forewarned that if the architect wants to use a glazing design that deviates from ESR-2397, seek professional engineering assistance. This is not as simple as trying to use the escalator opening sprinkler requirements and calling the design equivalent. If your client thinks deluge protection will work, it won't using conventional SSU, SSP or HSW sprinklers. Good luck.

 

[TravisMack]

I didn't read the report Stookey references, but you may want to look into the Tyco WS sprinkler. This was specifically created to give glass a 1 hour (maybe even 2 hour) rating. You need to check the data sheet. There are very specific requirements and installation guidelines.

Travis Mack, SET, CWBSP, RME-G, CFPS
MFP Design, LLC

http://www.mfpdesign.com

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[stookeyfpe]

Travis:

The ICC-ESR is based on the Tyco WS sprinkler. It's essentially the criteria for acceptance using the IBC because it's treated as the prescriptive design criteria to obtain a fire-resistance rating for glazing.