Fire Suppression Requires in Fire Command Center

[sl3656]

Refer below extract from IBC that describes the requirements for a Fire Command Center. I am trying to find out whether this particular room needs to be sprinkled or protected by some other form of fire suppression system. However, nowhere in IBC does it stipulate the requirement for any fire suppression in a fire command center (note below that it even goes as far as requiring a 'worktable' in the room).

Thoughts / views on this are much appreciated!

Section 911 Fire Command Center
911.1 Features
Where required by other sections of this code, a fire command center for fire department operations shall be provided. The location and accessibility of the fire command center shall be approved by the fire department. The fire command center shall be separated from the remainder of the building by not less than a 1-hour fire barrier constructed in accordance with Section 706 or horizontal assembly constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both. The room shall be a minimum of 96 square feet (9 m2) with a minimum dimension of 8 feet (2438 mm). A layout of the fire command center and all features required by the section to be contained therein shall be submitted for approval prior to installation. The fire command center shall comply with NFPA 72 and shall contain the following features:

1. The emergency voice/alarm communication system unit.
2. The fire department communications unit.
3. Fire detection and alarm system annunciator unit.
4. Annunciator unit visually indicating the location of the elevators and whether they are operational.
5. Status indicators and controls for air-handling systems.
6. The fire-fighter’s control panel required by Section 909.16 for smoke control systems installed in the building.
7. Controls for unlocking stairway doors simultaneously.
8. Sprinkler valve and water-flow detector display panels.
9. Emergency and standby power status indicators.
10. A telephone for fire department use with controlled access to the public telephone system.
11. Fire pump status indicators.
12. Schematic building plans indicating the typical floor plan and detailing the building core, means of egress, fire protection systems, fire-fighting equipment and fire department access.
13. Worktable.
14. Generator supervision devices, manual start and transfer features.
15. Public address system, where specifically required by other sections of this code.

 

[cdafd]

My non engineer take

Look at item 8, which eludes the place is in a sprinkled building so, the command room would have to be sprinkled to meet NFPA 13

The other take with out looing at IBC is which buildings require a command room,
You will probably find those are required to be sprinkled, which takes you back to NFPA 13 requirement.

 

[stookeyfpe]

A fire command center is only required by the IBC in a high-rise building. 2015 IBC Section 403.3 states that an automatic sprinkler system is required throughout a high-rise building and when required, a secondary water supply. Therefore, sprinkler protection is required for a fire command center in a high rise building.

 

[MatthewJWillis]

AS has been stated, the room will be sprinklered.

However, just for conversation, what other Fire Suppression were you thinking?

 

[sl3656]

Thanks for the replies guys. Based on the responses, I am now led to believe that our Architect may be leading us down the wrong path... we are not designing a high-rise building for starters, which begs the question why we even need one in the first place.

@MatthewJWillis - I was also considering FM-200 based on the nature of the room (workstations, electrical equipment etc.).

 

[cdafd]

Might be a company policy,

Insurance thing

Nature of the business, etc

Some businesses just want them.

 

[b1ueshift]

Fire command center could be another name for security office. If you're going to have a security office, it makes sense to put the fire alarm and other safety related panels in there also, even if regulations don't specifically require a fire command center.

And to reinforce what other's have said, if the building requires a sprinkler system in accordance with NFPA 13, literally the first rule of NFPA 13 (after the preamble and definitions) is that all area of a building shall be protected by sprinklers unless they are specifically exempted. As there is no specific exemption for fire command centers, they should be sprinklers in a fire command center to comply with NFPA 13.


It's reasonable to ask the authorities for an exception to NFPA 13 if you're afraid of leaks damaging your life safety equipment, but sprinkler leaks are very rare.