Means Egress Question for Existing S-1

[Sdpaddler50]

To the MOE experts out there; I am working on a project where a large warehouse is going to have the existing sprinklers removed, and ESFR and a pump will be added to accomodate a new tenant. There is an existing, rated exit tunnel that runs from the center of the warehouse, to an exit door on the exterior. I believe it was originally installed to meet the max 250 ft travel distanace per the original code the building was constructed to, because without this tunnel, some interior portions of the warehouse have a 275 ft travel distance to an exterior exit.

The new tenant would like to remove this tunnel, because it will interfere with their operations. If I apply the 2010 CBC and CFC, I am coming up with a 400 ft max travel distance allowed. This is based mainly on the criteria of 1016.3 of the Cal Bldg Code being met, which is below.

1016.3 Group F-1 and S-1 increase. The maximum exit access travel distance shall be 400 feet (122 m) in Group F-1 or S-1 occupancies where all of the following met:
1. The portion of the building classified as Group F-1 or S-1 is limited to one story in height,
2. The minimum height from the finished floor to the bottom of the ceiling or roof slab or deck is 24 feet (7315 mm), and
3. The building is equipped throughout with an automatic fire sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.

So my question, is there any reason we would be prohibited from doing this?

IE, if the bldg is being renovated, and the MOE will satisfy the fire and bldg code criteria of the currently adopted standards by the AHJ, I belive this it is allowable to propose to the AHJ that the exit tunnel be removed.

 

[cdafd]

Should be allowed

But does the state fire marshal require smoke vents when esfr heads are used and 400 ft travel???

 

[cdafd]

Thought I had cfc bookmarked

Check around 910.2

 

[cdafd]

SECTION 910 SMOKE AND HEAT VENTS

910.1 General. Where required by this code or otherwise installed, smoke and heat vents or mechanical smoke exhaust systems and draft curtains shall conform to the requirements of this section.

Exceptions:

1. Frozen food warehouses used solely for storage of Class I and II commodities where protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system.
2. Automatic smoke and heat vents or mechanical smoke exhaust systems are not required within areas of buildings equipped with early suppression fast-response (ESFR) sprinklers unless any of the following conditions exist:
2.1. The building is a state institution,
2.2. The building is a state-owned or state-occupied building,
2.3. The building is any of the applications listed in Section 1.11 regulated by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, or
2.4. The area of a Group F-1 or S-1 occupancy protected with the early suppression fast- response (ESFR) sprinklers has an exit access travel distance of more than 250 feet (76 200 mm).

 

[Sdpaddler50]

Yes, this particular AHJ does require smoke vents with ESFR (fire testing has proven this not to be the case, but that is another post for another day). Smoke venting is to be provided for this project, 2 ratings higher than the link temp of the sprinklers, per this AHJ. This is another reason why I believe the 400 ft travel distance can be applied. It seems fairly clear to me, but removing an exit tunnel is a big deal. I want to be sure I am not missing anything, hence my post.

 

[cdafd]

Does not sound like it

Can you set down with the ahj and show them a proposal to see if it flys?

 

[stookeyfpe]

This is obviously a CA amendment because this provision was removed from the model 2009 IBC. Based on the conditions described, I would permit the demolition of the exit tunnel.

 

[Sdpaddler50]

Stookeyfpe, thanks for the clarification. I was looking through the 09 IBC, and was wondering about that.