Section 906.1 - International Building Code - 2012

[orator]

The question is related to section 906.1 of IBC. The section clearly defines 6 locations (under item 1 through 6, apart from table 906.1) where the fire extinguishers are required. The confusion is in exception of item 1 where it says "Exception: In Group R-2 occupancies, portable fire extinguishers shall be required only in locations specified in Items 2 through 6 where each dwelling unit is provided with a portable fire extinguisher having a minimum rating of 1-A:10-B:C.".
The question is How Group R-2 requirement is different than other occupancies when the exception is asking to follow locations mentioned in items 2 through 6 which is also applicable for other occupancies? Is the only difference for Group R-2 is related to rating of extinguisher or Is there something I am missing? Looking forward to understand from experts.

 

[stookeyfpe]

The IBC provision is not confusing. In the case of an R-2 apartment building, the code only requires a 1-A:10-B:C PFE (portable fire extinguisher) inside of each dwelling unit.

If one has a Group R-2 apartment building that is also in a mixed occupancy building such as the 1st floor is a restaurant and the apartment management office, then the provisions in Subsection 2 through 6 are applicable. In the case of a restaurant with a commercial kitchen exhaust hood that's removing smoke and grease laden vapors produced during food preparation, a listed Type K extinguisher would be required per 2012 IFC Section 906.4. If the apartment management office had a maintenance shop that was storing 20 gallons of solvents classified as flammable or combustible liquids, a correctly rated PFE complying with IFC Table 906.3.2 is required.

 

[orator]

Thanks Stookeyfpe. Your example of Group R-2 apartment building explains that well. But again, What if the building in your example is Group A or Group B as primary occupancy and have some restaurant or some chemical store as sub occupancy. Even in this case items 2 through 6 of IBC 906.1 are applicable.
I think there was no need to make that statement as "Exception" under 906.1. A simple statement saying "dwelling units shall be provided with 1A:10B:C extinguishers" would have been better as other items (from 2 to 6) are applicable for all occupancies including Group R2. Anyways, thanks for your good explanation.

 

[stookeyfpe]

The code is very clear. In the case of a mixed occupancy building with a Group A, B and M occupancy, the exception isn't relevant because you have no Group R-2 occupancy.