Sprinklers? Industrialized Building (Modular) with New Metal Building Enclosure

[NOLAscience]

My client purchased several industrialized building modules that were built in 2015 but were never used for their intended purpose of offshore living quarters due to the downturn in the industry in the Gulf of Mexico. This client, an agricultural company, would like to use the "pods" to house temporary workers for several months. The company is required to add some common living areas to the pods and has already selected a metal building to enclose three of the pods around a covered courtyard with a bath, laundry, and eating area (refrigerators and maybe a microwave -- no cooking equipment of any kind). All walls are metal purlins/girts. The building best fits the "R-3" classification as a "Boarding house". There will be about 40 occupants, total.

(1) The builder of the modules is not on this state's list of qualified industrialized building manufacturers, and probably wasn't in 2014. The pods were built for offshore use, outside of the authority of the state fire marshal. What are the chances that these buildings will be approved by the state fire marshal?

(2) I can schedule an inspection of the walls and remove some of the interior panels to check for combustible materials. Let's say we find no wood or other combustible materials. Is a sprinkler system absolutely required? Is there an exception to the need of sprinklers when a buildings' only flammable components are 10 or 12 mattresses?

(3) Engineer "F" designed the foundation and metal building structure and provided stamped drawings. I am not sure if he maintains the PDH hours in Life Safety Code to stamp drawings that are part of the set submitted to the state fire marshal for approval. I am designing the floor plan, exterior elevations, plumbing (very simple, if no sprinklers), and electrical & lighting plan (with an electrical engineer). Can I include the foundation plan and building structural design of "F" in the package and only stamp the floor plan, etc., myself?

I have not asked the client if I can contact "F".

Thank you for any insight you can provide.

 

[DBronson]

NOLAscience:

These situations are really tricky. We've found that the best way forward is to get the AHJ and the local Fire Marshal out to visit the pods and review your proposed scheme. They will usually be able to list all the items you'll need to submit in order to secure permits and get a certificate of occupancy. You would be well advised to get someone familiar with the local fire protection rules to help. Under the IBC all R2 and R3 occupancies require sprinklers - regardless of construction materials. In addition, fire separation may be required between the sleeping rooms in the pods. Also, if I understand your description, the enclosing building may need to be sprinklered as well. Interconnected smoke detection and a fire alarm system will probably come into play too.

Regards,
DB

NB: Don't overlook ADA - a portion of the sleeping units and toilet/shower rooms will need to be accessible.

 

[Warhamer]

NOLA on your item #1

On the modular buildings, definitely need to get the SFM and AHJ involved. Gulf Coast and off shore use narrows down the potential State Modular Programs. In the past some State Modular Programs have told an owner with unapproved modular buildings to reach out to an approved Third Party Inspection Agency (disclaimer I work for a TPIA) and begin the process of approving the buildings for the codes at time of construction. This process can take time, so engaging the AHJ and finding out if they need to have the buildings approved through the State's program should be done early. I have ran across projects of this nature several times in the past.

EIT, Modular Building Industry

 

[NOLAscience]

Thank you both for your advice. I didn't want to alarm the client with the expanded scope of work if there were an easier solution available.

Third Party Inspection Agency (disclaimer I work for a TPIA)

Is there a website for third party inspection agencies? How do I recommend the right inspector?

Don't overlook ADA

The Bath area has a shower and one toilet that are ADA compliant. It would be difficult to put a ramp and have enough room for an ADA sleeping area. This client has other facilities that are more accessible that could be used for an injured worker (move an injured person to different quarters, as needed). I expect we will write a letter asking for an ADA Exemption due to the fact that workers here must be able-bodied enough to climb a few stairs.

 

[Warhamer]

Is there a website for third party inspection agencies? How do I recommend the right inspector?

My first suggestion is get with the AHJ/SFM see what they want. Gulf Coast, narrows down the States involved, and some of them do not play well with unregistered buildings. Each State will have a list of approved TPIA's. They also have different rules when dealing with unregistered buildings. If you don't mind providing the State here on the forum, I will follow up late today or tomorrow (I check about once a day) with that State's program website. The only one without a commercial State program is MS.

What I can tell you is try to make sure you have all of the documentation you can find on the modular units if you are required to go through a State program. Original Construction Drawings, structural calculations, and in-plant inspection reports if any were generated by the original manufacturer tend to be helpful. Usually the inspection reports will have been generated by the manufacturers TPIA if they put any kind of inspection label on the units. As it was for off-shore as you mentioned there may not have been any inspection labels applied. Most manufacturers will create and apply a data plate regardless of what they are doing pictures of the Data Plate(s) can help as well. The data plate has useful information, such as design loads, and design occupancy along with manufacturers information.

EIT, Modular Building Industry

 

[Warhamer]

NOLAscience,

the State Fire Marshal office will be your best place to go, I do not have information on how they are treating shipping containers yet in LA.

SFM Rules regulations:

http://sfm.dps.louisiana.gov/ib_info.htm

LA State Uniform Construction Code Council:

http://lsuccc.dps.louisiana.gov/index.html

- able to search those with licenses

hyperlinks generated by the forum, I copied them in as plain text.

EIT, Modular Building Industry