Standpipe system in B+G+2 Storey Educational building with 20,000 sq. meter area. 1

[orator]

An Educational facility (above 12th Grade) with an area of 20,000 sq.meters and B+G+2 floors. Each floor 4.3 meters in height. Fire protection for the building is designed considering following sections from IBC ( 2009 Edition) and NFPA 13 & 14 (2010 Editions).
Occupancy Classification : Mixed occupancy as the building has Auditoriums on each floor with occupant load more than 500 and Administration offices on each floor. Therefore it is classified as Group A3 & B.
Sprinkler requirement : Yes it is required as per IBC 903.2.1.3
Standpipe requirement : No, it is not required as the distance between floor level of top Storey (2nd floor) and lowest level of fire department access (ground floor) is only 8.6 meters which is less than 9.1 meters as required by IBC 905.3.1. Moreover the stages in auditoriums are much less than 1115 sq.ft in area.

My question is, In a building with such big area (20,000 sq.m), Standpipe system( fire hose cabinets and fire hose connections) are not required by IBC. Is it correct? Please help If I am wrong in above considerations.

 

[stookeyfpe]

No, standpipes are not required. Your school is being constructed as an Unlimited Area building under the 2009 IBC. Just because the building area is large doesn't dictate a standpipe system. By the requirements in the IBC for Group A & E occupancies the building will have several locations for fire department access and to provide the necessary exit width to ensure the safe discharge of all the occupants.