SprinklerDesigner2
Mechanical
- Nov 30, 2006
- 1,251
I have a 2 story apartment building that appears to have a problem but on the good side the problem is not mine.
Remember here my job is to lay out the fire sprinkler system in accordance what the architect or project professional engineer tells me to do. If a a professional engineer or architect signs and seals drawings that he gives out telling the design is per NFPA #13R that is exactly what I will do. For me to do otherwise is folly in my opinion.
On drawing A-1 "Gross project area" is 14,360 sq ft..
Applicable codes are 2012 NFPA 101 and 2012 IBC.
Occupancy Classification is R2
Type of Construction VB
Max. Allowable Area Per Floor 7,000 SF 7,180 SF/FLR (W/Area Increase)
As you know Table 503 appears to limit floor area to 7,000 SF but the building is 7,180 SF which tells me the architect used frontage or something other than sprinkler to allow a larger foot print. Whatever he did it's not my problem.
There is a sprinkler drawing sealed by a professional engineer that has:
2" riser makes it obvious, or should be anyway, that sprinklers in the attic were never intended. As well NFPA #13R is clearly called out.
Pretty simple, we bid the job, got it and just finished up the drawings today with hope of turning them in tomorrow. If I don't know the local plan examiner I usually try to make contact to ask if there is "anything special" he wants as a courtesy call.
#1 FDC out by curb. Ok, not a problem the engineer of record showed in on the drawings so it's a change order or someone else can install it.
#2 (This is a biggie) Fire sprinklers are required in the attic. Typical wood attic with 5 in 12 bitch the whole nine yards. Water supply was 59 static, 24 residual flowing 768 gpm. Bottom of the roof rafters is 18' above grade. Having to maintain a minimum 10 psi "safety factor" in accordance with Georgia fire marshal requirements there's a bit of a problem here.
I asked why sprinklers where required in the attic and was told the required fire separation between units was not adhered to. I didn't see any drywall partitions separating dwelling units in the attic (the building is already up) and on the first floor I didn't see what I would normally see as far as fire separation between dwelling units.
The only thing mentioned was the attic but I have a feeling there's a big problem with the interstitial space between floors. 2"x4" wood web joists 16" OC.
OK, I get it... definitely not my call (I wouldn't call this if you paid me) but my question is would sprinklers solve the problem of separation between dwelling units?
I am not going to use or share what I learn here outside the group... I guess I am more curious than anything.
Remember here my job is to lay out the fire sprinkler system in accordance what the architect or project professional engineer tells me to do. If a a professional engineer or architect signs and seals drawings that he gives out telling the design is per NFPA #13R that is exactly what I will do. For me to do otherwise is folly in my opinion.
On drawing A-1 "Gross project area" is 14,360 sq ft..
Applicable codes are 2012 NFPA 101 and 2012 IBC.
Occupancy Classification is R2
Type of Construction VB
Max. Allowable Area Per Floor 7,000 SF 7,180 SF/FLR (W/Area Increase)
As you know Table 503 appears to limit floor area to 7,000 SF but the building is 7,180 SF which tells me the architect used frontage or something other than sprinkler to allow a larger foot print. Whatever he did it's not my problem.
There is a sprinkler drawing sealed by a professional engineer that has:
2" riser makes it obvious, or should be anyway, that sprinklers in the attic were never intended. As well NFPA #13R is clearly called out.
Pretty simple, we bid the job, got it and just finished up the drawings today with hope of turning them in tomorrow. If I don't know the local plan examiner I usually try to make contact to ask if there is "anything special" he wants as a courtesy call.
#1 FDC out by curb. Ok, not a problem the engineer of record showed in on the drawings so it's a change order or someone else can install it.
#2 (This is a biggie) Fire sprinklers are required in the attic. Typical wood attic with 5 in 12 bitch the whole nine yards. Water supply was 59 static, 24 residual flowing 768 gpm. Bottom of the roof rafters is 18' above grade. Having to maintain a minimum 10 psi "safety factor" in accordance with Georgia fire marshal requirements there's a bit of a problem here.
I asked why sprinklers where required in the attic and was told the required fire separation between units was not adhered to. I didn't see any drywall partitions separating dwelling units in the attic (the building is already up) and on the first floor I didn't see what I would normally see as far as fire separation between dwelling units.
The only thing mentioned was the attic but I have a feeling there's a big problem with the interstitial space between floors. 2"x4" wood web joists 16" OC.
OK, I get it... definitely not my call (I wouldn't call this if you paid me) but my question is would sprinklers solve the problem of separation between dwelling units?
I am not going to use or share what I learn here outside the group... I guess I am more curious than anything.