Don’t Rain on My Parade: Alternatives to SprinklingDon’t Rain on My Parade: Alternatives to...

Don’t Rain on My Parade:Alternatives to SprinklingEvent 9

1.5 LUs HSW

Presenter: David Selinsky, AIA

Basics Remember to fill out your attendance form and turn it in to get your

continuing education credits

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Please silence your cell phone… it won’t both me by it will probably bother your neighbor

Few questions… How many here do work out side metro areas, rural America? How many do work outside of Minnesota? Any engineers in attendance?

Introduction

Sprinkling is becoming the standard for all buildings; however, codes do not take into account facility specific factors that make sprinkling impractical, even impossible.

How can a design meet the code when a building has no access to a viable water source?

What if the product stored in a building cannot get wet?

Or if sprinkling the building creates a larger hazard risk?

Balancing the building owner’s needs and code requirements in a design can come with complications.

The presentation will answer these questions and offer alternatives to sprinkling a building.

Learning Objectives

This seminar will address fire suppression alternatives for buildings or structures to comply with code.

Participants will walk away with an understanding of the following:

1. How each sprinkling alternative addresses standard building code requirements.

2. Pros/Cons of each alternative.

3. Impact each alternative has on building life safety.

4. Cost implications of each alternative

Agenda1. Introduction2. Learning Objectives3. Codes4. Why do we sprinkle a building5. Why would we not sprinkle a building6. When is it required to sprinkle a building7. When is a sprinkler system not required8. Alternative Concepts

1. Pro’s/Con’s2. Impact3. Costs

9. Examples: F, S, H, B, Mixed Occupancies, R occupancies10. Summary11. Questions

Codes

2015 Minnesota State Building Code (2012 IBC) - focus

2015 Minnesota State Fire Code (2012 IFC)

Other NFPA 13 NFPA Fire Protection Handbook 2006 IBC 2009 IBC 2015 IBC 2018 IBC

This is not an anti-sprinkler seminar…

There are alternatives…

Save lives and property

Code says to based on occupancy type

Local jurisdiction says to

More and more codes are calling for increase in use of sprinkling and in the process reduce requirements for fire and smoke resistant components

Increase in allowable area Allows us to constructed larger buildings, few fire barriers, few if any compartments

Increase travel distance

Reduced fire-resistive ratings

Why do we sprinkle buildings

Increased sprinkler reduces use of:

Fire Walls and Fire Barriers

Fire Rated concrete construction

Concrete and masonry exterior walls

Fireproofing for steel columns, beams and floors decks

Firestopping

Fire and smoke sealants and gaskets

(All proven track record of containing and controlling spread of fire and smoke and limited damage to a burning building and surrounding structures)

Why do we sprinkle buildings (cont)

Why would we not want to sprinkle a building1. Creates a greater risk hazard

a. Contaminated ground water

b. Toxic cloud/gas

2. Undesirable because of the nature of the contents

3. Electrical Rooms

4. Elevator shafts, pits, equipment rooms

5. Limited resourcesa. Little or no water

b. Cost

Section 903 - When is an automatic sprinkler system required

Section 903 - When is an automatic sprinkler system requiredControlled size

Section 903 - When is an automatic sprinkler system requiredControlled occ load

Section 903 - When is an automatic sprinkler system requiredReduced Travel Distances

What was missing

B Occupancy was missing.

Code has no requirement for sprinkling B Occupancy like the other groups do

B occupancy relies on Table 503 for allowable areas

Section 506 for area increases

Openness

Sprinkler Increase

IBC, Table 506

When is a sprinkler system not required

Code 903.3.1.1.1 Exempt Locations

1. Any room where the application of water, or flame and water, constitutes a serious life or fire hazard.

2. Any room or space where sprinklers are considered undesirable because of the nature of the contents, when approved by the fire code official.

3. Generator and Transformer rooms separated from the remainder of the building by walls and ceiling assemblies having not less than 2- hours

4. Rooms or spaces that are of non-combustible construction

5. Fire Service access elevators

6. Machine rooms and machinery spaces associated with evacuation elevators

7. Elevator shafts, pits and machine rooms

NFPA 13, 8.14.11.2 Exception

Sprinkler are not required in Electrical Room where all of the following conditions are meet:

1. Room is dedicated to electrical equipment only

2. Only dry-type electrical equipment is used

3. Equipment is installed in a 2-Hour fire-rated enclosure including protection for penetrations

4. No combustible storage is permitted to be stored in the room.

When is a sprinkler system not required

Comment

What we are talking about works best to small to med-size buildings and structures.

Don’t work for all all occupancies (i.e. R, I, Ambulatory Facilities)

Mandatory working with AHJ (Code documents mandatory)

Being creative with the code, not just taking in its prescriptive sense

Alternative Concepts1. Risk Assessment

a. Type of Occupancy / Useb. Number of Occupantsc. Material in the building

i. Burn Characteristicsii. Fuel Loadiii. High Pile Storage

d. Size of the facility, both in area and height2. Does it pose more serious risk or hazard3. Undesirable (elevator, pit, equipment room, electrical room)4. Location of the facility5. Compartmentation6. Direct involvement of AHJ7. Passive vs Active vs Hybrid system

Risk Assessment

Type of Occupancy / Use

A - Assemble

B - Business

E - Educational

F - Factory

H - Hazardous

I - Institutional

M - Retail

S - Storage

Risk AssessmentNumber of Occupants

Residential

Assemble

Storage

Factory/Process

Minimal 3-5 occupants

Is it even occupied

Risk AssessmentMaterial in the building

Burn Characteristics Is it combustible or flammable Is it non-combustible Toxic

Fuel Load Total amount of potential fuel for a fire in a given structure or

building

High Pile Storage

Materials of Construction

Risk Assessment

Pose more serious risk or hazard

Hazardous materials

Chemicals, liquid or solid

Potential for contaminated ground water

Potential for toxic gas during fire

Material doesn't burn but smolders and holds water… building collapse

Risk AssessmentUndesirable

Elevator

Elevator pit

Elevator equipment room

Electrical room

Motor Control Center

Unheated mass product storage building

Area and Height of the Facility

How much area is in the facility…10,000 sf, 20,000 sf, 100,000 sf, larger

How tall is it.. 1 story, 3 story, 10 story, taller

Is the height due to stories or result of equipment in the building

Location of the Facility Where is the facility

Urban

Rural

Middle of nowhere

Across the street from the nursing home or school

Is there an AHJ

Who has jurisdiction: City, County State, no one

Compartmentation Key element of passive fire protection; achieved by dividing the premise into fire

areas through the use of fire doors and walls of fire-resistive construction, and fire stopping of services that penetrate through these

Compartmentation protects holes in floors and walls (shafts, ducts, pipes) where fire and smoke can rapidly spread and affords safe passage through exit corridors and stairways

Time to evacuate

Fire Walls and Fire Barriers Fire rated opening Sealed penetrations Use of non-combustible materials

Concrete, precast, masonry Fireproofing for steel columns, beams and floors decks

Fire-stopping Fire and smoke sealants and gaskets

Direct Involvement of the AHJ

Talk early in the design to the AHJ (Building and Fire)

Despite what Owners says AHJ are not there to make life difficult and expenses. They can actually help save not only lives but dollars

Review at the preliminary stage

Their insight & approval… how will they address an issue

Passive - Active - Hybrid Active Fire Protection: Sprinklers and smoke detector

Passive Fire Protection: Elements that resist fire (non-combustibles – precast, concrete, masonry)

Compartmentation: using passive protection to confine fire/smoke to a specific area

Balanced Design: Combining both active and passive elements as well as compartmentation

1. Works within the code, accepting limit in area and height

2. Manages use of materials

3. Uses exceptions within the Code together with AHJ for compliance (performance based)

Alternative – Address Code Requirements

Alternative - Pro’s/Con’s

Con’s1. Area and height are restricted

2. Compartmentation

3. Travel Distances reduced

4. Increased fire-resistive ratings

5. Increase Cost

Pro’s

1. Compartmentation

2. Travel Distances reduced

3. Increased fire-resistive ratings

4. Decrease Cost

1. Can lead to a more restrictive design

2. Less flexible

3. Can enhance life safety of the building Contains (areas, fire, smoke, etc.)

Greater number of egress

Alternative - Impact on Life Safety

1. Can be more expensesa. Greater use of fire rated materials, seals, separations

2. Can be less expensesa. Material may already being used – natural extension

3. All depends, each project is unique.

Alternative – Cost Implications

Examples

Mixed Occupancy

Educational

Storage

Industrial / Processing

Hazardous

Mixed OccupancyS, F, and B

CONCEPTS Location Compartmentation Types of Occupancy Fuel Load Construction Types Direct involvement of AHJ Knowing the code Fire Hydrants/standpipes

KEY FEATURES Occupancies non-

separated Open all sides w/Fire

Access Road Fire Hydrants High Occupancy Non-Combustibles Fire Suppression System Automatic Fire Detection

System

1. How address code requirements

2. Pro’s/Con’s3. Impact on bldg life

safety4. Cost Implications

E Occupancy

57,750 sf Addition

37,700 sf Addition

107,900 sf Existing


KEY FEATURES Open all sides w/Fire

Access Road Fire Hydrants High Occupancy Non-Combustibles Fire Suppression System Automatic Fire Detection

System




Mixed Occupancy

S-2Type V-BNon-Sprinkled

KEY FEATURES Occupancies separated Open all sides w/Fire

Access Road Fire Hydrants Low Occupancy Non-Combustibles Written emergency

plan Automatic Fire

Detection System NFPA 704 Signage

H-4Type V-BNon-Sprinkled

BType V-BNon-Sprinkled







plan Automatic Fire






H-4KEY FEATURES State Jurisdiction Single Occupancy No water Source Owner would like to not

sprinkler system - cost Open all sides w/Fire

Access Road Low Occupancy Non-Combustibles Sprinkling creates

greater hazard Written emergency plan Automatic Fire Detection

System NFPA 704 Signage Continuous Ventilation

H-4Type II-BNon-Sprinkled

CONCEPTS Location Compartmentation Types of Occupancy Fuel Load Construction Types Direct involvement of AHJ Knowing the code

H-4KEY FEATURES State Jurisdiction Single Occupancy No water Source Owner would like to not

sprinkler system - cost Open all sides w/Fire

Access Road Low Occupancy Non-Combustibles Written emergency plan Automatic Fire Detection

System NFPA 704 Signage Continuous Ventilation Building Accessible

H-4Type II-BNon-Sprinkled

Materials - Toxic, Corrosives

CONCEPTS Location Compartmentation Types of Occupancy Fuel Load Construction Types Direct involvement of AHJ Knowing the code




Mixed Occupancy: S, F, B, A 3-Hr Fire Wall

Exit

SYMBOL KEYKEY FEATURES No Code Authority -

State Expansion of existing Mixed Occupancy No water Source Owner would like to not

sprinkler system – cost Owner would like no fire

walls or barriers Open all sides w/Fire

Access Road Non-Combustibles Written emergency plan Automatic Fire Detection

System





Multiple Occupancies: S-1, F-1Existing Building

KEY FEATURES Existing Building Township annex by City. City Jurisdiction Multiple Occupancies Owner would like to not

sprinkler system – cost Open all sides w/Fire

Access Road Fire Hydrant loop road Multiple stand pipes Low Occupancy Non-Combustibles Written emergency plan All non-combustible

construction – concrete, precast, and masonry

S-1Type II-BNon-Sprinkled





Multiple Occupancies: S-1, F-1KEY FEATURES Existing Building Township annex by City. City Jurisdiction Multiple Occupancies Owner would like to not

sprinkler system – cost Open all sides w/Fire

Access Road Fire Hydrant loop road Low Occupancy Non-Combustibles Written emergency plan All non-combustible

construction – concrete, precast, and masonry


S-1

S-1

F-1

H-2

F-1

Sprinkled

Sprinkled

Sprinkled

Alternative System

KEY FEATURES State Jurisdiction Multiple Occupancies Owner would like to not

sprinkler system – cost, non-heated building

Open all sides w/Fire Access Road

Fire Hydrants loop road Written emergency plan

Multiple Occupancy Groups

S-1/B





S-1KEY FEATURES State Jurisdiction Single Occupancy Owner would like to not



Fire Hydrant loop road Low Occupancy - 3 Non-Combustibles Written emergency plan Manual Pull Stations w/

horns and strobes

Area larger than allowable

76’-0” heightS-1Type II-BNon-Sprinkled CONCEPTS

Location Compartmentation Types of Occupancy Fuel Load Construction Types Direct involvement of AHJ Knowing the code Fire Hydrants/standpipes




S-1

S-1Type II-BNon-Sprinkled

KEY FEATURES State Jurisdiction Single Occupancy Owner would like to not




horns and strobes


76’-0” height


F-1

F-1Type II-BSprinkled





horns and strobes


76’-0” height









horns and strobes


76’-0” height


H-21. How address code

requirements2. Pro’s/Con’s3. Impact on bldg life






horns and strobes


76’-0” height


H-2





horns and strobes


76’-0” height


S-1F-1








horns and strobes Area larger than

allowable 76’-0” height


B / S1 1. How address code requirements







horns and strobes


76’-0” height


B / S1

Soybean Flour Processing Expansion


Conditions• Existing facility expansion• Mixed occupancy (S, F, B, A)• Owner desired not to sprinkler



plan Automatic Fire







3-hr wall4-hr wall

1-hr wall

KEY FEATURES Compartmental Occupancies separated Open all sides w/Fire

Access Road Fire Hydrants Non-Combustibles Written emergency

plan Automatic Fire

Detection System

Exit





Feed Mill

1-hr wall

3-hr wall

F1 S1

H2

S1

B B

MAIN LEVEL



plan Automatic Fire



Exit




Feed Mill

1-hr wall

3-hr wall

PIT

F1



plan Automatic Fire



Exit

Feed Mill

1-hr wall3-hr wall

MEZZANINE

F1 S1



plan Automatic Fire



Exit

Summary

1. Risk Assessmenta. Type of Occupancy / Useb. Number of Occupantsc. Pose more serious risk or hazardd. Undesirable spacese. Material in the building

i. Burn Characteristicsii. Fuel Loadiii. High Pile Storage

f. Size of the facility, both in area and height2. Location of the facility3. Compartmentation4. Direct involvement of AHJ5. Passive vs Active vs Hybrid system

Must reads…

IBC

Chapter 1 Section 107 Submittal Docs

Chapter 3 Use & Occupancy Classification

Chapter 5 Building Heights & Area

Chapter 6 Types of Construction

Chapter 7 Fire & Smoke Prevention Systems

Chapter 9 Fire Protections Systems

Chapter 10 Means of Egress

IFC

Chapter 32 High Piled Combustible Storage

Chapter 50 Hazardous Materials

Chapter 57 Flammable and combustible

Liquids

Questions

I will be available for questions following the presentation

A PDF copy of the presentation available through AIA-MN or you can email me and I will provide you with one

I can be reached at [email protected]

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