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// CODE SNIPPET

903.2.11 Specific Building Areas and Hazards

NYC Building Code 2014 > 9 Fire Protection Systems > 903 Automatic Sprinkler Systems > 903.2 Where Required > 903.2.11 Specific Building Areas and Hazards
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An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed for building design or hazards in the locations set forth in Sections 903.2.11.1 through 903.2.11.13.

903.2.11.1 Above- or Below-Grade Stories

ILLUSTRATION
An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout every above- or below-grade story of all buildings where the floor area exceeds 1,500 square feet (139.4 m2) and where there is not provided at least one of the following types of exterior wall openings:
  1. Openings below grade that lead directly to ground level by an exterior stairway complying with Section 1009 or an outside ramp complying with Section 1010. Openings shall be located in each 50 linear feet (15 240 mm), or fraction thereof, of exterior walls facing onto a street, public way or frontage space, in the story on at least one side. The required openings shall be distributed such that the lineal distance between adjacent openings does not exceed 50 feet (15 240 mm).
  2. Openings entirely above the adjoining ground level totaling at least 20 square feet (1.86 m2) in each 50 linear feet (15 240 mm), or fraction thereof, of exterior walls facing onto a street, public way or frontage space, in the story on at least one side. The required openings shall be distributed such that the lineal distance between adjacent openings does not exceed 50 feet (15 240 mm).

903.2.11.1.1 Opening Dimensions and Access

Such openings shall have a minimum dimension of not less than 30 inches (762 mm). Such openings shall be accessible to the Fire Department from the exterior and shall not be obstructed in a manner that fire fighting or rescue cannot be accomplished from the exterior.

903.2.11.1.2 Openings on One Side Only

Where such openings in a story are provided on only one side and the opposite wall of such story is more than 100 feet (30 480 mm) from such openings, the story shall be equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system, or openings as specified above shall be provided on at least two sides of the story.

903.2.11.1.3 Below-Grade Stories

Where any portion of a below-grade story is located more than 75 feet (22 860 mm) from openings required by Section 903.2.11.1, the below-grade story shall be equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system.

903.2.11.2 Other Above-Grade Stories

An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout every above-grade story of buildings below a height of 100 feet (30 480 mm), other than the first story or ground floor, on which access is not provided directly from the outdoors by at least one window or readily identifiable access panel within each 50 feet (15 240 mm) or fraction thereof of horizontal length of every wall that fronts on a street or frontage space required pursuant to Section 501.3.1.

903.2.11.2.1 Opening Dimensions and Access

Such windows shall be openable from the inside or breakable from both the inside and the outside, and shall have a size when open of at least 24 inches by 36 inches (610 mm by 914 mm). Such panels shall be openable from both the inside and outside and shall have a height when open of 48 inches (1219 mm) and a width of at least 32 inches (813 mm). The sill of the window or panel shall not be higher than 36 inches (914 mm) above the inside floor. Where not all of the windows are openable or breakable, the windows intended to satisfy the requirements of this section shall be readily identifiable.

903.2.11.3 Other Below-Grade Stories

An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout every first basement or cellar story below grade of buildings on which access is not provided directly from the outdoors within each 100 feet (30 480 mm) or fraction thereof of horizontal length of every wall that fronts on a street or frontage space required pursuant to Section 501.3.1.
Exception:
  1. One- and two-family dwellings need not provide direct access.
  2. Any building classified in Occupancy Group R-2 not more than three stories in height and with not more than two dwelling units on any story need not provide direct access when such first basement or cellar story is used for dwelling units or for uses accessory to the residential use in the building.
  3. Except as provided in Exception 2, above, for Group R-1 and R-2 occupancies, only one direct access from the outdoors to the first basement or cellar story consisting of a stair or door shall be required when such story is used for dwelling units or for uses accessory to the residential use in the building.

903.2.11.3.1 Opening Dimensions and Access

Such access shall be by stairs, doors, windows or other means that provide an opening 48 inches (1219 mm) high and 32 inches (813 mm) wide, the sill of which shall not be higher than 36 inches (914 mm) above the inside floor. If an areaway is used to provide below grade access, the minimum horizontal dimension shall be at least one-third the depth of the areaway or 6 feet (1829 mm), whichever is less.

903.2.11.4 Signs Obstructing Openings

Where wall signs are erected to cover doors or windows of existing buildings, access panels shall be provided as necessary to comply with the requirements of Section 903.2.11.

903.2.11.5 Compliance With the New York State Multiple Dwelling Law

Nothing in Section 903.2.11 shall be construed so as to supersede any applicable provisions of Section 54 of the New York State Multiple Dwelling Law relating to access to cellars or basements in multiple dwellings.

903.2.11.6 Rubbish and Linen Chutes

An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed at the top of rubbish and linen chutes, in chute access rooms, and in their terminal rooms. Chutes extending through three or more floors shall have additional sprinkler heads installed within such chutes at alternate floors. Chute sprinklers shall be accessible for servicing.

903.2.11.7 Buildings Over 55 Feet in Height

An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout buildings with a floor level having an occupant load of 30 or more that is located 55 feet (16 764 mm) or more above the lowest level of Fire Department vehicle access.

903.2.11.8 Ducts Conveying Hazardous Exhausts

Where required by the New York City Mechanical Code, automatic sprinklers shall be provided in ducts conveying hazardous exhaust, or flammable or combustible materials.

Exception: Ducts in which the largest cross-sectional diameter of the duct is less than 10 inches (254 mm).

*903.2.11.9 Commercial Cooking Operations

An automatic sprinkler system shall not be installed in a commercial kitchen exhaust hood and duct system. Fire-extinguishing systems shall be installed in commercial cooking systems in accordance with this code and the New York City Fire Code.

*Section BC 903.2.11.9 was amended by Local Law 195 of 2018. This law has an effective date of May 30, 2019.

903.2.11.10 Other Buildings, Occupancies and Areas

In addition to the requirements of Section 903.2, the provisions indicated in Table 903.2.11.10 also require the installation of a suppression system for certain buildings and areas. Suppression systems shall also be required as provided for in other sections of this code, the New York City Fuel Gas Code, and the New York City Mechanical Code.

TABLE 903.2.11.10
ADDITIONAL REQUIRED SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS
OCCUPANCY GROUP, SPECIFIED USE, MATERIALS
OR EQUIPMENT (in alphabetical order)
CODE SECTION
Aerosol warehouses FC 2804.4.1
Atriums BC 404.3
Automated storage; buildings with FC 2309.2
Chutes; refuse and laundry BC 708.13
Chute vestibules BC Appendix Q
21.16.2.1.1
Cold storage buildings: ice plants, food plants and food
processing rooms with foam insulation up to 10 inches
in thickness
BC 2603.3
Combustible fibers; storage at waterfront structures FC 2906.6
Combustible fibers, loose; storage of more than
1,000 sq ft of
FC 2904.5
Commercial cooking systems BC 904.11
FC 904.11
Commercial cooking systems with solid fuel storage FC 904.11.7
Commercial cooking system with Type I hood BC 904.2.1
MC 509.1
Covered mall and open mall buildings BC 402.9
Dead end public streets; buildings on FC 503.8.1
Dip tank rooms FC 1505.1
Dip tanks FC 1505.6.1
Dry cleaning machines FC 1208.3
Dry cleaning plants FC 1208.2
Drying rooms BC 417.4
Elevator lobbies BC 708.14.1
Exhausted enclosures FC 2703.8.5.3
Extra-high-rack combustible storage; buildings with FC 2308.5.1
Flammable and combustible liquid in
Group H-2 or H-3 areas
FC 3405.3.7.3
Flammable and combustible liquid storage rooms FC 3404.3.7.5.1
Flammable and combustible liquid storage warehouses FC 3404.3.8.4
Flammable finishes BC 416.5
Fuel-oil tanks and fuel-oil burning equipment;
rooms containing
MC 1305.13.3
Furnaces: Class A and B FC 2106.1
Furnaces: Class C and D FC 2106.2
Gas rooms FC 2703.8.4
Glazing in smoke partition BC 711.2
Group H-2 BC 415.6.2.4
Group H-5, including but not limited to: workstations,
gas cabinet, exhausted enclosures, pass-throughs in
exit access corridors and exhaust ducts
BC 415.8
Group I-2 BC 407.5
Hardening and tempering tanks FC 1505.8.4
Hazardous exhaust system ducts MC 510.7
Hazardous materials; indoor handling or use of FC 2705.1.8
Hazardous materials; indoor storage of FC 2704.5
Hazardous Production Material ("HPM") corridors FC 1803.10.3
Hazardous Production Material ("HPM") exhaust ducts FC 1803.10.4
Hazardous Production Material ("HPM") facilities FC 1803.10
Hazardous Production Material ("HPM") gas cabinets FC 1803.10.2
Hazardous Production Material ("HPM") work station
exhaust
FC 1803.10.1.1
High Pressure Gas Installations; buildings with FGC G.2.3
Highly toxic and toxic compressed gases; exhausted
enclosures for
FC 3704.1.3
Highly toxic and toxic compressed gases; gas cabinets
containing
FC 3704.1.2
Highly toxic and toxic compressed gases; gas rooms
utilizing
FC 3704.2.2.6
Highly toxic and toxic compressed gases; outdoor
storage of
FC 3704.3.3
High-rise buildings BC 403.3
Incidental uses BC 509.4.2
Equipment platforms BC 505.5.2
Kiosks in covered mall buildings BC 402.11
Kiosks, displays, booths, or concession stands; covered FC 314.5.1
Laboratory units; non-production BC 424.6.1
Liquefied petroleum gas ("LPG") within buildings
accessible to the public; storage of
FC 3809.9
Liquids, Class II and III, below grade storage of FC 3404.3.5.1
Liquids, Class II and III, below grade storage of,
accessory to retail
BC 414.2.5.1
Medical gas; storage of FC 3006.2.1
Organic coatings; manufacturing of BC 418.1
Oxidizer, solid and liquid; storage areas FC 4004.1.4
Plastic light diffusing system BC 2606.7.4
Pyroxylin plastic; areas with FC 4204.1.1
Pyroxylin plastic; storage and manufacturing FC 4204.2
Pyroxylin plastic; storage vaults FC 4204.1.3
Rack storage FC 2308.2
Radioactive materials and radiation-producing
equipment; uses and occupancies involving
BC 425.3.4
Resin application areas FC 1511.3
Silane gas; exhausted enclosures or gas cabinets for FC 4106.2.2
Small arms ammunition and primers, black powder or
smokeless propellant; storage of
FC 3306.7
Solid-piled and shelf storage FC 2307.2
Smoke-protected assembly seating BC 1028.6.2.3
Special amusement buildings BC 411.4
Spray booths and rooms FC 1504.6
Spray booths involving the use of organic peroxide
coatings
FC 1509.6
Spray finishing in Group A, E, I or R FC 1504.1
Stages BC 410.6
Sterilization systems; rooms with FC 3506.3.2
Storage FC Table 2306.2
FC 2306.4
Substandard width public streets; buildings on FC 503.8.2
Textile ceiling finish BC 803
Textile wall coverings BC 803
Underground buildings and spaces BC 405.3
Unlimited area buildings BC 507

903.2.11.11 Steel-Plated and Vault-Like Occupancies

An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout all steel-plated or similarly reinforced or secured vault-like occupancies regardless of area.

903.2.11.12 Refuse Collection and Disposal Areas

An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout all areas used for the storage and sorting of refuse and recyclables.

903.2.11.13 Laundry Drying Areas

An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in spaces in which two or more clothes drying machines are installed. Sprinkler heads shall be spaced to cover the areas 5 feet (1524 mm) on all sides of the drying machines.

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903.2.11 Fire Protection Systems, Specific Building Areas and Hazards
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