In addition to the occupancy and construction requirements in this code, the provisions of this chapter apply to the special uses and occupancies described herein.
Section 402 has been completely reorganized from the 2009 code; therefore, the * and ** margin indicators have not been included for clarity.
The provisions of this section shall apply to buildings or structures defined herein as
covered or open mall buildings not exceeding three floor levels at any point nor more than three
stories above grade plane. Except as specifically required by this section,
covered and open mall buildings shall meet applicable provisions of this code.
Exceptions:
1. Foyers and lobbies of Groups B,
R-1 and
R-2 are not required to comply with this section.
2. Buildings need not comply with the provisions of this section where they totally comply with other applicable provisions of this code.
A
covered mall building and attached
anchor buildings and parking garages shall be surrounded on all sides by a permanent open space or not less than 60 feet (18 288 mm). An
open mall building and
anchor buildings and parking garages adjoining the perimeter line shall be surrounded on all sides by a permanent open space of not less than 60 feet (18 288 mm).
Exception: The permanent open space of 60 feet (18 288 mm) shall be permitted to be reduced to not less than 40 feet (12 192 mm), provided the following requirements are met:
For the purpose of this code, a perimeter line shall be established. The perimeter line shall encircle all buildings and structures which comprise the
open mall building and shall encompass any open-air interior walkways, open-air courtyards or similar open-air spaces. The perimeter line shall define the extent of the
open mall building.
Anchor buildings and parking structures shall be outside of the perimeter line and are not considered as part of the
open mall building.
The following terms are defined in
Chapter 2:
Each
owner of a
covered mall building or of an
open mall building shall provide both the building and fire departments with a lease plan showing the location of each occupancy and its
exits after the certificate of occupancy has been issued. No modifications or changes in occupancy or use shall be made from that shown on the lease plan without prior approval of the
building official.
The construction of
covered and open mall buildings,
anchor buildings and parking garages associated with a
mall building shall comply with Sections
402.4.1 through
402.4.3.
The
building area of any
covered mall or open mall building, including
anchor buildings, of Type I, II, III and IV construction shall not be limited provided the
anchor buildings do not exceed three
stories above grade plane.
Exception: The type of construction allowable building height and building area of anchor buildings greater than three stories above grade plane shall comply with Section 503, as modified by Sections 504 and 506.
Fire-resistance-rated separation is not required between tenant spaces and the
mall. Fire-resistance-rated separation is not required between a
food court and adjacent tenant spaces or the
mall.
Each tenant space shall be separated from other tenant spaces by a
fire partition complying with
Section 708. A tenant separation
wall is not required between any tenant space and the
mall.
An
anchor building shall be separated from the
covered or open mall building by
fire walls complying with
Section 706.
Exceptions:
Except for the separation between Group
R-1 sleeping units and the
mall, openings between
anchor buildings of Type IA, IB, IIA or IIB construction and the
mall need not be protected.
An attached garage for the storage of passenger vehicles having a capacity of not more than nine persons and
open parking garages shall be considered as a separate building where it is separated from the
covered or open mall building or
anchor building by not less than 2-hour
fire barriers constructed in accordance with
Section 707 or
horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with
Section 711, or both.
Parking garages, open or enclosed, which are separated from covered mall buildings, open mall buildings or anchor buildings shall comply with the provisions of Table 602.
Pedestrian walkways and tunnels which connect garages to mall buildings or anchor buildings shall be constructed in accordance with Section 3104.
Floor assemblies in, and
roof assemblies over, the
open mall of an
open mall building shall be open to the atmosphere for not less than 20 feet (9096 mm), measured perpendicular from the face of the tenant spaces on the lowest level, from edge of balcony to edge of balcony on upper floors and from edge of roof line to edge of roof line. The openings within, or the unroofed area of, an
open mall shall extend from the lowest/
grade level of the
open mall through the entire
roof assembly. Balconies on upper levels of the
mall shall not project into the required width of the opening.
Pedestrian walkways connecting balconies in an
open mall shall be located not less than 20 feet (9096 mm) from any other
pedestrian walkway.
Covered and open mall buildings and buildings connected shall be equipped throughout with an
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.1, which shall comply with the all of the following:
1. The
automatic sprinkler system shall be complete and operative throughout occupied space in the
mall building prior to occupancy of any of the tenant spaces. Unoccupied tenant spaces shall be similarly protected unless provided with
approved alternative protection.
4. Sprinkler protection shall be provided beneath exterior circulation balconies located adjacent to an
open mall.
5. Where tenant spaces are supplied by the same system, they shall be independently controlled.
Exception: An automatic sprinkler system shall not be required in spaces or areas of open parking garages separated from the covered or open mall building in accordance with Section 402.4.2.3 and constructed in accordance with Section 406.5.
Interior finishes within the
mall and installations within the
mall shall comply with Sections
402.6.1 through
402.6.4.
Interior wall and
ceiling finishes within the
mall of a
covered mall building and within the
exits of
covered or open mall buildings shall have a minimum
flame spread index and
smoke-developed index of Class B in accordance with
Chapter 8.
Interior floor finishes shall meet the requirements of
Section 804.
Kiosks and similar structures (temporary or permanent) located within the
mall of a
covered mall building or within the perimeter line of an
open mall building shall meet the following requirements:
1. Combustible kiosks or
other structures shall not be located within a
covered or
open mall unless constructed of any of the following materials:
1.2. Foam plastics having a maximum heat release rate not greater than 100 kW (105 Btu/h) when tested in accordance with the exhibit booth protocol in UL 1975 or when tested in accordance with NFPA 289 using the 20 kW ignition source.
1.3. Aluminum composite material (ACM) meeting the requirements of Class A
interior finish in accordance with
Chapter 8 when tested as an assembly in the maximum thickness intended.
3. The horizontal separation between kiosks or groupings thereof and
other structures within the
mall shall be not less than 20 feet (6096 mm).
4. Each kiosk or similar structure or groupings thereof shall have an area not greater than 300 square feet (28 m2).
Children’s play structures located within the
mall of a
covered mall building or within the perimeter line of an
open mall building shall comply with
Section 424. The horizontal separation between children’s play structures, kiosks and similar structures within the
mall shall be not less than 20 feet (6096 mm).
Plastic signs affixed to the storefront of any tenant space facing a
mall or
open mall shall be limited as specified in Sections
402.6.4.1 through
402.6.4.5.
Plastic signs shall be not more than 20 percent of the
wall area facing the
mall.
Plastic signs shall be not greater than 36 inches (914 mm) in height, except that if the sign is vertical, the height shall be not greater than 96 inches (2438 mm) and the width shall be not greater than 36 inches (914 mm).
Plastic signs shall be located not less than 18 inches (457 mm) from adjacent tenants.
Plastics other than foam plastics used in signs shall be light-transmitting plastics complying with
Section 2606.4 or shall have a self-ignition temperature of 650°F (343°C) or greater when tested in accordance with ASTM D 1929, and a
flame spread index not greater than 75 and
smoke-developed index not greater than 450 when tested in the manner intended for use in accordance with ASTM E 84 or UL 723 or meet the acceptance criteria of
Section 803.1.2.1 when tested in accordance with NFPA 286.
Edges and backs of plastic signs in the
mall shall be fully encased in metal.
Foam plastics used in signs shall have flame-retardant characteristics such that the sign has a maximum heat-release rate of 150 kilowatts when tested in accordance with UL 1975 or when tested in accordance with NFPA 289 using the 20 kW ignition source, and the foam plastics shall have the physical characteristics specified in this section. Foam plastics used in signs installed in accordance with
Section 402.6.4 shall not be required to comply with the
flame spread and
smoke-developed indices specified in
Section 2603.3.
The density of foam plastics used in signs shall be not less than 20 pounds per cubic foot (pcf) (320 kg/ m3).
The thickness of foam plastic signs shall not be greater than 1/2 inch (12.7 mm).
Covered and open mall buildings,
anchor buildings and associated parking garages shall be provided with emergency systems complying with Sections
402.7.1 through
402.7.5.
Covered and open mall buildings shall be equipped throughout with a standpipe system as required by
Section 905.3.3.
Where a
covered mall building contains an
atrium, a smoke control system shall be provided in accordance with
Section 404.5.
Exception: A smoke control system is not required in covered mall buildings where an atrium connects only two stories.
Covered mall buildings greater than 50,000 square feet (4645 m
2) in area and
open mall buildings greater than 50,000 square feet (4645 m
2) within the established perimeter line shall be provided with standby power systems that are capable of operating the
emergency voice/alarm communication system.
Where the total floor area is greater than 50,000 square feet (4645 m
2) within either a
covered mall building or within the perimeter line of an
open mall building, an
emergency voice/alarm communication system shall be provided.
Emergency voice/alarm communication systems serving a
mall, required or otherwise, shall be accessible to the fire department. The systems shall be provided in accordance with
Section 907.5.2.2.
Rooms or areas containing controls for air-conditioning systems,
automatic fire-extinguishing systems, automatic sprinkler systems or other detection, suppression or control elements shall be identified for use by the fire department.
Covered mall buildings, open mall buildings and each tenant space within a
mall building shall be provided with
means of egress as required by this section and this code. Where there is a conflict between the requirements of this code and the requirements of Sections
402.8.1 through
402.8.8, the requirements of Sections
402.8.1 through
402.8.8 shall apply.
For the purpose of providing required egress,
malls are permitted to be considered as
corridors but need not comply with the requirements of
Section 1005.1 of this code where the width of the
mall is as specified in this section.
The aggregate clear egress width of the
mall in either a
covered or open mall building shall be not less than 20 feet (6096 mm). The
mall width shall be sufficient to accommodate the
occupant load served. No portion of the minimum required aggregate egress width shall be less than 10 feet (3048 mm) measured to a height of 8 feet (2438 mm) between any projection of a tenant space bordering the
mall and the nearest kiosk, vending machine, bench, display opening,
food court or other obstruction to
means of egress travel.
The
occupant load permitted in any individual tenant space in a
covered or
open mall building shall be determined as required by this code.
Means of egress requirements for individual tenant spaces shall be based on the
occupant load thus determined.
In determining required
means of egress of the
mall, the number of occupants for whom
means of egress are to be provided shall be based on
gross leasable area of the
covered or open mall building (excluding
anchor buildings) and the
occupant load factor as determined by Equation 4-1.
OLF = (0.00007) (GLA) + 25 | (Equation 4-1) |
where:
Exception: Tenant spaces attached to a covered or open mall building but with a means of egress system that is totally independent of the open mall of an open mall building or of a covered mall building shall not be considered as gross leasable area for determining the required means of egress for the mall building.
The
occupant load factor (
OLF) is not required to be less than 30 and shall not exceed 50.
The
occupant load of
anchor buildings opening into the
mall shall not be included in computing the total number of occupants for the
mall.
The
occupant load of a
food court shall be determined in accordance with
Section 1004. For the purposes of determining the
means of egress requirements for the
mall, the
food court occupant load shall be added to the
occupant load of the
covered or open mall building as calculated above.
Wherever the distance of travel to the
mall from any location within a tenant space used by persons other than employees is greater than 75 feet (22 860 mm) or the tenant space has an
occupant load of 50 or more, no fewer than two
means of egress shall be provided.
Assembly occupancies with an
occupant load of 500 or more located within a
covered mall building shall be so located such that their entrance will be immediately adjacent to a principal entrance to the
mall and shall have not less than one-half of their required
means of egress opening directly to the exterior of the
covered mall building. Assembly occupancies located within the perimeter line of an
open mall building shall be permitted to have their main
exit open to the
open mall.
Required
means of egress for
anchor buildings shall be provided independently from the
mall means of egress system. The
occupant load of
anchor buildings opening into the
mall shall not be included in determining
means of egress requirements for the
mall. The path of egress travel of
malls shall not
exit through
anchor buildings.
Malls terminating at an
anchor building where no other
means of egress has been provided shall be considered as a dead-end
mall.
Within each individual tenant space in a
covered or open mall building, the distance of travel from any point to an
exit or entrance to the
mall shall be not greater than 200 feet (60 960 mm).
The distance of travel from any point within a
mall of a
covered mall building to an
exit shall be not greater than 200 feet (60 960 mm). The maximum distance of travel from any point within an
open mall to the perimeter line of the
open mall building shall be not greater than 200 feet (60 960 mm).
Where more than one
exit is required, they shall be so arranged that it is possible to travel in either direction from any point in a
mall of a
covered mall building to separate
exits or from any point in an
open mall of an
open mall building to two separate locations on the perimeter line, provided neither location is an
exterior wall of an
anchor building or parking garage. The width of an
exit passageway or
corridor from a
mall shall be not less than 66 inches (1676 mm).
Exception: Access to exits are permitted by way of a dead-end mall which does not exceed a length equal to twice the width of the mall measured at the narrowest location within the dead-end portion of the mall.
Where
exit passageways provide a secondary
means of egress from a tenant space, doorways to the
exit passageway shall be protected by 1-hour
fire door assemblies that are self- or
automatic-closing by smoke detection in accordance with
Section 716.5.9.3.
Mechanical rooms, electrical rooms, building service areas and service elevators are permitted to open directly into
exit passageways, provided the
exit passageway is separated from such rooms with not less than 1-hour
fire barriers constructed in accordance with
Section 707 or
horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with
Section 711, or both. The
fire protection rating of openings in the
fire barriers shall be not less than 1 hour.
Horizontal sliding or vertical security grilles or doors that are a part of a required
means of egress shall conform to the following:
1. They shall remain in the full open position during the period of occupancy by the general public.
2. Doors or grilles shall not be brought to the closed position when there are 10 or more persons occupying spaces served by a single
exit or 50 or more persons occupying spaces served by more than one
exit.
3. The doors or grilles shall be openable from within without the use of any special knowledge or effort where the space is occupied.
4. Where two or more
exits are required, not more than one-half of the
exits shall be permitted to include either a horizontal sliding or vertical rolling grille or door.
High-rise buildings shall comply with Sections
403.2 through
403.6.
Exception: The provisions of Sections
403.2 through
403.6 shall not apply to the following buildings and structures:
1. Airport traffic control towers in accordance with
Section 412.3.
The construction of
high-rise buildings shall comply with the provisions of Sections
403.2.1 through
403.2.4.
The
fire-resistance-rating reductions listed in Sections
403.2.1.1 and
403.2.1.2 shall be allowed in buildings that have sprinkler control valves equipped with supervisory
initiating devices and water-flow
initiating devices for each floor.
The following reductions in the minimum
fire-resistance rating of the
building elements in
Table 601 shall be permitted as follows:
Exception: The required fire-resistance rating of columns supporting floors shall not be permitted to be reduced.
For buildings not greater than 420 feet (128 000 mm) in
building height, the required
fire-resistance rating of the
fire barriers enclosing vertical
shafts, other than
exit enclosures and elevator hoistway enclosures, is permitted to be reduced to 1 hour where
automatic sprinklers are installed within the
shafts at the top and at alternate floor levels.
For seismic considerations, see
Chapter 16.
For
high-rise buildings of
Risk Category III or IV in accordance with
Section 1604.5, and for all buildings that are more than 420 feet (128 000 mm) in
building height, enclosures for
interior exit stairways and elevator hoistway enclosures shall comply with Sections
403.2.3.1 through
403.2.3.4.
The
wall assemblies making up the enclosures for
interior exit stairways and elevator hoistway enclosures shall meet or exceed Soft Body Impact Classification Level 2 as measured by the test method described in ASTM C 1629/C 1629M.
The face of the
wall assemblies making up the enclosures for
interior exit stairways and elevator hoistway enclosures that are not exposed to the interior of the enclosures for
interior exit stairways or elevator hoistway enclosure shall be constructed in accordance with one of the following methods:
1. The
wall assembly shall incorporate no fewer than two layers of impact-resistant construction board each of which meets or exceeds Hard Body Impact Classification Level 2 as measured by the test method described in ASTM C 1629/C 1629M.
2. The
wall assembly shall incorporate no fewer than one layer of impact-resistant construction material that meets or exceeds Hard Body Impact Classification Level 3 as measured by the test method described in ASTM C 1629/C 1629M.
3. The
wall assembly incorporates multiple layers of any material, tested in tandem, that meets or exceeds Hard Body Impact Classification Level 3 as measured by the test method described in ASTM C 1629/C 1629M.
Concrete or
masonry walls shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of Sections
403.2.3.1 and
403.2.3.2.
Any other
wall assembly that provides impact resistance equivalent to that required by Sections
403.2.3.1 and
403.2.3.2 for Hard Body Impact Classification Level 3, as measured by the test method described in ASTM C 1629/C 1629M, shall be permitted.
The bond
strength of the SFRM installed throughout the building shall be in accordance with Table 403.2.4.
TABLE 403.2.4
MINIMUM BOND STRENGTH
HEIGHT OF BUILDINGa | SFRM MINIMUM BOND STRENGTH |
Up to 420 feet | 430 psf |
Greater than 420 feet | 1,000 psf |
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 pound per square foot (psf) = 0.0479 kW/m2.
a. Above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.
Buildings and structures shall be equipped throughout with an
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.1 and a secondary water supply where required by
Section 903.3.5.2.
2. Telecommunications equipment buildings used exclusively for telecommunications equipment, associated electrical power distribution equipment, batteries and standby engines, provided that those spaces or areas are equipped throughout with an
automatic fire detection system in accordance with
Section 907.2 and are separated from the remainder of the building by not less than 1-hour
fire barriers constructed in accordance with
Section 707 or not less than 2-hour
horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with
Section 711, or both.
Each sprinkler system
zone in buildings that are more than 420 feet (128 000 mm) in
building height shall be supplied by no fewer than two risers. Each riser shall supply sprinklers on alternate floors. If more than two risers are provided for a
zone, sprinklers on adjacent floors shall not be supplied from the same riser.
Sprinkler risers shall be placed in
interior exit stairways and
ramps that are remotely located in accordance with
Section 1015.2.
Required fire pumps shall be supplied by connections to no fewer than two water mains located in different streets. Separate supply piping shall be provided between each connection to the water main and the pumps. Each connection and the supply piping between the connection and the pumps shall be sized to supply the flow and pressure required for the pumps to operate.
Exception: Two connections to the same main shall be permitted provided the main is valved such that an interruption can be isolated so that the water supply will continue without interruption through no fewer than one of the connections.
Fire pumps shall be located in rooms protected in accordance with
Section 913.2.1.
The detection, alarm and emergency systems of
high-rise buildings shall comply with Sections
403.4.1 through
403.4.9.
Smoke detection shall be provided in accordance with
Section 907.2.13.1.
A
fire alarm system shall be provided in accordance with
Section 907.2.13.
A
high-rise building shall be equipped with a standpipe system as required by
Section 905.3.
An
emergency voice/alarm communication system shall be provided in accordance with
Section 907.5.2.2.
Emergency responder radio coverage shall be provided in accordance with Section 510 of the International Fire Code.
A
fire command center complying with
Section 911 shall be provided in a location
approved by the fire department.
To facilitate smoke removal in post-fire salvage and overhaul operations, buildings and structures shall be equipped with natural or mechanical
ventilation for removal of products of combustion in accordance with one of the following:
1. Easily identifiable, manually operable windows or
panels shall be distributed around the perimeter of each floor at not more than 50-foot (15 240 mm) intervals. The area of operable windows or
panels shall be not less than 40 square feet (3.7 m
2) per 50 linear feet (15 240 mm) of perimeter.
Exceptions:
1. In Group
R-1 occupancies, each
sleeping unit or suite having an
exterior wall shall be permitted to be provided with 2 square feet (0.19 m
2) of venting area in lieu of the area specified in Item 1.
2. Windows shall be permitted to be fixed provided that glazing can be cleared by fire fighters.
2. Mechanical air-
handling equipment providing one exhaust air change every 15 minutes for the area involved. Return and exhaust air shall be moved directly to the outside without recirculation to other portions of the building.
3. Any other approved design that will produce equivalent results.
A standby power system complying with
Chapter 27 and
Section 3003 shall be provided for standby power
loads specified in
403.4.8.2. Where elevators are provided in a
high-rise building for
accessible means of egress, fire service access or occupant self-evacuation, the standby power system shall also comply with Sections
1007.4,
3007 or
3008, as applicable.
If the standby system is a generator set inside a building, the system shall be located in a separate room enclosed with 2-hour
fire barriers constructed in accordance with
Section 707 or
horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with
Section 711, or both. System supervision with manual start and transfer features shall be provided at the
fire command center.
The following are classified as standby power
loads:
3. Elevators.
An emergency power system complying with
Chapter 27 shall be provided for emergency power
loads specified in
Section 403.4.9.1.
The following are classified as emergency power
loads:
2. Elevator car lighting;
5. Fire alarm systems; and
6. Electrically powered fire pumps.
The
means of egress in
high-rise buildings shall comply with Sections
403.5.1 through
403.5.6.
Required
interior exit stairways shall be separated by a distance not less than 30 feet (9144 mm) or not less than one-fourth of the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the building or area to be served, whichever is less. The distance shall be measured in a straight line between the nearest points of the
interior exit stairways. In buildings with three or more
interior exit stairways, no fewer than two of the
interior exit stairways shall comply with this section. Interlocking or
scissor stairs shall be counted as one
interior exit stairway.
For buildings other than Group
R-2 that are more than 420 feet (128 000 mm) in
building height, one additional
exit stairway meeting the requirements of Sections
1009 and
1022 shall be provided in addition to the minimum number of
exits required by
Section 1021.1. The total width of any combination of remaining
exit stairways with one
exit stairway removed shall be not less than the total width required by
Section 1005.1.
Scissor stairs shall not be considered the additional
exit stairway required by this section.
Exception: An additional exit stairway shall not be required to be installed in buildings having elevators used for occupant self-evacuation in accordance with Section 3008.
Stairway doors other than the
exit discharge doors shall be permitted to be locked from the
stairway side.
Stairway doors that are locked from the
stairway side shall be capable of being unlocked simultaneously without unlatching upon a signal from the
fire command center.
A telephone or other two-way communications system connected to an
approved constantly attended station shall be provided at not less than every fifth floor in each
stairway where the doors to the
stairway are locked.
Every required
exit stairway serving floors more than 75 feet (22 860 mm) above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access shall be a
smokeproof enclosure in accordance with Sections
909.20 and
1022.10.
Luminous egress path markings shall be provided in accordance with
Section 1024.
Elevator installation and operation in
high-rise buildings shall comply with
Chapter 30 and Sections
403.6.1 and
403.6.2.
In buildings with an occupied floor more than 120 feet (36 576 mm) above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access, no fewer than two fire service access elevators, or all elevators, whichever is less, shall be provided in accordance with
Section 3007. Each fire service access elevator shall have a capacity of not less than 3500 pounds (1588 kg).
Where installed in accordance with
Section 3008, passenger elevators for general public use shall be permitted to be used for occupant self-evacuation.
In other than
Group H occupancies, and where permitted by
Section 712.1.6, the provisions of Sections 404.1 through
404.9 shall apply to buildings or structures containing vertical openings defined as “
Atriums.”
The following term is defined in
Chapter 2:
The floor of the
atrium shall not be used for other than low fire hazard uses and only
approved materials and decorations in accordance with the
International Fire Code shall be used in the
atrium space.
An
approved automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout the entire building.
Exceptions:
2. Where the ceiling of the
atrium is more than 55 feet (16 764 mm) above the floor, sprinkler protection at the ceiling of the
atrium is not required.
A
fire alarm system shall be provided in accordance with
Section 907.2.14.
A smoke control system shall be installed in accordance with
Section 909.
Exception: Smoke control is not required for
atriums that connect only two
stories.
Atrium spaces shall be separated from adjacent spaces by a 1-hour
fire barrier constructed in accordance with
Section 707 or a
horizontal assembly constructed in accordance with
Section 711, or both.
Exception: A
fire barrier is not required where a glass
wall forming a smoke partition is provided. The glass
wall shall comply with all of the following:
1.
Automatic sprinklers are provided along both sides of the separation
wall and doors, or on the room side only if there is not a walkway on the
atrium side. The sprinklers shall be located between 4 inches and 12 inches (102 mm and 305 mm) away from the glass and at intervals along the glass not greater than 6 feet (1829 mm). The sprinkler system shall be designed so that the entire surface of the glass is wet upon activation of the sprinkler system without obstruction;
1.1. The glass
wall shall be installed in a gasketed frame in a manner that the framing system deflects without breaking (loading) the glass before the sprinkler system operates; and
3. A
fire barrier is not required between the
atrium and the adjoining spaces of any three floors of the
atrium provided such spaces are accounted for in the design of the smoke control system.
Equipment required to provide smoke control shall be connected to a standby power system in accordance with
Section 909.11.
The
interior finish of
walls and ceilings of the
atrium shall be not less than Class B with no reduction in class for sprinkler protection.
In other than the lowest level of the
atrium, where the required
means of egress is through the
atrium space, the portion of
exit access travel distance within the
atrium space shall be not greater than 200 feet (60 960 mm). The travel distance requirements for areas of buildings open to the
atrium and where access to the
exits is not through the
atrium, shall comply with the requirements of
Section 1016.
The provisions of Sections
405.2 through
405.10 apply to building spaces having a floor level used for human occupancy more than 30 feet (9144 mm) below the finished floor of the lowest
level of exit discharge.
Exception: The provisions of
Section 405 are not applicable to the following buildings or portions of buildings:
3. Fixed guideway transit systems.
5. Where the lowest
story is the only
story that would qualify the building as an underground building and has an area not greater than 1,500 square feet (139 m
2) and has an
occupant load less than 10.
6. Pumping stations and other similar mechanical spaces intended only for limited periodic use by service or maintenance personnel.
The underground portion of the building shall be of Type I construction.
The highest
level of exit discharge serving the underground portions of the building and all levels below shall be equipped with an
automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.1. Water-flow switches and control valves shall be supervised in accordance with
Section 903.4.
Compartmentation shall be in accordance with Sections
405.4.1 through
405.4.3.
A building having a floor level more than 60 feet (18 288 mm) below the finished floor of the lowest
level of exit discharge shall be divided into no fewer than two compartments of approximately equal size. Such compartmentation shall extend through the highest
level of exit discharge serving the underground portions of the building and all levels below.
Exception: The lowest story need not be compartmented where the area is not greater than 1,500 square feet (139 m2) and has an occupant load of less than 10.
The compartments shall be separated from each other by a
smoke barrier in accordance with
Section 709. Penetrations between the two compartments shall be limited to plumbing and electrical piping and conduit that are firestopped in accordance with
Section 714. Doorways shall be protected by
fire door assemblies that are
automatic-closing by smoke detection in accordance with
Section 716.5.9.3 and are installed in accordance with NFPA 105 and
Section 716.5.3. Where provided, each compartment shall have an air supply and an exhaust system independent of the other compartments.
Where elevators are provided, each compartment shall have direct access to an elevator. Where an elevator serves more than one compartment, an elevator lobby shall be provided and shall be separated from each compartment by a s
moke barrier in accordance with
Section 709. Doors shall be gasketed, have a drop sill and be
automatic-closing by smoke detection in accordance with
Section 716.5.9.3.
A smoke control system shall be provided in accordance with Sections
405.5.1 and
405.5.2.
A smoke control system is required to control the migration of products of combustion in accordance with
Section 909 and the provisions of this section. Smoke control shall restrict movement of smoke to the general area of fire origin and maintain
means of egress in a usable condition.
Where compartmentation is required, each compartment shall have an independent smoke control system. The system shall be automatically activated and capable of manual operation in accordance with Sections
907.2.18 and
907.2.19.
A
fire alarm system shall be provided where required by Sections
907.2.18 and
907.2.19.
Means of egress shall be in accordance with Sections
405.7.1 and
405.7.2.
Each floor level shall be provided with no fewer than two
exits. Where compartmentation is required by
Section 405.4, each compartment shall have no fewer than one
exit and shall also have no fewer than one
exit access doorway into the adjoining compartment.
Every required
stairway serving floor levels more than 30 feet (9144 mm) below the finished floor of its
level of exit discharge shall comply with the requirements for a
smokeproof enclosure as provided in
Section 1022.10.
A standby power system complying with
Chapter 27 shall be provided standby power
loads specified in
Section 405.8.1.
The following
loads are classified as standby power
loads:
1. Smoke control system.
3. Fire pumps.
Standby power shall be provided for elevators in accordance with
Section 3003.
The standby power system shall pick up its connected
loads within 60 seconds of failure of the normal power supply.
An emergency power system complying with
Chapter 27 shall be provided for emergency power
loads specified in
Section 405.9.1.
The following
loads are classified as emergency power
loads:
2. Fire alarm systems.
4. Elevator car lighting.
The underground building shall be equipped throughout with a standpipe system in accordance with
Section 905.
Section 406 has been completely reorganized from the 2009 code; therefore, the * and ** margin indicators have not been included for clarity.
Motor-vehicle-related occupancies shall comply with Sections 406.1 through
406.8.
The following terms are defined in
Chapter 2:
Private garages and carports shall comply with Sections
406.3.1 through
406.3.5.
Buildings or parts of buildings classified as
Group U occupancies because of the use or character of the occupancy shall be not greater than 1,000 square feet (93 m
2) in area or one
story in height except as provided in
Section 406.3.2. Any building or portion thereof that exceeds the limitations specified in this section shall be classified in the occupancy group other than
Group U that it most nearly resembles.
Group U occupancies used for the storage of private or pleasure-type motor vehicles where no
repair work is completed or fuel is dispensed are permitted to be 3,000 square feet (279 m
2) where the following provisions are met:
1. For a mixed occupancy building, the
exterior wall and opening protection for the
Group U portion of the building shall be as required for the major occupancy of the building. For such a mixed occupancy building, the allowable floor area of the building shall be as permitted for the major occupancy contained therein.
More than one 3,000-square-foot (279 m
2)
Group U occupancy shall be permitted to be in the same structure, provided each 3,000-square-foot (279 m
2) area is separated by
fire walls complying with
Section 706.
Carports shall be open on no fewer than two sides. Carport floor surfaces shall be of
approved noncombustible material. Carports not open on at least two sides shall be considered a garage and shall comply with the provisions of this section for garages.
Exception: Asphalt surfaces shall be permitted at ground level in carports.
The area of floor used for parking of automobiles or other vehicles shall be sloped to facilitate the movement of
liquids to a drain or toward the main vehicle entry doorway.
Separations shall comply with the following:
1. The private garage shall be separated from the
dwelling unit and its
attic area by means of
gypsum board, not less than
1/
2 inch (12.7 mm) in thickness, applied to the garage side. Garages beneath habitable rooms shall be separated from all habitable rooms above by not less than a
5/
8-inch (15.9 mm) Type X
gypsum board or equivalent and
1/
2-inch (12.7 mm)
gypsum board applied to structures supporting the separation from habitable rooms above the garage. Door openings between a private garage and the
dwelling unit shall be equipped with either
solid wood doors or
solid or honeycomb core steel doors not less than 1
3/
8 inches (34.9 mm) in thickness, or doors in compliance with
Section 716.5.3 with a
fire protection rating of not less than 20 minutes. Openings from a private garage directly into a room used for sleeping purposes shall not be permitted. Doors shall be
self-closing and self-latching.
2. Ducts in a private garage and ducts penetrating the
walls or ceilings separating the
dwelling unit, including its
attic area, from the garage shall be constructed of sheet steel of not less than 0.019 inches (0.48 mm), in thickness, and shall have no openings into the garage.
3. A separation is not required between a Group
R-3 and U carport, provided the carport is entirely open on two or more sides and there are not enclosed areas above.
Automatic garage door openers, if provided, shall be
listed in accordance with UL 325.
Parking garages other than private parking garages, shall be classified as public parking garages and shall comply with the provisions of Sections
406.4.2 through
406.4.8 and shall be classified as either an
open parking garage or an enclosed parking garage.
Open parking garages shall also comply with
Section 406.5. Enclosed parking garages shall also comply with
Section 406.6. See
Section 510 for special provisions for parking garages.
The clear height of each floor level in vehicle and pedestrian traffic areas shall be not less than 7 feet (2134 mm). Vehicle and pedestrian areas accommodating van-accessible parking shall comply with
Section 1106.5.
Guards shall be provided in accordance with
Section 1013.
Guards serving as
vehicle barriers shall comply with Sections
406.4.3 and
1013.
Vehicle barriers not less than 2 feet 9 inches (835 mm) in height shall be placed at the ends of drive lanes, and at the end of parking spaces where the vertical distance to the ground or surface directly below is greater than 1 foot (305 mm).
Vehicle barriers shall comply with the loading requirements of
Section 1607.8.3.
Exception: Vehicle barriers are not required in vehicle storage compartments in a mechanical access parking garage.
Vehicle
ramps shall not be considered as required
exits unless pedestrian
facilities are provided. Vehicle
ramps that are utilized for vertical circulation as well as for parking shall not exceed a slope of 1:15 (6.67 percent).
Parking surfaces shall be of
concrete or similar noncombustible and nonabsorbent materials.
The area of floor used for parking of automobiles or other vehicles shall be sloped to facilitate the movement of
liquids to a drain or toward the main vehicle entry doorway.
Exceptions:
1. Asphalt parking surfaces shall be permitted at ground level.
2. Floors of Group
S-2 parking garages shall not be required to have a sloped surface.
Parking garages shall be separated from other occupancies in accordance with
Section 508.1.
Connection of a parking garage with any room in which there is a fuel-fired appliance shall be by means of a vestibule providing a two-doorway separation.
Exception: A single door shall be allowed provided the sources of ignition in the appliance are not less than 18 inches (457 mm) above the floor.
Openings from a parking garage directly into a room used for sleeping purposes shall not be permitted.
Open parking garages shall comply with Sections 406.5.1 through 406.5.11. Deleted
Open parking garages shall be of Type I, II or IV construction.
Open parking garages shall meet the design requirements of
Chapter 16. For
vehicle barriers, see
Section 406.4.3.
For natural
ventilation purposes, the exterior side of the structure shall have uniformly distributed openings on two or more sides. The area of such openings in
exterior walls on a tier shall be not less than 20 percent of the total perimeter
wall area of each tier. The aggregate length of the openings considered to be providing natural
ventilation shall be not less than 40 percent of the perimeter of the tier. Interior
walls shall be not less than 20 percent open with uniformly distributed openings.
Exception: Openings are not required to be distributed over 40 percent of the building perimeter where the required openings are uniformly distributed over two opposing sides of the building.
Where openings below
grade provide required natural
ventilation, the outside horizontal clear space shall be one and one-half times the depth of the opening. The width of the horizontal clear space shall be maintained from
grade down to the bottom of the lowest required opening.
Mixed uses shall be allowed in the same building as an
open parking garage subject to the provisions of Sections
402.4.2.3,
406.5.11,
508.1,
510.3,
510.4 and
510.7.
Area and height of
open parking garages shall be limited as set forth in
Chapter 5 for Group
S-2 occupancies and as further provided for in
Section 508.1.
TABLE 406.5.4
OPEN PARKING GARAGES AREA AND HEIGHT
TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION | AREA PER TIER (square feet) | HEIGHT (in tiers) |
Ramp access | Mechanical access |
Automatic sprinkler system |
No | Yes |
IA | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
IB | Unlimited | 12 tiers | 12 tiers | 18 tiers |
IIA | 50,000 | 10 tiers | 10 tiers | 15 tiers |
IIB | 50,000 | 8 tiers | 8 tiers | 12 tiers |
IV | 50,000 | 4 tiers | 4 tiers | 4 tiers |
For SI: 1 square foot = 0.0929 m2.
Where the
open parking garage is used exclusively for the parking or storage of private motor vehicles, with no other uses in the building, the area and height shall be permitted to comply with
Table 406.5.4, along with increases allowed by
Section 406.5.5.
Exception: The grade-level tier is permitted to contain an office, waiting and toilet rooms having a total combined area of not more than 1,000 square feet (93 m2). Such area need not be separated from the open parking garage.
In open parking garages having a spiral or sloping floor, the horizontal projection of the structure at any cross section shall not exceed the allowable area per parking tier. In the case of an open parking garage having a continuous spiral floor, each 9 feet 6 inches (2896 mm) of height, or portion thereof, shall be considered a tier.
The clear height of a parking tier shall be not less than 7 feet (2134 mm), except that a lower clear height is permitted in mechanical-access open parking garages where approved by the building official.
The allowable area and height of
open parking garages shall be increased in accordance with the provisions of this section. Garages with sides open on three-fourths of the building’s perimeter are permitted to be increased by 25 percent in area and one tier in height. Garages with sides open around the entire building’s perimeter are permitted to be increased by 50 percent in area and one tier in height. For a side to be considered open under the above provisions, the total area of openings along the side shall not be less than 50 percent of the interior area of the side at each tier and such openings shall be equally distributed along the length of the tier. For purposes of calculating the interior area of the side, the height shall not exceed 7 feet (2134 mm).
Allowable tier areas in
Table 406.5.4 shall be increased for
open parking garages constructed to heights less than the table maximum. The gross tier area of the garage shall not exceed that permitted for the higher structure. No fewer than three sides of each such larger tier shall have continuous horizontal openings not less than 30 inches (762 mm) in clear height extending for not less than 80 percent of the length of the sides and no part of such larger tier shall be more than 200 feet (60 960 mm) horizontally from such an opening. In addition, each such opening shall face a street or
yard accessible to a street with a width of not less than 30 feet (9144 mm) for the full length of the opening, and standpipes shall be provided in each such tier.
Open parking garages of Type II construction, with all sides open, shall be unlimited in allowable area where the
building height does not exceed 75 feet (22 860 mm). For a side to be considered open, the total area of openings along the side shall not be less than 50 percent of the interior area of the side at each tier and such openings shall be equally distributed along the length of the tier. For purposes of calculating the interior area of the side, the height shall not exceed 7 feet (2134 mm). All portions of tiers shall be within 200 feet (60 960 mm) horizontally from such openings or other natural
ventilation openings as defined in
Section 406.5.2. These openings shall be permitted to be provided in
courts with a minimum dimension of 20 feet (6096 mm) for the full width of the openings.
Exterior walls and openings in
exterior walls shall comply with Tables
601 and
602. The distance to an adjacent
lot line shall be determined in accordance with
Table 602 and
Section 705.
Where persons other than parking attendants are permitted,
open parking garages shall meet the
means of egress requirements of
Chapter 10. Where no persons other than parking attendants are permitted, there shall be no fewer than two
exit stairways. Each
exit stairway shall be not less than 36 inches (914 mm) in width. Lifts shall be permitted to be installed for use of employees only, provided they are completely enclosed by noncombustible materials.
An
open parking garage shall be equipped with a standpipe system as required by Section 905.3. Deleted
Enclosure shall not be required for vertical openings except as specified in
Section 406.5.7.
Ventilation, other than the percentage of openings specified in
Section 406.5.2, shall not be required.
The following uses and
alterations are not permitted:
2. Parking of buses, trucks and similar vehicles.
3. Partial or complete closing of required openings in
exterior walls by tarpaulins or any other means.
Enclosed parking garages shall comply with Sections
406.6.1 through
406.6.3.
Enclosed vehicle parking garages and portions thereof that do not meet the definition of
open parking garages shall be limited to the allowable heights and areas specified in
Table 503 as modified by Sections
504,
506 and
507. Roof parking is permitted.
A mechanical
ventilation system shall be provided in accordance with the
International Mechanical Code.
An enclosed parking garage shall be equipped with an
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.2.10.
Motor fuel-
dispensing facilities shall comply with the
International Fire Code and Sections
406.7.1 and
406.7.2.
The vehicle shall be fueled on noncoated
concrete or other
approved paving material having a resistance not exceeding 1 megohm as determined by the methodology in EN 1081.
Canopies under which fuels are dispensed shall have a clear, unobstructed height of not less than 13 feet 6 inches (4115 mm) to the lowest projecting element in the vehicle drive-through area.
Canopies and their supports over pumps shall be of noncombustible materials,
fire-retardant-treated wood complying with
Chapter 23, wood of Type IV sizes or of construction providing 1-hour
fire resistance. Combustible materials used in or on a
canopy shall comply with one of the following:
1. Shielded from the pumps by a noncombustible element of the
canopy, or wood of Type IV sizes;
2. Plastics covered by aluminum facing having a thickness of not less than 0.010 inch (0.30 mm) or corrosion-resistant steel having a base metal thickness of not less than 0.016 inch (0.41 mm). The plastic shall have a
flame spread index of 25 or less and a
smoke-developed index of 450 or less when tested in the form intended for use in accordance with ASTM E 84 or UL 723 and a self-ignition temperature of 650°F (343°C) or greater when tested in accordance with ASTM D 1929; or
3.
Panels constructed of light-transmitting plastic materials shall be permitted to be installed in
canopies erected over motor vehicle fuel-
dispensing station fuel dispensers, provided the
panels are located not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) from any building on the same
lot and face
yards or streets not less than 40 feet (12 192 mm) in width on the other sides. The aggregate areas of plastics shall be not greater than 1,000 square feet (93 m
2). The maximum area of any individual
panel shall be not greater than 100 square feet (9.3 m
2).
Canopies that are used to shelter
dispensing operations where flammable compressed gases are located on the roof of the
canopy shall be in accordance with the following:
1. The
canopy shall meet or exceed Type I construction requirements.
2. Operations located under
canopies shall be limited to refueling only.
3. The
canopy shall be constructed in a manner that prevents the accumulation of hydrogen gas.
Repair garages shall be constructed in accordance with the
International Fire Code and Sections
406.8.1 through
406.8.6. This occupancy shall not include motor fuel-
dispensing facilities, as regulated in
Section 406.7.
Mixed uses shall be allowed in the same building as a
repair garage subject to the provisions of
Section 508.1.
Repair garages shall be mechanically ventilated in accordance with the
International Mechanical Code. The
ventilation system shall be controlled at the entrance to the garage.
Repair garage floors shall be of
concrete or similar noncombustible and nonabsorbent materials.
Exception: Slip-resistant, nonabsorbent, interior floor finishes having a critical radiant flux not more than 0.45 W/cm2, as determined by NFPA 253, shall be permitted.
Heating equipment shall be installed in accordance with the International Mechanical Code.
Repair garages used for the
repair of vehicles fueled by nonodorized gases such as hydrogen and nonodorized LNG, shall be provided with a
flammable gas detection system.
The
flammable gas detection system shall be
listed or
approved and shall be calibrated to the types of fuels or gases used by vehicles to be repaired. The gas detection system shall be designed to activate when the level of
flammable gas exceeds 25 percent of the
lower flammable limit (LFL). Gas detection shall be provided in lubrication or chassis service pits of
repair garages used for repairing nonodorized LNG-fueled vehicles.
Gas detection system control units shall be
listed and
labeled in accordance with UL 864 or UL 2017. Gas detectors shall be
listed and
labeled in accordance with UL 2075 for use with the gases and vapors being detected.
Activation of the gas detection system shall result in all of the following:
2. Deactivation of all heating systems located in the
repair garage.
3. Activation of the mechanical
ventilation system, where the system is interlocked with gas detection.
Failure of the gas detection system shall result in the deactivation of the heating system, activation of the mechanical
ventilation system where the system is inter-locked with the gas detection system and cause a
trouble signal to sound in an
approved location.
A
repair garage shall be equipped with an
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.2.9.1.
Occupancies in Group
I-2 shall comply with the provisions of Sections 407.1 through
407.10 and other applicable provisions of this code.
Corridors in occupancies in Group
I-2 shall be continuous to the
exits and shall be separated from other areas in accordance with
Section 407.3 except spaces conforming to Sections
407.2.1 through
407.2.4.
Waiting areas and similar spaces constructed as required for
corridors shall be permitted to be open to a
corridor, only where all of the following criteria are met:
1. The spaces are not occupied as care recipient’s sleeping rooms, treatment rooms, incidental uses in accordance with
Section 509, or hazardous uses.
2. The open space is protected by an
automatic fire detection system installed in accordance with
Section 907.
4. The space is arranged so as not to obstruct access to the required
exits.
Spaces for care providers’, supervisory staff, doctors’ and nurses’ charting, communications and related clerical areas shall be permitted to be open to the
corridor, where such spaces are constructed as required for
corridors.
Areas wherein psychiatric care recipients who are not capable of self-preservation are housed, or group meeting or multipurpose therapeutic spaces other than incidental uses in accordance with
Section 509, under continuous supervision by
facility staff, shall be permitted to be open to the
corridor, where the following criteria are met:
1. Each area does not exceed 1,500 square feet (140 m2).
3. The area is arranged so as not to obstruct any access to the required
exits.
6. The
walls and ceilings of the space are constructed as required for
corridors.
Gift shops and associated storage that are less than 500 square feet (455 m
2) in area shall be permitted to be open to the
corridor where such spaces are constructed as required for
corridors.
Corridor walls shall be constructed as smoke partitions in accordance with
Section 710.
Corridor doors, other than those in a
wall required to be rated by
Section 509.4 or for the enclosure of a vertical opening or an
exit, shall not have a required
fire protection rating and shall not be required to be equipped with
self-closing or
automatic-closing devices, but shall provide an effective barrier to limit the transfer of smoke and shall be equipped with positive latching. Roller latches are not permitted. Other doors shall conform to
Section 716.5. Relocated
Group
I-2 occupancies shall be provided with
means of egress complying with
Chapter 10 and Sections
407.4.1 through
407.4.3.
Habitable rooms in Group
I-2 occupancies shall have an
exit access door leading directly to a
corridor.
Exceptions:
1. Rooms with
exit doors opening directly to the outside at ground level.
Locking devices that restrict access to a care recipient’s room from the
corridor and that are operable only by staff from the
corridor side shall not restrict the
means of egress from the care recipient’s room.
Exceptions:
1. This section shall not apply to rooms in psychiatric treatment and similar care areas.
The travel distance between any point in a Group
I-2 occupancy sleeping room and an
exit access door in that room shall be not greater than 50 feet (15 240 mm).
Exit access from all other portions of a building not classified as a
care suite shall not pass through a
care suite. In a
care suite required to have more than one
exit, one
exit access is permitted to pass through an adjacent
care suite provided all of the other requirements of Sections
407.4 and
1014.2 are satisfied.
Care s
uites shall be separated from other portions of the building by a smoke partition complying with
Section 710.
For rooms other than sleeping rooms located within a
care suite,
exit access travel from the
care suite shall be permitted through one intervening room where the travel distance to the
exit access door from the
care suite is not greater than 100 feet (30 480 mm).
For rooms other than sleeping rooms located within a
care suite,
exit access travel within the
care suite shall be permitted through two intervening rooms where the travel distance to the
exit access door from the
care suite is not greater than 50 feet (15 240 mm).
Sleeping rooms shall be permitted to be grouped into
care suites with one intervening room if one of the following conditions is met:
1. The intervening room within the
care suite is not used as an
exit access for more than eight care recipient beds.
2. The arrangement of the
care suite allows for direct and constant visual supervision by care providers.
Care suites containing sleeping rooms shall be not greater than 5,000 square feet (465 m
2) in area.
Any sleeping room, or any
care suite that contains sleeping rooms, of more than 1,000 square feet (93 m
2) shall have no fewer than two
exit access doors from the
care suite located in accordance with
Section 1015.2.
The travel distance between any point in a
care suite containing sleeping rooms and an
exit access door from that
care suite shall be not greater than 100 feet (30 480 mm).
Areas not containing sleeping rooms, but only treatment areas and the associated rooms, spaces or circulation space shall be permitted to be grouped into
care suites and shall conform to the limitations in
Section 407.4.3.6.1 and
407.4.3.6.2.
Care suites of rooms, other than sleeping rooms, shall have an area not greater than 10,000 square feet (929 m2).
Care suites, other than sleeping rooms, with an area of more than 2,500 square feet (232 m
2) shall have no fewer than two
exit access doors from the
care suite located in accordance with
Section 1015.2.
Smoke barriers shall be provided to subdivide every
story used by persons receiving care, treatment or sleeping and to divide other
stories with an
occupant load of 50 or more persons, into no fewer than two
smoke compartments. Such
stories shall be divided into
smoke compartments with an area of not more than 22,500 square feet (2092 m
2) and the travel distance from any point in a
smoke compartment to a
smoke barrier door shall be not greater than 200 feet (60 960 mm). The
smoke barrier shall be in accordance with
Section 709.
Refuge areas shall be provided within each
smoke compartment. The size of the refuge area shall accommodate the occupants and care recipients from the adjoining
smoke compartment. Where a
smoke compartment is adjoined by two or more
smoke compartments, the minimum area of the refuge area shall accommodate the largest
occupant load of the adjoining compartments. The size of the refuge area shall provide the following:
1. Not less than 30 net square feet (2.8 m2) for each care recipient confined to bed or litter.
2. Not less than 6 square feet (0.56 m2) for each ambulatory care recipient not confined to bed or litter and for other occupants.
Areas or spaces permitted to be included in the calculation of refuge area are
corridors, sleeping areas, treatment rooms, lounge or dining areas and other low-hazard areas.
A
means of egress shall be provided from each
smoke compartment created by
smoke barriers without having to return through the
smoke compartment from which
means of egress originated.
Horizontal assemblies supporting
smoke barriers required by this section shall be designed to resist the movement of smoke and shall comply with
Section 711.9.
Smoke compartments containing sleeping rooms shall be equipped throughout with an
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Sections
903.3.1.1 and
903.3.2.
A
fire alarm system shall be provided in accordance with
Section 907.2.6.
Corridors in
nursing homes, long-term care
facilities,
detoxification facilities and spaces permitted to be open to the
corridors by
Section 407.2 shall be equipped with an
automatic fire detection system. Hospitals shall be equipped with smoke detection as required in
Section 407.2.
Exceptions:
1.
Corridor smoke detection is not required where sleeping rooms are provided with
smoke detectors that comply with UL 268. Such detectors shall provide a visual display on the
corridor side of each sleeping room and an audible and visual alarm at the care provider’s station attending each unit.
2.
Corridor smoke detection is not required where sleeping room doors are equipped with
automatic door-closing devices with integral
smoke detectors on the unit sides installed in accordance with their listing, provided that the integral detectors perform the required alerting function.
Grounds are permitted to be fenced and gates therein are permitted to be equipped with locks, provided that safe dispersal areas having 30 net square feet (2.8 m2) for bed and litter care recipients and 6 net square feet (0.56 m2) for ambulatory care recipients and other occupants are located between the building and the fence. Such provided safe dispersal area shall be located not less than 50 feet (15 240 mm) from the building they serve.
Hyperbaric
facilities in Group
I-2 occupancies shall meet the requirements contained in Chapter 20 of NFPA 99.
Occupancies in Group
I-3 shall comply with the provisions of Sections 408.1 through
408.11 and other applicable provisions of this code (see
Section 308.5).
The following terms are defined in
Chapter 2:
Buildings or portions of buildings in Group
I-3 occupancies where security operations necessitate the locking of required
means of egress shall be permitted to be classified as a different occupancy. Occupancies classified as other than Group
I-3 shall meet the applicable requirements of this code for that occupancy provided provisions are made for the release of occupants at all times.
Means of egress from detention and correctional occupancies that traverse other use areas shall, as a minimum, conform to requirements for detention and correctional occupancies.
Exception: It is permissible to
exit through a
horizontal exit into other contiguous occupancies that do not conform to detention and correctional occupancy egress provisions but that do comply with requirements set forth in the appropriate occupancy, as long as the occupancy is not a
Group H use.
Except as modified or as provided for in this section, the
means of egress provisions of
Chapter 10 shall apply.
Doors to resident
sleeping units shall have a clear width of not less than 28 inches (711 mm).
Where doors in a
means of egress are of the horizontal-sliding type, the force to slide the door to its fully open position shall be not greater than 50 pounds (220 N) with a perpendicular force against the door of 50 pounds (220 N).
A hatch or trap door not less than 16 square feet (610 m
2) in area through the floor and having
dimensions of not less than 2 feet (610 mm) in any direction shall be permitted to be used as a portion of the
means of egress from
guard towers.
Spiral stairways that conform to the requirements of
Section 1009.12 are permitted for access to and between staff locations.
Ship ladders shall be permitted for egress from control rooms or elevated
facility observation rooms in accordance with
Section 1009.14.
Exits are permitted to discharge into a fenced or walled courtyard. Enclosed
yards or
courts shall be of a size to accommodate all occupants, be located not less than 50 feet (15 240 mm) from the building and have an area of not less than 15 square feet (1.4 m
2) per person.
A
sallyport shall be permitted in a
means of egress where there are provisions for continuous and unobstructed passage through the
sallyport during an emergency egress condition.
One
interior exit stairway or
ramp in each building shall be permitted to have glazing installed in doors and interior
walls at each landing level providing access to the
interior exit stairway or ramp, provided that the following conditions are met:
3. The total area of glazing at each floor level shall not exceed 5,000 square inches (3.2 m
2) and individual
panels of glazing shall not exceed 1,296 square inches (0.84 m
2).
4. The glazing shall be protected on both sides by an
automatic sprinkler system. The sprinkler system shall be designed to wet completely the entire surface of any glazing affected by fire when actuated.
5. The glazing shall be in a gasketed frame and installed in such a manner that the framing system will deflect without breaking (loading) the glass before the sprinkler system operates.
6. Obstructions, such as curtain rods, drapery traverse rods, curtains, drapes or similar materials shall not be installed between the
automatic sprinklers and the glazing.
Egress doors are permitted to be locked in accordance with the applicable use condition. Doors from a refuge area to the outside are permitted to be locked with a key in lieu of locking methods described in
Section 408.4.1. The keys to unlock the exterior doors shall be available at all times and the locks shall be operable from both sides of the door.
Remote release of locks on doors in a
means of egress shall be provided with reliable means of operation, remote from the resident living areas, to release locks on all required doors. In Occupancy Conditions 3 or 4, the arrangement, accessibility and security of the release mechanisms required for egress shall be such that with the minimum available staff at any time, the lock mechanisms are capable of being released within 2 minutes.
Exception: Provisions for remote locking and unlocking of occupied rooms in Occupancy Condition 4 are not required provided that not more than 10 locks are necessary to be unlocked in order to move occupants from one smoke compartment to a refuge area within 3 minutes. The opening of necessary locks shall be accomplished with not more than two separate keys.
Power-operated sliding doors or power-operated locks for swinging doors shall be operable by a manual release mechanism at the door, and either emergency power or a remote mechanical operating release shall be provided.
Exception: Emergency power is not required in facilities with 10 or fewer locks complying with the exception to Section 408.4.1.
Remote release, mechanically operated sliding doors or remote release, mechanically operated locks shall be provided with a mechanically operated release mechanism at each door, or shall be provided with a redundant remote release control.
Doors remotely unlocked under emergency conditions shall not automatically relock when closed unless specific action is taken at the remote location to enable doors to relock.
Any vertical opening shall be protected by a
shaft enclosure in accordance with
Section 713, or shall be in accordance with
Section 408.5.1.
Openings in floors within a
housing unit are permitted without a
shaft enclosure, provided all of the following conditions are met:
1. The entire normally occupied areas so interconnected are open and unobstructed so as to enable observation of the areas by supervisory personnel;
3. The height difference between the floor levels of the highest and lowest
cell tiers shall not exceed 23 feet (7010 mm); and
4. Egress from any portion of the
cell tier to an
exit or
exit access door shall not require travel on more than one additional floor level within the
housing unit.
Where a floor opening is permitted between communicating floor levels of a
housing unit in accordance with
Section 408.5.1, plumbing chases serving vertically staked individual
cells contained with the
housing unit shall be permitted without a
shaft enclosure.
Occupancies in Group
I-3 shall have
smoke barriers complying with Sections
408.7 and 709 to divide every
story occupied by residents for sleeping, or any other
story having an
occupant load of 50 or more persons, into no fewer than two
smoke compartments. Exception: Spaces having a direct
exit to one of the following, provided that the locking arrangement of the doors involved complies with the requirements for doors at the
smoke barrier for the use condition involved:
2. A building separated from the resident housing area by a 2-hour fire-resistance-rated assembly or 50 feet (15 240 mm) of open space.
3. A secured y
ard or
court having a holding space 50 feet (15 240 mm) from the housing area that provides 6 square feet (0.56 m
2) or more of refuge area per occupant, including residents, staff and visitors.
The number of residents in any
smoke compartment shall be not more than 200. The travel distance to a door in a
smoke barrier from any room door required as
exit access shall be not greater than 150 feet (45 720 mm). The travel distance to a door in a
smoke barrier from any point in a room shall be not greater than 200 feet (60 960 mm).
Not less than 6 net square feet (0.56 m
2) per occupant shall be provided on each side of each
smoke barrier for the total number of occupants in adjoining
smoke compartments. This space shall be readily available wherever the occupants are moved across the
smoke barrier in a fire emergency.
A
means of egress shall be provided from each
smoke compartment created by
smoke barriers without having to return through the
smoke compartment from which
means of egress originates.
In occupancies in Group
I-3, windows and doors in 1-hour
fire barriers constructed in accordance with
Section 707,
fire partitions constructed in accordance with
Section 708 and
smoke barriers constructed in accordance with
Section 709 shall be permitted to have security glazing installed provided that the following conditions are met.
1. Individual
panels of glazing shall not exceed 1,296 square inches (0.84 m
2).
2. The glazing shall be protected on both sides by an
automatic sprinkler system. The sprinkler system shall be designed to, when actuated, wet completely the entire surface of any glazing affected by fire.
3. The glazing shall be in a gasketed frame and installed in such a manner that the framing system will deflect without breaking (loading) the glass before the sprinkler system operates.
4. Obstructions, such as curtain rods, drapery traverse rods, curtains, drapes or similar materials shall not be installed between the
automatic sprinklers and the glazing.
Sleeping areas and any contiguous day room, group activity space or other common spaces where residents are housed shall be separated from other spaces in accordance with Sections
408.8.1 through
408.8.4.
Each sleeping area in Occupancy Conditions 3 and 4 shall be separated from the adjacent common spaces by a smoke-tight partition where the travel distance from the sleeping area through the common space to the
corridor exceeds 50 feet (15 240 mm).
Each sleeping area in Occupancy Condition 5 shall be separated from adjacent sleeping areas,
corridors and common spaces by a smoke-tight partition. Additionally, common spaces shall be separated from the
corridor by a smoke-tight partition.
The aggregate area of openings in a
solid sleeping room face in Occupancy Conditions 2, 3, 4 and 5 shall not exceed 120 square inches (0.77 m
2). The aggregate area shall include all openings including door undercuts, food passes and grilles. Openings shall be not more than 36 inches (914 mm) above the floor. In Occupancy Condition 5, the openings shall be closeable from the room side.
Doors in openings in partitions required to be smoke tight by
Section 408.8 shall be substantial doors, of construction that will resist the passage of smoke. Latches and door closures are not required on
cell doors.
For the purposes of this section, a windowless building or portion of a building is one with nonopenable windows, windows not readily breakable or without windows. Windowless buildings shall be provided with an engineered smoke control system to provide a tenable environment for exiting from the
smoke compartment in the area of fire origin in accordance with
Section 909 for each windowless
smoke compartment.
A
fire alarm system shall be provided in accordance with
Section 907.2.6.3.
Group
I-3 occupancies shall be equipped throughout with an
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.2.6.
The provisions of Sections 409.1 through
409.5 shall apply to rooms in which ribbon-type cellulose acetate or other safety film is utilized in conjunction with electric arc, xenon or other light-source projection equipment that develops hazardous gases, dust or radiation. Where cellulose nitrate film is utilized or stored, such rooms shall comply with NFPA 40.
Every motion picture machine projecting film as mentioned within the scope of this section shall be enclosed in a projection room. Appurtenant electrical equipment, such as rheostats, transformers and generators, shall be within the projection room or in an adjacent room of equivalent construction.
Every projection room shall be of permanent construction consistent with the construction requirements for the type of building in which the projection room is located. Openings are not required to be protected.
The room shall have a floor area of not less than 80 square feet (7.44 m2) for a single machine and not less than 40 square feet (3.7 m2) for each additional machine. Each motion picture projector, floodlight, spotlight or similar piece of equipment shall have a clear working space of not less than 30 inches by 30 inches (762 mm by 762 mm) on each side and at the rear thereof, but only one such space shall be required between two adjacent projectors. The projection room and the rooms appurtenant thereto shall have a ceiling height of not less than 7 feet 6 inches (2286 mm). The aggregate of openings for projection equipment shall not exceed 25 percent of the area of the wall between the projection room and the auditorium. Openings shall be provided with glass or other approved material, so as to close completely the opening.
Ventilation shall be provided in accordance with the
International Mechanical Code.
Each projection room shall be provided with adequate air supply inlets so arranged as to provide well-distributed air throughout the room. Air inlet ducts shall provide an amount of air equivalent to the amount of air being exhausted by projection equipment. Air is permitted to be taken from the outside; from adjacent spaces within the building, provided the volume and infiltration rate is sufficient; or from the building air-conditioning system, provided it is so arranged as to provide sufficient air when other systems are not in operation.
Projection rooms are permitted to be exhausted through the lamp exhaust system. The lamp exhaust system shall be positively interconnected with the lamp so that the lamp will not operate unless there is the required airflow. Exhaust air ducts shall terminate at the exterior of the building in such a location that the exhaust air cannot be readily recirculated into any air supply system. The projection room
ventilation system is permitted to also serve appurtenant rooms, such as the generator and rewind rooms.
Each projection machine shall be provided with an exhaust duct that will draw air from each lamp and exhaust it directly to the outside of the building. The lamp exhaust is permitted to serve to exhaust air from the projection room to provide room air circulation. Such ducts shall be of rigid materials, except for a flexible connector approved for the purpose. The projection lamp or projection room exhaust system, or both, is permitted to be combined but shall not be interconnected with any other exhaust or return system, or both, within the building.
Provisions shall be made for control of the auditorium lighting and the
means of egress lighting systems of theaters from inside the projection room and from not less than one other convenient point in the building.
Each projection room shall be provided with rewind and film storage
facilities.
The provisions of Sections 410.1 through
410.8 shall apply to all parts of buildings and structures that contain
stages or
platforms and similar appurtenances as herein defined.
The following terms are defined in
Chapter 2:
Stage construction shall comply with Sections
410.3.1 through
410.3.7.
Stages shall be constructed of materials as required for floors for the type of construction of the building in which such
stages are located.
Exception: Stages need not be constructed of the same materials as required for the type of construction provided the construction complies with one of the following:
1.
Stages of Type IIB or IV construction with a
nominal 2-inch (51 mm) wood deck, provided that the
stage is separated from other areas in accordance with
Section 410.3.4.
2. In buildings of Type IIA, IIIA and VA construction, a fire-resistance-rated floor is not required, provided the space below the
stage is equipped with an
automatic sprinkler system or fire-extinguishing system in accordance with
Section 903 or
904.
3. In all types of construction, the finished floor shall be constructed of wood or
approved noncombustible materials. Openings through
stage floors shall be equipped with tight-fitting,
solid wood trap doors with
approved safety locks.
Stage areas shall be measured to include the entire performance area and adjacent backstage and support areas not separated from the pqerformance area by fire-resistance-rated construction.
Stage height shall be measured from the lowest point on the
stage floor to the highest point of the roof or floor deck above the
stage.
Beams designed only for the attachment of portable or fixed theater equipment, gridirons, galleries and catwalks shall be constructed of
approved materials consistent with the requirements for the type of construction of the building; and a
fire-resistance rating shall not be required. These areas shall not be considered to be floors,
stories,
mezzanines or levels in applying this code.
Exception: Floors of fly galleries and catwalks shall be constructed of any approved material.
Where protection of openings is required, exterior
exit doors shall be protected with
fire door assemblies that comply with
Section 716. Exterior openings that are located on the
stage for
means of egress or loading and unloading purposes, and that are likely to be open during occupancy of the theater, shall be constructed with vestibules to prevent air drafts into the auditorium.
Where the
stage height is greater than 50 feet (15 240 mm), all portions of the
stage shall be completely separated from the seating area by a
proscenium wall with not less than a 2-hour
fire-resistance rating extending continuously from the foundation to the roof.
Where a
proscenium wall is required to have a
fire-resistance rating, the
stage opening shall be provided with a fire curtain complying with NFPA 80 or an
approved water curtain complying with
Section 903.3.1.1 or, in
facilities not utilizing the provisions of
smoke-protected assembly seating in accordance with
Section 1028.6.2, a smoke control system complying with
Section 909 or natural
ventilation designed to maintain the smoke level not less than 6 feet (1829 mm) above the floor of the
means of egress.
Combustible materials used in sets and scenery shall meet the fire propagation performance criteria of NFPA 701, in accordance with
Section 806 and the
International Fire Code. Foam plastics and materials containing foam plastics shall comply with
Section 2603 and the
International Fire Code.
Emergency
ventilation shall be provided for
stages larger than 1,000 square feet (93 m
2) in floor area, or with a
stage height greater than 50 feet (15 240 mm). Such
ventilation shall comply with
Section 410.3.7.1 or
410.3.7.2.
Two or more vents constructed to open automatically by
approved heat-activated devices and with an aggregate clear opening area of not less than 5 percent of the area of the
stage shall be located near the center and above the highest part of the
stage area. Supplemental means shall be provided for manual operation of the ventilator. Curbs shall be provided as required for skylights in
Section 2610.2. Vents shall be
labeled.
Smoke control in accordance with
Section 909 shall be provided to maintain the smoke layer interface not less than 6 feet (1829 mm) above the highest level of the assembly seating or above the top of the proscenium opening where a
proscenium wall is provided in compliance with
Section 410.3.4.
Permanent
platforms shall be constructed of materials as required for the type of construction of the building in which the permanent
platform is located. Permanent
platforms are permitted to be constructed of
fire-retardant-treated wood for Types I, II and IV construction where the
platforms are not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the main floor, and not more than one-third of the room floor area and not more than 3,000 square feet (279 m
2) in area. Where the space beneath the permanent
platform is used for storage or any purpose other than equipment, wiring or plumbing, the floor assembly shall be not less than 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction. Where the space beneath the permanent
platform is used only for equipment, wiring or plumbing, the underside of the permanent
platform need not be protected.
Platforms installed for a period of not more than 30 days are permitted to be constructed of any materials permitted by the code. The space between the floor and the
platform above shall only be used for plumbing and electrical wiring to
platform equipment.
Dressing and appurtenant rooms shall comply with Sections
410.5.1 and
410.5.2.
The
stage shall be separated from dressing rooms, scene docks, property rooms, workshops, storerooms and compartments appurtenant to the
stage and other parts of the building by
fire barriers constructed in accordance with
Section 707 or
horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with
Section 711, or both. The
fire-resistance rating shall be not less than 2 hours for
stage heights greater than 50 feet (15 240 mm) and not less than 1 hour for
stage heights of 50 feet (15 240 mm) or less. Relocated
Dressing rooms, scene docks, property rooms, workshops, storerooms and compartments appurtenant to the
stage shall be separated from each other by not less than 1-hour
fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or
horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both. Deleted
Except as modified or as provided for in this section, the provisions of
Chapter 10 shall apply.
Where two or more
exits or
exit access doorways from the
stage are required in accordance with
Section 1015.1, no fewer than one
exit or
exit access doorway shall be provided on each side of a
stage.
Exit access stairways and
ramps serving a
stage or
platform are not required to be enclosed.
Exit access stairways serving
technical production areas are not required to be enclosed.
Technical production areas shall be provided with
means of egress and means of escape in accordance with Sections
410.6.3.1 through
410.6.3.5.
No fewer than one
means of egress shall be provided from
technical production areas.
The length of
exit access travel shall be not greater than 300 feet (91 440 mm) for buildings without a sprinkler system and 400 feet (121 900 mm) for buildings equipped throughout with an
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.1.
Where two
means of egress are required, the
common path of travel shall be not greater than 100 feet (30 480 mm).
Exception: A means of escape to a roof in place of a second means of egress is permitted.
The following
exit access components are permitted where serving
technical production areas: 4. Catwalks.
6. Permanent ladders.
The path of egress travel within and from technical support areas shall be not less than 22 inches (559 mm).
Stages shall be equipped with an
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.1. Sprinklers shall be installed under the roof and gridiron and under all catwalks and galleries over the
stage. Sprinklers shall be installed in dressing rooms, performer lounges, shops and storerooms accessory to such
stages. Exceptions:
1. Sprinklers are not required under
stage areas less than 4 feet (1219 mm) in clear height that are utilized exclusively for storage of tables and chairs, provided the concealed space is separated from the adjacent spaces by Type X
gypsum board not less than
5/
8 inch (15.9 mm) in thickness.
2. Sprinklers are not required for
stages 1,000 square feet (93 m
2) or less in area and 50 feet (15 240 mm) or less in height where curtains, scenery or other combustible hangings are not retractable vertically. Combustible hangings shall be limited to a single main curtain, borders, legs and a single backdrop.
3. Sprinklers are not required within portable orchestra enclosures on
stages.
Standpipe systems shall be provided in accordance with
Section 905.
Special
amusement buildings having an
occupant load of 50 or more shall comply with the requirements for the appropriate
Group A occupancy and Sections 411.1 through
411.8. Amusement buildings having an
occupant load of less than 50 shall comply with the requirements for a
Group B occupancy and Sections 411.1 through
411.8.
Exception: Amusement buildings or portions thereof that are without
walls or a roof and constructed to prevent the accumulation of smoke need not comply with this section.
For flammable decorative materials, see the International Fire Code.
The following term is defined in
Chapter 2:
Special amusement buildings shall be equipped with an
automatic fire detection system in accordance with
Section 907.
Special amusement buildings shall be equipped throughout with an
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.3.1.1. Where the
special amusement building is temporary, the sprinkler water supply shall be of an
approved temporary means.
Exception: Automatic sprinklers are not required where the total floor area of a temporary
special amusement building is less than 1,000 square feet (93 m
2) and the travel distance from any point to an
exit is less than 50 feet (15 240 mm).
Actuation of a single
smoke detector, the
automatic sprinkler system or other
automatic fire detection device shall immediately sound an alarm at the building at a
constantly attended location from which emergency action can be initiated including the capability of manual initiation of requirements in
Section 907.2.12.2.
An
emergency voice/alarm communications system shall be provided in accordance with Sections
907.2.12 and
907.5.2.2, which is also permitted to serve as a public address system and shall be audible throughout the entire
special amusement building.
Exit signs shall be installed at the required
exit or
exit access doorways of amusement buildings in accordance with this section and
Section 1011.
Approved directional
exit markings shall also be provided. Where mirrors, mazes or other designs are utilized that disguise the path of egress travel such that they are not apparent,
approved and
listed low-level
exit signs that comply with
Section 1011.5, and directional path markings
listed in accordance with UL 1994, shall be provided and located not more than 8 inches (203 mm) above the walking surface and on or near the path of egress travel. Such markings shall become visible in an emergency. The directional
exit marking shall be activated by the
automatic fire detection system and the
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 907.2.12.2.
Where photo luminescent
exit signs are installed, activating light source and viewing distance shall be in accordance with the listing and markings of the signs.
The
interior finish shall be Class A in accordance with
Section 803.1.
Aircraft-related occupancies shall comply with Sections 412.1 through
412.7 and the
International Fire Code.
The following terms are defined in
Chapter 2:
The provisions of Sections
412.3.1 through
412.3.5 shall apply to airport traffic control towers not exceeding 1,500 square feet (140 m
2) per floor occupied only for the following uses:
1. Airport traffic control cab.
2. Electrical and mechanical equipment rooms.
3. Airport terminal radar and electronics rooms.
4. Office spaces incidental to the tower operation.
5. Lounges for employees, including sanitary
facilities.
Airport traffic control towers shall be constructed to comply with the height and area limitations of Table 412.3.2.
TABLE 412.3.1
HEIGHT AND AREA LIMITATIONS FOR AIRPORT TRAFFIC
CONTROL TOWERS
TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION | HEIGHTa (feet) | MAXIMUM AREA (square feet) |
IA | Unlimited | 1,500 |
IB | 240 | 1,500 |
IIA | 100 | 1,500 |
IIB | 85 | 1,500 |
IIIA | 65 | 1,500 |
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m2.
a. Height to be measured from
grade plane to cab floor.
Not less than one
exit stairway shall be permitted for airport traffic control towers of any height provided that the
occupant load per floor is not greater than 15. The
stairway shall conform to the requirements of
Section 1009. The
stairway shall be separated from elevators by a distance of not less than one-half of the diagonal of the area served measured in a straight line. The
exit stairway and elevator hoistway are permitted to be located in the same
shaft enclosure, provided they are separated from each other by a 4-hour
fire barrier having no openings. Such
stairway shall be pressurized to not less than 0.15 inch of water column (43 Pa) and not greater than 0.35 inch of water column (101 Pa) in the
shaft relative to the building with
stairway doors closed.
Stairways need not extend to the roof as specified in
Section 1009.16. The provisions of
Section 403 do not apply.
Exception: Smokeproof enclosures as set forth in Section 1022.10 are not required where required stairways are pressurized.
Airport traffic control towers shall be provided with an
automatic fire detection system installed in accordance with
Section 907.2.
A standby power system that conforms to
Chapter 27 shall be provided in airport traffic control towers more than 65 feet (19 812 mm) in height. Power shall be provided to the following equipment:
1. Pressurization equipment, mechanical equipment and lighting.
2. Elevator operating equipment.
3. Fire alarm and smoke detection systems.
Airport traffic control towers need not be
accessible as specified in the provisions of
Chapter 11.
Aircraft hangars shall be in accordance with Sections
412.4.1 through
412.4.6.
Exterior walls located less than 30 feet (9144 mm) from
lot lines or a
public way shall have a
fire-resistance rating not less than 2 hours.
Where hangars have
basements, floors over
basements shall be of Type IA construction and shall be made tight against seepage of water, oil or vapors. There shall be no opening or communication between
basements and the hangar. Access to
basements shall be from outside only.
Floors shall be graded and drained to prevent water or fuel from remaining on the floor. Floor drains shall discharge through an oil separator to the sewer or to an outside vented sump.
Exception: Aircraft hangars with individual lease spaces not exceeding 2,000 square feet (186 m2) each in which servicing, repairing or washing is not conducted and fuel is not dispensed shall have floors that are graded toward the door, but shall not require a separator.
Heating equipment shall be placed in another room separated by 2-hour
fire barriers constructed in accordance with
Section 707 or
horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with
Section 711, or both. Entrance shall be from the outside or by means of a vestibule providing a two-doorway separation.
Exceptions:
1. Unit heaters and vented infrared radiant heating equipment suspended not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) above the upper surface of wings or engine enclosures of the highest aircraft that are permitted to be housed in the hangar need not be located in a separate room provided they are mounted not less than 8 feet (2438 mm) above the floor in shops, offices and other sections of the hangar communicating with storage or service areas.
2. Entrance to the separated room shall be permitted by a single interior door provided the sources of ignition in the appliances are not less than 18 inches (457 mm) above the floor.
The process of “doping,” involving use of a volatile flammable solvent, or of painting, shall be carried on in a separate
detached building equipped with
automatic fire-extinguishing equipment in accordance with
Section 903.
Aircraft hangars shall be provided with a fire suppression system designed in accordance with NFPA 409, based upon the classification for the hangar given in Table 412.4.6.
Exception: Where a fixed base operator has separate repair facilities on site, Group II hangars operated by a fixed base operator used for storage of transient aircraft only shall have a fire suppression system, but the system is exempt from foam requirements.
[F] TABLE 412.4.6
HANGAR FIRE SUPPRESSION REQUIREMENTSa,b,c
MAXIMUM SINGLE FIRE AREA (square feet) | TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION |
IA | IB | IIA | IIB | IIIA | IIIB | IV | VA | VB |
≥ 40,001 | Group I | Group I | Group I | Group I | Group I | Group I | Group I | Group I | Group I |
40,000 | Group II | Group II | Group II | Group II | Group II | Group II | Group II | Group II | Group II |
30,000 | Group III | Group II | Group II | Group II | Group II | Group II | Group II | Group II | Group II |
20,000 | Group III | Group III | Group II | Group II | Group II | Group II | Group II | Group II | Group II |
15,000 | Group III | Group III | Group III | Group II | Group III | Group II | Group III | Group II | Group II |
12,000 | Group III | Group III | Group III | Group III | Group III | Group III | Group III | Group II | Group II |
8,000 | Group III | Group III | Group III | Group III | Group III | Group III | Group III | Group III | Group II |
5,000 | Group III | Group III | Group III | Group III | Group III | Group III | Group III | Group III | Group III |
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m2.
a. Aircraft hangars with a door height greater than 28 feet shall be provided with fire suppression for a
Group I hangar regardless of maximum
fire area.
b. Groups shall be as classified in accordance with NFPA 409.
c. Membrane structures complying with
Section 3102 shall be classified as a Group IV hangar.
Any Group III aircraft hangar according to
Table 412.4.6 that contains hazardous operations including, but not limited to, the following shall be provided with a
Group I or II fire suppression system in accordance with NFPA 409 as applicable:
1. Doping.
2. Hot work including, but not limited to, welding, torch cutting and torch soldering.
3. Fuel transfer.
4. Fuel tank
repair or maintenance not including defueled tanks in accordance with NFPA 409, inerted tanks or tanks that have never been fueled.
5. Spray finishing operations.
6. Total fuel capacity of all aircraft within the unsprinklered single
fire area in excess of 1,600 gallons (6057 L).
Maximum single
fire areas established in accordance with hangar classification and construction type in
Table 412.4.6 shall be separated by 2-hour
fire walls constructed in accordance with
Section 706. In determining the maximum single
fire area as set forth in
Table 412.4.6, ancillary uses which are separated from aircraft servicing areas by a
fire barrier of not less than one hour, constructed in accordance with
Section 707 shall not be included in the area.
A hangar shall not be attached to a
dwelling unless separated by a
fire barrier having a
fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour. Such separation shall be continuous from the foundation to the underside of the roof and unpierced except for doors leading to the
dwelling unit. Doors into the
dwelling unit shall be equipped with
self-closing devices and conform to the requirements of
Section 716 with a noncombustible raised sill not less than 4 inches (102 mm) in height. Openings from a hanger directly into a room used for sleeping purposes shall not be permitted.
A hangar shall provide two
means of egress. One of the doors into the
dwelling shall be considered as meeting only one of the two
means of egress.
Smoke alarms shall be provided within the hangar in accordance with
Section 907.2.21.
Electrical, mechanical and plumbing drain, waste and vent (DWV) systems installed within the hangar shall be independent of the systems installed within the
dwelling. Building sewer lines shall be permitted to be connected outside the structures.
Exception: Smoke detector wiring and feed for electrical subpanels in the hangar.
Residential aircraft hangars shall be not greater than 2,000 square feet (186 m
2) in area and 20 feet (6096 mm) in
building height.
Aircraft painting operations where
flammable liquids are used in excess of the maximum allowable quantities per
control area listed in
Table 307.1(1) shall be conducted in an aircraft paint hangar that complies with the provisions of Sections
412.6.1 through
412.6.6.
Aircraft paint hangars shall be classified as Group
H-2. Aircraft paint hangars shall comply with the applicable requirements of this code and the
International Fire Code for such occupancy.
The aircraft paint hangar shall be of Type I or II construction.
Only those
flammable liquids necessary for painting operations shall be permitted in quantities less than the maximum allowable quantities per
control area in
Table 307.1(1). Spray equipment cleaning operations shall be conducted in a
liquid use,
dispensing and mixing room.
Aircraft paint hangars shall be provided with fire suppression as required by NFPA 409.
Aircraft paint hangars shall be provided with
ventilation as required in the
International Mechanical Code.
Heliports and
helistops shall be permitted to be erected on buildings or other locations where they are constructed in accordance with Sections
412.7.1 through
412.7.5.
The landing area for helicopters less than 3,500 pounds (1588 kg) shall be not less than 20 feet (6096 mm) in length and width. The landing area shall be surrounded on all sides by a clear area having a minimum average width at roof level of 15 feet (4572 mm) but with no width less than 5 feet (1524 mm).
Helicopter landing areas and the supports thereof on the roof of a building shall be noncombustible construction. Landing areas shall be designed to confine any
flammable liquid spillage to the landing area itself and provisions shall be made to drain such spillage away from any
exit or
stairway serving the helicopter landing area or from a structure housing such
exit or
stairway. For structural design requirements, see
Section 1607.6.
The
means of egress from
heliports and
helistops shall comply with the provisions of
Chapter 10. Landing areas located on buildings or structures shall have two or more
means of egress. For landing areas less than 60 feet (18 288 mm) in length or less than 2,000 square feet (186 m
2) in area, the second
means of egress is permitted to be a fire escape,
alternating tread device or ladder leading to the floor below.
Rooftop
heliports and
helistops shall comply with NFPA 418.
In buildings equipped with a standpipe system, the standpipe shall extend to the roof level in accordance with
Section 905.3.6.
High-piled stock or rack storage in any occupancy group shall comply with the International Fire Code.
Attic, under-floor and concealed spaces used for storage of combustible materials shall be protected on the storage side as required for 1-hour fire-resistance-rated construction. Openings shall be protected by assemblies that are
self-closing and are of noncombustible construction or
solid wood core not less than 1
3/
4 inch (45 mm) in thickness.
Exception: Neither fire-resistant-rated construction nor opening protectives are required in any of the following locations:
2. Group
R-3 and U occupancies.
The provisions of Sections 414.1 through
414.7 shall apply to buildings and structures occupied for the manufacturing, processing,
dispensing, use or storage of
hazardous materials.
Buildings and structures with an occupancy in
Group H shall comply with this section and the applicable provisions of
Section 415 and the
International Fire Code.
The safe design of hazardous material occupancies is material dependent. Individual material requirements are also found in Sections
307 and
415, and in the
International Mechanical Code and the
International Fire Code.
Level 2 and 3
aerosol products shall be stored and displayed in accordance with the
International Fire Code. See
Section 311.2 and the
International Fire Code for occupancy group requirements.
A report shall be submitted to the
building official identifying the maximum expected quantities of
hazardous materials to be stored, used in a
closed system and used in an
open system, and subdivided to separately address hazardous material classification categories based on Tables
307.1(1) and
307.1(2). The methods of protection from such hazards, including but not limited to
control areas,
fire protection systems and
Group H occupancies shall be indicated in the report and on the
construction documents. The opinion and report shall be prepared by a qualified person, firm or corporation
approved by the
building official and provided without charge to the enforcing agency.
For buildings and structures with an occupancy in
Group H, separate floor plans shall be submitted identifying the locations of anticipated contents and processes so as to reflect the nature of each occupied portion of every building and structure.
Control areas shall comply with Sections
414.2.1 through
414.2.5 and the
International Fire Code.
Control areas shall be separated from each other by
fire barriers constructed in accordance with
Section 707 or
horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with
Section 711, or both.
The percentage of maximum allowable quantities of
hazardous materials per
control area permitted at each floor level within a building shall be in accordance with Table 414.2.2.
[F] TABLE 414.2.2
DESIGN AND NUMBER OF CONTROL AREAS
a. Percentages shall be of the maximum allowable quantity per
control area shown in Tables
307.1(1) and
307.1(2), with all increases allowed in the notes to those tables.
The maximum number of
control areas within a building shall be in accordance with
Table 414.2.2.
The required
fire-resistance rating for
fire barriers shall be in accordance with
Table 414.2.2. The floor assembly of the
control area and the construction supporting the floor of the
control area shall have a
fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 hours.
Exception: The floor assembly of the control area and the construction supporting the floor of the control area are allowed to be 1-hour fire-resistance rated in buildings of Types IIA, IIIA and VA construction, provided that both of the following conditions exist:
The aggregate quantity of nonflammable
solid and nonflammable or noncombustible
liquid hazardous materials permitted within a single
control area of a
Group M display and storage area, a
Group S storage area or an outdoor
control area is permitted to exceed the maximum allowable quantities per
control area specified in Tables
307.1(1) and
307.1(2) without classifying the building or use as a
Group H occupancy, provided that the materials are displayed and stored in accordance with the
International Fire Code and quantities do not exceed the maximum allowable specified in Table 414.2.5(1).
In
Group M occupancy wholesale and retail sales uses, indoor storage of flammable and
combustible liquids shall not exceed the maximum allowable quantities per
control area as indicated in Table 414.2.5(2), provided that the materials are displayed and stored in accordance with the
International Fire Code.
The maximum quantity of
aerosol products in
Group M occupancy retail display areas, storage areas adjacent to retail display areas and retail storage areas shall be in accordance with the
International Fire Code.
[F] TABLE 414.2.5(1)
MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE QUANTITY PER INDOOR AND OUTDOOR CONTROL AREA IN GROUP M AND S OCCUPANCIES
NONFLAMMABLE SOLIDS AND NONFLAMMABLE AND NONCOMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDSd,e,f
CONDITION | MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE QUANTITY PER CONTROL AREA |
Materiala | Class | Solids pounds | Liquids gallons |
A. Health-hazard materials—nonflammable and noncombustible solids and liquids |
1. Corrosivesb,c | Not Applicable | 9,750 | 975 |
2. Highly toxics | Not Applicable | 20b,c | 2b,c |
3. Toxicsb,c | Not Applicable | 1,000 | 100 |
B. Physical-hazard materials—nonflammable and noncombustible solids and liquids |
1. Oxidizersb,c | 4 | Not Allowed | Not Allowed |
3 | 1,150g | 115 |
2 | 2,250h | 225 |
1 | 18,000 i, j | 1,800 i, j |
2. Unstable (reactives)b,c | 4 | Not Allowed | Not Allowed |
3 | 550 | 55 |
2 | 1,150 | 115 |
1 | Not Limited | Not Limited |
3. Water reactives | 3b,c | 550 | 55 |
2b,c | 1,150 | 115 |
1 | Not Limited | Not Limited |
For SI: 1 pound = 0.454 kg, 1 gallon = 3.785 L.
- Hazard categories are as specified in the International Fire Code.
- Maximum allowable quantities shall be increased 100 percent in buildings that are sprinklered in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. When Note c also applies, the increase for both notes shall be applied accumulatively.
- Maximum allowable quantities shall be increased 100 percent when stored in approved storage cabinets, in accordance with the International Fire Code. When Note b also applies, the increase for both notes shall be applied accumulatively.
- See Table 414.2.2 for design and number of control areas.
- Allowable quantities for other hazardous material categories shall be in accordance with Section 307.
- Maximum quantities shall be increased 100 percent in outdoor control areas.
- Maximum amounts are permitted to be increased to 2,250 pounds when individual packages are in the original sealed containers from the manufacturer or packager and do not exceed 10 pounds each.
- Maximum amounts are permitted to be increased to 4,500 pounds when individual packages are in the original sealed containers from the manufacturer or packager and do not exceed 10 pounds each.
- The permitted quantities shall not be limited in a building equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
- Quantities are unlimited in an outdoor control area.
[F] TABLE 414.2.5(2)
MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE QUANTITY OF FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS IN WHOLESALE AND RETAIL SALES
OCCUPANCIES PER CONTROL AREAa
TYPE OF LIQUID | MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE QUANTITY PER CONTROL AREA (gallons) |
Sprinklered in accordance with note b densities and arrangements | Sprinklered in accordance with Tables 3404.3.6.3(4) through 3404.3.6.3(8) and Table 3404.3.7.5.1 of the International Fire Code | Nonsprinklered |
Class IA | 60 | 60 | 30 |
Class IB, IC, II and IIIA | 7,500c | 15,000c | 1,600 |
Class IIIB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 13,200 |
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m2, 1 gallon = 3.785 L, 1 gallon per minute per square foot = 40.75 L/min/m2.
- Control areas shall be separated from each other by not less than a 1-hour fire barrier wall.
- To be considered as sprinklered, a building shall be equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system with a design providing minimum densities as follows:
- For uncartoned commodities on shelves 6 feet or less in height where the ceiling height does not exceed 18 feet, quantities are those permitted with a minimum sprinkler design density of Ordinary Hazard Group 2.
- For cartoned, palletized or racked commodities where storage is 4 feet 6 inches or less in height and where the ceiling height does not exceed 18 feet, quantities are those permitted with a minimum sprinkler design density of 0.21 gallon per minute per square foot over the most remote 1,500-square-foot area.
- Where wholesale and retail sales or storage areas exceed 50,000 square feet in area, the maximum allowable quantities are allowed to be increased by 2 percent for each 1,000 square feet of area in excess of 50,000 square feet, up to a maximum of 100 percent of the table amounts. A control area separation is not required. The cumulative amounts, including amounts attained by having an additional control area, shall not exceed 30,000 gallons.
Rooms, areas or spaces of
Group H in which
explosive,
corrosive, combustible, flammable or
highly toxic dusts, mists, fumes, vapors or gases are or may be emitted due to the processing, use,
handling or storage of materials shall be mechanically ventilated as required by the
International Fire Code and the
International Mechanical Code.
Ducts conveying explosives or flammable vapors, fumes or dusts shall extend directly to the exterior of the building without entering other spaces. Exhaust ducts shall not extend into or through ducts and plenums.
Exception: Ducts conveying vapor or fumes having flammable constituents less than 25 percent of their
lower flammable limit (LFL) are permitted to pass through other spaces.
Emissions generated at workstations shall be confined to the area in which they are generated as specified in the International Fire Code and the International Mechanical Code.
The location of supply and exhaust openings shall be in accordance with the International Mechanical Code. Exhaust air contaminated by highly toxic material shall be treated in accordance with the International Fire Code.
A manual shutoff control for ventilation equipment required by this section shall be provided outside the room adjacent to the principal access door to the room. The switch shall be of the break-glass type and shall be labeled: VENTILATION SYSTEM EMERGENCY SHUTOFF.
Systems involving
hazardous materials shall be suitable for the intended application. Controls shall be designed to prevent materials from entering or leaving process or reaction systems at other than the intended time, rate or path.
Automatic controls, where provided, shall be designed to be fail safe.
The inside storage,
dispensing and use of
hazardous materials shall be in accordance with Sections 414.5.1 through 414.5.4 of this code and the
International Fire Code.
Explosion control shall be provided in accordance with the
International Fire Code as required by Table 414.5.1 where quantities of
hazardous materials specified in that table exceed the maximum allowable quantities in
Table 307.1(1) or where a structure, room or space is occupied for purposes involving
explosion hazards as required by
Section 415 or the
International Fire Code.
[F] TABLE 414.5.1
EXPLOSION CONTROL REQUIREMENTSa
MATERIAL | CLASS | EXPLOSION CONTROL METHODS |
Barricade construction | Explosion (deflagration) venting or explosion (deflagration) prevention systemsb |
HAZARD CATEGORY | |
Combustible dustsc | — | Not Required | Required |
Cryogenic flammables | — | Not Required | Required |
Explosives | Division 1.1 Division 1.2 Division 1.3 Division 1.4 Division 1.5 Division 1.6 | Required Required Not Required Not Required Required Required | Not Required Not Required Required Required Not Required Not Required |
Flammable gas | Gaseous Liquefied | Not Required Not Required | Required Required |
Flammable liquid | IAd IBe | Not Required Not Required | Required Required |
Organic peroxides | U I | Required Required | Not Permitted Not Permitted |
Oxidizer liquids and solids | 4 | Required | Not Permitted |
Pyrophoric gas | — | Not Required | Required |
Unstable (reactive) | 4 3 Detonable 3 Nondetonable | Required Required Not Required | Not Permitted Not Permitted Required |
Water-reactive liquids and solids | 3 2g | Not Required Not Required | Required Required |
SPECIAL USES | |
Acetylene generator rooms | — | Not Required | Required |
Grain processing | — | Not Required | Required |
Liquefied petroleum gas-distribution facilities | — | Not Required | Required |
Where explosion hazards existf | Detonation Deflagration | Required Not Required | Not Permitted Required |
b. See the International Fire Code.
c. As generated during manufacturing or processing.
d. Storage or use.
Monitor control equipment shall be provided where required by the International Fire Code. Deleted
Where mechanical
ventilation, treatment systems, temperature control, alarm, detection or other electrically operated systems are required by the
International Fire Code or this code, such systems shall be provided with an emergency or standby power system in accordance with
Chapter 27.
Exceptions:
- Emergency or standby power are not required for the following storage areas:
- Mechanical ventilation for storage of Class IB and Class IC flammable and combustible liquids in closed containers not exceeding 6.5 gallons (25 L) capacity.
- Storage areas for Class 1 and 2 oxidizers.
- Storage areas for Class II, III, IV and V organic peroxides.
- Storage, use and handling areas for asphyxiant, irritant and radioactive gases.
- For storage, use and handling areas for highly toxic or toxic materials, see Sections 6004.2.2.8 and 6004.3.4.2 of the International Fire Code.
- Standby power for mechanical ventilation, treatment systems and temperature control systems shall not be required where an approved fail-safe engineered system is installed.
Rooms, buildings or areas occupied for the storage of
solid and
liquid hazardous materials shall be provided with a means to control spillage and to contain or drain off spillage and fire protection water discharged in the storage area where required in the
International Fire Code. The methods of spill control shall be in accordance with the
International Fire Code.
The outdoor storage,
dispensing and use of
hazardous materials shall be in accordance with the
International Fire Code.
Where weather protection is provided for sheltering outdoor hazardous material storage or use areas, such areas shall be considered outdoor storage or use when the weather protection structure complies with Sections
414.6.1.1 through
414.6.1.3.
Walls shall not obstruct more than one side of the structure.
Exception: Walls shall be permitted to obstruct portions of multiple sides of the structure, provided that the obstructed area is not greater than 25 percent of the structure’s perimeter.
The distance from the structure to buildings,
lot lines,
public ways or
means of egress to a
public way shall be not less than the distance required for an outside hazardous material storage or use area without weather protection.
The overhead structure shall be of
approved noncombustible construction with a maximum area of 1,500 square feet (140 m
2).
Exception: The maximum area is permitted to be increased as provided by Section 506.
Emergency alarms for the detection and notification of an emergency condition in
Group H occupancies shall be provided as set forth herein.
An
approved manual
emergency alarm system shall be provided in buildings, rooms or areas used for storage of
hazardous materials. Emergency alarm-
initiating devices shall be installed outside of each interior
exit or
exit access door of storage buildings, rooms or areas. Activation of an emergency alarm-
initiating device shall sound a local alarm to alert occupants of an emergency situation involving
hazardous materials.
Where
hazardous materials having a hazard ranking of 3 or 4 in accordance with NFPA 704 are transported through
corridors,
interior exit stairways or
ramps, or
exit passageways there shall be an emergency telephone system, a local manual alarm station or an
approved alarm-
initiating device at not more than 150-foot (45 720 mm) intervals and at each
exit and
exit access doorway throughout the transport route. The signal shall be relayed to an
approved central, proprietary or remote station service or constantly attended on-
site location and shall initiate a local audible alarm.
Emergency alarm, detection and
automatic fire-extinguishing
systems required by Sections
414.7.1 and
414.7.2 shall be electrically supervised and monitored by an
approved supervising station or, when approved, shall initiate an audible and visual signal at a constantly attended on-
site location.
Section 415 has been completely reorganized from the 2009 code; therefore, the * and ** margin indicators have not been included for clarity.
The provisions of Sections 415.1 through
415.10 shall apply to the storage and use of
hazardous materials in excess of the maximum allowable quantities per
control area listed in
Section 307.1. Buildings and structures with an occupancy in
Group H shall also comply with the applicable provisions of
Section 414 and the
International Fire Code.
The following terms are defined in
Chapter 2:
GASROOM.
USE (MATERIAL).
Group H occupancies shall be provided with an
automatic fire detection system in accordance with
Section 907.2.
Group H occupancies shall be equipped throughout with an
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.2.5.
Group H occupancies shall be located on property in accordance with the other provisions of this chapter. In Groups
H-2 and
H-3, not less than 25 percent of the perimeter
wall of the occupancy shall be an
exterior wall.
Exceptions:
- Liquid use, dispensing and mixing rooms having a floor area of not more than 500 square feet (46.5 m2) need not be located on the outer perimeter of the building where they are in accordance with the International Fire Code and NFPA 30.
- Liquid storage rooms having a floor area of not more than 1,000 square feet (93 m2) need not be located on the outer perimeter where they are in accordance with the International Fire Code and NFPA 30.
- Spray paint booths that comply with the International Fire Code need not be located on the outer perimeter.
Regardless of any other provisions, buildings containing
Group H occupancies shall be set back to the minimum
fire separation distance as set forth in Sections
415.5.1.1 through
415.5.1.4. Distances shall be measured from the
walls enclosing the occupancy to
lot lines, including those on a
public way. Distances to assumed
lot lines established for the purpose of determining
exterior wall and opening protection are not to be used to establish the minimum
fire separation distance for buildings on
sites where
explosives are manufactured or used when separation is provided in accordance with the quantity distance tables specified for
explosive materials in the
International Fire Code.
Group
H-1 occupancies shall be set back not less than 75 feet (22 860 mm) and not less than required by the
International Fire Code.
Exception: Fireworks manufacturing buildings separated in accordance with NFPA 1124.
Group
H-2 occupancies shall be set back not less than 30 feet (9144 mm) where the area of the occupancy is greater than 1,000 square feet (93 m
2) and it is not required to be located in a
detached building.
Group
H-2 and
H-3 occupancies shall be set back not less than 50 feet (15 240 mm) where a
detached building is required (see
Table 415.5.2).
Group
H-2 and
H-3 occupancies containing materials with
explosive characteristics shall be separated as required by the
International Fire Code. Where separations are not specified, the distances required shall be determined by a technical report issued in accordance with
Section 414.1.3.
The storage or use of
hazardous materials in excess of those amounts listed in Table 415.5.2 shall be in accordance with the applicable provisions of Sections
415.6 and
415.7.
[F] TABLE 415.5.2
DETACHED BUILDING REQUIRED
A DETACHED BUILDING IS REQUIRED WHEN THE QUANTITY OF MATERIAL EXCEEDS THAT LISTED HEREIN |
Material | Class | Solids and Liquids (tons)a, b | Gases (cubic feet)a, b |
Explosives | Division 1.1 Division 1.2 Division 1.3 Division 1.4 Division 1.4c Division 1.5 Division 1.6 | Maximum Allowable Quantity Maximum Allowable Quantity Maximum Allowable Quantity Maximum Allowable Quantity 1 Maximum Allowable Quantity Maximum Allowable Quantity | Not Applicable |
Oxidizers | Class 4 | Maximum Allowable Quantity | Maximum Allowable Quantity |
Unstable (reactives) detonable | Class 3 or 4 | Maximum Allowable Quantity | Maximum Allowable Quantity |
Oxidizer, liquids and solids | Class 3 Class 2 | 1,200 2,000 | Not Applicable Not Applicable |
Organic peroxides | Detonable Class I Class II Class III | Maximum Allowable Quantity Maximum Allowable Quantity 25 50 | Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable |
Unstable (reactives) nondetonable | Class 3 Class 2 | 1 25 | 2,000 10,000 |
Water reactives | Class 3 Class 2 | 1 25 | Not Applicable Not Applicable |
Pyrophoric gases | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | 2,000 |
For SI: 1 ton = 906 kg, 1 cubic foot = 0.02832 m3, 1 pound = 0.454 kg.
- For materials that are detonable, the distance to other buildings or lot lines shall be in accordance with Chapter 56 of the International Fire Code based on trinitrotoluene (TNT) equivalence of the material. For materials classified as explosives, see Chapter 56 of the International Fire Code.
- “Maximum Allowable Quantity” means the maximum allowable quantity per control area set forth in Table 307.1(1).
- Limited to Division 1.4 materials and articles, including articles packaged for shipment, that are not regulated as an explosive under Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF) regulations or unpackaged articles used in process operations that do not propagate a detonation or deflagration between articles, provided the net explosive weight of individual articles does not exceed 1 pound.
Where a
detached building is required by Table 415.5.2, there are no requirements for
wall and opening protection based on
fire separation distance. Deleted
Group
H-1 occupancies shall be in buildings used for no other purpose, shall not exceed one
story in height and be without
basements, crawl spaces or other under-floor spaces. Roofs shall be of lightweight construction with suitable thermal insulation to prevent sensitive material from reaching its decomposition temperature. Group
H-1 occupancies containing materials that are in themselves both physical and
health hazards in quantities exceeding the maximum allowable quantities per
control area in
Table 307.1(2) shall comply with requirements for both Group
H-1 and
H-4 occupancies.
Floors in storage areas for
organic peroxides,
pyrophoric materials and
unstable (reactive) materials shall be of
liquid-tight, noncombustible construction.
Group
H-2 and
H-3 occupancies containing quantities of
hazardous materials in excess of those set forth in
Table 415.5.2 shall be in
detached buildings used for manufacturing, processing,
dispensing, use or storage of
hazardous materials. Materials listed for Group
H-1 occupancies in
Section 307.3 are permitted to be located within Group
H-2 or
H-3 detached buildings provided the amount of materials per
control area do not exceed the maximum allowed quantity specified in
Table 307.1(1).
Detached buildings shall not exceed one
story in height and shall be without
basements, crawl spaces or other under-floor spaces.
Group
H-2 or
H-3 occupancies containing materials which are in themselves both physical and
health hazards in quantities exceeding the maximum allowable quantities per
control area in
Table 307.1(2) shall comply with requirements for Group
H-2,
H-3 or
H-4 occupancies as applicable.
Hazardous materials other than those listed in
Table 415.5.2 shall be allowed in manufacturing, processing,
dispensing, use or storage areas when separated from
incompatible materials in accordance with the provisions of the
International Fire Code.
Group
H-2 and
H-3 occupancies containing
water-reactive materials shall be resistant to water penetration. Piping for conveying
liquids shall not be over or through areas containing water reactives, unless isolated by
approved liquid-tight construction.
Exception: Fire protection piping shall be permitted over or through areas containing water reactives without isolating it with liquid-tight construction.
Floors in storage areas for
organic peroxides,
oxidizers,
pyrophoric materials,
unstable (reactive) materials and water-reactive
solids and
liquids shall be of
liquid-tight, noncombustible construction.
Rooms or areas used for the storage of water-reactive
solids and
liquids shall be constructed in a manner that resists the penetration of water through the use of waterproof materials. Piping carrying water for other than
approved automatic sprinkler systems shall not be within such rooms or areas.
Occupancies in Group
H-2 shall be constructed in accordance with Sections
415.8.1 through
415.8.4 and the
International Fire Code.
The provisions of Sections
415.8.1.1 through
415.8.1.6 shall apply to buildings in which materials that produce
combustible dusts are stored or handled. Buildings that store or handle
combustible dusts shall comply with the applicable provisions of NFPA 61, NFPA 85, NFPA 120, NFPA 484, NFPA 654, NFPA 655 and NFPA 664, and the
International Fire Code.
Buildings shall be constructed in compliance with the height and area limitations of
Table 503 for Group
H-2; except that where erected of Type I or II construction, the heights and areas of grain elevators and similar structures shall be unlimited, and where of Type IV construction, the maximum
building height shall be 65 feet (19 812 mm) and except further that, in isolated areas, the maximum
building height of Type IV structures shall be increased to 85 feet (25 908 mm).
Every room or space occupied for grinding or other operations that produce
combustible dusts shall be enclosed with
fire barriers constructed in accordance with
Section 707 or
horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with
Section 711, or both. The
fire-resistance rating of the enclosure shall be not less than 2 hours where the area is not more than 3,000 square feet (279 m
2), and not less than 4 hours where the area is greater than 3,000 square feet (279 m
2).
Conveyors, chutes, piping and similar equipment passing through the enclosures of rooms or spaces shall be constructed dirt tight and vapor tight, and be of
approved noncombustible materials complying with
Chapter 30.
Explosion control shall be provided as specified in the
International Fire Code, or spaces shall be equipped with the equivalent mechanical
ventilation complying with the
International Mechanical Code.
Grain elevators, malt houses and buildings for similar occupancies shall not be located within 30 feet (9144 mm) of interior
lot lines or structures on the same
lot, except where erected along a railroad right-of-way.
Coal pockets located less than 30 feet (9144 mm) from interior
lot lines or from structures on the same
lot shall be constructed of not less than Type IB construction. Where more than 30 feet (9144mm) from interior
lot lines, or where erected along a railroad right-of-way, the minimum type of construction of such structures not more than 65 feet (19 812 mm) in
building height shall be Type IV.
The storage,
handling, processing and transporting of flammable and
combustible liquids in Groups
H-2 and
H-3 occupancies shall be in accordance with Sections
415.8.2.1 through
415.8.2.9, the
International Mechanical Code and the
International Fire Code.
Where the storage tank area is located in a building of two or more occupancies and the quantity of
liquid exceeds the maximum allowable quantity for one
control area, the use shall be completely separated from adjacent occupancies in accordance with the requirements of
Section 508.4.
Where storage tanks are located within a building no more than one
story above grade plane, the height limitation of
Section 503 shall not apply for
Group H.
Storage tanks shall be noncombustible and protected from physical damage.
Fire barriers or
horizontal assemblies or both around the storage tanks shall be permitted as the method of protection from physical damage.
Storage tanks shall be approved tanks conforming to the requirements of the International Fire Code.
A
liquid-tight containment area compatible with the stored
liquid shall be provided. The method of spill control, drainage control and secondary containment shall be in accordance with the
International Fire Code.
Exception: Rooms where only double-wall storage tanks conforming to Section 415.8.2.3 are used to store Class I, II and IIIA flammable and combustible liquids shall not be required to have a leakage containment area.
An
approved automatic alarm shall be provided to indicate a leak in a storage tank and room. The alarm shall sound an audible signal, 15 dBa above the ambient sound level, at every point of entry into the room in which the leaking storage tank is located. An
approved sign shall be posted on every entry door to the tank storage room indicating the potential hazard of the interior room environment, or the sign shall state: WARNING, WHEN ALARM SOUNDS, THE ENVIRONMENT WITHIN THE ROOM MAY BE HAZARDOUS. The leakage alarm shall also be supervised in accordance with
Chapter 9 to transmit a
trouble signal.
Storage tank vents for Class I, II or IIIA
liquids shall terminate to the outdoor air in accordance with the
International Fire Code.
Storage tank areas storing Class I, II or IIIA
liquids shall be provided with mechanical
ventilation. The mechanical
ventilation system shall be in accordance with the
International Mechanical Code and the
International Fire Code.
Where Class I
liquids are being stored,
explosion venting shall be provided in accordance with the
International Fire Code.
Tank openings other than vents from tanks inside buildings shall be designed to ensure that
liquids or vapor concentrations are not released inside the building.
The construction and installation of liquefied petroleum gas
facilities shall be in accordance with the requirements of this code, the
International Fire Code, the
International Mechanical Code, the
International Fuel Gas Code and NFPA 58.
The construction and installation of dry cleaning plants shall be in accordance with the requirements of this code, the International Mechanical Code, the International Plumbing Code and NFPA 32. Dry cleaning solvents and systems shall be classified in accordance with the International Fire Code.
Groups
H-3 and
H-4 shall be constructed in accordance with the applicable provisions of this code and the
International Fire Code.
The storage,
handling, processing and transporting of flammable and
combustible liquids in Group
H-3 occupancies shall be in accordance with
Section 415.8.2.
Where
gas rooms are provided, such rooms shall be separated from other areas by not less than 1-hour
fire barriers constructed in accordance with
Section 707 or
horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with
Section 711, or both.
Floors in storage areas for
corrosive liquids and
highly toxic or
toxic materials shall be of
liquid-tight, noncombustible construction.
Highly toxic solids and
liquids not stored in
approved hazardous materials storage cabinets shall be isolated from other
hazardous materials storage by not less than 1-hour
fire barriers constructed in accordance with
Section 707 or
horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with
Section 711, or both.
In addition to the requirements set forth elsewhere in this code, Group
H-5 shall comply with the provisions of Sections
415.10.1 through
415.10.11 and the
International Fire Code.
Fabrication areas shall comply with Sections
415.10.1.1 through
415.10.1.8.
The aggregate quantities of
hazardous materials stored and used in a single
fabrication area shall not exceed the quantities set forth in Table 415.10.1.1.1.
Exception: The quantity limitations for any hazard category in Table 415.10.1.1.1 shall not apply where the fabrication area contains quantities of hazardous materials not exceeding the maximum allowable quantities per control area established by Tables 307.1(1) and 307.1(2).
[F] TABLE 415.10.1.1.1
QUANTITY LIMITS FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS IN A SINGLE FABRICATION AREA IN GROUP H-5a
HAZARD CATEGORY | SOLIDS (pounds per square foot) | LIQUIDS (gallons per square foot) | GAS (cubic feet @ NTP/square foot) |
PHYSICAL-HAZARD MATERIALS |
Combustible dust | | Note b | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
Combustible fiber | Loose Baled | Note b Notes b, c | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
Combustible liquid Combination Class | II IIIA IIIB I, II and IIIA | Not Applicable | 0.01 0.02 Not Limited 0.04 | Not Applicable |
Cryogenic gas | Flammable Oxidizing | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Note d 1.25 |
Explosives | | Note b | Note b | Note b |
Flammable gas | Gaseous Liquefied | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Note d Note d |
Flammable liquid Combination Class Combination Class | IA IB IC IA, IB and IC I, II and IIIA | Not Applicable | 0.0025 0.025 0.025 0.025 0.04 | Not Applicable |
Flammable solid | | 0.001 | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
Organic peroxide | Unclassified detonable Class I Class II Class III Class IV Class V | Note b Note b 0.025 0.1 Not Limited Not Limited | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
Oxidizing gas | Gaseous Liquefied
| Not Applicable | Not Applicable | 1.25 1.25 1.25 |
Combination of gaseous and liquefied |
Oxidizer Combination Class | Class 4 Class 3 Class 2 Class 1 1, 2, 3 | Note b 0.003 0.003 0.003 0.003 | Note b 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 | Not Applicable |
Pyrophoric materials | | 0.01 | 0.00125 | Notes d and e |
Unstable (reactive) | Class 4 Class 3 Class 2 Class 1 | Note b 0.025 0.1 Not Limited | Note b 0.0025 0.01 Not Limited | Note b Note b Note b Not Limited |
Water reactive | Class 3 Class 2 Class 1 | Note b 0.25 Not Limited | 0.00125 0.025 Not Limited | Not Applicable |
HEALTH-HAZARD MATERIALS |
Corrosives | | Not Limited | Not Limited | Not Limited |
Highly toxic | | Not Limited | Not Limited | Note d |
Toxics | | Not Limited | Not Limited | Note d |
For SI: 1 pound per square foot = 4.882 kg/m2, 1 gallon per square foot = 40.7 L/m2, 1 cubic foot @ NTP/square foot = 0.305 m3 @ NTP/m2, 1 cubic foot = 0.02832 m3.
e. The aggregate quantity of
pyrophoric gases in the building shall not exceed the amounts set forth in
Table 415.5.2.
The maximum quantities of
hazardous production materials (HPM) stored in a single
fabrication area shall not exceed the maximum allowable quantities per
control area established by Tables
307.1(1) and
307.1(2).
Fabrication areas, whose sizes are limited by the quantity of
hazardous materials allowed by
Table 415.10.1.1.1, shall be separated from each other, from
corridors and from other parts of the building by not less than 1-hour
fire barriers constructed in accordance with
Section 707 or
horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with
Section 711, or both.
Exceptions:
Occupied levels of
fabrication areas shall be located at or above the first
story above grade plane.
Except for surfacing, floors within
fabrication areas shall be of noncombustible construction.
Openings through floors of fabrication areas are permitted to be unprotected where the interconnected levels are used solely for mechanical equipment directly related to such fabrication areas (see also Section 415.10.1.5).
Floors forming a part of an occupancy separation shall be liquid tight.
Elevator hoistways, vent
shafts and other openings through floors shall be enclosed where required by Sections
712 and
713. Mechanical, duct and piping penetrations within a
fabrication area shall not extend through more than two floors. The
annular space around penetrations for cables, cable trays, tubing, piping, conduit or ducts shall be sealed at the floor level to restrict the movement of air. The
fabrication area, including the areas through which the ductwork and piping extend, shall be considered a single conditioned environment.
Mechanical exhaust
ventilation at the rate of not less than 1 cubic foot per minute per square foot [0.0051 m
3/(s • m
2)] of floor area shall be provided throughout the portions of the
fabrication area where HPM are used or stored. The exhaust air duct system of one
fabrication area shall not connect to another duct system outside that
fabrication area within the building.
A ventilation system shall be provided to capture and exhaust gases, fumes and vapors at workstations.
Two or more operations at a workstation shall not be connected to the same exhaust system where either one or the combination of the substances removed could constitute a fire, explosion or hazardous chemical reaction within the exhaust duct system.
Exhaust ducts penetrating fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711 shall be contained in a shaft of equivalent fire-resistance-rated construction. Exhaust ducts shall not penetrate fire walls.
Fire dampers shall not be installed in exhaust ducts.
HPM shall be transported to
fabrication areas through enclosed piping or tubing systems that comply with
Section 415.10.6, through
service corridors complying with
Section 415.10.3, or in
corridors as permitted in the exception to
Section 415.10.2. The
handling or transporting of HPM within
service corridors shall comply with the
International Fire Code.
Electrical equipment and devices within the
fabrication area shall comply with NFPA 70. The requirements for hazardous locations need not be applied where the average air change is at least four times that set forth in
Section 415.10.1.6 and where the number of air changes at any location is not less than three times that required by
Section 415.10.1.6. The use of recirculated air shall be permitted.
Workstations shall not be energized without adequate exhaust
ventilation. See
Section 415.10.1.6 for
workstation exhaust
ventilation requirements.
Corridors shall comply with
Chapter 10 and shall be separated from
fabrication areas as specified in
section 415.10.1.2.
Corridors shall not contain HPM and shall not be used for transporting such materials except through closed piping systems as provided in
Section 415.10.6.4 Exception: Where existing fabrication areas are altered or modified, HPM is allowed to be transported in existing corridors, subject to the following conditions:
1. Nonproduction HPM is allowed to be transported in
corridors if utilized for maintenance, lab work and testing.
2. Where existing
fabrication areas are altered or modified, HPM is allowed to be transported in existing
corridors, subject to the following conditions:
2.2.
Emergency alarm system. There shall be an emergency telephone system, a local manual alarm station or other
approved alarm-
initiating device within
corridors at not more than 150-foot (45 720 mm) intervals and at each
exit and doorway. The signal shall be relayed to an
approved central, proprietary or remote station service or the
emergency control station and shall also initiate a local audible alarm.
Service corridors within a Group
H-5 occupancy shall comply with Sections
415.10.3.1 through
415.10.3.4.
Service corridors shall be separated from
corridors as required by
Section 415.10.1.2.
Service corridors shall not be used as a required
corridor.
Service corridors shall be mechanically ventilated as required by
Section 415.10.1.6 or at not less than six air changes per hour, whichever is greater.
The distance of travel from any point in a
service corridor to an
exit,
exit access corridor or door into a
fabrication area shall be not greater than 75 feet (22 860 mm). Dead ends shall be not greater than 4 feet (1219 mm) in length. There shall be not less than two
exits, and not more than one-half of the required
means of egress shall require travel into a
fabrication area. Doors from
service corridors shall swing in the direction of egress travel and shall be
self-closing.
The clear width of a
service corridor shall be not less than 5 feet (1524 mm), or 33 inches (838 mm) wider than the widest cart or truck used in the
service corridor, whichever is greater.
Emergency alarm systems shall be provided in accordance with this section and Sections
414.7.1 and
414.7.2. The maximum allowable quantity per
control area provisions shall not apply to
emergency alarm systems required for HPM.
An
emergency alarm system shall be provided in
service corridors, with no fewer than one alarm device in each
service corridor.
An
approved emergency telephone system, local alarm manual pull stations, or other
approved alarm-
initiating devices are allowed to be used as emergency alarm-
initiating devices.
Activation of the
emergency alarm system shall sound a local alarm and transmit a signal to the
emergency control station.
Storage of
hazardous production materials (HPM) in
fabrication areas shall be within
approved or
listed storage cabinets or
gas cabinets or within a
workstation. The storage of HPM in quantities greater than those listed in Section 5004.2 of the
International Fire Code shall be in
liquid storage rooms,
HPM rooms or
gas rooms as appropriate for the materials stored. The storage of other
hazardous materials shall be in accordance with other applicable provisions of this code and the
International Fire Code.
HPM rooms,
gas rooms and
liquid shall be constructed in accordance with Sections
415.10.5.1 through
415.10.5.9.
HPM rooms and
gas rooms shall be separated from other areas by
fire barriers constructed in accordance with
Section 707 or
horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with
Section 711, or both. The
fire-resistance rating shall be not less than 2 hours where the area is 300 square feet (27.9 m
2) or more and not less than 1 hour where the area is less than 300 square feet (27.9 m
2).
Liquid storage rooms shall be constructed in accordance with the following requirements:
1. Rooms greater than 500 square feet (46.5 m2) in area, shall have no fewer than one exterior door approved for fire department access.
Except for surfacing, floors of
HPM rooms and
liquid storage rooms shall be of noncombustible
liquid-tight construction. Raised grating over floors shall be of noncombustible materials.
Where
HPM rooms,
liquid storage rooms and
gas rooms are provided, they shall have no fewer than one
exterior wall and such
wall shall be not less than 30 feet (9144 mm) from
lot lines, including
lot lines adjacent to
public ways.
Explosion control shall be provided where required by
Section 414.5.1.
Where two
exits are required from
HPM rooms,
liquid storage rooms and
gas rooms, one shall be directly to the outside of the building.
Doors in a
fire barrier wall, including doors to
corridors, shall be
self-closing fire door assemblies having a
fire protection rating of not less than
3/
4 hour.
Mechanical exhaust
ventilation shall be provided in
liquid storage rooms,
HPM rooms and
gas rooms at the rate of not less than 1 cubic foot per minute per square foot (0.044 L/s/m
2) of floor area or six air changes per hour, whichever is greater, for categories of material.
Exhaust ventilation for gas rooms shall be designed to operate at a negative pressure in relation to the surrounding areas and direct the exhaust ventilation to an exhaust system.
An
approved emergency alarm system shall be provided for
HPM rooms,
liquid storage rooms and
gas rooms.
Emergency alarm-initiating devices shall be installed outside of each interior exit door of such rooms.
Activation of an emergency alarm-initiating device shall sound a local alarm and transmit a signal to the emergency control station.
An approved emergency telephone system, local alarm manual pull stations or other approved alarm-initiating devices are allowed to be used as emergency alarm-initiating devices.
Hazardous production materials piping and tubing shall comply with this section and ASME B31.3.
Systems supplying HPM
liquids or gases having a health-hazard ranking of 3 or 4 shall be welded throughout, except for connections, to the systems that are within a ventilated enclosure if the material is a gas, or an
approved method of drainage or containment is provided for the connections if the material is a
liquid.
Hazardous production materials supply piping or tubing in
service corridors shall be exposed to view.
Where HPM gases or
liquids are carried in pressurized piping above 15 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) (103.4 kPa), excess flow control shall be provided. Where the piping originates from within a
liquid storage room,
HPM room or
gas room, the excess flow control shall be located within the
liquid storage room,
HPM room or
gas room. Where the piping originates from a bulk source, the excess flow control shall be located as close to the bulk source as practical.
The installation of HPM piping and tubing within the space defined by the
walls of
corridors and the floor or roof above, or in concealed spaces above other occupancies, shall be in accordance with Sections
415.10.6.1 through
415.10.6.3 and the following conditions:
1.
Automatic sprinklers shall be installed within the space unless the space is less than 6 inches (152 mm) in the least dimension.
2.
Ventilation not less than six air changes per hour shall be provided. The space shall not be used to convey air from any other area.
3. Where the piping or tubing is used to transport HPM
liquids, a receptor shall be installed below such piping or tubing. The receptor shall be designed to collect any discharge or leakage and drain it to an
approved location. The 1-hour enclosure shall not be used as part of the receptor.
4. HPM supply piping and tubing and nonmetallic waste lines shall be separated from the
corridor and from occupancies other than Group
H-5 by
fire barriers that have a
fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour. Where gypsum wallboard is used,
joints on the piping side of the enclosure are not required to be taped, provided the
joints occur over framing members. Access openings into the enclosure shall be protected by
approved fire protection-rated assemblies.
5. Readily accessible manual or
automatic remotely activated fail-safe emergency shutoff valves shall be installed on piping and tubing other than waste lines at the following locations:
Exception: Transverse crossings of the corridors by supply piping that is enclosed within a ferrous pipe or tube for the width of the corridor need not comply with Items 1 through 5.
Piping, tubing and HPM waste lines shall be identified in accordance with ANSI A13.1 to indicate the material being transported.
A
continuous gas detection system shall be provided for HPM gases where the
physiological warning threshold level of the gas is at a higher level than the accepted permissible exposure limit (PEL) for the gas and for flammable gases in accordance with Sections
415.10.7.1 and
415.10.7.2.
A
continuous gas detection system shall be provided in the areas identified in Sections
415.10.7.1.1 through
415.10.7.1.4.
A
continuous gas detection system shall be provided in
HPM rooms where gas is used in the room.
Where gases are transported in piping placed within the space defined by the
walls of a
corridor and the floor or roof above the
corridor, a
continuous gas detection system shall be provided where piping is located and in the
corridor.
Exception: A continuous gas detection system is not required for occasional transverse crossings of the corridors by supply piping that is enclosed in a ferrous pipe or tube for the width of the corridor.
The
continuous gas detection system shall be capable of monitoring the room, area or equipment in which the gas is located at or below all the following gas concentrations:
- Immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) values where the monitoring point is within an exhausted enclosure, ventilated enclosure or gas cabinet.
- Permissible exposure limit (PEL) levels where the monitoring point is in an area outside an exhausted enclosure, ventilated enclosure or gas cabinet.
- For flammable gases, the monitoring detection threshold level shall be vapor concentrations in excess of 25 percent of the lower flammable limit (LFL) where the monitoring is within or outside an exhausted enclosure, ventilated enclosure or gas cabinet.
- Except as noted in this section, monitoring for highly toxic and toxic gases shall also comply with Chapter 60 of the International Fire Code.
The gas detection system shall initiate a local alarm and transmit a signal to the
emergency control station when a short-term hazard condition is detected. The alarm shall be both visual and audible and shall provide warning both inside and outside the area where the gas is detected. The audible alarm shall be distinct from all other alarms.
The gas detection system shall automatically close the shutoff valve at the source on gas supply piping and tubing related to the system being monitored for which gas is detected when a short-term hazard condition is detected.
Automatic closure of shutoff valves shall comply with the following:
2. Where the gas detection sampling point initiating the gas detection system alarm is within a room and
compressed gas containers are not in
gas cabinets or an
exhausted enclosure, the shutoff valves on all gas lines for the specific gas detected shall automatically close.
3. Where the gas detection sampling point initiating the gas detection system alarm is within a piping distribution manifold enclosure, the shutoff valve supplying the manifold for the
compressed gas container of the specific gas detected shall automatically close.
Exception: Where the gas detection sampling point initiating the gas detection system alarm is at the use location or within a gas valve enclosure of a branch line downstream of a piping distribution manifold, the shutoff valve for the branch line located in the piping distribution manifold enclosure shall automatically close.
An
approved manual
fire alarm system shall be provided throughout buildings containing Group
H-5. Activation of the alarm system shall initiate a local alarm and transmit a signal to the
emergency control station. The
fire alarm system shall be designed and installed in accordance with
Section 907.
An
emergency control station shall be provided in accordance with Sections
415.10.9.1 through
415.10.9.3.
The
emergency control station shall be located on the premises at an
approved location outside the
fabrication area.
Trained personnel shall continuously staff the
emergency control station.
The
emergency control station shall receive signals from emergency equipment and alarm and detection systems. Such emergency equipment and alarm and detection systems shall include, but not be limited to, the following where such equipment or systems are required to be provided either in this chapter or elsewhere in this code:
- Automatic sprinkler system alarm and monitoring systems.
- Manual fire alarm systems.
- Emergency alarm systems.
- Continuous gas detection systems.
- Smoke detection systems.
- Emergency power system.
- Automatic detection and alarm systems for pyrophoric liquids and Class 3 water-reactive liquids required in Section 2705.2.3.4 of the International Fire Code.
- Exhaust ventilation flow alarm devices for pyrophoric liquids and Class 3 water-reactive liquids cabinet exhaust ventilation systems required in Section 2705.2.3.4 of the International Fire Code.
An emergency power system shall be provided in Group
H-5 occupancies where required in
Section 415.10.10.1. The emergency power system shall be designed to supply power automatically to required electrical systems when the normal electrical supply system is interrupted.
Emergency power shall be provided for electrically operated equipment and connected control circuits for the following systems:
- HPM exhaust ventilation systems.
- HPM gas cabinet ventilation systems.
- HPM exhausted enclosure ventilation systems.
- HPM gas room ventilation systems.
- HPM gas detection systems.
- Emergency alarm systems.
- Manual fire alarm systems.
- Automatic sprinkler system monitoring and alarm systems.
- Automatic alarm and detection systems for pyrophoric liquids and Class 3 water-reactive liquids required in Section 2705.2.3.4 of the International Fire Code.
- Flow alarm switches for pyrophoric liquids and Class 3 water-reactive liquids cabinet exhaust ventilation systems required in Section 2705.2.3.4 of the International Fire Code.
- Electrically operated systems required elsewhere in this code or in the International Fire Code applicable to the use, storage or handling of HPM.
Exhaust
ventilation systems are allowed to be designed to operate at not less than one-half the normal fan speed on the emergency power system where it is demonstrated that the level of exhaust will maintain a safe atmosphere.
An
approved automatic sprinkler system shall be provided in exhaust ducts conveying gases, vapors, fumes, mists or dusts generated from HPM in accordance with Sections
415.10.11.1 through
415.10.11.3 and the
International Mechanical Code.
An
approved automatic sprinkler system shall be provided in metallic and noncombustible nonmetallic exhaust ducts where all of the following conditions apply:
1. Where the largest cross-sectional diameter is equal to or greater than 10 inches (254 mm).
2. The ducts are within the building.
3. The ducts are conveying flammable gases, vapors or fumes.
Automatic sprinkler system protection shall be provided in combustible nonmetallic exhaust ducts where the largest cross-sectional diameter of the duct is equal to or greater than 10 inches (254 mm).
Exception: Duct need not be provided with automatic sprinkler protection as follows:
2. Ducts not more than 12 feet (3658 mm) in length installed below ceiling level.
Sprinkler systems shall be installed at 12-foot (3658 mm) intervals in horizontal ducts and at changes in direction. In vertical ducts, sprinklers shall be installed at the top and at alternate floor levels.
The provisions of this section shall apply to the construction, installation and use of buildings and structures, or parts thereof, for the application of flammable finishes. Such construction and equipment shall comply with the International Fire Code.
Spray rooms shall be enclosed with not less than 1-hour
fire barriers constructed in accordance with
Section 707 or
horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with
Section 711, or both. Floors shall be waterproofed and drained in an
approved manner.
The
interior surfaces of spray rooms shall be smooth and shall be so constructed to
permit the free passage of exhaust air from all parts of the interior and to facilitate washing and cleaning, and shall be so designed to confine residues within the room. Aluminum shall not be used.
Mechanical
ventilation and interlocks with the spraying operation shall be in accordance with the
International Mechanical Code.
Spraying spaces shall be ventilated with an exhaust system to prevent the accumulation of flammable mist or vapors in accordance with the International Mechanical Code. Where such spaces are not separately enclosed, noncombustible spray curtains shall be provided to restrict the spread of flammable vapors.
The
interior surfaces of spraying spaces shall be smooth and continuous without edges; shall be so constructed to
permit the free passage of exhaust air from all parts of the interior and to facilitate washing and cleaning; and shall be so designed to confine residues within the spraying space. Aluminum shall not be used.
Spray booths shall be designed, constructed and operated in accordance with the International Fire Code.
An
automatic sprinkler system or
fire-extinguishing system shall be provided in all spray, dip and immersing spaces and storage rooms and shall be installed in accordance with
Chapter 9.
A drying room or dry kiln installed within a building shall be constructed entirely of approved noncombustible materials or assemblies of such materials regulated by the approved rules or as required in the general and specific sections of this chapter for special occupancies and where applicable to the general requirements of the International Mechanical Code.
Overhead heating pipes shall have a clearance of not less than 2 inches (51 mm) from combustible contents in the dryer.
Where the operating temperature of the dryer is 175°F (79°C) or more, metal enclosures shall be insulated from adjacent combustible materials by not less than 12 inches (305 mm) of airspace, or the metal
walls shall be lined with
1/
4-inch (6.35 mm) insulating mill board or other
approved equivalent insulation.
Drying rooms designed for high-hazard materials and processes, including special occupancies as provided for in
Chapter 4, shall be protected by an
approved automatic fire-extinguishing system complying with the provisions of
Chapter 9.
Manufacturing of organic coatings shall be done only in buildings that do not have pits or
basements.
Organic coating manufacturing operations and operations incidental to or connected therewith shall not be located in buildings having other occupancies.
Mills operating with close clearances and that process flammable and heat-sensitive materials, such as nitrocellulose, shall be located in a
detached building or noncombustible structure.
Storage areas for flammable and
combustible liquid tanks inside of structures shall be located at or above
grade and shall be separated from the processing area by not less than 2-hour
fire barriers constructed in accordance with
Section 707 or
horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with
Section 711, or both.
Nitrocellulose storage shall be located on a detached pad or in a separate structure or a room enclosed with not less than 2-hour
fire barriers constructed in accordance with
Section 707 or
horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with
Section 711, or both.
Storage rooms for finished products that are flammable or
combustible liquids shall be separated from the processing area by not less than 2-hour
fire barriers constructed in accordance with
Section 707 or
horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with
Section 711, or both.
A
live/work unit shall comply with Sections 419.1 through
419.9.
The following shall apply to all live/work areas:
1. The
live/work unit is permitted to be not greater than 3,000 square feet (279 m
2) in area;
2. The nonresidential area is permitted to be not more than 50 percent of the area of each
live/work unit;
3. The nonresidential area function shall be limited to the first or main floor only of the
live/work unit; and
4. Not more than five nonresidential workers or employees are allowed to occupy the nonresidential area at any one time.
Live/work units shall be classified as a Group
R-2 occupancy. Separation requirements found in Sections
420 and
508 shall not apply within the
live/work unit where the
live/work unit is in compliance with
Section 419. Nonresidential uses which would otherwise be classified as either a
Group H or S occupancy shall not be permitted in a
live/work unit.
Exception: Storage shall be permitted in the
live/work unit provided the aggregate area of storage in the nonresidential portion of the
live/work unit shall be limited to 10 percent of the space dedicated to nonresidential activities.
Except as modified by this section, the
means of egress components for a
live/work unit shall be designed in accordance with
Chapter 10 for the function served.
The egress capacity for each element of the
live/work unit shall be based on the
occupant load for the function served in accordance with Table 1004.1.2. Deleted
Spiral stairways that conform to the requirements of Section 1009.12 shall be permitted. Deleted
Floor openings between floor levels of a
live/work unit are permitted without enclosure.
The
live/work unit shall be provided with a monitored
fire alarm system where required by
Section 907.2.9 and an
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.2.8.
Floor loading for the areas within a
live/work unit shall be designed to conform to
Table 1607.1 based on the function within the space.
Accessibility shall be designed in accordance with
Chapter 11 for the function served.
The applicable
ventilation requirements of the
International Mechanical Code shall apply to each area within the
live/work unit for the function within that space.
The nonresidential area of the
live/work unit shall be provided with minimum plumbing
facilities as specified by
Chapter 29, based on the function of the nonresidential area. Where the nonresidential area of the
live/work unit is required to be
accessible by
Section 1103.2.13, the plumbing fixtures specified by
Chapter 29 shall be
accessible.
Occupancies in Groups
I-1,
R-1,
R-2 and
R-3 shall comply with the provisions of Sections 420.1 through
420.5 and other applicable provisions of this code.
Walls separating
dwelling units in the same building,
walls separating
sleeping units in the same building and
walls separating
dwelling or
sleeping units from other occupancies contiguous to them in the same building shall be constructed as
fire partitions in accordance with
Section 708.
Floor assemblies separating
dwelling units in the same buildings, floor assemblies separating
sleeping units in the same building and floor assemblies separating
dwelling or
sleeping units from other occupancies contiguous to them in the same building shall be constructed as
horizontal assemblies in accordance with
Section 711.
Group R occupancies shall be equipped throughout with an
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.2.8. Group
I-1 occupancies shall be equipped throughout with an
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 903.2.6. Quick-response or residential
automatic sprinklers shall be installed in accordance with
Section 903.3.2.
Fire alarm systems and
smoke alarms shall be provided in Group
I-1,
R-1 and
R-2 occupancies in accordance with Sections
907.2.6,
907.2.8 and
907.2.9, respectively. Single-or multiple-station
smoke alarms shall be in accordance with
Section 907.2.11.
Where required by the
International Fire Code,
hydrogen cutoff rooms shall be designed and constructed in accordance with Sections 421.1 through
421.8.
The following terms are defined in
Chapter 2:
Hydrogen cutoff rooms shall not be located below
grade.
Hydrogen cutoff rooms shall be classified with respect to occupancy in accordance with
Section 302.1 and separated from other areas of the building by not less than 1-hour
fire barriers constructed in accordance with
Section 707 or
horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with
Section 711, or both; or as required by
Section 508.2,
508.3 or
508.4, as applicable.
Doors within the
fire barriers, including doors to
corridors, shall be
self-closing in accordance with
Section 716. Interior door openings shall be electronically interlocked to prevent operation of the hydrogen system when doors are opened or ajar or the room shall be provided with a mechanical exhaust
ventilation system designed in accordance with
Section 421.4.1.1.
Where an exhaust system is used in lieu of the interlock system required by
Section 421.4.1, exhaust
ventilation systems shall operate continuously and shall be designed to operate at a negative pressure in relation to the surrounding area. The average velocity of
ventilation at the face of the door opening with the door in the fully open position shall not be less than 60 feet per minute (0.3048 m/s) and not less than 45 feet per minute (0.2287 m/s) at any point in the door opening.
Operable windows in interior
walls shall not be permitted. Fixed windows shall be permitted where in accordance with
Section 716.
Cutoff rooms shall be provided with mechanical
ventilation in accordance with the applicable provisions for
repair garages in Chapter 5 of the
International Mechanical Code.
Hydrogen cutoff rooms shall be provided with an
approved flammable gas detection system in accordance with Sections
421.6.1 through
421.6.3.
The
flammable gas detection system shall be
listed for use with hydrogen and any other flammable gases used in the room. The gas detection system shall be designed to activate when the level of
flammable gas exceeds 25 percent of the lower flammability limit (LFL) for the gas or mixtures present at their anticipated temperature and pressure.
Activation of the gas detection system shall result in all of the following:
1. Initiation of distinct audible and visual
alarm signals both inside and outside of the cutoff room.
Failure of the gas detection system shall result in activation of the mechanical
ventilation system, cessation of hydrogen generation and the sounding of a
trouble signal in an
approved location.
Explosion control shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 9 of the
International Fire Code.
Mechanical
ventilation and gas detection systems shall be connected to a standby power system in accordance with
Chapter 27.
Occupancies classified as
ambulatory care facilities shall comply with the provisions of Sections 422.1 through
422.7 and other applicable provisions of this code.
Ambulatory care facilities where the potential for four or more care recipients are to be
incapable of self-preservation at any time, whether rendered incapable by staff or staff accepted responsibility for a care recipient already incapable, shall be separated from adjacent spaces,
corridors or tenants with a
fire partition installed in accordance with
Section 708.
Where the aggregate area of one or more
ambulatory care facilities is greater than 10,000 square feet (929 m
2) on one
story, the
story shall be provided with a
smoke barrier to subdivide the
story into no fewer than two
smoke compartments. The area of any one such
smoke compartment shall be not greater than 22,500 square feet (2092 m
2). The travel distance from any point in a
smoke compartment to a
smoke barrier door shall be not greater than 200 feet (60 960 mm). The
smoke barrier shall be installed in accordance with
Section 709 with the exception that
smoke barriers shall be continuous from outside
wall to an outside
wall, a floor to a floor, or from a
smoke barrier to a
smoke barrier or a combination thereof.
Not less than 30 net square feet (2.8 m
2) for each nonambulatory care recipient shall be provided within the aggregate area of
corridors, care recipient rooms, treatment rooms, lounge or dining areas and other low-hazard areas within each
smoke compartment. Each occupant of an
ambulatory care facility shall be provided with access to a refuge area without passing through or utilizing adjacent tenant spaces.
A
means of egress shall be provided from each
smoke compartment created by
smoke barriers without having to return through the
smoke compartment from which
means of egress originated.
A
fire alarm system shall be provided for
ambulatory care facilities in accordance with
Section 907.2.2.
In addition to other applicable requirements in this code,
storm shelters shall be constructed in accordance with ICC-500.
This section applies to the construction of
storm shelters constructed as separate
detached buildings or constructed as safe rooms within buildings for the purpose of providing safe refuge from storms that produce high winds, such as tornados and hurricanes. Such structures shall be designated to be hurricane shelters, tornado shelters, or combined hurricane and tornado shelters.
The following terms are defined in
Chapter 2:
Relocated
Children’s play structures installed inside all occupancies covered by this code that exceed 10 feet (3048 mm) in height and 150 square feet (14 m
2) in area shall comply with Sections
424.2 through
424.5.
Children’s play structures shall be constructed of noncombustible materials or of combustible materials that comply with the following:
3. Foam plastics (including the pipe foam used in soft-contained play equipment structures) having a maximum heat-release rate not greater than 100 kilowatts when tested in accordance with UL 1975 or when tested in accordance with NFPA 289, using the 20 kW ignition source.
4. Aluminum composite material (ACM) meeting the requirements of Class A
interior finish in accordance with
Chapter 8 when tested as an assembly in the maximum thickness intended for use.
5. Textiles and films complying with the flame propagation performance criteria contained in NFPA 701.
6. Plastic materials used to construct rigid components of soft-contained play equipment structures (such as tubes, windows,
panels, junction boxes, pipes, slides and decks) exhibiting a peak rate of heat release not exceeding 400 kW/ m
2 when tested in accordance with ASTM E 1354 at an incident heat flux of 50 kW/m
2 in the horizontal orientation at a thickness of 6 mm.
7. Ball pool balls, used in soft-contained play equipment structures, having a maximum heat-release rate not greater than 100 kilowatts when tested in accordance with UL 1975 or when tested in accordance with NFPA 289, using the 20 kW ignition source. The minimum specimen test size shall be 36 inches by 36 inches (914 mm by 914 mm) by an average of 21 inches (533 mm) deep, and the balls shall be held in a box constructed of galvanized steel poultry netting wire mesh.
8. Foam plastics shall be covered by a fabric, coating or film meeting the flame propagation performance criteria of NFPA 701.
9. The floor covering placed under the children’s play structure shall exhibit a Class I
interior floor finish classification, as described in
Section 804, when tested in accordance with NFPA 253.
Children’s play structures shall be provided with the same level of
approved fire suppression and detection devices required for
other structures in the same occupancy.
Children’s play structures shall have a horizontal separation from building
walls, partitions and from elements of the
means of egress of not less than 5 feet (1524 mm). Children’s playground structures shall have a horizontal separation from other children’s play structures of not less than 20 feet (6090 mm).
Children’s play structures shall be not greater than 300 square feet (28 m
2) in area, unless a special investigation, acceptable to the
building official, has demonstrated adequate fire safety.