DEC REQUEST DS 2015-113 STAFF ANALYSIS
ISSUE: DS 2015-113. Petitioner seeks a Declaratory Statement on an interpretation of Chapter1, Section 101.1, 101.2 exception, Chapter 4, Section 420, Chapter 5, Section 508.4, Chapter 9, Sections 903.2.8, 903.3.1.2, 903.3.1.3 and 903.3.2 of the Florida Building Code, Building 5th Edition (2014)
Petitioner in DS 2015-113 seeks
clarification of the following questions:
Question: Using table 508.4, does installing a 2 hour separation between the U use and the R use eliminate the requirement of sprinkling for the Residential use per FBC 903.2.8?
Situation:
David
Galassi, representing Marion County Florida Department of Building Safety
seeks clarification when using table 508.4, does installing a 2 hour separation
between the U use and the R use eliminate the
requirement of sprinkling for the Residential use per FBC 903.2.8? Plans were
submitted for review consists of a stand-alone non-separated mixed use
building. The building consists of a U utility use (barn) and a R use
(habitable living area built inside). The original footprint of the U use
building is 70 x 24 and the habitable living area consists of 24 x 24 which
includes all means of habitable use and consists of full or part time occupancy.
The type of construction is type VB
5th Edition (2014) Florida
Building Code, Building
CHAPTER 1
SECTION
101 GENERAL
101.1 Title
These regulations shall be known as the Florida
Building Code, hereinafter referred to as this code.
101.2 Scope.
The provisions of this code shall apply to
the construction, alteration, relocation, enlargement, replacement, repair,
equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal and demolition of
every building or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such
buildings or structures.
Exceptions:
1. Detached one- and two-family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings
(town houses) not more than three stories above grade plane in
height with a separate means of egress and their accessory structures
shall comply with the Florida Building Code, Residential.
2. Existing buildings undergoing repair, alterations or additions or change of
occupancy shall comply with Chapter 34 of this code..
CHAPTER 4
SECTION 420 GROUPS I-1, R-1,
R-2, R-3
420.1 General.
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.
420.2 Separation walls.
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.
420.3 Horizontal separation.
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.
[F] 420.4 Automatic sprinkler system.
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.
[F] 420.5 Smoke detection and fire alarm systems.
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.
CHAPTER 5
SECTION 508 MIXED USE AND
OCCUPANCY
508.4 Separated occupancies.
Buildings or portions of buildings that comply with the provisions of this
section shall be considered as separated occupancies.
TABLE 508.4 REQUIRED SEPARATION OF OCCUPANCIES (HOURS)
|
OCCUPANCY |
A, E |
I-1a, I-3, I-4 |
I-2 |
Ra |
F-2, S-2b, U |
B, F-1, M, S-1 |
H-1 |
H-2 |
H-3, H-4 |
H-5 |
||||||||||
|
S |
NS |
S |
NS |
S |
NS |
S |
NS |
S |
NS |
S |
NS |
S |
NS |
S |
NS |
S |
NS |
S |
NS |
|
|
A, E |
N |
N |
1 |
2 |
2 |
NP |
1 |
2 |
N |
1 |
1 |
2 |
NP |
NP |
3 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
NP |
|
I-1a, I-3, I-4 |
|
|
N |
N |
2 |
NP |
1 |
NP |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
NP |
NP |
3 |
NP |
2 |
NP |
2 |
NP |
|
I-2 |
|
|
|
|
N |
N |
2 |
NP |
2 |
NP |
2 |
NP |
NP |
NP |
3 |
NP |
2 |
NP |
2 |
NP |
|
Ra |
|
|
|
|
|
|
N |
N |
1c |
2c |
1 |
2 |
NP |
NP |
3 |
NP |
2 |
NP |
2 |
NP |
|
F-2, S-2b, U |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
N |
N |
1 |
2 |
NP |
NP |
3 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
NP |
|
B, F-1, M, S-1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
N |
N |
NP |
NP |
2 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
NP |
|
H-1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
N |
NP |
NP |
NP |
NP |
NP |
NP |
NP |
|
H-2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
N |
NP |
1 |
NP |
1 |
NP |
|
H-3, H-4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1d |
NP |
1 |
NP |
|
H-5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
N |
NP |
|
S= Buildings
equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in
accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. |
|
NS= Buildings not
equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in
accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. |
|
N= No separation
requirement. |
|
NP= Not permitted. |
|
a See Section 420. |
|
b. The required
separation from areas used only for private or pleasure vehicles shall be
reduced by 1 hour but to not less than 1 hour. |
|
c. See Section
406.3.4. |
|
d. Separation is not
required between occupancies of the same classification. |
CHAPTER 9
SECTION 901 GENERAL
903.2.8 Group R.
An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance
with Section 903.3 shall be provided throughout all buildings with a Group R fire
area.
903.3.1.2 NFPA 13R sprinkler
systems.
Automatic sprinkler systems in
Group R occupancies up to and including four stories in height shall be
permitted to be installed throughout in accordance with NFPA 13R.
903.3.1.3 NFPA 13D sprinkler
systems.
Automatic sprinkler systems installed
in one- and two-family dwellings, Group R-3 and R-4 congregate
residences and townhouses shall be permitted to be installed throughout
in accordance with NFPA 13D.
903.3.2 Quick-response and
residential sprinklers.
Where automatic sprinkler systems are required by this
code, quick-response or residential automatic sprinklers shall be installed in
the following areas in accordance with Section 903.3.1 and their listings:
1. Throughout all spaces within a smoke compartment containing care recipient sleeping
units in Group I-2 in accordance with this code.
2. Throughout all spaces within a smoke compartment containing treatment rooms
in ambulatory care facilities.
3. Dwelling units and sleeping units in Group I-1 and R
occupancies.
4. Light-hazard occupancies as defined in NFPA 13.
Question:
Using table 508.4, does
installing a 2 hour separation between the U use and the R use eliminate the requirement of sprinkling for the
Residential use per FBC 903.2.8?
Answer:
No. As per Sections 420.4 and 903.2.8 of the 5th
Edition (2014) FBC, Building, an automatic sprinkler system is required to be
provided throughout the building in question.