CHAPTER 6. RECONSTRUCTION
601.0 General
602.0 Means of Egress
603.0 Interior Finish
604.0 Shaft Enclosures
605.0 Fire Separation and Smoke Barriers
606.0 Fire Suppression Systems
607.0 Fire Alarms
608.0 High Rise Buildings
609.0 Boiler/Furnace Equipment Rooms
601.0 General
601.1 -- Reconstruction work, as defined in Chapter 2, shall comply with the requirements of this Chapter.
Exception:
1. As modified in Section 904.0 for historic buildings.
| The exception is included because Chapter 9 contains special requirements for historic buildings that take precedence over the provisions of this chapter. If Chapter 9 does not contain any special provisions for a subject matter addressed by Chapter 6, then historical buildings receive no special consideration in that regard.
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601.2 -- Work shall comply with all the requirements of Chapters 4 and 5.
Exceptions:
1. Buildings in which the reconfiguration of space affecting exits and/or shared egress access is exclusively the result of compliance with the accessibility requirements of Section 404.2 (Path of Travel) shall not be required to comply with this Chapter.
2. Existing dead end corridors may be extended and new dead end corridors may be added in accordance with Section 602.5.
| This requirement ensures that all existing elements involved in the work must comply only with the materials and methods requirements of the building code, eliminating the need for repetition of the general, structural and accessibility requirements in Chapter 4, and the requirements in Chapter 5.
Exception 1 ensures that renovation and alteration work do not trigger reconstruction merely due to compliance with the accessibility requirements.
Exception 2 is needed because without it Section 602.5 would contradict Section 401.3, which prohibits making the building less conforming with the Building Code.
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602.0 Means of Egress
602.1 General---The means of egress shall comply with the requirements of this section.
Exception:
1. Where the work area and the means of egress serving the work area complies with NFPA 101.
| Most of the requirements in this section are more lenient than the requirements in the building code for new construction. It should also be noted that this section does not address all means of egress provisions contained in the building code (e.g., minimum widths, travel distance, corridor wall fire resistance ratings). The philosophy contained in Section 401.3 (triggered by Section 601.2) would not permit the reduction of the level of safety below that which existed prior to the reconstruction. At the same time, the building official retains the authority to determine that an extreme deficiency (e.g., an 18-inch corridor) is a hazard that must be corrected. In addition, Section 501.3 (triggered by Section 601.2) requires that newly constructed elements, such as a new door opening or a new corridor, must comply with the building code.
The reference to NFPA 101 (the Life Safety Code) does not require compliance with NFPA 101, but rather offers it as an alternative to the means of egress requirements of this section. Compliance with NFPA 101 is required for new and existing buildings in many jurisdictions. NFPA 101 addresses the application of the requirements to work in existing buildings. If compliance with NFPA 101 is either required or desired, it is not necessary to also verify compliance with the means of egress requirements of this section. The reference to NFPA 101 also includes alternative approaches recognized by NFPA 101 such as those contained in NFPA 101A.
NFPA 101A contains a methodology to evaluate the level of life safety in health care occupancies (Chapter 3), detention and correctional occupancies (Chapter 4), residential board and care occupancies (Chapter 6), and business occupancies (Chapter 7). The methodologies, referred to as "Fire Safety Evaluation Systems", provide an evaluation of the level of life safety as compared to NFPA 101.
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602.2 Number of Exits
602.2.1 -- Every story utilized for human occupancy on which there is a work area shall be provided with the minimum number of exits required by the Building Code.
Exceptions:
1. When more than one exit is required, an existing or newly constructed fire escape, complying with the following limitations, shall be accepted as providing one of the required means of egress unless determined by the Building Official to be hazardous for use under emergency exiting conditions:
i. All occupants shall have unobstructed access to the fire escape without having to pass through a room subject to locking.
ii. Access to a fire escape shall be through a door, except that windows shall be permitted from single dwelling units or guest rooms in Use Groups R-l, R-2 and I-1 or when serving spaces having a maximum occupant load of 10 in other Use Groups.
iii. In all buildings of Use Group E, up to and including the 12th grade, buildings of Use Group I, rooming houses and child care centers, ladders of any type are prohibited on fire escapes used as a required means of egress.
iv. Newly constructed fire escapes shall be permitted only where exterior stairs cannot be utilized due to lot lines limiting stair size or due to the sidewalks, alleys, or roads at grade level. New fire escapes shall not incorporate ladders or access by windows.
2. Slidescapes or safety chutes shall be permitted as allowed by the Building Code.
3. Except in buildings of Use Group I and in rooming houses and child care centers, a single exit is permitted in the story at the level of exit discharge when the occupant load of the story does not exceed 50 and the exit access travel distance does not exceed 75 feet.
4. In buildings of Use Group R-2 that are equipped throughout with an automatic fire sprinkler system, only one exit shall be required from basements or stories below grade.
5. In buildings of Use Group R-2 that are not equipped throughout with an automatic fire sprinkler system, a single exit shall be permitted from a basement or story below grade if every dwelling unit on that floor is equipped with an approved window providing a clear opening of at least five square feet in area, a minimum net clear opening of 24 inches in height and 20 inches in width, and a sill height of not more than 44 inches above the finished floor.
6. In multi-level dwelling units in buildings of Use Groups R-l or R-2, an exit shall not be required from each level of the dwelling unit provided that the following conditions are met:
i. The building in which such dwelling units are contained is of Type 1 or Type 2 construction and the travel distance within the dwelling unit does not exceed 75 feet; or
ii. The building in which such dwelling units are contained is not more than three stories in height and all third floor space is part of one or more dwelling units located in part on the second floor and no habitable room within any such dwelling unit shall have a travel distance that exceeds 50 feet from the outside of the habitable room entrance door to the inside of the entrance door to the dwelling unit.
| It should be noted that this chapter modifies the traditional building code requirement for enclosure of exits. A stairway which is enclosed in accordance with Section 604.0 would be considered an exit.
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602.2.2 Mezzanines -- Mezzanines in the work area and with an occupant load of more than 50 or in which the travel distance to an exit exceeds 75 feet shall have access to at least two independent means of egress.
Exception:
1. Two independent means of egress are not required where the travel distance to an exit does not exceed 100 feet and the building is protected throughout with an automatic sprinkler system.
| This provision is consistent with the requirements contained in most of the model codes regulating the means of egress within buildings. NFPA 101 permits a single means of egress from a mezzanine in a sprinklered building if the travel distance does not exceed 100 feet.
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602.2.3 Single exit buildings -- In buildings having only one exit, the single exit condition serving the work area shall be permitted to continue as follows:
1. In buildings permitted to have a single exit in accordance with the Building Code.
2. In buildings of Use Group R-3.
3. In buildings of Use Groups R-l and R-2, from floors that are not more than 16 feet above exterior grade, except that in community residences for the developmentally disabled, the maximum occupant load, excluding staff, is 12.
4. In buildings of Use Groups R-l and R-2, not more than two stories in height, from floors that are more than 16 feet above exterior grade, when there are not more than four dwelling units per floor and the exit access travel distance does not exceed 50 feet, except that in community residences for the developmentally disabled, the maximum occupant load, excluding staff, is 12. The minimum fire resistance rating of the exit enclosure and of the opening protection shall be one hour.
5. Any building of Use Group R-2 of three stories or less shall be permitted to have a single exit provided the following conditions are met:
i. The stairway is separated from the rest of the building by construction having a minimum fire resistance rating of one hour with self-closing one hour fire doors protecting all openings between the stair enclosure and the building, and
ii. The stairway does not serve more than one-half story below the level of exit discharge, and
iii. All corridors serving as access to exits from the work area have a minimum fire resistance rating of 20 minutes, and
iv. There is not more than 35 ft (10.7m) of travel distance from the entrance door of any living unit in the work area to an exit, and
v. Twenty-minute fire resistance rated horizontal and vertical separation between living units in the work area is provided.
6. In buildings of Use Group R-2 of any height with not more than four living units per floor, with a smokeproof enclosure or outside stair as an exit, and with such exit within 20 ft (6.1m) of travel to the entrance doors to all living units served thereby.
7. In buildings of Use Group B, F-2, or S-2, not more than two stories in height, which are not greater than 3,000 square feet per floor, when the exit access travel distance does not exceed 75 feet. The minimum fire resistance rating of the exit enclosure and of the opening protection shall be one hour.
8. In open parking structures where vehicles are mechanically parked.
| The list of conditions where a single exit building would be permitted includes all conditions currently permitted by the applicable building code (condition 1 above) and others that in some instances were previously permitted by the model codes.
While not specifically required, if a second exit is required for the work area then prudent design would include an arrangement providing a second exit which is available from the entire floor containing the work area and all floors between the work area and the level of exit discharge, including the level of exit discharge if appropriate. However, due to varying conditions the second exit is not required to be provided for areas outside the work area, because it may be impractical.
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602.2.4 -- All buildings of Use Group A with an occupant load of 100 or more shall be provided with a main entrance capable of serving as the main exit with an egress capacity for at least one-half the total occupant load. The remaining exits shall be capable of providing one-half of the total required exit capacity.
Exception:
1. As permitted by the Building Code.
| The building codes typically exempt the stadium and arena type arrangement where multiple entrances are located around the perimeter.
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602.3 Capacity of Means of Egress -- The capacity of the means of egress in each work area and throughout the egress path of each work area shall be sufficient for the occupant load thereof. Capacity shall be determined in accordance with the Building Code. The occupant load of a space shall be determined by whichever of the following methods provides the higher number:
1. Divide the floor area by the occupant load factor for this use group as provided in the Building Code.
2. The actual number of occupants for whom the work area is designed.
Exception:
1. The Building Official shall be permitted to establish the occupant load as the number of persons for which existing means of egress is adequate, provided that measures are established to prevent occupancy by a greater number of persons.
| The exception to Section 602.3 would permit an occupant load less than that calculated using the appropriate occupant load factor. However, whenever this is done the occupant load used should be a realistic number that is unlikely to be exceeded. Additional precautions should be taken to ensure that the occupant load is not exceeded, such as the issuance of a specific number of tickets or entry passes in a place of assembly.
An example of a condition which has been approved by code officials in the past is the limitation of 49 people in a meeting room area of a hotel, due to either door swing or only one means of egress from the room. The limitation can be included in the contractual agreement between the user of the space and the hotel, and hotel personnel can monitor the use of the space. Furthermore, the posting of an occupant load of 49 can also facilitate compliance.
Another example of a previously approved condition is the issuance of "passes" upon entrance into a place of assembly. The facility has a fixed number of passes and the passes are returned as people leave so that they can be issued to another patron. Whatever the conditions are, the code official must be comfortable enough with the program to approve it and can revoke the approval based upon failure to comply.
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602.4 Egress Doorways
602.4.1 -- In any work area, all rooms and spaces having an occupant load greater than 50 or in which the travel distance exceeds 75 feet shall have a minimum of two egress doorways.
Exceptions:
1. Storage rooms having a maximum occupant load of 10.
2. Where the work area is served by a single exit in accordance with 602.2.3.
602.4.2 -- In buildings of Use Group I-2, any patient sleeping room or suite of rooms greater than 1,000 square feet in the work area shall have a minimum of two egress doorways.
| This provides consistency with the requirements of most of the building codes with respect to exit access doors from patient sleeping rooms.
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602.4.3 Corridor doors -- Corridor doors in the work area shall not be constructed of hollow core wood and shall not contain louvers. All dwelling units, guest room or rooming unit corridor doors in work areas in buildings of Use Groups R-1, R-2, and I-1 shall be at least 1-3/8 inch solid core wood or approved equal with approved door closers and shall not have any glass panels, other than approved wired glass or other approved glazing material in metal frames. All replacement doors shall be 1-3/4 inch solid bonded wood core or approved equal, unless the existing frame will accommodate only a 1-3/8 inch door.
Exceptions:
1. Corridor doors within a dwelling unit or guest room.
2. Existing doors meeting the requirements of HUD Rehabilitation Guidelines No. 8 for a rating of 15 minutes or better shall be accepted as meeting the provisions of this requirement.
3. Existing doors in buildings protected throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system shall be required only to resist smoke; shall not contain louvers; and shall be reasonably tight fitting.
4. In group homes with a maximum of 15 occupants, and which are protected with an approved automatic detection system, closing devices may be omitted.
5. Door assemblies having a fire protection rating of at least 20 minutes.
| While not requiring fire doors, this section provides criteria which result in a relatively effective barrier to fire spread through a door opening in a corridor wall. Any fire door with at least a 20 minute fire protection rating should be considered as equivalent, since a 1-3/4 inch solid bonded wood core door can typically achieve a 20 minute fire protection rating (without the hose stream).
There may be instances where the provision of automatic sprinkler protection on a floor may be adequate to permit the use of smoke resistant doors. However, the overall fire protection package including enclosure of vertical openings, travel distance (which is not otherwise regulated by the NARRP) and other fire protection features should be considered prior to permitting a reduction in the corridor doors in a work area which is on a floor protected with automatic sprinklers and where the entire building is not protected throughout with an automatic sprinkler system.
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602.4.4 Transoms -- In all buildings of Use Group I-1, R-1 and R-2 all transoms in corridor walls in work areas shall be either glazed with 1/4-inch wired glass set in metal frames or other glazing assemblies having a fire protection rating as required for the door and permanently secured in the closed position or sealed with materials consistent with the corridor construction.
| Transoms were originally installed in buildings for light and ventilation purposes. If they are open or if they fail during a fire condition, the opening is a convenient method of smoke spread into the corridor. Therefore, existing transoms need to be secured in the closed position and constructed to offer some degree of resistance to the spread of fire.
Section 602.4.3 contains requirements for the protection of door openings in corridor walls for certain use groups. This section requires that the transom must have the same fire protection rating as required for the door. Where a 1-3/4 inch solid bonded wood core door is permitted, glazing assemblies having a fire protection rating of 20 minutes without the hose stream test should also be permitted. Where Section 602.4.3 contains requirements that the door be capable of resisting the passage of smoke, the transom shall be permanently secured in the closed position and sealed, but need not have a fire protection rating.
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602.4.5 Other corridor openings -- In any work area, any other sash, grill or opening in a corridor, and any window in a corridor not opening to the outside air, shall be sealed with materials consistent with the corridor construction.
602.4.6 (Supplemental requirements) -- The requirements of 602.4.3 through 602.4.5 shall apply on the entire floor when the work area exceeds 50 percent of the floor area.
602.4.7 Door swing -- In the work area and in the egress path from any work area to the exit discharge, all egress doors serving an occupant load greater than 50 shall swing in the direction of exit travel.
| An occupant load of 50 is a common threshold to regulate the direction of swing of the door. Doors which are not swinging doors would only be permitted as permitted by the applicable building code.
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602.4.8 -- In any work area all doors opening onto an exit passageway at grade or exit stair shall be self-closing or automatic closing by listed closing devices.
Exception:
1. Where exit enclosure is not required by the Building Code.
| This requirement should not be limited to Use Groups R-1 and R-2. Exit stairs and exit passageways required to be enclosed by other sections should be protected with the appropriate opening protectives and the opening protectives should be self-closing or automatic closing.
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602.4.9 -- In any work area, and in the egress path from any work area to the exit discharge, in a building or portions thereof of Use Group A with an occupant load greater than 100 all required exit doors equipped with latching devices shall be equipped with approved panic hardware.
602.4.10 (Supplemental requirements) -- The requirements of 602.4.7 through 602.4.9 shall apply on the entire floor when the work area exceeds 50 percent of the floor area.
Exception:
1. Means of egress within a tenant space that is entirely outside the work area need not comply.
602.4.11 -- Work areas in buildings of Use Group I-3 having remote power unlocking capability for more than 10 locks shall be provided with an emergency power source for such locks. Power shall be arranged to automatically operate upon failure of normal power within 10 seconds and for a duration of not less than one hour.
| This paragraph does not mandate remote unlocking capability, but if remote power unlocking is provided then the emergency power requirement applies where there are more than 10 locks. It is assumed that a means is provided at the door to allow for the manual operation of the lock in case the remote unlocking capability fails.
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602.5 Dead End Corridors -- Existing dead end corridors in any work area shall not exceed 35 feet. Newly constructed dead end corridors shall comply with the Building Code.
Exceptions:
1. Where dead end corridors of greater length are permitted by the Building Code.
2. In other than Use Group A and H, the maximum length of an existing dead end corridor shall be 50 feet in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic fire alarm system installed in accordance with the Building Code.
3. In other than Use Group A and H, the maximum length of an existing dead end corridor shall be 70 feet in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with the Building Code.
4. In other than Use Group A and H the maximum length of a newly constructed or extended dead end corridor shall not exceed 50 feet in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with the Building Code.
| Some building codes allow dead end corridors in excess of the 35 foot limit contained herein, based upon the presence of an automatic sprinkler system and the occupancy of the space. The references to the Building Code requirements for an automatic fire alarm system and an automatic sprinkler system in the exceptions are intended to provide the installation requirements for such system. If any of the exceptions are used, then the fire protection system must meet the installation requirements contained in the applicable building code.
It should be noted that the second and third exceptions apply to existing dead end corridor conditions only. If the arrangement of the reconstructed space either creates a new dead end corridor or extends the length of an existing dead end, the new arrangement shall either meet the Building Code requirements, be limited to 35 feet, or be limited to 50 feet only if the building is protected throughout with an automatic sprinkler system. Again, conditions may exist where automatic sprinkler protection on the floor alone may be adequate based upon other fire protection features in the building.
Since the various codes have modified the requirements for dead end corridors and remoteness of exits over the years, some arrangements may exist where the provisions of this section cannot be met. In such cases the code official may evaluate the "hardship" associated with compliance and may permit a compliance alternative in accordance with Section 102.3.
Where the code permits a single exit condition, it should be noted that dead end corridors must also be permitted. This condition is typically addressed by an exception contained in the Building Code.
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602.6 Means of Egress Lighting
602.6.1 -- Means of egress in all work areas shall be provided with artificial lighting in accordance with the requirements of the Building Code.
602.6.2 (Supplemental requirement) -- Where the reconstruction work area on any floor exceeds 50 percent of that floor area, means of egress throughout the floor shall be provided with artificial lighting in accordance with the requirements of the Building Code.
Exception:
1. Means of egress within a tenant space that is entirely outside the work area need not comply.
602.6.3 (Supplemental requirement) -- In a building with work areas involving over 50 percent of the aggregate floor area within the building, means of egress from the floor of the highest work area to the floor of exit discharge, and all intermediate floors, shall be provided with artificial lighting within the exit enclosure in accordance with the requirements of the Building Code.
| The text requires 50 percent of the total area of a building to be involved in a reconstruction before the lighting requirement applies throughout the building. This prevents a reconstruction project involving limited areas on multiple floors from triggering the requirement for artificial lighting on multiple floors.
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602.7 Exit Signs
602.7.1 -- Means of egress in all work areas shall be provided with exit signs in accordance with the requirements of the Building Code.
602.7.2 (Supplemental requirement) -- Where the reconstruction work area on any floor exceeds 50 percent of that floor area, means of egress throughout the floor shall be provided with exit signs in accordance with the requirements of the Building Code.
Exception:
1. Means of egress within a tenant space that is entirely outside the work area need not comply.
602.7.3 (Supplemental requirement) -- In a building with work areas involving over 50 percent of the aggregate floor area within the building, means of egress from the floor of the highest work area to the floor of exit discharge shall be provided with exit signs in accordance with the requirements of the Building Code.
602.8 Handrails -- The following requirements shall apply from the highest work area floor to the level of exit discharge.
602.8.1 -- Every required exit stairway that is part of the means of egress for any work area that has three or more risers and is not provided with at least one handrail, or in which the existing handrails are judged to be in danger of collapsing, shall be provided with handrails for the full length of the run of steps on at least one side. All exit stairways with a required egress width of more than 66 inches shall have handrails on both sides.
| Note that the requirement for handrails on both sides only applies where the required egress width, as determined by Section 602.3, exceeds 66 inches. Any existing stairway with handrails on both sides is acceptable regardless of the width of the stairway. Consideration should be given to providing additional handrails to adequately serve the required egress width as required by the Building Code, but this is not required. Also note that any newly constructed stairs would need to comply with the building code requirements which typically would call for a handrail on both sides of any 44-inch stair.
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602.8.2 -- Where there are no handrails or where the existing handrails must be replaced in accordance with Section 602.8.1, the handrails shall be designed and installed in accordance with the provisions of the Building Code.
602.9 Guards -- The following requirements shall apply from the highest work area floor to the level of exit discharge, but shall be confined to the egress path of any work area.
602.9.1 -- Every open portion of a stair, landing, or balcony which is more than 30 inches above the floor or grade below and not provided with guards, or those in which the existing guards are judged to be in danger of collapsing, shall be provided with guards.
602.9.2 -- Where there are no guards or where the existing guards must be replaced in accordance with Section 602.9.1 the guards shall be designed and installed in accordance with the Building Code.
| The text permits existing guards provided they are not in danger of collapsing, irrespective of the spacing between the intermediate rails. However, if a new guard is installed then the requirements of the applicable Building Code, including the four-inch spacing limitations for intermediate rails, will apply.
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603.0 Interior Finish
603.1 -- The interior finish of walls and ceilings in any work area shall comply with the requirements of the Building Code. All existing interior finish materials which do not comply with the requirements of this Section shall be removed or shall be treated with an approved fire retardant coating in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions to secure compliance with the requirements of this Section.
| The Building Code requirements for interior finish materials may involve testing other than the traditional tunnel test which provides flame spread ratings. For example, some materials are now required to be subjected to a room corner test.
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603.2 (Supplemental requirement)
603.2.1 -- Where the work area on any floor exceeds 50 percent of that floor area, the requirements of Section 603.1 shall apply to the interior finish in exits and corridors serving the work area on the entire floor.
Exception:
1. Interior finish within a tenant space that is entirely outside the work area need not comply.
603.2.2 -- In a building with work areas involving over 50 percent of the aggregate floor area within the building, the requirements for interior finishes in exits shall apply from the floor of the highest work area to the floor of exit discharge, and all intermediate floors.
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604.0 Shaft Enclosures
604.1 -- In any work area, newly constructed vertical openings connecting two or more floors shall comply with the requirements of the Building Code.
604.2 -- In any work area, all existing interior vertical openings connecting two or more floors shall be enclosed with approved assemblies having a fire resistance rating of not less than one hour with approved opening protectives.
Exceptions:
1. Where vertical opening enclosure is not required by the Building Code.
2. Interior vertical openings other than stairways may be blocked at the floor and ceiling of the work area by installation of not less than two inches (50.8 mm) of solid wood or equivalent construction.
3. In Use Groups A, B, M, and R-2 a minimum 30 minute enclosure shall be provided to protect all vertical openings not exceeding three stories.
4. In Use Group A the enclosure shall not be required:
i. Where connecting the main floor and mezzanines; or
ii. Where all the following conditions are met:
(1) The communicating area has a low hazard occupancy, or has a moderate hazard occupancy which is protected throughout by an automatic sprinkler system, and
(2) The lowest or next to the lowest level is a street floor; and
(3) The entire area is open and unobstructed in a manner such that it may be assumed that a fire in any part of the interconnected spaces will be readily obvious to all of the occupants; and
(4) Exit capacity is sufficient to provide egress simultaneously for all the occupants of all levels by considering all areas to be a single floor area for the determination of required exit capacity; and
(5) Each floor level, considered separately, has at least one-half of its individual required exit capacity provided by an exit or exits leading directly out of that level without having to traverse another communicating floor level or be exposed to the smoke or fire spreading from another communicating floor level.
5. In Use Group B the enclosure shall not be required in a building not exceeding 3,000 square feet per floor or when the building is protected throughout by an approved automatic fire sprinkler system.
6. In Use Group E the enclosure shall not be required for vertical openings not exceeding three stories when the building is protected throughout by an approved automatic fire sprinkler system.
7. In Use Group F the enclosure shall not be required for vertical openings not exceeding three stories:
i. In special purpose occupancies when necessary for manufacturing operations and direct access is provided to at least one protected stairway; or
ii. In buildings which are protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system.
8. In Use Group H the enclosure shall not be required for vertical openings not exceeding three stories when necessary for manufacturing operations and every floor level has direct access to at least two remote enclosed stairways or other approved exits.
9. In Use Group M the enclosure shall not be required when:
i. Openings connect only two floor levels, such as between the street floor and mezzanine or second floor; or
ii. Occupancies are protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system.
10. In Use Group R-l the enclosure shall not be required for vertical openings not exceeding three stories:
i. In buildings which are protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system; or
ii. In buildings with less than 25 guests in which the following conditions are met:
(1) Every sleeping room is provided with an approved window having a sill height not greater than 44 inches;
(2) Every sleeping room above the second floor is provided with direct access to a fire escape or other approved second exit;
(3) Any exit access corridor exceeding eight feet in length which serves two means of egress, at least one of which is an unprotected vertical opening, shall be separated from the vertical opening by a one-hour fire barrier; and
(4) The building is protected throughout by an automatic fire alarm system, installed and supervised in accordance with the Building Code.
11. In Use Group R-2 the enclosure shall not be required:
i. In buildings which are protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system;
ii. Where the vertical opening connects not more than two floor levels with not more than four dwelling units per floor and each dwelling unit has access to a fire escape or other approved second exit; or
iii. In buildings with not more than four dwelling units per floor, and in which the following conditions are met:
(1) Every sleeping room is provided with an approved window having a sill height not greater than 44 inches;
(2) Every dwelling unit or sleeping room above the second floor is provided with direct access to a fire escape or other approved second exit; and
(3) The building is protected throughout by an automatic fire alarm system, installed and supervised in accordance with the Building Code.
| Exceptions 10 and 11 of this Section refer to windows as being "approved." The specific size of the window opening is not limited, since this is intended to apply to existing conditions. The window size criteria contained in the exceptions to Section 602.2.1 may be appropriate for determining what constitutes an acceptable window for approval. It should be noted however, that the 5 square foot size, while permitted by recent editions of at least one of the three model building codes, may not be adequate to permit ladder access to or egress from the space, especially for a firefighter in full protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus.
This Section also refers to an "approved" second exit. If evaluating the acceptability of the proposed second exit, the code official must ensure that an adequate means exist for the occupant to access grade level. Depending on height above grade and other conditions, it may be acceptable to permit the occupants to hang over the balcony and fall to grade. The code official has the authority to evaluate the proposed arrangement and determine if a reasonably safe means of egress is provided.
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604.3 (Supplemental requirements)
604.3.1 -- Where the reconstruction work area on any floor exceeds 50 percent of that floor area, Section 604.2 shall apply throughout the floor.
604.3.2 -- Where the reconstruction work area on any floor exceeds 50 percent of that floor area, stairways that are part of the means of egress serving the work area shall be enclosed with smoke tight enclosures on all floors below the highest work area floor.
Exception:
1. Where stairway enclosure is not required by the Building Code.
604.3.3 -- In a building with work areas involving over 50 percent of the aggregate floor area within the building, stairways that are part of the means of egress shall be enclosed in accordance with Section 604.2 on the highest work area floor and on all floors below it.
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605.0 Fire Separation and Smoke Barriers
605.1 Use Group I-2
605.1.1 -- Where the work area is on a story used for sleeping purposes for more than 30 patients, the story shall be divided into not less than two compartments by smoke barrier walls complying with the technical requirements of Section 605.1.2 such that each compartment does not exceed 22,500 square feet and the travel distance from any point to reach a door in the required smoke barrier shall not exceed 200 feet.
Exception:
1. Where neither the length nor width of the smoke compartment exceeds 150 feet, the travel distance to reach the smoke barrier door shall not be limited.
| This section is written to coordinate with more recent requirements in some of the Building Codes and the NFPA Life Safety Code which indicate that the critical criteria is the travel distance to the smoke barrier door, and not necessarily the length and width of the compartment. The exception is necessary since some existing smoke compartments designed under the 150 foot limit may not meet the travel distance criteria.
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605.1.2 -- The smoke barriers specified in Section 605.1.1 shall be constructed in accordance with the following provisions:
1. Smoke barriers shall have a fire resistance rating of not less than one-half hour and shall form an effective membrane continuous from outside wall to outside wall and from floor slab to floor or roof deck above, including continuity through all concealed spaces, such as those found above suspended ceilings, and including interstitial structural and mechanical spaces. Transfer grilles, whether equipped with fusible link-operated dampers or not, shall not be used in these partitions.
| There is no need to address glazed opening protectives in this section. The Building Codes already address opening protectives in rated construction.
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2. Smoke barriers are not required in interstitial spaces when such spaces are designed and constructed with ceilings that provide resistance to the passage of fire and smoke equivalent to that provided by smoke barriers.
3. Doors in smoke barriers shall have a fire protection rating of not less than 20 minutes when tested in accordance with ASTM E152 without the hose stream and labeled by an approved agency, or shall be 1-3/4 inch solid bonded wood core doors. Newly installed double egress corridor doors shall have approved vision panels. The doors shall close the openings with only the clearance necessary for proper operation under self-closing or automatic closing and shall be without undercuts, louvers or grilles. Rabbets or astragals are required at the meeting edges of newly installed double egress doors, and stops are required on the head and jambs of all doors in smoke barriers. Positive latching devices are not required on double egress corridor doors, and center mullions are prohibited.
4. Protection at the meeting edges of doors and stops at the head and sides of door frames shall not be required in buildings equipped with an approved engineered smoke control system. The engineered smoke control system shall respond automatically, preventing the transfer of smoke across the barrier.
5. Doors in smoke barriers shall be self-closing or shall be provided with approved door hold-open devices of the fail-safe type which shall release the doors causing them to close upon the actuation of smoke detectors as well as upon the application of a maximum manual pull of 50 pounds against the hold-open device.
6. An approved damper designed to resist the passage of smoke shall be provided at each point a duct penetrates a smoke barrier. The damper shall close upon detection of smoke by an approved smoke detector located within the duct.
7. In lieu of an approved smoke detector located within the duct, ducts which penetrate smoke barriers above doors are permitted to have the approved damper arranged to close upon detection of smoke on either side of the smoke barrier door opening.
8. Dampers are not required:
i. Where not required by the Building Code.
ii. In buildings equipped with an approved engineered smoke control system.
iii. Where the openings in ducts are limited to a single smoke compartment and the ducts are of steel construction.
iv. In fully ducted systems where both sides of the smoke barrier are protected with an approved automatic sprinkler system.
| These requirements are similar to the requirements in NFPA 101 for smoke barriers in health care occupancies. Since NFPA 101 is enforced in almost all existing buildings of Use Group I-2, the requirements should not present an undue burden. Some of the building codes permit the omission of the smoke dampers provided the areas on both sides of the smoke barrier are protected with automatic sprinkler protection.
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605.2 Use Group R-3
605.2.1 -- Where the work area is in any attached dwelling unit in Use Group R-3, walls separating the dwelling units which are not continuous from the foundation to the underside of the roof sheathing shall be constructed to provide a continuous fire separation using construction materials consistent with the existing wall or complying with the requirements for new structures. All work shall be performed on the side of the wall of the dwelling unit that is part of the work area.
Exception:
1. Walls are not required to be continuous through concealed floor spaces.
| Reconstruction in Use Group R-3 will in most cases be triggered by Section 501.5 (work area exceeding 50 percent of the building area). The intent of this section is to provide an effective separation between attached dwelling units to minimize the likelihood that a fire within one dwelling unit will impact other dwelling units. Historically, the dwelling unit separations were not continuous to the roof allowing for fire spread from one dwelling unit to another in the attic space. While such fire separations are usually required to be continuous through floor assemblies the exception allows for the wall to terminate at the ceiling, primarily because a fire resistance rating is not required. If the wall is not continuous, the ceiling construction is intended to provide the barrier. Also, since a fire resistance rating is not required, work need only occur in dwelling units within the work area and not in other adjacent dwelling units.
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606.0 Fire Suppression Systems
606.1 -- All work areas in any building or portion thereof that is required to be suppressed in accordance with the Building Code shall be provided with an automatic fire suppression system.
Exception:
1. In other than high rise structures, where an automatic water supply for sprinkler protection is not available at that floor level the building official shall be permitted to accept alternative protection.
| When sizing the supply piping (feed mains, cross mains and risers) for an automatic sprinkler system, consideration should be given to sizing the pipe to be adequate for automatic sprinkler protection throughout the building. For example, a two-inch riser may be adequate for sprinkler protection on the ground floor, but would not be adequate when sprinkler protection needs to be installed on upper floors.
This section will require automatic fire suppression in all work areas in high rise buildings where the applicable building code requires automatic fire suppression in such high rise buildings. If an adequate water supply is not available on the floor, either the water supply must be provided or a compliance alternative must be approved by the code official as permitted in Chapter 1. Most high rise buildings will have standpipe systems which will be capable of serving as an adequate water supply for an automatic sprinkler system.
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606.2 (Supplemental requirements)
606.2.1 -- Where the work area on any floor exceeds 50 percent of that floor area, Section 606.1 shall apply to the entire floor.
Exception:
1. In other than high rise structures, where an automatic water supply for sprinkler protection is not available at that floor level the building official shall be permitted to accept alternative protection.
606.2.2 -- In a building with work areas involving over 50 percent of the aggregate building area, Section 606.1 shall apply to the highest floor containing a work area and all floors below.
606.3 Mixed Uses -- In buildings containing mixed uses, one or more of which requires automatic suppression in accordance with Sections 606.1 or 606.2, suppression will not be required throughout the building, provided that the uses requiring suppression are separated from those not requiring suppression by fire resistive construction having a minimum two-hour rating for Use Group H, and a minimum one-hour rating for all use groups other than Use Group H.
| This allows an occupancy separation to eliminate the requirement for automatic fire suppression throughout the building where Section 606.2.2 would otherwise require suppression throughout much of the building. In the case of the BOCA National Building Code, the fire area concept involving similar use groups would also be a valid approach. However, not all the building codes have such provisions.
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606.4 Supervision -- Fire suppression systems required by this Section shall be supervised by one of the following methods as determined by the fire official:
1. Approved central station system in accordance with NFPA 72;
2. Approved proprietary system in accordance with NFPA 72;
3. Approved remote station system of the jurisdiction in accordance with NFPA 72; or
4. Approved local alarm service which will cause the sounding of an alarm in accordance with NFPA 72.
Exceptions:
1. Underground gate valve with roadway boxes;
2. Halogenated extinguishing systems;
3. Carbon dioxide extinguishing systems;
4. Dry and wet chemical extinguishing systems;
5. Limited area sprinkler systems; and
6. Occupancies in Use Group R complying with NFPA 13R or NFPA 13D, as appropriate.
| The BOCA National Building Code contains provisions for sprinkler systems protecting specific areas or hazards within a building. The systems are limited to a maximum of 20 sprinklers and are permitted to be supplied from a domestic water source. Therefore, the exception should be applicable to any partial sprinkler system containing no more than 20 sprinklers.
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606.5 Standpipes -- Any work areas in a building that is required to be provided with a standpipe system by the Building Code shall be provided with standpipes up to and including the highest work area floor. The standpipes shall be located and installed in accordance with the Building Code.
Exceptions:
1. No pump shall be required provided that the standpipes are capable of accepting delivery by fire department apparatus of a minimum of 250 gpm at 65 psi to the topmost floor in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system or a minimum of 500 gpm at 65 psi to the topmost floor in all other buildings. Where the standpipe terminates below the topmost floor, the standpipe shall be designed to meet these requirements (gpm/psi) for possible future extension of the standpipe.
2. The interconnection of multiple standpipe risers shall not be required.
| Installation of a fire pump to meet the automatic water supply requirements for a standpipe system can be a costly improvement. If the fire department is capable of providing the required water supply through the fire department connection, the cost of the fire pump during a reconstruction project may not be warranted. This provision is similar to what some building codes and NFPA 14 permit for certain situations.
The second exception eliminates the requirement for interconnection of standpipe risers where the applicable building code requires such interconnection. It should be noted, however, in those instances where risers are not interconnected, multiple fire department connections shall be provided to ensure adequate water supply to all required standpipe risers.
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607.0 Fire Alarms
607.1 Smoke Detectors
607.1.1 -- In Use Groups R-1 and R-2, individual guestrooms and individual dwelling units in any work area shall be provided with smoke detectors complying with the Building Code.
607.1.2 -- Where the reconstruction work area is in Use Groups R-3 or R-4, smoke detectors complying with the Building Code shall be provided at each level and outside each sleeping area.
Exceptions:
1. Interconnection of smoke detectors shall not be required.
2. Battery-powered single station smoke detectors listed in accordance with UL 217 shall be permitted outside the work area.
| Battery-powered smoke detectors are generally not considered as reliable as smoke detectors powered from the building electrical system. Therefore, within the work area battery-powered smoke detectors do not comply. However, if portions of a dwelling unit outside the work area do not have proper smoke detectors then smoke detectors must be provided in the specified locations but those smoke detectors may be battery-powered and need not be interconnected. It should be noted that the section does not require smoke detectors in each bedroom as is currently required by some building codes.
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607.2 Manual Fire Alarm Systems
607.2.1 -- Where the work area on any floor exceeds 50 percent of that floor area and the work area is in a building that is required to have a manual fire alarm system in accordance with the Building Code, a manual fire alarm system shall be provided on the floor. Alarm-indicating appliances shall be provided on the floor and shall be automatically activated as required by the Building Code by all new and existing initiating devices.
607.2.2 -- Where the work area involves over 50 percent of the aggregate building area and the work area is in a building that is required to have a manual fire alarm system in accordance with the Building Code, a manual fire alarm system shall be provided throughout the building in accordance with the Building Code.
607.3 Automatic Fire Detection Systems
607.3.1 -- Where the work area is in a building that is required to have an automatic fire detection system in accordance with the Building Code, an automatic fire detection system shall be installed in the work area. Existing alarm-indicating appliances shall be automatically activated throughout the building. Where the building is not equipped with a fire alarm system, alarm-indicating appliances within the work area shall be provided and automatically activated.
Exception:
1. Where selective notification is permitted, alarm-indicating appliances shall be automatically activated in the areas selected.
| Where selective notification is provided, consideration should be given to providing a means of advising occupants outside the selected area of that status of the fire alarm signal. These occupants may notice the response of fire apparatus and should be given the proper information about the alarm condition and the status of the emergency.
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607.3.2 -- Where the work area on any floor exceeds 50 percent of that floor area and the work area is in a building that is required to have an automatic fire detection system in accordance with the Building Code, an automatic fire detection system shall be installed throughout the floor. Alarm-indicating appliances shall be automatically activated throughout the building.
Exceptions:
1. Where selective notification is permitted, alarm-indicating appliances shall be automatically activated in the areas selected.
2. Where the building is not equipped with a fire alarm system, alarm-indicating appliances on the floor shall be provided and automatically activated.
607.3.3 -- Where the work area involves over 50 percent of the aggregate building area and the building is required to have an automatic fire detection system in accordance with the Building Code, an automatic fire detection system shall be provided throughout the building in accordance with the Building Code.
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608.0 High Rise Buildings
608.1 -- Any building or structure having one or more floors more than 75 feet above the lowest level accessible to a fire department vehicle shall comply with the requirements of this section.
| This section does not simply refer to the definition of "high rise" in the Building Code because that definition might change to reduce the height, which would penalize existing buildings.
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608.1.1 Re-circulating Air or Exhaust Systems -- When the work area is on a floor that is served by a re-circulating air or exhaust system serving more than one floor, the re-circulating air or exhaust system that serves the work area shall be equipped with approved smoke and heat detection devices installed in accordance with the Mechanical Code. The devices shall stop the fan(s) automatically and shall be of the manual reset type. Automatic fan shutdown is not required when the system is part of an approved smoke removal or smoke control system.
608.1.2 Elevators -- When the work area is one entire floor or when the work area is 20 percent or more of the occupied floor area of the building, the elevators in the building shall be equipped with the following emergency control devices:
1. All automatic (non-designated attendant) elevators having a travel of 25 feet or more above or below the designated level shall be equipped with Phase I Emergency Recall Operation as required by ASME A17.1-1987, Rules 211.3a and 211.3b.
2. All floors shall be accessible by at least one elevator equipped with Phase II Emergency In-Car Operation, as required by ASME A17.1-1987, Rule 211.3c.
3. All designated attendant elevators having a travel of 25 feet or more above or below the designated level shall be equipped with emergency controls, as required by ASME A17.1-1987, Rule 211.4.
| The specific references to the 1987 edition of ASME A17.1 are appropriate, even though there is a 1993 edition. This is because ASME A17.3-95, Safety Code for Existing Elevators and Escalators, which is the source for these requirements, specifies conformance to the 1987 edition as follows:
"3.11.3 Firefighters' Service
"Elevators shall conform to the requirements of ASME/ANSI A17.1-1987 Rules 211.3 through 211.8 unless at the time of installation or alteration it was required to comply with a later edition of A17.1."
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608.1.3 Smoke Barriers -- Where the work area on any floor exceeds 50 percent of that floor area and is on a floor that is above the main floor level in Use Groups R-1 and R-2, smoke barriers conforming to the requirements of Section 605.1.2 above shall be provided around all elevator landings on the work area floor.
Exceptions:
1. The smoke barriers shall be permitted to terminate at the ceiling, provided the ceiling membrane provides resistance to the passage of smoke equivalent to that provided by the smoke barriers.
2. The smoke barriers shall not be required in buildings protected throughout by an automatic sprinkler system.
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609.0 Boiler/Furnace Equipment Rooms
609.1 -- Boiler/furnace equipment rooms shall be enclosed by one-hour fire rated construction when the work area is in any of the following facilities: day nurseries, children's shelter facilities, residential child care facilities and similar facilities with children below the age of 2-1/2 years, and which may be classified as Use Group I-2, shelter facilities, residences for the developmentally disabled, group homes, teaching family homes, transitional living homes, rooming and boarding houses, hotels and multiple dwellings.
Exceptions:
1. Furnace and boiler equipment of low pressure type (operating at pressures of 15 psig or less for steam equipment or 160 psig or less for hot water equipment) when installed in accordance with manufacturer recommendations or furnace and boiler equipment of residential (R-3) type (200,000 BTU per hour input rating or less) is not required to be enclosed.
2. Furnace rooms protected with automatic sprinkler protection.
609.2 -- Emergency controls shall be provided in all structures classified as day nurseries, children's shelter facilities, residential child care facilities and similar facilities with children below the age of 2-1/2 years, and which may be classified as Use Group I-2, and in group homes, teaching family homes, and supervised transitional living homes in accordance with the following:
1. Emergency shutoff switches for furnaces and boilers in basements must be at the top of the stairs leading to the basement;
2. Emergency shutoff switches for furnaces and boilers in other enclosed rooms must be located outside of the room.
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