2006 ibc - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

ABLE1 · 02-27-2009, 02:26 PM

Hello all,

I have a need for a small answer to a big question.

If someone has a copy of the 2006 IBC would you look up if a building that is listed as type "General Mercantile", has 3 floors with about 5800 sq ft on each floor, is used for furniture sales on all floors including the basement, with elevator. The building is not sprinkled.

Is this building required to have smoke detectors installed as per NFPA 72??

I don't at present have access to 2006 IBC but will towards the end of next week. I know that there may be other issues to answer the question and if you need to ask a specific question please do so.

I also know that the AHJ will make the final decision but he is reluctant to answer the question with out drawings and submittals in front of him. I am trying to work out a quick number for my customer.

Thanks much,

Have a good day.

Les

wireaudio · 03-01-2009, 03:09 PM

It's a damn thick book, but this is what i could come up with:

Group M = Merchantile

The following are straight from the book:

=================================
Group M. An automatic sprinkler system shall
be provided throughout buildings containing a Group M
occupancy where one of the following conditions exists:
1. Where a Group M fire area exceeds 12,000 square
feet (1115 m2);
2. Where a GroupMfire area is located more than three
stories above grade plane; or
3. Where the combined area of all GroupMfire areas on
all floors, including any mezzanines, exceeds 24,000
square feet (2230 m2).
=================================

=================================
Group M. A manual fire alarm system shall be
installed in Group M occupancies having an occupant load
of 500 or more persons or more than 100 persons above or
below the lowest level of exit discharge. The initiation of a
signal from a manual fire alarm box shall initiate alarm notification
appliances as required by Section 907.9.
Exceptions:
1. Covered mall buildings complying with Section
402.
2. Manual fire alarm boxes are not required where the
building is equipped throughout with an automatic
sprinkler system and the alarm notification appliances
will automatically activate upon sprinkler
water flow.

Occupant notification. During times that
the building is occupied, the initiation of a signal from a
manual fire alarm box or from a water flow switch shall
not be required to activate the alarm notification appliances
when an alarm signal is activated at a constantly
attended location from which evacuation instructions
shall be initiated over an emergency voice/alarm communication
system installed in accordance with Section
907.2.12.2.
The emergency voice/alarm communication system
shall be allowed to be used for other announcements provided
the manual fire alarm use takes precedence over
any other use.

==============================

Hope this helps. Good luck.

ABLE1 · 03-01-2009, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wireaudio

It's a damn thick book, but this is what i could come up with:

Group M = Merchantile

The following are straight from the book:

=================================
Group M. An automatic sprinkler system shall
be provided throughout buildings containing a Group M
occupancy where one of the following conditions exists:
1. Where a Group M fire area exceeds 12,000 square
feet (1115 m2);
2. Where a GroupMfire area is located more than three
stories above grade plane; or
3. Where the combined area of all GroupMfire areas on
all floors, including any mezzanines, exceeds 24,000
square feet (2230 m2).
=================================

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Thanks for the info. Since I posted I had a friend loan me his book. Yes it is thick. I did find the part on the Manual Pulls but did not find the part you listed on the sprinkler. That part is not my concern at this point anyhow.

Thanks again. Very helpful.

Les

wireaudio · 03-02-2009, 04:17 AM

Glad i could help