Historic Resources Committee

This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Small Project Practitioners and Historic Resources Committee .
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Greetings!

I'm working on an existing building that has an existing fire escape as one of the means of egress from the upper level apartments. Section 3406.5 of the IBC requires windows along the fire escape to be protected with 3/4 hour opening protectives. Section 715.5.4 outlines how such a window would be constructed. Does anyone have experience with an alternative compliance method or with this issue and how the code officials apply the code? For this building, this means we might have steel windows for some of the openings and wood in the remainder. While the building is not designated as historic, the owner does want to maintain that appearance. Your input will be appreciated; thank you!

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Judy Coutts AIA
Firm Owner/Architect
Judy Coutts, AIA
Altoona PA
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Hello Judy. I would check in with your AHJ. Typically what we have done is protected the openings with fire sprinklers. Tyco WS has a listed application for 1-hr equivalency, the caveat is that the listed application specifically requires that the glazing does not have intermediate horizontal mullions. Sometimes the AHJ will only allow this if the strict listing is followed (if the existing window has multiple lites, this can be done with the addition of a secondary sash with a single piece of glass), some AHJ's have the attitude that some protection is better than nothing. Usually this is worked out in a pre-submittal meeting.

good luck. 

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Peter Birkholz AIA
Associate Principal
Page & Turnbull
San Francisco CA
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------------------------------------------- Peter Franks AIA The Franks Design Group, P.C. Glenwood IA ------------------------------------------- Assuming the International Existing Building Code has been adopted with the family of ICC codes, that should be the first place to determine what even applies to your particular situation. In a lot of older urban buildings we'll see steel frames and wireglass installed at alley exposures, where there is also often a fire escape. That was done to prevent exposure and fire spread from adjacent structures across the alley, or a fire event in the alley itself based on 1900-ish fire prevention logic. That isn't what is at work here. The intent of the IBC 45-minute openings is to keep fire exposure from the interior of the building from breaching the egress path at the exterior escape (3rd floor apartment kitchen fire affects 4th floor apartment's fire escape egress path). Because it is an existing building and, presumably, no change of occupancy, you may be able to work with your code official and run through the intent of this provision as it relates to the actual configuration of your openings and escape to arrive at a mutually agreeable real-world solution that will satisfy everyone, including your owner. I am an architect as well as a nationally certified (volunteer) firefighter & EMS responder, so I try to come at these types of issues from a couple of perspectives that gets back to intent and actual risks and not so much what the code section says. The existing building code gives the code official a lot of latitude to adapt to the situations in existing buildings. Also, if the building is eligible for the national register! that can give you a little more leverage sometimes too.
Original Message: Sent: 11-07-2013 18:29 From: Peter Birkholz Subject: 3/4 opening protective at fire escapes Hello Judy. I would check in with your AHJ. Typically what we have done is protected the openings with fire sprinklers. Tyco WS has a listed application for 1-hr equivalency, the caveat is that the listed application specifically requires that the glazing does not have intermediate horizontal mullions. Sometimes the AHJ will only allow this if the strict listing is followed (if the existing window has multiple lites, this can be done with the addition of a secondary sash with a single piece of glass), some AHJ's have the attitude that some protection is better than nothing. Usually this is worked out in a pre-submittal meeting. good luck. ------------------------------------------- Peter Birkholz AIA Associate Principal Page & Turnbull San Francisco CA -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 11-06-2013 15:27 From: Judy Coutts Subject: 3/4 opening protective at fire escapes This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Small Project Practitioners and Historic Resources Committee . ------------------------------------------- Greetings! I'm working on an existing building that has an existing fire escape as one of the means of egress from the upper level apartments. Section 3406.5 of the IBC requires windows along the fire escape to be protected with 3/4 hour opening protectives. Section 715.5.4 outlines how such a window would be constructed. Does anyone have experience with an alternative compliance method or with this issue and how the code officials apply the code? For this building, this means we might have steel windows for some of the openings and wood in the remainder. While the building is not designated as historic, the owner does want to maintain that appearance. Your input will be appreciated; thank you! ------------------------------------------- Judy Coutts AIA Firm Owner/Architect Judy Coutts, AIA Altoona PA -------------------------------------------

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Nelson B. Nave AIA
Owner
Nelson Breech Nave, AIA Architect
Kalamazoo MI
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Check the Existing Building Code...look at it as an existing situation with no change of use.  

Hi Judy -

I have been able to get approval for a compliance alternative to install a fire sprinkler just inside of each window. 

You can also install a fire shutter on the inside of the window.  Not the best looking option, but it would be a code compliant opening protective.


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Scott Winkler AIA
Architect
The Constellation Center
Attleboro MA
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Our local authorities have allowed a sprinkler deluge system at interior face of window, in lieu of a rated opening at fire escape.

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Tracy Kozak AIA
JSA Inc. Architects & Planners
Portsmouth NH
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Judy:

Depending on the details of the application, how far windows are from the stair, if more than 10 feet usually the windows don't require rating unless otherwise required. Also look into fire sprinklers, Deluge head sprinklers may be an acceptable alternative to the local code officials. Some code officials  have suggested to us that adding more or better fire protection alarms and sensors as a mediating circumstance in existing buildings.  And in one historic building we renovated a few years ago, we installed fire rated rolling shutters inside that were hidden in the ceiling. If the stair is several floors, this may not be practical unless you could accept fire shutters inside exposed.Another question, would it be feasible to install additional fire rated window inside and , leaving the existing window in place, based on whether the interior or exterior appearance is what is more important to be saved.



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Joel Carter AIAl
Carter Architecture, Inc.
Myrtle Beach SC
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