I disagree with the draft.
FBC 403.4.8 Standby and emergency power. A standby power system complying with Section 2702 and Section 3003 shall be provided for the standby power loads specified in Section 403.4.8.3. An emergency power system complying with Section 2702 shall be provided for the emergency power loads specified in Section 403.4.8.4.
FBC 909.11 Standby power. Smoke control systems shall be provided with standby power in accordance with Section
2702.
FBC 909.12 Detection and control systems. Fire detection systems providing control input or output signals to mechanical smoke control systems or elements thereof shall comply with the requirements of Section 907. Such systems shall be equipped with a control unit complying with UL 864 and listed as smoke control equipment.
FBC 907.5.2.2.5 Emergency power. Emergency voice/alarm communications systems shall be provided with emergency power in accordance with Section 2702.
FBC Definition.
FIRE COMMAND CENTER. The principal attended or unattended location where the status of detection, alarm communications and control systems is displayed, and from which the systems can be manually controlled.
The fire command center being the center hub where personnel will override if need be the smoke control panel, communications for the smoke control system must be supplied with emergency power as well as ventilation.
When we did the original response I wrote this
"Once more, the required for ventilation is found in the Mechanical code, not the Building Volume. Any occupiable room requires either natural ventilation or mechanical. It does not require cooling, but it does require ventilation "
I still feel that the mechanical code would require something for that room. We are seeing them within the building itself and access is part of the main lobby. No door to the exterior. So if power is off and only the "electronics" are being supplied, that room is going to get stale real quick. Saying that, I have only reviewed 3 short highrise buildings. I am new to all of this.
NEC ARTICLE 701— LEGALLY REQUIRED STANDBY SYSTEMS
“Legally Required Standby Systems. Those systems required and so classed as legally required standby by municipal, state, federal, or other codes or by any governmental agency having jurisdiction.”
If any governmental agency can add anything they want as a required standby system, I find it difficult to give a blanket answer that a HVAC system is required or not. I just did an electrical plan review on a new fire station. That HVAC system was included in their emergency backup system. While I do not see it listed as a requirement in 911.1 for a high-rise Fire Command Center, that doesn’t mean that some local agency can’t or hasn’t add it. I would say that it’s up to the local Fire Chief.
I stand by my response. We have done multiple high-rise buildings in the City Miami, Miami Beach, Sunny Isles to name a few during the last 10 to 15 years (probably around 50 buildings). During and event, the command room is occupied by a few people which need ventilation (usually supplied by an a/c unit being is becomes hot very quickly during the time this space must be occupied) and to see what's going on around them while they oversee and manage controls. They have to see their way around while in the room. Smoke control in high rise buildings was part of the South Florida Building Code (over 50 feet at that time) before it was adopted into the FBC, we have been doing this for quite a while in Miami-Dade and Broward.
I see no requirement in the code for the space to have HVAC supply. Section 703.4.8.4(7) states the following for emergency power - Power and lighting for the fire command center required by Section 403.4.6. There is nothing citing HVAC requirements.
I agree with the draft. As Stated in the comment - there are requirements within each of the various code volumes for specific safety requirements. Ventilation of an occupied space is one of them.
I agree with draft, I believe the comment is lengthy and does not need to be.
