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Interpretations Request Input

Original Request

  • Request ID: 8493
  • Requested By: Allen Johnson
  • Requester E-Mail: ajohnson@itsmymaitland.com
  • Code Version: 2021
  • Code: EXTBLDG
  • Code Description:
  • Chapter:
  • Section: 8.4.1.1
  • Topic: Corridor ratings
  • Question: Is it the intent of FBC-Existing 8.4.1.1 that existing corridors rated for no other reason than tenant separation required under previous code editions must maintain the corridor rating unless stairwell landings serving this story as well as serving story below and intermediate landings are sprinkled (even though tenant separation is no longer required in new fully sprinkled buildings of business occupancy)?
  • Comment: It is a given that there are other reasons in current FBC codes that may require the main corridors to be rated in a fully sprinklered building but in some conditions, the only trigger for the rating was because of tenant separation and the question relates only to that scenario.

Existing Interpretations and/or Declaratory Statements Related to this request

Input Received:

No, that is not what this section is saying.
When you have a Level II alteration going on within a particular floor, the code is giving an option to sprinkler that floor and stairways servicing the building to be sprinklered. Then allowing the corridor reduction to be used.
As an existing building, you should be maintaining the way it was built, unless the design professional provides a code analysis to show it complies with current code.
Linda Patrick on 12/15/2020 at 1:23 PM

Answer:

No, that is not what this section is saying. When a Level II alteration is being performed on or within a particular floor, the code provides an option to sprinkler that floor and stairways servicing the building the egress. This allows the corridor reduction to be used.
On 12/18/2020 at 4:15 PM

Commentary:

None.

Comments on Draft:

I really wished we could have gotten more response. That is the way I read the intent
Linda Patrick on 12/28/2020 at 1:22 PM
I agree, that is how I read this also.
Thomas Allen on 12/28/2020 at 4:25 PM
Publish Draft Interpretation