Interpretation #6866

Published November 30, 2011

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Original Request

Code Version
2007
Code
BUILDING
Code Description
Building
Chapter
9
Section
903.6.1
Topic
multi-level parking garage

Question

Is it the intent of 903.6.1 exception 2, to exclude a five story parking garage constructed of noncombustible materials, uniformly open to the atmosphere on all sides meeting the criteria specified in Section 406.3, separated by more than 20 feet from other structures, with the attachment of noncombustible pedestrian walkway bridges at upper levels connecting the garage with secondary structure, from being sprinklered?

Answer Published 11/30/2011 at 3:31 PM

Yes, with caveat; The Building Official must be satisfied
that it is truly a stand alone structure and that fire
cannot spread from either structure to the next and that
they are structurally independent of each other such that
if one fails the other will not.

Commentary

Separation between the bridge and the parking deck, open atmosphere pedestrian bridge, non-combustible pedestrian bridge, fire sprinklers in the pedestrian bridge, structural design of the bridge would all be considerations as potential methods in meeting the spirit and intent of the stand-alone provision.