Interpretation #7321

Published June 16, 2014

Download Final PDF

Original Request

Code Version
2010
Code
BUILDING
Code Description
Building
Chapter
10
Section
1018
Topic
Use within Corridors

Question

Is it the intent of the code that a business occupancy non sprinkled building having rated corridors allowed to have a open nurses station and a employees lounge and a lab in the middle of the corridor area , the corridor does have the correct amount of space per code on each side of the areas I listed above. If the rooms are allowed to be in the corridors are they required to be rated .

Answer Published 06/16/2014 at 2:24 PM

No, this condition is not allowed.

Commentary

Not sure if "in the middle of the corridor area" means the nurses station, employee lounge, and lab are physically in the center of the space with the corridor flowing around the areas or on the periphery of the corridor. Foyers, lobbies, or reception rooms constructed the same as the corridors are the only rooms or spaces excepted from the prohibition from traversing intervening rooms in Group B occupancy. The FFPC has some allowances at Section 38.3.6, but, the FBCB provisions are more stringent and provide a greater degree of life safety.