Insights Category: Technical Information

The location of standpipe hose valves in stairwells has been a topic of debate for some time. The International Building Code, 2015 edition requires standpipe hose valves to be at intermediate floor landings, while the 2018 edition requires them at main floor landings (Section 905.4(1) in both editions). The fire code official is permitted to allow hose valves at other locations. NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems, requires hose valves to be located “at the main floor landing in exit stairways” (Section 7.3.2(1)), but also permits hose connections “to be located at the highest intermediate landings between floor levels in exit stairways where required by the AHJ.” Why are two locations permitted? Why do some fire departments want them on floor landings and others on intermediate landings?

There are two schools of thought on the location of hose valves in stair enclosures, and they stem from how firefighters connect hose to standpipes. First, the hose valve at the fire floor is nearly never used – the valve on the floor below is the preferred choice. This allows the hose valve to remain in a relatively smoke-free environment while the door to the fire floor is open. It is often forgotten that the door to the fire floor cannot be closed, as the hose must pass through the doorway. Any smoke and heat on the fire floor will enter the stair enclosure through the door that firefighters entered and travel upwards (which reinforces the need for stair pressurization).

Generally, at least 100 feet of hose will be connected to the standpipe hose valve below the fire floor, the nozzle advanced to the main landing at the fire floor, and any extra hose flaked out in a “horseshoe” shape on the stairs leading up beyond the fire floor landing. This allows gravity to help pull the hose down the stairs when the nozzle is advanced towards the fire. Nearly all fire departments use 2-1/2” diameter hose to connect to standpipes. There are some fire departments that will use 1-3/4” hose, but they are the minority. A 100-foot length of 2-1/2” fire hose, charged with water, weighs about 250 pounds which is a substantial load to move, especially in the confined space of an exit stairway or corridor.

Connecting hose to a landing a full floor below the fire floor will “use up” hose. Approximately 35 to 50 feet of hose is needed to wrap around a flight of stairs. The 100’ of hose that the firefighters were going to bring through the door onto the fire floor is then reduced to 50 to 65 feet of usable length. For this reason, firefighters often bring 150 or 200 feet of hose, which weighs approximately 375 or 500 pounds, and reduces the flow characteristics of the hose (adding an additional 7 to 8 psi of friction loss, and 5 pounds of elevation loss). The pre-1993 calculations for standpipes called for 65 psi, which assumed 100 feet of 2-1/2” hose and a nozzle with a 1-1/8” diameter flowing 250 gallons per minute. Extending the hose reduces the available volume. Modern editions of NFPA 14 require 100 psi; however, the reduction in flow still takes place as more hose is added.

Standpipe hose valves at main floor landings are simple to locate. Enter the stair enclosure and the hose valve should be nearby. In a potentially dark or smoke-filled stair, the standpipe hose valve can be readily located and connected to. A hose valve on a main floor landing also provides an escape route for firefighters. Firefighters will follow their hose line back to safety in an emergency, but when using a standpipe the hose line ends at a standpipe valve, not outdoors. A hose valve at a main landing is adjacent to a door that leads to a place of safety – the floor below the fire floor. The downside to using the main landing is one of space. Firefighters do not just connect a single fire hose, they will often connect a short (six to ten feet) length of fire hose with a gated wye and pressure gauge to the hose valve, then connect the main fire hose to the wye. A tool bag with equipment to connect to a stubborn hose valve or make minor repairs to the standpipe is also often left at the connection. The main landing now becomes crowded with hose and tools, blocking the door to the floor below the fire.

These factors – the amount of hose needed and working space – are what drive the discussion to utilize intermediate landings. The intermediate landing allows a shorter length of hose to reach the fire floor, as only 15 to 20 feet of hose are generally lost on the stair. It also eliminates the hose and tools blocking the stair landing on the floor below the fire, leaving the stair door free for use (but taking up space on the intermediate landing). The intermediate landing makes finding both the hose valve and an exit more complicated, though.

Regardless of which landing the hose valves are located on, the decision is ultimately up to the AHJ. Each fire department will determine which standpipe location best supports their tactics. Knowing both sides of the debate can help designers and installers work best with the local fire department.

Horizontal exits are utilized to provide an additional number of exits/egress capacity or to serve as an accessible means of egress at upper floors in lieu of providing standby power to a passenger elevator.  Below are some design considerations that need to be accounted for when incorporating horizontal exits into a project:

  • Horizontal exits must provide a minimum fire rating of 2-hours, including supporting construction (2015 IBC §1026.2 & 2015 NFPA 101 §7.2.4.3.1).
  • In jurisdictions that adopt NFPA 101, if the 2-hour fire rated horizontal exit is not continuous vertically throughout the building (i.e. subdivides an upper floor only) the required exit stairs must all discharge directly to the exterior of the building (2015 NFPA 101 §7.2.4.3.3).
  • Exit signs and manual pull stations (if required) must be located at openings within horizontal exits.
  • The floor area on either side of the horizontal exit must be sized sufficiently to hold the occupants egressing through the horizontal exit. The area must be sized at 3 square feet per person (2015 IBC §1026.4.1 & 2015 NFPA 101 §7.2.4.2.4).
  • Standpipe hose connections are required at either side of the horizontal exit, unless the exception is met. The exception would not require the hose connection if the floor area adjacent to a horizontal exit is reachable from an exit stair hose connection by 100 feet of hose plus 30 feet of hose stream (2015 IBC §905.4(2)).  Note that the hose connection can be omitted from one side of the horizontal exit when the opposite side is reachable within 130 feet of the stair hose connection.  The allowance to omit on the opposite side of the wall is in line with fire fighting operations with the horizontal exit serving as a primary entrance to a fire floor.
2015 International Building Code

 

Note that the above requirements vary for Group I, Healthcare Occupancies.

Want to learn more about horizonal exits and how they can impact your project? Contact us at info@crcfire.com for more information.

Do you have a construction site with an active NFPA 241 Construction Fire Safety Plan? If so, one of the many requirements contained within this standard is to designate a suitable location on the construction site as a command post. But what information and materials must be provided at this location? This is a common question we receive from general contractors throughout the region. The following is recommended to be included at the Fire Command Post of each construction site:A metal, weathertight, lockable work box that is large enough to store the applicable materials

  • A metal, weathertight, lockable work box that is large enough to store the applicable materials
    • Some fire departments prefer this box to be mounted to a fence or substantial structure (such as an office trailer), others prefer a large work box on the ground and chained/secured to a substantial object.
    • Applicable prior to completion of the Building Fire Command Center where the Command Post may be inside the structure
  • A full printed copy of an up-to-date NFPA 241 Plan for the project.
  • Laminated sheet listing names and contact information for the FPPM, Alternate FPPM, and emergency points-of-contact for the site and project. Text of the names and contact information should be at least 16-point font to provide visibility in dark or inclement conditions.
  • Laminated, up-to-date Pre Incident Fire Plan
  • Laminated typical architectural floor plans for the building (final condition is acceptable)
  • A current, updated sectional view of the building that shows the following:
    • Floors and areas accessible to the local fire department
    • Floors and areas provided with protection (temporary standpipes, sprinklers)
    • Floors and areas with impairments
  • Instructions for use of any Fire Protection or Life Safety Systems in the building (dry pressurized standpipe, smoke control systems, hoists, etc.)
  • Floor plans that identify the locations of any fire department valves and/or connections, including:
    • Fire Department Connections
    • Water Service (domestic and fire protection)
    • Floor control valves
    • Zone valves
    • Any additional valves that may inhibit water flow
  • Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for any hazardous material being stored or used on the site
  • Keys to all trailers, shanties, offices, locked site areas, hoists, and floors/areas on the site.

Have any questions on how either the Construction Projects NFPA 241 Construction Fire Safety Plan or the Fire Department Command Post should be located and/or maintained? Feel free to reach out to info@crcfire.com for additional information.

 

In 2012, ALL fire-resistance rated Circuit Integrity cable lost its UL listing due to a change in UL 2196,  Standard for Fire Testing for Circuit Integrity of Fire- Resistive Power, Instrumentation, Control, and Data Cables. This left installing contractors with few options for the installation of fire alarm systems  requiring Level 2 or 3 pathway survivability (such as high-rise buildings, where partial evacuation is common and Fire Emergency Voice/ Alarm Control Equipment circuitry must be protected to ensure continued operations of the communications system). In 2014, the first re-certified UL 2196 cables started coming back on the market. These cables came with new, specific, installation requirements in order to meet the new (more stringent) UL 2196 requirements while retaining other necessary listings (such as UL 1424, Cables for Power-Limited Fire Alarm Circuits).

With CI cable once again gaining popularity there are multiple offerings on the market, all of which must be considered carefully to determine the correct installation methods and maintain compliance with the manufacturer’s specifications and the parameters of the products listings. Currently, these products fall into three main groups. Through the correct application of one of these wiring types, the requirements of NFPA 72, Section 24.4.2.8 can be fulfilled in regard to circuit survivability for relocation and partial evacuation.

Circuit Integrity cable in Conduit (CIC) must be installed within conduit. The conduit, connections, junction boxes, supporting means and even screws and other hardware are often specified directly by the listing and are required to be a specific brand or product line.

Free-Air Circuit Integrity cable is intended to be run without any other mechanical protection, within its listed environment. Again, specific hardware, junction boxes, supports, etc. are required by the product listing and manufacturer’s installation instructions/specifications.

Finally, combination-type Circuit Integrity cable has provisions for installation both in conduit and in free-air. Still, the correct make/model of any accessories (conduit, connectors, boxes, supports, hardware, etc.) must be used. This gives the installing contractor the ability to provide mechanical protection where it may be subject to damage (Parking Garages, Mechanical Rooms, etc.) while simplifying installation elsewhere.

Failure to understand the nuances of each cable systems installation methods and listing can result in costly rework. However, selecting the right CI cable product and correct installation methods and materials can result in labor savings due to  ease of installation; can help reclaim floor area by reducing the need for dedicated shafts or stacked closets; and can offer assurance that the pathway survivability of the cable system provides a safe, compliant means of protecting the circuitry and communications of the fire alarm system.

The requirement for special inspections of firestop systems is still relatively new to most jurisdictions (First adopted in the 2012 International Building Code) and like most new requirements, there is learning curve with the requirements. One of the most common misconceptions we have run in to is that the extent of the inspection process per ASTM 2174 and ASTM 2393 is limited to a 2% destructive or 10% witness inspection. What most people are missing is the requirement in Section 10.8 of both aforementioned ASTM standards which states “The inspector shall verify and document that the firestop systems required in the inspection documents have been installed.” The first step in any firestop inspection for a given area should be to verify that the firestopping is installed in all locations that are required by code and that match the project design drawings and specifications (referred to as inspection documents within the ASTM standards).

This single sentence adds a substantial amount of hours that the inspector should be on site to confirm all firestop systems are installed. For example, a typical plumbing pipe penetration through a gypsum shaftwall is a two part inspection, as the inspector would need to confirm firestopping is applied where the pipe penetrates the shaft liner layer prior to the installation of the finish drywall and then come out again to confirm the firestopping installation at the finish side. Similarly, all through floor penetrations which will be enclosed in wall construction will need to be visually reviewed prior to the installation of drywall. To meet this requirement, the inspector will need to be making regular visits to the project throughout construction. Once items are enclosed in wall construction and removed from view, going back to meet this obligation would be a disruptive and costly endeavor.

There is no doubt that the 2 % destructive or 10% witness inspection is the most challenging aspect of the inspection process for most installers but this requirement to confirm all firestopping is installed is equally as important to ensure that there are no unprotected penetrations or joints in the building.

If you have questions regarding firestop special inspections or are in need of an inspector, please do not hesitate to contact us. Code Red Consultants is an active member of the International Firestop Council and currently has seven certified special inspectors on staff.

The MA Board of Elevator Regulations has removed the longstanding amendment to ASME A17.1: Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators requiring a means of elevator ventilation to the outer air from enclosed elevator hoistways and machine rooms. Previously, 524 CMR amended ASME Section 2.1.4 and required natural or mechanical ventilation for all enclosed hoistways and machine rooms.

The currently adopted version of 524 CMR: Board of Elevator Regulations is based on the 2013 edition of ASME A17.1 and came into effect on December 1, 2018. The current edition of 524 CMR does not amend Section 2.1.4: Control of Smoke and Hot Gases and applies the base code language which states that “when required by the building code, the hoistway shall be provided with means to prevent the accumulation of smoke and hot gases”.

The Ninth Edition of the Massachusetts Building Code (780 CMR) is currently enforced and based on the 2015 International Building Code (IBC). Chapter 30 of 780 CMR addresses elevators and conveying equipment and no longer contains requirements for direct ventilation of hoistways and machine rooms (780 CMR 3002 & 3005). With this code change, the following requirements still apply:

  1. Elevator machine rooms, machinery spaces that contain the driving machine, and control rooms or spaces that contain the operation or motion controller for elevator operation are required to be provided with an independent ventilation or air conditioning system to protect against the overheating of the electrical equipment. The system is required to be capable of maintaining temperatures within the range established for the elevator equipment (780 CMR 3005.2). Where standby power is connected to elevators, the machine room ventilation or air conditioning is required to be connected to the standby power source (780 CMR 3003.1.4).
  2. Elevators that connect more than 3 stories are required to be provided with hoistway opening protection (i.e. enclosed lobbies or hoistway pressurization) where any of the following conditions apply (780 CMR 3006.2):
    1. The building is not sprinkler protected in accordance with NFPA 13 or NFPA 13R;
    2. The building contains a Group I-1 Condition 2, Group I-2, or Group I-3 occupancy;
    3. The building is a high rise and the elevator hoistway is more than 75 feet in height measured from the lowest floor to the highest floor served by the hoistway.

Refer to 780 CMR 3006.2 for a list of exceptions.

The permit application date used for the purposes of determining the applicable version of 524 CMR is the date of installation, relocation, or alteration of elevator equipment (524 CMR 1.08(10)). This is the date indicated on the elevator permit application, not the building permit application.

Note that existing elevator hoistways and machine room ventilation must be maintained in accordance with the requirements in effect at the time of installation unless a permit is otherwise filed and approved by the elevator inspector.

Fire pumps are required by NFPA 20 Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection (2013 edition) to be protected against possible interruption of service through various hazards, including damage due to water infiltration into the fire pump controller.  With suction piping, discharge piping, overhead sprinkler protection, etc., located within the fire pump room, these areas are inherently wet locations with multiple direct sources for water that have the potential to harm the fire pump controller in the event of a failure.  NFPA 20 includes specific safeguards to address issue of water damage to the fire pump controller(s), including the following:

  • Controllers are to be located or protected so that they will not be damaged by water escaping from pumps or pump connections (NFPA 20 §10.2.2)
  • All equipment shall be suitable for use in locations subject to a moderate degree of moisture, such as a damp basement (NFPA 20 §10.3.1)
  • The fire pump controller enclosure shall be minimally rated for NEMA Type 2, dripproof enclosure(s) or an enclosure with an ingress protection (IP) rating of IP31 (NFPA 20 §10.3.3.1)

Specific requirements for junction boxes located within the fire pump room and serving the fire pump controller (e.g. transition from 2-hour MI cable to standard cable) and raceway terminations into the fire pump controller are also included in NFPA 20 which prohibit the installation of such components in a manner which violates the integrity of the fire pump controller enclosure type rating (i.e. minimum NEMA Type 2). Additional guidance is provided in NEMA Standards Publication ICS 14-2015 Application Guide for Electric Fire Pump Controllers, which recommends all “top-entry conduit fittings into the fire pump controller should be, as a minimum, watertight”; and, side-entry conduit fittings into the fire pump controller “should be suitable for the environment and enclosure type”.  These requirements correlate and are generally consistent with Article 695 of NFPA 70 National Electrical Code (2017 edition) for fire pump installations. For NEMA Type 2 controllers, NFPA 70 Table 110.28 considers the enclosure as providing a degree of protection against “falling liquids and light splashing” and notes that such equipment is generally considered “driptight”.

In order to help safeguard fire pump controller from water damage, the City of Boston’s expectation is for all electrical components located within the fire pump room and connected to the fire pump controller to minimally carry the same rating for water ingress as the fire pump controller served (i.e. minimum NEMA Type 2).  Where fire pump controller enclosures are listed for a greater level of protection than NEMA Type 2, the higher degree of protection against water infiltration should be extended to the associated and connected junction boxes, conduits and other connections located within the fire pump room.  Table 110.28 of NFPA 70 and NEMA ICS 14 can be consulted for additional information, including a comparison of the various types of NEMA enclosures relative to water infiltration requirements.

It should be noted that a wide variety of environmental and installation conditions may exist that will impact the general requirements discussed above.  As such, it is important to consult with the Design Team and Authorities Having Jurisdiction during the design phase to ensure that suitable protection methods are being utilized to help safeguard against potential interruption of the fire pump service due to infiltration of water into the fire pump controller.  Additional recommendations may also exist due to unique circumstances with the installation, insurance recommendations, and/or manufacturer’s requirements that may exceed the minimum requirements described above.

If load bearing walls are required to have a fire-resistance rating based on their construction type per IBC Section 601, wouldn’t all doors within the wall need to be protected accordingly? This question often comes up where load bearing walls are located within residential units, and if interpreted incorrectly, could result in substantial cost implications on a project.

The short answer to the question is not necessarily.  The fire-resistance ratings required for load bearing elements are for structural integrity, not fire separation, purposes under IBC Section 601. This section (shown below) states that “the protection of openings, ducts, and air transfer openings in building elements shall not be required unless required by other provisions of this code”.

2015 International Building Code Section 602

Therefore, the doors located in load bearing walls are not required to have a fire rating unless due to other requirements mandated in the code (i.e. residential corridor walls, unit separation walls, etc.).  The IBC Code & Commentary further clarifies the intent of Chapter 6, which is solely for structural integrity.

2015 International Building Code & Commentary Section 602.1

Do you have a hoist or operated elevator to move men or materials on your construction site? 524 CMR 36.00, Personnel Hoists and Employee Elevators on Construction and Demolition Sites, regulates the installation of man/material hoists in the State. A few key components of the installation of the hoist related to the emergency operation of the hoists are outlined below:

  • Inspections: Prior to placing the elevator into service and after installation is complete, a representative from both the installing company (elevator contractor) and operating company (general contractor) are required to review the operation with the fire department having jurisdiction (524 CMR 36 Section 24.2.16.1).
  • Approval: In order for the elevator installation to pass the state elevator inspection, written approval from the fire department having jurisdiction of the aforementioned training is required (524 CMR 36 Section 24.2.16.1).
  • Certification: The state elevator inspector will inspect and issue a certificate for use during construction.

Key components that are required for the construction hoist/elevator are as follows:

  • Phase I Emergency Control: All hoists are required to be outfitted by a three position Emergency Control Operation switch located in front of each elevator bank with RESET, OFF, and ON positions which is operable with a 3502 Key. The 3502 key is required to be removable in the ON and OFF positions. When Phase I Emergency Control is in effect, a visual signal, i.e. firefighters’ hat, is required to be illuminated until normal operation of the elevator is returned (524 CMR 36 Section 24.2.17).
  • Phase II Emergency Control: All hoists are required to be outfitted by a two position Emergency Control Operation switch located in the operating panel of each car with OFF and ON positions which is operable with a 3502 Key. The 3502 key is required to be removable in only the OFF position during Phase II Emergency Control (524 CMR 36 Section 24.2.18).
  • Top Emergency Exit: Where provided, the top emergency exit on hoist cars is only permitted to be operable by a 3502 Key. When opened, the car shall only be operated with the assistance of a Massachusetts Licensed elevator mechanic at a speed of no more than 0.25 m/s.
  • Return to Service: Upon completion of emergency use, the fire department is required to lock out/tag out the elevator to prevent further use of the elevators until a Massachusetts licensed elevator inspector is able to arrive on site and review the elevator, at which point it can be returned to normal operation if in satisfactory condition (524 CMR 36 Section 24.2.21).

Have any questions on how these inspections may affect your construction schedule? Feel free to reach out for additional information.

 

The Massachusetts State Building Code 780 CMR (9th edition), based on the 2015 International Building Code (IBC), has specific requirements regarding the protection of fire pump rooms. In order to meet the protection requirements, a fire pump room must be enclosed in a fire-resistant barrier or meet minimum separation requirements.

For fire pumps located inside of fully sprinklered buildings, 780 CMR §913.2.1, Exception 1 allows for a 1-hour fire barrier to protect a pump room in low-rise construction. For high-rise buildings, a minimum fire-resistance rating of 2-hours is required. These requirements are consistent with NFPA 20 Installation of Stationary Fire Pumps for Fire Protection (2013 edition) §4.12.1.1, which is adopted via reference by 780 CMR §913.1.

Access to the fire pump room is addressed separately by NFPA 20 §4.12.2.  Access is required to be pre-planned with the Fire Department and consist of either (1) direct exterior access or, (2) through a fire-rated passageway (e.g. enclosed stairway, access corridor, etc.) with the rating to match the fire pump room enclosure (1- or 2-hr as determined by the above). The rating of the fire pump room is independent of whether access is provided direct from the exterior or via rated passageway.

780 CMR §913.2.1, Exception 2 allows for the protection requirements to be met through the physical separation of the fire pump from the building it protects. The overall goal of this requirement is to limit the exposure of the fire pump to a potential fire inside the protected building. Exception 2, in conjunction with NFPA 20 Table 4.12.1.1.2, allows for this objective to be met through the physical separation of the fire pump from the building by a minimum of 50 feet.