Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Gavin on February 16, 2011 at 3:57pm

You would have to go and look at the year of construction or the year the door was installed and apply that particular years building code. If the door or building was constructed in 1998 go back to 1998 and she which year building code was valid. As an example I am in Canada and in 1998 the most recent building code would have been the 1995.

Permalink Reply by Patrick Bradshaw on February 16, 2011 at 4:01pm

The best answer I know of is to look at the edition of the code that the building was constructed under and see if that requirement is in that edition. If so, then it applies. The requirement you refer to has been in the code for a good while, so if the building is not too old, it would be required.

Also, if you are using the 2009 of the International Fire Code, be sure to check the new chapter for existing buildings.

Permalink Reply by Firefighter Chris on February 16, 2011 at 4:07pm

Thanks Guys, I will have to do some checking

Permalink Reply by Patrick Bradshaw on February 16, 2011 at 4:09pm

Be sure to cross check both your locally adopted code (IFC?) and NFPA 13.

Permalink Reply by Firefighter Chris on February 16, 2011 at 4:37pm

Well looks like the building was built in 1995 and my jursdiction was using the 1993 BOCA Code back then and so far haven't found any requirements yet so maybe this would be an exception to the code.

Permalink Reply by Gavin on February 16, 2011 at 4:41pm

does the 1993 BOCA Code make any reference to NFPA 13?

Permalink Reply by Firefighter Chris on February 16, 2011 at 4:42pm

Yes, but to NFiPA 13?

Permalink Reply by Gavin on February 16, 2011 at 4:45pm

NFPA is the standard for instalation of sprinkler systems. So the building code would not make a specifc reference to if or if not heads are required. NFPA 13 would.

Permalink Reply by Firefighter Chris on February 16, 2011 at 4:50pm

So I would need to check NFPA 13 for back then? If so, how do you do that? lol, I know I have alot of questions, lol. I've been an inspector for a few years now, just have never had to reference so far back.

Permalink Reply by Gavin on February 16, 2011 at 5:05pm

yup you would have the look at the older nfpa, and the reference would not be spcific to overhead doors either it is just treated as an obstruction. I just look and the oldest I have is 1995

Permalink Reply by Patrick Bradshaw on February 16, 2011 at 8:18pm

In the back of the code book (most cases) is a list of the referenced codes for that Code. Once you find that, then you would have to check that edition of NFPA 13 referenced in your adopted Code for that time frame that the building was constructed. THat is unless your jurisdiction adopted a different edition of NFPA 13. Otherwise, you would use the edition referenced by your adopted building/fire code.

Good luck. If you still need help, try to tell us what edition of what code was adopted by your jurisdiction when this building was constructed. I am sure all of us would be willing to help with a code analysis.

Permalink Reply by Bill States on February 22, 2011 at 9:17pm

depending on what code standard you use you may also want to take a look at NFPA 25. That has some pretty specific statements about where sprinkler heads should be located. Also (again) depending on your
jurisidictions rules you can possibly use the rule that the AHJ can make certains requirements that they deem necessary.