Page 142 - 2018_IFC

FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS

ings classified as enclosed parking garages in accordance be equipped throughout with an approved automatic
with Section 406.6 of the International Building Code sprinkler system, or openings shall be provided on
where either of the following conditions exists: not fewer than two sides of the story.
1. Where the fire area of the enclosed parking garage 903.2.11.1.3 Basements. Where any portion of a
2
exceeds 12,000 square feet (1115 m ). basement is located more than 75 feet (22 860 mm)
2. Where the enclosed parking garage is located from openings required by Section 903.2.11.1, or
beneath other groups. where walls, partitions or other obstructions are
installed that restrict the application of water from
Exception: Enclosed parking garages located hose streams, the basement shall be equipped
beneath Group R-3 occupancies.
throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler
903.2.10.1 Commercial parking garages. An auto- system.
matic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout 903.2.11.2 Rubbish and linen chutes. An automatic
buildings used for storage of commercial motor vehi- sprinkler system shall be installed at the top of rubbish
cles where the fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet (464 and linen chutes and in their terminal rooms. Chutes
2
m ).
shall have additional sprinkler heads installed at alter-
903.2.11 Specific buildings areas and hazards. In all nate floors and at the lowest intake. Where a rubbish
occupancies other than Group U, an automatic sprinkler chute extends through a building more than one floor
system shall be installed for building design or hazards in below the lowest intake, the extension shall have sprin-
the locations set forth in Sections 903.2.11.1 through klers installed that are recessed from the drop area of
903.2.11.6. the chute and protected from freezing in accordance
903.2.11.1 Stories without openings. An automatic with Section 903.3.1.1. Such sprinklers shall be
sprinkler system shall be installed throughout all sto- installed at alternate floors, beginning with the second
ries, including basements, of all buildings where the level below the last intake and ending with the floor
2
floor area exceeds 1,500 square feet (139 m ) and above the discharge. Access to sprinklers in chutes
where the story does not comply with the following cri- shall be provided for servicing.
teria for exterior wall openings: 903.2.11.3 Buildings 55 feet or more in height. An
1. Openings below grade that lead directly to automatic sprinkler system shall be installed through-
ground level by an exterior stairway complying out buildings that have one or more stories with an
with Section 1011 or an outside ramp complying occupant load of 30 or more located 55 feet (16 764
with Section 1012. Openings shall be located in mm) or more above the lowest level of fire department
each 50 linear feet (15 240 mm), or fraction vehicle access, measured to the finished floor.
thereof, of exterior wall in the story on not fewer Exceptions:
than one side. The required openings shall be dis- 1. Open parking structures.
tributed such that the lineal distance between
adjacent openings does not exceed 50 feet (15 2. Occupancies in Group F-2.
240 mm). 903.2.11.4 Ducts conveying hazardous exhausts.
2. Openings entirely above the adjoining ground Where required by the International Mechanical Code,
level totaling not less than 20 square feet (1.86 automatic sprinklers shall be provided in ducts convey-
2
m ) in each 50 linear feet (15 240 mm), or frac- ing hazardous exhaust or flammable or combustible
tion thereof, of exterior wall in the story on not materials.
fewer than one side. The required openings shall Exception: Ducts where the largest cross-sectional
be distributed such that the lineal distance diameter of the duct is less than 10 inches (254 mm).
between adjacent openings does not exceed 50 903.2.11.5 Commercial cooking operations. An auto-
feet (15 240 mm). The height of the bottom of the matic sprinkler system shall be installed in commercial
clear opening shall not exceed 44 inches (1118 kitchen exhaust hood and duct systems where an auto-
mm) measured from the floor. matic sprinkler system is used to comply with Section
903.2.11.1.1 Opening dimensions and access. 904.
Openings shall have a minimum dimension of not 903.2.11.6 Other required suppression systems. In
less than 30 inches (762 mm). Access to such open- addition to the requirements of Section 903.2, the pro-
ings shall be provided for the fire department from visions indicated in Table 903.2.11.6 require the instal-
the exterior and shall not be obstructed in a manner lation of a fire suppression system for certain buildings
such that fire fighting or rescue cannot be accom- and areas.
plished from the exterior.
903.2.12 During construction. Automatic sprinkler sys-
903.2.11.1.2 Openings on one side only. Where tems required during construction, alteration and demoli-
openings in a story are provided on only one side tion operations shall be provided in accordance with
and the opposite wall of such story is more than 75
Section 3314.
feet (22 860 mm) from such openings, the story shall

2018 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE ® 109
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