All Entries in the "Life Safety Code" Category
When you implement a new EC program, don’t forget to look back
A client facility of mine has a really neat process for managing penetrations in rated partitions. They have a little clipboard at the location of each partition (above the ceiling) and the maintenance folks are charged with inspecting these locations on an ongoing basis.
This works really well, up to a point. Any time there’s a penetration, it gets fixed right away, which is very cool.
However, where things broke down is that until the implementation of this process, a lot of penetrations had been filled in without using rated firestopping materials–and sure enough, those unprotected penetrations were the ones found during survey and given an RFI.
This facility’s penetration management process had reported really good compliance, but the building maintenance program couldn’t be invoked to resolve the RFI because of the number of penetrations (and these were probably filled years ago) that were not “properly” sealed.
Stay safe,
Steve Mac.
Is the clock ticking when it comes to NFPA fire watches?
Hi again everyone. A reader asked me recently about the rules for fire watches–specifically whether there any other codes that indicate watches should be done every 15 or 30 minutes, as opposed to hourly.
The place to look is the NFPA’s Life Safety Code. Upon review, I have to admit that the code is a little less draconian in its demands than I had thought (a good thing, if you ask me).
Paragraph 9.6.1.7 in the code states:
Where a required fire alarm system is out of service for more than four hours in a 24-hour period, the authority having jurisdiction shall be notified, and the building shall be evacuated or an approved fire watch shall be provided for all parties left unprotected by the shutdown until the fire alarm system has been returned to service.
An annex note to 9.6.1.7 says that fire watches should include “special action beyond normal staffing, such as assigning an additional security guard to walk the areas affected. These individuals should be specially trained in fire prevention and in occupant and fire department notification techniques, and they should understand the particular fire safety situation for public education purposes.”
So as you see, the code doesn’t really set time frames for fire watch frequencies.
I’d advise folks to look over their fire watches process and see if anything “falls out” compliance-wise when compared to the guidelines from the code.
Trash containers in soiled utility rooms
There was a posting on Safety Talk recently about whether any regulations exist governing the size of trash containers in soiled utility rooms. In this particular case, the room had no trash chute, was one-hour-rated, and had sprinklers.
There are requirements in the
However, 19.7.5.7 also notes that facilities are exempt from these limits if containers are in hazardous areas protected by a one-hour fire barriers or sprinklers (see 19.3.2.1).
So, in the Safety Talk poster’s situation, it appears that particular facility met the protection criteria for such a space.
On an unrelated note, please enjoy a most freewheeling 4th!
One more thing about ratings of patient bedroom doors
Regarding my post yesterday about rated doors, perhaps a little clarification is in order. My note was aimed at exiting healthcare occupancies under Chapter 19 of the
In looking through the code for other occupancies for which this door requirement might be applicable in sleeping areas (e.g., dormitory/hotel, residential board and care), I could find no other mention.
Thanks to those who asked me about this.
Rating of patient bedroom doors
A colleague recently asked me whether patient bedroom doors should be 20-minute-rated-and the answer is yes, they should. But there are some qualifications on that answer, depending on sprinkler protection.
Under paragraph 19.3.6.3.1, the 2000 Life Safety Code requires doors protecting corridor openings to resist the passage of smoke and be constructed of the following:
- 1 3/4-in. thick, solid-bonded core wood
- Material that resists fire for at least 20 minutes
There are two exceptions to 19.3.6.3.1, though:
- Doors to toilet rooms, bathrooms, shower rooms, sink closets, and similar auxiliary spaces that don’t contain flammable or combustible materials don’t need to meet 19.3.6.3.1’s provisions
- In smoke compartments protected by sprinklers, the door construction requirements of 19.3.6.3.1 aren’t mandatory, but the doors must resist the passage of smoke
