Sample Building Code & Fire Protection Analysis

Building Code & Fire Protection Analysis

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Zari Consulting Group, Inc. has performed a site investigation and fire protection / life safety system review of the Acme Corporation building located at 1000 Business Park Road in Anytown, United States. We have conducted our review for conformance with the 2009 edition of the International Building Code (IBC), the 2010 edition of NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, and the 2011 edition of NFPA 34, Standard for Dipping, Coating, and Printing Processes Using Flammable or Combustible Liquids.

The 1000 Business Park Road Acme Corporation building is defined as an F-1 industrial occupancy for the processing of “plastic products” and “printing and publishing.” This corporation’s manufacturing process inherently involves the use of ink and solvents, which are both flammable liquids. As a result, the building also contains an H-2 occupancy per the 2009 IBC. Additionally, storage of the unfinished and finished product is provided at the facility prior to and just after production.

The International Building Code provides guidance in determining adequate construction and life-safety measures for an industrial printing facility, but NFPA 34 is relied upon more heavily for appropriate fire protection and safety measures because it addresses the specific hazards and functionality of printing processes using flammable liquids.

Based on our review, we have the following findings:

NFPA 13 – Fire Sprinkler System Storage Requirements

The storage location is in the 1000 Business Park Road building, consolidated together adjacent the printing presses and other essential manufacturing equipment. The storage is made up of finished roll stock product (finished bags), unfinished product (rolls that have not yet been printed and will be converted into finished bags) and resin, which is purchased in bulk and stored piled in shipping containers. The ceiling height is approximately 26 feet.

Section 8.5.6.1 of NFPA 13 requires clearances from the storage to the sprinkler deflectors to be a minimum of 18 inches.

Commodity Classification

The following table indicates the hazard classification for the finished roll stock product per NFPA 13 Section 5.6.4.1 that will be stored inside the 1000 Business Park Road building.

The finished roll stock product storage arrangement is defined as a Group A plastic commodity.