NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(Log #CP104)
Committee: SAF-MEA
5000- 701 - (12-10.8.1 and 12.10.8.2): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Means of Egress
RECOMMENDATION: Insert a new 12.10.8.1 and 12.10.8.2 to read
as follows (and renumber existing 12.10.8.1 and 12.10.8.2 to become
12.10.8.3 and 12.10.8.4):
12.10.8.1 Sign Illumination. Where required by other provisions of
this Code, special signs shall be illuminated. Where emergency
lighting facilities are required by the applicable provisions of Chapters
15 through 29, the required illumination of special signs shall
additionally be provided under emergency lighting conditions.
12.10.8.2 Characters. Special signs where required by other
provisions of this Code shall comply with the visual character
requirements of ICC/ANSI A117.1 American National Standard for
Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities.
SUBSTANTIATION: The new provisions establish a menu of
illumination and character specifications that can be mandated for
use with special signs in accordance with other provisions of this
Code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 26
NOT RETURNED: 2 DeVries, Woodward
___________________
(Log #303)
Committee: SAF-MEA
5000- 702 - (12-10.8.2): Reject
SUBMITTER: Manny Muniz, Manny Muniz Assoc./Rep. California
Council of the Blind
RECOMMENDATION: Add a second paragraph as follows:
"The sign shall also be provided in tactile and shall comply with
CABO/ANSI A117.1, American National Standard for Accessible and
Usable Buildings and Facilities."
SUBSTANTIATION: In the event of a fire or other emergency,
persons who are blind or who have visual impairments will not be able
to read the sign in order to know that the door is not an exit door.
Persons with visual impairments are entitled to have access to this
critical exiting information.
Section 13.2.1 of the proposed draft of NFPA 5000 requires that "All
buildings and structures, and their associated sites and facilities shall
be accessible to persons with physical disabilities."
Substantiation: The Americans with Disabilities Act, Title II
Technical Assistance Manual, published by the Department of Justice
(November 1993), page 9, Subsection 3 states "Signs designating
permanent rooms and spaces (men’s and women’s rooms; room
numbers; exit signs) must have raised and Braille letters; must comply
with finish and contrast standards; and must be mounted at a certain
height and location [subsection 4.1.3(16)(a)]."
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: This sign requires that the status of the
elevator be displayed. Such information is not easily shown by tactile
signage other than that using a sophisticated push pin technology.
The elevator sign has very limited use in towers that are not open to
the general public. The submiter’s proposed requirement would be
an unsubstantiated burden.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 25
NEGATIVE: 1
NOT RETURNED: 2 DeVries, Woodward
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
FIXEN: See my Explanation of Negative for Proposal 5000-133 (Log
#531b).
___________________
349
(Log #942)
Committee: SAF-MEA
5000- 703 - (12-10.8.2): Reject
SUBMITTER: James D. Amy, Jr., Findlay, OH
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
12.10.8.2.3 Elevator Signs. Elevators that are a part of a means of
egress (see 12.2.13.1) shall have the following signs, complying with
12.10.8.1 and with minimum letter height of 5/8 inch (1.6 cm), in
every elevator lobby:
(1)* Signs that indicate that the elevator can be used for egress,
including any restrictions on use
(2)* Signs that indicate the operational status of elevators
Elevators that are not a part of the means of egress shall have the
following signs, complying with 12.10.8.1 and with minimum letter
height of 5/8 inch (1.6 cm), in every elevator lobby:
(1)* Signs that indicate that the elevator cannot be used for egress
(2)* Signs with a map that shows the location of all stairways or areas
of refuge with respect to the elevator and directs the occupants to use
them instead of the elevator.
SUBSTANTIATION: Statement of Problem
The sign is not required to be legible under normal or emergency
conditions. No requirements for internal or external illumination to
ensure legibility are present.
Substantiation
The elevator sign falls under the proposed definition of “special
sign” as it is already in that section and is part of the egress
information system that occupants rely on the egress safely. As such,
it should meet the proposed requirements for special signs.
Specifically, it should be visible and legible during normal and
emergency conditions. Should this sign not be visible and legible to
occupants during a fire or other emergency, egress may be delayed,
increasing the likelihood of injury or death. Occupants’ egress speed
is heavily related to their confidence in the egress path and the
information provided along the way. When an occupant loses
confidence in the path they are taking, they may slow down or
reconsider the path taken. This can affect their safety, the safety of
those trying to egress behind them and possibly even that of
firefighters intent on rescuing the occupants. This will be corrected
by the proposed revision.
Assuming the proposal to require that special signs be illuminated is
accepted, this section would have to be renumbered to 12.10.8.3.
The proposed addition of signage for elevators that cannot be used
as part of the means of egress follow the common practice across the
United States of directing occupants from the elevator to stairs during
an emergency when the elevator is not part of the means of egress.
Occupants in all types of occupancies where elevators are in use may
be unfamiliar with the location of stairs as they always use the elevator.
As such, they may follow the same path out of the building that they
typically use to enter and exit under normal conditions. Upon
arriving at the elevator, and elevator they should not be using under
emergency conditions, they may waste valuable time waiting for an
elevator when they should be making their way to the stairs. The
elevators may not even be in service and the occupants may become
trapped while waiting. If they should actually enter the elevator
during a fire, power may be lost on the way down, the elevator may
open to a floor already involved in the fire, or they may encounter
smoke or toxic gases in the elevator shaft. Any one of these scenarios
would likely expose the occupants to greater danger than if they had
been directed to use the stairs and efforts should be made to ensure
that it does not happen.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The elevators permitted by 12.2.13
have very limited application to towers that are not open to the
general public. Building occupants must be trained in use of the
evacuation plan which includes training in the operation and
procedures for elevator emergency use. As such, special lighting of
the elevator sign is not needed.
The submitter's last paragraph and its subparts address elevators that
are not part of the means of egress. This is not an appropriate subject
for Chapter 12.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 25
NEGATIVE: 1
NOT RETURNED: 2 DeVries, Woodward
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
FIXEN: See my Explanation of Negative for Proposal 500-133 (Log
#531b).
___________________
(Log #81)
Committee: BLD-SYS
5000- 704 - (Chapter 13): Accept
SUBMITTER: Ted Oyama, Bentley Co.
RECOMMENDATION: Reference ANSI 117.1-98 standard.
SUBSTANTIATION: ANSI 117.1-92 also exists. Clarify this standard
is referenced.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The intended reference to the 1998
edition was omitted. Note that ANSI A117.1-98 needs to be included
in Chapter 2
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 28
___________________
(Log #693)
Committee: BLD-SYS
5000- 705 - (Chapter 13): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Mark Wales, Rep. The American Institute of Architects
RECOMMENDATION: Add to Chapter 13, “ADAAG Review Federal
Advisory Committee Final Report - Recommendations for a new
ADAAG, September 30, 1996.”
Note: The submitted report is new material. Underlining was not
included for clarity.
Revise Chapter 13 to read as follows:
Chapter 13 Accessibility
13.1 General
13.2 Applicability
13.1 General.
13.1.1 The requirements of this chapter apply to the design and
construction of buildings and structures for accessibility to person
with disabilities.
13.1.2 Buildings and facilities that are required to be accessible shall
comply with the requirements of ANSI A117.1, American National
Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilites.
13.2 Applicability.
13.2.1 All buildings and structures, and their associated sites and
facilities shall be accessible to persons with physical disabilities.
SUBSTANTIATION: The "ADAAG Review Advisory Commitee
Report, Recommendations for a New ADAAG, September 30, 1996",
represents the work of a committee which included a representative
cross section of people and organizations that are affected by and
implement accessibility standards in our nation. The committee was
made up of individuals and organizations that have a history of
participation in the development of regulations to make the built
environment accessible.
The notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published in the
Federal Register, (36 CFR Parts 1190 and 1191, Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings an
Facilities; Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) Accessibility Guidelines;
Proposed Rule) dated Tuesday, November 16, 1999 was based on the
report proposed here. The U.S. Access Board used the report as the
basis for NPRM, but made some significant changes to the report.
Along with those significant changes to the report, the Access Board
asked 48 questions. The changes included in the NPRM represent
too many contentious issues to allow the NPRM to be proposed as the
350
basis for Chapter 13. The contentiousness of those issues adds too
much uncertainty to the outcome of the NPRM.
It is prudent to start with a document that represents the consensus
of those persons and organizaitons affected by, and who actively
participate in the development of accessibility regulations on a
national level. The Advisory Committee Report provides such a basis
that can be modified in the NFPA process.
We believe this report will serve as the best basis for a new chapter in
the NFPA Building code to effectively meet the need of individuals
with a wide range of disabilities.
While this report servess as a good basis, we recognize that to perfect
the document there will necessarily be some mofification to reflect
more current work and thinking.
Note: Supporting mateiral is available for review at NFPA
Headquarters.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: See Committee Proposal 5000-706
(Log #CP1221).
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 28
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
WALES: The proposal does not reflect the original proposal
submitted. As written the proposal shows the text of the original
NFPA 5000 draft, but does not indicate that the ADAAG Review
Advisory Committee Final Report was intended to be included.
Without that important piece there could be confusion about what
the proposal included. Additionally, the proposal was submitted on
behalf of The American Institute of Architects and that is not
reflected in the proposal. These were brought up at the meeting in
Tampa. If this is corrected editorially by staff, I will not ask that this
comment be included. My vote would then simply be Affirmative.
___________________
(Log #CP1221)
Committee: BLD-SYS
5000- 706 - (Chapter 13): Accept
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to BLD-SYS requesting that:
(1) the definition of Technically Infeasible, as added to Chapter 3 by
the last part of this proposal, be evaluated against the same term's
definition as proposed by SAF-FUN's Chapter 3 in Proposal 5000-79
(Log #CP2044) for determination if one definition will suffice all
groups' needs.
(2) definitions be added to Chapter 3 for terms used in Chapter 13
that have particular applicability to accessibility issues such as
Circulation Path, Element, Facility, Operable Part, Pictogram, Site,
Tactile, and Vehicular Way. These eight terms are used in Chapter 13
and they are defined in ANSI A117.1-1998.
(3) consideration be given to Mr. Black's explanation of negative and
Mr. Elvolve's affirmative with comment with respect to a variety of
issues related to what the chapter should cover.
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Building Systems
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Chapter 13 in its entirety and replace
with the following:
Chapter 13
Accessibility
13.1 General.
13.1.1 The requirements of this Chapter apply to the design and
construction of buildings and structures for accessibility to persons
with physical disabilities.
13.1.2 Buildings and facilities that are required to be accessible shall
comply with the requirements of ANSI A117.1, American National
Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities.
Exception:
1. The technical requirements of ANSI A117.1 shall be permitted to be
modified for buildings and facilities used primarily by children as modified in
13.25.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
2. Technical requirements for Unisex toilet rooms provided in section
13.13
13.2 Scoping Requirements.
13.2.1 Scope. All areas of newly designed or newly constructed
buildings and facilities and altered portions of existing buildings and
facilities shall comply with these provisions.
Exception: These provisions do not apply to an establishment located within a
building that contains not more than five rooms for rent or hire that is occupied
by the proprietor of such establishment as the residence of such proprietor.
13.2.2 Application Based on Building Use. Where a site, building, or
facility contains more than one use, each portion shall comply with
the applicable requirements for that use.
13.2.3 Temporary Structures. These provisions cover temporary
buildings and facilities as well as permanent facilities.
13.3 Application to Existing Buildings and Facilities.
13.3.1 General. Additions and alterations to existing buildings or
facilities, including qualified historic buildings and facilities, shall
comply with these provisions except as modified by 13.3.
13.3.2 Additions. Each addition to an existing building or facility shall
comply with the requirements for new construction. Each addition
that affectsthe accessibility of an area containing a primary function
shall comply with 13.3.4.
13.3.3 Alterations. Where existing elements or spaces are altered, each
altered element or space shall comply with the applicable provisions
of this chapter.
Exceptions:
1. Altered elements or spaces are not required to be located on an
accessible route, unless required by 13.3.4.
2. In alterations, where compliance with applicable provisions is technically
infeasible, the alteration shall provide accessibility to the maximum extent
feasible. Any elements or spaces of the building or facility that are being altered
and can be made accessible shall be made accessible within the scope of the
alteration.
13.3.3.1 Prohibited Reduction in Access. An alteration that decreases
or has the effect of decreasing the accessibility of a building or facility
below the requirements for new construction at the time of alteration
is prohibited.
13.3.3.2 Extent of Application. An alteration of an existing element,
space, or area of a building or facility shall not impose a requirement
for greater accessibility than that which would be required for new
construction.
13.3.4 Alterations Affecting Primary Function Areas. In addition to
the requirements of 13.3.3, an alteration that affects accessibility of
an area containing a primary function shall be made so as to ensure
that, to the maximum extent feasible, the path of travel to the altered
area and the restrooms, telephones, and drinking fountains serving
the altered area, are accessible.
Exceptions:
1. The costs of providing the accessible route is not required to exceed
20 percent of the costs of the alterations affecting the primary function area.
2. This requirement does not apply where the alteration work is limited
solely to the electrical, mechanical, or plumbing system, or to hazardous
material abatement, or automatic sprinkler alteration or installation.,
3. This requirement does not apply where the alteration work is
undertaken for the primary purpose of increasing the accessibility of an existing
building, facility or element.
13.3.5 Qualified Historic Buildings and Facilities. These provisions
shall apply where qualified historic buildings or facilities are altered
or undergo a change of occupancy.
Exceptions:
1. These provisions shall not apply when technically infeasible.
2. Where compliance would threaten or destroy the historical
significance of the building or facility as determined by the authority having
jurisdiction, the alternative requirements for the specific element shall be
permitted as follows:
2.1 Site access points. At least one accessible route from a site arrival
point to an accessible entrance shall be provided.
2.2 Multi-level buildings and facilities. An accessible route from an
accessible entrance to all publicly used spaces on the level of the accessible
entrance shall be provided.
351
2.3 Entrances. At least one accessible entrance shall be provided. Where
no public entrance can be made accessible, an entrance not used by the public
shall be made accessible. Such nonpublic entrance shall remain unlocked while
the building is occupied, or a locked accessible entrance with a notification
system or remote monitoring shall be provided.
2.4 Where toilet rooms are provided, not less than one toilet room
complying with ANSI A117.1, Section 603 or a unisex room complying with
13.12.2.1 shall be provided.
2.5 Displays. Displays and written information shall be located where
they can be seen by a seated person. Exhibits and sign displayed horizontally
shall be 44 inches (1120 mm) maximum above the floor.
2.6 Ramps. The slope of a ramp run of 24 inches maximum shall not
be steeper than 1:6.
13.4 General Exceptions.
13.4.1 General. Sites, buildings, facilities and elements shall be
exempt from these provisions to the extent specified by 13.4.
13.4.2 Construction Sites. Structures, sites and equipment directly
associated with the actual processes of construction, including, but
not limited to scaffolding, bridging, materials hoists, materials
storage, or construction trailers are not required to be accessible.
Portable toilet units provided for use exclusively by construction
personnel on a construction site are not required to be accessible.
13.4.3 Employee Work Stations. Individual employee work stations
are not required to be accessible, but shall be located on an accessible
route.
13.4.4 Raised Areas. Raised areas used primarily for purposes of
security, life safety, or fire safety, including but not limited to
observation galleries, prison guard towers, fire towers, or life guard
stands are not required to be accessible or to be served by an
accessible route.
13.4.5 Limited Access Spaces. Spaces accessed only by ladders,
catwalks, crawl spaces, very narrow passageways, or tunnels are not
required to be accessible.
13.4.6 Equipment Spaces. Spaces frequented only by service
personnel for maintenance, repair, or occasional monitoring of
equipment are not required to be accessible. Such spaces include but
are not limited to elevator pits, elevator penthouses, mechanical,
electrical, or communications equipment rooms, piping or
equipment catwalks, water or sewage treatment pump rooms and
stations, electric substations and transformer vaults, and highway and
tunnel utility facilities.
13.4.7 Single Occupant Structures. Single occupant structures
accessed only by passageways below grade or elevated above grade,
including but not limited to toll booths that are accessed only by
underground tunnels, are not required to be accessible.
13.5 Protruding Objects.
13.5.1 General. Protruding objects on circulation paths shall comply
with ANSI A117,1 Section 307.
13.6 Controls and Operating Mechanisms
13.6.1 General. Operable parts located on accessible routes and in
accessible rooms and spaces shall be accessible.
13.7 Accessible Routes.
13.7.1 General. Accessible routes shall be provided in accordance with
13.7.
13.7.2 Where Required. Accessible routes shall be provided where
required by 13.7.2.1 through 13.7.2.7 and shall be accessible.
13.7.2.1 Site Arrival Points. At least one accessible route shall be
provided within the boundary of the site from public transportation
stops, accessible parking spaces, passenger loading zones, and public
streets or sidewalks, to the accessible building entrance they serve.
13.7.2.2 Within a Site. At least one accessible route shall connect
accessible buildings, accessible facilities, accessible elements, and
accessible spaces that are on the same site.
Exception : An accessible route is not required between accessible facilities that
have as the only means of access between them, a vehicular way not provided
for pedestrian access.
13.7.2.3 Multi-level Buildings and Facilities. At least one accessible
route shall connect each level, including mezzanines, in multi-story
buildings and facilities.
Exceptions:
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

1. An accessible route is not required to levels located above or below 13.7.5 Doors and Doorways. Accessible doors and doorways shall be
the accessible level in buildings or facilities that are less than three stories or provided in accordance with 13.7.5.1 and 13.7.5.2 and shall be
that have less than 3000 square feet per story unless the level contains a accessible.
shopping center, a shopping mall, the office of a health care provider or 13.7.5.1 Accessible Entrances. Each accessible entrance to a building
passenger transportation facilities. . or facility shall have at least one accessible door or doorway.
13.7.2.3.1 Stairs and Escalators in Existing Buildings. In alterations 13.7.5.2 Accessible Rooms and Spaces. Within a building or facility, at
and additions, where an escalator or stair is provided where none least one door or doorway serving each accessible room or space shall
existed previously and major structural modifications are necessary for be accessible.
such installation, an accessible route shall be provided between the 13.7.6 Elevators. Elevators shall be accessible in accordance with
levels served by the escalator or stair, unless exempted by 13.7.2.3. ANSI A117.1.
13.7.2.4 Accessible Spaces and Elements. At least one accessible route 13.7.6.1 Existing Elevators. Altered elements of existing elevators shall
shall connect accessible building or facility entrances with all comply with ANSI A117.1 407.5. Such elements shall also be altered in
accessible spaces and elements within the building or facility which all elevators that are programmed to respond to the same hall call
are otherwise connected by a circulation path. control as the altered elevator .
Exception: An accessible route is not required between levels where exempted by 13.7.7 Wheelchair (Platform) Lifts. Wheelchair (platform) lifts shall
13.7.2.3. be permitted as a component of an accessible route in new
13.7.2.5 Restaurants and Cafeterias. In restaurants and cafeterias, an construction as permitted by 13.7.7.1 through 13.7.7.3, and shall
accessible route shall be provided to all dining areas, including raised comply with ASME A17.1 and be accessible in accordance with ANSI
or sunken dining areas, and outdoor seating areas. A117.1. Wheelchair (platform) lifts provided as a component of an
Exceptions: accessible route in an existing building shall comply with ASME
2. In buildings without elevators, an accessible route to a mezzanine A17.1 and be accessible.
dining area is not required, provided that the mezzanine contains less than 13.7.7.1 Performance Areas. Wheelchair (platform) lifts shall be
25% of the total area for seating and dining and the same services are permitted to provide an accessible route to a performance area in an
provided in the accessible area. assembly occupancy.
3. In alterations, accessibility to raised or sunken dining areas, or to 13.7.7.2 Wheelchair Spaces. Wheelchair (platform) lifts shall be
all parts of outdoor seating areas is not required provided that the same services permitted to comply with the wheelchair space dispersion and line-of-
and decor are provided in an accessible space usable by the general public and sight requirements of 13.18 and ANSI A117.1, Section 802.
not restricted to use by people with disabilities. 13.7.7.3 Incidental Spaces. Wheelchair (platform) lifts shall be
13.7.2.6 Performance Areas. An accessible route shall be provided permitted to provide an accessible route to incidental occupiable
where a circulation path directly connects a performance area to an spaces and rooms which are not open to the general public and which
assembly seating area. An accessible route shall be provided from are occupied by five persons maximum.
performance areas to ancillary areas or facilities used by performers. 13.8 Parking Spaces.
In alterations, where it is technically infeasible to alter all 13.8.1 General. Where parking spaces are provided, accessible
performance areas to be on an accessible route, at least one of each parking spaces shall be provided in accordance with 13.8.
type of performance area shall be made accessible. 13.8.2 Number Required. Where parking spaces are provided,
13.7.3 Location. Accessible routes shall coincide with or be located in accessible parking spaces shall be provided in accordance with Table
the same area as a general circulation path. Where the circulation 13.8.2, except as required by 13.8.2.1.
path is interior, the accessible route shall also be interior.
13.7.4 Entrances. Accessible entrances shall be provided in Table 13.8.2 Accessible Parking Spaces
accordance with 13.7.4.1 through 13.7.4.6. Total Number of Parking Minimum Required
Exceptions: Spaces Provided Number of Accessible
1. Where an alteration includes alterations to an entrance, and the Parking Spaces
building has an accessible entrance, the altered entrance is not required to be 1 to 25 1
accessible, unless required by 13.3.4. Signs complying with 13.7.4.6 shall be 26 to 50 2
provided. 51 to 75 3
13.7.4.1 Parking Garage Entrances. Where direct access to a building 76 to 100 4
is provided for pedestrians from an enclosed parking garage, at least 101 to 150 5
one direct entrance from the garage to the building shall be
151 to 200 6
accessible.
201 to 300 7
13.7.4.2 Entrances from Tunnels or Elevated Walkways. Where direct
301 to 400 8
access is provided for pedestrians from a pedestrian tunnel or
elevated walkway to a building, at least one direct entrance to the 401 to 500 9
building from each tunnel or walkway shall be accessible. 501 to 1000 2 percent of total
13.7.4.3 Public Entrances. In addition to accessible entrances 1001 and over 20, plus 1 for each 100 over
required by 13.7.4.1 and 13.7.4.2, at least 50 percent of all other 1000
public entrances shall be accessible. At least one accessible entrance
shall be a ground floor entrance. 13.8.2.1 Rehabilitation Facilities and Outpatient Physical Therapy
13.7.4.4 Tenant Spaces. At least one accessible entrance shall be Facilities. Twenty percent of patient and visitor parking spaces
provided to each tenancy in a facility. provided at rehabilitation facilities and outpatient physical therapy
13.7.4.5 Service Entrances. If a service entrance is the only entrance to facilities shall be accessible.
a building or to a tenancy in a facility, that entrance shall be 13.8.2.2 Van Parking Spaces. For every eight or fraction of eight
accessible. accessible parking spaces required by 13.8.2 and 13.8.2.1, at least one
13.7.4.6 Signs. Where not all entrances are accessible, accessible shall be an accessible van parking space .
entrances shall be identified by the International Symbol of 13.8.3 Identification. Accessible parking spaces shall be identified by
Accessibility and directional signs indicating the location of the signs complying with ANSI A117.1, Section 502.6.
nearest accessible entrance shall be provided at inaccessible Exception: Where a total of five or less parking spaces are provided.
entrances. Directional signs shall comply with ANSI A117.1, Section 13.8.4 Location. Accessible parking spaces serving a particular
703.4. No signs are required where all entrances are accessible. building shall be located on the shortest accessible route from
adjacent parking to an accessible entrance. In buildings with multiple
accessible entrances with adjacent parking, accessible parking spaces

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 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
shall be dispersed and located closest to the accessible entrances. In
parking facilities that do not serve a particular building, accessible
parking spaces shall be located on the shortest accessible route to an
accessible pedestrian entrance of the parking facility. Accessible
parking spaces shall be permitted to be located in different lots if
equivalent or greater accessibility is provided in terms of distance
from an accessible entrance, cost and convenience.
Exception: All accessible van parking spaces shall be permitted to be grouped on
one level of a parking structure.
13.9 Passenger Loading Zones.
13.9.1 General. Where passenger loading zones are provided, they
shall be accessible.
13.9.2 Medical Facilities. A passenger loading zone shall be provided
at an accessible entrance to licensed medical and long-term care
facilities where people receive physical or medical treatment or care
and where the period of stay exceeds 24 hours.
13.9.3 Valet Parking: Valet parking services shall provide a passenger
loading zone.
13.10 Drinking Fountains and Water Coolers.
13.10.1 General. Where fixed drinking fountains or water coolers are
provided, at least 50%, but not less than one, of such units provided
on each floor shall be accessible.
13.11 Sinks.
13.11.1 General. Where sinks are provided, at least 5%, but not less
than one, provided in accessible spaces shall be accessible.
Exception: Mop or service sinks are not required to be accessible.
13.12 Toilet and Bathing Facilities.
13.12.1 General. Where toilet or bathing facilities are provided, they
shall comply with 13.12. Where toilet or bathing facilities are provided
on an inaccessible level, toilet and bathing facilities shall also be
provided on an accessible level.
13.12.2 Toilet and Bathing Rooms. Where toilet rooms are provided,
each toilet room shall be accessible. Where bathing rooms are
provided, each bathing room shall be accessible.
Exceptions:
1. In alterations where it is technically infeasible to make existing toilet and
bathing rooms accessible, altering existing toilet or bathing rooms is not
required where a single unisex toilet room or bathing room complying with
13.12.2.1 is provided and located in the same area and on the same floor as
existing inaccessible toilet or bathing rooms.
2. Where multiple single user portable toilet or bathing units are clustered at
a single location, at least 5%, but not less than one toilet unit or bathing unit
at each cluster shall comply with 603. Accessible units shall be identified by the
International Symbol of Accessibility .
3. Where multiple single user toilet rooms are clustered at a single location
and contain fixtures in excess of the minimum required number of plumbing
fixtures, at least 5%, but not less than one room for each use at each cluster
shall be accessible. Accessible rooms shall be identified by the International
Symbol of Accessibility .
13.12.2.1 Unisex Toilet and Bathing Rooms. Unisex toilet and bathing
rooms shall be provided in accordance with 13.13.
13.12.2.2 Signs. Where existing toilet or bathing rooms are altered
and not made accessible, directional signs indicating the location of
the nearest accessible toilet or bathing room within the facility shall
be provided. Such signs shall comply with ANSI A117.1, Section 703.4
and shall include the International Symbol of Accessibility . Where
existing toilet or bathing rooms are altered and not made accessible,
the accessible toilet or bathing room shall be identified by the
International Symbol of Accessibility .
13.12.3 Fixtures and Accessories. Plumbing fixtures and accessories
provided in toilet or bathing rooms required to be accessible by
13.12.2 shall comply with 13.12.3.1 through 13.12.3.7.
13.12.3.1 Toilet Compartments. Where toilet compartments are
provided, at least one shall be a wheelchair accessible compartment .
Where six or more toilet compartments are provided, an ambulatory
accessible compartment shall be provided in addition to the
wheelchair accessible compartment . Water closets in such
compartments shall shall be accessible.
13.12.3.2 Water Closets. Where water closets are provided, but are not
in toilet compartments, at least one shall shall be accessible.
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13.12.3.3 Urinals. Where urinals are provided, at least one shall be
accessible.
13.12.3.4 Lavatories. Where lavatories are provided, at least one shall
be accessible. Where only one accessible lavatory is provided, it shall
not be located in a toilet compartment.
13.12.3.5 Mirrors. Where mirrors are provided, at least one shall be
accessible.
13.12.3.6 Controls and Dispensers. Where controls, dispensers,
receptacles or other equipment is provided, at least one of each type
shall be accessible.
13.12.3.7 Bathing Facilities. Where bathtubs or showers are provided,
at least one accessible bathtub or at least one accessible shower shall
be provided.
13.13 Unisex Toilet and Bathing Facilities.
13.13.1 Unisex Toilet Rooms.
13.13.1.1 Where Required: In Assembly or Mercantile occupancies an
accessible unisex toilet room complying with 13.13.2.1.2 and 3.0 shall
be provided where an aggregate of 6 or more male and female water
closets are required. In buildings of mixed occupancy, only those
water closets required for those portions classified as Group A or
Group M occupancy shall be considered when determining the need
for accessible unisex toilet rooms.
13.13.1.2 Location.
13.13.1.2.1 Unisex toilet rooms shall be located on an accessible
route and be available to all users of separate sex toilet rooms.
13.13.1.2.2 Unisex toilet rooms shall be located not more than one
story above or below separate sex toilet rooms and the accessible
route from any separate sex toilet rooms to the unisex toilet room
shall not exceed 500 feet.
13.13.1.2.2.1 In passenger transportation facilities and airports, the
accessible route from separate sex toilet rooms to unisex toilet rooms
shall not pass through security checkpoints.
13.13.2 Unisex Bathing Rooms
13.13.2.1 Where Required: In occupancies of Use Group A-3, where
separate sex bathing rooms are provided, an accessible unisex bathing
room complying with 13.13.2.2 and 3.0 shall be provided.
Exception: Where each separate sex bathing room has not more than one water
closet, lavatory, and shower fixture.
13.13.2.2 Location
13.13.2.2.1 Unisex bathing rooms shall be located on an accessible
route and be available to all users of separate sex bathing rooms.
13.13.3 Technical Provisions for Unisex Toilet and Bathing Facilities
13.13.3.1 General: Unisex toilet and bathing rooms required by 13.13
shall comply with 13.13.3.0 and with ANSI A117.1, Section 603.
13.13.3.2 Doors.
13.13.3.2.1 Where doors swing into the room, a 30 in. by 48 in. clear
floor space shall be provided within the room, beyond the arc of the
door swing.
13.13.3.2.2 Doors to accessible unisex toilet and bathing rooms shall
be securable from within the room.
13.13.3.3 Required Elements.
13.13.3.3.1 Unisex Toilet Rooms.
13.13.3.3.1.1 Unisex toilet rooms shall include not more than one
water closet and one lavatory, complying with ANSI A117.1, Sections
604 and 606, respectively.
Exception: Unisex bathrooms provided with a water closet and lavatory in
accordance with 13.13.3.3.2.
13.13.3.3.1.2 A separate sex toilet room containing not more than two
water closets without urinals or one water closet and one urinal shall
be considered as complying with the requirement of 13.13.2.1.1
provided signage in accordance with 13.13.3.4 is provided.
13.13.3.3.2 Unisex Bathing Rooms: Unisex bathing rooms shall
include not more than one water closet, one lavatory, and one shower
complying with 604, 606 and 608, respectively. Where storage
facilities are provided in separate sex bathing facilities, accessible
storage facilities shall be provided for the unisex bathing room.
13.13.3.4 Signs.
13.13.3.4.1 Unisex toilet and bathing rooms: Unisex toilet and
bathing rooms shall be designated by the International Symbol of
Accessibility.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

13.13.3.4.2 Directional signs: Directional signage shall be provided at 13.18.2 Number Required. Accessible wheelchair spaces shall be
all separate sex toilet rooms indicating the location of the nearest provided in accordance with Table 13.18.2 and shall be accessible.
unisex toilet room.
13.14 Laundry Equipment. Table 13.18.2 Accessible Wheelchair Spaces
13.14.1 General. Where washing machines or clothes dryers are Capacity of Seating in Minimum Required Number of
provided in spaces required to be accessible, at least one of each type Assembly Areas Wheelchair Spaces
shall be accessible. 50 or less 2
13.15 Fire Alarm Systems. 51 to 100 4
13.15.1 General. Where fire alarm systems are provided in public-use 101 to 300 5
or common-use areas to alert occupants, the alarm shall provide both 301 to 500 6
audible and visual signals . Guest rooms shall provide visual signals in over 500 6, plus 1 additional space for
accordance with 13.20.
each total seating capacity
EXCEPTION: visual alarms are not required in alterations, except increase of 200
where an existing fire alarm system is upgraded or replaced, or a new
fire alarm system is installed.
13.18.3 Wheelchair Space Clusters. Accessible wheelchair spaces shall
13.16 Signs.
be grouped in wheelchair space clusters in accordance with Table
13.16.1 General. Signs shall be provided in accordance with 13.16 and
13.18.3.
shall be accessible.
Exceptions:
13.16.2 Permanent Designations. Where exterior signs are provided
1. In assembly seating areas where sightlines require more than one step for
as permanent designations of permanent interior rooms and spaces at
a rise in elevation between rows, the minimum required number of wheelchair
the door to the space they serve, the signs shall be tactile . Where
space clusters in that area shall be one-half of that required by Table 13.18.3.
interior signs are provided as permanent designations of permanent
2. In alterations, where it is technically infeasible to disperse wheelchair
interior rooms and spaces, the signs shall be tactile. Where
space clusters in accordance with Table 13.18.3, the minimum required
pictograms are provided as permanent designations of permanent
number of wheelchair space clusters shall be one-half of that required by Table
interior rooms and spaces, the pictograms shall be accessible and
13.18.3.
shall have tactile text descriptors .
13.16.3 Directional and Informational Signs. Signs which provide
Table 13.18.3 Wheelchair Space Clusters
direction to, or information about, permanent interior spaces of the
site and facilities shall comply with ANSI A117.1, Section 703.4. Capacity of Seating in Minimum Required Number of
Exception: Building directories, personnel names, company or occupant names Assembly Areas Wheelchair Space Clusters
and logos, menus and temporary signs are not required to comply with ANSI up to 300 1
A117.1, Section 703.4. 301 to 600 2
13.16.4 Exit Doors. Exit doors shall be identified by tactile signs in 601 to 900 3
accordance with Chapter 12. 901 to 1500 4
13.17 Assistive Listening Systems. 1501 to 2100 5
13.17.1 General. Assistive listening systems shall be provided in 2101 to 3000 6
accordance with 13.17 and shall be accessible. over 3000 6 plus 1 additional cluster for
13.17.2 Required Systems. Assembly areas having fixed seating shall each 1000 seats or portion
have an assistive listening system where the area is equipped with an thereof.
audio amplification system or the area has a capacity of 50 or more
persons. 13.18.4 Dispersion of Wheelchair Space Clusters.
13.17.3 Receivers. Accessible receivers shall be provided for assistive 13.18.4.1 General. Dispersion of wheelchair space clusters shall be
listening systems in accordance with Table 13.17.3. Twenty five based on the availability of accessible routes to various seating areas
percent of receivers, but not less than two, shall be hearing aid including seating at various levels in multi-level facilities.
compatible . 13.18.4.2 Multi-Level Assembly Seating Areas. In multi-level assembly
seating areas, wheelchair space clusters shall be provided on the main
Table 13.17.3 Receivers for Assistive Listening Systems level and on one of each two additional levels.
Capacity of Fixed Minimum Required Number of Exception: In existing assembly seating areas with a mezzanine, where the
Seating in Assembly Area Receivers main level provides three-fourths or more of the total seating capacity,
50 or less 2 wheelchair space clusters shall be permitted to be dispersed on the main level.
51 to 500 2, plus 4 for each total seating 13.18.4.3 Separation Between Clusters. Wheelchair space clusters shall
capacity increase of 100 above 51 be separated by a minimum of five intervening rows or by a minimum
501 to 1000 20, plus 3 for each total seating of ten intervening seats. Wheelchair spaces within any one wheelchair
capacity increase of 100 above space cluster shall not be separated by an intervening row, nor by
501 more than two intervening seats, nor by more than a 7-inch (180 mm)
1001 to 2000 35, plus 2 for each total seating vertical level change.
capacity increase of 100 above 13.19 Dressing, Fitting and Locker Rooms.
1001 13.19.1 General. Where dressing rooms, fitting rooms, or locker
over 2000 55, plus 1 for each total seating rooms are provided, at least 5 percent, but not less than one, of each
capacity increase of 100 above type of use in each cluster provided shall be accessible.
2000 Exception: In alterations, where it is technically infeasible to provide accessible
13.17.4 Signs. Where assistive listening systems are provided, signs rooms in accordance with 13.19.1, one room for each sex on each level shall be
shall be provided to inform patrons of the availability of the system. accessible. Where only unisex rooms are provided, an accessible unisex room
The signs shall be located at ticket offices or windows, where ticket shall be permitted.
offices or windows are provided. The signs shall comply with ANSI 13.20 Residential, Residential Board and Care, Dormitory and Long
A117.1, Section 703.4 and shall include the International Symbol of Term Care Facilities
Access for Hearing Loss. 13.20.1 General. Residential, residential board and care, dormitory
13.18 Wheelchair Spaces in Assembly Seating and long term care facilities shall comply with the International Code
13.18.1 General. In assembly seating areas, accessible wheelchair Council Code Requirements for Housing Accessibility [ICC
spaces shall be provided in accordance with 13.18. CRHA/2000].

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 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

Exception: 1. Where the area of the selling space is less than 5000 square feet (465 m2),
1. Type A units shall be permitted to containthe following adaptable only one check-out aisle is required to be accessible.
features: 2. Where check-out aisles are altered in facilities having a selling space of
a. kitchen and laundry appliances that do not have accessible controls; 5000 square feet (465 m2) or more, at least one of each check-out aisle serving
b. refridgerator/freezers that do not have the required accessible freezer each function shall be made accessible until the number of accessible check-out
space; aisles complies with 13.23.2.
c. kitchen and bathroom sink cabinets and countertops that are not
accessible, but that can be made accessible without cutting the countertop or
damaging adjacent cabinets, walls, doors and/or structural elements. Table 13.23.2 Accessible Check-out Aisles
Total Check-out Aisles of Minimum Number of
Table 13.20 Guest Rooms with Accessible Communication Each Function Accessible Check-out Aisles of
Features Each Function
Total Number of Minimum Required Number of 1-4 1
Guest Rooms Guest Rooms with Accessible 5-8 2
Provided Communication Features 9-15 3
1 - 25 2 over 15 3, plus 20% of additional
26 - 50 4 aisles
51 – 75 7
76 - 100 9 13.23.2.1 Identification. Accessible check-out aisles shall be identified
101 – 150 12 by the International Symbol of Accessibility, unless all check-out aisles
151 – 200 14 in the facility are accessible. The sign shall be above the check-out
201 – 300 17 aisle in the same location as the check-out aisle number or type of
301 - 400 20 check-out identification.
401 – 500 22 13.23.3 Point of Sales and Service Counters. Where counters are
501 – 1000 5% of total provided for sales or distribution of goods or services, at least one of
101 and over 50 plus 3 for each 100 over 1000 each type provided shall be accessible. Where such counters are
dispersed throughout the building or facility, the accessible counters
13.21 Self-Service Storage Facilities. shall also be dispersed.
13.21.1 General. Self-service storage facilities shall provide accessible Exception: In alterations where it is technically infeasible for existing counters
individual self-storage spaces in accordance with Table 13.21.1. to to be made accessible, an accessible auxiliary counter shall be provided.
13.23.4 Food Service Lines. Tray slides at Food service lines shall be
accessible. Where self-service shelves are provided, at least 50 percent,
Table 13.21.1 Accessible Self-Service Storage Facilities but not less than one, of each type provided shall comply with ANSI
A117.1, Section 308.
Total Spaces in Facility Minimum Number of Required
13.23.5 Queue and Waiting Lines. Queue and waiting lines servicing
Accessible Spaces
accessible counters or check-out aisles shall be accessible.
1 to 200 5%, but not less than 1 13.24 Storage.
201 and over 10, plus 2% of total number of 13.24.1 General. Where fixed or built-in storage elements such as
units over 200 cabinets, shelves, medicine cabinets, closets, and drawers are provided
in accessible spaces, at least one of each type shall be accessible.
13.21.2 Dispersion. Accessible individual self-service storage spaces 13.24.2 Lockers. Where lockers are provided in accessible spaces, at
shall be dispersed throughout the various classes of spaces provided. least five percent, but not less than one, of each type shall be
Where more classes of spaces are provided than the number of accessible.
required accessible spaces, the number of accessible spaces shall not 13.24.3 Shelving and Display Units. Self-service shelves and display
be required to exceed that required by Table 13.21.1. Accessible units in mercantile occupancies and shelving in stack areas of libraries
spaces shall be permitted to be dispersed in a shall be located on an accessible route be accessible. Such shelving
single building of a multi-building facility. and display units shall not be required to comply with reach range
13.22 Seating at Tables, Counters and Work Surfaces. provisions of ANSI A117.1, Section 308.
13.22.1 General. Where seating at fixed or built-in tables, counters or 13.24.4 Coat Hooks and Folding Shelves. Where coat hooks or folding
work surfaces is provided in accessible spaces, at least five percent, but shelves are provided in inaccessible toilet rooms, toilet compartments,
not less than one, of the seating shall be accessible. or in dressing, fitting or locker rooms, at least one of each type shall
13.22.2 Dining Counters. Where food or drink is served for be provided in accessible toilet rooms, toilet compartments and
consumption at counters exceeding 34 inches (865 mm) in height, a dressing, fitting and
60 inch (1525 mm) minimum length portion of the counter shall be locker rooms.
accessible, or service shall be provided at accessible tables in the same 13.25 Provisions for Children's Use.
area. 13.25.1 Drinking Fountains. A parallel approach complying with ANSI
13.22.3 Dispersion. In new construction, and where practicable in A117.1, Section 602.2.2 shall be permitted at wall and post-mounted
alterations, accessible fixed or built-in seating at tables, counters or cantilevered units for children's use where the spout is 30 inches (760
work surfaces shall be distributed throughout the space or facility mm) maximum above the floor or ground.
containing such elements. 13.25.2 Water Closets and Toilet Compartments. Water closets and
13.23 Sales and Service Counters. toilet compartments for children's use shall be permitted to comply
13.23.1 General. Where sales and service counters are provided, they with 13.25.2.1 through 13.25.2.7.
shall be accessible in accordance with 13.23. 13.25.2.1 Location. The water closet shall be located with a wall or
13.23.2 Check-out Aisles. Where check-out aisles are provided, partition to the rear and to one side. The centerline of the water
accessible check-out aisles shall be provided in accordance with Table closet shall be 12 inches (305 mm) minimum to 18 inches (455 mm)
13.23.2. Where check-out aisles serve different functions, at least one maximum from the side wall or partition, except that the water closet
accessible check-out aisle shall be provided for each function. Where shall be centered in the ambulatory accessible toilet compartment
check-out aisles are dispersed throughout the building or facility, specified in ANSI A117.1, Section 604.8.2.
accessible check-out aisles shall also be dispersed. 13.25.2.2 Clear Floor Space. Clearance around a water closet shall
Exceptions: comply with ANSI A117.1, Section 604.3.

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 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
13.25.2.3 Height. The height of water closets shall be 11 inches (280
mm) minimum to 17 inches (430 mm) maximum measured to the
top of the toilet seat. Seats shall not be sprung to return to a lifted
position.
13.25.2.4 Grab Bars. Grab bars for water closets shall comply with
ANSI A117.1, Section 604.5.
Exception: If administrative authorities require flush controls for flush valves
to be located in a position that conflicts with the location of the rear grab bar,
then that grab bar may be split or shifted to the open side of the toilet area.
13.25.2.5 Flush Controls. Flush controls shall be hand operated or
automatic. Hand operated flush controls shall comply with ANSI
A117.1, Sections 309.2 and 309.4 and shall be installed 36 inches (915
mm) maximum above the floor.
13.25.2.6 Dispensers. Toilet paper dispensers shall comply with ANSI
A117.1, Section 309.4 and shall be 7 inches (180 mm) minimum and
9 inches (230 mm) maximum in front of the water closet. The outlet
of the dispenser shall be 14 inches (355 mm) minimum and 19 inches
(485 mm) maximum above the floor. There shall be a clearance of 1
1/2 inches (38 mm) minimum below the grab bar. Dispensers shall
not be of a type that control delivery or that do not allow continuous
paper flow.
13.25.2.7 Toilet Compartments. Accessible toilet compartments shall
meet the requirements of 13.25.2.7. Compartments containing more
than one plumbing fixture shall comply with ANSI A117.1, Section
603.
13.25.2.7.1 Wheelchair Accessible Compartments.
13.25.2.7.1.1 Size. Wheelchair accessible compartments shall be 60
inches (1525 mm) wide minimum measured perpendicular to the
side wall, and 59 inches (1500 mm) deep minimum measured
perpendicular to the rear wall.
13.25.2.7.1.2 Doors. Toilet compartment doors, including door
hardware, shall comply with ANSI A117.1, Section 404 except that if
the approach is to the latch side of the compartment door, clearance
between the door side of the stall and any obstruction shall be a
minimum of 42 inches (1065 mm). The door shall be hinged 4
inches (100 mm) maximum from the side wall or partition farthest
from the water closet. The door shall be self-closing. A door pull
complying with ANSI A117.1, Section 404.2.7 shall be placed on both
sides of the door near the latch. Compartment doors shall not swing
into the minimum required compartment area.
13.25.2.7.1.3 Approach. Compartments shall be arranged for left-
hand, or for right-hand approach.
13.25.2.7.1.4 Toe Clearance. In wheelchair accessible compartments,
the front partition and at least one side partition shall provide a toe
clearance of 12 inches (305 mm) minimum above the floor and 6
inches (150 mm) deep minimum beyond the compartment-side face
of the partition, exclusive of partition support members.
13.25.2.7.1.5 Grab Bars. Grab bars shall comply with ANSI A117.1,
Section 609. A side-wall grab bar complying with ANSI A117.1,
Section 604.5.1 located on the wall closest to the water closet and a
rear-wall grab bar complying with ANSI A117.1, Section 604.5.2 shall
be provided. Grab bars at water closets for children's use shall be
installed in a horizontal position 18 inches (455 mm) minimum to 27
inches (685 mm) maximum above the floor.
13.25.2.7.2 Ambulatory Accessible Compartments. Ambulatory
accessible compartments shall comply with ANSI A117.1, Section
604.8.2.
13.25.3 Lavatories and Sinks.
13.25.3.1 Clear Floor Space. Knee clearance of 24 inches (610 mm)
minimum above the floor or ground shall be permitted at lavatories
and sinks used primarily by children ages 6 through 12 where the rim
or counter surface is 31 inches (760 mm) maximum above the floor
or ground.
13.25.3.2 Approach. A parallel approach shall be permitted in lieu of
a forward approach to lavatories and sinks used primarily by children
ages 5 and younger.
Add to Chapter 3: Definitions:
“Technically Infeasible”: An alteration of a building that has little
likelihood of being accomplished because the existing structural
conditions require the removal or alteration of a loadbearing member
356
that is an essential part of the structural frame, or because other
existing physical or site constraints prohibit modification or addition
of elements, spaces or features which are in full and strict compliance
with the minimum requirements for new construction and which are
necessary for accessibility.
SUBSTANTIATION: The Committee notes that section 13.3.5,
Exception 2.2.6 needs to be coordinated with NFPA 101.
The Committee noted that it is considering changing the elevator
exception to be in line with BCMC recommendation of 3000 sf.
ANSI A117.1-1998 and 2000 CRHA are to be included in Chapter 2
references.
The Committee noted that the occupancy titles need to be
coordinated with the rest of 5000.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 27
NEGATIVE: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
BLACK: Actually, I would vote “Accept in Principle” were this an
option on the ballot. The committee proposal provides a good
foundation on which to build the Chapter 13 requirements. However,
a number of issues must be resolved before my association or I can
support he proposal.
1. The elevator exception for multi-level buildings [13.7.2.3] is
unacceptable, and must be modified before EPVA can approve the
document. Adopting the BCMC requirements would be acceptable.
2. There are no requirements for buildings undergoing a change of
occupancy [13.3] unless the building is a qualified historic building
[13.3.5]. (Note there is no definition of “qualified”). Buildings and
portions of buildings that undergo a change of occupancy have
historically been subject to a higher level of accessibility in the model
building codes than that which is required for alterations. This has
the effect of increasing the stock of accessible buildings over time.
3. Wheelchair (platform) lifts should be permitted to provide an
accessible route in dwelling units [13.7.7]
4. The proposal has no requirements for hospitals or correctional
facilities.
5. While I understand the committee’s desire to include accessibility
provisions for children’s facilities, the technical provisions [13.25]
were developed by the Federal Access Board and have not been
subjected to the consensus process. Representatives of persons with
disabilities, daycare centers, schools and other affected interests
should have a say on these requirements.
6. The proposal has no scoping requirements for the technical
criteria for children’s use. An appropriate provision may be that
where facilities are designed and provided specifically for children,
they shall be accessible.
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
ELVOVE: 13.3 ex 2.65, 13.3.5.1: Delete this section as ramp slopes
and protrusions (clear width) are covered in means of egress chapter.
13.9.2: Change “medical facilities” to “health care occupancies” to
be consistent throughout the Code. Delete “licensed.”
13.15.1: Delete entire section and replace with “Fire alarm systems
to be installed in accordance with NFPA 72."
PAULEY: In paragraph 13.20.1, the reference to “International
Code Council Code Requirements for Housing Accessibility” should
be removed. The basic reference should be to ANSI/ICC A117.1. The
CRHA document is an analysis of the 2000 IBC and A117.1 and is not
the actual basis for requirements.
PERRY: In the substantiation “BMC” should be “BCMC”.
This chapter needs to be coordinated with regard to the appropriate
reference standard for wheelchairs lifts. Proposal 5000-1412 (Log
#CP1210) added a reference to A.18.1-1999, which is the most
standard for wheelchair lifts. The proposal references A.17.1.
In accordance with 3-3.7.1.3 of the Regulations Governing
Committee Projects, this proposal (which incorporates by reference
the ICC Code Requirements for Housing Accessibility) should include
a statement that the 2000 CRHA does not comply with 3-3.7.1.2.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
However, the CRHA does meet all the criteria of 3-3.7.1.3, and
therefore is an acceptable mandatory reference standard.
WALES: My notes indicate the committee agreed to add a comment
into the report welcoming comments on sight lines for seating in
Assembly occupancies.
___________________
(Log #513)
Committee: BLD-SYS
5000- 707 - (13-2.1): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: James R. Quiter, Rolf Jensen & Assoc., Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Delete this section.
SUBSTANTIATION: This section can be interpreted to require all
portions of all buildings to be accessible. The section either needs to
be greatly expanded to specifically address what needs to be
accessible, or it needs to rely on other standards to make that
determination. As written, the work shed in the back yard of a single
family dwelling would be required to be accessible.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The Committee addresses this in the
scoping sections. See Committee Proposal 5000-706 (Log #CP1221)
and the changes to Section 13.2.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 28
___________________
(Log #1181)
Committee: BLD-SYS
5000- 708 - (Chapter 14): Reject
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to BLD-MAT requesting that it evaluate the subject of this
proposal, including ventilation rates, for inclusion, as needed, into the
portion of the Building Code for which BLD-MAT has responsibility.
SUBMITTER: Vickie Lovell, InterCode Inc./Rep. Home Ventilating
Institute
RECOMMENDATION: This proposal has been compiled using
material from the NFPA 5000 Building Code Working Draft, and the
2000 International Building Code.
1. Add a section to Chapter 14 for under-floor ventilation openings as
follows:
Under-floor ventilation. Except for the area that is occupied by a
basement or cellar, the space between the bottom of the floor joints
and the earth under a cellar or basement shall be provided with
ventilation openings through foundation walls or exterior walls. The
minimum net area for under-floor ventilation openings shall not be
less than 1 square foot for each 150 sq. ft (0.67 meters sq. for each 100
meters sq.) of crawl space area. One ventilation opening shall be
within a maximum of 3 ft (9I4 mm) of each corner of the building.
2. Add provisions for attic ventilation and attic access.
Attic Spaces. Uninhabited enclosed attics and enclosed rafter spaces
formed where ceiling spaces are applied directly to the underside of
roof framing members shall be provided with cross ventilation for
each separate space.. Supply venting, such as eave or cornice vents,
must be installed in the attic. Openings for mechanical or natural
ventilation shall be protected against the entrance of the elements.
Blocking and bridging shall be arranged so as not to interfere with the
movement of air. A minimum of 1 inch of air space shall be provided
between the insulation and the roof sheathing.
Natural Ventilation. The minimum net free ventilating area shall not
be less than 1/150 of the area of the space ventilated, with 50 percent
of the required ventilating area provided by ventilators located in the
357
upper portion of the space to be ventilated not more than 3 feet (914
mm) below the ridge or peak of the attic with the balance of the
required ventilation provided by eave or cornice vents.
Exception: The minimum required net free ventilating area shall be
1/300 of the area of the space ventilated, provided a vapor retarder
having a transmission rate not exceeding 1 perm in accordance with
ASTM E 96 is installed on the warm side of the attic insulation. At
least 50 percent of the required ventilating area shall be provided by
ventilators located in the upper portion of the space to be ventilated
not more than 3 feet (914 mm) below the ridge or peak of the attic
with the balance of the required ventilation provided by eave or
cornice vents.
1202.2.2 Mechanical Ventilation. A mechanical attic or roof
ventilation system is permitted to be installed in an attic space. The
mechanical attic exhaust system shall provide at least 0.5 CFM of air
movement for every sq. foot of horizontal attic floor space and must
be installed in the upper portions of the space to be ventilated not
more than 3 feet (914 mm) below the ridge or peak of the attic.
Supply air must be provided in the lower portions of the attic through
openings, such as eave or cornice vents. The minimum net free area
of supply air venting shall be at least one square foot for every 300 cfm
of air flow provided by the mechanical ventilator. The mechanical
system shall be automatically controlled to operate when the relative
humidity in the space served exceeds 60 percent.
SUBSTANTIATION: There is little specific information on
ventilation in attics and crawl spaces in the Uniform Mechanical
Code, yet the NFPA 5000 directs the reader to the UMC. This
information is intended to provide information on natural and
mechanical ventilation including the location of vents, and the basic
minimum requirements for installation to ensure effective natural
and mechanical ventilation.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The Committee agrees that this matter
should be regulated in the code, but believes that it is more
appropriately handled by the Structures Committee. This is not an
issue related to habitable space but rather one that addresses
structural degredation from condensation. The Committee notes that
it is concerned about possible copyrights of this text and also has
concerns about the reliability of the mechanical ventilation option for
spaces which aren't regularly checked.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 28
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
MORRIS: The proposal should be rejected.
Reasons:
1) The requirement for 50 percent of natural ventilation to be “not
more than 3 ft below the ridge or peak of the attic...” will often be
impossible to meet. Using 2 X 12 rafters on a steep roof, the top of
the ventilating area of a 2 ft wide rectangular gable louver would be
30 in. from the top of the ridge. Mechanical attic ventilation in this
case, and many others, would be required.
2) Under mechanical ventilation, no reduction in CFM is permitted
where a vapor barrier is installed on the ceiling of the building, as is
allowed with natural ventilation.
3) There is inadequate substantiation for the mechanical ventilation
requirement for 0.5 CFM per square ft of horizontal attic floor space.
A 2000 square ft attic would require a 1000 cfm fan.
4) The requirement that the mechanical ventilation fan be
controlled by a humidistat set at 60 percent relative humidity means
that in humid climates, hot or cool, the fan might run continuously,
pulling humid ambient air into the attic and exhausting it back out of
the attic again. In hot, dry climates, the fan might never come on, no
matter how hot the attic became.
___________________
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(Log #473)
Committee: BLD-SYS
5000- 709 - (14-2): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: James R. Quiter, Rolf Jensen & Assoc., Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: This section needs to begin with
requirements for natural ventilation, and then lead into the
mechanical ventilation alternatives.
SUBSTANTIATION: As written, there are no criteria for natural
ventilation. If those criteria are in the Mechanical Code, the whole
section ought to just reference Chapter 49, with no other criteria
herein. Otherwise, the natural ventilation baseline needs to be
established.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: See Committee Proposal 5000-710
(Log #CP1220).
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 28
___________________
(Log #CP1220)
Committee: BLD-SYS
5000- 710 - (14-2): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Building Systems
RECOMMENDATION: Replace 14.2 in it's entirety with the
following:
14.2 VENTILATION.
14.2.1 GENERAL.
14.2.1.1 Required Ventilation.
a) All rooms and occupied spaces in Buildings shall be ventilated by
natural or mechanical means in accordance with the provisions of this
chapter.
b) Mechanical ventilation systems shall be designed, constructed
and installed in accordance with Chapter 49.
c) Mechanical ventilation systems shall operate to the extent that all
occupied rooms are continuously provided with the required
ventilation rate while occupied.
14.2.2 Ventilation Rates
14.2.2.1 Ventilation Rates for the following occupancies shall
confirm to ASHRAE Standard 62, 1999 including addenda A, B, C, D,
E, and F.
Assembly
Business
Educational
Day care
Detention
Health care
Mercantile
Industrial occupancies shall be provided with general ventilation
systems for replacing mildly contaminated air by means of natural air
currents and openings, or with mechanical fans, ducts, and outlets.
Contaminated air shall be cleaned and recirculated. Local exhaust
systems shall be provided to collect and remove moisture and odors,
fumes, smoke, gas, mist, heat, dust, or other materials that are in
sufficient quantities to irritate or injure occupants. Hazardous
emissions, such as toxic, corrosive, acidic, hot materials, that result
from industrial processes, shall be captured and exhausted to the
outdoors. Hazardous emissions shall be retained in the area where
they originate by methods such as maintaining negative pressure to
adjacent spaces and sealing the area of origin from adjacent areas,
until they are exhausted to the outdoors. Air containing hazardous
emissions shall be cleaned before it is exhausted outdoors.
14.2.2.2 Hospital and health care facilities shall conform to
..................... unless other wise specified in this code.
14.2.2.3 Storage occupancies shall be provided with mechanical
system ventilation systems to provide no less than two air changes per
hour.
14.2.2.4 Open parking garages shall not require mechanical
ventilation.
358
14.2.2.5 An enclosed parking garage shall have a ventilation system
designed to limit the concentration of carbon monoxide to not more
than 35 parts per million of air when measured between 900 mm (36
inches) and 1200 mm (48 inches) from the floor.
Exception: Private garages shall be permitted to have a mechanically
operated exhaust system which provides four (4) changes of air per
hour, the air to be taken from within 400 mm (16 inches) of the
finished floor. The mechanically operated system shall be operated
by a single pole switch or a timer switch.
14.2.2.6 Ventilation rates for private one-and-two family dwellings
and multifamily dwelling units and residential board and care shall
provide not less than the air change rates indicated in Table 14.2.2.5)
where mechanical ventilation systems are installed. Where
mechanical ventilation systems are not provided, the exterior
openable window area shall be at least four percent (4%) of the floor
area
Table 14.2.2.5
Occupancy cfm
Habitable rooms (other than 0.35 ach but not less than 15
Kicthens) cfm (7.5) L/s per person
Kitchens 100 cfm (50 L/s)
Residential bathroom and 50 cfm (25 L/s)
toilet rooms
14.2.3 Ventilating Systems in Spaces using Chemicals or containing
Hazardous Agents
14.2.3.1 Ventilating systems in laboratories or spaces using
chemicals or containing hazardous agents shall be in accordance with
the applicable provisions of NFPA 45, Standard on Fire Protection for
Laboratories Using Chemicals or NFPA 99, Standard for Health Care
Facilities.
14.2.4 Commercial Cooking Equipment.
14.2.4.1 Systems for the ventilation of commercial cooking
equipment shall be designed, constructed and installed in accordance
with Chapter 49.
SUBSTANTIATION: The Committee noted that the word
"occupied" needs to be clarified or defined.
In 14.2.2.2 the Committee deleted the reference to "Guidelines for
Design and Construction of Hospital and Health Care Facilities"
published by the AIA but noted that the new edition of is due to be
released in the summer of 2001. The Committee will review it with
respect to this section at the ROC meetings in Oct. 2001. The
Committee also requests input from all interested parties as to other
potential reference standards.
The paragraph on "Industrial Occupancies has a "broken" reference
to "OSHA permissible exposure limits". The Committee will continue
to work on this and requests input from any and all interested parties.
In 14.2.2.5 the Committee noted a typographical error in the
numerical limits, but also requested the origin of the limits and their
justification. The Committee may want to revise them.
The ASHRAE refernce in 14.2.2.1 is correct. ASHRAE will re-publish
in Nov. 2001 with all addenda. The Committee will look at this again
at ROC in Oct. 2001.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 27
NEGATIVE: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
LINVILLE: The proposed chapter developed by the Technical
Committee does not identify or describe a ventilation system for
buildings with any substantiation. Furthermore the Technical
Committee proposal does not address the health and safety concerns,
needs and requirements within any buildings or occupancies.
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
PAULEY: The last sentence of 14.2.2.5 Exception should be revised
as follows: “The mechanically operated system shall be operated by a
single pole manually operated switch or a timer time switch.” The
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

Code should not specify the type of switch required. The only COMMITTEE STATEMENT: See Committee Proposal 5000-710
specification should be on the type of operation required (or (Log #CP1220).
permitted). NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
The last sentence of 14.2.2.6 is missing the word “percent”. The VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
sentence should read “...openable window area shall be at least four AFFIRMATIVE: 28
(4) percent of the floor area.” ___________________
PERRY: 14.2.1.1 as written is an operational requirement, not
appropiate for inclusion in a building code. Consider using language (Log #825)
such as “...systems shall be capable of providing the required Committee: BLD-SYS
ventilation...” 5000- 713 - (14-2.1.1): Accept in Principle
The industrial occupancy provisions contain extensive text that is SUBMITTER: Dick M. Glumac, Glumac International/Rep. Golden
virtually impossible to enforce - “mildly contaminated air”, “cleaned” Gate Chapter ASHRAE
(to what extent?), and “in sufficient quantities”. Such as toxic, RECOMMENDATION: Replace “Artificial” with the word
corrosive, acidic, hot materials” and “by methods such as maintaining “Mechanical”.
negative pressure” are not appropriate statements for the body of the SUBSTANTIATION: None provided.
code. My notes indicate that all of 14.2.2.3 addressing health care was COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
deleted, not just the referenced standard. The result is the same - COMMITTEE STATEMENT: See Committee Proposal 5000-710
until either a standard is referenced, or provisions added into the (Log #CP1220).
document, there are no ventilation requirements for health care NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
occupancies. VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
The committee intent was that this proposal replace both 14.2 AND AFFIRMATIVE: 28
14.9 in the draft. Lighting issues, which are also addressed in 14.9, ___________________
are addressed separately in 5000-717 (Log #CP1212).
Typo: Include a sentence similar to the first sentence of the (Log #826)
substantiation to 5000-718 (Log #CP1219) - “The committee indicates Committee: BLD-SYS
the word “occupied” in 14.2.1.1(a) needs to be clarified or defined.” 5000- 714 - (14-2.3): Accept in Principle
WALES: 14.2.2.2 The Substantiation indicates the committee TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) notes that
deleted the reference to “Guidelines for Design and Construction of the Committee Statement should have referenced Proposal 5000-710
Hospitals and Health Care Facilities” published by the AIA, but noted (Log #CP1220) rather than Proposal 5000-718 (Log #CP1219) as
that the new edition is due to be released this summer. The raised by Mr. Pauley in his comment on affirmative that he intended
committee will review it with respect to this section and asks for input. to submit on Proposal 5000-715 (Log #827).
My notes indicated the entire section was deleted along with two SUBMITTER: Dick M. Glumac, Glumac International/Rep. Golden
others that referenced the same document. For purposes of Gate Chapter ASHRAE
gathering information, it would be better to include the other RECOMMENDATION: Add to end of paragraph following the word
sections that the committee reviewed, just as the wording of this “provided”, minimum of 15 cfm per person.
section was included, without the reference to the AIA Guidelines. SUBSTANTIATION: None provided.
Those other sections were Section 14.2.4.1 and 14.2.5.1 of the Task COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Force report. COMMITTEE STATEMENT: See Committee Proposal 5000-710
Section 14.2.3.1, last line. Typo - should say “or” instead of “and” as (Log #CP1220).
follows: “... Using Chemicals and or NFPA 99, Standard for Health NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
Care Facilities. VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 28
___________________ ___________________
(Log #472)
Committee: BLD-SYS (Log #827)
5000- 711 - (14-2.1.1): Accept in Principle Committee: BLD-SYS
SUBMITTER: James R. Quiter, Rolf Jensen & Assoc., Inc. 5000- 715 - (14-2.4): Reject
RECOMMENDATION: Revise to: TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) notes that
“Where artificial ventilation is provided as an alternative to natural Mr. Pauley's comment on affirmative was meant to apply to Proposal
ventilation, it shall be...”. 5000-714 (Log #826) although it was submitted on Proposal 5000-715
SUBSTANTIATION: As written, ventilation is required. Also, is (Log #827).
artificial ventilation a defined term? SUBMITTER: Dick M. Glumac, Glumac International/Rep. Golden
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle. Gate Chapter ASHRAE
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: See Committee Proposal 5000-710 RECOMMENDATION: Exhaust requirements of 2 cfm/SF seems
(Log #CP1220). excessive. Suggest revising to 1.5 cfm/SF or minimum of 10 A/C.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28 SUBSTANTIATION: None provided.
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION: COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
AFFIRMATIVE: 28 COMMITTEE STATEMENT: No substantiation was provided to
___________________ support this proposal.
(Log #815) NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
Committee: BLD-SYS VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
5000- 712 - (14-2.1.1): Accept in Principle AFFIRMATIVE: 28
SUBMITTER: Dick M. Glumac, Glumac International/Rep. Golden COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
Gate Chapter ASHRAE PAULEY: It would appear that the Committee Statement should
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows: reference Log #CP1220 not Log #CP1219.
Change “Artificial ventilation ...” to read “Mechanical ventilation ...”. PERRY: The proponent should also note Proposal 5000-710 (Log
SUBSTANTIATION: Better terminology, consistent with Section / #CP1220), which deleted this section.
Paragraph 14.2.2 which refers to mechanical ventilation.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle. ___________________

359
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(Log #1018)
Committee: BLD-SYS
5000- 716 - (14-2.6): Accept
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to BLD-SYS requesting that the subject of this proposal be
revisited now that a draft of Chapter 100 Flood Resistant Design and
Construction is available via Proposal 5000-1421 (Log #623).
SUBMITTER: James A. Rossberg, Christopher P. Jones, American
Society of Civil Engineers/Rep. Federal Emergency Management
Agency, Mitigation Directorate
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows:
14.2.6 Flood Hazard Areas. For new construction of buildings and
structures located wholly or partly within flood hazard areas
established by Section 100.3.2, including substantial improvements
and restoration of substantial damage, ventilation openings required
by this chapter shall be located above the Design Flood Elevation.
SUBSTANTIATION: Makes code provisions compliant with National
Flood Insurance Program regulations (floor resistance of ventilation
systems) for buildings and structures in flood hazard areas. Note that
this proposal is one of a series of proposals that will insure NFPA 5000
compliance with NFIP regulations. Although submitted separately,
the proposals comprising the series should be considered together.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 28
__________________
(Log #CP1212)
Committee: BLD-SYS
5000- 717 - (14-3): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee Building Systems
RECOMMENDATION: Delete section 14.3 and replace with the
following:
14.3 Lighting.
14.3.1 Natural lighting shall be provided to all rooms used by human
beings in accordance with sections 14.3.2, or fixed artificial lighting
shall be provided in accordance with section 14.3.3.
14.3.2 Where natural light is provided, it shall have a net glazed area
of not less than eight (8) percent of the total floor area of the room
served.
14.3.3 Fixed artificial lighting shall be permitted to be substituted for
natural lighting. Such installation shall be capable of providing an
average of ten (10) foot-candles of illumination measured at a height
of 30 inches above the floor.
14.3.4 Lighting of the Means of Egress shall be provided in
accordance with Chapter 12 of this Code.
SUBSTANTIATION: Buildings need minimum of lighting, artificial
or natural to conduct activities. The generally accepted standard for
artificial light at desktop level (30 in. above the floor) id 10 foot-
candles. Skylight construction does not seem appropriate in this
section of the code and Table 14.1 is deemed too limited and the
levels are excessive.
The Committee also voted to add a note to the annex to reference
the IES “Table of Ranges” for guidance on the recommended levels of
lighting for various occupancies.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 25
NEGATIVE: 3
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
LINVILLE: The section does not substantiate the numbers for
amount of glazing or average lighting levels. Lighting must be
determined on tasks that must be performed in certain occupancies.
PERRY: Mandating a 10 foot-candle lighting level in all occupancies,
in all locations, is excessive. This will require the installation of
extensive lighting that will never be used during the actual occupancy
of the space. In many occupancies, a straight 10 fc requirement is not
360
needed; task lighting can be provided where needed. General
occupancy lighting levels have historically not been regulated by
building codes.
WALES: The requirement for 10 footcandles in all areas is excessive.
The requirement for such lighting in all areas of all occupancies is not
driven by safety. Codes should not be mandating lighting for
purposes of convenience.
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
___________________
(Log #CP1219)
Committee: BLD-SYS
5000- 718 - (14-3): Accept
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to BLD-SYS requesting that the TC give consideration to
Messrs. Perry's and Wales''s explanation of negative with respect to
incomplete of missing actions.
The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) notes that Mr. Pauley
is correct in his comment on affirmative that there is a conflict in
numbering. The reviewer is asked to see the preprint of the Building
Code that appears at the end of this report. The preprint has the text
correctly numbered.
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Building Systems
RECOMMENDATION: Replace 14.3 in it's entirety with the
following:
14.3 DESIGN CONDITIONS.
14.3.1 GENERAL.
14.3.1.1 All rooms and occupied spaces in Buildings shall have
indoor winter design comfort conditions in accordance with the
provisions of this chapter.
14.3.2 OUTDOOR CLIMATIC DATA.
14.3.2.1 The outdoor climatic data required for the design of indoor
comfort conditioning equipment shall be the climatic data published
in the ASHRAE Fundamentals Handbook unless otherwise established
by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
14.3.2.2 The outside winter design temperatures shall be those listed
for the Heating DB, 99%, annual cumulative frequency of occurence,
and the outside cooling design temperatures shall be those listed for
the Cooling Dry Bulb and Wet Bulb, 1% annual cumulative frequency
of occurence, unless otherwise established by the Authority Having
Jurisdiction.
14.3.3 INDOOR DESIGN CONDITIONS.
14.3.3.1 Indoor winter design conditions shall be within the Winter
Comfort Zone as published in ASHRAE Standard 55, 1992, Thermal
Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy and the ASHRAE
Fundamentals Handbook, unless otherwise established by the
Authority Having Jurisdiction.
SUBSTANTIATION: The Committee indicates that the word
"occupied" in 14.2.1.1, a) and 14.3.1.1 needs to be clarified or
defined.
The Committee notes that the priority of listed units needs to be
checked throughout the Chapter (Metric v. English).
In 14.3.2.1 the Committee notes that a standard is needed and
requests input from staff and all interested parties.
The Committee is requesting technical input as to the extent to
which these standards may require mechanical cooling in various
buildings.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 26
NEGATIVE: 2
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
PERRY: The first statement of the substantiation refers to
14.2.1.1(a), which is contained in 5000-710 (Log #CP1220. The
reference to 14.2.1.1(a) should be removed, or a reference to 5000-
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

710 (Log #CP1220) should be added in parenthesis following SUBSTANTIATION: No need for this requirement.
14.2.1.1(a) in this substantiation. COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
My notes indicate that the Committee Action was to require, in COMMITTEE STATEMENT: This is resolved by Committee Proposal
14.3.3.1, that both the summer and winter design conditions be met. 5000-717 (Log #CP1212).
Assuming the actual Committee Action was to require both summer NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
and winter design conditions be met, I am opposed to this proposal. VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
Effectively mandating air conditioning across all occupancies AFFIRMATIVE: 28
regardless of use is inappropriate and unprecedented in any model ___________________
code. (If my notes are in error, and “summer design conditions” were (Log #475)
deleted, my vote on this item is affirmative with comment). Committee: BLD-SYS
The statement “unless otherwise established by the Authority Having 5000- 721 - (14-3.3): Accept in Principle
Jurisdiction” should be deleted from 14.3.2.1, 14.3.2.2, and 14.3.3.1. SUBMITTER: James R. Quiter, Rolf Jensen & Assoc., Inc.
One of the general “directives” given by the TCC was to avoid this type RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
of language in the document. It is inappropriate in a “model” code. “Where natural lighting is used, windows and...”.
WALES: My notes indicate that the committee agreed to retain the SUBSTANTIATION: This section needs to be clear about when it is
requirements for both Summer and Winter design comfort applicable.
conditions. However, that is not what is included in the ballot. If I COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
am correct, my negative vote will be based on the fact that there are COMMITTEE STATEMENT: Encompassed within Committee
many occupancies that should not be required to have air Proposal 5000-717 (Log #CP1212).
conditioning. Some examples are foundries, and swimming pool NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
enclosures. VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
Section 4.3.3.1 This section was left as shown in the task group AFFIRMATIVE: 28
report, as shown here: 14.3.3.1 Indoor winter design conditions shall
be within the Summer and Winter Comfort Zone as published in
ASHRAE Standard 55, 1992, Thermal ...etc. ___________________
If my notes are incorrect, and the ballot is correct, my vote would be
Affirmative with Comment as follows: (Log #133)
Section 14.3.1.1 - The committee did not add the word “winter” Committee: BLD-SYS
between indoor and design. 5000- 722 - (14-3.4): Accept
Section 14.3.2.1 - The committee did not add the phrase “unless SUBMITTER: Peter J. Gore Willse, Industrial Risk Insurers
otherwise established by the Authority Having Jurisdiction” at the end RECOMMENDATION: Delet this requirement.
of this section. SUBSTANTIATION: As written, all windows in a hotel, regardless of
Section 14.3.2.2 - The committee did not change the word “heating” height must open. You would want a window on the 27th floor to
to the word “winter” between outside and design. open? What about windows in a sawtooth roof that opens onto the
The Committee did not add the phrase “unless otherwise established roof? What about windows that opens onto a roof of another
by the Authority Having Jurisdiction” at the end of this section. building? What about windows in a house that opens to a courtyard?
Section 14.3.3.1 This section was left as shown in the task group COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
report, as shown here: 14.3.3.1 Indoor winter design conditions shall COMMITTEE STATEMENT: See Committee Proposal 5000-717
be within the Summer and Winter Comfort Zone as published in (Log #CP1212).
ASHRAE Standard 55, 1992, Thermal ...etc. NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE: VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
PAULEY: The action on this proposal and the action on 5000-717 AFFIRMATIVE: 28
(Log #CP1212) are in conflict in that they both create a new 14.3. The COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
text from Log #CP1219 should be renumbered as 14.8 that is now PERRY: The Committee Statement should refere to Proposal 5000-
open due to the action on 5000-731 (Log #CP1211). 717 (Log #CP1212), not 5000-718 (Log CP1219). Also, indicate that
the Committee proposal deleted the text in the draft.
___________________
___________________
(Log #474)
Committee: BLD-SYS (Log #514)
5000- 719 - (14-3.2): Reject Committee: BLD-SYS
SUBMITTER: James R. Quiter, Rolf Jensen & Assoc., Inc. 5000- 723 - (14-3.4): Reject
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows: SUBMITTER: James R. Quiter, Rolf Jensen & Assoc., Inc.
“Except in sleeping areas of residential occupancies, health care RECOMMENDATION: Windows shall open onto the street, public
occupancies, and board and care occupancies artificial lighting...”. space, or yard, with minimum dimensions as follows:
SUBSTANTIATION: As written, the code would allow 100% artificial Height Dimension
light in a residential occupancy. Section 14.9 does not fix this 1 story To be determined
problem. 2-3 story To be determined
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject. 4-5 story To be determined
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: This is resolved by Committee Proposal >5 story To be determined
5000-717 (Log #CP1212). SUBSTANTIATION: Without minimum dimensions, this section
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28 could be abused. Actual dimensions can be determined by the
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION: committee.
AFFIRMATIVE: 28 COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
___________________ COMMITTEE STATEMENT: See Committee Proposal 5000-717
(Log #132) (Log #CP1212).
Committee: BLD-SYS NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
5000- 720 - (14-3.3): Reject VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
SUBMITTER: Peter J. Gore Willse, Industrial Risk Insurers AFFIRMATIVE: 28
RECOMMENDATION: Delete this section. COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:

361
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
PERRY: The Committee Statement should refer to 5000-717 (Log
CP1212), not 5000-718 (Log #CP1219). Also, indicate that the
Committee proposal deleted the text in the draft.
___________________
(Log #CP1217)
Committee: BLD-SYS
5000- 724 - (14-4): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee Building Systems
RECOMMENDATION: Add the following sections under 14.4:
14.4.1 General. The provisions of this section shall apply to dwelling
units in two-family dwellings, townhouses, and apartment buildings;
guests rooms and guests suites in hotels and dormitories; sleeping
rooms in lodging and rooming houses, and residential board and care
occupancies; hereinafter referred to as living units.
14.4.2 Air-Borne Sound Transmission. All interior walls and
floor/ceiling assemblies which separate living units, and between
living units and spaces not a part of the living unit shall have a Sound
Transmission Class (STC) of not less than 50 for air-borne noise when
tested in accordance with ASTM E90.
Exception: Entrance doors to living units, provided the door is tight
fitting to the frame and sill.
14.4.3 Structure-Borne Sound Transmission. All floor/ceiling
assemblies between living units, and between living units and spaces
not a part of the living unit shall have an Impact Insulation Class (IIC)
of not less than 45 when tested in accordance with ASTM E492.
The Committee notes that the following reference documents need
to be added to Chapter 2:
ASTM E90-97, Standard Test Method for Laboratory Measurement
of Airborne Sound Transmission Loss of Building Partitions and
Elements, American Society for Testing and Materials, 100 Barr
Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA, 19428-2959 (14.4)
ASTM E492-90 Reapproved 1996, Standard Test Method for
Laboratory measurement of Impact Sound Transmission Through
Floor-Ceiling Assemblies Using the Tapping Machine, American
Society for Testing and Materials, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West
Conshohocken, PA, 19428-2959 (14).
SUBSTANTIATION: Adequate design provisions are needed to
control air-borne and structure-borne noise transmission through
walls and floor/ceiling assemblies which separate living units from
other living units or other spaces (e.g. corridors, mechanical rooms,
etc.). The proposal above addresses those reasonable minimum
requirements necessary to address the welfare of occupants in
residential occupancies. The values recommended, STC of 45 or
greater for both categories, represent accepted minimum values and
will not present undue hardship regarding the residential
construction methods in general use today.
The two reference standards proposed are recognized as the industry
standards for determining the Sound Transmission Control (STC)
and Impact Insulation Class (IIC) values.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 27
NEGATIVE: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
MORRIS: There is a typo in the third line of 14.4.2, change to 50 to
45.
Reason: Editorial. See Substantiation: “The values recommended,
STC of 45 or greater for both categories, represent accepted
minimum values...”
___________________
(Log #245)
Committee: BLD-SYS
5000- 725 - (14-4.1, 14.4.2 (New) ): Accept in Principle in Part
SUBMITTER: Michael Gardner, Gypsum Association
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text to read as follows:
362
14.4.1. Assemblies separating dwelling units form each other or from
public or service areas shall have a sound transmission class (STC) of
not less than 50 for air-borne noise when tested in accordance with
ASTM E 90.
14.4.2. Floor/ceiling assemblies between dwelling units or between a
dwelling unit and a public or service are within the structure shall
have an impact insulation class (IIC) rating or not less than 50 with
tested in accordance with ASTM E 492.
SUBSTANTIATION: Draft currently contains no language to
establish a level of sound transmission between dwelling units or
between dwelling units and public areas.
Since noise transmission can be quantified and has an effect on the
quality of life, NFPA 5000 should incorporate a regulation to ensure
compliance with generally accepted criteria for noise transmission in
multiple-family residential dwellings. The proposed level is
incorporated in a number of existing model building codes.
A variety of information resources exist to provide code users with
systems that will comply with the proposed requirements.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle in Part.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: This is incorporated in Committee
Proposal 5000-724 (Log #CP1217) which establishes levels for both
conditions but sets the Floor IIC at 45 rather than 50.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 28
___________________
(Log #476)
Committee: BLD-SYS
5000- 726 - (14-5.1.1): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: James R. Quiter, Rolf Jensen & Assoc., Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise to allow projections to within 6 feet, 8
inches of the floor. Also, use means of egress rather than exitway.
SUBSTANTIATION: As written, there could be no doorways unless
the door is greater than 7 feet. Also, exitway is an undefined term.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The Committee resolved this by
another action that deleted the section in it’s entirety. See Committee
Proposal 5000-727 (Log #CP1214).
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 28
___________________
(Log #CP1214)
Committee: BLD-SYS
5000- 727 - (14-5.1.1): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee Building Systems
RECOMMENDATION: Change section 14.5.1.1 as follows:
14.5.1.1 In all occupancies, ceilings of rooms used for human
occupancy and all exitways shall have a clear height of not not less
than 7 ft measured from the lowest projection from the ceiling. shall
have a clear height as specified in 12.1.5.
SUBSTANTIATION: Residential codes do not consider ceiling
height and headroom as one in the same and permit ceiling heights
to be less than the means of egress headroom requirements.
Nonetheless, means of egress heights specified in Chapter 12 should
not be restated in Chapter 14.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 28
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
PAULEY: The edited text of 14.5.1.1 does not form a complete
sentence. It would appear that the sentence should be revised to state:
“In all occupancies, ceilings of rooms for human occupancy shall have
a ceiling height as specified in Section 12.5.1.”
WALES: As written, the section does not form a complete sentence
and references the incorrect section. Suggest revising as follows: In
all occupancies, ceilings of rooms used for human occupancy shall be
at heights as specified in Section 12.5.1 12.1.5.
___________________
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(Log #CP1215)
Committee: BLD-SYS
5000- 728 - (14-5.1.2): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee Building Systems
RECOMMENDATION: Revise Section 14.5.1.2 to read as follows:
14.5.1.2 Rotary fans blades in all occupancies shall be protected
when the blades of the fan are located within seven (7 ft) of the
finished floor. They shall be protected with guards with openings that
will prohibit the passage of one half (1/2 in.) sphere.
Exception: Rotary fans blades in dwelling units shall be located not
less than six foot eight inches (6 ft-8 in.) above the finished floor and
are permitted without guards.
SUBSTANTIATION: 14.5.1.1 already specifies a clear height of not
less than 7 ft-0 in. to the lowest projection. A fan is considered a
projection. In addition, OSHA regulations (29 CFR 1910.212 (a)(5))
require fan blades to be guarded when the periphery of the blades of
a fan in less than 7 ft-0 in. above the floor or working level and specify
the maximum guard openings required. The Building Code should
not be less restrictive except for residential occupancies.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 27
NEGATIVE: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
WALES: As written, the charging paragraph would allow ceiling fans
at any height, as long as they are protected with guards when 7 feet or
less above the floor. However, the exception requires that ceiling fans
in dwelling units be not less than 6 ft -8 inches above the floor, and
are allowed without guards at that height or above.
The result is an exception that is more stringent than the charging
paragraph.
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
PERRY: Based on the Committee Action on 5000-727 (Log #1214),
this proposal should be reviewed. It appears that it may be
appropriate to simply delete 14.5.1.2; otherwise the section needs to
be coordinated with 12.1.5, which is referenced by 14.5.1.1.
___________________
(Log #1180)
Committee: BLD-SYS
5000- 729 - (14-6): Accept in Principle
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to BLD-SYS requesting that the TC:
(1) revise the Committee Statement to reference a specific annex
section. For example, will the information reside in A.14.6 or in
another area.
(2) modify the language in the proposal to utilize non-mandatory
language given its presence in the annex.
SUBMITTER: Vickie Lovell, InterCode Inc./Rep. Home
Ventilationg Institute
RECOMMENDATION: This proposal has been compiled using
material from the 2000 International Building Code.
Create Section 14.6 for rat (rodent-)proofing for under-floor
ventilation openings as follows:
“Ventilation openings shall be protected from intrusion by rodents.
Such openings shall be covered for their height and width with any of
the following materials. The least dimension of the openings in the
covering shall not exceed 1/4 inch (6 mm):
1. perforated sheet metal plates no less than 0.070 inch (1.8mm)
thick,
2. expanded sheet metal plates not less than 0.047 inch (1.2mm)
thick,
3. cast iron grills or grating,
4. extruded load bearing vents,
5. hardware cloth of 0.035 inch (0.89 mm) wire or heavier, or
6. corrosion resistant wire mesh, with the least dimension not
exceeding 1/8 inch (3.2mm).”
363
SUBSTANTIATION: These are minimum general requirements
pertaining to the provisions for rodent proofing under-floor
ventilation openings. The NFPA 5000 draft was silent on this section.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The Committee placed the entire
Section 14.6 in the annex as language that could be adopted by local
option.
See Committee Proposal 5000-730 (Log #CP1216).
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 28
___________________
(Log #CP1216)
Committee: BLD-SYS
5000- 730 - (14-6): Accept
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to BLD-SYS requesting that the TC develop a definition of
"Corrosion Resistance" that the Substantiation states is needed for
inclusion in Chapter 3.
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee Building Systems
RECOMMENDATION: Move the entire section to the annex.
Insert a preface which states:
“The following mandatory language may be adopted by the authority
having jurisdiction if it determines that such measures are necessary
due to local conditions.”
Change “Rat Proofing” to “Animal Proofing” and add the following
text :
A.14.6.1 General.
A.14.6.1.1 Application. The provisions of sections A.14.6.1 through
A.14.6.3.5 shall apply to occupancies regulated by Chapters 15
through 27. All metal or wire protection systems and components
referenced in the following provisions shall consist of corrosion
resistant materials.
A.14.6.2 Vermin Proofing.
A.14.6.2.1 Underground walls and floors below grade. Walls and
floors below grade shall be constructed in accordance with the
following provisions:
A.14.6.2.2 Floors on Grade. Floors on grade shall be constructed of a
minimum two (2 in.) thick concrete slab continuos from foundation
wall to foundation wall and shall abut the foundation wall. Openings
within the floor shall be protected by covering the openings or
annular space through the use of concrete infill, metal plates, metal
screening or metal grating designed to prevent access by vermin.
Exception: Expansion joints, thermal breaks and control joints.
A.14.6.2.3 Underground walls: Openings, other than doors and
windows, through underground walls shall be protected with metal
plates, cast iron grilles or grating or wire mesh screening which are
designed to prevent access by vermin.
A.14.6.2.4 Doors and Windows: Doors and windows which open to
the exterior (outside) shall be protected in accordance with the
following provisions:
A.14.6.2.4.1 Doors. Swinging doors shall have a 3/8 in. maximum
clearance from the bottom of the door to the top of the door sill. All
non-metal or non-metal clad doors shall have a metal kick plate
fastened to the exterior face of the door. The metal kick plate shall be
of a size to extend from jamb to jamb and shall extend from the
bottom of the door a minimum height of eight (8 in.) and shall be a
minimum of .033 in. thick steel or aluminum.
A.14.6.2.4.2 Windows. Operable windows which have sills located less
than two (2 ft-0 in.) feet above grade shall be protected by a metal
wire screen and frame covering the entire operable portion.
A.14.6.2.5 Other Protection Requirements. Utility lines,
communication wiring, exposed conduits and pipes and other
appurtenances which are located within two (2 ft-0 in.) feet of
window, door or other openings shall be protected from vermin in
accordance with one of the following:
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
- The installation of metal collars fastened to exposed conduits and
pipes which are designed to prevent the passage of vermin from
traveling the conduits or pipes or;
- The installation of metal guards fastened to the building which
project a minimum of twelve (12 in.) perpendicular from the face of
the building for the length of the opening plus two feet (2 ft) beyond
each end of the opening.
SUBSTANTIATION: The Committee notes that a definition of
“Corrosion resistance” needs to added to Chapter 3.
The Committee felt that these provisions are only required when
certain environmental conditions are present. Due to the fact that
such conditions are highly localized, the Committee felt that it is
more appropriate for the technical language to placed in the
appendix for local adoption where local conditions warrant such
regulation.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 27
NEGATIVE: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
PERRY: This section contains a variety of provisions, some of which
are more appropriately addressed within specific related sections of
the code, and others which are questionable as code requirements.
The underground wall and floor sections are likely already addressed
by the radon-resistant criteria approved by the committee (See 5000-
95 (Log #1072) and 5000-1423 (Log 1072(a)), and by general
structural and material requirements.
The mandate of metal kick plates on non-metal doors does not
appear justified, and appears to favor one product type over others.
The “vermin” problem would have to be pretty severe to not notice
gnawing at the door. Further, with the proposed allowable 3/8 in.
gap between the door and the sill, this would appear to only keep out
larger vermin, while allowing smaller creatures unobstructed access.
The protection at wiring, etc. in proximity to building openings
appears to be overkill, and likely non-effective. I’ve got squirrels that
jump 5-6 ft to get to birdfeeders.
___________________
(Log #CP1211)
Committee: BLD-SYS
5000- 731 - (14.8): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee Building Systems
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Section 14.8 in it’s entirety.
SUBSTANTIATION: Yards and courts that are used as part of a
means of egress are regulated in section 12.7.1. Yards and courts that
are used to determine wall and opening protection are regulated by
Table 7.3.1. Yards and Courts that are not used as means of egress
components need not be regulated.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 28
___________________
(Log #CP1213)
Committee: BLD-SYS
5000- 732 - (14-9.1, 14.9.5.2, Table 14.1): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee Building Systems
RECOMMENDATION: Delete 14.9.1 and replace it with the
following:
14.9.1 Special Requirements for Occupancies
Delete Section 14.9.5.2.
Delete Table 14.1 in it’s entirety.
SUBSTANTIATION: The committee feels that these sections are
covered elsewhere.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
364
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: See Committee Proposal 5000-710
(Log #CP1220) and 5000-717 (Log #CP1212).
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 28
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
PAULEY: The Technical Committee will need to address 14.9.1.2 at
the ROC stage since it still references Table 14.1, which was deleted by
this proposal.
___________________
(Log #515)
Committee: BLD-SYS
5000- 733 - (14-9.1.1): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: James R. Quiter, Rolf Jensen & Assoc., Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Explain how and where this section can be
applied.
SUBSTANTIATION: This section does not refer to anything. It is
unclear what it applies to.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: See Committee Proposal 5000-718
(Log #CP1219).
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 28
___________________
(Log #760)
Committee: BLD-SYS
5000- 734 - (14-9.1.1): Accept
SUBMITTER: Rick Thornberry, The Code Consortium Inc./Rep.
BIFMA International
RECOMMENDATION: Delete the following text:
14.9.1.1 Artificial ventilation and mechanical system, installed as
required in e Uniform Mechanical Code, to supply minimum of 5 ft3
of outside air per minute; total circulated air 15 ft3 per occupant.
Systems to be operated continuously where building is occupied.
SUBSTANTIATION: We propose to delete this section since it is in
conflict with Section 14.2.1.1(a) which specifies a minimum supply of
15 cubic feet of outside air per minute. Obviously, this would achieve
the total circulated air specified in Section 14.9.1.1 which is also 15
cubic feet per occupant. It should also be pointed out that 5 cfm of
fresh air is not adequate. ANSI/ASHRAE 62-1989 Ventilation for
Acceptable Indoor Air Quality Table 2 Outdoor Air Requirements for
Ventilation Item 2.1 Commercial Facilities specifies at least 15 cfm for
most occupancy uses and as much as 60 cfm in smoking areas in these
facilities. For a more specific example, office spaces are required to
have 20 cfm of outside air per person to be in compliance with
ASHRAE 62.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: See Committee Proposal 5000-710
(Log #CP1220).
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 28
___________________
(Log #828)
Committee: BLD-SYS
5000- 735 - (14-9.1.1): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Dick M. Glumac, Glumac International/Rep. Golden
Gate Chapter ASHRAE
RECOMMENDATION: This paragraph conflicts with 14.2.1.1 which
requires 15 cfm of outside air per person.
SUBSTANTIATION: None provided.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: See Committee Proposal 5000-710
(Log #CP1220).
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 28
___________________
(Log #829)
Committee: BLD-SYS
5000- 736 - (14-9.2.3): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Dick M. Glumac, Glumac International/Rep. Golden
Gate Chapter ASHRAE
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows:
“Storage occupancies used for storage and handling of automobiles
and other vehicles with internal combustion engines shall be
mechanically exhausted at the rate of four air changes per hour.
Makup air shall be from the outside. System shall operate
continuously or cycled in response to a carbon monodie monitoring
system with sufficient sensors to avoid areas of stagnation.”
SUBSTANTIATION: None provided.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: See Committee Proposal 5000-710
(Log #CP1220).
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 28
___________________
(Log #478)
Committee: BLD-SYS
5000- 737 - (Table 14-9.5): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: James R. Quiter, Rolf Jensen & Assoc., Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise to track with Section 14.2.4,
Exceptions No. 1 and No. 2.
SUBSTANTIATION: The exceptions to 14.2.4 allow 1 cfm/ft2 of
area. This section requires 12 air changes. Only one of these two
requirements should be needed.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: See Committee Proposal 5000-710
(Log #CP1220).
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 28
___________________
(Log #477)
Committee: BLD-SYS
5000- 738 - (14-9.5.3 Exception): Reject
SUBMITTER: James R. Quiter, Rolf Jensen & Assoc., Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Add to the end:
“need not have openable windows.”
SUBSTANTIATION: As written, the sprinklers override the window
requirement completely, the intent was to only eliminate the
openable portion of the requirement.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: This proposal covers material which is
beyond the scope of this committee, however, the Committee notes
that this section was deleted by the Committee.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 28
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 28
___________________
365
(Log #CP2030)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 739 - (Chapter 15): Accept
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to SAF-AXM requesting that the TC:
(1) give consideration to the placement and wording issues raised by
Mr. Messersmith's explanation of negative and to make any needed
changes.
(2) compare the requirements of 15.4.8 Grandstands and 15.4.9
Folding and Telescopic Seating with those in 31.7 Grandstands and
Bleachers so as to work toward having the entire subject covered in
one place, preferably in Chapter 31.
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Assembly Occupancies and
Membrane Structures
RECOMMENDATION: Create a Chapter 15 Assembly Occupancies
to read as follows:
Chapter 15
Assembly Occupancies
15.1 General Requirements
15.2 Means Of Egress Requirements
15.3 Protection
15.4 Special Provisions
15.5 Building Services
15.6 Reserved
15.7 Flood Resistance
15.1 General Requirements.
15.1.1 Application. The requirements of this chapter apply to:
(a) New buildings or portions thereof used as an assembly occupancy
and
(b) Additions made to, or used as, an assembly occupancy and
(c) Alterations, modernizations, or renovations of existing assembly
occupancies and
(d) Existing buildings or portions thereof upon change of occupancy
to an assembly occupancy.
15.1.2 Multiple Occupancies.
15.1.2.1 General. Multiple occupancies shall be in accordance with
Section 6.2.
15.1.2.2 Simultaneous Occupancy. Exits shall be sufficient for
simultaneous occupancy of both the assembly occupancy and other
parts of the building.
Exception:* Where the authority having jurisdiction determines that the
conditions are such that simultaneous occupancy will not occur.
15.1.2.3 Assembly and Mercantile Occupancies in Covered Mall
Buildings. The provisions of 15 shall apply to the assembly occupancy
tenant space. The provisions of 26.4.4 shall be permitted to be used
outside the assembly occupancy tenant space.
15.1.3* Classification of Occupancy. (See Chapter 6.)
15.1.4 Classification of Hazard of Contents. Contents of assembly
occupancies shall be classified in accordance with the provisions of
Chapter 6.
15.1.5 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction shall be in
accordance with Chapter 7.
15.1.6* Occupant Load. The occupant load, in number of persons for
whom means of egress and other provisions are required, shall be
determined on the basis of the occupant load factors of Table 12.3.1.2
that are characteristic of the use of the space or shall be determined
as the maximum probable population of the space under
consideration, whichever is greater. In areas not in excess of 10,000 ft2
(930 m2), the occupant load shall not exceed one person in 5 ft2 (0.46
m2); in areas in excess of 10,000 ft2 (930 m2), the occupant load shall
not exceed one person in 7 ft2 (0.65 m2).
15.1.6.4 Waiting Spaces. In theaters and other assembly occupancies
where persons are admitted to the building at times when seats are
not available to them, or when the permitted occupant load has been
reached based on 15.1.6 and persons are allowed to wait in a lobby or
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
similar space until seats or space is available, such use of lobby or
similar space shall not encroach upon the required clear width of
exits. Such waiting shall be restricted to areas other than the required
means of egress. Exits shall be provided for such waiting spaces on the
basis of one person for each 3 ft2 (0.28 m2) of waiting space area. Such
exits shall be in addition to the exits specified for the main
auditorium area and shall conform in construction and arrangement
to the general rules for exits given in this chapter.
15.1.6.5 Where the occupant load of an assembly occupancy is greater
than 6000, a life safety evaluation shall be performed in accordance
with 15.4.1.
Exception: Where approved by the authority having jurisdiction, the number of
usually seated occupants provided with a minimum of 15 ft2 (1.4 m2) of lawn
surface in outdoor facilities shall be permitted to be excluded in determining the
need for a life safety evaluation.
15.2 Means Of Egress Requirements.
15.2.1 General. All means of egress shall be in accordance with
Chapter 12 and this chapter.
15.2.2 Means of Egress Components.
15.2.2.1 Components of means of egress shall be limited to the types
described in 15.2.2.2 through 15.2.2.10.
15.2.2.2 Doors.
15.2.2.2.1 Doors complying with 12.2.1 shall be permitted.
15.2.2.2.2 Assembly occupancies with occupant loads of 300 or less in
covered malls (see Exception to 26.4.4.1) shall be permitted to have
horizontal or vertical security grilles or doors complying with
Exception No. 2 to 12.2.1.4.1 on the main entrance/exits.
15.2.2.2.3 Panic Hardware or Fire Exit Hardware. Any door in a
required means of egress from an area having an occupant load of
100 or more persons shall be permitted to be provided with a latch or
lock only if it is panic hardware or fire exit hardware complying with
12.2.1.7.
Exception No. 1: In assembly occupancies having an occupant load not greater
than 500, where the main exit consists of a single door or single pair of doors,
locking devices complying with Exception No. 2 to 12.2.1.5.1 shall be
permitted to be used on the main exit. Any latching device on this door(s) shall
be released by panic hardware.
Exception No. 2: Delayed egress locks as permitted in 15.2.2.2.4.
Exception No. 3: Access-controlled egress doors as permitted in 15.2.2.2.5.
15.2.2.2.4 Delayed egress locks complying with 12.2.1.6.1 shall be
permitted on doors other than main entrance/exit doors.
15.2.2.2.5 Doors in the means of egress shall be permitted to be
equipped with an approved, access control system complying with
12.2.1.6.2. Doors shall not be locked from the egress side when the
assembly occupancy is occupied.
15.2.2.2.6 Revolving doors complying with the requirements of
12.2.1.10 shall be permitted.
15.2.2.2.7 Turnstiles. No turnstiles or other devices that restrict the
movement of persons shall be installed in any assembly occupancy in
such a manner as to interfere in any way with required means of
egress facilities.
15.2.2.3 Stairs.
15.2.2.3.1 Stairs complying with 12.2.2 shall be permitted.
Exception No. 1:* Stairs serving seating that is designed to be repositioned
shall not be required to comply with 12.2.2.3.1.
Exception No. 2: Stages and platforms as permitted by 15.4.5.
15.2.2.3.2 Catwalk, Gallery, and Gridiron Stairs.
15.2.2.3.2.1 Noncombustible grated stair treads and landing floors
shall be permitted in means of egress from lighting and access
catwalks, galleries, and gridirons.
15.2.2.3.2.2 Spiral stairs complying with 12.2.2.2.3 shall be permitted
in means of egress from lighting and access catwalks, galleries, and
gridirons.
Table 15.2.3.2 Capacity Factors
Clear Width per Seat Served
No. of Seats Stairs
Unsprinklered Sprinklered
Unlimited 7.6 AB in millimeters 5.1 AB in millimeters
(0.3 AB in inches) (0.2 AB in inches)
366
15.2.2.4 Smokeproof Enclosures. Smokeproof enclosures complying
with 12.2.3 shall be permitted.
15.2.2.5 Horizontal Exits. Horizontal exits complying with 12.2.4 shall
be permitted.
15.2.2.6 Ramps. Ramps complying with 12.2.5 shall be permitted.
Exception: Ramps not part of an accessible means of egress and serving only
stages or nonpublic areas and ramped aisles shall be permitted to have a slope
not steeper than 1 in 8.
15.2.2.7 Exit Passageways. Exit passageways complying with 12.2.6
shall be permitted.
15.2.2.8 Fire Escape Ladders.
15.2.2.8.1 Fire escape ladders complying with 12.2.9 shall be
permitted.
15.2.2.8.2 For ladders serving catwalks, the three person limitation
specified in 12.2.9.1(3) shall be permitted to be increased to 10
persons.
15.2.2.9 Alternating Tread Devices. Alternating tread devices
complying with 12.2.11 shall be permitted.
15.2.2.10 Areas of Refuge. Areas of refuge complying with 12.2.12
shall be permitted.
15.2.3 Capacity of Means of Egress.
15.2.3.1 The capacity of means of egress shall be in accordance with
Section 12.3 or, for means of egress serving theater-type seating or
similar seating arranged in rows, in accordance with 15.2.3.2 or, for
smoke-protected assembly seating, in accordance with 15.4.2.
15.2.3.2 Minimum clear widths of aisles and other means of egress
serving theater-type seating, or similar seating arranged in rows, shall
be in accordance with Table 15.2.3.2. The minimum clear widths
shown shall be modified in accordance with all of the following:
(a) If risers exceed 178 mm in height, multiply the stair width in
the table by factor A, where
A = 1 + [(riser height – 178) / 125]
If risers exceed 7 in. in height, multiply the stair width in the
table by factor A, where
A = 1 + [(riser height – 7) / 5]
(b) Stairs not having a handrail within a 760-mm (30-in.)
horizontal distance shall be 25 percent wider than otherwise
calculated, i.e., multiply by factor B = 1.25.
(c) Ramps steeper than 1 in 10 slope where used in ascent shall
have their width increased by 10 percent, i.e., multiply by factor C =
1.10. (See Table 15.2.3.2 below.)
Exception No. 1: Lighting and access catwalks as permitted by 15.4.5.9.
Exception No. 2: In seating composed entirely of bleachers, in which the row-to-
row dimension is 28 in. (71 cm) or less, and from which front egress is not
limited, aisles shall not be required to be more than 66 in. (168 cm) in width.
15.2.3.3 Main Entrance/Exit. Every assembly occupancy shall be
provided with a main entrance/exit. The main entrance/exit shall be
of sufficient width to accommodate one half of the total occupant
load and shall be at the level of exit discharge or shall connect to a
stairway or ramp leading to a street. Each level of an assembly
occupancy shall have access to the main entrance/exit, and such
access shall have sufficient capacity to accommodate 50 percent of the
occupant load of such levels. Where the main entrance/exit from an
assembly occupancy is through a lobby or foyer, the aggregate
capacity of all exits from the lobby or foyer shall be permitted to
provide the required capacity of the main entrance/exit regardless of
whether all such exits serve as entrances to the building.
Exception No. 1: A bowling establishment shall have a main entrance/exit of
sufficient capacity to accommodate 50 percent of the total occupant load
without regard to the number of aisles that it serves.
Passageways, Ramps, and Doorways
Unsprinklered Sprinklered
5.6 C in millimeters 4.3 C in millimeters
(0.22 C in inches) (0.17 C in inches)
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
Exception No. 2: In assembly occupancies where there is no well-defined main
entrance/exit, exits shall be permitted to be distributed around the perimeter of
the building provided the total exit width furnishes a minimum of 100 percent
of the width needed to accommodate the permitted occupant load.
15.2.3.4 Other Exits. Each level of an assembly occupancy shall have
access to the main entrance/exit and shall be provided with
additional exits of sufficient width to accommodate a minimum of
one half of the total occupant load served by that level. Such exits
shall discharge in accordance with 15.2.7. Such exits shall be located
as far apart as practicable and as far from the main entrance/exit as
practicable. Such exits shall be accessible from a cross aisle or a side
aisle.
Exception: In assembly occupancies where there is no well-defined main
entrance/exit, exits shall be permitted to be distributed around the perimeter of
the building, provided the total exit width furnishes a minimum of 100 percent
of the width needed to accommodate the permitted occupant load.
15.2.3.5 The minimum width of any exit access corridor serving 50 or
more persons shall be 44 in. (112 cm).
15.2.4* Number of Exits. (See also Section 12.4.)
15.2.4.1 The number of exits shall be in accordance with Section 12.4.
Exception: Fenced outdoor assembly occupancies in accordance with 15.2.4.2.
15.2.4.2 A fenced outdoor assembly occupancy shall have at least two
widely separated means of egress from the enclosure. If more than
6000 persons are to be served by such means of egress, there shall be
at least three means of egress; if more than 9000 persons are to be
served, there shall be at least four means of egress.
15.2.4.3 Balconies or mezzanines having an occupant load not greater
than 50 shall be permitted to be served by a single means of egress
and such means of egress shall be permitted to lead to the floor
below.
15.2.4.4 Balconies or mezzanines having an occupant load greater
than 50 but not greater than 100 shall have at least two remote means
of egress, but both such means of egress shall be permitted to lead to
the floor below.
15.2.4.5 Balconies or mezzanines having an occupant load greater
than 100 shall have means of egress provided as for a floor.
15.2.4.6 A second means of egress shall not be required from lighting
and access catwalks, galleries, and gridirons where a means of escape
to a floor or a roof is provided. Ladders, alternating tread devices, or
spiral stairs shall be permitted in such means of escape.
15.2.5 Arrangement of Means of Egress.
15.2.5.1 Exits shall be located remotely from each other and shall be
arranged to minimize the possibility that they might be blocked by
any emergency.
Exception: A common path of travel shall be permitted for the first 20 ft (6.1 m)
from any point where serving any number of occupants and for the first 75 ft
(23 m) from any point where serving not more than 50 occupants.
15.2.5.2 Means of egress shall not be permitted through kitchens,
storerooms, restrooms, closets, or hazardous areas as described in
15.3.2.
15.2.5.3 Where the floor area of auditoriums and arenas is used for
assembly activities/events, at least 50 percent of the occupant load
shall have means of egress provided without passing through adjacent
fixed seating areas.
15.2.5.4 General Requirements for Access and Egress Routes within
Assembly Areas.
15.2.5.4.1 Festival seating shall be prohibited within a building.
Exception No. 1: Festival seating shall be permitted in assembly occupancies
having occupant loads of 1000 or less.
Exception No. 2: Festival seating shall be permitted in assembly occupancies
with occupant loads greater than 1000 with an approved life safety
evaluation. (See 15.4.1.)
15.2.5.4.2* Access and egress routes shall be designed and
constructed so that any individual is able to move without undue
hindrance, on personal initiative and at any time, from an occupied
position to exits.
15.2.5.4.3* Access and egress routes shall be designed and
constructed so that crowd management, security, and emergency
medical personnel shall be able to move without undue hindrance at
any time to any individual.
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15.2.5.4.4* The width of aisle accessways and aisles shall provide
sufficient egress capacity for the number of persons accommodated by
the catchment area served by the aisle accessway or aisle in
accordance with 15.2.3.1 or, for smoke protected assembly seating, in
accordance with 15.4.2. Where aisle accessways or aisles converge to
form a single path of egress travel, the required egress capacity of that
path shall not be less than the combined required capacity of the
converging aisle accessways and aisles.
15.2.5.4.5 Those portions of aisle accessways and aisles where egress is
possible in either of two directions shall be uniform in required width.
Exception: Those portions of aisle accessways where the required width, not
including the seat space described by 15.2.5.7.2, does not exceed 12 in. (30.5
cm).
15.2.5.4.6 In the case of side boundaries, other than nonfixed seating
at tables, for aisle accessways or aisles, the clear width shall be
measured to boundary elements such as walls, guardrails, handrails,
edges of seating, tables, and side edges of treads, with the
measurement made horizontally to the vertical projection of the
elements resulting in the smallest width measured perpendicularly to
the line of travel.
15.2.5.5* Aisle Accessways Serving Seating Not at Tables.
15.2.5.5.1* To determine the required clear width of aisle accessways
between rows of seating, horizontal measurements shall be made
(between vertical planes) from the back of one seat to the front of the
most forward projection of the seat immediately behind it. Where the
entire row consists of automatic or self-rising seats that comply with
ASTM F851, Test Method for Self-Rising Seat Mechanisms, the
measurement shall be permitted to be made with the seats in the up
position.
15.2.5.5.2 The aisle accessway between rows of seating shall have a
clear width of not less than 12 in. (30.5 cm), and this minimum shall
be increased as a function of row length in accordance with 15.2.5.5.3
and 15.2.5.5.4.
Exception: If used by not more than four persons, there shall be no minimum
clear width requirement for the portion of the aisle accessway having a length
not exceeding 6 ft (1.8 m) measured from the center of the seat farthest from the
aisle.
15.2.5.5.3* Rows of seating served by aisles or doorways at both ends
shall have no more than 100 seats per row. The 12-in. (30.10-cm)
minimum clear width of aisle accessway between such rows shall be
increased by 0.3 in. (0.8 cm) for every seat over a total of 14, but shall
not be required to exceed 22 in. (55.9 cm).
Exception: Smoke-protected assembly seating as permitted by 15.4.2.4.
15.2.5.5.4 Rows of seating served by an aisle or doorway at one end
only shall have a path of travel not exceeding 30 ft (9.1 m) in length
from any seat to an aisle. The 12-in. (30.10-cm) minimum clear width
of aisle accessway between such rows shall be increased by 0.6 in. (1.6
cm) for every seat over a total of seven.
Exception: Smoke-protected assembly seating as permitted by 15.4.2.5 and
15.4.2.6.
15.2.5.5.5 Rows of seating utilizing tablet-arm chairs shall be
permitted only if the clear width of aisle accessways complies with the
requirements of 15.2.5.5 where the tablet is in the usable position.
Exception: Tablet arms shall be permitted to be measured in the stored position
where the tablet arm automatically returns to the stored position when raised
manually to a vertical position in one motion and falls to the stored position by
force of gravity.
15.2.5.5.6 The depth of seat boards shall not be less than 9 in. (23
cm) where the same level is not used for both seat boards and
footboards. Footboards, independent of seats, shall be provided such
that there is no horizontal opening permitting the passage of a 1/2-in.
(1.3-cm) diameter sphere.
15.2.5.6 Aisles Serving Seating Not at Tables.
15.2.5.6.1 Aisles shall be provided so that the number of seats served
by the nearest aisle is in accordance with 15.2.5.5.2 through 15.2.5.5.4.
Exception: Aisles shall not be required in bleachers if all of the following
conditions are met:
(a) Egress from front row is not obstructed by rail, guard, or other
obstruction.
(b) Row spacing is 28 in. (71.1 cm) or less.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(c) Rise per row; including first row, is 6 in. (15.2 cm) or less.
(d) Number of rows does not exceed 16.
(e) Seat spaces are not physically defined.
(f) Seat boards that are also used as stepping surfaces for descent shall
provide a walking surface with a minimum width of 12 in. (30.5 cm), and,
where there is a depressed footboard, the gap between seat boards of adjacent
rows shall not exceed 12 in. (30.5 cm) measured horizontally. Leading edges of
such surfaces shall be provided with a contrasting marking stripe so that the
location of such leading edge is readily apparent, particularly where viewed in
descent. Such stripe shall be at least 1 in. (2.5 cm) wide and shall not exceed 2
in. (5.1 cm) in width. The marking stripe shall not be required where bleacher
surfaces and environmental conditions under all conditions of use are such
that the location of each leading edge is readily apparent, particularly when
viewed in descent.
15.2.5.6.2 Dead-end aisles shall not exceed 20 ft (6.1 m) in length.
Exception No. 1: A longer dead-end aisle shall be permitted where seats served
by the dead-end aisle are not more than 24 seats from another aisle, measured
along a row of seats having a minimum clear width of 12 in. (30.5 cm) plus
0.6 in. (1.5 cm) for each additional seat over a total of seven in the row.
Exception No. 2: A 16-row, dead-end aisle shall be permitted in folding and
telescopic seating and grandstands.
Exception No. 3: Bleacher aisles in accordance with Exception No. 2 to
15.2.3.2 shall not be considered as dead-end aisles.
Exception No. 4: Aisle termination as permitted by 15.4.2.7 for smoke-protected
assembly seating.
15.2.5.6.3* The minimum clear width of aisles shall be sufficient to
provide egress capacity in accordance with 15.2.3.2 but shall be not
less than:
(a) 48 in. (122 cm) for stairs having seating on each side.
Exception to (a): 36 in. (91 cm) where aisle does not serve more than 50 seats.
(b) 36 in. (91 cm) for stairs having seating on only one side.
(c) 23 in. (58 cm) between a handrail and seating or a guardrail
where the aisle is subdivided by a handrail.
(d) 42 in. (107 cm) for level or ramped aisles having seating on
both sides.
Exception to (d): 36 in. (91 cm) where aisle does not serve more than 50 seats.
(e) 36 in. (91 cm) for level or ramped aisles having seating on only
one side.
(f) 23 in. (58 cm) between a handrail or guardrail and seating
where the aisle does not serve more than five rows on one side.
15.2.5.6.4* Aisle Stairs and Ramps. Aisles having a gradient steeper
than 1 in 20, but not steeper than 1 in 8, shall consist of a ramp. Aisles
having a gradient steeper than 1 in 8 shall consist of an aisle stair. The
Exception to 15.2.5.6.8 shall not apply.
Exception: The limitation on height between landings in Table 12.2.2.2.1
shall not apply to aisle stairs.
15.2.5.6.5 Aisle Stair Treads.
(a) There shall be no variation exceeding 3/16 in. (0.5 cm) in the
depth of adjacent treads.
(b)* Treads shall be a minimum of 11 in. (27.9 cm).
(c) All treads shall extend the full width of the aisle.
15.2.5.6.6 Aisle Stair Risers.
(a) Riser heights shall be a minimum of 4 in. (10.2 cm).
Exception to (a): The riser height of aisle stairs in folding and telescopic seating
shall be permitted to be a minimum of 3-1/2 in. (8.9 cm).
(b) Riser heights shall not exceed 8 in. (20.3 cm).
Exception No. 1 to (b): Where the gradient of an aisle is steeper than 8 in.
(20.3 cm) in rise in 11 in. (27.9 cm) of run (to maintain necessary sight lines
in the adjoining seating area), the riser height shall be permitted to exceed 8 in.
(20.3 cm) but shall not exceed 9 in. (22.9 cm).
Exception No. 2 to (b): The riser height of aisle stairs in folding and telescopic
seating shall be permitted to be maximum of 11 in. (27.9 cm).
(c) Riser heights shall be designed to be uniform in each aisle, and
the construction-caused nonuniformities shall not exceed 3/16 in.
(0.5 cm) between adjacent risers.
Exception to (c): Riser height shall be permitted to be nonuniform only for the
purpose of accommodating necessary changes in gradient to maintain necessary
sight lines within a seating area and shall be permitted to exceed 3/16 in. (0.5
cm) in any flight. Where nonuniformities exceed 3/16 in. (0.5 cm) between
adjacent risers, the exact location of such nonuniformities shall be indicated by
368
a distinctive marking stripe on each tread at the nosing or leading edge
adjacent to the nonuniform risers.
15.2.5.6.7* Aisle Handrails. Ramped aisles having a gradient
exceeding 1 in 12 and aisle stairs shall be provided with handrails at
one side or along the centerline, and in accordance with
12.2.2.4.5(1), (2) and (3).
Where there is seating on both sides of the aisle, the handrails shall
be discontinuous with gaps or breaks at intervals not exceeding five
rows to facilitate access to seating and to permit crossing from one
side of the aisle to the other. These gaps or breaks shall have a clear
width of not less than 22 in. (55.9 cm) and not greater than 36 in. (91
cm) measured horizontally, and the handrail shall have rounded
terminations or bends. Where handrails are provided in the middle of
aisle stairs, there shall be an additional intermediate rail located
approximately 12 in. (30 cm) below the main handrail.
Exception No. 1: Handrails shall not be required for ramped aisles having a
gradient not steeper than 1 in 8 and having seating on both sides where the
aisle does not serve as an accessible route.
Exception No. 2: The requirement for a handrail is satisfied by the use of a
guard providing a rail that complies with the graspability requirements for
handrails and is located at a consistent height between 34 in. (86 cm) and 42
in. (107 cm) measured vertically from the top of the rail to the leading edge
(nosing) of stair treads or to the adjacent walking surface in the case of a
ramp.
15.2.5.6.8* Aisle Marking. A contrasting marking stripe shall be
provided on each tread at the nosing or leading edge such that the
location of such tread is readily apparent, particularly when viewed in
descent. Such stripes shall be at least 1 in. (2.5 cm) wide and shall not
exceed 2 in. (5 cm) in width.
Exception: The marking stripe shall not be required where tread surfaces and
environmental conditions under all conditions of use are such that the location
of each tread is readily apparent, particularly when viewed in descent.
15.2.5.7* Aisle Accessways Serving Seating at Tables.
15.2.5.7.1 The minimum required clear width of an aisle accessway
shall be 12 in. (30.5 cm) where measured in accordance with
15.2.5.7.2 and increased as a function of length in accordance with
15.2.5.7.3.
Exception:* If used by not more than four persons, there shall be no minimum
clear width requirement for the portion of aisle accessway having a length not
exceeding 6 ft (1.8 m) and located farthest from an aisle.
15.2.5.7.2* Where nonfixed seating is located between a table and an
aisle accessway, the measurement of required clear width of the aisle
accessway shall be made to a line 19 in. (48.3 cm) away from the edge
of the table. The 19-in. (48.3-cm) distance shall be measured
perpendicularly to the edge of the table.
15.2.5.7.3* The minimum required clear width of an aisle accessway
measured in accordance with 15.2.5.4.6 and 15.2.5.7.2 shall be
increased beyond the 12-in. (30.10-cm) requirement by 0.5 in. (1.3
cm) for each additional 12 in. (30.5 cm) or fraction thereof beyond
12 ft (3.7 m) of aisle accessway length where measured from the
center of the seat farthest from an aisle.
15.2.5.7.4 The path of travel along the aisle accessway shall not exceed
36 ft (10.9 m) from any seat to the closest aisle or egress doorway.
15.2.5.8 Aisles Serving Seating at Tables.
15.2.5.8.1* Aisles that contain steps or that are ramped, such as the
aisles serving dinner theater style configurations, shall comply with
the requirements of 15.2.5.6.
15.2.5.8.2* The minimum width of aisles serving seating at tables shall
be 44 in. (112 cm) where serving an occupant load greater than 50,
and 36 in. (91 cm) where serving an occupant load of 50 or fewer.
15.2.5.8.3* Where nonfixed seating is located between a table and an
aisle, the measurement of required clear width of the aisle shall be
made to a line 19 in. (48.3 cm) away from the edge of the table. The
19-in. (48.3-cm) distance shall be measured perpendicularly to the
edge of the table.
15.2.5.9 Approval of Layouts. Where required by the authority having
jurisdiction, plans drawn to scale showing the arrangement of
furnishings or equipment shall be submitted to the authority by the
building owner, manager, or authorized agent to substantiate
conformance with the provisions of this section and shall constitute
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
the only acceptable arrangement until revised or additional plans are
submitted and approved.
Exception: Temporary deviations from the specifications of the approved plans
shall be permitted provided the occupant load is not increased and the intent of
this section is maintained.
15.2.6 Travel Distance to Exits.
15.2.6.1 Exits shall be arranged so that the total length of travel from
any point to reach an exit shall not exceed 200 ft (60 m) in any
assembly occupancy.
Exception No. 1: The travel distance shall not exceed 250 ft (75 m) in assembly
occupancies protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic
sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3.
Exception No. 2: Smoke-protected assembly seating as permitted by 15.4.2.8
and its Exception.
15.2.7 Discharge from Exits.
15.2.7.1 Exit discharge shall comply with Section 12.7.
15.2.7.2 The level of exit discharge shall be measured at the point of
principal entrance to the building.
15.2.7.3 Where the principal entrance to an assembly occupancy is via
a terrace, either raised or depressed, such terrace shall be permitted
to be considered to be the level of exit discharge for the purposes of
15.1.6 if:
(a) The terrace is at least as long (measured parallel to the
building) as the total width of the exit(s) it serves, but not less than 5
ft (1.5 m) long, and
(b) The terrace is at least as wide (measured perpendicularly to the
building) as the exit(s) it serves, but not less than 10 ft (3 m) wide,
and
(c) Required stairs leading from the terrace to grade are protected
in accordance with 12.2.2.6.4 or are a minimum of 10 ft (3 m) from
the building.
15.2.8 Illumination of Means of Egress. Means of egress shall be
illuminated in accordance with Section 12.8.
Exception: Private party tents not larger than 1200 ft2 (111.5 m2).
15.2.9 Emergency Lighting. Emergency lighting shall be provided in
accordance with Section 12.9.
Exception: Private party tents not larger than 1200 ft2 (111.5 m2).
15.2.10 Marking of Means of Egress. Means of egress shall have signs
in accordance with Section 12.10.
Exception: Exit markings shall not be required on the seating side of vomitories
from seating areas where exit marking is provided in the concourse and such
marking is readily apparent from the vomitories.
15.2.11 Special Means of Egress Features.
15.2.11.1 Guards and Railings.
15.2.11.1.1* Sightline-Constrained Rail Heights. Unless subject to the
requirements of 15.2.11.1.2, a fasciae or railing system complying with
the guard requirements of 12.2.2.4 and having a minimum height of
26 in. (66 cm) shall be provided where the floor or footboard
elevation is more than 30 in. (76 cm) above the floor or grade below
and the fasciae or railing system would otherwise interfere with
sightlines of immediately adjacent seating.
15.2.11.1.2 At Foot of Aisles. A fasciae or railing system complying
with the guard requirements of 12.2.2.4 shall be provided for the full
width of the aisle where the foot of the aisle is more than 30 in. (76
cm) above the floor or grade below. The fasciae or railing shall be a
minimum of 36 in. (91 cm) high and shall provide a minimum 42 in.
(107 cm) measured diagonally between the top of the rail and the
nosing of the nearest tread.
15.2.11.1.3 At Cross Aisles.
(a) Cross aisles located behind seating rows shall be provided with
railings not less than 26 in. (66 cm) above the adjacent floor.
Exception to (a): Where the backs of seats located at the front of the aisle project
24 in. (61 cm) or more above the adjacent floor of the aisle.
(b) Where cross aisles are more than 30 in. (76 cm) above the floor
or grade below guards shall be provided in accordance with 12.2.2.4.
15.2.11.1.4 At Side and Back of Seating Areas. Guards complying with
the guard requirements of 12.2.2.4 shall be provided with a height not
less than 42 in. (107 cm) above the aisle, aisle accessway, or footboard
where the floor elevation is more than 30 in. (76 cm) above the floor
or grade to the side or back of seating.
369
15.2.11.1.5 Below Seating. Openings between footboards and seat
boards shall be provided with intermediate construction so that a 4-in.
(10.2-cm) diameter sphere cannot pass through the opening.
15.2.11.1.6 Locations Not Requiring Guards.
(a) Guards shall not be required on the audience side of stages, of
raised platforms, and of other raised floor areas such as runways,
ramps, and side stages used for entertainment or presentations.
(b) Permanent guards shall not be required at vertical openings in
the performance area of stages.
(c) Guards shall not be required where the side of an elevated
walking surface is required to be open for the normal functioning of
special lighting or for access and use of other special equipment.
15.3 Protection.
15.3.1 Protection of Vertical Openings. Any vertical opening shall be
enclosed or protected in accordance with Chapter 8.
Exception No. 1:* Stairs or ramps shall be permitted to be unenclosed between
balconies or mezzanines and main assembly areas located below provided the
balcony or mezzanine is open to the main assembly area.
Exception No. 2: Exit access stairs from lighting and access catwalks, galleries,
and gridirons shall not be required to be enclosed.
Exception No. 3: Assembly occupancies protected by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3 shall be permitted
to have unprotected vertical openings in accordance with 9-2 and 9-3.
15.3.2 Protection from Hazards.
15.3.2.1 Service Equipment, Hazardous Operations or Processes, and
Storage Facilities.
15.3.2.1.1 Rooms containing high pressure boilers, refrigerating
machinery of other than domestic refrigerator type, large
transformers, or other service equipment subject to possible explosion
shall not be located directly under or abutting required exits. All such
rooms shall be separated from other parts of the building by fire
barriers in accordance with 8.3 having a fire resistance rating of not
less than 1 hr or shall be protected by automatic extinguishing systems
in accordance with Section 11.3.
15.3.2.1.2 Rooms or spaces for the storage, processing, or use of
materials specified below shall be protected in accordance with the
following:
(a) Separation from the remainder of the building by fire barriers
having a fire resistance rating of not less than 1 hr or protection of
such rooms by automatic extinguishing systems as specified in
Chapters 6 and 33 in the following areas:
1. Boiler and furnace rooms.
Exception: The requirement of 15.3.2.1.2a(1) shall not apply to rooms
enclosing furnaces, heating and air-handling equipment, or compressor
equipment with a total aggregate input rating less than 200,000 Btu. Such
rooms shall not be used for storage unless otherwise protected as required. For
installations in attics, the draftstopping requirements of Section 8.9 shall
apply.
2. Rooms or spaces used for the storage of combustible supplies
in quantities deemed hazardous by the authority having jurisdiction.
3. Rooms or spaces used for the storage of hazardous materials
or flammable or combustible liquids in quantities deemed hazardous
by recognized standards.
(b) Separation from the remainder of the building by fire barriers
having a fire resistance rating of not less than 1 hr and protection of
such rooms by automatic extinguishing systems as specified in
Chapters 6 and 33 in the following areas:
1. Laundries.
2. Maintenance shops, including woodworking and painting
areas.
3. Rooms or spaces used for processing or use of combustible
supplies deemed hazardous by the authority having jurisdiction.
4. Rooms or spaces used for processing or use of hazardous
materials or flammable or combustible liquids in quantities deemed
hazardous by recognized standards.
(c) Where automatic extinguishing is used to meet the
requirements of this section, the protection shall be permitted to be
in accordance with 11.3.1.2.
15.3.2.2 Cooking Equipment. Cooking equipment shall be protected
in accordance with Section 11.8.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
Exception No. 1: Outdoor equipment.
Exception No. 2: Portable cooking equipment not flue connected.
Exception No. 3: Equipment used only for food warming.
15.3.3 Interior Finish.
15.3.3.1 Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter 10.
15.3.3.2 Interior wall and ceiling finish materials complying with
Chapter 10 shall be Class A or Class B in all corridors and lobbies, and
shall be Class A in enclosed stairways.
15.3.3.3 Interior wall and ceiling finish materials complying with
Chapter 10 shall be Class A or Class B in general assembly areas
having occupant loads of more than 300, and shall be Class A, Class B,
or Class C in assembly areas having occupant loads of 300 or fewer.
15.3.3.4 Screens on which pictures are projected shall comply with
requirements of Class A or Class B interior finish in accordance with
Chapter 10.
15.3.3.5 Interior Floor Finish. Interior floor finish in exit enclosures
and in exit access corridors and in spaces not separated from them by
walls complying with 15.3.6 shall be not less than Class II in
accordance with Section 10.7. In all other spaces interior floor finish
shall comply with 10.7.1.
15.3.4 Detection, Alarm, and Communication Systems.
15.3.4.1 General. Assembly occupancies with occupant loads greater
than 300 and all theaters with more than one audience-viewing room
shall be provided with an approved fire alarm system in accordance
with Section 11.2 and this section.
Exception No. 1: Assembly occupancies that are a part of a mixed occupancy
shall be permitted to be served by a common fire alarm system provided the
individual requirements of each occupancy are met.
Exception No. 2: Voice communications or public address systems complying
with 15.3.4.3.3 shall not be required to comply with Section 11.2.
15.3.4.2 Initiation.
15.3.4.2.1 Initiation of the required fire alarm system shall be by
manual means in accordance with 11.2.2 which shall be provided with
an emergency power source. The initiating device shall be capable of
transmitting an alarm to a receiving station, located within the
building, that is constantly attended when the assembly occupancy is
occupied.
Exception No. 1: Initiation by means of an approved, automatic fire detection
system in accordance with Section 11.2 that provides fire detection throughout
the building.
Exception No. 2: Initiation by means of an approved, automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with Section 11.3 that provides fire detection and
protection throughout the building.
15.3.4.2.2* In assembly occupancies with occupant loads greater than
300, automatic detection shall be provided in all hazardous areas that
are not normally occupied.
Exception: Areas that are protected throughout by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 11.3.
15.3.4.3 Notification.
15.3.4.3.1 The required fire alarm system shall sound an audible
alarm in a constantly attended receiving station within the building
when occupied for purposes of initiating emergency action. Positive
alarm sequence in accordance with 11.2.3.4 shall be permitted.
15.3.4.3.2 Occupant notification shall be by means of visible signals
and voice announcements, either live or prerecorded, initiated by the
person in the constantly attended location.
15.3.4.3.3 The announcement shall be made via an approved voice
communication or public address system, provided with an emergency
power source, that is audible above the ambient noise level of the
assembly occupancy.
15.3.4.3.4 Where the authority having jurisdiction determines that it is
impractical to have a constantly attended location, a fire alarm system
in accordance with Section 11.2 that is initiated by manual stations in
accordance with 11.2.2 or other approved means of initiation and that
automatically provides prerecorded evacuation instructions in
accordance with 11.2.3 shall be used.
15.3.5 Extinguishment Requirements.
15.3.5.1 Buildings containing assembly occupancies with occupant
loads greater than 300 shall be protected by an approved, supervised
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automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 11.3
as follows:
(a) Throughout the story containing the assembly occupancy; and
(b) Throughout all stories below the story containing the assembly
occupancy; and
(c) In the case of an assembly occupancy located below the level of
exit discharge, throughout all stories intervening between that story
and the level of exit discharge including the level of exit discharge.
Exception No. 1: Assembly occupancies used primarily for worship with fixed
seating and not part of a mixed occupancy.
Exception No. 2:* Assembly occupancies consisting of a single multipurpose
room of less than 12,000 ft2 (1100 m2) that are not used for exhibition or
display, and are not part of a mixed occupancy.
Exception No. 3: Gymnasiums, skating rinks, and swimming pools used
exclusively for participant sports with no audience facilities for more than 300
persons.
Exception No. 4: In stadia and arenas, sprinklers shall be permitted to be
omitted over the floor area used for contest, performance, or entertainment; over
the seating areas; and over open-air concourses where an approved engineering
analysis substantiates the ineffectiveness of the sprinkler protection due to
building height and combustible loading.
Exception No. 5: In unenclosed stadia and arenas, sprinklers shall be
permitted to be omittted in the following areas:
(a) Press boxes less than 1000 ft2 (93 m2)
(b) Storage facilities less than 1000 ft2 (93 m2) if enclosed with not less than
1-hour fire resistance-rated construction
(c) Enclosed areas underneath grandstands that comply with 15.4.8.5
15.3.5.2 Standpipes. Class I standpipes shall be installed in
accordance with Section 11.4 in assembly occupancy buildings where
any of the following occur:
1. A minimum of one floor is more than 150 ft (45 m) from its
nearest point of fire department entry into the building in other than
buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic
sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3.
2. A minimum of one story is more than 30 ft (10 m) above or below
the level of fire department access.
3. Stages in accordance with 15.4.5.12.
15.3.5.3 Portable Fire Extinguishers. Portable fire extinguishers shall
be installed in assembly occupancies in accordance with Section 11.6.
Exception No. 1: Seating and performance areas.
Exception No. 2: Outside assembly occupancy areas.
Exception No. 3: Portable extinguishers shall be permitted to be located in
secure locations accessible to staff.
15.3.6 Corridors. Interior corridors and lobbies shall be constructed
in accordance with Chapter 8 and Chapter 12.
Exception No. 1: Corridor and lobby protection shall not be required where
assembly rooms served by the corridor or lobby have at least 50 percent of their
exit capacity discharging directly to the outside, independent of corridors and
lobbies.
Exception No. 2: Corridor and lobby protection shall not be required in
buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler
system installed in accordance with Section 11.3.
Exception No. 3: Lobbies serving only one assembly area that meet the
requirements for intervening rooms (see 12.5.1.7) shall not be required to have
a fire resistance rating.
Exception No. 4: Where the corridor ceiling is an assembly having a 1-hr fire
resistance rating where tested as a wall, the corridor walls shall be permitted to
terminate at the corridor ceiling.
Exception No. 5: Corridor and lobby protection shall not be required in
buildings protected throughout by an approved, total (complete) coverage smoke
detection system, providing occupant notification and installed in accordance
with Section 11.2.
15.4 Special Provisions.
15.4.1 Life Safety Evaluation.
15.4.1.1* Where a life safety evaluation is required by other provisions
of the Code, it shall be done by persons acceptable to the authority
having jurisdiction. The life safety evaluation shall include a written
assessment of safety measures for conditions listed in 15.4.1.2. The life
safety evaluation shall be approved annually by the authority having
jurisdiction and shall be updated for special or unusual conditions.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

15.4.1.2 Life safety evaluations shall include an assessment of the

following conditions and the related appropriate safety measures: Table 15.4.2.3 Capacity Factors
(a) Nature of the events and the participants and attendees; Smoke-Protected Assembly Seating
(b) Access and egress movement including crowd density Millimeter (Inch) of Clear Width per Seat
problems; Served
(c) Medical emergencies; Passageways,
(d) Fire hazards; No. of Ramps, and
(e) Permanent and temporary structural systems; Seats Stairs Doorways
(f) Severe weather conditions; 2000 7.6 AB (0.300 AB) 5.1 C (0.200 C)
(g) Earthquakes; 5000 5.1 AB (0.200 AB) 3.8 C (0.150 C)
(h) Civil or other disturbances;
10,000 3.3 AB (0.130 AB) 2.5 C (0.100 C)
(i) Hazardous materials incidents within and near the facility; and
15,000 2.4 AB (0.096 AB) 1.8 C (0.070 C)
(j) Relationships among facility management, event participants,
emergency response agencies, and others having a role in the events 20,000 1.9 AB (0.076 AB) 1.4 C (0.056 C)
accommodated in the facility. 25,000 or 1.5 AB (0.060 AB) 1.1 C (0.044 C)
15.4.1.3* Life safety evaluations shall include assessments of both more
building systems and management features upon which reliance is
placed for the safety of facility occupants. Such assessments shall
consider scenarios appropriate to the facility. 15.4.2.4 With smoke-protected assembly seating conforming to the
15.4.2* Smoke-Protected Assembly Seating. requirements of 15.4.2, for rows of seats served by aisles or doorways
15.4.2.1 Fire Protection Requirements. To be considered smoke at both ends, there shall be not more than 100 seats per row and the
protected, an assembly seating facility shall comply with the following: minimum clear width of 12 in. (305 cm) for aisle accessways shall be
(a) All enclosed areas with walls and ceilings in buildings or increased by 0.3 in. (0.8 cm) for every additional seat beyond the
structures containing smoke-protected assembly seating shall be number stipulated in Table 15.4.2.4, but the minimum clear width
protected with an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system shall not be required to exceed 22 in. (55.9 cm).
installed in accordance with Section 11.3.
Exception No. 1 to (a): The floor area used for the contest, performance, or Table 15.4.2.4 Smoke-Protected Assembly Seating Aisle
entertainment, provided the roof construction is more than 50 ft (15 m) above Accessways
the floor level and use is restricted to low fire hazard uses. No. of seats per row permitted to have
Exception No. 2 to (a):* Sprinklers shall be permitted to be omitted over the a minimum
floor area used for contest, performance, or entertainment and over the seating 12-in. (30.10-cm) clear width aisle
areas where an approved engineering analysis substantiates the ineffectiveness accessway
of the sprinkler protection due to building height and combustible loading. Aisle or doorway
(b) All means of egress serving a smoke-protected assembly seating Total number of Aisle or doorway at one end of
area shall be provided with smoke-actuated ventilation facilities or seats in the space at both ends of row
natural ventilation designed to maintain the level of smoke at least 6 ft row
(1.8 m) above the floor of the means of egress. <4000 14 7
15.4.2.2 Life Safety Evaluation. For facilities to utilize the provisions 4000-6999 15 7
of smoke-protected assembly seating, a life safety evaluation shall be 7000-9999 16 8
done in accordance with 15.4.1. 10,000-12,999 17 8
15.4.2.3 For Table 15.4.2.3 the number of seats specified must be
13,000-15,999 18 9
within a single assembly space, and interpolation shall be permitted
16,000-18,999 19 9
between the specific values shown. A single assembly space shall be
permitted to have multiple levels, floors or mezzanines. The 19,000-21,999 20 10
minimum clear widths shown shall be modified in accordance with all ≥22,000 21 11
of the following:
(a) If risers exceed 178 mms in height, multiply the stair width in
the table by factor A, where 15.4.2.5 With smoke-protected assembly seating conforming to the
A = 1 + [(riser height – 178) / 125] requirements of 15.4.2, for rows of seats served by an aisle or doorway
If risers exceed 7 in. in height, multiply the stair width in the at one end only, the aisle accessway minimum clear width of 12 in.
table by factor A, where (30.5 cm) shall be increased by 0.6 in. (1.6 cm) for every additional
A = 1 + [(riser height – 7) / 5] seat beyond the number stipulated in Table 15.4.2.4, but the
(b) Stairs not having a handrail within a 760-mm (30-in.) minimum clear width need not exceed 22 in. (55.9 cm).
horizontal distance shall be 25 percent wider than otherwise 15.4.2.6 Smoke-protected assembly seating conforming with the
calculated, i.e., multiply by factor B = 1.25. requirements of 15.4.2 shall be permitted to have a common path of
(c) Ramps steeper than 1 in 10 slope where used in ascent shall travel of 50 ft (15 m) from any seat to a point where a person has a
have their width increased by 10 percent; i.e., multiply by factor C = choice of two directions of egress travel.
1.10. 15.4.2.7 Aisle Termination. For smoke-protected assembly seating
conforming to the requirements of 15.4.2, the dead ends in aisle stairs
shall not exceed a distance of 21 rows.
Exception: A longer dead-end aisle shall be permitted for smoke-protected
assembly seating where seats served by the dead-end aisle are not more than 40
seats from another aisle, measured along a row of seats having an aisle
accessway with a minimum clear width of 12 in. (30.5 cm) plus 0.3 in. (0.8
cm) for each additional seat above seven in the row.

371
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
15.4.2.8 For smoke-protected assembly seating conforming with the
requirements of 15.4.2.1, the travel distance from each seat to the
nearest entrance to an egress vomitory portal or egress concourse
shall not exceed 400 ft (122 m). The travel distance from the entrance
to vomitory portal or from egress concourse to an approved egress
stair, ramp, or walk at the building exterior shall not exceed 200 ft (60
m).
Exception: In outdoor assembly seating facilities of Type I or Type II
construction, where all portions of the means of egress are essentially open to the
outside, the distance shall not be limited.
15.4.3 Windowless or Underground Buildings.
15.4.3.1 Windowless or underground buildings shall comply with this
section and Chapter 30.
15.4.3.2 Underground buildings or portions of buildings having a
floor level more than 30 ft (9.1 m) below the level of exit discharge
shall comply with the requirements of 15.4.3.3 through 15.4.3.5.
Exception No. 1: Areas within buildings used only for service to the building,
such as boiler/heater rooms, cable vaults and dead storage.
Exception No. 2: Auditoriums without intervening occupiable levels complying
with the requirements of this chapter.
15.4.3.3 Each level more than 30 ft (9.1 m) below the level of exit
discharge shall be divided into not less than two smoke compartments
by a smoke barrier complying with Chapter 8 and having a 1-hr fire
resistance rating.
15.4.3.3.1 Each smoke compartment shall have access to at least one
exit without passing through the other required compartment. Any
doors connecting required compartments shall be tight-fitting,
minimum 1-hr rated fire doors designed and installed to minimize
smoke leakage and to close and latch automatically upon detection of
smoke.
15.4.3.3.2 Each smoke compartment shall be provided with a
mechanical means of moving people vertically, such as an elevator or
escalator.
15.4.3.3.3 Each smoke compartment shall have an independent air
supply and exhaust system capable of smoke control or smoke exhaust
functions that provides a minimum smoke exhaust rate of six air
changes per hour.
15.4.3.3.4 Each smoke compartment shall be provided with an
automatic smoke detection system throughout. The system shall be
designed such that the activation of any two detectors shall cause the
smoke control system to operate and the building voice alarm to
sound.
15.4.3.4 Any required smoke control or exhaust system shall be
provided with a standby power system complying with Article 701 of
NFPA 70, National Electrical Code.
15.4.3.5 The building shall be provided with an approved, supervised
voice alarm system in accordance with Section 11.2. The voice alarm
system shall comply with 11.2.3. A prerecorded evacuation message
shall be provided.
15.4.4 High-Rise Buildings. High-rise assembly occupancy buildings
and high-rise mixed occupancy buildings that house assembly
occupancies in the high-rise portions of the building shall comply
with Chapter 32.
15.4.5 Stages and Platforms.
15.4.5.1 Materials and Design. Materials used in the construction of
platforms and stages shall conform to the applicable requirements of
the local building code.
15.4.5.2 Platform Construction. Temporary platforms shall be
permitted to be constructed of any materials. The space between the
floor and the platform above shall not be used for any purpose other
than electrical wiring to platform equipment.
Permanent platforms shall be constructed of materials as required for
the type of construction of the building in which the permanent
platform is located except that the finish floor shall be permitted to
be of wood in all types of construction. Where the space beneath the
platform is used for storage or any purpose other than equipment
wiring or plumbing, the floor construction shall not be less than 1-hr
fire resistive.
372
15.4.5.3 Stage Construction.
15.4.5.3.1 Regular stages shall be constructed of materials as required
for the type of construction of the building in which they are located.
In all cases, the finish floor shall be permitted to be of wood.
15.4.5.3.2 Legitimate stages shall be constructed of materials required
for Type I buildings except that the area extending from the
proscenium opening to the back wall of the stage, and for a distance
of 6 ft (183 cm) beyond the proscenium opening on each side, shall
be permitted to be constructed of steel or heavy timber covered with a
wood floor not less than 1-1/2 in. (3.8 cm) in actual thickness.
15.4.5.3.3 Openings through stage floors (traps) shall be equipped
with tight-fitting trap doors of wood having an actual thickness of not
less than 38 mm (1-1/2 in.) with approved safety locks. Other
materials for the trap doors shall be acceptable as long as they provide
fire and heat resistance equivalent to that provided by the wooden
doors described above.
15.4.5.4 Accessory Rooms. Workshops, storerooms, permanent
dressing rooms, and other accessory spaces contiguous to stages shall
be separated from each other and other building areas by 1-hr fire
resistance-rated construction and protected openings.
Exception: A separation shall not be required for stages having a floor area not
exceeding 1000 ft2 (93 m2).
15.4.5.5 Ventilators. Regular stages greater than 1000 ft2 (93 m2) in
area and legitimate stages shall be provided with emergency
ventilation to provide a means of removing smoke and combustion
gases directly to the outside in the event of a fire. Ventilation shall be
by one or a combination of the following methods:
(a) Smoke Control. A means shall be provided to maintain the
smoke level not less than 6 ft (183 cm) above the highest level of
assembly seating or above the top of the proscenium opening where a
proscenium wall and opening protection is provided. The system shall
be activated independently by each of the following:
1. Activation of the sprinkler system in the stage area,
2. Activation of smoke detectors over the stage area, and
3. By manually operated switch at an approved location.
The emergency ventilation system shall be supplied by both normal
and standby power. The fan(s) power wiring and ducts shall be
located and properly protected to ensure a minimum 20 min of
operation in the event of activation.
(b) Roof Vents. Two or more vents shall be located near the center
of and above the highest part of the stage area. They shall be raised
above the roof and shall provide a net-free vent area equal to 5
percent of the stage area. Vents shall be constructed to open
automatically by approved heat-activated devices. Supplemental
means shall be provided for manual operation and periodic testing of
the ventilator from the stage floor. Vents shall be labeled.
(c) Other Means. Approved, alternate means of removing smoke and
combustion gases shall be permitted.
15.4.5.6 Proscenium Walls. Legitimate stages shall be completely
separated from the seating area by a proscenium wall of not less than
2-hr fire-resistive noncombustible construction. The proscenium wall
shall extend at least 4 ft (122 cm) above the roof of the auditorium in
combustible construction. All openings in the proscenium wall of a
legitimate stage shall be protected by a fire assembly having a 1-1/2-hr
fire protection rating.
Exception No. 1: The main proscenium opening used for viewing performances
shall be provided with an automatic-closing fire-resistive curtain as described in
15.4.5.7.
Exception No. 2: Proscenium walls shall not be required in smoke-protected
assembly seating facilities constructed and operated in accordance with 15.4.2.
15.4.5.7 Proscenium Opening Protection. Where required by 15.4.5.6,
the proscenium opening shall be protected by a fire curtain or an
approved water curtain complying with NFPA 13, Standard for the
Installation of Sprinkler Systems. The fire curtain or water curtain shall
be designed to activate upon automatic detection of a fire and upon
manual activation. The fire curtain shall resist the passage of flame
and smoke between the stage area and the audience area for 20 min.
A fire curtain shall be a listed opening protective assembly or shall
be constructed as follows:
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(a) Fabrics. Curtains shall be made of one or more thicknesses of a
noncombustible fabric or a fabric with a noncombustible base
material, which shall be permitted to be given a coating provided the
modified fabric meets the criteria detailed in this section. Curtain
fabrics shall have a minimum weight of 1.3 kg/sq m2 (2 3/8 lb/yd2).
(b) Tensile Strength Requirements. Curtain fabric shall have
minimum tensile strength requirements of 400 lbf/in. (540 N/m) in
both the warp and fill directions.
(c) Wire-Insertion Reinforcement Requirements. The fabric shall
be reinforced with noncorrosive wire intertwined with the base fiber
at a minimum rate of one wire per yarn. Wire shall not be required
and fabric weight shall be permitted to be less than 23/8 lb/yd2 (1.3
kg/m2) if it can be substantiated by approved tests that it is equivalent
in strength and durability.
(d) Fire Test. A sample curtain with a minimum of two vertical
seams shall be subjected to the standard fire test specified in NFPA
251, Standard Methods of Tests of Fire Endurance of Building Construction
and Materials, as applicable to nonbearing walls and partitions for a
period of 30 min. The curtain shall overlap the furnace edges by an
amount that is appropriate to seal the top and sides. It shall have a
bottom pocket containing a minimum 4 lb/linear ft (5 kg/m) of
batten. The unexposed surface of the curtain shall not glow, and
neither flame nor smoke shall penetrate the curtain during the test
period. Unexposed surface temperature and hose stream test
requirements shall not be applicable to this proscenium fire safety
curtain test.
(e) Smoke Test. Curtain fabrics shall have a smoke density of not
greater than 25 where tested in accordance with NFPA 255, Standard
Method of Test of Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials. The
curtain fabric shall be tested in the condition in which it is to be used.
The complete installation of every proscenium curtain shall be
subjected to operating tests, and any theater in which a proscenium
curtain is placed shall not be open to public performance until after
the proscenium curtain has been accepted and approved by the
authority having jurisdiction. The curtain shall be kept in the
normally closed position when each day's performances are
completed. The curtain shall be automatic-closing without the use of
applied power. The curtain also shall be capable of manual operation.
15.4.5.8 Gridiron, Fly Galleries, and Pinrails. Structural framing
designed only for the attachment of portable or fixed theater
equipment, gridirons, galleries, and catwalks shall be constructed of
materials consistent with the building type of construction, and a fire
resistance rating shall not be required.
Exception: Combustible materials shall be permitted for use as the floors of
galleries and catwalks of all types of construction.
15.4.5.9 Catwalks. The minimum clear width of lighting and access
catwalks and the means of egress from galleries and gridirons shall be
22 in. (56 cm).
15.4.5.10 Fire Protection. Every stage shall be protected by an
approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system installed in
compliance with Section 11.3. The protection shall be provided
throughout the stage and in storerooms, workshops, permanent
dressing rooms, and other accessory spaces contiguous to such stages.
Exception No. 1: Sprinklers shall not be required for stages 1000 ft2 (93 m2) or
less in area and 50 ft (15 m) or less in height where curtains, scenery, or other
combustible hangings are not retractable vertically. Combustible hangings shall
be limited to a single main curtain, borders, legs, and a single backdrop.
Exception No. 2: Sprinklers shall not be required under stage areas less than 4
ft (1.2 m) in clear height used exclusively for chair or table storage and lined
on the inside with 5/13-in. (1.6-cm) Type X gypsum wallboard or the approved
equivalent.
15.4.5.11 Flame-Retardant Requirements. Combustible scenery of
cloth, film, vegetation (dry), and similar effects shall meet the
requirements of NFPA 701, Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Flame-
Resistant Textiles and Films. Foamed plastics shall be permitted to be
used only by specific approval of the authority having jurisdiction.
Scenery and stage properties not separated from the audience by
proscenium opening protection shall be of either noncombustible or
limited-combustible materials.
373
In theaters, motion picture theaters, and television stage settings,
with or without horizontal projections, and simulated caves and
caverns of foamed plastic, any single fuel package shall have a
maximum heat release rate of 100 kW where tested in accordance
with UL 1975, Standard for Fire Tests for Foamed Plastics Used for Decorative
Purposes.
15.4.5.12* Standpipes. Regular stages over 1000 ft2 (93 m2) in area
and all legitimate stages shall be equipped with 1 1/2-in. (38-mm)
hose lines for first aid fire fighting at each side of the stage. Hose
connections shall be in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the
Installation of Sprinkler Systems, unless Class II or Class III standpipes in
accordance with NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipe,
Private Hydrants, and Hose Systems, are used.
15.4.6 Projection Rooms.
15.4.6.1 Projection rooms shall comply with 15.4.6.2 through 15.4.6.8.
Where cellulose nitrate film is used, the projection room shall comply
with NFPA 40, Standard for the Storage and Handling of Cellulose Nitrate
Motion Picture Film.
15.4.6.2 Film or video projectors or spotlights utilizing light sources
that produce particulate matter or toxic gases or light sources that
produce hazardous radiation without protective shielding shall be
located within a projection room complying with 15.3.2.1.3.
15.4.6.3 Every projection room shall be of permanent construction
consistent with the construction requirements for the type of building
in which the projection room is located. Openings shall not be
required to be protected. The room shall have a floor area of not less
than 80 sq ft (7.4 m2) for a single machine and not less than 40 sq ft
(3.7 m2) for each additional machine. Each motion picture projector,
floodlight, spotlight, or similar piece of equipment shall have a clear
working space of not less than 30 in. (76 cm) on each side and at its
rear, but only one such space shall be required between adjacent
projectors.
The projection room and the rooms appurtenant to it shall have a
ceiling height of not less than 7 ft 6 in. (2.3 m).
15.4.6.4 Each projection room shall have at least one out-swinging,
self-closing door not less than 30 in. (76 cm) wide and 6 ft 8 in. (2 m)
high.
15.4.6.5 The aggregate of ports and openings for projection
equipment shall not exceed 25 percent of the area of the wall between
the projection room and the auditorium. All openings shall be
provided with glass or other approved material so as to completely
close the opening.
15.4.6.6 Projection room ventilation shall not be less than the
following:
(a) Supply Air. Each projection room shall be provided with
adequate air supply inlets arranged to provide well-distributed air
throughout the room. Air inlet ducts shall provide an amount of air
equivalent to the amount of air being exhausted by projection
equipment. Air shall be permitted to be taken from the outside; from
adjacent spaces within the building, provided the volume and
infiltration rate is sufficient; or from the building air conditioning
system, provided it is arranged to supply sufficient air whether or not
other systems are in operation.
(b) Exhaust Air. Projection booths shall be permitted to be
exhausted through the lamp exhaust system. The lamp exhaust system
shall be positively interconnected with the lamp so that the lamp will
not operate unless there is sufficient airflow required for the lamp.
Exhaust air ducts shall terminate at the exterior of the building in
such a location that the exhaust air cannot be readily recirculated into
any air supply system. The projection room ventilation system shall be
permitted to also serve appurtenant rooms, such as the generator
room and the rewind room.
15.4.6.7 Each projection machine shall be provided with an exhaust
duct that will draw air from each lamp and exhaust it directly to the
outside of the building. The lamp exhaust shall be permitted to
exhaust air from the projection room to provide room air circulation.
Such ducts shall be of rigid materials, except for a flexible connector
approved for the purpose. The projection lamp and projection room
exhaust systems shall be permitted to be combined but shall not be
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

interconnected with any other exhaust or return air system within the 15.4.8.2.3 Seats and footrests of grandstands shall be supported
buildings. securely and fastened in such a manner that they cannot be displaced
(a) Electric Arc Projection Equipment. The exhaust capacity shall inadvertently.
be 200 cfm (0.09 m3/s) for each lamp connected to the lamp exhaust 15.4.8.2.4 Individual seats or chairs shall be permitted only if secured
system, or as recommended by the equipment manufacturer. in rows in an approved manner, unless seats do not exceed 16 in
Auxiliary air shall be permitted to be introduced into the system number and are located on level floors and within railed-in
through a screened opening to stabilize the arc. enclosures, such as boxes.
(b) Xenon Projection Equipment. The lamp exhaust system shall 15.4.8.2.5 The maximum number of seats permitted between the
exhaust not less than 300 cfm (0.14 m3/s) per lamp, or not less than furthest seat in an aisle in grandstands and bleachers shall not exceed
that exhaust volume required or recommended by the equipment that shown in Table 15.4.8.2.5.
manufacturer, whichever is greater.
15.4.6.8 Miscellaneous equipment and storage shall be protected as Table 15.4.8.2.5 Maximum Number of Seats Permitted
follows: Between Furthest Seat and an Aisle
(a) Each projection room shall be provided with rewind and film Application Outdoors Indoors
storage facilities. Grandstands 11 6
(b) A maximum of four containers for flammable liquids of not Bleachers 20 9
greater than 16 oz (0.5 L) capacity and of a nonbreakable type shall (see 15.2.5.6.1 Exception No. 1)
be permitted in each projection booth.
(c) Appurtenant electrical equipment, such as rheostats,
15.4.8.3 Special Requirements – Wood Grandstands.
transformers, and generators, shall be permitted to be located within
15.4.8.3.1 An outdoor wood grandstand shall be erected within not
the booth or in a separate room of equivalent construction.
less than two thirds of its height and, in no case, within not less than
15.4.7* Special Amusement Buildings.
10 ft (3 m) of a building.
15.4.7.1 Special amusement buildings, regardless of occupant load,
Exception No. 1: The distance requirement shall not apply for buildings of not
shall meet the requirements for assembly occupancies in addition to
less than 1-hour fire resistance-rated construction with openings protected
the requirements of this subsection.
against the fire exposure hazard created by the grandstand.
Exception: A building in which the multilevel play structures are not more than
Exception No. 2: The distance requirement shall not apply where a wall of not
10 ft (3 m) in height and have aggregate horizontal projections not more than
less than 1-hour fire resistance-rated construction separates such a grandstand
160 ft2 (14.9 m2).
from the building.
15.4.7.2* Every special amusement building shall be protected
15.4.8.3.2 An outdoor wood grandstand unit shall not exceed 10,000
throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system
ft2 (929 m2) in ground area or 200 ft (61 m) in length. Grandstand
installed and maintained in accordance with Section 11.3. Where the
units of the maximum size shall be placed not less than 20 ft (6.1 m)
special amusement building is movable or portable, sprinkler water
apart or shall be separated by walls of 1-hour fire resistance rating.
supply shall be permitted to be by an approved temporary means.
The number of such units erected in any one group shall not exceed
Exception: Buildings or structures not more than 10 ft (3 m) in height and not
three. Each group shall be separated form any other group by a wall
more than 160 ft2 (14.9 m2) in horizontal projection.
of 2-hour fire resistance-rated construction extending 2 ft (0.6 m)
15.4.7.3 Where the nature of the special amusement building is such
above the seat platforms or by an open space of not less than 50 ft
that it operates in reduced lighting levels, the building shall be
(15.2 m).
protected throughout by an approved, automatic smoke detection
Exception: Where entirely constructed of labeled fire-retardant-treated wood that
system in accordance with Section 11.2. Actuation of any smoke
has passed the standard rain test, ASTM D 2898, Test Method for Accelerated
detection system device shall sound an alarm at a constantly attended
Weathering of Fire-Retardant-Treated Wood for Fire Testing, or where
location on the premises. Actuation of the automatic sprinkler system,
constructed of members conforming to dimensions for heavy timber construction
or any other suppression system, or actuation of a smoke detection
(Type IV (2HH)), the ground area or length shall be permitted to be doubled.
system having an approved verification or cross zoning operation
15.4.8.3.3 The highest level of seat platforms above the ground or the
capability shall:
surface at the front of the grandstand for any wood grandstand shall
(a) Cause illumination in the means of egress to increase to that
not exceed 20 ft (6.1 m). For portable grandstands within tents or
required by Section 12.8, and
membrane structures, the highest level shall not exceed 12 ft (3.7 m).
(b) Stop any conflicting or confusing sounds and visuals.
Exception: Where entirely constructed of labeled fire-retardant-treated wood that
15.4.7.4 Exit Marking.
has passed the standard rain test, ASTM D 2898, Test Method for Accelerated
15.4.7.4.1 Exit marking shall be in accordance with Section 12.10.
Weathering of Fire-Retardant-Treated Wood for Fire Testing, or where
15.4.7.4.2 Exit marking in mobile special amusement buildings shall
constructed of members conforming to dimensions for heavy timber construction
be of the luminescent, self-luminous, or electroluminescent type.
(Type IV (2HH)), the ground area or length shall be permitted to be doubled.
15.4.7.4.3* Floor proximity exit signs shall be provided in accordance
15.4.8.4 Special Requirements – Portable Grandstands.
with 12.10.1.5.
15.4.8.4.1 Portable grandstands shall conform to the requirements of
15.4.7.4.4 In special amusement buildings where mazes, mirrors, or
15.4.8 for grandstands and the requirements of 15.4.8.4.2 and
other designs are used to confound the egress path, approved
15.4.8.4.3.
directional exit marking that will become apparent in an emergency
15.4.8.4.2 Portable grandstands shall be self-contained and shall have
shall be provided.
within them all necessary parts to withstand and restrain all forces that
15.4.7.5 Interior Finish. Interior finish shall be Class A throughout in
might be developed during human occupancy. They shall be designed
accordance with Chapter 10.
and manufactured so that if any structural members essential to the
15.4.8 Grandstands.
strength and stability of the structure have been omitted during
15.4.8.1 General. Grandstands shall comply with the provisions of this
erection, the presence of unused connection fittings shall make the
chapter as modified by 15.4.8.
omissions self-evident. The construction shall be skillfully
15.4.8.2 Seating.
accomplished to produce the strength required by the design.
15.4.8.2.1 Where grandstand seating without backs is used indoors,
15.4.8.4.3 Portable grandstands shall be provided with base plates,
rows of seats shall be spaced not less than 22 in. (55.9 cm) back –to-
sills, floor runners, or sleepers of such area that the permitted bearing
back.
capacity of the supporting material is not exceeded. Where portable
15.4.8.2.2 The depth of footboards and seat boards in grandstands
grandstands rest directly on a base of such character that it is
shall be not less than 9 in. (22.9 cm). Where the same level is not used
incapable of supporting the load without appreciable settlement, mud
for both seat foundations and footrests, footrests independent of seats
sills of suitable material, having sufficient area to prevent undue or
shall be provided.

374
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
dangerous settlement, shall be installed under base plates, runners, or
sleepers. All bearing surfaces shall be in contact with each other.
15.4.8.5 Spaces Underneath Grandstands. Spaces underneath a
grandstand shall be kept free of flammable or combustible materials,
unless protected by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with Section 11.3.
Exception No. 1: This requirement shall not apply to accessory uses of 300 ft2
(28 m2) or less in area where of noncombustible or fire-resistive construction,
such as ticket booths, toilet facilities, or concession booths, in otherwise
nonsprinklered facilities.
Exception No 2: This requirement shall not apply to rooms enclosed in not less
than 1-hour fire resistance-rated construction that are less than 1000 ft2 (93
m2) in area in otherwise nonsprinklered facilities.
15.4.8.6 Guards and Railings.
15.4.8.6.1 Railings or guards not less than 42 in. (107 cm) above the
aisle surface or footrest or 36 in. (91 cm) vertically above the center of
the seat or seat board surface, whichever is adjacent, shall be provided
along those portions of the backs and ends of all grandstands and
folding and telescopic seating where the seats are more than 4 ft (1.2
m) above the floor or ground.
Exception: Where an adjacent wall or fence affords equivalent safeguard.
15.4.8.6.2 Where the front footrest of any grandstand or folding or
telescopic seating is more than 2 ft (0.6 m) above the floor, railings or
guards not less than 33 in. (84 cm) above such footrests shall be
provided.
Exception: In grandstands, or where the front row of seats includes backrests,
the rails shall be not less than 26 in. (66 cm) high.
15.4.8.6.3 Cross aisles located within the seating area shall be
provided with rails not less than 26 in. (66 cm) high along the front
edge of the cross aisle.
Exception: Where the backs of the seats in front of the cross aisle project 24 in.
(61 cm) or more above the surface of the cross aisle, the rail shall not be
required.
15.4.8.6.4 Vertical openings between guardrails and footboards or
seat boards shall be provided with intermediate construction so that a
4-in. (10.2-cm) diameter sphere cannot pass through the opening.
15.4.8.6.5 An opening between the seat board and footboard located
more than 30 in. (76 cm) above grade shall be provided with
intermediate construction so that a 4-in. (10.2-cm) diameter sphere
cannot pass through the opening.
15.4.9 Folding and Telescopic Seating.
15.4.9.1 General. Folding and telescopic seating shall comply with the
provisions of this chapter as modified by 15.4.9.
15.4.9.2 Seating.
15.4.9.2.1 The horizontal distance of seats, measured back-to-back,
shall be not less than 22 in. (55.9 cm) for seats without backs. There
shall be a space of not less than 12 in. (30.5 cm) between the back of
each seat and the front of each seat immediately behind it. If seats are
of the chair type, the 12-in. (30.5-cm) dimension shall be measured to
the front edge of the rear seat in its normal unoccupied position. All
measurements shall be taken between plumb lines.
15.4.9.2.2 The depth of footboards (footrests) and seat boards in
folding and telescopic seating shall be not less than 9 in. (22.9 cm).
Where the same level is not used for both seat foundations and
footrests, footrests independent of seats shall be provided.
15.4.9.2.3 Individual chair-type seats shall be permitted in folding and
telescopic seating only if firmly secured in groups of not less than
three.
15.4.9.2.4 The maximum number of seats permitted between the
furthest seat in an aisle in folding and telescopic seating shall not
exceed that shown in Table 15.4.8.2.5.
15.4.9.3 Guards and Railings.
15.4.9.3.1 Railings or guards not less than 42 in. (107 cm) above the
aisle surface or footrest or not less than 36 in. (91 cm) vertically above
the center of the seat or seat board surface, whichever is adjacent,
shall be provided along those portions of the backs and ends of all
folding and telescopic seating where the seats are more than 4 ft (1.2
m) above the floor or ground.
Exception: This requirement shall not apply where an adjacent wall or fence
affords equivalent safeguard.
375
15.4.9.3.2 Where the front footrest of folding or telescopic seating is
more than 2 ft (0.6 m) above the floor, railings or guards not less than
33 in. (84 cm) above such footrests shall be provided.
Exception: Where the front row of seats includes backrests, the rails shall be not
less than 26 in. (66 cm) high.
15.4.9.3.3 Cross aisles located within the seating area shall be
provided with rails not less than 26 in. (66 cm) high along the front
edge of the cross aisle.
Exception: Where the backs of the seats in front of the cross aisle project 24 in.
(61 cm) or more above the surface of the cross aisle, the rail shall not be
required.
15.4.9.3.4 Vertical openings between guardrails and footboards or
seat boards shall be provided with intermediate construction so that a
4-in. (10.2-cm) diameter sphere cannot pass through the opening.
15.4.9.3.5 An opening between the seat board and footboard located
more than 30 in. (76 cm) above grade shall be provided with
intermediate construction so that a 4-in. (10.2-cm) diameter sphere
cannot pass through the opening.
15.5 Building Services.
15.5.1 Utilities. Utilities shall comply with the provisions of Chapter
49.
15.5.2 Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning Equipment.
Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning equipment shall comply
with the provisions of Chapter 49.
15.5.3 Elevators, Escalators, and Conveyors. Elevators, escalators, and
conveyors shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 51.
15.5.4 Rubbish Chutes, Incinerators, and Laundry Chutes. Rubbish
chutes, incinerators, and laundry chutes shall comply with the
provisions of Section 9.6.
15.6 Reserved.
15.7 Flood Resistance. Buildings or structures used for assembly
occupancies, and located wholly or partly within the flood hazard area
established by Section 100.3.2, shall comply with the provisions of
Chapter 100.
CHAPTER 15 ANNEX
A.15.1.2.2 Exception Example An assembly room for the inmates of a
detention occupancy will not normally be subject to simultaneous
occupancy.
A.15.1.3 Assembly occupancy requirements should be determined on
a room-by-room basis, a floor-by-floor basis, and a total building basis.
The requirements for each room should be based on the occupant
load of that room and the requirements for each floor should be
based on the occupant load of that floor, but the requirements for the
assembly building overall should be based on the total occupant load.
Therefore, it is quite feasible to have several assembly occupancies
with occupant loads of 300 or less grouped together in a single
building. Such a building would be an assembly occupancy with an
occupant load of over 1000.
A.15.1.6 The increase in occupant load above that calculated using
occupant load factors from Table 12.3.1.2 is permitted if the
provisions of 15.1.6 are followed. The owner or operator has the right
to submit plans and to be permitted an increase in occupant load if
the plans comply with the Code. The authority having jurisdiction is
permitted to reject the plan for increase in occupant load if the plan
is unrealistic, inaccurate, or otherwise does not properly reflect
compliance with other Code requirements. It is not the intent of the
provisions of 15.1.6 to prohibit an increase in occupant load solely on
the basis of exceeding the limits calculated using occupant load
factors from Table 12.3.1.2.
To assist in preventing serious overcrowding incidents in sports
arenas, stadia, and similar occupancies, spectator standing room
should not be permitted between the seating areas and the playing
areas, except in horse race and dog track facilities.
Where a capacity or near-capacity audience is anticipated, all seating
should be assigned with tickets showing the section, row, and seat
number.
Where standing room is permitted, the capacity of the standing area
should meet the following criteria:
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(1) It should be determined on the basis of 5 ft2 (0.46 m2) per
person.
(2) It should have its capacity added to the seating capacity in
determining egress requirements.
(3) It should be located to the rear of the seating area.
(4) It should be assigned standing-room-only tickets according to the
area designated for the purpose.
The number of tickets sold or otherwise distributed should not
exceed the aggregate number of seats plus the approved standing
room numbers.
A.15.2.2.3.1 Exception No. 1 The seating plan and the means of
egress should be reviewed each time the seating is substantially
rearranged.
A.15.2.4 It is not the intent to require four means of egress from each
level of an assembly occupancy building having a total occupant load
of more than 1000 where, individually, the floors have occupant loads
of less than 1000.
A.15.2.5.4.2 This requirement and the associated requirement of
15.2.5.4.3 have the effect of prohibiting festival seating unless it truly
is a form of seating, such as lawn seating, where generous spaces are
commonly maintained between individuals and small groups so that
people can circulate freely at any time. Such lawn seating will be
characterized by densities of about one person per 15 ft2 (1.4 m2).
Both requirements prohibit uncontrolled crowd situations, such as in
front of stages at rock music concerts where the number and density
of people is uncontrolled by architectural or management features.
A.15.2.5.4.3 This requirement is intended to facilitate rapid
emergency access to individuals who are experiencing a medical
emergency, especially in the case of cardiopulmonary difficulties,
where there is a need for rapid medical attention from trained
personnel. The requirement also addresses the need for security and
law enforcement personnel to reach individuals whose behavior is
endangering themselves and others.
A.15.2.5.4.4 The catchment area served by an aisle accessway or aisle
is the portion of the total space that is naturally served by the aisle
accessway or aisle. Hence, the requirement for combining the
required capacity where paths converge is, in effect, a restatement of
the idea of a catchment area. The establishment of catchment areas
should be based on a balanced use of all means of egress, with the
number of persons in proportion to egress capacity.
A.15.2.5.5 For purposes of the means of egress requirements of this
Code, tablet-arm chair seating is not considered seating at tables.
Dinner theater-style configurations are required to comply with the
aisle accessway provisions applying to seating at tables and the aisle
requirements of 15.2.5.6, if the aisles contain steps or are ramped.
Generally, if aisles contain steps or are ramped, all of this Code’s
requirements for aisles, stairs, and ramps are required to be met.
A.15.2.5.5.1 Seats having reclining backs are assumed to be in their
most upright position when unoccupied.
A.15.2.5.5.3 The system known as continental seating has one pair of
egress doors provided for every five rows that is located close to the
ends of the rows. In previous editions of the Life Safety Code, such
egress doors were required to provide a clear width of not less than 66
in. (168 cm) discharging into a foyer, into a lobby, or to the exterior
of the building. This continental seating arrangement can result in
egress flow times (that is, with nominal flow times of approximately
100 seconds, rather than 200 seconds) that are approximately one-
half as long as those resulting where side aisles lead to more remote
doors. Such superior egress flow time performance is desirable in
some situations; however, special attention should be given either to a
comparably good egress capacity for other parts of the egress system
or to sufficient space to accommodate queuing outside the seating
space.
A.15.2.5.6.3 It is the intent to permit handrails to project not more
than 3½ in. (8.9 cm) into the clear width of aisles required by
15.2.5.6.3.
A.15.2.5.6.4 Technical information about the convenience and safety
of ramps and stairs having gradients in the region of 1 in 8 clearly
suggests that the goal should be slopes for ramps that are less steep
376
and combinations of stair risers and treads that are, for example,
superior to 4-in. (10.2-cm) risers and 32-in. (81-cm) treads. This goal
should be kept in mind by designers in establishing the gradient of
seating areas to be served by aisles.
A.15.2.5.6.5(b) Tread depth is more important to stair safety than is
riser height. Therefore, in cases where the seating area gradient is less
than 5 in 11, it is recommended that the tread dimension be
increased beyond 11 in. (27.9 cm) rather than reducing the riser
height. Where the seating area gradient exceeds 8 in 11, it is
recommended that the riser height be increased while maintaining a
tread depth of not less than 11 in. (27.9 cm).
A.15.2.5.6.7 Failure to provide a handrail within a 30-in. (76-cm)
horizontal distance of all required portions of the aisle stair width
means that the egress capacity calculation is required to be modified
as specified by 15.2.3.2(b). This modification might lead to an
increase in the aisle width. Although this increase will compensate for
reduced egress efficiency, it does not help individuals walking on such
portions of stairs to recover from missteps other than by possibly
reducing marginally the crowding that might exacerbate the problem
of falls.
A.15.2.5.6.8 Certain tread cover materials such as plush carpets,
which are often used in theaters, produce an inherently well-marked
tread nosing under most lighting conditions. On the other hand,
concrete treads have nosings with a sharp edge and, especially under
outdoor lighting conditions, are difficult to discriminate. Therefore,
concrete trends require an applied marking stripe. The slip resistance
of such marking stripes should be similar to the rest of the treads, and
no tripping hazard should be created; luminescent, self-luminous, and
electroluminescent tread markings have the advantage of being
apparent in reduced light or in the absence of light.
A.15.2.5.7 For purposes of the means of egress requirements of this
Code, seating at counters or at other furnishings is considered to be
the same as seating at tables.
A.15.2.5.7.1 Exception Effectively, where the aisle accessway is
bounded by movable seating, the 12-in. (30.5-cm) minimum width
might be increased by about 15 in. to 30 in. (38 cm to 76 cm) as
seating is pushed in toward tables. Moreover, it is such movement of
chairs during normal and emergency egress situations that makes the
zero-clearance exception workable. The exception also applies to
booth seating where people sitting closest to the aisle normally move
out ahead of people farthest from the aisle.
A.15.2.5.7.2 See A.15.2.5.8.3.
A.15.2.5.7.3 The minimum width requirement as a function of
accessway length is as follows:
(1) 0 in. (0 cm) for the first 6 ft (1.8 m) of length toward the exit
(2) 12 in. (30.5 cm) for the next 6 ft (1.8 m), that is, up to 12 ft (3.7
m) of length
(3) 12 in. to 24 in. (30.5 cm to 61 cm) for lengths from 12 ft to 36 ft
(3.7 m to 10.9 m), the maximum length to the closest aisle or egress
doorway permitted by 15.2.5.7.4
Any additional width needed for seating is to be added to these
widths, as described in 15.2.5.8.3.
A.15.2.5.8.1 See 12.1.7 and A.12.1.7.2 for special circulation safety
precautions applicable where small elevation differences occur.
A.15.2.5.8.2 It is important to make facilities accessible to people
using wheelchairs. See CABO/ANSI A117.1, American National
Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities, which provides
guidance on appropriate aisle widths.
A.15.2.5.8.3 Figure A.15.2.5.8.3 shows typical measurements involving
seating and tables abutting an aisle. For purposes of the means of
egress requirements of this Code, seating at counters or other
furnishings is considered to be the same as seating at tables.
Figure A.15.2.5.8.3 Seating at tables abutting an aisle.
(as shown in draft at the end of this report)
A.15.2.11.1.1 This requirement includes provisions of guards and
rails at the front of boxes, galleries, and balconies, and at aisle
accessways adjacent to vomitories and orchestra pits.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
A.15.3.1 Exception No. 1 The exception presumes the balcony or
mezzanine complies with the other provisions of the Code, such as
travel distance to exits in accordance with 15.2.6 and numbers of exits
in accordance with 15.2.4. For the purposes of this exception, a
balcony with glazing that provides a visual awareness of the main
assembly area is considered open.
A.15.3.4.2.2 The intent is to require detectors only in nonsprinklered
hazardous areas that are unoccupied. When the building is occupied,
the detectors in the unoccupied, unsprinklered hazardous areas will
initiate occupant notification. If the building is unoccupied, the fire
in the nonsprinklered hazardous area is not a life safety issue, and the
detectors, upon activation, are not required to notify anyone. The
signal from a detector is permitted to be sent to a control panel in an
area that is occupied when the building is occupied, but that is
unoccupied when the building is unoccupied, without the need for
central station monitoring or the equivalent.
A.15.3.5.1 Exception No. 2 It is the intent to permit a single
multipurpose room of less than 12,000 ft2 (1100 m2) to have certain
small rooms as part of the single room. These rooms could be a
kitchen, office, equipment room, and the like. It is also the intent that
an addition could be made to an existing building without requiring
that the existing building be sprinklered, where both the new and
existing buildings have independent means of egress and a fire-rated
separation is provided to isolate one building from the other.
A school gymnasium with egress independent of, and separated from,
the school would be included in this exception, as would a function
hall attached to a church with a similar egress arrangement.
A.15.4.1.1 Life safety evaluations are examples of performance-based
approaches to life safety. In this respect, significant guidance in the
form and process of life safety evaluations is provided by Chapter 5,
keeping in mind the firesafety emphasis in Chapter 5. The general
approach to performance criteria, scenarios, evaluation, safety factors,
documentation, maintenance, and periodic assessment (including a
warrant of fitness) all apply to the broader considerations in a life
safety evaluation. A life safety evaluation deals not only with fire but
also with fire, storm, collapse, crowd behavior, and other related safety
considerations for which a checklist is provided in A.15.4.1.3. Chapter
5 provides guidance, based on fire safety requirements, for
establishing a documented case showing that products of combustion
in all conceivable fire scenarios will not significantly endanger
occupants using means of egress in the facility (for example, because
of fire detection, automatic suppression, smoke control, large-volume
space, or management procedures). Moreover, means of egress
facilities plus facility management capabilities should be adequate to
cope with scenarios where certain egress routes are blocked for some
reason.
In addition to making realistic assumptions about the capabilities of
persons in the facility (for example, an assembled crowd including
many disabled persons or persons unfamiliar with the facility), the life
safety evaluation should include a factor of safety of not less than 2.0
in all calculations relating to hazard development time and required
egress time (the combination of flow time and other time needed to
detect and assess an emergency condition, initiate egress, and move
along the egress routes). The factor of safety takes into account the
possibility that half of the egress routes might not be used (or be
usable) in certain situations.
Regarding crowd behavior, the potential hazards created by larger
masses of people and greater crowd densities (which can be
problematic during ingress, occupancy, and egress) demand that
technology be used by designers, managers, and authorities
responsible for buildings to compensate for the relaxed egress
capacity provisions of Table 15.4.2.3. In very large buildings for
assembly use, the hazard of crowd crushes can exceed that of fire or
structural failure. Therefore, the building designers, managers, event
planners, security personnel, police authorities, and fire authorities,
as well as the building construction authorities, should understand
the potential problems and solutions, including coordination of their
activities. For crowd behavior, this understanding includes factors of
space, energy, time, and information, as well as specific crowd
management techniques such as metering. Published guidance on
377
these factors and techniques is found in the SFPE Handbook of Fire
Protection Engineering, Section 3, Chapter 13, pp. 3-263-3-285 (Pauls, J.,
“Movement of People”), and the publications referenced therein.
Tables 15.2.3.2 and 15.4.2.3 are based on a linear relationship
between number of seats and nominal flow time, with not less than
200 seconds (3.3 minutes) for 2000 seats plus 1 second for every
additional 50 seats up to 25,000. Beyond 25,000 total seats, the
nominal flow time is limited to 660 seconds (11 minutes). Nominal
flow time refers to the flow time for the most able group of patrons;
some groups less familiar with the premises or less able groups might
take longer to pass a point in the egress system. Although three or
more digits are noted in the tables, the resulting calculations should
be assumed to provide only two significant figures of precision.
A.15.4.1.3 Factors to be considered in a Life Safety Evaluation
include the following.
(a) Nature of the Events Being Accommodated
(1) Ingress, intra-event movement, and egress patterns
(2) Ticketing and seating policies/practices
(3) Event purpose (e.g., sports contest, religious meeting)
(4) Emotional qualities (e.g., competitiveness) of event
(5) Time of day when event held
(6) Time duration of single event
(7) Time duration of attendees’ occupancy of the building
(b) Occupant Characteristics and Behavior
(1) Homogeneity
(2) Cohesiveness
(3) Familiarity with building
(4) Familiarity with similar events
(5) Capability (as influenced by factors such as age, physical
abilities)
(6) Socioeconomic factors
(7) Small minority involved with recreational violence
(8) Emotional involvement with the event and other occupants
(9) Use of alcohol or drugs
(10) Food consumption
(11) Washroom utilization
(c) Management
(1) Clear, contractual arrangements for facility operation/use
as follows:
a. Between facility owner and operator
b. Between facility operator and event promoter
c. Between event promoter and performer
d. Between event promoter and attendee
e. With police forces
f. With private security services
g. With ushering services
(2) Experience with the building
(3) Experience with similar events and attendees
(4) Thorough, up-to-date operations manual
(5) Training of personnel
(6) Supervision of personnel
(7) Communications systems and utilization
(8) Ratios of management and other personnel to attendees
(9) Location/distribution of personnel
(10) Central command location
(11) Rapport between personnel and attendees
(12) Personnel supportive of attendee goals
(13) Attendees respect for personnel due to the following:
a. Dress (uniform) standards
b. Age and perceived experience
c. Personnel behavior, including interaction
d. Distinction between crowd management and control
e. Management’s concern for facility quality (e.g.,
cleanliness)
f. Management’s concern for entire event experience of
attendees (i.e., not just during the occupancy of the building)
(d) Emergency Management Preparedness
(1) Complete range of emergencies addressed in operations
manual
(2) Power loss
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

(3) Fire A scenario-based approach to performance-based fire safety is

(4) Severe weather addressed in Chapter 5. In addition to using such scenarios and, more
(5) Earthquake generally, the attention to performance criteria, evaluation, safety
(6) Crowd incident factors, documentation, maintenance, and periodic assessment
(7) Terrorism required when the Chapter 5 option is used, life safety evaluations
(8) Hazardous materials should consider scenarios based on characteristics important in
(9) Transportation accident (e.g., road, rail, air) assembly occupancies. These characteristics include the following:
(10) Communications systems available (1) Whether there is a local or mass awareness of an incident, event,
(11) Personnel and emergency forces ready to respond or condition that might provoke egress
(12) Attendees clearly informed of situation and proper (2) Whether the incident, event, or condition stays localized or
behavior spreads
(e) Building Systems (3) Whether or not egress is designed by facility occupants
(1) Structural soundness (4) Whether there is a localized start to any egress or mass start to
(2) Normal static loads egress
(3) Abnormal static loads (e.g., crowds, precipitation) (5) Whether exits are available or not available
(4) Dynamic loads (e.g., crowd sway, impact, explosion, wind, Examples of scenarios and sets of characteristics that might occur in
earthquake) a facility include the following.
(5) Stability of nonstructural components (e.g., lighting) (a) Scenario 1. Characteristics: Mass start, egress desired (by
(6) Stability of movable (e.g., telescoping) structures management and attendees), exits not available, local awareness.
(7) Fire protection Normal egress at the end of an event occurs just as a severe weather
(8) Fire prevention (e.g., maintenance, contents, condition induces evacuees at the exterior doors to retard or stop
housekeeping) their egress. The backup that occurs in the egress system is not known
(9) Compartmentation to most evacuees, who continue to press forward (potentially resulting
(10) Automatic detection and suppression of fire in a crowd crush).
(11) Smoke control (b) Scenario 2. Characteristics: Mass start, egress not desired (by
(12) Alarm and communications systems management), exits possibly not available, mass awareness.
(13) Fire department access routes and response capability An earthquake occurs during an event. The attendees are relatively
(14) Structural integrity safe in the seating area. The means of egress outside the seating areas
(15) Weather protection are relatively unsafe and vulnerable to aftershock damage. Facility
(16) Wind management discourages mass egress until the means of egress can be
(17) Precipitation (attendees rush for shelter or hold up egress checked and cleared for use.
of others) (c) Scenario 3. Characteristics: Local start, incident stays local, egress
(18) Lightning desired (by attendees and management), exits available, mass awareness.
(19) Circulation systems A localized civil disturbance (for example, firearms violence)
(20) Flowline or network analysis provokes localized egress, which is seen by attendees, generally, who
(21) Waywinding and orientation then decide to leave also.
(22) Merging of paths (e.g., precedence behavior) (d) Scenario 4. Characteristics: Mass start, egress desired, incident spreads,
(23) Decision/branching points exits not available, mass awareness.
(24) Route redundancies In an open-air facility unprotected from wind, precipitation, and
(25) Counterflow, crossflow, and queuing situations lightning, sudden severe weather prompts egress to shelter but not
(26) Control possibilities, including metering from the facility. The means of egress congest and block quickly as
(27) Flow capacity adequacy people in front stop once they are under shelter while people behind
(28) System balance them continue to press forward (potentially resulting in a crowd
(29) Movement time performance crush).
(30) Flow times These scenarios illustrate some of the broader factors to be taken into
(31) Travel times account when assessing the capability of both building systems and
(32) Queuing times management features on which reliance is placed in a range of
(33) Route quality situations, not just fire emergencies. Some scenarios also illustrate the
(34) Walking surfaces (e.g., traction, discontinuities) conflicting motivations of management and attendees based on
(35) Appropriate widths and boundary conditions differing perceptions of danger and differing knowledge of hazards,
(36) Handrails, guardrails, and other rails countermeasures, and capabilities. Mass egress might not be the most
(37) Ramp slopes appropriate life safety strategy in some scenarios, such as Scenario 2.
(38) Step geometries Table A.15.4.1.3 summarizes the characteristics in the scenarios and
(39) Perceptual aspects (e.g., orientation, signage, marking, provides a framework for developing other characteristics and
lighting, glare, distractions) scenarios that might be important for a particular facility, hazard,
(40) Route choices, especially for vertical travel occupant type, event, or management.
(41) Resting/waiting areas
(42) Levels of service (overall crowd movement quality)
(43) Services
(44) Washroom provision and distribution
(45) Concessions
(46) First aid and EMS facilities
(47) General attendee services

378
 Table A.15.4.1.3 Life Safety Evaluation Scenario Characteristics Matrix
Management Occupants
Scenario Local Mass Incident Incident Egress Egress Not Egress Egress Not Local Start Mass Start Exits Exits Not Other
Awareness Awareness Localized Spreads Desired Desired Desired Desired Available Available
1 X X X X X
2 X X X X
3 X X X X X
4 X X X X X
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
A.15.4.2 Outdoor facilities are not accepted as inherently smoke-
protected but must meet the requirements of smoke-protected
assembly seating in order to utilize the special requirements for
means of egress.
A.15.4.2.1 Exception No. 2 to (a) The engineering analysis should be
part of the life safety evaluation required by 15.4.1.
A.15.4.5.12 Prior editions of the Life Safety Code required stages to be
protected by a Class III standpipe system in accordance with NFPA 14,
Standard for the Installation of Standpipe, Private Hydrant, and Hose
Systems. NFPA 14 requires that Class II and Class III standpipes be
automatic — not manual — because they are intended to be used by
building occupants. Automatic standpipe systems are required to
provide not less than 500 gpm (1893 L/min) at 100 psi (6.9 bar). This
requirement often can be met only if a fire pump is installed.
Installation of a fire pump presents an unreasonable burden for the
system supplying the two hose outlets at the side of the stage. The
revised wording of 15.4.5.12 offers some relief by permitting the hose
outlets to be in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation
of Sprinkler Systems.
A.15.4.7 Where a special amusement building is installed inside
another building, such as within an exhibit hall, the special
amusement building requirements apply only to the special
amusement building. For example, the smoke detectors required by
15.4.7.3 are not required to be connected to the building’s system.
Where installed in an exhibit hall, such smoke detectors are also
required to comply with the provisions applicable to an exhibit.
A.15.4.7.2 It is the intent to provide a suppression system that will act
quickly to provide for life safety of the occupants.
A.15.4.7.4.3 Consideration should be given to the provision of
directional exit marking on or adjacent to the floor.
SUBSTANTIATION: The NFPA 5000 draft that was published for
purposes of soliciting public proposals does not fulfill the
requirement that the Report on Proposals contain proposals for all
the material that is to appear in a new document. This proposal
makes clear the SAF-AXM committee's choice of what is to be
contained in Chapter 15 on assembly occupancies. The draft
incorporates the actions taken on the numerous proposals on
Chapter 15; includes editorial changes; and reflects changes made by
the committee to NFPA 101 material so as to be appropriate for the
building code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
NEGATIVE: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
MESSERSMITH: a. See Comments on Proposal 5000-360 (Log
#CP2033) regarding Section 15.4.8.3. Why isn’t 15.4.8.3 being moved
to Chapter 7?
b. Section 15.4.5.1 indicates that “Materials used in the construction
of platforms and stages shall comply to the applicable requirements of
the local building code.” This IS the local building code.
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
PAULS: There is a typo, copied from the typo in NFPA 101-2000 of
Log #CP2030. In the annex, item 3 following the list of factors
(A.15.4.1.3), the text should read:
“(3) Whether or not egress is desired designed by facility occupants.”
___________________
(Log #CP2031)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 740 - (15-1.2): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Assembly Occupancies and
Membrane Structures
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 15.1.2 as follows:
15.1.2 Multiple Mixed Occupancies.
15.1.2.1 Multiple ocupancies shall be in accordance with Section
6.2. Any assembly occupancy and its access to exits in buildings of
other occupancy, such as ballrooms in hotels, restaurants in stores,
380
rooftop assembly occupancies, or assembly rooms in schools, shall be
located, separated, or protected to avoid any undue danger to the
occupants of the assembly occupancy from a fire originating in the
other occupancy or smoke there from.
15.1.2.2 Occupancy of any room or space for assembly purposes by
fewer than 50 persons in a building of other occupancy and incidental
to such other occupancy shall be classified as part of the other
occupancy and shall be subject to the provisions applicable thereto.
15.1.2.3 Assembly occupancies in buildings of other occupancy shall
be permitted to use exits common to the assembly occupancy and the
other occupancy provided the assembly area and the other occupancy
considered separately each have exits sufficient to meet the
requirements of this Code.
15.1.2.2 15.1.2.4 Exits shall be sufficient for simultaneous occupancy
of both the assembly occupancy and other parts of the building.
Exception: Where the authority having jurisdiction determines that
the conditions are such that simultaneous occupancy will not occur.
15.1.2.3 15.1.2.5 Assembly and Mercantile Occupancies in Covered
Mall Buildings. The provisions of Chapter 15 shall apply to the
assembly occupancy tenant space. The provisions of 26.4.4 shall be
permitted to be used outside the assembly occupancy tenant space.
SUBSTANTIATION: The Technical Committee on Fundamentals is
preparing a Section 6.2 on multiple occupancies that establishes two
options: (1) separated occupancies, and (2) mixed occupancies. This
proposal revises 15.1.2 to reference Section 6.2; deletes any material
that is adequately covered by 6.2; and retains unique provisions
applicable to assembly occupancies.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #269)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 741 - (15-1.2.6 (New) ): Reject
SUBMITTER: Ed Roether, HOK Sport
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text to read as follows:
15.1.2.6 Other Occupancies in Assembly Buildings. Other
occupancies in Assembly Buildings shall be permitted to use exits
common to the assembly occupancy provided the assembly area and
the other occupancy considered separately each have exits sufficient
to meet the requirements of this Code.
SUBSTANTIATION: The current provisions apply to assembly spaces
located within buildings of other occupancies. Therefore, without the
proposed change there is a lack of clarity regarding large assembly
buildings containing other occupancies.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter's suggested text is not
needed given that 15.1.2 will reference the material in Section 6.2 on
multiple occupancies. See Committee Proposal 5000-740 (Log
#CP2031).
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #977)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 742 - (15-1.5): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Section 15.1.5 - Minimum
Construction Requirements - from this Chapter.
SUBSTANTIATION: Minimum construction requirements are
addressed by the Height and Area Requirements of Table 7.3 of this
Code. Additional limitations for building construction stated in this
Chapter are not needed and may lead to a conflict in such
requirements, and confusion for the user of the document as to
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
where to find minimum building construction requirements and what
requirements to apply where there is a conflict.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See action on Proposal 5000-743 (Log #913a).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The action on the referenced proposal
should meet the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #913a)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 743 - (15-1.5): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Sam Francis, American Forest & Paper Assn.
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Section 15.1.5 entirely, and substitute
the new text as follows:
15.1.5 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction shall be
in accordance with Chapter 7.
SUBSTANTIATION: The table derived from the Epcot Building
Code was incomplete and failed to include most of the occupancy
groups now included in this code. The data presented to the
Structures and Construction TC indicate that the area of a building is
not one of the significant factors in determining the safety of the
building. Number, location and size of exits, travel distance and fire
resistance of the structure do not change due to area. Therefore, the
allowable areas in this code should not be less than those permitted
under many of the building codes now in existence. The proposed
table simply recognizes those facts and proposes areas which are
currently permitted in the United States.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Replace 15.1.5 in entirety wirth the following:
15.1.5 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction shall be
in accordance with Chapter 7.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action does what the
submitter requested. Rather than simply showing the action as
"accept," the committee chose "accept in principle" because it does
not necessarily agree with the submitter's substantiation. The
Technical Correlating Committee on the Building Code directed that
SAF-AXM move its construction requirements to Chapter 7. This
proposal accomplishes that.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #1131)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 744 - (Table 15-1.5): Reject
SUBMITTER: Kevin Kelly, National Fire Sprinkler Association
RECOMMENDATION: Coordinate Table 15.1.5 with Table 7.3.
SUBSTANTIATION: Both Tables deal with acceptable heights of
buildings with different types of construction.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: Table 15.1.5 is being deleted via the
action on Proposal 5000-743 (Log #913a).
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
381
(Log #270)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 745 - (15-1.5 Exception No. 5 (New) ): Reject
SUBMITTER: Ed Roether, HOK Sport
RECOMMENDATION: 15.1.5 Minimum Construction
Requirements. The location of an assembly occupancy shall be limited
as shown in Table 7.3 and Table 15.1.5.
Exception No. 1 through No. 4, no change.
Exception No. 5: This requirement shall not apply to outdoor
assembly seating in Type 1 or Type II construction.
SUBSTANTIATION: The term grandstand is used to describe
various conditions and therefore the interpretation of a grandstand
varies and requires clarification. Based upon other sections of this
Code, it appears that the term grandstand may be limited to
conditions having seatboards and footboards, although the term is
used to describe other seating conditions. If Type I or Type II
construction is acceptable for outdoor seatboards and footboards
then it should also be acceptable for outdoor assembly seating that
may not be considered a grandstand.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The subject is adequately covered by
Exception No. 1.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #91)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 746 - (15-1.6.4): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Charles Nelson, Fowlkes and Assoc.
RECOMMENDATION: 15.1.6.4 Reference is made to 16.1.6.1 and
15.1.6.2. These paragraphs do not exist.
SUBSTANTIATION: In order to be “user friendly” the entire code
format should be consistent with the IBC.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise 15.1.6.4 to read:
15.1.6.4 Waiting Spaces. In theaters and other assembly occupancies
where persons are admitted to the building at times when seats are
not available to them, or when the permitted occupant load has been
reached based on 15.1.6 15.1.6.1 or 15.1.6.2 and persons are allowed
to wait in a lobby or similar space until seats or space is available, such
use of lobby or similar space shall not encroach upon the required
clear width of exits. Such waiting shall be restricted to areas other
than the required means of egress. Exits shall be provided for such
waiting spaces on the basis of one person for each 3 ft2 (0.28 m2) of
waiting space area. Such exits shall be in addition to the exits
specified for the main auditorium area and shall conform in
construction and arrangement to the general rules for exits given in
this chapter.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The editorial revision should meet the
submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #271)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 747 - (15-2.1): Accept in Part
SUBMITTER: Ed Roether, HOK Sport
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
15.2.1 General. All means of egress shall be in accordance with
Chapter 12 and this section chapter. Requirements in Chapter 15
shall take precedence for Assembly Occupancies.
SUBSTANTIATION: By referring to this section only, then only the
means of egress provisions found in 15.2 and Chapter 12 apply to the
means of egress in an Assembly Occupancy. However, there are other
Chapter 15 means of egress provisions that need to be maintained.
For example, smoke protected assembly seating requirements.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Part. COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.

Revise 15.2.1 as follows:
15.2.1 General. All means of egress shall be in accordance with
Chapter 12 and this chapter section.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The change from "section" to
"chapter" is an improvement. The submitter's proposed new sentence
is confusing and unnecessary.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #272)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 748 - (15-2.1.1 (New) ): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Ed Roether, HOK Sport
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text to read as follows:
15.2.1.1 Special provision means of egress shall be permitted in
accordance with 15.4.
SUBSTANTIATION: There are several locations within 15.2 that do
not refer to 15.4. Therefore, creating potential conflict between intent
and interpretation. For example, the aisle accessway width
requirements of 15.2.5.5.3 have an exception for smoke-protected
assembly seating while 15.2.5.6.2 appears to limit dead-end aisle
conditions to only those described in 15.2.5.6.2 even though it is also
covered in 15.4.2.7. The proposed change would clarify the use of the
special provisions section.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See action on Proposal 5000-747 (Log #271).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The action on the referenced proposal
expands the egress provisions to include requirements from the whole
chapter, not just Section 15.2. This should meet the submiter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #273)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 749 - (15-2.2.3.2.3 (New) ): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Ed Roether, HOK Sport
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text to read as follows:
15.2.2.3.2.3 Noncombustible ladders shall be permitted as means of
egress from lighting and access catwalks serving smoke-protected
assembly seating.
SUBSTANTIATION: Lighting catwalks in outdoor stadiums and
ballparks are typically mounted on poles independent of stair towers.
These light towers are limited n size and access is limited to staff.
other conditions where catwalks occur related to smoke-protected
assembly seating is within scoreboards and over an arena’s event floor.
These catwalks are also limited to staff members. Catwalks in these
types of assemblies are not the same as galleries and gridirons. The
exiting requirements from catwalks should take into consideration the
type of catwalk and potential hazards.
Revise 15.2.2.8 as follows:
15.2.2.8 Fire Escape Ladders.
15.2.2.8.1 Fire escape ladders complying with 12.2.9 shall be
permitted.
15.2.2.8.2 For ladders serving catwalks, the three person limitation
specified in 12.2.9.1(3) shall be permitted to be increased to 10
persons.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The action taken is reasonable in view
of the submitter's substantiation. It should meet the submitter's
intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #274)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 750 - (15-2.3.1 Exception (New) ): Accept
SUBMITTER: Ed Roether, HOK Sport
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new Exception to read as follows:
15.2.3.1 The capacity of means of egress shall be in accordance with
Section 12.3, or, for means of egress serving theater-type seating or
similar seating arranged in rows, in accordance with 15.2.3.2.
Exception: Smoke-protected assembly seating as permitted by 15.4.2.
SUBSTANTIATION: Section 15.4.2 addresses smoke-protected
assembly seating means of egress. Therefore, a potential conflict
between intent and interpretation exists without this exception. The
proposed change would clarify the use of the special provisions
section.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #803)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 751 - (Table 15-2.3.2): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Gene Boecker, CCI (Code Consultants, Inc.)/Rep.
National Association of Theater Owner (NATO)
RECOMMENDATION: Table 15.2.3.2 Capacity Factors
See Table 15.2.3.2 below.
SUBSTANTIATION: The table does not recognize the benefits of
sprinkler protection. As revised, the sprinkler protected factors are
consistent with the modifications allowed in Table 12.3.3.1 for Health
Care. These are also the sprinkler protection reductions allowed in
other model building codes in the country.

Table 15.2.3.2 Capacity Factors

Inch of Clear Width per Seat Served
No. of Seats Nominal Flow Time Stairs Passageways, Ramps, and Doorways
(sec)
Unsprinklered Sprinklered Unsprinklered Sprinklered
Unlimited 200 0.3 AB 0.2 AB 0.22 C 0.15 C
SI units: 1 in. – 2.54 cm.

382
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Replace Table 15.2.3.2 with the following:
Clear Width per Seat Served
No. of Seats Stairs
Unsprinklered Sprinklered
Unlimited 7.6 AB in millimeters 5.1 AB in millimeters
(0.3 AB in inches) (0.2 AB in inches)
Revise the text of 15.2.3.2 as follows:
15.2.3.2 Minimum clear widths of aisles and other means of egress
serving theater-type seating, or similar seating arranged in rows, shall
be in accordance with Table 15.2.3.2. The minimum clear widths
shown shall be modified in accordance with all of the following:
(a) If risers exceed 178 mm in height, multiply the stair width in the
table by factor A, where
A = 1 + [(riser - 178) / 125]
If risers exceed 7 in. in height, multiply the stair width in the table
by factor A, where
A = 1 + [(riser - 7) / 5]
(b) Stairs not having a handrail within a 760-mm (30-in.) 30-in. (76-
cm) horizontal distance shall be 25 percent wider than otherwise
calculated, that is, multiply by factor B = 1.25.
(c) Ramps steeper than 1 in 10 slope where used in ascent shall have
their width increased by 10 percent, that is, multiply by factor C =
1.10.
Exception No. 1: Lighting and access catwalks as permitted by
15.4.5.9.
Exception No. 2: Grandstands, bleachers, and folding and telescopic
seating as permitted by 15.4.8.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The action taken accomplishes what
the submitter requested; deletes reference to "flow time" because it is
not used in the calculations and the current value is based on
nonsprinklered buildings; and adds metric values. The submitter's
value of 0.15 was changed to 0.17 because the nonsprinklered value is
0.22, not 0.20 as assumed when the submitter referred to the values in
Table 12.3.3.1. Appropriate "constants" for the metric values are
being added to the formula in 15.2.3.2. This should meet the
submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #580)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 752 - (15-2.3.2 Exception No. 2and 15.2.5.6.1 Exception No. 2):
Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Daniel R. Victor, Interkal, Inc./Rep. NSSEA
RECOMMENDATION: 15.2.3.2 Exception No. 2 should be replaced
with text from 15.2.5.6.1 Exception No. 2.
15.2.5.6.1 Exception No. 2 should be deleted.
SUBSTANTIATION: Reference NFPA 101 1994 8-2.3.2 Exception
No. 2. I believe the text to have been improperly relocated in NFPA
101 1997 and repeated in NFPA 101 2000.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise 15.2.3.2 Exception No. 2 as follows:
Exception No. 2: Grandstands, bleachers, and folding and telescopic
seating as permitted by 15.4.8. In seating composed entirely of
bleachers, in which the row-to-row dimension is 28 in. (71 cm) or less,
and from which front egress is not limited, aisles shall not not be
required to be more than 66 in. (168 cm) in width.
Delete Exception No. 2 to 15.2.5.6.1 as follows:
15.2.5.6.1 Aisles shall be provided so that the number of seats served
by the nearest aisle is in accordance with 15.2.5.5.2 through 15.2.5.5.4.
Exception No. 1 Exception: Aisles shall not be required in bleachers
if all of the following conditions are met:
383
Passageways, Ramps, and Doorways
Unsprinklered Sprinklered
5.6 C in millimeters 4.3 C in millimeters
(0.22 C in inches) (0.17 C in inches)
(a) Egress from front row is not obstructed by rail, guard, or other
obstruction.
(b) Row spacing is 28 in. (71.1 cm) or less.
(c) Rise per row; including first row, is 6 in. (15.2 cm) or less.
(d) Number of rows does not exceed 16.
(e) Seat spaces are not physically defined.
(f) Seat boards that are also used as stepping surfaces for descent
shall provide a walking surface with a minimum width of 12 in. (30.5
cm), and, where there is a depressed footboard, the gap between seat
boards of adjacent rows shall not exceed 12 in. (30.5 cm) measured
horizontally. Leading edges of such surfaces shall be provided with a
contrasting marking stripe so that the location of such leading edge is
readily apparent, particularly where viewed in descent. Such stripe
shall be at least 1 in. (2.5 cm) wide and shall not exceed 2 in. (5.1 cm)
in width. The marking stripe shall not be required where bleacher
surfaces and environmental conditions under all conditions of use are
such that the location of each leading edge is readily apparent,
particularly when viewed in descent.
Exception No. 2: In seating composed entirely of bleachers, in which
the row-to-row dimension is 28 in. (71 cm) or less, and from which
front egress is not limited, aisles shall not be required to be more than
66 in. (168 cm) in width. Such aisles shall not be considered as dead-
end aisles.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action accomplishes
what the submitter requested.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #92)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 753 - (15-2.5.4.1): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Charles Nelson, Fowlkes and Assoc.
RECOMMENDATION: 15.2.5.4.1 “Festival Seating” is not defined. If
it means “loose chairs (not fixed)”, then exception needs to be made
in small spaces such as luxury suites or club level boxes or rooms, or
theater boxes, with a maximum in any such space of 14 loose seats.
SUBSTANTIATION: In order to be “user friendly” the entire code
format should be consistent with the IBC.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See Committee Proposal 5000-122 (Log #CP2032).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The referenced proposal adds the
definition of "Seating, Festival" to Section 3.3. This should meet the
submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #275)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 754 - (15-2.5.4.2): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Ed Roether, HOK Sport
RECOMMENDATION: Delete the following text:
15.2.5.4.2 Access and egress routes shall be maintained so that any
individual is able to move without undue hindrance, on personal
initiative, and at any time, from an occupied position to exits.
SUBSTANTIATION: 15.2.5.4.2 is not a building code issue.
Although the life safety aspects of the requirement are essential, the
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
maintenance aspects of an exit are more the responsibility of the Fire
Marshal than the building official. Therefore, this section should be
deleted.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise 15.2.5.4.2 as follows:
15.2.5.4.2 Access and egress routes shall be maintained designed and
constructed so that any individual is able to move without undue
hindrance, on personal initiative and at any time, from an occupied
position to exits.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The access route needs to be designed
and constructed with the features in mind so that once the building is
occupied the fire code can require that the route be maintained.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #276)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 755 - (15-2.5.4.3): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Ed Roether, HOK Sport
RECOMMENDATION: Delete the following text:
15.2.5.4.3 Access and egress routes shall be maintained so that crowd
management, security, and emergency medical personnel shall be
able to move without undue hindrance at any time to any individual.
SUBSTANTIATION: 15.2.5.4.3 is not a building code issue.
Although the life safety aspects of the requirement are essential, the
maintenance aspects of an exit are more the responsibility of the Fire
Marshal than the building official. Therefore, this section should be
deleted.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise 15.2.5.4.3 as follows:
15.2.5.4.3 Access and egress routes shall be maintained designed and
constructed so that crowd management, security, and emergency
medical personnel shall be able to move without undue hindrance at
any time to any individual.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The access route needs to be designed
and constructed with the features in mind so that once the building is
occupied the fire code can require that the route be maintained.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #277)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 756 - (15-2.5.4.4 Exception (New) ): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Ed Roether, HOK Sport
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new Exception to read as follows:
15.2.5.4.4 The width of aisle access ways and aisles shall provide
sufficient egress capacity for the number of persons accommodated
by the catchment area served by this aisle accessway or aisle in
accordance with 15.2.3.1, etc.
Exception: Smoke-protected assembly seating as permitted by
15.4.2.
SUBSTANTIATION: Section 15.4.2 addresses smoke-protected
assembly seating means of egress. Therefore, a potential conflict
between intent and interpretation exists without this exception. The
proposed change would clarify the use of the special provisions
section.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise 15.2.5.4.4 as follows:
15.2.5.4.4 The width of aisle accessways and aisles shall provide
sufficient egress capacity for the number of persons accommodated by
the catchment area served by the aisle accessway or aisle in
accordance with 15.2.3.1,or for smoke-protected assembly seating in
accordance with 15.4.2. Where aisle accessways or aisles converge to
384
form a single path of egress travel, the required egress capacity of that
path shall not be less than the combined required capacity of the
converging aisle accessways and aisles.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action accomplishes
what the submitter requested by putting the wording in the
paragraph, not by creating an exception. This is consistent with the
NFPA Manual of Style.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #278)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 757 - (15-2.5.5.2): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Ed Roether, HOK Sport
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
15.2.5.5.2 The aisle accessway between rows of seating shall have a
clear width of not less than 30.5 cm (12 in.), and this minimum shall
be increased as function of row length in accordance with 15.2.5.5.3
and 15.2.5.5.4.
Exception No. 1: If used by not more than four persons, there shall
be no minimum clear width requirement for the portion of the aisle
accessway having a length not exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft) measured from
the center of the seat farthest from the aisle.
Exception No. 2: The maximum number of seats permitted between
the furthest seat in an aisle in grandstands, bleachers, and folding and
telescoping seating shall not exceed that shown in Table 15.2.5.5.2.
Delete Table 15.2.5.5.2.
SUBSTANTIATION: Exception No. 2 of 15.2.5.5.2 is confusing. It is
written as a requirement, not as an exception. If it needs to be a
requirement, then it needs to be located in 15.4.8 and 15.4.9 for the
specific condition it relates to. Additionally, it confuses the intent of
other sections. The term grandstand is used to describe various
conditions and therefore the interpretation of a grandstand varies
and requires clarification.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Relocate Exception No. 2 to 15.2.5.5.2 to become 15.4.8.2.5 and
15.4.9.2.4 as follows:
15.2.5.5.2 The aisle accessway between rows of seating shall have a
clear width of not less than 12 in. (30.5 cm), and this minimum shall
be increased as a function of row length in accordance with 15.2.5.5.3
and 15.2.5.5.4.
Exception No. 1: If used by not more than four persons, there shall
be no minimum clear width requirement for the portion of the aisle
accessway having a length not exceeding 6 ft (1.8 m) measured from
the center of the seat farthest from the aisle.
Exception No. 2: The maximum number of seats permitted between
the furthest seat in an aisle in grandstands, bleachers, and folding and
telescopic seating shall not exceed that shown in Table 15.2.5.5.2.
Delete Table 15.2.5.5.2.
15.4.8.2.5 The maximum number of seats permitted between the
furthest seat in an aisle in grandstands and bleachers shall not exceed
that shown in Table 15.4.8.2.5.
Insert Table 15.2.5.5.2 here but renumber it to be Table 15.4.8.2.5.
15.4.9.2.4 The maximum number of seats permitted between the
furthest seat in an aisle in folding and telescopic seating shall not
exceed that shown in Table 15.4.8.2.5.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action should meet the
submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(Log #581)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 758 - (15-2.5.6.2): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Daniel R. Victor, Interkal, Inc./Rep. NSSEA
RECOMMENDATION: Add the following:
Exception No. 3: Aisles as permitted by 15.2.5.6.1 Exception No. 2.
SUBSTANTIATION: This adds a clarification as to the location of
another exception.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Add an Exception No. 3 to 15.2.5.6.2 as follows:
15.2.5.6.2 Dead-end aisles shall not exceed 20 ft (6.1 m) in length.
Exception No. 1: A longer dead-end aisle shall be permitted where
seats served by the dead-end aisle are not more than 24 seats from
another aisle, measured along a row of seats having a minimum clear
width of 12 in. (30.5 cm) plus 0.6 in. (1.5 cm) for each additional seat
over a total of seven in the row.
Exception No. 2: A 16-row, dead-end aisle shall be permitted in
folding and telescopic seating and grandstands.
Exception No. 3: Bleacher aisles in accordance with Exception No. 2
to 15.2.3.2 shall not be considered as dead-end aisles.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The Exception No. 2 to 15.2.5.6.1 that
the submitter references has been moved to become Exception No. 2
to 15.2.3.2. The action taken should meet the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #279)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 759 - (15-2.5.6.2 Exception (New) ): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Ed Roether, HOK Sport
RECOMMENDATION: Add new Exception No. 3 to read as follows:
15.2.5.6.2 Dead-end aisles shall not exceed 6.1 m (20 ft) in length.
Exception No. 1 and No. 2, no change.
Exception No. 3: Aisle termination as permitted by 15.4.2.7 for
smoke-protected assembly seating.
SUBSTANTIATION: Section 15.4.2 addresses smoke-protected
assembly seating means of egress. Therefore, a potential conflict
between intent and interpretation exists without this exception. The
proposed change would clarify the use of the special provisions
section.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Add a new Exception No. 4 to 15.2.5.6.2 to read as follows:
Exception No. 4: Aisle termination as permitted by 15.4.2.7 for
smoke-protected assembly seating.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: A new Exception No. 3 was already
added via the action on Proposal 5000-758 (Log #581); thus, the
submitter's text is being inserted as a new Exception No. 4.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #280)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 760 - (15-2.5.6.6): Accept
SUBMITTER: Ed Roether, HOK Sport
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
15.2.5.6.6 Aisle Stair Risers.
(a) Riser height shall be a minimum of 10.2 cm (4 in.).
Exception to (a): The riser height of aisle stairs in folding and
telescoping seating shall be permitted to be a minimum of 8.9 cm (3
1/2 in.) and a maximum of 11 in. (27.9 cm).
(b) Riser heights shall not exceed 20.3 cm (8 in.).
Exception No. 1 to (b): No change.
Exception No. 2 to (b): The riser height of aisle stairs in folding and
telescoping seating shall be permitted to be a minimum of 3 1/2 in.
(8.9 cm) and a maximum of 27.9 cm (11 in.).
Item (c): No change.
385
SUBSTANTIATION: The proposed change removes the maximum
height provisions in the exception where it is associated with
minimum height requirements and minimum height provisions in the
exception where it is associated with maximum height requirements.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #281)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 761 - (15-2.5.6.7): Accept
SUBMITTER: Ed Roether, HOK Sport
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
15.2.5.6.7 Aisle Handrails. Ramped aisles having a gradient exceed in
1 in 12 20 and aisle stairs shall be provided with handrails at one side
or along the centerline, and in accordance with 12.2.2.4.5(a)(1),
(b)(2) and (c)(3).
Remaining: No change other than Exception No. 1 to read as
follows:
"Handrails shall not be required for ramped aisles having a gradient
not steeper than 1 in 8 and having seating on both sides where the
aisle does not serve as an accessible route."
SUBSTANTIATION: Accessible requirements would dictate that
handrails be provided on ramps exceeding 1:20 and would not permit
ramps exceeding 1:12. As written this section appears to be applicable
to aisles that do not also serve as an accessible route, however, it does
not specifically sate that. The proposed change is intended to clarify
the application of these provisions. Also, the propose change is
grammatical where 12.2.2.4.5 appears to use 1, 2, and 3 instead of a, b,
and c.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #804)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 762 - (15-2.6.1): Accept
SUBMITTER: Gene Boecker, CCI (Code Consultants, Inc.)
RECOMMENDATION: 15.2.6.1 Exits shall be arranged so that the
total length of travel from any point to reach an exit shall not exceed
150 ft (45 m) 200 ft (60 m) in any assembly occupancy.
Exception No. 1: The travel distance shall not exceed 200 ft (60 m)
250 ft (75 m) in assembly occupancies protected throughout by an
approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Chapter 11.
Exception No. 2: Smoke-protected assembly seating as permitted by
15.4.2.8 and its Exception.
SUBSTANTIATION: When the 150 feet limitation was first
introduced into the Life Safety Code, it also allowed for a travel of up
to 50 feet within the room of origin. Over the years this provision has
disappeared. Hence, what once was acceptable to be 50 feet plus 150
feet (200 feet) has now been reduced to only 150 feet.
All other major model building codes, as well as the EPCOT
Building Code, allow 200 feet for the minimum travel distance in all
but the most hazardous occupancies.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: Although the committee "Accepted"
the submitter's recommendation, it does not agree with the
substantiation. The 50-ft "within room" allowance of earlier editions
of the Code would not have applied to an asembly occupancy because
the room was limited to a maximum occupant load of 6 persons.
However, the values suggested are reasonable.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(Log #816)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 763 - (15-3.2.1.2): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Dick M. Glumac, Glumac International/Rep. Golden
Gate Chapter ASHRAE
RECOMMENDATION: Change “Adequate vents to the outside air
shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 8” to read “Vents to the
outside air shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 8.”
SUBSTANTIATION: Better language because the word “adequate” is
vague.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Delete 15.3.2.1.2 in entirety as follows:
15.3.2.1.2 Adequate vents to the outside air shall be provided in
accordance with Chapter 8.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The entire paragraph is vague and
should be deleted, not revised. Explosion venting requirements
belong in the general chapters with applicability to any occupancy.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #1132)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 764 - (15-3.2.1.3): Reject
SUBMITTER: Kevin Kelly, National Fire Sprinkler Association
RECOMMENDATION: Section 15.3.2.1.3 (a) and (b). Change the
wording from “automatic extinguishing systems to fire sprinkler
systems.”
SUBSTANTIATION: Construction trade ups should only be
permitted for fire sprinkler systems. Other suppression systems have
not demonstrated the same level of reliability.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: There is no data that other systems are
not reliable. Also, the protection intended is often not a true system
but rather a form of small room protection. Let the technology
determine what system type will be used.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #211)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 765 - (15-3.2.2): Accept in Part
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Add new Section 15.3.2.2 as follows:
15.3.2.2 Cooking Facilities. Cooking facilities shall be protected in
accordance with Section 11.8.
SUBSTANTIATION: NFPA 5000 currently has no requirements for
the protection of cooking facilities.
See also ancillary proposal to add new Section 11.8 related to
cooking hazards.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Part.
Add a new 15.3.2.2 as follows:
15.3.2.2 Cooking Equipment. Cooking equipment shall be
protected in accordance with Section 11.8.
Exception No. 1: Outdoor equipment.
Exception No. 2: Portable cooking equipment not flue connected.
Exception No. 3: Equipment used only for food warming.
386
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action adds the
reference to Section 11.8 that the submitter requested, but does not
make it applicable to ALL cooking equipment. It adds exceptions for
equipment that is commonly used in assembly occupancies but which
can be safely operated without the need for NFPA 96-type protection.
This should meet part of the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #47)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 766 - (15-3.3): Accept in Part
SUBMITTER: Marcelo M. Hirschler, GBH International/Rep. Fire
Retardant Chemicals Association
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
15.3.3 Interior Finish
15.3.3.1 Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter 10.
Interior wall and ceiling finish tested in accordance with NFPA 286,
Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Evaluating Contribution of Wall
and Ceiling Interior Finish to Room Fire Growth, and meeting the
conditions of 10.3.5.3 shall be deemed to comply with a Class A
classification in accordance with NFPA 255, Standard Method of Test
of Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials. In any
assembly occupancy, exposed portions of structural members
complying with the requirements for Type IV(2HH) construction
shall be permitted.
15.3.3.2 Interior wall and ceiling finish materials complying with
Chapter 10 shall be Class A or Class B in all corridors and lobbies, and
shall be Class A in enclosed stairways.
15.3.3.3 Interior wall and ceiling finish materials complying with
Chapter 10 shall be Class A or Class B in general assembly areas
having occupant loads of more than 300 and shall be Class A, Class B,
or Class C in assembly areas having occupant loads of 300 or fewer.
Exception: In any assembly occupancy, exposed portions of
structural members complying with the requirements for Type
IV(2HH) construction shall be permitted.
15.3.3.4 Screens on which pictures are projected shall comply with
requirements of Class A or Class B interior finish in accordance with
Chapter 10.
SUBSTANTIATION: This proposal addresses two separate issues:
(a) The first sentence added to 15.3.3.1 addresses the issue that
unless this is stated specifically, there is no way of permitting interior
finish tested by the room corner test (NFPA 286) to be installed.
There is abundant evidence that materials that comply with a room-
corner test requirements are equivalent in fire performance to
materials tested using the Steiner tunnel test. As an example, Table 1
shows a set of 10 materials tested in the room-corner test and the
Steiner tunnel test (Reference: M.M. Hirschler & M.L. Janssens, Fire
and Materials Conf., San Antonio, TX, Feb. 22-23, 1999, Interscience
Communications, London, UK, pp. 179-198): only one of the 10
materials failed the room-corner test; all other materials met Class A
flame spread index (FSI not to exceed 25); even the material which
flashed over the room had a flame spread index low enough to meet
Class B in the Steiner tunnel test (FSI not to exceed 75). Also, only
one of the 10 materials in the set failed to meet the Steiner tunnel test
smoke development index limit of 450, and it also failed the criterion
in 10.3.5.3. The two enclosed Figures show comparisons of Steiner
tunnel FSI versus room corner peak rate of heat release and Steiner
tunnel SDI versus room corner total smoke released, indicating how
materials meeting room-corner test criteria also meet Steiner tunnel
criteria.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

Table 1. Test Results for Materials Tested in Room-Corner and Steiner Tunnel Tests
Material Pk RHR TSR FSI SDI
kW m2 - -
Ceiling Tile 22 165 15 0
FR Composite Panel 128 270 15 15
Mineral Wool 35 167 0 0
Phenolic Foam 153 180 15 5
Pine: Flashover 1460 225 70 105
Polyimide Foam 40 193 0 0
Textile Wallcovering, 109 139 10 10
on Calcium Silicate Board
Thermoplastic Sheet 40 1359 10 1000
Expanded Vinyl Wallcovering, 359 664 25 120
on Gypsum Board
Commercial Vinyl Wallcovering, on 126 584 25 80
Gypsum Board
Abbreviations: Pk RHR: maximum rate of heat released during the room-corner test; TSR: total
smoke released during the room-corner test; FSI: flame spread index during the Steiner tunnel
test; SDI: smoke development index during the Steiner tunnel test; Flashover: material fails the
room-corner test due to flashover in the room.

Table 1 Test Results for Materials Tested in Room-Corner and

Steiner Tunnel Tests
It must be clarified that this proposal does not require a material to
undergo room-corner testing, but gives the option of material
approvals via room-corner testing, as intended by the Life Safety
Code. This option appears to be missing in the draft of the NFPA
5000 Building Code.
Figure Steiner Tunnel FSI
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
Figure Steiner Tunnel SDI
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
(b) The second sentence added to 15.3.3.1 replaces the existing
exception, and, by eliminating exceptions, as recommended by the
new NFPA Manual of Style, improves document formatting. It does
not change requirements.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Part.
Delete only the Exception to 15.3.3.3 as follows:
15.3.3.3 Interior wall and ceiling finish materials complying with
Chapter 10 shall be Class A or Class B in general assembly areas
having occupant loads of more than 300 and shall be Class A, Class B,
or Class C in assembly areas having occupant loads of 300 or fewer.
Exception: In any assembly occupancy, exposed portions of
structural members complying with the requirements for Type
IV(2HH) construction shall be permitted.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter's lengthy sentence
referencing NFPA 286 and NFPA 255 is not needed because the
subject is adequately addressed in Chapter 10. The Exception to
15.3.3.3 can be deleted because it is covered by Exception No. 1 to
10.3.1. This should meet most, if not all, of the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #27)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 767 - (15-3.3.5): Accept
SUBMITTER: James K. Lathrop, Koffel Assoc., Inc./Rep. Carpet &
Rug Institute
RECOMMENDATION: Revised 15.3.3.5 as follows:
15.3.3.5 Interior Floor Finish. (No requirements.) Interior floor
finish in exit enclosures and in exit access corridors and in spaces not
separated from them by walls complying with 15.3.6 shall be not less
than Class II in accordance with Section 10.7. In all other spaces
interior floor finish shall comply with 10.7.1.
SUBSTANTIATION: When the provisions for interior floor finish
first went into the Life Safety Code (the basis for all interior finish
requirements in NFPA 5000), no provisions were included for floor
finishes in many occupancies. However, the floor finish is the same
regardless of the occupancy and the hazard remains. When a fire in a
room discharges flame and hot gases into a corridor resulting in
radiant heat transfer to the floor, the interior floor finish can spread
fire down the corridor. The proposed provisions for exit enclosures
are consistent with the philosophy of the Life Safety Code, that the
exit enclosure be “sterile” from a fire view point. The following quote
from the Annex of NFPA 101 A.10.2.7.1 provides the justification for
this requirement:
“The flooring radiant panel provides a measure of a floor covering’s
tendency to spread flames where located in a corridor and exposed to
the flame and hot gases from a room fire. The flooring radiant panel
test method is to be used as a basis for estimating the fire
performance of a floor covering installed in the building corridor.
Floor coverings in open building spaces and in rooms within
buildings merit no further regulation, provided that it can be shown
that the floor covering is at least as resistant to spread of flame as a
material that meets the U.S. federal flammability standard 16 CFR
1630, Standard for the Surface Flammability of Carpets and Rugs (FF
1-70). All carpeting sold in the U.S. since 1971 is required to meet
this standard and, therefore, is not likely to become involved in a fire
until a room reaches or approaches flashover. Therefore, no further
regulations are necessary for carpet other than carpet in exitways and
corridors.”
The intent of this proposal is to provide the level of safety that has
been stated in the annex of the Life Safety Code for years.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #992)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 768 - (15-3.5): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new 15.3.5.2 as follows:
“Approved Fire Department Standpipes in accordance with 11.4
shall be provided in all buildings having an occupiable floor level

387
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
more than 30 ft above the lowest level of fire department vehicle
access, or having an occupiable floor level more than 30 ft below the
highest level of fire department access.”
SUBSTANTIATION: The intent of this proposal is to address the
need for fire service operations in buildings of certain heights which
may require excessive hose lays for suppression activities. It is an
attempt to address firefighter safety issues and efficient suppression
efforts with consideration to current fire service manpower
arrangements, standard firefighting procedures, and limitations of
space in areas used for building access and suppression efforts by
responding emergency personnel while other emergency operations
are occurring, such as egress of occupants in stairwells and corridors.
The 30 ft distance has been proposed in order to coordinate with
recognized practices and limitations established by other existing
codes.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See action on Proposal 5000-772 (Log #197).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The action on the referenced proposal
should meet the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #186)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 769 - (15-3.5.1): Reject
SUBMITTER: Ken Bush, Maryland State Fire Marshals Office
RECOMMENDATION: Delete the Exceptions.
SUBSTANTIATION: It is time to remove these exceptions for new
construction and provide both life and property protection for these
occupancies. There is no technical justification for keeping these
exceptions.
Note: This proposal was submitted on behalf of the Ad-Hoc
Committee on Fire Code Development.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The exceptions were developed over
many editions of the Life Safety Code. The submitter has not
provided adequate substantiation for removing them.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #226)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 770 - (15-3.5.2 (New) ): Accept in Part
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Add new Section 15.3.5.2
15.3.5.2. Portable fire extinguishers shall be installed in all assembly
occupancies in accordance with Section 11.6.
Exception: seating and performance areas.
SUBSTANTIATION: NFIRS and FEMA date indicate that portable
fire extinguishers are used to combat a relatively large percentage of
fires. 27.8 percent of fires in this occupancy have been extinguished
using portables; no deaths have been reported in this occupancy
when portables have been used to extinguish the fire. NFPA 5000
Section 4.5.1 indicates that fire protection and life safety should not
depend solely on a single safeguard. Portable fire extinguishers form
part of a total fire protections package.
Note: Supporting material is available for review at NFPA
Headquarters.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Part.
Add a new 15.3.5.3 as follows:
15.3.5.3 Portable fire extinguishers shall be installed in assembly
occupancies in accordance with Section 11.6.
388
Exception No. 1: Seating and performance areas.
Exception No. 2: Outside assembly occupancy areas.
Exception No. 3: Portable extinguishers shall be permitted to be
located in secure locations accessible to staff.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action accomplishes
much of what the submitter requested but allows additional
exceptions. In outdoor assembly areas, the venting to the outside
lessens the need to fight an incipient stage fire. The allowance to
secure the portable extinguishers for staff use only is consistent with
the belief that untrained occupants should not attempt to fight a fire;
they should leave the area.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #968)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 771 - (15-3.5.3): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new 15.3.5.3 as follows:
“Approved Fire Department Standpipes in accordance with 11.4
shall be provided in all buildings having an occupiable area more
than 200 ft. from the closest point of fire department vehicle access.
Exception: Buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic extinguishing system.”
SUBSTANTIATION: The intent of this proposal is to address the
need for fire service operations in buildings which may require
excessive hose lays for suppression activities in buildings of large areas
or limited vehicle access. It is an attempt to address firefighter safety
issues and efficient suppression efforts with consideration to current
fire service manpower arrangements, and standard firefighting
procedures.
The 200 ft. distance has been proposed in order to coordinate with
recognized practices of other existing codes. It is also recognized that
fires in buildings protected throughout by an extinguishing system
will be controlled by that extinguishing system, and that hose lines
would not be required for first line fire containment and control.
The additional time to extend hose lines in buildings so protected
would not adversely impact the overall protection features of that
building.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See action on Proposal 5000-772 (Log #197).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The action on the referenced proposal
should meet the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #197)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 772 - (15-3.6): Accept in Principle
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to SAF-AXM requesting that the TC give consideration to the
wording issues for the lead-in phrases as raised by Mr. Messersmith's
explanation of negative.
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows:
15.3.6 Standpipes.
15.3.6.1 General. Standpipe and hose systems shall be installed and
maintained as set forth in Section 11.4 of this code.
15.3.6.2 Where Required. Class I or III standpipe systems shall be
provided throughout all buildings in which occupied floors are
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

located more than 30 feet (9,144 mm) above or below the lowest level Without standpipes, firefighters would be put in harm’s way. As you
of fire department vehicle access. can see from the following table, firefighters safety would be greatly
15.3.6.3 Large expanse buildings. Class I or III standpipe systems jeopardized if they had to maneuver the weight of excessive hose
shall be provided in buildings in which the highest occupied floor is lengths -- especially while wearing heavy breathing apparatus and
30 feet (9,144 mm) or less above the lowest level of fire department turnout gear.
vehicle access and any portion of the building is more than 200 feet
(61 m) of travel from the nearest point of fire department access into One 50 Foot Hose Length 1-3/4 Inch 2-1/2 Inch
the building. -Weights 13.5 Pounds 34 Pounds
15.3.6.4 Exhibit Halls. Class II standpipes shall be provided in - Holds: 7.5 Gallons 12.5 Gallons
- Water Weight: 60 Pounds 104 Pounds
public assembly halls more than 40,000 square feet (____ sq. m) in Total Weight 73.5 Pounds 136 Pounds
area and is used for exhibition and display purposes.
15.3.6.5 Stages. Standpipe systems shall be provided for stages as set Two Lengths (100 feet) 147 Pounds 272 Pounds
forth in Section 15.4.5.12 of this code. Three Lengths (150 Feet) 220.5 Pounds 408 Pounds
15.3.6.6 Roof outlets. Where standpipe systems are installed in Four*** Lengths (200 feet) 294 Points 544 Pounds
buildings more than six stories or 75 feet (22,860 mm) in height, at Five Lengths (250 Feet) 367.5 Pounds 680 Pounds
least one riser shall extend through the roof and terminate in a two- Six Lengths (300 Feet) 441 Pounds 816 Pounds
Seven Lengths (350 Feet) 514.5 Pounds 952 Pounds
way, 2 1/2-inch hose connection. The main control valve on roof Eight Lengths (400 Feet) 588 Pounds 1,088 Pounds
hose connections or manifolded hose connections shall be located in
an area that is not subject to freezing, is as close to the roof access as *** Four hose lengths (200 Feet) is the maximum recommended.
practical and is plainly identified.
Renumber remaining sections. Note: Supporting Material available for Review at NFPA
SUBSTANTIATION: The current draft of NFPA 5000 contains Headquarters.
minimal or, in some chapters, no requirements for standpipe systems. COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Many of these standpipe thresholds proposed in this submittal were Add a 15.3.5.2 as follows:
established by the Board for the Coordination of the Model Codes 15.3.5.2 Standpipes. Class I standpipes shall be installed in
(BCMC) in the late 1980’s are found in part of many of the existing accordance with Section 11.4 in assembly occupancy buildings where
building and fire codes today. These requirements and thresholds are any of the following occur:
basic fire protection for the building occupants, property protection 1. A minimum of one floor is more than 150 ft (45 m) from its
and firefighter safety. Standpipe systems should be mandatory in nearest point of fire department entry into the building in other than
NFPA-5000. buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic
Balanced Fire Protection requires that provisions be made for sprinker system in accordance with Section 11.3.
manual fire control. This is also an important issue relating to 2. A minimum of one story is more than 30 ft (10 m) above or below
firefighter safety. Please see the table developed to show the weights the level of fire department access.
of 1 3/4-inch and 2 1/2-inch fire hose in 50 foot lengths when filled 3. Stages in accordance with 15.4.5.12.
with water. When used inside a building, these are intended to be COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action implements a
mobile attack lines. Once can quickly see that 200 feet of fire hose or standpipe requirement that protects against the problems and
less, when charged with water, is the threshold at which we can expect concerns addressed by the submitter. The presence of sprinkler
a fire crew to adequately handle while attacking and fighting a fire. protection should obviate the need for standpipes in low-rise but
This is while wearing heavy protective gear and breathing apparatus. sprawling buildings. For buildings where large vertical distances make
Also submitted are the 1991-1995 NFIRS, NFPA Survey showing dragging fire hose difficult, standpipes will be required regardless of
methods of extinguishment. Note that there is insufficient detail with sprinkler protection. This represents a reasonable approach to the
regard to hose line use to determine if Class I (fire department use), subject. Roof outlets are adequately covered in NFPA 14 and need
Class I (occupant use) or, Class III (either fire department or not be repeated in the assembly occupancies chapter.
occupant use) standpipes were used and, in the case of Class III, NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
whether the standpipe was used by the occupants or the fire VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
department. It is assumed that the predominant use of the hose lines AFFIRMATIVE: 18
is by trained firefighters, whether professional, volunteer or fire NEGATIVE: 1
brigade. The important thing to notice is that preconnected and EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
hand-laid hose lines form hydrant, draft or standpipe were the means MESSERSMITH: The lead-in phrase in item #1 is very confusing. I
of extinguishment for 19.6 percent of all fire in residential structures think it is attempting to say:
and 25.7 percent of all fires in non-residential structures. This record “Any portion of a floor is more than 150 ft from its nearest point...”.
mandates that NFPA 5000 have strong standpipe requirements for all Likewise, the lead-in phrase in item #2 is also very confusing. I think
classes of systems. it is attempting to say:
We have retained those few provisions which are currently in NFPA “Any story is more than 30 ft above or below...”.
5000 and added to them to provide a comprehensive standpipe Also, in item #1 the committee gave no reason for reducing the
package to the new building code. NFPA 5000 Section 4.5.1 indicates proponent’s suggestion of 200 feet to 150 feet. Two hundred feet
that fire protection and life safety should not be depend solely and a seems reasonable to me; whereas, 150 feet is overly conservative.
single safeguard. Standpipes from part of a total fire protection
package. ___________________
Standpipes are vital for fire protection. The model codes and
national standard require that all portions of a building be within 200 (Log #1198)
feet of a standpipe hose connection. Committee: SAF-AXM
They are an integral part of a balanced fire protection package 5000- 773 - (15-3.6): Accept in Principle
provided for a building. Large expanse buildings would be SUBMITTER: William Hopple, Simplex Time Recorder Co.
particularly vulnerable if the fire service did not have standpipes RECOMMENDATION: Add a new Exception 5 to read:
available to use. Exception No. 5: Corridor and lobby protection shall not be
Automatic fire sprinklers are one excellent method of fire control, required in buildings protected throughout by an approved, total
but they can fail or become overwhelmed by a fire. In that event, (complete) coverage smoke detection system, providing occupant
these has to be a backup to allow the fire service an immediate fire notification and installed in accordance with Chapter 11.
suppression capability.

389
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
SUBSTANTIATION: Corridor and lobby construction relaxation has
to be concerned with the ability of the occupants to egress the
structure in an acceptable and timely manner.
Exception No. 1 exempts the otherwise required construction where
additional means of egress is provided from the rooms served by the
lobby or corridors. This allows the occupants an alternative source of
egress without necessarily providing any notification of an emergency
to use the required exits.
Exception No. 2 exempts the otherwise required construction for a
completely different reason; it requires a well-known fire protection
feature; however, it does not also require the additional exit doors
through the rooms served by the lobby and corridors. Therefore,
occupants must egress the structure through the corridors and lobbies
protected by sprinklers. Naturally, if a fire were in a different portion
of the (protected throughout) structure, this would be of less
concern. But, it also means that persons that choose to egress, if the
fire is affecting those corridors and lobbies, must exit through
(perhaps) dangerous products of the source of ignition. As with the
first exception, exception number 2 does not require occupant
notification.
Both of these exceptions deal with egress issues. One provides an
alternate exit access and the other allows additional egress time
because of the ability to control the fire and probability to extend the
egress time and tenability of the path of egress. *We cannot presume
that occupants will understand the concept of “protect in place” and
stay in the rooms served by the lobbies and corridors.
Exception No. 5 is being offered as another method of providing
additional egress time. While it is true that early warning smoke
detection systems will not control or extinguish a fire, neither does
exception 1. This new exception will provide considerably earlier
warning to occupants so that they can safely egress ... considerably
earlier warning than would be initiated (if included) from waterflow
switches in exception 2.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Add a new Exception 5 to 15.3.6 as follows:
Exception No. 5: Corridor and lobby protection shall not be
required in buildings protected throughout by an approved, total
(complete) coverage smoke detection system, providing occupant
notification and installed in accordance with Section 11.2.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action accomplishes
what the submitter requested, but editorially references Section 11.2
rather than all of Chapter 11. This should meet the submitter's
intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #724)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 774 - (15-3.7): Reject
SUBMITTER: Rick Thornberry, The Code Consortium Inc./Rep.
Alusuisse Composites Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows:
15.3.7 Exhibit Booths. Exhibit booths erected in Assembly
occupancies and constructed of foam plastics or materials containing
foam plastics shall have a maximum heat-release rate of 100 kW when
tested in accordance with UL 1975, Standard for Fire Tests for
Foamed Plastics Used for Decorative Purposes.
SUBSTANTIATION: This proposal is based on requirements
presently contained in Section 1103.3.3.4 of the 2000 Uniform Fire
Code for the regulation of exhibit booths installed in assembly
occupancies. This provides a reasonable level of fire safety for these
booths which can constitute a significant fire load when introduced
into an assembly occupancy such as exhibit halls and convention
centers. This criteria will put a reasonable upper limit on the heat
release rate permitted from materials used in these exhibit booths in
order to minimize the impact of these booths on the fire loading in
these facilities.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
390
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The subject is one for a fire prevention
code, not the building code.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #282)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 775 - (15-4.2.3): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Ed Roether, HOK Sport
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
15.4.2.3 For Table 15.4.2.3 the number of seats specified must be
within a single assembly space, and interpolation shall be permitted
between the specific values shown. A single seating space shall be
permitted to have multiple levels, floors or mezzanines. The
minimum clear widths shown shall be modified in accordance with all
of the following:
Items (a) through (c): No change.
SUBSTANTIATION: The term "a single seating space" is debated on
occasion when interpretations of the intent of this section are
established. The proposed change is intended to provide a language
clarifying it’s intent. Large seating assemblies share the same space
separated only by air. The flow rates of exiting as whole should be the
focus and not whether it appears that one portion of that seating
assembly exits through one exit access and another portion through
another. Therefore, the requirements should be clear that these
requirements address the flow rates of the total seating assembly and
not portions found at various locations within the seating space.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise text to read as follows:
15.4.2.3 For Table 15.4.2.3 the number of seats specified must be
within a single assembly space, and interpolation shall be permitted
between the specific values shown. A single assembly space shall be
permitted to have multiple levels, floors or mezzanines. The
minimum clear widths shown shall be modified in accordance with all
of the following:
Items (a) through (c): No change.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action accomplishes
what the submitter requested but editorially substitutes the word
"assembly space" for "seating space."
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #817)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 776 - (15-4.5.3.2): Reject
SUBMITTER: Dick M. Glumac, Glumac International/Rep. Golden
Gate Chapter ASHRAE
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows:
Change “Legitimate stages” to read “Class I stages...”.
SUBSTANTIATION: The word “legitimate” does not define the
classification of various stages. We suggest using Class I, Class II and
Class III stages and define each class in Definitions.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The package of protection
requirements applicable to stages is tied to the definitions being
added by Committee Proposal 5000-122 (Log #CP2032). The
submitter provides no details that would differentiate among the
classes of stages that he proposes. Users of the Life Safety Code are
already familiar with the term Legitimate Stage.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(Log #172)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 777 - (15-4.5.3.3): Accept
SUBMITTER: Karl G. Ruling, Entertainment Services and
Technology Assn.
RECOMMENDATION: We suggest that additional wording be
added to allow the use of materials that have equivalent fire and heat
resistance to the wood now specified. We also suggest that 4.1.2.3 of
the Manual of Style for NFPA Technical Committee Documents, 2000
edition, be followed when expressing dimensions in both U.S.
customary units and SI. The section would then read:
15.4.5.3.3 Openings through stage floors (traps) shall be equipped
with tight-fitting trap doors of wood having an actual thickness of not
less than 38 mm (1-1.2 in.) (3.8 cm) with approved safety locks. Other
materials for the trap doors are acceptable as long as they provide fire
and heat resistance equivalent to that provided by the wooden doors
described above.
SUBSTANTIATION: Section 15.4.5.3.3 states that openings through
stage floors must be covered with trap doors made of wood. We
question why only one building material is acceptable, and worry that
someone might think that no metal frame or other non-wooden
structural elements are acceptable.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
NEGATIVE: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
MESSESMITH: The committee should not pass the buck to the AHJ
to determine the equivalent heat and fire resistance of 1-1/2 inches of
wood. We should delete this outdated provision and require that the
door, whatever it is constructed of, provide a fire resistance rating
comparable to that required of the floor in which it is located.
___________________
(Log #138)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 778 - (15-4.5.7): Reject
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to SAF-AXM requesting that the TC give consideration to the
time requirements conflict raised by Mr. Fitch's explanation of
negative.
SUBMITTER: John C. Snook, Thermotex Industries, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
“The fire curtain shall resist the passage of flame and smoke between
the stage area and the audience for 30 minutes per NFPA 25.1 (ASTM
E119).”
SUBSTANTIATION: The NFPA 251 (ASTM E119) states 30 minutes
not 20 minutes.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The current language is sufficient. It
would permit a second option of providing a fire door assembly to
close off the opening.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
NEGATIVE: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
FITCH: Mr. Snook is right. We have created a conflict between the
requirement in 15-4.5.7 that the curtain separate the stage and
audience for 20 minutes (no passage of flame and smoke) and the test
requirement in 15-4.5.7(e) where we specify the test to be 30 minutes
without passage of flame or smoke.
___________________
391
(Log #171)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 779 - (15-4.5.7): Accept
SUBMITTER: Karl G. Ruling, Entertainment Services and
Technology Assn.
RECOMMENDATION: We suggest rewriting 15.4.5.7 to read:
15.4.5.7 Proscenium Opening Protection.
Where required by 15.4.5.6, the proscenium opening shall be
protected by a fire curtain or an approved water curtain complying
with NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems. The
fire curtain or water curtain shall be designed to activate upon
automatic detection of a fire and upon manual activation. The fire
curtain shall resist the passage of flame and smoke between the stage
area and the audience area for 20 min.
A fire curtain shall be an opening protective assembly labeled by an
approved agency or shall be constructed as follows:
(a) Asbestos Fabrics. Where not prohibited by applicable federal,
state, or local law, a curtain shall be permitted to be made of one or
more thicknesses of a minimum 2 3/4 lb/yd2 (1.10 kg/m2) AAA
grade wire inserted fabric. Nonasbestos portions of these fabrics, if
any, shall be flame resistant treated so as not to support combustion.
(b) Other Fabrics. Curtains not meeting the above criteria shall be
made of one or more thicknesses of a noncombustible fabric or a
fabric with a noncombustible base material, which shall be permitted
to be given a coating provided the modified fabric meets the criteria
detailed in this section. Curtain fabrics shall have a minimum weight
of 1.3 kg/m2 (2 3/8 lb/yd2) (1.3kg/sq m2)
(cb) Tensile Strength Requirements . . .
(dc) Wire-Insertion Reinforcement Requirements . . .
(cd) Fire Test . . .
(fe) Smoke Test . . .
(gf) All proscenium curtains shall be in the closed position except
during performances, rehearsals, or similar activities.
SUBSTANTIATION: The provisions in 15.4.5.6 for asbestos fire
curtains should be removed. Asbestos is simply too much of a health
hazard and too much trouble for anyone to use. Its inclusion makes
the draft document look dated and out of touch with current health
concerns. Also, there is a typographical error in the current 15.4.7(b)
that needs to be corrected. We are sure the committee does not want
to specify the weight of something with a size (sq m2) that goes into
four dimensions!
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #411)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 780 - (15-4.5.7): Reject
SUBMITTER: Jay C. Stone, Risk International & Associates, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Deleted text.
“or an approved water curtain complying with NFPA 13, Standard for
the Installation of Sprinkler Systems.”
SUBSTANTIATION: 1) In our experience as Risk Management
consultants water curtains would cause more damage to associated
facilities than would be saved.
2) A water curtain has not been provided to our satisfaction to stop
the smoke or smell of smoke nor hide the flames of the fire in order
to alleviate panic in the public assembled.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter's change would
unnecessarily limit design options. The submitter has not provided
adequate substantiation to justify this.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(Log #663)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 781 - (15-4.5.7): Reject
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to SAF-AXM requesting that the TC give consideration to the
time requirements conflict raised by Mr. Fitch's explanation of
negative. This is a duplicate of Proposal 5000-778 (Log #138).
SUBMITTER: John C. Snook, Thermotex Industries, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows:
“The fire curtain shall resist the passage of flame and smoke between
the stage area and the audience for 30 minutes per NFPA 251 (ASTM
E119).“
SUBSTANTIATION: The NFPA 251 (ASTM E119) states 30 minutes
not 20 minutes.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The current language is sufficient. It
would permit a second option of providing a fire door assembly to
close off the opening.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
NEGATIVE: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
FITCH: Mr. Snook is right. We have created a conflict between the
requirement in 15-4.5.7 that the curtain separate the stage and
audience for 20 minutes (no passage of flame and smoke) and the test
requirement in 15-4.5.7(e) where we specify the test to be 30 minutes
without passage of flame or smoke.
___________________
(Log #664)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 782 - (15-4.5.7): Reject
SUBMITTER: John C. Snook, Thermotex Industries, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
“A fire curtain shall be an opening protective assembly labeled by an
approved agency and (instead or “or”) shall be constructed as
follows:”
SUBSTANTIATION: The use of “and” clarifies the meaning and
intent of this paragraph.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: Use of the word "or" was intentional.
It is meant to offer three viable alternatives: (1) a water curtain, (2)
an opening protective assembly such as a fire door, and (3) a fire
curtain meeting the provisions of subparts [a] through [f]. The
submitter has not substantiated the need to reduce the number of
options.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
NEGATIVE: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
FITCH: The Committees Statement is totally irrelevant to the
proposed change. The proposal has nothing to do with fire doors or
water curtains. This introductory paragraph and the following
paragraph (a) were originally intended to grandfather in the existing
asbestos fire curtains.
The intent was that you either built it of asbestos or other
noncombustible materials per the specifications of paragraph (a) or it
had to be labeled as complying with the following (b)-(f).
Since we have agreed to delete the description of asbestos curtains
this should be revised to read:
“A fire curtain shall be an opening protective assembly labeled by an
approved agency as complying with the following requirements:”
(a) Per 5000-779 (Log #171).
___________________
392
(Log #667)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 783 - (15-4.5.7): Reject
SUBMITTER: John C. Snook, Thermotex Industries, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: In the first paragraph:
Delete “or an approved water curtain complying with NFPA 13,
Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems.” and “or water
curtain”.
SUBSTANTIATION: The water curtain in any form is a liability for
the owner of the facility. The substitution of a sprinkler system for a
fire curtain is unrealistic as shown in many instances where the
sprinkler system has caused extensive damage without a fire being
present.
Even if the water curtain complies with NFPA 13, it still does not: a.
stop the spread of smoke b. resist the passage of flame and c. prevent
the audience from seeing the fire on stage; ie, act as a “anti-panic”
device.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter's change would
unnecessarily limit design options. The submitter has not provided
adequate substantiation to justify this.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #669)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 784 - (15-4.5.7): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: John C. Snook, Thermotex Industries, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Add/Insert “testing and listing” in paragraph
#2 under paragraph 15.4.5.7 before “approved agency”.
SUBSTANTIATION: Clarification of the type of agency.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise the second paragraph of 15.4.5.7 to read:
“A fire curtain shall be a listed an opening protective assembly
labeled by an approved agency or shall be constructed as follows: ...”.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The term Listed has an official
definition in 3.2.7 that is well understood. The committee action
clarifies intent via use of the word Listed.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #1159)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 785 - (15-4.5.7): Accept in Part
SUBMITTER: Jerrold Gorrell, Theatre Safety Programs
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Sections (a), (b), (c) and (d).
SUBSTANTIATION: The entertainment industry has spent millions
of dollars to remove Asbestos safety curtains from theatres and the
public is unlikely to accept having them installed in a facility. These
specifications fly in the face of performance based codes. Sections (e)
and (f) should be sufficient to describe the performance of such a
curtain, regardless of material.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Part.
Revise ONLY subparts (a) and (b) of 15.4.5.7 as follows:
(a) Asbestos Fabrics. Where not prohibited by applicable federal,
state, or local law, a curtain shall be permitted to be made of one or
more thicknesses of a minimum 23/4-lb/yd2 (1.10.kg/m2) AAA
grade wire-inserted asbestos fabric or of another wire-inserted asbestos
fabric of greater fire resistance than 23/4-lb/yd2 (1.10.kg/m2) AAA
grade wire-inserted fabric. Nonasbestos portions of these fabrics, if
any, shall be flame-resistant treated so as not to support combustion.
(a) (b) Other Fabrics. Curtains not meeting the above criteria shall
be made of one or more thicknesses of a noncombustible fabric or a
fabric with a noncombustible base material, which shall be permitted
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
to be given a coating provided the modified fabric meets the criteria
detailed in this section. Curtain fabrics shall have a minimum weight
of 23/8 lb/yd2 (1.3 kg/sq m2).
Reletter subsequent subparts.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: Deletion of subpart (a) removes the
option for the asbestos curtain as requested by the submitter.
Subparts (b), (c) and (d) need to be retained for fabrics other than
asbestos.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #139)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 786 - (15-4.5.7 Paragraph 2): Reject
SUBMITTER: John C. Snook, Thermotex Industries, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
“A fire curtain shall be an opening protective assembly labeled by an
approved agency and (instead of "or" shall be constructed as follows:”
SUBSTANTIATION: The use of "and" clarifies the meaning and
intent of this paragraph.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: Use of the word "or" was intentional.
It is meant to offer three viable alternatives: (1) a water curtain, (2)
an opening protective assembly such as a fire door, and (3) a fire
curtain meeting the provisions of subparts a through f. The submitter
has not substantiated the need to reduce the number of options.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
NEGATIVE: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
FITCH: The Committees Statement is totally irrelevant to the
proposed change. The proposal has nothing to do with fire doors or
water curtains. This introductory paragraph and the following
paragraph (a) were originally intended to grandfather in the existing
asbestos fire curtains.
The intent was that you either built it of asbestos or other
noncombustible materials per the specifications of paragraph (a) or it
had to be labeled as complying with the following (b)-(f).
Since we have agreed to delete the description of asbestos curtains
this should be revised to read:
“A fire curtain shall be an opening protective assembly labeled by an
approved agency as complying with the following requirements:”
(a) Per 5000-779 (Log #171).
___________________
(Log #818)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 787 - (15-4.5.7(a)): Reject
SUBMITTER: Dick M. Glumac, Glumac International/Rep. Golden
Gate Chapter ASHRAE
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows:
Change “(a) Asbestos fabric....” to read “(a) Fire retardant fabric...”.
SUBSTANTIATION: The litigation about asbestos in building
construction prohibits the installation of asbestos.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: See the action on Proposal 5000-785
(Log #1159) which deletes subpart (a) on asbestos fabrics.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
393
(Log #668)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 788 - (15-4.5.7(d)): Reject
SUBMITTER: John C. Snook, Thermotex Industries, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Delete the following text:
“Wire shall not be required and fabric weight shall be permitted to
be less than 2-3/8 lb/yd2 if it can be substantiated by approved test
that is equivalent in strength and durability”.
SUBSTANTIATION: No approved tests are available and none are
under consideration by Factory Mutual, UL or ASTM.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The sentence offers an alternative that
at a later date can be helpful. The situation is similar to "the chicken
and the egg - - which came first" question. Eventually a test will be
developed and the Code will permit the results to be used.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #1160)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 789 - (15-4.5.7(g)): Accept
SUBMITTER: Jerrold Gorrell, Theatre Safety Programs
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Section (g)
SUBSTANTIATION: While a nice idea this requirement will be (and
has been since it was placed in the 101 Life Safety Code a number of
years ago) largely ignored by theatres and is largely unenforceable. It
shows a lack of understanding about how theatres operate on a daily
basis.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter's recommendation to
delete subpart (g) is accepted, but not for the reason stated in the
submitter's substantiation. Subpart (g) is a fire prevention code issue,
not a building code issue. It addresses operating features.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #805)
Committee: SAF-AXM
5000- 790 - (15-4.6): Accept
SUBMITTER: Gene Boecker, CCI (Code Consultants, Inc.)/Rep.
National Association of Theater Owners (NATO)
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows:
15.4.6. Projection Booths Rooms.
15.4.6.1 Projection rooms shall comply with 15.4.6.2 through
15.4.6.7. Where cellulose nitrate film is used, the projection room
shall comply with NFPA 40, Standard for the Storage and Handling of
Cellulose Nitrate Motion Picture Film.
15.4.6.12 Film or video projectors or spotlights utilizing light sources
that produce particulate matter or toxic gases or light sources that
produce hazardous radiation without protective shielding shall be
located within a projection room complying with 15.3.2.1.3. Where
cellulose nitrate film is used, the projection room shall comply with
NFPA 40, Standard for the Storage and Handling of Cellulose Nitrate
Motion Picture Film.
15.4.6.2 Projection Rooms for Safety Film. Projection rooms for
safety film shall comply with 15.4.6.2.1 through 13.4.6.2.6.
15.4.6.2.13 Every projection room for safety film shall be of
permanent construction consistent with the construction
requirements for the type of building in which the projection room is
located. Openings shall not be required to be protected. The room
shall have a floor area of not less than 80 sq ft (7.4 m2) for a single
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

machine and not less than 40 sq ft (3.7 m2) for each additional system in accordance with Section 11.7 Section 11.3. <Exceptions
machine. Each motion picture projector, floodlight, spotlight, or remain unchanged>
similar piece of equipment shall have a clear working space of not less SUBSTANTIATION: Correction to reference the automatic sprinkler
than 30 in. (76 cm) on each side and at its rear, but only one such section in Chapter 11.
space shall be required between adjacent projectors. COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
Renumber remainder as 15.4.6.4, through 15.4.6.7 NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
SUBSTANTIATION: This is a companion change to that which VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
deletes 15.4.6.3 for projection booth labeling. The cellulose nitrate AFFIRMATIVE: 19
concern is best addressed in the scoping statement and is moved ___________________
there. All new feature films are produced on safety film. Cellulose
nitrate film has not been produced for more than 40 years. Projection (Log #1019)
“room” is the proper term in the industry - not booth. Committee: SAF-AXM
With the revised text and organization it is clear that there is a single 5000- 793 - (15-8): Accept
set of requirements for projection rooms. If cellulose nitrate is used, TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
such as in laboratory situations, the charging section sends users to that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
NFPA 40. Else, the following sections should apply to all new name to SAF-AXM requesting that the subject of this proposal be
projection rooms. The inclusion of the term “safety film” only revisited now that a draft of Chapter 100 Flood Resistant Design and
confuses the application. Construction is available via Proposal 5000-1421 (Log #623).
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. SUBMITTER: James A. Rossberg, Christopher P. Jones, American
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19 Society of Civil Engineers/Rep. Federal Emergency Management
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION: Agency, Mitigation Directorate
AFFIRMATIVE: 19 RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows:
___________________ 15.8 Flood Resistance. Buildings or structures used for assembly
occupancies, that are located wholly or partly within the flood hazard
(Log #806) area established by Section 100.3.2, shall comply with the provisions of
Committee: SAF-AXM Chapter 100.
5000- 791 - (15-4.6.3): Accept SUBSTANTIATION: Makes code provisions compliant with National
SUBMITTER: Gene Boecker, CCI (Code Consultants, Inc.)/Rep. Flood Insurance Program regulations for buildings and structures in
National Association of Theater Owners (NATO) flood hazard areas. Note that this proposal is one of a series of
RECOMMENDATION: Delete this section in total. proposals that will insure NFPA 5000 compliance with NFIP
15.4.6.3 Projection Room Posting. A conspicuous sign with 1-in. regulations. Although submitted separately, the proposals comprising
(2.10 cm) block letters stating: “SAFETY FILM ONLY PERMITTED IN the series should be considered together.
THIS ROOM” shall be posted on the outside of each projection room COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
door and within the projection room proper. NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
Exception: The projection room is constructed in accordance with VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
NFPA 40, Standard for the Storage and Handling of Cellulose Nitrate AFFIRMATIVE: 18
Motion Picture Film. NEGATIVE: 1
SUBSTANTIATION: This section has outlived its purpose. The EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
original intent was to clearly delineate that only safety film was to be FITCH: This item needs to be resolved by the Technical Correlating
used in typical projection rooms and that the special requirements in Committee. Most other Technical Committees that I have
NFPA 40 must be followed otherwise. NFPA 40 addresses how to participated on have rejected this item since we did not have the
handle cellulose nitrate film and is referenced in section 15.4.6.1 so document referenced or the proposed Chapter 100.
the exception is not really necessary.
More importantly is the fact that cellulose nitrate film has not been ___________________
produced in more than 40 years. All known cellulose nitrate film is in
storage vaults or laboratories which are specifically addressed in NFPA (Log #CP2027)
40. Any feature film currently produced is safety film because that is Committee: SAF-END
all that is produced. Even archival films which are publicly shown are 5000- 794 - (Chapter 16): Accept
copies which have been transferred from the original medium to SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Educational and Day-Care
safety film. Occupancies
The cost savings is minimal. However, the requirement for the sign RECOMMENDATION: Create a Chapter 16 Educational
raises all kinds of questions which can cause delays, mis- Occupancies to read as follows:
communications and feelings of mistrust between designers/builders Chapter 16
and enforcement authorities. Educational Occupancies
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. 16.1 General Requirements
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19 16.2 Means of Egress Requirements
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION: 16.3 Protection
AFFIRMATIVE: 19 16.4 Special Provisions
16.5 Building Services
16.6 (Reserved)
___________________ 16.7 Flood Resistance
16.1 General Requirements.
(Log #837) 16.1.1 Application.
Committee: SAF-AXM 16.1.1.1 The requirements of this chapter apply to the following:
5000- 792 - (15-4.8.5): Accept (a) New buildings or portions thereof used as educational
SUBMITTER: Howard Hooper, Underwriters Laboratories Inc. occupancies (see Chapter 6) and
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows: (b) Additions made to, or used as, an educational occupancy and
15.4.8.5 Spaces Underneath Grandstands. Spaces underneath a (c) Alterations, modernizations, or renovations of existing
grandstand shall be kept free of flammable or combustible materials, educational occupancies and
unless protected by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler

394
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(d) Existing buildings or portions thereof upon change of
occupancy to an educational occupancy
16.1.1.2 Educational facilities that do not meet the definition of an
educational occupancy need not comply with this chapter but shall
comply with the following requirements:
(a) Instructional building - business occupancy. (See Chapter 27.)
(b) Classrooms under 50 persons - business occupancy. (See
Chapter 27.)
(c) Classrooms 50 persons and over - assembly occupancy. (See
Chapter 15.)
(d) Laboratories, instructional - business occupancy. (See Chapter
27.)
(e) Laboratories, noninstructional - industrial. (See Chapter 28.)
16.1.2 Multiple Occupancies.
16.1.2.1 General. Multiple occupancies shall be in accordance with
Section 6.2.
16.1.2.2 Assembly and Educational. Spaces subject to assembly
occupancy shall comply with Chapter15, including 15.1.2, which
provides that where auditorium and gymnasium egress lead through
corridors or stairways also serving as egress for other parts of the
building, the egress capacity shall be sufficient to permit simultaneous
egress from auditorium and classroom sections.
Exception: In the case of an assembly occupancy of a type suitable only for use
by the school occupant load (and therefore not subject to simultaneous
occupancy), the same egress capacity shall be permitted to serve both sections.
16.1.2.3 Dormitory and Classrooms. Any building used for both
classroom and dormitory purposes shall comply with the applicable
provisions of Chapter 23 in addition to complying with Chapter16.
Where classroom and dormitory sections are not subject to
simultaneous occupancy, the same egress capacity shall be permitted
to serve both sections.
16.1.3 Classification of Occupancy. (See 6.1.3.)
16.1.3.1 Educational occupancies shall include all buildings used for
educational purposes through the twelfth grade by six or more
persons for four or more hours per day or more than 12 hours per
week.
16.1.3.2 Educational occupancies include part-day preschools,
kindergartens, and other schools whose purpose is primarily
educational even though the children are of preschool age.
16.1.3.3 In cases where instruction is incidental to some other
occupancy, the section of this Code governing such other occupancy
shall apply.
16.1.3.4 Other occupancies associated with educational institutions
shall be in accordance with the appropriate parts of this Code.
16.1.4 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction shall be
in accordance with Chapter 7.
16.1.5 Occupant Load.
16.1.5.1 The occupant load, in number of persons for whom means of
egress and other provisions are required, shall be determined on the
basis of the occupant load factors of Table 12.3.1.2 that are
characteristic of the use of the space or shall be determined as the
maximum probable population of the space under consideration,
whichever is greater.
16.1.5.2 The occupant load of an educational occupancy or a portion
thereof shall be permitted to be modified from that specified above if
the necessary aisles and exits are provided. An approved aisle or
seating diagram shall be required by the authority having jurisdiction
to substantiate such a modification.
16.2 Means of Egress Requirements.
16.2.1 General.
16.2.1.1 Means of egress shall be in accordance with Chapter 12 and
this section.
16.2.1.2 Rooms normally occupied by preschool, kindergarten, or
first-grade pupils shall not be located above or below the level of exit
discharge. Rooms normally occupied by second-grade pupils shall not
be located more than one story above the level of exit discharge.
Exception : Rooms or areas located on floor levels other than as specified in
16.2.1.2 shall be permitted to be used where provided with independent means
of egress dedicated for use by the preschool, kindergarten, first-grade, or second-
grade students.
395
16.2.2 Means of Egress Components.
16.2.2.1 Components of means of egress shall be limited to the types
described in 16.2.2.2 through 16.2.2.10.
16.2.2.2 Doors.
16.2.2.2.1 Doors complying with 12.2.1 shall be permitted.
16.2.2.2.2 Panic Hardware or Fire Exit Hardware. Any door in a
required means of egress from an area having an occupant load of
100 or more persons shall be permitted to be provided with a latch or
lock only if it is panic hardware or fire exit hardware complying with
12.2.1.7.
16.2.2.2.3 Special locking arrangements complying with 12.2.1.6 shall
be permitted.
16.2.2.2.4 Door Closure. Any exit door that is designed to normally be
kept closed shall conform with 12.2.1.8.
16.2.2.2.5 Only one locking or latching device shall be permitted on a
door or on one leaf of a pair of doors.
16.2.2.3 Stairs. Stairs complying with 12.2.2 shall be permitted.
16.2.2.4 Smokeproof Enclosures. Smokeproof enclosures complying
with 12.2.3 shall be permitted.
16.2.2.5 Horizontal Exits. Horizontal exits complying with 12.2.4 shall
be permitted.
16.2.2.6 Ramps. Ramps complying with 10.2.5 shall be permitted.
16.2.2.7 Exit Passageways. Exit passageways complying with 12.2.6
shall be permitted.
16.2.2.8 Fire Escape Ladders. Fire escape ladders complying with
12.2.9 shall be permitted.
16.2.2.9 Alternating Tread Devices. Alternating tread devices
complying with 12.2.11 shall be permitted.
16.2.2.10 Areas of Refuge. Areas of refuge complying with 12.2.12
shall be permitted.
16.2.3 Capacity of Means of Egress.
16.2.3.1 Capacity of means of egress shall be in accordance with
Section 12.3.
16.2.3.2 Minimum Corridor Width.
16.2.3.2.1 Exit access corridors shall be not less than 6 ft (1.8 m) clear
width.
16.2.3.2.2 Drinking fountains or other equipment, fixed or movable,
shall not be placed so to obstruct the required minimum 6-ft (1.8-m)
corridor width.
16.2.4 Number of Exits. Not less than two separate exits shall be as
follows:
(1) Provided on every story
(2) Accessible from every part of every story and mezzanine
16.2.5 Arrangement of Means of Egress.
16.2.5.1 Means of egress shall be arranged in accordance with Section
12.5.
16.2.5.2 No dead-end corridor shall exceed 20 ft (6.1 m), other than
in buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3, in which
case dead-end corridors shall not exceed 50 ft (15 m).
16.2.5.3 No common path of travel shall exceed 75 ft (23 m), other
than for the first 100 ft (30 m) in a building protected throughout by
an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance
with Section 11.3.
16.2.5.4 Every room that is normally subject to student occupancy
shall have an exit access door leading directly to an exit access
corridor or exit.
Exception No. 1: This requirement shall not apply where an exit door opens
directly to the outside or to an exterior balcony or corridor as described in
16.2.5.7
Exception No. 2: One room shall be permitted to intervene between a normally
occupied student room and an exit access corridor, provided that all of the
following criteria are met:
(a) The travel from a room served by an intervening room to the
corridor door or exit shall not exceed 75 ft (23 m).
(b) Clothing, personal effects, or other materials deemed hazardous by the
authority having jurisdiction shall be stored in metal lockers, provided that they
do not obstruct the exit access, or the intervening room shall be sprinklered in
accordance with Section 11.3.
(c) One of the following means of protection shall be provided:
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(1) The intervening room shall have approved fire detection that
activates the building alarm.
(2) The building shall be protected by an approved, supervised automatic
sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3.
16.2.5.5. Doors that swing into an exit access corridor shall be
arranged to prevent interference with corridor travel. (see also
12.2.1.4.4)
16.2.5.6 Aisles. Aisles shall be not less than 30 in. (91 cm) wide. The
space between parallel rows of seats shall not be subject to the
minimum aisle width, provided that the number of seats that
intervene between any seat and an aisle do not exceed six.
16.2.5.7* Exterior Corridors or Balconies. Exterior exit access shall
comply with 12.5.3.
16.2.6 Travel Distance to Exits. Travel distance to an exit shall not
exceed 150 ft (45 m) from any point in a building. (See also Section
12.6.)
Exception: Travel distance shall not exceed 200 ft (60 m) in educational
occupancies protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic
sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 11.3.
16.2.7 Discharge from Exits. Discharge from exits shall be arranged in
accordance with Section 12.7.
16.2.8 Illumination of Means of Egress. Means of egress shall be
illuminated in accordance with Section 12.8.
16.2.9 Emergency Lighting. Emergency lighting shall be provided in
accordance with Section 12.9 in the following areas:
(a) Interior stairs and corridors.
(b) Assembly use spaces.
(c) Flexible and open plan buildings.
(d) Interior or windowless portions of buildings.
(e) Shops and laboratories.
16.2.10 Marking of Means of Egress. Means of egress shall have signs
in accordance with Section 12.10.
Exception: Signs shall not be required in situations where locations of exits are
otherwise obvious and familiar to all occupants, such as in small elementary
school buildings.
16.2.11 Special Means of Egress Features.
16.2.11.1* Windows for Rescue. Every room or space greater than 250
ft2 (23.2 m2) used for classroom or other educational purposes or
normally subject to student occupancy shall have at least one outside
window for emergency rescue and ventilation. Such window shall be
openable from the inside without the use of tools and shall provide a
clear opening of not less than 20 in. (51 cm) in width, 24 in. (61 cm)
in height, and 5.7 ft2 (0.53 m2) in area. The bottom of the opening
shall be not more than 44 in. (112 cm) above the floor, and any
latching device shall be capable of being operated from not more
than 54 in. (137 cm) above the finished floor. The clear opening shall
permit a rectangular solid, with a minimum width and height that
provides the required 5.7 ft2 (0.53 m2) opening and a minimum depth
of 20 in. (51 cm), to pass fully through the opening. Such windows
shall be accessible by the fire department and shall open into an area
having access to a public way.
Exception No. 1: In buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 11.3.
Exception No. 2: Where the room or space has a door leading directly to the
outside of the building.
Exception No. 3: Rooms located higher than three stories above grade.
16.3 Protection.
16.3.1 Protection of Vertical Openings. Any vertical opening, other
than unprotected vertical openings in accordance with 9.4.2, shall be
enclosed or protected in accordance with 9.1.4. Where the provisions
of 9.2 are used, the requirements of 16.3.5.2 shall be met.
16.3.2 Protection from Hazards.
16.3.2.1 Rooms or spaces for the storage, processing, or use of
materials specified below shall be protected in accordance with the
following:
(a) Separation from the remainder of the building by fire barriers
having a fire resistance rating of not less than 1 hr or protection of
such rooms by automatic extinguishing systems as specified in
Chapters 6 and 33 in the following areas:
1. Boiler and furnace rooms,
396
Exception to (a)(1): Rooms enclosing only air-handling equipment.
2. Rooms or spaces used for the storage of combustible supplies
in quantities deemed hazardous by the authority having jurisdiction,
3. Rooms or spaces used for the storage of hazardous materials
or flammable or combustible liquids in quantities deemed hazardous
by recognized standards,
4. Janitor closets.
Exception to (a)4: Janitor closets protected by automatic sprinklers shall be
permitted to have doors with ventilating louvers.
(b) Separation from the remainder of the building by fire barriers
having a fire resistance rating of not less than 1 hr and protection of
such rooms by automatic extinguishing systems as specified in
Chapters 6 and 33 in the following areas:
1. Laundries;
2. Maintenance shops, including woodworking and painting
areas;
3. Rooms or spaces used for processing or use of combustible
supplies deemed hazardous by the authority having jurisdiction;
4. Rooms or spaces used for processing or use of hazardous
materials or flammable or combustible liquids in quantities deemed
hazardous by recognized standards.
(c) Where automatic extinguishing is used to meet the
requirements of this section, the protection shall be permitted to be
in accordance with Chapter 11.
16.3.2.2 Cooking Facilities.
16.3.2.2.1 Cooking facilities shall be protected in accordance with
Section 11.8.
16.3.2.2.2 Openings shall not be required to be protected between
food preparation areas and dining areas.
16.3.2.3 Laboratories that use chemicals shall comply with NFPA 45,
Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals.
16.3.2.4 Stages shall be protected in accordance with Chapter 15.
16.3.3 Interior Finish.
16.3.3.1 General. Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter
10.
16.3.3.2 Interior Wall and Ceiling Finish. Interior wall and ceiling
finish materials in accordance with Chapter 10 shall be permitted as
follows:
(a) Exits — Class A.
(b) Other than exits — Class A or Class B.
(c) Low-height partitions not exceeding 5 ft (1.5 m) used in
locations other than exits — Class A, Class B, or Class C.
16.3.3.3 Interior Floor Finish. Interior floor finish in exit enclosures
and in exit access corridors and in spaces not separated from them by
walls complying with 16.3.6 shall be not less than Class II in
accordance with Section 10.7. In all other spaces interior floor finish
shall comply with 10.7.1.
16.3.4 Detection, Alarm, and Communication Systems.
16.3.4.1 General. Educational occupancies shall be provided with a
fire alarm system in accordance with Section 11.2.
Exception: A building with a maximum area of 1000 ft2 (93 m2) that contains
a single classroom and is located not closer than 50 ft (15.2 m) from another
building.
16.3.4.2 Initiation.
16.3.4.2.1 Initiation of the required fire alarm system shall be by
manual means in accordance with Section 11.2.
16.3.4.2.2 In buildings provided with automatic sprinkler protection,
the operation of the sprinkler system shall automatically activate the
fire alarm system in addition to the initiation means required in
16.3.4.2.1.
16.3.4.2.3 Alternative Protection System. Manual fire alarm boxes
shall be permitted to be eliminated in accordance with 16.3.4.2.3.1 or
16.3.4.2.3.2.
16.3.4.2.3.1 Manual fire alarm boxes shall be permitted to be
eliminated where all of the following conditions apply:
(a) Interior corridors are protected by smoke detectors using an
alarm verification system as described in NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm
Code.
(b) Auditoriums, cafeterias, gymnasiums, etc., are protected by heat
or other approved detection devices.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(c) Shops and laboratories involving dusts or vapors are protected
by heat or other approved detection devices.
(d) Provision is made at a central point to manually activate the
evacuation signal, or to evacuate only affected areas.
16.3.4.2.3.2 Manual fire alarm boxes shall be permitted to be
eliminated where all of the following conditions apply:
(a) The building is protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
11.3.
(b) Provision is made at a central point to manually activate the
evacuation signal, or to evacuate only affected areas.
16.3.4.3 Notification.
16.3.4.3.1 Occupant Notification.
16.3.4.3.1.1 Occupant notification shall be accomplished
automatically in accordance with 11.2.3. Positive alarm sequence shall
be permitted in accordance with 11.2.3.4.
16.3.4.3.1.2 Where acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction, the
fire alarm system shall be permitted to be used for other emergency
signaling or for class changes, provided the fire alarm is distinctive in
signal and overrides all other use.
16.3.4.3.1.3 In order to prevent students from being returned to a
building that is burning, the recall signal shall be one that is separate
and distinct from, and cannot be mistaken for, any other signals. Such
signal shall be permitted to be given by use of distinctively colored
flags or banners. If the recall signal is electrical, the push buttons or
other controls shall be kept under lock, the key for which shall be in
the possession of the principal or some other designated person in
order to prevent a recall at a time when there is an actual fire.
Regardless of the method of recall, the means of giving the signal
shall be kept under a lock.
16.3.4.3.2 Emergency Forces Notification. Fire department
notification shall be accomplished in accordance with 11.2.4.
16.3.5 Extinguishment Requirements.
16.3.5.1 Educational occupancy buildings with a fire area exceeding
1860 m2 (20,000 ft2) shall be protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
11.3.
16.3.5.2 Every portion of an educational occupancy buildingbelow the
level of exit discharge shall be protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
11.3.
16.3.5.3 Educational occupancy buildings with unprotected openings
in accordance with 9.2 shall be protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
11.3.
16.3.5.4 Class I standpipes shall be installed in accordance with 11.4.1
where any of the following occur:
1. A minimum of one floor area is more than 45 meters (148 ft)
from its nearest point of fire department entry into the building in
other than buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
11.3.
2. A minimum of one floor level is more than 9 meters (29.5 feet)
above or below the level of fire department access.
16.3.5.5 Portable fire extinguishers in accordance with the provisions
of Section 11.6 shall be installed in hazardous areas as specified in
16.3.2.1.
16.3.6 Corridors. Corridors shall be separated from other parts of the
story by walls having a 1-hr fire resistance rating in accordance with
Chapter 8.
Exception No. 1: Corridor protection shall not be required where all spaces
normally subject to student occupancy have at least one door opening directly to
the outside or to an exterior exit access balcony or corridor in accordance with
16.2.5.7.
Exception No. 2: In buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 11.3, corridor
walls shall not be required to be rated, provided that such walls form smoke
partitions in accordance with 8.4.1.
397
Exception No. 3: Where the corridor ceiling is an assembly having a 1-hr fire
resistance rating where tested as a wall, the corridor walls shall be permitted to
terminate at the corridor ceiling.
Exception No. 4: Lavatories shall not be required to be separated from
corridors, provided they are separated from all other spaces by walls having not
less than a 1-hr fire resistance rating in accordance with Chapter 8.
16.3.7 Subdivision of Building Spaces.
16.3.7.1 School buildings shall be subdivided into compartments by
smoke barriers having a 1-hr fire resistance rating and complying with
Chapter 8 where:
(a) The maximum area of a compartment, including the aggregate
area of all floors having a common atmosphere, exceeds 30,000 ft2
(2800 m2); or
(b) The length or width of the building exceeds 300 ft (91 m).
Exception No. 1: Where all spaces normally subject to student occupancy have
at least one door opening directly to the outside or to an exterior or exit access
balcony or corridor in accordance with 16.2.5.7.
Exception No. 2: Buildings that consist of only one story and are protected
throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system installed in
accordance with Section 11.3.
16.3.7.2 The maximum area of a smoke compartment shall not
exceed 30,000 ft2 (2800 m2) with no dimension exceeding 300 ft (91
m).
Exception: In buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 11.3, there
shall be no limitation on smoke compartment size, provided that the floor is
divided into a minimum of two smoke compartments.
16.4 Special Provisions.
16.4.1 Windowless or Underground Buildings.
16.4.1.1 Windowless or underground buildings shall comply with
Chapter 30.
16.4.2 High-Rise Buildings. High-rise buildings shall comply with
Chapter 32.
16.4.3 Flexible Plan and Open Plan Buildings.
16.4.3.1 Flexible plan and open plan buildings shall comply with the
requirements of this chapter as modified by 16.4.3.2 through 16.4.3.4.
16.4.3.2 Each room occupied by more than 300 persons shall have two
or more means of egress entering into separate atmospheres. Where
three or more means of egress are required, not more than two of
them shall enter into the same atmosphere.
16.4.3.3 Flexible plan buildings shall be permitted to have walls and
partitions rearranged periodically only if revised plans or diagrams
have been approved by the authority having jurisdiction.
16.4.3.4 Flexible plan buildings shall be evaluated while all folding
walls are extended and in use as well as when they are in the retracted
position.
16.5 Building Services.
16.5.1 Utilities. Utilities shall comply with the provisions of Chapters
48, 49, and 50.
16.5.2 Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning Equipment.
16.5.2.1 Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning equipment shall
comply with the provisions of Chapter 49.
16.5.2.2 Unvented fuel-fired heating equipment shall be prohibited.
Exception: Gas space heaters installed in compliance with NFPA 54 / ANSI
Z223.1, National Fuel Gas Code.
16.5.3 Elevators, Escalators, and Conveyors. Elevators, escalators, and
conveyors shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 51.
16.5.4 Rubbish Chutes, Incinerators, and Laundry Chutes. Rubbish
chutes, incinerators, and laundry chutes shall comply with the
provisions of Section 9.6.
16.5.5 Furnishings and Decorations.
16.5.5.1 Draperies, curtains, and other similar furnishings and
decorations in educational occupancies shall be in accordance with
the provisions of Chapter 10.
16.5.5.2 Clothing and personal effects shall not be stored in corridors.
Exception No. 1: Corridors protected by an automatic sprinkler system in
accordance with Section 11.3.
Exception No. 2: Corridor areas protected by a smoke detection system in
accordance with Section 11.2.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
Exception No. 3: Storage in metal lockers, provided the required egress width is
maintained.
16.6 (Reserved.)
16.7 Flood Resistance. Buildings or structures used for educational
occupancies, that are located wholly or partly within the flood hazard
area established by Section 100.3.2, shall comply with the provisions of
Chapter 100.
Chapter 16 Annex
A.16.2.5.7 A corridor roofed over and enclosed on its long side and
open to the atmosphere at the end is permitted to be considered an
exterior corridor if either of the following criteria are met:
(1) Clear story openings for the corridor are provided on both sides
of the corridor and above adjacent roofs or buildings, and such clear
openings are not less than one-half the height of the corridor walls.
(2) The corridor roof has unobstructed openings to the sky not less
than 50 percent of the area of the roof.
The openings are to be equally distributed, and, if louvers are
installed, they are to be fixed open with a clear area based on the
actual openings between louver vanes.
A.16.2.11.1 It is highly desirable that all windows be of a type that can
be readily opened from inside and to have them large enough and
low enough for use by students, teachers, and fire fighters. Windows
are permitted to serve as a supplementary means of emergency
escape, particularly where ladders can be raised by fire fighters or
others.
A.16.3.4.2.3.1 Occupied portions of the building should have access
to a central point for manual activation of the evacuation signal.
A.16.3.4.2.3.2 Occupied portions of the building should have access
to a central point for manual activation of the evacuation signal.
SUBSTANTIATION: The NFPA 5000 draft that was published for
purposes of soliciting public proposals does not fulfill the
requirement that the Report on Proposals contain proposals for all
the material that is to appear in a new document. This proposal
makes clear the SAF-END committee's choice of what is to be
contained in Chapter 16 on educational occupancies. The draft
incorporates the actions taken on all but one of the numerous
proposals on Chapter 16; includes editorial changes; and reflects
changes made by the committee to NFPA 101 material so as to be
appropriate for the building code. The one change not incorporated
is the revision to 16.2.9 effected by Proposal 5000-799 (Log #CP2019).
The SAF-END committee was not in unanimous agreement when it
generated the proposal that modifies 16.2.9; thus, the subject is being
kept separate from the proposal related to the entire chapter.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
___________________
(Log #CP2017)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 795 - (16-1.2): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Educational and Day-Care
Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 16.1.2 as follows:
16.1.2 Multiple Mixed Occupancies. (See also 16.1.4.)
16.1.2.1 General. Multiple occupancies shall be in accordance with
Section 6.2. Where other types of occupancy occur in the same
building as an educational occupancy, the requirements of Chapter 6
for mixed occupancies shall be applicable.
Exception: As otherwise specified in this chapter.
16.1.2.2 Assembly and Educational. Spaces subject to assembly
occupancy shall comply with Chapter 15, including 15.1.2, which
provides that where auditorium and gymnasium egress lead through
corridors or stairways also serving as egress for other parts of the
building, the egress capacity shall be sufficient to permit simultaneous
egress from auditorium and classroom sections.
398
Exception: In the case of an assembly occupancy of a type suitable
only for use by the school occupant load (and therefore not subject to
simultaneous occupancy), the same egress capacity shall be permitted
to serve both sections.
16.1.2.3 Dormitory and Classrooms. Any building used for both
classroom and dormitory purposes shall comply with the applicable
provisions of Chapter 23 in addition to complying with Chapter 16.
Where classroom and dormitory sections are not subject to
simultaneous occupancy, the same egress capacity shall be permitted
to serve both sections.
SUBSTANTIATION: The Technical Committee on Fundamentals is
preparing a Section 6.2 on multiple occupancies that establishes two
options: (1) separated occupancies, and (2) mixed occupancies. This
proposal revises 16.1.2 to reference Section 6.2; deletes any material
that is adequately covered by 6.2; and retains unique provisions
applicable to educational occupancies.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
___________________
(Log #913b)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 796 - (16-1.4): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Sam Francis, American Forest & Paper Assn.
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Section 16.1.4 entirely, and substitute
the new text as follows:
16.1.4 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction shall be
in accordance with Chapter 7.
SUBSTANTIATION: The table derived from the Epcot Building
Code was incomplete and failed to include most of the occupancy
groups now included in this code. The data presented to the
Structures and Construction TC indicate that the area of a building is
not one of the significant factors in determining the safety of the
building. Number, location and size of exits, travel distance and fire
resistance of the structure do not change due to area. Therefore, the
allowable areas in this code should not be less than those permitted
under many of the building codes now in existence. The proposed
table simply recognizes those facts and proposes areas which are
currently permitted in the United States.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Replace 16.1.4 and 16.1.4.1 with the following:
16.1.4 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction shall be
in accordance with Chapter 7.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action accomplishes
what the submitter requested but is not shown as a straight "accept"
because the committee doesn't necessarily agree with the submitter's
substantiation. The SAF-END committee has been instructed by the
BLD-AAC technical correlating committee to assure that the
construction requirements appear in Chapter 7. This action
accomplishes that.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
___________________
(Log #1134)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 797 - (16-1.5.1): Accept
SUBMITTER: Kevin Kelly, National Fire Sprinkler Association
RECOMMENDATION: Revise the reference 7.3.1.2 to read 12.3.1.2.
SUBSTANTIATION: This is the correct table to be referenced for
occupant load factors.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
___________________
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(Log #836)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 798 - (16-2.5.3, 16.2.5.4, 16.2.5.2, 17.2.5.2, 17.3.6): Accept
SUBMITTER: Howard Hooper, Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
16.2.5.3 No common path of travel shall exceed 75 ft (23m), other
than for the first 100 ft (30 m) in a building protected throughout by
an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance
with Section 11.3 Section 11.7.
16.2.5.4 Every room that is normally subject to student occupancy
shall have an exit access door leading directly to an exit access
corridor or exit.
Exception No. 1: This requirement shall not apply where an exit
door opens directly to the outside or to an exterior balcony or
corridor as described in 16.2.5.7
Exception No. 2: One room shall be permitted to intervene between
a normally occupied student room and an exit access corridor,
provided that all of the following criteria are met:
(a) The travel from a room served by an intervening room to the
corridor door or exit shall not exceed 75 ft (23 m).
(b) Clothing, personal effects, or other materials deemed hazardous
by the authority having jurisdiction shall be stored in metal lockers,
provided that they do not obstruct the exit access, or the intervening
room shall be sprinklered in accordance with Section 11.3 Section
11.7.
(c) One of the following means of protection shall be provided:
(1) The intervening room shall have approved fire detection that
activates the building alarm.
(2) The building shall be protected by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3 section
11.7.
16.2.5.2 No dead-end corridor shall exceed 20 ft (6.1 m), other than
in buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3 Section
11.7, in which case dead-end corridors shall not exceed 50 ft (15 m).
17.2.5.2 No dead-end corridor shall exceed 20 ft (6.1 m), other than
in buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3 Section
11.7, in which case dead-end corridors shall not exceed 50 ft (15 m).
17.3.6 Corridors. Every interior corridor shall be constructed of
walls having not less than a 1-hour fire resistance rating in accordance
with Chapter 8.
Exception No. 1: Corridor Corridor protection shall not be required
where all spaces normally subject to client occupancy have not less
than one door opening directly to the outside or to an exterior exit
access balcony or corridor in accordance with 12.5.3.
Exception No. 2: In buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3
Section 11.7, corridor walls shall not be required to be rated, provided
that such walls from smoke partitions in accordance with 8.2.4.
Exception No. 3: Where the corridor ceiling is an assembly having a
1-hour fire resistance resistance rating where tested as a wall, the
corridor walls shall be permitted to terminate at the corridor ceiling.
Exception No. 4: Lavatories shall not be required to be separated
from corridors, provided that they are separated from all other spaces
by walls having not less than a 1-hour fire resistance rating in
accordance with 8.2.3.
SUBSTANTIATION: Correction to reference the automatic sprinkler
section in Chapter 11 and correct a few typographical errors.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
___________________
399
(Log #CP2019)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 799 - (16-2.9): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Educational and Day-Care
Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 16.2.9 as follows:
16.2.9 Emergency Lighting. Emergency lighting shall be provided in
accordance with Section 12.9 in the following areas:
(a) Interior stairs and corridors.
(b) Assembly use spaces.
(c) Flexible and open plan buildings.
(d) Interior or windowless portions of buildings.
(e) Shops and laboratories.
SUBSTANTIATION: Educational occupancy buildings are often
used after daylight hours. Also, the emergency lighting guidelines in
Section 12.9 include the designated portions of the exit discharge,
which is currently missing from the list of areas in 16.2.9. It is prudent
to require emergency lighting in the exits, and the designated
portions of the exit access and the designated portions of the exit
discharge in accordance with Section 12.9. The educational
occupancy chapter cannot justify a different requirement.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
TROTTER: I agree with the committee that Section 12.9 is the
appropriate section to refer for emergency lighting requirements.
However, I believe that specifically the interior or windowless portions
of buildings is important to keep in the code. Furthermore, in rooms
or spaces that provide Windows for Rescue in accordance with
16.2.11.1 should be provided with emergency lighting for occupancy
to be able to operate the window from the inside and make safe
escape.
___________________
(Log #65)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 800 - (16-3.1 and 16.3.5.2): Accept
SUBMITTER: Marshall A. Klein, Marshall A. Klein & Assoc.,
Inc./Rep. Automotive Oil Change Association (AOCA)
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
16.3.1 Protection of Vertical Openings. Any vertical openings, other
than unprotected vertical openings in accordance with 8.2.5.8 9.4.2,
shall be enclosed or protected in accordance with 8.2.1 9.14. Where
the provisions of 8.2.5.5 9.2 are used, the requirements of 16.3.5.2
shall be met.
16.3.5.2 Buildings with unprotected openings in accordance with
8.2.5.59.2 shall be protected throughout by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 9.7 11.3.
SUBSTANTIATION: Editorial.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
___________________
(Log #212)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 801 - (16-3.2.5): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Add new Section 16.3.2.5 as follows:
16.3.2.5 Cooking Facilities. Cooking facilities shall be protected in
accordance with Section 11.8.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
SUBSTANTIATION: NFPA 5000 currently has no requirements for
the protection of cooking facilities.
See also ancillary proposal to add new Section 11.8 related to
cooking hazards.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise 16.3.2.2 as follows:
16.3.2.2 Cooking Facilities.
16.3.2.2.1 Cooking facilities shall be protected in accordance with
Section 11.8.
16.3.2.2.2 Food preparation facilities shall be protected in
accordance with Chapter 11 and shall not be required to have
openings Openings shall not be required to be protected between
food preparation areas and dining areas.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The action taken should meet the
submitter's intent. It will help to make the wording used in Chapter
16 consistent with that of Chapter 17.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
___________________
(Log #48)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 802 - (16-3.3): Accept in Part
SUBMITTER: Marcelo M. Hirschler, GBH International/Rep. Fire
Retardant Chemicals Association
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
16.3.3 Interior Finish.
16.3.3.1 Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter 10.
Interior wall and ceiling finish tested in accordance with NFPA 286,
Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Evaluating Contribution of Wall
and Ceiling Interior Finish to Room Fire Growth, and meeting the
conditions of 10.3.5.3 shall be deemed to comply with a Class A
classification in accordance with NFPA 255, Standard Method of Test
of Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials.
16.3.3.2 Interior wall and ceiling finish materials in accordance with
Chapter 10 shall be permitted as follows:
(a) Exits - Class A.
(b) Other than exits - Class A or Class B.
Exception: Low-height partitions not exceeding 5 ft (1.5 m) used in
locations other than exits shall be permitted to be Class A, Class B, or
Class C.
(c) Low-height partitions not exceeding 5 ft (1.5 m) used in
locations other than exits shall be permitted to be Class A, Class B, or
Class C.
SUBSTANTIATION: This proposal addresses two separate issues:
(a) The sentence added to 16.3.3.1 addresses the issue that unless
this is stated specifically, there is no way of permitting interior finish
tested by the room corner test (NFPA 286) to be installed. There is
abundant evidence that materials that comply with a room-corner test
requirements are equivalent in fire performance to materials tested
using the Steiner tunnel test. As an example, Table 1 shows a set of 10
materials tested in the room-corner test and the Steiner tunnel test
(Reference: M.M. Hirschler & M.L. Janssens, Fire and Materials Conf.,
San Antonio, TX, Feb. 22-23, 1999, Interscience Communications,
London, UK, pp. 179-198): only one of the 10 materials failed the
room-corner test; all other materials met Class A flame spread index
(FSI not to exceed 25); even the material which flashed over the room
had a flame spread index low enough to meet Class B in the Steiner
tunnel test (FSI not to exceed 75). Also, only one of the 10 materials
in the set failed to meet the Steiner tunnel test smoke development
index limit of 450, and it also failed the criterion in 10.3.5.3. The two
enclosed Figures show comparisons of Steiner tunnel FSI versus room
corner peak rate of heat release and Steiner tunnel SDI versus room
corner total smoke released, indicating how materials meeting room-
corner test criteria also meet Steiner tunnel criteria.
400
Table 1 Test Results for Materials Tested in Room-Corner and
Steiner Tunnel Tests
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
It must be clarified that this proposal does not require a material to
undergo room-corner testing, but gives the option of material
approvals via room-corner testing, as intended by the Life Safety
Code. This option appears to be missing in the draft of the NFPA
5000 Building Code.
Figure Steiner Tunnel FSI
(as shown in Proposal) 5000-552 (Log #44))
Figure Steiner Tunnel SDI
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
(b) Option (c), added to 16.3.3.2 replaces the existing exception,
and, by eliminating exceptions, as recommended by the new NFPA
Manual of Style, improves document formatting. It does not change
requirements.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Part.
Revise text to read as follows:
16.3.3 Interior Finish.
16.3.3.1 General. Interior finish shall be in accordance with
Chapter 10.
16.3.3.2 Interior Wall and Ceiling Finish. Interior wall and ceiling
finish materials in accordance with Chapter 10 shall be permitted as
follows:
(a) Exits - Class A.
(b) Other than exits - Class A or Class B.
(c) Low-height partitions not exceeding 5 ft (1.5 m) used in
locations other than exits - Class A, Class B, or Class C.
16.3.3.3 Interior Floor Finish. (No requirements.)
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter's lengthy sentence
referencing NFPA 286 and NFPA 255 is not needed given that
Chapter 10 addresses the subject adequately.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
___________________
(Log #28)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 803 - (16-3.3.3): Accept
SUBMITTER: James K. Lathrop, Koffel Assoc., Inc./Rep. Carpet &
Rug Institute
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 16.3.3.3 as follows:
16.3.3.3 Interior Floor Finish. (No requirements.) Interior floor
finish in exit enclosures and in exit access corridors and in spaces not
separated from them by walls complying with 16.3.6 shall be not less
than Class II in accordance with Section 10.7. In all other spaces
interior floor finish shall comply with 10.7.1.
SUBSTANTIATION: When the provisions for interior floor finish
first went into the Life Safety Code (the basis for all interior finish
requirements in NFPA 5000), no provisions were included for floor
finishes in many occupancies. However, the floor finish is the same
regardless of the occupancy and the hazard remains. When a fire in a
room
provides radient energy from the room into the corridor, the interior
floor finish can spread fire down the corridor. The proposed
provisions for exit enclosures are consistent with the philosophy of
the Life Safety Code, that the exit enclosure be “sterile” from a fire
view point. The following quote from the Annex of NFPA 101
A.10.2.7.1 provides the justification for this requirement:
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
“The flooring radiant panel provides a measure of floor covering’s
tendency to spread flames where located in a corridor and exposed to
the flame and hot gases from a room fire. The flooring radiant panel
test method is to be used as a basis for estimating the fire
performance of a floor covering installed in the building corridor.
Floor coverings in open building spaces and in rooms within
buildings merit no further regulation, provided that it can be shown
that the floor covering is at least as resistant to spread of flame as a
material that meets the U.S. federal flammability standard 16 CFR
1630, Standard for the Surface Flammability of Carpets and Rugs (FF
1-70). All carpeting sold in the U.S. since 1971 is required to meet
this standard and, therefore, is not likely to become involved in a fire
until a room reaches or approaches flashover. Therefore, no further
regulations are necessary for carpet other than carpet in exitways and
corridors.”
The intent of this proposal is to provide the level of safety that has
been stated in the annex of the Life Safety Code for years.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
___________________
(Log #1133)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 804 - (16-3.4.2.1 Exception (New) ): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Kevin Kelly, National Fire Sprinkler Association
RECOMMENDATION: Sections 16.3.4.2.1 add an Exception to read:
Exception: Manual activation of the fire alarm system shall not be
required in buildings protected by sprinkler systems.
SUBSTANTIATION: There’s no reason to require a manual means
to activate a fire alarm system in the building protected with
automatic sprinklers. The alarm will be sounded by the activation of
the sprinkler system. The devices also are often used as pranks when
there is no fire.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See Committee Proposal 5000-805 (Log #CP2015).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The action on the referenced
propopsal should meet the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
___________________
(Log #CP2015)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 805 - (16-3.4.2.3): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Educational and Day-Care
Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 16.3.4.2.3 to read as follows:
16.3.4.2.3 Alternative Protection System. Manual fire alarm boxes
shall be permitted to be eliminated in accordance with 16.3.4.2.3.1 or
16.3.4.2.3.2.
16.3.4.2.3.1* Manual fire alarm boxes pull stations shall be
permitted to be eliminated where all of the following conditions
apply:
(a) Interior corridors are protected by smoke detectors using an
alarm verification system as described in NFPA 72, National Fire
Alarm Code.
(b) Auditoriums, cafeterias, and gymnasiums, etc., are protected by
heat or other approved detection devices.
(c) Shops and laboratories involving dusts or vapors are protected by
heat or other approved detection devices.
(d) Fire alarm signals are automatically transmitted to the public fire
department in accordance with Chapter 11.
(d) (e) Provision is made at a central point to manually activate the
evacuation signal, or to evacuate only affected areas.
401
16.3.4.2.3.2* Manual fire alarm boxes shall be permitted to be
eliminated where all of the following conditions apply:
(a) The building is protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
11.3.
(b) Provision is made at a central point to manually activate the
evacuation signal, or to evacuate only affected areas.
A.16.3.4.2.3.1 Occupied portions of the building should have access
to a central point for manual activation of the evacuation signal.
A.16.3.4.2.3.2 Occupied portions of the building should have access
to a central point for manual activation of the evacuation signal.
SUBSTANTIATION: Subitem (d) of 16.3.4.2.3.1 is being deleted
because the subject is adequately addressed in 16.3.4.3.2. The new
16.3.4.2.3.2 offers a second viable alternative to manual fire alarm
boxes; see also Proposal 5000-804 (Log #1133). The annex provides
needed guidance to guard against having areas of the building
isolated so as not to be able to reach the central point from which the
evacuation signal is manually activated.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
___________________
(Log #CP2020)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 806 - (16-3.4.3.1.3): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Educational and Day-Care
Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 16.3.4.3.1.3 as follows:
16.3.4.3.1.3 In order to prevent students pupils from being returned
to a building that is burning, the recall signal shall be one that is
separate and distinct from, and cannot be mistaken for, any other
signals. Such signal shall be permitted to be given by use of
distinctively colored flags or banners. If the recall signal is electrical,
the push buttons or other controls shall be kept under lock, the key
for which shall be in the possession of the principal or some other
designated person in order to prevent a recall at a time when there is
an actual fire. Regardless of the method of recall, the means of giving
the signal shall be kept under a lock.
SUBSTANTIATION: Correction to use proper terminology.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
___________________
(Log #991)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 807 - (16-3.5): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new 16.3.5.3 as follows:
“Approved Fire Department Standpipes in accordance with 11.4
shall be provided in all buildings having an occupiable floor level
more than 30 ft above the lowest level of fire department vehicle
access, or having an occupiable floor level more than 30 ft below the
highest level of fire department access.”
SUBSTANTIATION: The intent of this proposal is to address the
need for fire service operations in buildings of certain heights which
may require excessive hose lays for suppression activities. It is an
attempt to address firefighter safety issues and efficient suppression
efforts with consideration to current fire service manpower
arrangements, standard firefighting procedures, and limitations of
space in areas used for building access and suppression efforts by
responding emergency personnel while other emergency operations
are occurring, such as egress of occupants in stairwells and corridors.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
The 30 ft distance has been proposed in order to coordinate with
recognized practices and limitations established by other existing
codes.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See Committee Proposal 5000-815 (Log #CP2013).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The action taken on the referenced
proposal should meet the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
___________________
(Log #185)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 808 - (16-3.5.1 (New) ): Accept in Part
SUBMITTER: Ken Bush, Maryland State Fire Marshals Office
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new 16.3.5.1 and renumber the
remaining.
16.3.5.1 An automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed
throughout all education occupancies.
Exception: When each room used for instruction has a least one
exterior exit door at ground level.
SUBSTANTIATION: Based on the number of fires within
educational occupancies they should have a sprinkler system installed
for both life safety and property protection.
Note: This proposal was submitted on behalf of the Ad-Hoc
Committee on Fire Code Development.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Part.
See Committee Proposal 5000-809 (Log #CP2010).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter's threshold of requiring
sprinklers for all educational occupancies is too strict and not
justified. The sprinklers are not needed for life safety. They are
needed for property protection and mission continuity when at least
1860 m2 (20,000 ft2) in size, as judged by the SAF-END committee in
its Proposal 5000-809 (Log #CP2010). The action taken on the
committee proposal should meet a major portion of the submitter's
intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 13
NEGATIVE: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
TROTTER: I support the submitter’s recommendation based on the
fact that this text is for a new building code and NOW is the
opportunity and place to take the Sprinkler Advantage and require
sprinklers in educational occupancies. The City of Franklin,
Tennessee recently adopted a municipal ordinance to require
sprinklers in all new or renovated educational occupancies regardless
of size.
___________________
(Log #CP2010)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 809 - (16-3.5.1 (New) ): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Educational and Day-Care
Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Insert a new 16.3.5.1, and renumber existing
16.3.5.1 and 16.3.5.2 to become 16.3.5.2 and 16.3.5.3 as follows:
16.3.5 Extinguishment Requirements.
16.3.5.1 Educational occupancy buildings with a fire area exceeding
1860 m2 (20,000 ft2) shall be protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
11.3.
16.3.5.2 16-3.5.1 Every portion of an educational occupancy building
below the level of exit discharge shall be protected throughout by an
approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 11.3 9.7.
402
16.3.5.3 16-3.5.2 Buildings Educational occupancy buildings with
unprotected vertical openings in accordance with 8.2.5.5 shall be
protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with Section 11.3 9-7.
SUBSTANTIATION: Sprinklers are needed in educational
occupancies for property protection and mission continuity purposes.
The 1860 m2 (20,000 ft2) threshold is reasonable. If a large
nonsprinklered facility were subdivided into fire areas not exceeding
1860 m2 (20,000 ft2), and one such fire area were lost to fire, the
remainder of the facility could be quickly returned to use.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 13
NEGATIVE: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
TROTTER: Based on my philosophy of fire sprinkler systems I
believe that NOW is the opportunity and place to take the Sprinkler
Advantage and require sprinklers in educational occupancies. There
is no evidence in the substantiation to convince me that 20,000 ft2 is
appropriate for protecting occupants and the building. In fact, the
committee statement in Proposal 5000- 808 (Log #185) states “The
sprinklers are not needed for life safety” is totally incomprehensible...
a comment I sincerely disagree with.
I further believe that the Sprinkler Advantage goes far beyond life
safety and property protection. The City of Franklin, Tennessee
recently adopted a municipal ordinance to require sprinklers in all
new or renovated educational occupancies regardless of size.
___________________
(Log #114)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 810 - (16-3.5.3 (New) ): Accept in Part
SUBMITTER: Charles Smeby, Jr., Florida State Fire College
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows:
16.3.5.3 Buildings over 10,000 square feet shall be protected by an
approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system installed in
accordance with Chapter 11.
SUBSTANTIATION: Since the NFPA 5000 draft is substantial
derived for the NFPA Life Safety Code and is focused towards
occupant safety during a fire, I would like to propose fire protection
criteria that would also cover firefighting safety and property
protection. Building codes typically contain many items that are
property protection features.
Each municipality has an interest in reducing and eliminating fire
losses. From both a "Public Policy" perceptive and to maintain
structures that provide taxes and places for employment for their
citizens, fire losses do have a major fiscal impact of local and state
governments.
This would also have the added benefit for reducing insurance
premiums that are the direct result of fire loss. Many of the
requirements int he typical building code were derived to limit fire
losses, and this tradition should be continued in this innovative new
code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Part.
See Committee Proposal 5000-809 (Log #CP2010).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter's threshold of requiring
sprinklers for educational occupancies over 10,000 ft2 is too strict and
not justified. The sprinklers are not needed for life safety. They are
needed for property protection and mission continuity when at least
1860 m2 (20,000 ft2) in size, as judged by the SAF-END committee in
its Proposal 5000-809 (Log #CP2010). The action taken on the
committee proposal should meet a major portion of the submitter's
intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 13
NEGATIVE: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
TROTTER: I support the submitter’s substantiation based on the
fact that this text is for a new building code and NOW is the
opportunity and place to take the Sprinkler Advantage. I believe that
the threshold for sprinklers should be Zero and the building code
should require sprinklers in all educational occupancies. The
committee statement “The sprinklers are not needed for life safety” is
totally incomprehensible... a comment I sincerely disagree with.
I further believe that the Sprinkler Advantage goes far beyond life
safety and property protection. The City of Franklin, Tennessee
recently adopted a municipal ordinance to require sprinklers in all
new or renovated educational occupancies regardless of size.
___________________
(Log #227)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 811 - (16-3.5.3 (New) ): Accept in Part
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Add new Section 16.3.5.3
16.3.5.3 Portable fire extinguishers shall be installed in all
Educational occupancies in accordance with Section 11.6.
SUBSTANTIATION: NFIRS and FEMA data indicate that portable
fire extinguishers are used to combat a relatively large percentage of
fires. 29.6 percent of fires in this occupancy have been extinguished
using portables; no deaths have been reported in this occupancy
when portables have been used to extinguish the fire. NFPA 5000
Section 4.5.1 indicates that fire protection and life safety should not
depend solely on a single safeguard. Portable fire extinguishers from
part of a total fire protection package.
Note: Supporting material is available for review at NFPA
Headquarters.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Part.
Add a 16.3.5.5 to read:
16.3.5.5 Portable fire extinguishers in accordance with the
provisions of Section 11.6 shall be installed in hazardous areas as
specified in 16.3.2.1.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: Portable fire extinguishers are not
needed throughout the general areas of the building. However, for
property protection purposes they might be helpful in hazardous
areas. By limiting their presence to hazardous areas, the portable fire
extinguishers are less apt to be incorrectly used by non-staff
occupants. Untrained occupants should not attempt to fight even an
incipient stage fire; they should evacuate the building.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 13
NEGATIVE: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
TROTTER: I agree with the submitter’s substantiation, portable fire
extinguishers are part of a total fire protection package. Committee
members believed that the appropriate place for this requirement was
in NFPA 1, Fire Prevention Code. Depending on how jurisdictions
adopt their codes, NFPA 1 may not be in the compliment of codes.
Therefore, the building code should address portable fire
extinguishers as well as the fire prevention code.
___________________
(Log #1135)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 812 - (16-3.5.3 (New) ): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Kevin Kelly, National Fire Sprinkler Association
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new section which reads as follows:
403
“A fire sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings
with a fire area greater than 20000 square feet.”
SUBSTANTIATION: The loss of a school was difficult for a
community. The fire sprinkler system will allow the mission of the
school to continue after a fire event. The provision is similar to one
in the International Building Code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See Committee Proposal 5000-809 (Log #CP2010).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The action on the referenced proposal
should meet the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 13
NEGATIVE: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
TROTTER: Based on my philosophy of fire sprinkler system I
believe that NOW is the opportunity and place to take the Sprinkler
Advantage and require sprinklers in educational occupancies. There
is no evidence in the substantiation to convince me that 20,000 ft2 is
appropriate for protecting occupants and the building. In fact, the
committee statement in Proposal 5000-808 (Log #185) and 5000-810
(Log #114) states “The sprinklers are not needed for life safety” is
totally incomprehensible... a comment I sincerely disagree with.
I further believe that the Sprinkler Advantage goes far beyond life
safety and property protection. The City of Franklin, Tennessee
recently adopted a municipal ordinance to require sprinklers in all
new or renovated educational occupancies regardless of size.
___________________
(Log #1136)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 813 - (16-3.5.3 (New) ): Reject
SUBMITTER: Kevin Kelly, National Fire Sprinkler Association
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text to read as follows:
“Fire Sprinkler Systems shall be installed throughout buildings with a
floor level located 55 ft or more above the lowest level of Fire
Department Vehicle Access.
Exception No. 1: Buildings where all floors located 55 ft or more
above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access have an
occupant load less than 30 shall not requirement sprinklers due to
this section.
Exception No. 2: Airport control towers shall not require sprinklers
due to this section.
Exception No. 3: Open parking structures shall not require
sprinklers due to this section.”
SUBSTANTIATION: Fire sprinklers, without the rest of the high-rise
provisions, are necessary tin buildings beyond the reach of fire
department ground ladders. This is similar to a provision in the
International Building Code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The height and area provisions will
require sprinklers for buildings more than 3 stories. Draft paragraph
16.4.2 requires sprinklers for buildings more than 75 ft in height (i.e.,
high-rise buildings). The submitter's language is poor in that the
three exceptions do not apply to educational occupancies.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
___________________
(Log #983)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 814 - (16-3.5.4 (New) ): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new 16.3.5.4 as follows:
“Approved Fire Department Standpipes in accordance with 11.4
shall be provided in all buildings having an occupiable area more
than 200 ft from the closest point of fire department vehicle access.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
Exception: Buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic extinguishing system.”
SUBSTANTIATION: The intent of this proposal is to address the
need for fire service operations in buildings which may require
excessive hose lays for suppression activities in buildings of large areas
or limited vehicle access. It is an attempt to address firefighter safety
issues and efficient suppression efforts with consideration to current
fire service manpower arrangements, and standard firefighting
procedures.
The 200 ft distance has been proposed in order to coordinate with
recognized practices of standard lengths of pre-connected fire service
hose lines and limitations established by other existing codes. It is
also recognized that fires in buildings protected throughout by an
extinguishing system will be controlled by that extinguishing system,
and that hose lines would not be required for first line fire
containment and control. The additional time to extend hose lines in
buildings so protected would not adversely impact the overall
protection features of that building.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See Committee Proposal 5000-815 (Log #CP2013).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The action taken on the referenced
proposal should meet the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
___________________
(Log #CP2013)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 815 - (16-3.5.4 (New) ): Accept
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to SAF-BSF requesting that the TC compare and evaluate the
standpipe thresholds adopted by the technical committees, and
develop recommendations to those committees to help achieve some
uniformity in language as raised in Mr. Freel's comment on
affirmative.
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Educational and Day-Care
Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Create a new 16.3.5.4 to read as follows:
16.3.5.4 Class I standpipes shall be installed in accordance with
11.4.1 where any of the following occur:
1. A minimum of one floor area is more than 45 meters (148 ft)
from its nearest point of fire department entry into the building in
other than buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
11.3.
2. A minimum of one floor level is more than 9 meters (29.5 ft)
above or below the level of fire department access.
SUBSTANTIATION: Standpipes are needed in large/tall
educational occupancy buildings for property protection and fire
fighter safety purposes. Unlike NFPA 1 which requires standpipes for
floors more than three stories ABOVE grade, it is important to
provide standpipe protection to floors located significantly below
grade. It is difficult for fire fighters to pull hose to floors above or
below grade. The 9 meter criterion in subpart (2) is a reasonable
threshold for requiring standpipes. The 45 meter criterion of subpart
(1) takes into consideration that fire department preconnect lines are
often 60 meters in length and it, too, is a reasonable threshold for
requiring standpipes if the building is not sprinklered.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
FREELS: This is considered a correlation issue. It is requested that
the wording of Committee Proposals 5000-815 (Log #CP2013) and
5000-832 (Log #CP2014) be compared to and reconciled with similar
proposals for other occupancies. Basically, there may be a lack of
consistency between the committees when addressing the nearest
404
point of fire department entry as opposed to the closest point of fire
department vehicle access. The original submitter (Ken Bush)
included fire department vehicle access in his proposal. I am aware
that he has submitted similar proposals for other occupancies (i.e.,
Business and Mercantile).
___________________
(Log #198)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 816 - (16-3.6): Accept in Principle in Part
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows:
16.3.6 Standpipes.
16.3.6.1 General. Standpipe and hose systems shall be installed and
maintained in accordance with Section 11.4 of this code.
16.3.6.2 Where Required. Class I or III standpipe systems shall be
installed throughout all buildings in which occupied floors are
located more than 30 ft (9,144 mm) above or below the lowest level of
fire department vehicle access.
16.3.6.3 Large expanse buildings. Class I or III standpipe systems
shall be provided in buildings in which the highest occupied floor is
30 ft (9,144 mm) or less above the lowest level of fire department
vehicle access and any portion of the building is more than 200 ft (61
m) of travel from the nearest point of fire department access into the
building.
16.3.6.4 Roof outlets. Where standpipe systems are installed in
buildings more than six stories or 75 ft (22,860 mm) in height, at least
one riser shall extend through the roof and terminate in a two-way, 2
1/2-in. hose connection. The main control valve on roof hose
connections or manifolded hose connections shall be located in an
area that is not subject to freezing, is as close to the roof access as
practical and is plainly identified.
Renumber remaining sections.
SUBSTANTIATION: The current draft of NFPA 5000 contains
minimal or, in some chapters, no requirements for standpipe systems.
Many of these standpipe thresholds proposed in this submittal were
established by the Board for the Coordination of the Model Codes
(BCMC) in the late 1980’s are found in part of many of the existing
building and fire codes today. These requirements and thresholds are
basic fire protection for the building occupants, property protection
and firefighter safety. Standpipe systems should be mandatory in
NFPA-5000.
Balanced Fire Protection requires that provisions be made for
manual fire control. This is also an important issue relating to
firefighter safety. Please see the table developed to show the weights
of 1 3/4-in. and 2 1/2-in. fire hose in 50 ft lengths when filled with
water. When used inside a building, these are intended to be mobile
attack lines. Once can quickly see that 200 ft of fire hose or less, when
charged with water, is the threshold at which we can expect a fire crew
to adequately handle while attacking and fighting a fire. This is while
wearing heavy protective gear and breathing apparatus.
Also submitted are the 1991-1995 NFIRS, NFPA Survey showing
methods of extinguishment. Note that there is insufficient detail with
regard to hose line use to determine if Class I (fire department use),
Class I (occupant use) or, Class III (either fire department or
occupant use) standpipes were used and, in the case of Class III,
whether the standpipe was used by the occupants or the fire
department. It is assumed that the predominant use of the hose lines
is by trained firefighters, whether professional, volunteer or fire
brigade. The important thing to notice is that preconnected and
hand-laid hose lines form hydrant, draft or standpipe were the means
of extinguishment for 19.6 percent of all fire in residential structures
and 25.7 percent of all fires in non-residential structures. This record
mandates that NFPA 5000 have strong standpipe requirements for all
classes of systems.
We have retained those few provisions which are currently in NFPA
5000 and added to them to provide a comprehensive standpipe
package to the new building code. NFPA 5000 Section 4.5.1 indicates
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

that fire protection and life safety should not be depend solely and a (Log #610)
single safeguard. Standpipes from part of a total fire protection Committee: SAF-END
package. 5000- 818 - (16-5.2.2, 17.5.2.2 Exception): Accept in Principle
Standpipes are vital for fire protection. The model codes and SUBMITTER: James Ranfone, American Gas Assn.
national standard require that all portions of a building be within 200 RECOMMENDATION: Revise the Exception in each section as
ft of a standpipe hose connection. follows:
They are an integral part of a balanced fire protection package Exception: Gas space heaters installed in compliance with ANSI
provided for a building. Large expanse buildings would be Z223.1/NFPA 54, National Fuel Gas Code.
particularly vulnerable if the fire service did not have standpipes SUBSTANTIATION: To add the full designation of the National
available to use. Fuel Gas code, ANSI Z223.2/NFPA 54.
Automatic fire sprinklers are one excellent method of fire control, COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
but they can fail or become overwhelmed by a fire. In that event, Revise the Exception to 16.5.2.2 and 17.5.2.2 as follows:
these has to be a backup to allow the fire service an immediate fire Exception: Gas space heaters installed in compliance with NFPA
suppression capability. 54/ANSI Z223.1, National Fuel Gas Code.
Without standpipes, firefighters would be put in harm’s way. As you COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The ANSI designation should appear,
can see from the following table, firefighters safety would be greatly but it should be shown after the NFPA designation. The document
jeopardized if they had to maneuver the weight of excessive hose should appear in the Chapter 2 list of NFPA publications, not the list
lengths -- especially while wearing heavy breathing apparatus and of "other publications."
turnout gear. NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
One 50 Foot Hose Length 1-3/4 Inch 2-1/2 Inch AFFIRMATIVE: 14
-Weights 13.5 Pounds 34 Pounds ___________________
- Holds: 7.5 Gallons 12.5 Gallons
- Water Weight: 60 Pounds 104 Pounds
Total Weight 73.5 Pounds 136 Pounds
(Log #CP2024)
Committee: SAF-END
Two Lengths (100 feet) 147 Pounds 272 Pounds 5000- 819 - (16-5.5.3): Accept
Three Lengths (150 Feet) 220.5 Pounds 408 Pounds SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Educational and Day-Care
Four*** Lengths (200 feet) 294 Points 544 Pounds Occupancies
Five Lengths (250 Feet) 367.5 Pounds 680 Pounds RECOMMENDATION: Delete 16.5.5.3 as follows:
Six Lengths (300 Feet) 441 Pounds 816 Pounds 16.5.5.3 Artwork and teaching materials shall be permitted to be
Seven Lengths (350 Feet) 514.5 Pounds 952 Pounds
Eight Lengths (400 Feet) 588 Pounds 1,088 Pounds
attached directly to the walls and shall not exceed 20 percent of the
wall area.
*** Four hose lengths (200 Feet) is the maximum recommended. SUBSTANTIATION: The provision relates to operating features. It
is not appropriate for a building code.
Note: Supporting Material available for Review at NFPA COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
Headquarters. NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle in Part. VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
See Committee Proposal 5000-815 (Log #CP2013). AFFIRMATIVE: 14
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The action taken on the referenced ___________________
proposal should meet some of the submitter's intent. Roof outlets are
adequately covered in NFPA 14. An exception is justified for (Log #1020)
sprinklered, low-rise, "larger" area buildings. Committee: SAF-END
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14 5000- 820 - (16-7): Accept
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION: TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
AFFIRMATIVE: 14 that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
___________________ name to SAF-END requesting that the subject of this proposal be
revisited now that a draft of Chapter 100 Flood Resistant Design and
(Log #CP2022) Construction is available via Proposal 5000-1421 (Log #623).
Committee: SAF-END SUBMITTER: James A. Rossberg, Christopher P. Jones, American
5000- 817 - (16-4.3.3): Accept Society of Civil Engineers/Rep. Federal Emergency Management
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Educational and Day-Care Agency, Mitigation Directorate
Occupancies RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows:
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 16.4.3.3 as follows: 16.7 Flood Resistance. Buildings or structures used for educational
16.4.3.3 Flexible plan buildings schools shall be permitted to have occupancies, that are located wholly or partly within the flood hazard
walls and partitions rearranged periodically only if revised plans or area established by Section 100.3.2, shall comply with the provisions of
diagrams have been approved by the authority having jurisdiction. Chapter 100.
SUBSTANTIATION: Correction to use proper terminology. This is SUBSTANTIATION: Makes code provisions compliant with National
consistent with the wording in 16.4.3.4. Flood Insurance Program regulations for buildings and structures in
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. flood hazard areas. Note that this proposal is one of a series of
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14 proposals that will insure NFPA 5000 compliance with NFIP
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION: regulations. Although submitted separately, the proposals comprising
AFFIRMATIVE: 14 the series should be considered together.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
___________________ VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14

___________________

405
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(Log #CP2028)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 821 - (Chapter 17): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Educational and Day-Care
Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Create a Chapter 17 Day-Care Occupancies
to read as follows:
Chapter 17
Day-Care Occupancies
17.1 General requirements
17.2 Means of Egress Requirements
17.3 Protection
17.4 Special Provisions
17.5 Building Services
17.6 Day-Care Homes
17.7 Flood Resistance
17.1 General Requirements.
17.1.1 Application.
17.1.1.1 The requirements of this chapter apply to the following:
(a) New buildings or portions thereof used as day-care occupancies
(see Chapter 6); and
(b) Additions made to, or used as, a day-care occupancy; and
(c) Alterations, modernizations, or renovations of existing day-care
occupancies; and
(d) Existing buildings or portions thereof upon change of
occupancy to a day-care occupancy.
17.1.1.2 Sections 17.1 through 17.5 establish life safety requirements
for day-care occupancies in which more than 12 clients receive care,
maintenance, and supervision by other than their relative(s) or legal
guardian(s) for less than 24 hr per day.
17.1.1.3 Sections 17.1 (other than 17.1.6) and 17.6 establish life safety
requirements for day-care homes.
17.1.1.4 Where a facility houses more than one age group of self-
preservation capability, the strictest requirements applicable to any
group present shall apply throughout the day-care occupancy or
building, as applicable, unless the area housing that group is
maintained as a separate fire area.
17.1.1.5 Places of religious worship shall not be required to meet the
provisions of this section when providing day-care while services are
being held in the building.
17.1.2 Multiple Occupancies.
(a) General. Multiple occupancies shall be in accordance with
Section 6.2.
(b) Day-Care Occupancies in Apartment Buildings. If the two exit
accesses from the day-care occupancy enter the same corridor as the
apartment occupancy, the exit accesses shall be separated in the
corridor by a smoke barrier having not less than a 1-hr fire resistance
rating constructed in accordance with Chapter 8. The smoke barrier
shall be located so that it has an exit on each side.
17.1.3 Special Definitions. (See Chapter 3.)
17.1.4 Classification of Occupancy. (See 6.1.4.)
17.1.4.1 Occupancies that include part-day preschools, kindergartens,
and other schools whose purpose is primarily educational even
though the children are of preschool age shall comply with the
provisions of Chapter 16.
17.1.4.2 Adult day-care shall include any building or portion thereof
used for less than 24 hr per day to house more than three adults
requiring care, maintenance, and supervision by other than their
relative(s). Clients shall be ambulatory or semi-ambulatory and shall
not be bedridden. They shall not exhibit behavior that is harmful to
themselves or others.
17.1.4.3 Conversions. A conversion from a day-care home to a day-
care occupancy with more than 12 clients shall be permitted only if
the day-care occupancy conforms with the requirements of this
chapter for new day-care occupancies with more than 12 clients.
17.1.5 Classification of Hazard of Contents. The contents shall be
classified as ordinary hazard in accordance with Chapter 6.
17.1.6 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction shall be
in accordance with Chapter 7.
17.1.7 Occupant Load.
406
17.1.7.1 The occupant load, in number of persons for whom means of
egress and other provisions are required, shall be determined on the
basis of the occupant load factors of Table 12.3.1.2 that are
characteristic of the use of the space or shall be determined as the
maximum probable population of the space under consideration,
whichever is greater.
17.1.7.2 The occupant load of a day-care occupancy or a portion
thereof shall be permitted to be modified from that specified above if
the necessary aisles and exits are provided. An approved aisle, seating,
and exiting diagram shall be required by the authority having
jurisdiction to substantiate such a modification.
17.2 Means of Egress Requirements.
17.2.1 General.
17.2.1.1 Means of egress shall be in accordance with Chapter 12 and
this section.
17.2.2 Means of Egress Components.
17.2.2.1 Components of means of egress shall be limited to the types
described in 17.2.2.2 through 17.2.2.10.
17.2.2.2 Doors.
17.2.2.2.1 General. Doors complying with 12.2.1 shall be permitted.
17.2.2.2.2 Panic Hardware or Fire Exit Hardware. Any door in a
required means of egress from an area having an occupant load of
100 or more persons shall be permitted to be provided with a latch or
lock only if it is panic hardware or fire exit hardware.
17.2.2.2.3 Door Closure. Any exit door designed to normally be kept
closed shall comply with Chapter 12.
17.2.2.2.4 Locks and Latches. Only one locking or latching device
shall be permitted on a door or on one leaf of a pair of doors.
17.2.2.2.5 Special Locking Arrangements. Special locking
arrangements complying with 12.2.1.6 shall be permitted.
17.2.2.2.6* Closet Doors. Every closet door latch shall be such that
clients can open the door from inside the closet.
17.2.2.2.7 Bathroom Doors. Every bathroom door lock shall be
designed to permit opening of the locked door from the outside in an
emergency. The opening device shall be readily accessible to the staff.
17.2.2.3 Stairs. Stairs complying with 12.2.2 shall be permitted.
17.2.2.4 Smokeproof Enclosures. Smokeproof enclosures complying
with 12.2.3 shall be permitted.
17.2.2.5 Horizontal Exits. Horizontal exits complying with 12.2.4 shall
be permitted.
17.2.2.6 Ramps. Ramps complying with 12.2.5 shall be permitted.
17.2.2.7 Exit Passageways. Exit passageways complying with 12.2.6
shall be permitted.
17.2.2.8 Fire Escape Ladders. Fire escape ladders complying with
12.2.9 shall be permitted.
17.2.2.9 Alternating Tread Devices. Alternating tread devices
complying with 12.2.11 shall be permitted.
17.2.2.10 Areas of Refuge. Areas of refuge complying with 12.2.12
shall be permitted.
17.2.3 Capacity of Means of Egress. Capacity of means of egress shall
be in accordance with Section 12.3.
17.2.4 Number of Exits. Each floor occupied by clients shall have not
less than two remotely located exits in accordance with Chapter 12.
17.2.5 Arrangement of Means of Egress.
17.2.5.1 Means of egress shall be arranged in accordance with Section
12.5.
17.2.5.2 No dead-end corridor shall exceed 20 ft (6.1 m), other than
in buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3, in which
case dead-end corridors shall not exceed 50 ft (15 m).
17.2.5.3 No common path of travel shall exceed 75 ft (23 m), other
than for the first 100 ft (30 m) in a building protected throughout by
an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance
with Section 11.3.
17.2.6 Travel Distance to Exits.
17.2.6.1 Travel distance shall be measured in accordance with Section
12.6.
17.2.6.2 Travel Distance.
(a) The travel distance between any room door intended as an exit
access and an exit shall not exceed 100 ft (30 m); and
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(b) The travel distance between any point in a room and an exit
shall not exceed 150 ft (45 m); and
(c) The travel distance between any point in a sleeping room and
an exit access door in that room shall not exceed 50 ft (15 m).
Exception: The travel distance in (a) and (b) above shall be permitted to be
increased by 50 ft (15 m) in buildings protected throughout by an approved
supervised automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section
11.3.
17.2.7 Discharge from Exits. Discharge from exits shall be arranged
in accordance with Section 12.7.
17.2.8 Illumination of Means of Egress. Means of egress shall be
illuminated in accordance with Section 12.8.
17.2.9 Emergency Lighting. Emergency lighting shall be provided in
accordance with Section 12.9 in the following areas:
(a) Interior stairs and corridors.
(b) Assembly use spaces.
(c) Flexible and open plan buildings.
(d) Interior or windowless portions of buildings.
(e) Shops and laboratories.
17.2.10 Marking of Means of Egress. Means of egress shall have signs
in accordance with Section 12.10.
17.2.11 Special Means of Egress Features.
17.2.11.1 Windows for Rescue. Every room or space normally subject
to client occupancy, other than bathrooms, shall have not less than
one outside window for emergency rescue that complies with the
following:
(1) Such window shall be openable from the inside without the use
of tools and shall provide a clear opening of not less than 20 in. (51
cm) in width, 24 in. (61 cm) in height, and 5.7 ft2 (0.53 m2) in area.
(2) The bottom of the opening shall be not more than 44 in. (112
cm) above the floor.
(3) The clear opening shall allow a rectangular solid, with a width
and height that provides not less than the required 5.7-ft2 (0.53-m2)
opening and a depth of not less than 20 in. (51 cm), to pass fully
through the opening.
Exception No. 1: In buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 11.3.
Exception No. 2: Where the room or space has a door leading directly to the
outside of the building.
17.3 Protection.
17.3.1 Protection of Vertical Openings. Any vertical opening other
than unprotected vertical openings in accordance with 9.4.2 shall be
enclosed or protected in accordance with 9.1.4.
17.3.2 Protection from Hazards.
17.3.2.1 General. Rooms or spaces for the storage, processing, or use
of materials specified below shall be protected in accordance with the
following:
(a) Separation from the remainder of the building by fire barriers
having a fire resistance rating of not less than 1 hr or protection of
such rooms by automatic extinguishing systems as specified in
Chapters 6 and 33 in the following areas:
(1) Boiler and furnace rooms.
Exception to (a)(1): Rooms enclosing only air-handling equipment.
2) Rooms or spaces used for the storage of combustible supplies in
quantities deemed hazardous by the authority having jurisdiction.
(3) Rooms or spaces used for the storage of hazardous materials
or flammable or combustible liquids in quantities deemed hazardous
by recognized standards.
(4) Janitor closets.
Exception to (a)(4): Doors to janitor closets shall be permitted to have
ventilating louvers where the space is protected by automatic sprinklers.
(b) Separation from the remainder of the building by fire
barriers having a fire resistance rating of not less than 1 hr and
protection of such rooms by automatic extinguishing systems as
specified in Chapters 6 and 33 in the following areas:
(1)* Laundries.
(2) Maintenance shops, including woodworking and painting
areas.
(3) Rooms or spaces used for processing or use of combustible
supplies deemed hazardous by the authority having jurisdiction.
407
(4) Rooms or spaces used for processing or use of hazardous
materials or flammable or combustible liquids in quantities deemed
hazardous by recognized standards.
(c) Where automatic extinguishing is used to meet the
requirements of this section, the protection shall be permitted in
accordance with Section 11.3.
17.3.2.2 Cooking Facil.ities.
17.3.2.2.1 Cooking facilities shall be protected in accordance with
Section 11.8.
17.3.2.2.2 Openings shall not be required to be protected between
food preparation areas and dining areas.
17.3.2.2.3 Where domestic cooking equipment is used for food
warming or limited cooking, the protection or segregation of food
preparation facilities shall not be required if approved by the
authority having jurisdiction.
17.3.3 Interior Finish.
17.3.3.1 General. Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter
10.
17.3.3.2 Interior Wall and Ceiling Finish. Interior wall and ceiling
finish materials in accordance with Chapter 10 shall be permitted as
follows:
(a) Stairways, corridors, and lobbies — Class A.
(b) All other occupied areas — Class A or Class B.
17.3.3.3 Interior Floor Finish. Interior floor finish in exit enclosures
and in exit access corridors and in spaces not separated from them by
walls complying with 17.3.6 shall be not less than Class II in
accordance with Section 10.7. In all other spaces interior floor finish
shall comply with 10.7.1.
17.3.4 Detection, Alarm, and Communication Systems.
17.3.4.1 General. Day-care occupancies shall be provided with a fire
alarm system in accordance with Section 11.2.
Exception: Day-care occupancies housed in one room.
17.3.4.2 Initiation. Initiation of the required fire alarm system shall be
by manual means and by operation of any required smoke detectors
and required sprinkler systems.
17.3.4.3 Occupant Notification.
17.3.4.3.1 Occupant notification shall be in accordance with Chapter
11.
17.3.4.3.2 Positive alarm sequence shall be permitted in accordance
with 11.2.3.4.
17.3.4.4 Emergency Forces Notification. Fire department notification
shall be accomplished in accordance with 11.2.3.
17.3.4.5 Detection. A smoke detection system shall be installed in
accordance with Section 11.2, with placement of detectors in each
story in front of doors to the stairways and in the corridors of all floors
occupied by the day-care occupancy. Detectors also shall be installed
in lounges, recreation areas, and sleeping rooms in the day-care
occupancy.
Exception: Day-care occupancies housed in one room.
17.3.5 Extinguishment Requirements.
17.3.5.1 Day-care occupancy buildings with a fire area exceeding 1860
m2 (20,000 ft2) shall be protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
11.3.
17.3.5.2 Day-care occupancy buildings with clients under 24 months
of age or clients incapable of self-preservation shall be protected
throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in
accordance with Section 11.3.
17.3.5.3 Class I standpipes shall be installed in accordance with 11.4.1
where any of the following occur:
1. A minimum of one floor area is more than 45 meters (148 ft)
from its nearest point of fire department entry into the building in
other than buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
11.3.
2. A minimum of one floor level is more than 9 meters (29.5 feet)
above or below the level of fire department access.
17.3.5.4 Portable fire extinguishers in accordance with the provisions
of Section 11.6 shall be installed in hazardous areas as specified in
17.3.2.1.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
17.3.6 Corridors. Every interior corridor shall be constructed of walls
having not less than a 1-hr fire resistance rating in accordance with
Chapter 8.
Exception No. 1: Corridor protection shall not be required where all spaces
normally subject to client occupancy have not less than one door opening
directly to the outside or to an exterior exit access balcony or corridor in
accordance with 12.5.3.
Exception No. 2: In buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3, corridor walls
shall not be required to be rated, provided that such walls from smoke partitions
in accordance with 8.4.1.
Exception No. 3: Where the corridor ceiling is an assembly having a 1-hour fire
resistance rating where tested as a wall, the corridor walls shall be permitted to
terminate at the corridor ceiling.
Exception No. 4: Lavatories shall not be required to be separated from
corridors, provided that they are separated form all other spaces by walls having
not less than a 1-hour fire resistance rating in accordance with Chapter 8.
17.3.7 Subdivision of Building Spaces. Where day-care occupancies,
other than day-care homes with clients who are 24 months or less in
age or who are incapable of self-preservation are located one or more
stories above the level of exit discharge or where day-care occupancies
are located two or more stories above the level of exit discharge,
smoke barriers shall be provided to divide such stories into a
minimum of two smoke compartments. The smoke barriers shall be
constructed in accordance with Chapter 8 but shall not be required to
have a fire resistance rating.
17.4 Special Provisions.
17.4.1 Windowless or Underground Buildings. Windowless or
underground buildings shall comply with Chapter 30.
17.4.2 High-Rise Buildings. High-rise buildings that house day-care
occupancies on floors more than 75 ft (23 m) above the lowest level of
fire department vehicle access shall comply with Chapter 32.
17.4.3 Flexible Plan and Open Plan Buildings.
17.4.3.1 Flexible plan and open plan buildings shall comply with the
requirements of this chapter as modified by 17.4.3.2 through 17.4.3.4.
17.4.3.2 Each room occupied by more than 300 persons shall have two
or more means of egress entering into separate atmospheres. Where
three or more means of egress are required, not more than two of
them shall enter into a common atmosphere.
17.4.3.3 Flexible plan buildings shall be permitted to have walls and
partitions rearranged periodically only if revised plans or diagrams
have been approved by the authority having jurisdiction.
17.4.3.4 Flexible plan buildings shall be evaluated while all folding
walls are extended and in use as well as when they are in the retracted
position.
17.5 Building Services.
17.5.1 Utilities.
17.5.1.1 Utilities shall comply with the provisions of Chapters 48, 49,
and 50.
17.5.1.2 Special protective covers for all electrical receptacles shall be
installed in all areas occupied by clients.
17.5.2 Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning.
17.5.2.1 Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning equipment shall be
installed in accordance with Chapter 49.
17.5.2.2 Unvented fuel-fired room heaters shall not be permitted.
Exception: Gas space heaters installed in compliance with NFPA 54 / ANSI
Z223.1, National Fuel Gas Code.
17.5.2.3 Any heating equipment in spaces occupied by clients shall be
provided with partitions, screens, or other means to protect clients
from hot surfaces and open flames. If solid partitions are used to
provide such protection, provisions shall be made to ensure adequate
air for combustion and ventilation for the heating equipment.
17.5.3 Elevators, Escalators, and Conveyors. Elevators, escalators, and
conveyors shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 51.
17.5.4 Rubbish Chutes, Incinerators, and Laundry Chutes. Rubbish
chutes, incinerators, and laundry chutes shall comply with the
provisions of Section 9.6.
17.6 Day-Care Homes.
17.6.1 General Requirements.
17.6.1.1 Application.
408
17.6.1.1.1 The requirements of this section apply to the following:
(a) New buildings or portions thereof used as day-care homes (see
17.6.1.4.1); and
(b) Additions made to, or used as, a day-care home; and
(c) Alterations, modernizations, or renovations of existing day-care
homes; and
(d) Existing buildings or portions thereof upon change of
occupancy to a day-care home.
17.6.1.1.2 This section establishes life safety requirements for day-care
homes in which more than three but not more than 12 clients receive
care, maintenance, and supervision by other than their relative(s) or
legal guardian(s) for less than 24 hr per day (generally within a
dwelling unit).
Exception: Facilities that supervise clients on a temporary basis with a parent
or guardian in close proximity.
17.6.1.1.3 Where a facility houses more than one age group of self-
preservation capability, the strictest requirements applicable to any
group present shall apply throughout the day-care home or building,
as applicable, unless the area housing that group is maintained as a
separate area.
17.6.1.1.4 Places of religious worship shall not be required to meet
the provisions of this section in order to operate a nursery while
services are being held in the building.
17.6.1.2 Multiple Occupancies. See 17.1.2.
17.6.1.3 Special Definitions. (See Chapter 3)
17.6.1.4 Classification of Occupancy.
17.6.1.4.1 Subclassification of Day-Care Homes. Subclassification of
day-care homes shall be as follows:
(a) Family Day-Care Homes. A family day-care home is a day-care
home in which more than three but fewer than seven clients receive
care, maintenance, and supervision by other than their relative(s) or
legal guardian(s) for less than 24 hr per day (generally within a
dwelling unit).
(b) Group Day-Care Homes. A group day-care home is a day-care
home in which at least seven but not more than 12 clients receive
care, maintenance, and supervision by other than their relative(s) or
legal guardian(s) for less than 24 hr per day (generally within a
dwelling unit).
17.6.1.4.2 Conversions. A conversion from a day-care home to a day-
care occupancy with more than 12 clients shall be permitted only if
the day-care occupancy conforms with the requirements of this
chapter for new day-care occupancies with more than 12 clients.
17.6.1.5 Classification of Hazard of Contents. (See 17.1.5.)
17.6.1.6 Location. No day-care home shall be located more than one
store below the level of exit discharge.
17.6.1.7 Occupant Load.
17.6.1.7.1 In family day-care homes, the minimum staff-to-client ratio
shall be not less than one staff for up to six clients, including the
caretaker's own children under age six. There shall be not more than
two clients incapable of self-preservation.
17.6.1.7.2 In group day-care homes, the minimum staff-to-client ratio
shall be not less than two staff for up to 12 clients. There shall be not
more than three clients incapable of self-preservation. This staff-to-
client ratio shall be permitted to be modified by the authority having
jurisdiction where safeguards in addition to those specified by Section
17.6 are provided.
17.6.2 Means of Escape Requirements.
17.6.2.1 General. Means of escape shall comply with Section 21.2.
17.6.2.2 (Reserved.)
17.6.2.3 (Reserved.)
17.6.2.4 Number of Means of Escape.
17.6.2.4.1 Number of means of escape shall comply with Section 21.2
and 17.6.2.4.1.1 through 17.6.2.4.1.4.
17.6.2.4.1.1 In group day-care homes, every story occupied by clients
shall have not less than two remotely located means of escape.
17.6.2.4.1.2 Every room used for sleeping, living, or dining purposes
shall have at least two means of escape, at least one of which shall be a
door or stairway providing a means of unobstructed travel to the
outside of the building at street or ground level. The second means of
escape shall be permitted to be a window in accordance with
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
17.2.11.1. No room or space that is accessible only by a ladder or
folding stairs or through a trap door shall be occupied for living or
sleeping purposes.
17.6.2.4.1.3 In group day-care homes where spaces on the story above
the story of exit discharge are used by clients, at least one means of
escape shall be an exit discharging directly to the outside. The second
means of escape shall be permitted to be a window in accordance with
17.2.11.1.
17.6.2.4.1.4 Where clients are occupying a story below the level of exit
discharge, at least one means of escape shall be an exit discharging
directly to the outside, and the vertical travel to ground level shall not
exceed 8 ft (244 cm). The second means or escape shall be permitted
to be a window in accordance with 17.2.11.1.
17.6.2.5 Arrangement of Means of Egress.
17.6.2.5.1 Where a story above or below the level of exit discharge is
used, see 17.6.2.4.
17.6.2.5.2 For group day-care homes, means of egress shall be
arranged in accordance with Section 12.5.
17.6.2.5.3 Dead-end corridors shall not exceed 20 ft (6.1 m).
17.6.2.6 Travel Distance.
(a) The travel distance between any room door intended as an exit
access and an exit shall not exceed 100 ft (30 m); and
(b) The travel distance between any point in a room and an exit
shall not exceed 150 ft (45 m); and
(c) The travel distance between any point in a sleeping room and
an exit access to that room shall not exceed 50 ft (15 m).
Exception: The travel distance in (a) and (b) above shall be permitted to be
increased by 50 ft (15 m) in buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section
11.3.
17.6.2.7 Discharge from Exits. (See 17.6.2.4.)
17.6.2.8 Illumination of Means of Egress. Illumination of the means
of egress shall be provided in accordance with Section 12.8.
17.6.2.9 Emergency Lighting. (No requirements.)
17.6.2.10 Marking of Means of Egress. (No requirements.)
17.6.3 Protection.
17.6.3.1 Protection of Vertical Openings. For group day-care homes,
the doorway between the level of exit discharge and any story below
shall be equipped with a door assembly having a 20-min fire
protection rating. Where the story above the level of exit discharge is
used for sleeping purposes, there shall be a door assembly having a
20-min fire protection rating at the top or bottom of each stairway.
17.6.3.2 Protection from Hazards. (No requirements.)
17.6.3.3 Interior Finish.
17.6.3.3.1 Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter 10.
17.6.3.3.2 In group day-care homes, interior wall and ceiling finish
materials in accordance with Chapter 10 shall be Class A or Class B in
corridors, stairways, lobbies, and exits. In family day-care homes,
interior wall and ceiling finish materials in accordance with Chapter
10 shall be Class A or Class B in exits.
17.6.3.3.3 Interior wall and ceiling finish materials in accordance with
Chapter 10 shall be Class A, Class B, or Class C in occupied spaces.
17.6.3.3.4 Interior Floor Finish. (No requirements.)
17.6.3.4 Detection, Alarm, and Communication Systems.
17.6.3.4.1 Smoke detectors shall be installed within day-care homes in
accordance with Section 11.2.
17.6.3.4.2 Where the day-care home is located within a building of
another occupancy, such as in an apartment building or office
building, any corridors serving the day-care home shall be provided
with a smoke detection system in accordance with Section 11.2.
17.6.3.4.3 Single-station and multiple-station smoke alarms in
accordance with 11.2.2.10 powered by the building electrical system
or system detectors with integral sounding devices in accordance with
Section 11.2 shall be provided in all rooms used for sleeping.
17.7 Flood Resistance. Buildings or structures used for day-care
occupancies, that are located wholly or partly within the flood hazard
area established by Section 100.3.2, shall comply with the provisions of
Chapter 100.
Chapter 17 Annex
A.17.2.2.2.6 The purpose of this requirement is to prevent
409
arrangements where a child can be trapped in a closet. It is intended
that this provision be broadly interpreted by the authority having
jurisdiction to include equipment such as refrigerators and freezers.
A.17.3.2.1(b)(1) It is not the intent to classify a room with a domestic-
type clothes washer and a domestic-type clothes dryer as a laundry.
SUBSTANTIATION: The NFPA 5000 draft that was published for
purposes of soliciting public proposals does not fulfill the
requirement that the Report on Proposals contain proposals for all
the material that is to appear in a new document. This proposal
makes clear the SAF-END committee's choice of what is to be
contained in Chapter 17 on day-care occupancies. The draft
incorporates the actions taken on the numerous proposals on
Chapter 17; includes editorial changes; and reflects changes made by
the committee to NFPA 101 material so as to be appropriate for the
building code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
___________________
(Log #246)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 822 - (17-1.2): Reject
SUBMITTER: Michael Gardner, Gypsum Association
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
17.1.2 (a) General. Where day-care occupancies are located in a
building
containing mixed occupancies, the occupancies shall be separated by
minimum 1-hr 2-hr rated fire barriers constructed in accordance with
Chapter 8.
SUBSTANTIATION: By an overwhelming majority, model building
codes currently in use in the United States require a much greater
level of separation between a day-care occupancy and the adjacent
building area in a mixed-use occupancy than this draft does. Given
the probability that the occupants of a day-care facility will have an
extremely limited ability to adequately respond to a fire, it would
seem proper to require a greater level of fire separation between the
day-care facility and the remainder of the building than does the
current draft.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: Paragraph 17.1.2(a) is being deleted
via the Committee Proposal 5000-823 (Log #CP2018) in favor of
referencing Section 6.2.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
___________________
(Log #CP2018)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 823 - (17-1.2): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Educational and Day-Care
Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 17.1.2 as follows:
17.1.2 Multiple Mixed Occupancies.
(a) General. Multiple occupancies shall be in accordance with
Section 6.2. Where day-care occupancies are located in a building
containing mixed occupancies, the occupancies shall be separated by
minimum 1-hr rated fire barriers constructed in accordance with
Chapter 8.
(b) Day-Care Occupancies in Apartment Buildings. If the two exit
accesses from the day-care occupancy enter the same corridor as the
apartment occupancy, the exit accesses shall be separated in the
corridor by a smoke barrier having not less than a 1-hr fire resistance
rating constructed in accordance with Chapter 8. The smoke barrier
shall be located so that it has an exit on each side.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
SUBSTANTIATION: The Technical Committee on Fundamentals is
preparing a Section 6.2 on multiple occupancies that establishes two
options: (1) separated occupancies, and (2) mixed occupancies. This
proposal revises 17.1.2 to reference Section 6.2; deletes any material
that is adequately covered by 6.2; and retains unique provisions
applicable to day-care occupancies.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
___________________
(Log #913c)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 824 - (17-1.6.1): Accept in Part
SUBMITTER: Sam Francis, American Forest & Paper Assn.
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Section 17.1.6.1 entirely, and
substitute the new text as follows:
17.1.6.1 Construction shall be in accordance with Chapter 7.
SUBSTANTIATION: The table derived from the Epcot Building
Code was incomplete and failed to include most of the occupancy
groups now included in this code. The data presented to the
Structures and Construction TC indicate that the area of a building is
not one of the significant factors in determining the safety of the
building. Number, location and size of exits, travel distance and fire
resistance of the structure do not change due to area. Therefore, the
allowable areas in this code should not be less than those permitted
under many of the building codes now in existence. The proposed
table simply recognizes those facts and proposes areas which are
currently permitted in the United States.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Part.
Replace 17.1.6 and 17.1.6.1 with the following:
17.1.6 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction shall be
in accordance with Chapter 7.
Do not delete 17.1.6.2. Rather, retain it by moving it to 17.3.7 as
directed by Committee Proposal 5000-837 (Log #CP2025).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter's proposed reference to
Chapter 7 for construction requirements is consistent with the
directive from the Technical Correlating Committee on the Building
Code. However, the provisions of 17.1.6.2 need to be retained. Also,
the committee doesn't necessarily agree with the submitter's
substantiation. The action taken should meet the submitter's intent.
The SAF-END committee intends that the height limitations
currently contained in NFPA 101-2000 for day-care occupancies not
be lost. A public propopsal [i.e., Proposal 5000-365 (Log #97) on
Table 7.3] was submitted by the SAF-END Chair on behalf of a task
group. The SAF-END committee reserves the right to act at ROC-
preparation to assure that the current height requirements are not
lost. It will do this based on its review of the heights and areas
material developed for Chapter 7 by the Structures and Construction
Technical Committee.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
___________________
(Log #213)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 825 - (17-3.2.2): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Add new Section 17.3.2.2 as follows:
17.3.2.2 Cooking Facilities. Cooking facilities shall be protected in
accordance with Section 11.8.
SUBSTANTIATION: NFPA 5000 currently has no requirements for
the protection of cooking facilities.
410
See also ancillary proposal to add new Section 11.8 related to
cooking hazards.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Delete the exception to 17.3.2.1 and add a new 17.3.2.2 as follows:
17.3.2.1 General. Rooms or spaces...
Exception: Food preparation facilities protected in accordance with
Chapter 11 shall not be required to have openings protected between
food preparation areas and dining areas. Where domestic cooking
equipment is used for food warming or limited cooking, protection or
segregation of food preparation facilities shall not be required if
approved by the authority having jurisdiction.
17.3.2.2 Cooking Facilities.
17.3.2.2.1 Cooking facilities shall be protected in accordance with
Section 11.8.
17.3.2.2.2 Openings shall not be required to be protected between
food preparation areas and dining areas.
17.3.2.2.3 Where domestic cooking equipment is used for food
warming or limited cooking, the protection or segregation of food
preparation facilities shall not be required if approved by the
authority having jurisdiction.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The action taken should meet the
submitter's intent. The unique provisions currently contained in the
exception to 17.3.2.1 need to be retained.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
___________________
(Log #49)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 826 - (17-3.3): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Marcelo M. Hirschler, GBH International/Rep. Fire
Retardant Chemicals Association
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
17.3.3 Interior Finish
17.3.3.1 Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter 10.
Interior wall and ceiling finish tested in accordance with NFPA 286,
Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Evaluating Contribution of Wall
and Ceiling Interior Finish to Room Fire Growth, and meeting the
conditions of 10.3.5.3 shall be deemed to comply with a Class A
classification in accordance with NFPA 255, Standard Method of Test
of Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials.
17.3.3.2 Interior wall and ceiling finish materials in accordance with
10.5 Chapter 10 shall be Class A in stairways, corridors, and lobbies; in
all other occupied areas, interior wall and ceiling finish shall be Class
A or Class B.
SUBSTANTIATION: This proposal addresses two separate issues:
(a) The sentence added to 17.3.3.1 addresses the issue that unless
this is stated specifically, there is no way of permitting interior finish
tested by the room corner test (NFPA 286) to be installed. There is
abundant evidence that materials that comply with a room-corner test
requirements are equivalent in fire performance to materials tested
using the Steiner tunnel test. As an example, Table 1 shows a set of 10
materials tested in the room-corner test and the Steiner tunnel test
(Reference: M.M. Hirschler & M.L. Janssens, Fire and Materials Conf.,
San Antonio, TX, Feb. 22-23, 1999, Interscience Communications,
London, UK, pp. 179-198): only one of the 10 materials failed the
room-corner test; all other materials met Class A flame spread index
(FSI not to exceed 25); even the material which flashed over the room
had a flame spread index low enough to meet Class B in the Steiner
tunnel test (FSI not to exceed 75). Also, only one of the 10 materials
in the set failed to meet the Steiner tunnel test smoke development
index limit of 450, and it also failed the criterion in 10.3.5.3. The two
enclosed Figures show comparisons of Steiner tunnel FSI versus room
corner peak rate of heat release and Steiner tunnel SDI versus room
corner total smoke released, indicating how materials meeting room-
corner test criteria also meet Steiner tunnel criteria.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
Figure Steiner Tunnel FSI
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
Figure Steiner Tunnel SDI
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
Table 1 Test Results for Materials Tested in Room-Corner Tunnel
Tests
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
It must be clarified that this proposal does not require a material to
undergo room-corner testing, but gives the option of material
approvals via room-corner testing, as intended by the Life Safety
Code. This option appears to be missing in the draft of the NFPA
5000 Building Code.
(b) The change in 17.3.3.2 corrects an erroneous reference in the
draft. It does not change requirements.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise text to read as follows:
17.3.3 Interior Finish.
17.3.3.1 General. Interior finish shall be in accordance with
Chapter 10.
17.3.3.2 Interior Wall and Ceiling Finish. Interior wall and ceiling
finish materials in accordance with Chapter 10 shall be permitted as
follows:
(a) Stairways, corridors, and lobbies - Class A.
(b) All other occupied areas - Class A or Class B.
17.3.3.3 Interior Floor Finish. Interior floor finish materials in
accordance with Chapter 10 shall be Class I or Class II within
corridors and exits.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter's lengthy sentence
referencing NFPA 286 and NFPA 255 is not needed given that
Chapter 10 addresses the subject adequately. The reformatting will
make the Chapter 16 and Chapter 17 interior finish requirements
read similarly.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
___________________
(Log #29)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 827 - (17-3.3.3): Accept
SUBMITTER: James K. Lathrop, Koffel Assoc., Inc./Rep. Carpet &
Rug Institute
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 17.3.3.3 as follows:
17.3.3.3 Interior Floor Finish. Interior floor finish materials in
accordance with Chapter 10 shall be Class I or Class II within
corridors and exits in exit enclosures and in exit access corridors and
in spaces not separated from them by walls complying with 17.3.6 shall
be not less than Class II in accordance with Section 10.7. In all other
spaces interior floor finish shall comply with 10.7.1.
SUBSTANTIATION: This proposal makes very little change to the
requirements for interior floor finish in day care occupancies. For the
most part it is editorial for consistency with other proposals on
interior floor finish begin submitted to other occupancies. It does
require that FF-1 be applied even where not mandated by the U.S.
Government (locations outside the U.S.) This is being proposed to
Chapter 10. If accepted there the additional sentence here will be for
user friendliness. If the proposed 10.7.1 is rejected, it would be
editorially removed here.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
___________________
411
(Log #115)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 828 - (17-3.5): Accept in Part
SUBMITTER: Charles Smeby, Jr., Florida State Fire College
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows:
17.3.5 Buildings over 10,000 square feet shall be protected by an
approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system installed in
accordance with Chapter 11
SUBSTANTIATION: Since the NFPA 5000 draft is substantial
derived for the NFPA Life Safety Code and is focused towards
occupant safety during a fire, I would like to propose fire protection
criteria that would also cover firefighting safety and property
protection. Building codes typically contain many items that are
property protection features.
Each municipality has an interest in reducing and eliminating fire
losses. From both a "Public Policy" perceptive and to maintain
structures that provide taxes and places for employment for their
citizens, fire losses do have a major fiscal impact of local and state
governments.
This would also have the added benefit for reducing insurance
premiums that are the direct result of fire loss. Many of the
requirements int he typical building code were derived to limit fire
losses, and this tradition should be continued in this innovative new
code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Part.
See Committee Proposal 5000-831 (Log #CP2011).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter's threshold of requiring
sprinklers for day-care occupancies over 10,000 ft2 is too strict and not
justified. The sprinklers are not needed for life safety. They are
needed for property protection and mission continuity when at least
1860 m2 (20,000 ft2) in size, as judged by the SAF-END committee in
its Proposal 5000-831 (Log #CP2011). The action taken on the
committee proposal should meet a major portion of the submitter's
intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 13
NEGATIVE: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
TROTTER: I support the submitter’s substantiation based on the
fact that this text is for a new building code and NOW is the
opportunity and place to take the Sprinkler Advantage. I believe that
the threshold for sprinklers should be Zero and the building code
should require sprinklers in all educational occupancies. The
committee statement states “The sprinklers are not needed for life
safety” is totally incomprehensible... a comment I sincerely disagree
with.
I further believe that the Sprinkler Advantage goes far beyond life
safety and property protection. The City of Franklin, Tennessee
recently adopted a municipal ordinance to require sprinklers in all
new or renovated educational occupancies regardless of size. Under
the Standard family of codes used largely in the south, day-care
occupancies are grouped in the educational occupancy requirements.
___________________
(Log #919)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 829 - (17-3.5): Accept in Part
SUBMITTER: Phillip A. Brown, American Fire Sprinkler Assn.
RECOMMENDATION: Delete existing wording and replace with
new text:
“Extinguishment Requirements: Day-care occupancies shall be
provided with an automatic fire sprinkler system throughout in
accordance with Chapter 11.”
SUBSTANTIATION: All “:R” type occupancies, excluding one-two
family dwellings should be protected throughout with an approved
automatic sprinkler system.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Part.
See Committee Proposal 5000-831 (Log #CP2011).
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter's threshold of requiring
sprinklers for all day-care occupancies is too strict and not justified.
The sprinklers are not needed for life safety. They are needed for
property protection and mission continuity when at least 1860 m2
(20,000 ft2) in size, as judged by the SAF-END committee in its
Proposal 5000- 831 (Log #CP2011). The action taken on the
committee proposal should meet a major portion of the submitter's
intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 13
NEGATIVE: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
TROTTER: I support the submitter’s recommendation based on the
fact that this text is for a new building code and NOW is the
opportunity and place to take the Sprinkler Advantage. I believe that
the threshold for sprinklers should be Zero and the building code
should require sprinklers in all educational occupancies. I am
however, not convinced that day-care occupancies are “R” type
occupancies. The substantiation could lead someone to believe that
an NFPA 13R system is acceptable... I do not agree. The committee
statement “The sprinklers are not needed for life safety” is totally
incomprehensible... a comment I sincerely disagree with.
I further believe that the Sprinkler Advantage goes far beyond life
safety and property protection. The City of Franklin, Tennessee
recently adopted a municipal ordinance to require sprinklers in all
new or renovated educational occupancies regardless of size. Under
the Standard family of codes used largely in the south, day-care
occupancies are grouped in the educational occupancy requirements.
___________________
(Log #990)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 830 - (17-3.5): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new 17.3.5.1 as follows:
“Approved Fire Department Standpipes in accordance with 11.4
shall be provided in all buildings having an occupiable floor level
more than 30 ft above the lowest level of fire department vehicle
access, or having an occupiable floor level more than 30 ft below the
highest level of fire department access.”
SUBSTANTIATION: The intent of this proposal is to address the
need for fire service operations in buildings of certain heights which
may require excessive hose lays for suppression activities. It is an
attempt to address firefighter safety issues and efficient suppression
efforts with consideration to current fire service manpower
arrangements, standard firefighting procedures, and limitations of
space in areas used for building access and suppression efforts by
responding emergency personnel while other emergency operations
are occurring, such as egress of occupants in stairwells and corridors.
The 30 ft distance has been proposed in order to coordinate with
recognized practices and limitations established by other existing
codes.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See Committee Proposal 5000-832 (Log #CP2014).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The action taken on the referenced
proposal should meet the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
___________________
412
(Log #CP2011)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 831 - (17-3.5): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Educational and Day-Care
Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 17.3.5 as follows:
17.3.5 Extinguishment Requirements. Any required sprinker systems
shall be installed in accordance with Chapter 11.
17.3.5.1 Day-care occupancy buildings with a fire area exceeding
1860 m2 (20,000 ft2) shall be protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
11.3.
17.3.5.2 Day-care occupancy buildings with clients under 24 months
of age or clients incapable of self-preservation shall be protected
throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in
accordance with Section 11.3.
SUBSTANTIATION: Sprinklers are needed in day-care occupancies
for property protection and mission continuity purposes. In day-care
occupancies, sprinklers are also needed for life safety for clients
incapable of self-preservation and to protect emergency responders
who enter the building to assist those who are incapable of self-
preservation. The 1860 m2 (20,000 ft2) threshold is reasonable. If a
large nonsprinklered facility were subdivided into fire areas not
exceeding 1860 m2 (20,000 ft2), and one such fire area were lost to
fire, the remainder of the facility could be quickly returned to use.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 13
NEGATIVE: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
TROTTER: Based on my philosophy of fire sprinkler systems I
believe that NOW is the opportunity and place to take the Sprinkler
Advantage and require sprinklers in day-care occupancies. There is no
evidence in the substantiation to convince me that 20,000 ft2 is
appropriate for protecting occupants and the building. I do not
believe there will be many day-care occupancy buildings protected by
sprinklers based on the 20,000 ft2 requirement. However, I do believe
that most all day-care occupancies have clients under 24 months of
age or have clients incapable of self-preservation. Therefore, all or at
least the majority will be protected by sprinklers... the
recommendation does have merit.
I further believe that the Sprinkler Advantage goes far beyond life
safety and property protection. The City of Franklin, Tennessee
recently adopted a municipal ordinance to require sprinklers in all
new or renovated educational occupancies regardless of size. Under
the Standard family of codes used largely in the south, day-care
occupancies are grouped in the educational occupancy requirements.
___________________
(Log #CP2014)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 832 - (17-3.5): Accept
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
the reviewer to the TCC note added to Proposal 5000-815 (Log
#CP2013) directing SAF-BSF to address correlation issues on
standpipe language as raised by Mr. Freel's comment on affirmative.
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Educational and Day-Care
Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Create a new 17.3.5.3 to read as follows:
17.3.5.3 Class I standpipes shall be installed in accordance with
11.4.1 where any of the following occur:
1. A minimum of one floor area is more than 45 meters (148 ft)
from its nearest point of fire department entry into the building in
other than buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
11.3.
2. A minimum of one floor level is more than 9 meters (29.5 feet)
above or below the level of fire department access.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
SUBSTANTIATION: Standpipes are needed in large/tall day-care
occupancy buildings for property protection and fire fighter safety
purposes. Unlike NFPA 1 which requires standpipes for floors more
than three stories ABOVE grade, it is important to provide standpipe
protection to floors located significantly below grade. It is difficult for
fire fighters to pull hose to floors above or below grade. The 9 meter
criterion in subpart (2) is a reasonable threshold for requiring
standpipes. The 45 meter criterion of subpart (1) takes into
consideration that fire department preconnect lines are often 60
meters in length and it, too, is a reasonable threshold for requiring
standpipes if the building is not sprinklered.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
FREELS: This is considered a correlation issue. It is requested that
the wording of Committee Proposals 5000-815 (Log #CP2013) and
5000-832 (Log #CP2014) be compared to and reconciled with similar
proposals for other occupancies. Basically, there may be a lack of
consistency between the committees when addressing the nearest
point of fire department entry as opposed to the closest point of fire
department vehicle access. The original submitter (Ken Bush)
included fire department vehicle access in his proposal. I am aware
that he has submitted similar proposals for other occupancies (i.e.,
Business and Mercantile).
___________________
(Log #1137)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 833 - (17-3.5.1 (New) ): Reject
SUBMITTER: Kevin Kelly, National Fire Sprinkler Association
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text to read as follows:
“Fire Sprinkler Systems shall be installed throughout buildings with a
floor level located 55 ft or more above the lowest level of Fire
Department Vehicle Access.
Exception No. 1: Buildings where all floors located 55 ft or more
above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access have an
occupant load less than 30 shall not require sprinklers duke to this
section.
Exception No. 2: Airport control towers shall not require sprinklers
due to this section.
Exception No. 3: Open parking structures shall not require
sprinklers due to this section.”
SUBSTANTIATION: Fire sprinklers, without the rest of the high-rise
provisions, are necessary in buildings beyond the reach of fire
department ground ladders. This is similar to a provision in the
International Building Code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The height and area provisons will
require sprinklers for buildings more than 3 stories. Draft paragraph
17.4.2 requires sprinklers for buildings where the day-care facility is
housed more than 75 ft above the lowest level of fire department
access (i.e., in the high-rise portion of a building). The submitter's
language is poor in that the three exceptions do not apply to day-care
occupancies.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
___________________
(Log #982)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 834 - (17-3.5.2): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new 17.3.5.2 as follows:
“Approved Fire Department Standpipes in accordance with 11.4
shall be provided in all buildings having an occupiable area more
than 200 ft from the closest point of fire department vehicle access.
413
Exception: Buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic extinguishing system.”
SUBSTANTIATION: The intent of this proposal is to address the
need for fire service operations in buildings which may require
excessive hose lays for suppression activities in buildings of large areas
or limited vehicle access. It is an attempt to address firefighter safety
issues and efficient suppression efforts with consideration to current
fire service manpower arrangements, and standard firefighting
procedures.
The 200 ft distance has been proposed in order to coordinate with
recognized practices of standard lengths of pre-connected fire service
hose lines and limitations established by other existing codes. It is
also recognized that fires in buildings protected throughout by an
extinguishing system will be controlled by that extinguishing system,
and that hose lines would not be required for first line fire
containment and control. The additional time to extend hose lines in
buildings so protected would not adversely impact the overall
protection features of that building.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See Committee Proposal 5000-832 (Log #CP2014).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The action taken on the referenced
proposal should meet the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
___________________
(Log #199)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 835 - (17-3.6): Accept in Principle in Part
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows:
17.3.6 Standpipes.
17.3.6.1 General. Standpipe and hose systems shall be installed and
maintained in accordance with Section 11.4 of this code.
17.3.6.2 Where required. Class I or III standpipe systems shall be
installed throughout all buildings in which occupied floors are
located more than 30 feet (9,144 mm) above or below the lowest level
of fire department vehicle access.
17.3.6.3 Large expanse buildings. Class I or III standpipe systems
shall be provided in buildings in which the highest occupied floor is
30 feet (9,144 mm) or less above the lowest level of fire department
vehicle access and any portion of the building is more than 200 feet
(61 m) of travel from the nearest point of fire department access into
the building.
17.3.6.4 Roof outlets. Where standpipe systems are installed in
buildings more than six stories or 75 feet (22,860 mm) in height, at
least one riser shall extend through the roof and terminate in a two-
way, 2 1/2-inch hose connection. The main control valve on roof
hose connections or manifolded hose connections shall be located in
an area that is not subject to freezing, is as close to the roof access as
practical and is plainly identified.
Renumber remaining sections.
SUBSTANTIATION: The current draft of NFPA 5000 contains
minimal or, in some chapters, no requirements for standpipe systems.
Many of these standpipe thresholds proposed in this submittal were
established by the Board for the Coordination of the Model Codes
(BCMC) in the late 1980’s are found in part of many of the existing
building and fire codes today. These requirements and thresholds are
basic fire protection for the building occupants, property protection
and firefighter safety. Standpipe systems should be mandatory in
NFPA-5000.
Balanced Fire Protection requires that provisions be made for
manual fire control. This is also an important issue relating to
firefighter safety. Please see the table developed to show the weights
of 1 3/4-inch and 2 1/2-inch fire hose in 50 foot lengths when filled
with water. When used inside a building, these are intended to be
mobile attack lines. Once can quickly see that 200 feet of fire hose or
less, when charged with water, is the threshold at which we can expect
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

a fire crew to adequately handle while attacking and fighting a fire.
This is while wearing heavy protective gear and breathing apparatus.
Also submitted are the 1991-1995 NFIRS, NFPA Survey showing
methods of extinguishment. Note that there is insufficient detail with
regard to hose line use to determine if Class I (fire department use),
Class I (occupant use) or, Class III (either fire department or
occupant use) standpipes were used and, in the case of Class III,
whether the standpipe was used by the occupants or the fire
department. It is assumed that the predominant use of the hose lines
is by trained firefighters, whether professional, volunteer or fire
brigade. The important thing to notice is that preconnected and
hand-laid hose lines form hydrant, draft or standpipe were the means
of extinguishment for 19.6 percent of all fire in residential structures
and 25.7 percent of all fires in non-residential structures. This record
mandates that NFPA 5000 have strong standpipe requirements for all
classes of systems.
We have retained those few provisions which are currently in NFPA
5000 and added to them to provide a comprehensive standpipe
package to the new building code. NFPA 5000 Section 4.5.1 indicates
that fire protection and life safety should not be depend solely and a
single safeguard. Standpipes from part of a total fire protection
package.
Standpipes are vital for fire protection. The model codes and
national standard require that all portions of a building be within 200
feet of a standpipe hose connection.
They are an integral part of a balanced fire protection package
provided for a building. Large expanse buildings would be
particularly vulnerable if the fire service did not have standpipes
available to use.
Automatic fire sprinklers are one excellent method of fire control,
but they can fail or become overwhelmed by a fire. In that event,
these has to be a backup to allow the fire service an immediate fire
suppression capability.
Without standpipes, firefighters would be put in harm’s way. As you
can see from the following table, firefighters safety would be greatly
jeopardized if they had to maneuver the weight of excessive hose
lengths -- especially while wearing heavy breathing apparatus and
turnout gear.
(Log #228)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 836 - (17-3.7): Accept in Part
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Add new Section 17.3.7
17.3.7 Portable fire extinguishers shall be installed in accordance
with Section 11.6.
SUBSTANTIATION: NFPA 5000 Section 4.5.1 indicates that fire
protection and life safety should not depend solely on a single
safeguard. Portable fire extinguishers form part of a total fire
protection package. More specific requirements may be developed as
the committee differentiates the level of protection to be provided for
small and large day care occupancies and day care homes.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Part.
Add a 17.3.5.4 to read:
17.3.5.4 Portable fire extinguishers in accordance with the
provisions of Section 11.6 shall be installed in hazardous areas as
specified in 17.3.2.1.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: Portable fire extinguishers are not
needed throughout the general areas of the building. However, for
property protection purposes they might be helpful in hazardous
areas. By limiting their presence to hazardous areas, the portable fire
extinguishers are less apt to be incorrectly used by non-staff
occupants. Untrained occupants should not attempt to fight even an
incipient stage fire; they should evacuate the building.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 13
NEGATIVE: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
TROTTER: I agree with the submitter’s substantiation, portable fire
extinguishers are part of a total fire protection package. Committee
members believed that the appropriate place for this requirements
was in NFPA 1, Fire Prevention Code. Depending on how jurisdictions
adopt their codes, NFPA 1 may not be in the compliment of codes.
Therefore, the building code should address portable fire
extinguishers as well as the fire prevention code.

One 50 Foot Hose Length 1-3/4 Inch 2-1/2 Inch ___________________

-Weights 13.5 Pounds 34 Pounds
- Holds: 7.5 Gallons 12.5 Gallons (Log #CP2025)
- Water Weight: 60 Pounds 104 Pounds Committee: SAF-END
Total Weight 73.5 Pounds 136 Pounds 5000- 837 - (17-3.7 and 17.1.6.2): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Educational and Day-Care
Two Lengths (100 feet) 147 Pounds 272 Pounds Occupancies
Three Lengths (150 Feet) 220.5 Pounds 408 Pounds RECOMMENDATION: Move 17.1.6.2 to become 17.3.7 as follows:
Four*** Lengths (200 feet) 294 Points 544 Pounds 17.1.6.2 17.3.7 Subdivision of Building Spaces. Where day-care
Five Lengths (250 Feet) 367.5 Pounds 680 Pounds occupancies, other than day-care homes with clients who are 24
Six Lengths (300 Feet) 441 Pounds 816 Pounds months or less in age or who are incapable of self-preservation are
Seven Lengths (350 Feet) 514.5 Pounds 952 Pounds located one or more stories above the level of exit discharge or where
Eight Lengths (400 Feet) 588 Pounds 1,088 Pounds day-care occupancies are located two or more stories above the level
of exit discharge, smoke barriers shall be provided to divide such
*** Four hose lengths (200 Feet) is the maximum recommended. stories into a minimum of two smoke compartments. The smoke
barriers shall be constructed in accordance with Chapter 8 but shall
Note: Supporting Material available for Review at NFPA not be required to have a fire resistance rating.
Headquarters. SUBSTANTIATION: Editorial. The construction requirements are to
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle in Part. be in Chapter 7, so 17.1.6 is no longer the appropriate place for this
See Committee Proposal 5000-832 (Log #CP2014). provision. This provision relates to subdivision of building spaces
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The action taken on the referenced through the use of smoke barriers. The subject is consistently
proposal should meet some of the submitter's intent. Roof outlets are positioned in the 3.7 subsection of the occupancy chapters.
adequately covered in NFPA 14. An exception is justified for COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
sprinklered, low-rise, "larger" area buildings. NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14 VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION: AFFIRMATIVE: 14
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
___________________
___________________

414
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(Log #1139)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 838 - (17-5.1): Accept in Part
SUBMITTER: Kevin Kelly, National Fire Sprinkler Association
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new section to read as follows:
“All buildings shall be protected throughout by a fire sprinkler
system.”
SUBSTANTIATION: Young children, such as those typically in day-
care facilities, are not capable of self-preservation. The staff in those
facilities is not sufficiently trained to deal with a fire. The
International Building Code as a similar requirement.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Part.
See Committee Proposal 5000-831 (Log #CP2011).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter's threshold of requiring
sprinklers for all day-care occupancies is too strict and not justified.
The sprinklers are not needed for life safety. They are needed for
property protection and mission continuity when at least 1860 m2
(20,000 ft2) in size, as judged by the SAF-END committee in its
Proposal 5000-831 (Log #CP2011). The action taken on the
committee proposal should meet a major portion of the submitter's
intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 13
NEGATIVE: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
TROTTER: I support the submitter’s recommendation based on the
fact that this text is for a new building code and NOW is the
opportunity and place to take the Sprinkler Advantage. I believe that
the threshold for sprinklers should be Zero and the building code
should require sprinklers in all day-care occupancies. The action on
Committee Proposal 5000-831 (Log #CP2011) addresses Mr. Kelly’s
concern expressed in his substantiation. There is no evidence in the
committee proposal mentioned above to convince me that 20,000 ft2
is appropriate for protecting occupants and the building. I do not
believe there will be many day-care occupancy buildings protected by
sprinklers based on the 20,000 ft2 requirement. However, I do believe
that most all day-care occupancies have clients under 24 months of
age or have clients incapable of self-preservation.
The committee statement “The sprinklers are not needed for life
safety” is totally incomprehensible... a comment I sincerely disagree
with. The comment also conflicts with their own substantiation as
presented in Committee Proposal 5000-831 (Log #CP2011) where
they state “sprinklers are also needed for life safety for clients
incapable of self-preservation and to protect emergency responders
who enter the building to assist those who are incapable of self-
preservation”.
I further believe that the Sprinkler Advantage goes far beyond life
safety and property protection. The City of Franklin, Tennessee
recently adopted a municipal ordinance to require sprinklers in all
new or renovated educational occupancies regardless of size. Under
the Standard family of codes used largely in the south, day-care
occupancies are grouped in the educational occupancy requirements.
___________________
(Log #CP2016)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 839 - (17-6.1.4.1 and 17.6.1.7): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Educational and Day-Care
Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Revise as follows:
17.6.1.4.1 Subclassification of Day-Care Homes. Subclassification of
day-care homes shall be as follows:
(a) Family Day-Care Homes. A family day-care home is a day-care
home in which more than three but fewer than seven clients receive
care, maintenance, and supervision by other than their relative(s) or
legal guardian(s) for less than 24 hr per day (generally within a
dwelling unit). Requirements for family day-care homes are based on
a minimum staff-to-client ratio of one staff for up to six clients,
415
including the caretaker's own children under age six, with no more
than two clients incapable of self-preservation.
(b) Group Day-Care Homes. A group day-care home is a day-care
home in which at least seven but not more than 12 clients receive
care, maintenance, and supervision by other than their relative(s) or
legal guardian(s) for less than 24 hr per day (generally within a
dwelling unit). Requirements for group day-care homes are based on
a minimum staff-to-client ratio of two staff for up to 12 clients, with no
more than three clients incapable of self-preservation. This staff-to-
client ratio shall be permitted to be modified by the authority having
jurisdiction where safeguards in addition to those specified by this
section are provided.
17.6.1.7 Occupant Load. (No special requirements.)
17.6.1.7.1 In family day-care homes, the minimum staff-to-client ratio
shall be not less than one staff for up to six clients, including the
caretaker's own children under age six. There shall be not more than
two clients incapable of self-preservation.
17.6.1.7.2 In group day-care homes, the minimum staff-to-client ratio
shall be not less than two staff for up to 12 clients. There shall be not
more than three clients incapable of self-preservation. This staff-to-
client ratio shall be permitted to be modified by the authority having
jurisdiction where safeguards in addition to those specified by Section
17.6 are provided.
SUBSTANTIATION: The staff to client ratio and maximum number
of persons incapable of self-preservation are not mandates as worded
in the draft. The wording reads much like background information
and a listing of the assumptions made by the code authors when they
wrote the day-care homes provisions. These criteria need to be
mandates or the protection package intended might not be realized
in day-care homes that deviate from the staff to client ratio or the
number of persons incapable of self-preservation.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
___________________
(Log #CP2026)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 840 - (17-6.1.6): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Educational and Day-Care
Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 17.6.1.6 as follows:
17.6.1.6 Location and Construction. No day-care home shall be
located more than one store below the level of exit discharge.
SUBSTANTIATION: Editorial. Construction requirements are to be
in Chapter 7. This provision addresses location, not construction.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
___________________
(Log #846a)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 841 - (17-6.3.4.3): Accept
SUBMITTER: Howard Hooper, Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
17.6.3.4.3 Single-station and multiple-station smoke detectors alarms
in accordance with 11.2.2.10 powered by the building electrical system
or system detectors with integral sounding devices in accordance with
Chapter 11 shall be provided in all rooms used for sleeping.
SUBSTANTIATION: Either single-station or miltiple-station smoke
alarms are required in the applications covered by these sections,
depending on the configuration of the dwelling unit. This proposal
adds the additional references to “multiple-station” to clarify this
requirement.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

The references to smoke detector in sections 17.6.3.4.3, A18.3.4.2,
25.23.4.3.2 and 25.3.3.4.7 have been revised to reflect the proper
term, smoke alarm.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
___________________
(Log #1021)
Committee: SAF-END
5000- 842 - (17-7): Accept
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to SAF-END requesting that the subject of this proposal be
revisited now that a draft of Chapter 100 Flood Resistant Design and
Construction is available via Proposal 5000-1421 (Log #623).
SUBMITTER: James A. Rossberg, Christopher P. Jones, American
Society of Civil Engineers/Rep. Federal Emergency Management
Agency, Mitigation Directorate
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows:
17.7 Flood Resistance. Buildings or structures used for day-care
occupancies, that are located wholly or partly within the flood hazard
area established by Section 100.3.2, shall comply with the provisions of
Chapter 100.
SUBSTANTIATION: Makes code provisions compliant with National
Flood Insurance Program regulations for buildings and structures in
flood hazard areas. Note that this proposal is one of a series of
proposals that will insure NFPA 5000 compliance with NFIP
regulations. Although submitted separately, the proposals comprising
the series should be considered together.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 14
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
___________________
(Log #CP2039)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 843 - (Chapter 18): Accept
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to SAF-HEA requesting that:
(1) the TC give consideration to the coordination issue raised by this
section and the requirements of Chapter 54.
(2) the scope provisions of 18.1.1.1.2 be expanded to cover the
broader subject areas of NFPA 5000 including property conservation
and mission continuity.See also the TCC note on Proposal 5000-844
(Log #583).
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Health Care Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Create a Chapter 18 Health Care
Occupancies to read as follows:
Chapter 18
Health Care Occupancies
18.1 General Requirements.
18.2 Means of Egress Requirements
18.3 Protection
18.4 Special Provisions
18.5 Building Services
18.1 General Requirements.
18.1.1 Application.
18.1.1.1 General.
18.1.1.1.1 The requirements of this chapter apply to the following:
(1) New buildings or portions thereof used as health care
occupancies (see Chapter 6)
(2) Additions made to, or used as, a health care occupancy
Exception: The requirement of 18.1.1.1.1 shall not apply to additions
classified as occupancies other than health care that are separated from the
health care occupancy in accordance with 18.1.2.1(2) and conform to the
requirements for the specific occupancy in accordance with Chapters 12 through
17 and Chapters 20 through 42, as appropriate.
(3) Alterations, modernizations, or renovations of existing health
care occupancies
(4) Existing buildings or portions thereof upon change of
occupancy to a health care occupancy
Exception:* Facilities where the authority having jurisdiction has determined
equivalent safety has been provided in accordance with Section 1.x.
18.1.1.1.2 This chapter establishes life safety requirements for the
design of all new hospitals, nursing homes, and limited care facilities.
The term hospital, wherever used in this Code, shall include general
hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, and specialty hospitals. The term
nursing home, wherever used in this Code, shall include nursing and
convalescent homes, skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care
facilities, and infirmaries in homes for the aged. Where requirements
vary, the specific subclass of health care occupancy is named in the
paragraph pertaining thereto. Chapter 19 establishes life safety
requirements for all new ambulatory health care facilities.
18.1.1.1.3 Health care facilities regulated by this chapter provide
sleeping accommodations for their occupants and are occupied by
persons who are mostly incapable of self-preservation because of age,
because of physical or mental disability, or because of security
measures not under the occupants’ control.
18.1.1.1.4 Buildings, or sections of buildings, that primarily house
patients who, in the opinion of the governing body of the facility and
the governmental agency having jurisdiction, are capable of judgment
and appropriate physical action for self-preservation under emergency
conditions shall be permitted to comply with chapters of this Code
other than Chapter 18.
18.1.1.1.5 It shall be recognized that, in buildings housing certain
types of patients or having detention rooms or a security section, it
might be necessary to lock doors and bar windows to confine and
protect building inhabitants. In such instances, the authority having
jurisdiction shall make appropriate modifications to those sections of
this Code that would otherwise require means of egress to be kept
unlocked.
18.1.1.1.6 Buildings, or sections of buildings, that house older persons
and that provide activities that foster continued independence, but
that do not include services distinctive to health care occupancies
shall be permitted to comply with the requirements of other chapters
of this Code.
18.1.1.1.7 Facilities that do not provide housing on a 24-hour basis for
their occupants shall be classified as other occupancies and shall be
covered by other chapters of this Code.
18.1.1.1.8* The requirements of this chapter are based on the
assumption that staff is available in all patient-occupied areas to
perform certain fire safety functions.
18.1.1.2* Goals and Objectives. The goals and objectives of Sections
4.1 and 4.2 shall be met with due consideration for functional
requirements. This is accomplished by limiting the development and
spread of a fire emergency to the room of fire origin and reducing the
need for occupant evacuation, except from the room of fire origin.
18.1.1.3 Total Concept. All health care facilities shall be designed and
constructed to minimize the possibility of a fire emergency requiring
the evacuation of occupants. Because the safety of health care
occupants cannot be ensured adequately by dependence on
evacuation of the building, their protection from fire shall be
provided by appropriate arrangement of facilities, adequate, trained
staff, and development of operating and maintenance procedures
composed of the following:
(1) Design, construction, and compartmentation
(2) Provision for detection, alarm, and extinguishment
(3) Fire prevention and the planning, training, and drilling
programs for the isolation of fire, transfer of occupants to areas of
refuge, or evacuation of the building
18.1.1.4 Additions, Conversions, Modernization, Renovation, and
Construction Operations.
18.1.1.4.1 Additions. Additions shall be separated from any existing
structure not conforming to the requirements for health care
occupancies by a fire barrier having not less than a 2-hour fire

416
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
resistance rating and constructed of materials as required for the
addition.
18.1.1.4.2 Communicating openings in dividing fire barriers required
by 18.1.1.4.1 shall be permitted only in corridors and shall be
protected by approved self-closing fire doors.
18.1.1.4.3 Doors in barriers required by 18.1.1.4.1 shall normally be
kept closed.
Exception: Doors shall be permitted to be held open if they meet the requirements
of 18.2.2.2.6.
18.1.1.4.4 Changes of Occupancy. Changes of occupancy shall comply
with 4.6.10. A change from one health care occupancy
subclassification to another shall require compliance with the
requirements for new construction.
Exception No. 1: A change from a hospital to a nursing home or from a
nursing home to a hospital shall not be considered a change in occupancy or
occupancy subclassification.
Exception No. 2: A change from a hospital or nursing home to a limited care
facility shall not be considered a change in occupancy or occupancy
subclassification.
Exception No. 3: A change from a hospital or nursing home to an ambulatory
health care facility shall not be considered a change in occupancy or occupancy
subclassification.
18.1.1.4.5* Renovations, Alterations, and Modernizations. Where
major renovations, alterations, or modernizations are made in a
nonsprinklered facility, the automatic sprinkler requirements of
Chapter 18 shall apply to a smoke compartment undergoing the
renovation, alteration, or modernization. However, in cases where the
building is not protected throughout by an approved automatic
sprinkler system, the requirements for non-sprinklered buildings
contained in this chapter shall also apply. Exception No. 2 to 18.3.7.3
shall be permitted only where adjacent smoke compartments are
protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with 18.3.5.2. Where minor renovations,
alterations, modernizations, or repairs are done in a nonsprinklered
facility, the requirements of 18.3.5.1 shall not apply but, in such cases,
the renovations, alterations, modernizations, or repairs shall not
reduce life safety below the level that previously existed, nor below the
level of requirements of this chapter for nonsprinklered buildings.
18.1.1.4.6 Construction, Repair, and Improvement Operations.
18.1.2 Multiple Occupancies.
18.1.2.1 Multiple occupancies shall be in accordance with Section 6.2.
18.1.2.2* Sections of health care facilities shall be permitted to be
classified as other occupancies, provided that they meet all of the
following conditions:
(1) They are not intended to serve health care occupants for
purposes of housing, treatment, or customary access by patients
incapable of self-preservation.
(2) They are separated from areas of health care occupancies by
construction having a fire resistance rating of not less than 2 hours.
18.1.2.3* Ambulatory care facilities, medical clinics, and similar
facilities that are contiguous to health care occupancies but are
primarily intended to provide outpatient services shall be permitted to
be classified as business occupancies or ambulatory health care
facilities, provided that the facilities are separated from the health
care occupancy by not less than 2-hour fire resistance-rated
construction and the facility is not intended to provide services
simultaneously for four or more health care patients who are
litterborne.
18.1.2.4 Health care occupancies in buildings housing other
occupancies shall be completely separated from them by construction
in accordance with Section 6.2 with communicating openings
permitted only in corridors and only by approved self-closing fire
doors.
18.1.2.5 All means of egress from health care occupancies that
traverse non-health care spaces shall conform to the requirements of
this Code for health care occupancies.
Exception: Exit through a horizontal exit into other contiguous occupancies
that do not conform with health care egress provisions, but that do comply with
requirements set forth in the appropriate occupancy chapter of this Code, shall
be permitted, provided that the occupancy does not contain high hazard
417
contents. The horizontal exit shall comply with the requirements of 18.2.2.5.
18.1.2.6 Egress provisions for areas of health care facilities that
correspond to other occupancies shall meet the corresponding
requirements of this Code for such occupancies. Where the clinical
needs of the occupant necessitate the locking of means of egress, staff
shall be present for the supervised release of occupants during all
times of use.
18.1.2.7 Auditoriums, chapels, staff residential areas, or other
occupancies provided in connection with health care facilities shall
have means of egress provided in accordance with other applicable
sections of this Code.
18.1.2.8 Any area with a hazard of contents classified higher than that
of the health care occupancy and located in the same building shall
be protected as required in 18.3.2.
18.1.2.9 Non-health care-related occupancies classified as containing
high hazard contents shall not be permitted in buildings housing
health care occupancies.
18.1.3 Special Definitions. (See Chapter 3.)
18.1.4 Classification of Occupancy. (See Chapter 6.)
18.1.5 Classification of Hazard of Contents. The classification of
hazard of contents shall be as defined in Section 6.2.
18.1.6 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction shall be in
accordance with Chapter 7.
18.1.7 Occupant Load. The occupant load, in number of persons for
whom means of egress and other provisions are required, shall be
determined on the basis of the occupant load factors of Table 12.3.1.2
that are characteristic of the use of the space or shall be determined
as the maximum probable population of the space under
consideration, whichever is greater.
18.2 Means of Egress Requirements.
18.2.1 General. Every aisle, passageway, corridor, exit discharge, exit
location, and access shall be in accordance with Chapter 12.
Exception: As modified by 18.2.2 through 18.2.10.
18.2.2* Means of Egress Components.
18.2.2.1 Components of means of egress shall be limited to the types
described in 18.2.2.2 through 18.2.2.10.
18.2.2.2 Doors.
18.2.2.2.1 Doors complying with 12.2.1 shall be permitted.
18.2.2.2.2 Locks shall not be permitted on patient sleeping room
doors.
Exception No. 1: Key-locking devices that restrict access to the room from the
corridor and that are operable only by staff from the corridor side shall be
permitted. Such devices shall not restrict egress from the room.
Exception No. 2: Door-locking arrangements shall be permitted in health care
occupancies, or portions of health care occupancies, where the clinical needs of
the patients require specialized security measures for their safety, provided that
keys are carried by staff at all times.
18.2.2.2.3 Doors not located in a required means of egress shall be
permitted to be subject to locking.
18.2.2.2.4 Doors within a required means of egress shall not be
equipped with a latch or lock that requires the use of a tool or key
from the egress side.
Exception No. 1: Door-locking arrangements without delayed egress shall be
permitted in health care occupancies, or portions of health care occupancies,
where the clinical needs of the patients require specialized security measures for
their safety, provided that staff can readily unlock such doors at all times. (See
18.1.1.1.5 and 18.2.2.2.5.)
Exception No. 2:* Delayed-egress locks complying with 12.2.1.6.1 shall be
permitted, provided that not more than one such device is located in any egress
path.
Exception No. 3: Access-controlled egress doors complying with 12.2.1.6.2 shall
be permitted.
18.2.2.2.5 Doors located in the means of egress that are permitted to
be locked under other provisions of this chapter shall have adequate
provisions made for the rapid removal of occupants by means such as
remote control of locks, keying of all locks to keys carried by staff at
all times, or other such reliable means available to the staff at all
times. Only one such locking device shall be permitted on each door.
Exception: Locks in accordance with Exception Nos. 2 and 3 to 18.2.2.2.4.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
18.2.2.2.6* Any door in an exit passageway, stairway enclosure,
horizontal exit, smoke barrier, or hazardous area enclosure (except
boiler rooms, heater rooms, and mechanical equipment rooms) shall
be permitted to be held open only by an automatic release device that
complies with 12.2.1.8.2. The automatic sprinkler system and the fire
alarm system, and the systems required by 12.2.1.8.2 shall be arranged
to initiate the closing action of all such doors throughout the smoke
compartment or throughout the entire facility.
18.2.2.2.7 Where doors in a stair enclosure are held open by an
automatic release device as permitted in 18.2.2.2.6, initiation of a
door-closing action on any level shall cause all doors at all levels in the
stair enclosure to close.
18.2.2.2.8 High-rise health care occupancies shall comply with the re-
entry provisions of 12.2.1.5.2.
18.2.2.2.9 Horizontal sliding doors, as permitted by 12.2.1.14, that are
not automatic-closing shall be limited to a single leaf and shall have a
latch or other mechanism that ensures that doors will not rebound
into a partially open position if forcefully closed in an emergency.
18.2.2.3 Stairs. Stairs complying with 12.2.2 shall be permitted.
18.2.2.4 Smokeproof Enclosures. Smokeproof enclosures complying
with 12.2.3 shall be permitted.
18.2.2.5 Horizontal Exits. Horizontal exits complying with 12.2.4 and
the modifications of 18.2.2.5.1 through 18.2.2.5.6 shall be permitted.
18.2.2.5.1 Not less than 30 net ft2 (2.8 net m2) per patient in a hospital
or nursing home, or not less than 15 net ft2 (1.4 net m2) per resident
in a limited care facility, shall be provided within the aggregated area
of corridors, patient rooms, treatment rooms, lounge or dining areas,
and other similar areas on each side of the horizontal exit. On stories
not housing bed or litterborne patients, not less than 6 net ft2 (0.56
net m2) per occupant shall be provided on each side of the horizontal
exit for the total number of occupants in adjoining compartments.
18.2.2.5.2 The total egress capacity of the other exits (stairs, ramps,
doors leading outside the building) shall not be reduced below one-
third of that required for the entire area of the building.
18.2.2.5.3 A single door shall be permitted in a horizontal exit if the
exit serves one direction only. Such door shall be a swinging door or a
horizontal sliding door complying with 12.2.1.14. The door shall have
not less than 41.5 in. (105 cm) in clear width.
18.2.2.5.4 A horizontal exit involving a corridor 8 ft (2.4 m) or more
in width serving as a means of egress from both sides of the doorway
shall have the opening protected by a pair of swinging doors arranged
to swing in opposite directions from each other, with each door
having a clear width of not less than 41.5 in. (105 cm), or by a
horizontal sliding door complying with 12.2.1.14 that provides a clear
width of not less than 83 in. (211 cm).
18.2.2.5.5 A horizontal exit involving a corridor 6 ft (1.8 m) or more
in width serving as a means of egress from both sides of the doorway
shall have the opening protected by a pair of swinging doors,
arranged to swing in opposite directions from each other, with each
door having a clear width of not less than 32 in. (81 cm), or by a
horizontal sliding door complying with 12.2.1.14 that provides a clear
width of not less than 64 in. (163 cm).
18.2.2.5.6 An approved vision panel shall be required in each
horizontal exit. Center mullions shall be prohibited.
18.2.2.6 Ramps.
18.2.2.6.1 Ramps complying with 12.2.5 shall be permitted.
18.2.2.7 Exit Passageways. Exit passageways complying with 12.2.6
shall be permitted.
18.2.2.8 Fire Escape Ladders. Fire escape ladders complying with
12.2.9 shall be permitted.
18.2.2.9 Alternating Tread Devices. Alternating tread devices
complying with 12.2.11 shall be permitted.
18.2.2.10 Areas of Refuge. Areas of refuge used as part of a required
accessible means of egress shall comply with 12.2.12.
18.2.3 Capacity of Means of Egress.
18.2.3.1 The capacity of any required means of egress shall be in
accordance with 12.3.3 as modified by 18.2.3.2 through 18.2.3.5.
18.2.3.2 The capacity of means of egress shall be as follows:
(a) In buildings protected throughout by an approved supervised
automatic sprinkler system complying with 11.3.1: 0.3 in. (7.6 mm)
418
per person for travel by means of stairs; and the capacity of means of
egress providing horizontal travel (without stairs) by means such as
doors, ramps, or horizontal exits shall be 0.2 in. (5 mm) per person.
(b) In buildings not complying with (a) above: 0.6 in. (15 mm) per
person for travel by means of stairs, and the capacity of means of
egress providing horizontal travel (without stairs) by means such as
doors, ramps, or horizontal exits shall be 0.5 in. (13 mm) per person.
18.2.3.3* Aisles, corridors, and ramps required for exit access in a
hospital or nursing home shall be not less than 8 ft (2.4 m) in clear
and unobstructed width. Where ramps are used as exits, see 18.2.2.6.
Exception No. 1:* Aisles, corridors, and ramps in adjunct areas not intended
for the housing, treatment, or use of inpatients shall be not less than 44 in.
(112 cm) in clear and unobstructed width.
Exception No. 2:* Exit access within a room or suite of rooms complying with
the requirements of 18.2.5.
18.2.3.4 Aisles, corridors, and ramps required for exit access in a
limited care facility or hospital for psychiatric care shall be not less
than 6 ft (1.8 m) in clear and unobstructed width.
Exception No. 1:* Aisles, corridors, and ramps in adjunct areas not intended
for the housing, treatment, or use of inpatients shall be not less than 44 in.
(112 cm) in clear and unobstructed width.
Exception No. 2:* Exit access within a room or suite of rooms complying with
the requirements of 18.2.5.
18.2.3.5 The minimum clear width for doors in the means of egress
from sleeping rooms; diagnostic and treatment areas, such as x-ray,
surgery, or physical therapy; and nursery rooms shall be as follows:
(1) Hospitals and nursing homes — 41.5 in. (105 cm)
(2) Psychiatric hospitals and limited care facilities — 32 in. (81 cm)
Exception No. 1: Doors that are located so as not to be subject to use by any
health care occupant shall be not less than 32 in. (81 cm) in clear width.
Exception No. 2: Doors in exit stair enclosures shall be not less than 32 in. (81
cm) in clear width.
Exception No. 3: Doors serving newborn nurseries shall be not less than 32 in.
(81 cm) in clear width.
Exception No. 4: Where a pair of doors is provided, not less than one of the
doors shall provide not less than a 32-in. (81-cm) clear width opening and a
rabbet, bevel, or astragal shall be provided at the meeting edge. The inactive
leaf shall have an automatic flush bolt to provide positive latching.
18.2.4 Number of Exits.
18.2.4.1 Not less than two exits of the types described in 18.2.2.2
through 18.2.2.10, remotely located from each other, shall be
provided for each floor or fire section of the building.
18.2.4.2 Not less than one exit from each floor or fire section shall be
one of the following:
(1) A door leading directly outside the building
(2) A stair
(3) A smokeproof enclosure
(4) A ramp
(5) An exit passageway
Any fire section not meeting these requirements shall be considered
part of an adjoining zone. Egress shall not require return through the
zone of fire origin.
18.2.4.3* Not less than two exits of the types described in 18.2.2.2
through 18.2.2.10 shall be accessible from each smoke compartment.
Egress shall be permitted through an adjacent compartment(s) but
shall not require return through the compartment of fire origin.
18.2.5 Arrangement of Means of Egress.
18.2.5.1 Every habitable room shall have an exit access door leading
directly to an exit access corridor.
Exception No. 1: If there is an exit door opening directly to the outside from the
room at ground level.
Exception No. 2: Exit access from a patient sleeping room with not more than
eight patient beds shall be permitted to pass through one intervening room to
reach the exit access corridor.
Exception No. 3: Exit access from a special nursing suite shall be permitted to
pass through one intervening room to reach the exit access corridor where the
arrangement allows for direct and constant visual supervision by nursing
personnel.
Exception No. 4: Exit access from a suite of rooms, other than patient sleeping
rooms, shall be permitted to pass through not more than two adjacent rooms to
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

reach the exit access corridor where the travel distance within the suite is in of the electrical system as described in NFPA 99, Standard for Health
accordance with 18.2.5.8. Care Facilities.
18.2.5.2 Any patient sleeping room, or any suite that includes patient Exception: Self-luminous exit signs as permitted by 12.10.4.
sleeping rooms, of more than 1000 ft2 (93 m2) shall have not less than 18.3 Protection.
two exit access doors remotely located from each other. 18.3.1 Protection of Vertical Openings.
18.2.5.3 Any room or any suite of rooms, other than patient sleeping 18.3.1.1 Any vertical opening shall be enclosed or protected in
rooms, of more than 2500 ft2 (230 m2) shall have not less than two exit accordance with Chapter 9. Unprotected openings in accordance
access doors remotely located from each other. with 9.2 shall not be permitted.
18.2.5.4 Any suite of rooms that complies with the requirements of Exception No. 1: Unprotected vertical openings in accordance with 9.4.2 shall
18.2.5 shall be permitted to be subdivided with non-fire-rated, be permitted.
noncombustible, or limited-combustible partitions. Exception No. 2: Exception No. 1 to 9.3(1) shall not apply to patient sleeping
18.2.5.5 Intervening rooms shall not be hazardous areas as addressed and treatment rooms.
by 18.3.2. Exception No. 3: Multilevel patient sleeping areas in psychiatric facilities shall
18.2.5.6 Suites of sleeping rooms shall not exceed 5000 ft2 (460 m2). be permitted without enclosure protection between levels, provided that all the
18.2.5.7 Suites of rooms, other than patient sleeping rooms, shall not following conditions are met:
exceed 10,000 ft2 (930 m2). (a) The entire normally occupied area, including all communicating
18.2.5.8 Suites of rooms, other than patient sleeping rooms, shall be
floor levels, is sufficiently open and unobstructed so that a fire or other
permitted to have one intervening room if the travel distance within
the suite to the exit access door does not exceed 100 ft (30 m) and dangerous condition in any part shall be obvious to the occupants or
shall be permitted to have two intervening rooms where the travel supervisory personnel in the area.
distance within the suite to the exit access door does not exceed 50 ft
(15 m). (b) Egress capacity is sufficient to provide simultaneously for all the
18.2.5.9 Every corridor shall provide access to not less than two occupants of all communicating levels and areas, with all communicating
approved exits in accordance with Sections 12.4 and 12.5 without levels in the same fire area being considered as a single floor area for purposes
passing through any intervening rooms or spaces other than corridors of determination of required egress capacity.
or lobbies. (c) The height between the highest and lowest finished floor levels shall not
18.2.5.10 Every exit or exit access shall be arranged so that no exceed 13 ft (4 m); the number of levels shall not be restricted.
corridor, aisle, or passageway has a pocket or dead end exceeding 30 18.3.1.2 A door in a stair enclosure shall be self-closing and shall
ft (9.1 m). normally be kept in the closed position.
18.2.6 Travel Distance to Exits. Exception: Doors in stair enclosures held open under the conditions specified by
18.2.6.1 Travel distance shall be measured in accordance with Section 18.2.2.2.6 and 18.2.2.2.7.
12.6. 18.3.2 Protection from Hazards.
18.2.6.2 Travel distance shall comply with 18.2.6.2.1 through 18.3.2.1* Hazardous Areas. Any hazardous area shall be protected in
18.2.6.2.4. accordance with Chapters 6 and 33. The areas described in Table
18.2.6.2.1 The travel distance between any room door required as an 18.3.2.1 shall be protected as indicated.
exit access and an exit shall not exceed:
(a) 150 ft (45 m) where the travel is within smoke compartments Table 18.3.2.1 Hazardous Area Protection
protected throughout by an approved supervised automatic sprinkler Hazardous Area Description Separation/Protection1
system complying with 11.3.1 Boiler and fuel-fired heater rooms 1-hr
(b) 100 ft (30 m) where not complying with (a) above Central/bulk laundries more than 1-hr
18.2.6.2.2 The travel distance between any point in a room and an 100 sq ft (9.3 sq m) in area
exit shall not exceed: Laboratories employing flammable See 18.3.6.3.3
(a) 200 ft (60 m) where the travel is within smoke compartments or combustible materials in
protected throughout by an approved supervised automatic sprinkler quantities less than that which
system complying with 11.3.1 would be considered severe
(b) 150 ft (45 m) where not complying with (a) above Laboratories that use hazardous 1-hr.
materials that would cause
18.2.6.2.3 The travel distance between any point in a health care
classification as severe hazard in
sleeping room and an exit access door in that room shall not exceed accordance with NFPA 1-hr 99,
50 ft (15 m). Standard for Health Care Facilities
18.2.6.2.4 The travel distance between any point in a suite of sleeping Paint shops employing hazardous 1-hr
rooms as permitted by 18.2.5 and an exit access door of that suite shall substances and materials in
not exceed 100 ft (30 m) and shall meet the requirements of quantities less than that which
18.2.6.2.2. would cause classification as severe
18.2.7 Discharge from Exits. Discharge from exits shall be arranged in hazard
Physical plant maintenance shops 1-hr
accordance with Section 12.7.
Soiled linen rooms 1-hr
18.2.8 Illumination of Means of Egress. Means of egress shall be
Storage rooms more than 50 sq ft See 18.3.6.3.3
illuminated in accordance with Section 12.8. (4.6 sq m) in area but not more
18.2.9 Emergency Lighting. than 100 sq ft (9.3 sq m) in area
18.2.9.1 Emergency lighting shall be provided in accordance with storing combustible material
Section 12.9. Storage rooms more than 100 sq ft 1-hr
18.2.9.2 Buildings equipped with or in which patients require the use (9.3 sq m) storing combustible
of life-support systems (see 18.5.1.3) shall have emergency lighting material
equipment supplied by the life safety branch of the electrical system as Trash collection rooms 1-hr
1
described in NFPA 99, Standard for Health Care Facilities. The protection specified in Table 18.3.2.1 is based on the
18.2.10 Marking of Means of Egress. requirement in 18.3.5.1 that automatic sprinklers protect buildings
housing new health care facilities. Where new hazardous areas are
18.2.10.1 Means of egress shall have signs in accordance with Section formed in existing nonsprinklered facilities, and it is not judged a
12.10. major renovation, the hazardous area itself must be protected with
18.2.10.2 Buildings equipped with or in which patients require the automatic sprinklers in addition to the protection required in the
use of life-support systems (see 18.5.1.3) shall have illumination of the table.
required exit and directional signs supplied by the life safety branch

419
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
18.3.2.2* Laboratories. Laboratories employing quantities of
flammable, combustible, or hazardous materials that are considered
as a severe hazard shall be protected in accordance with NFPA 99,
Standard for Health Care Facilities.
18.3.2.3 Anesthetizing Locations. Anesthetizing locations shall be
protected in accordance with NFPA 99, Standard for Health Care
Facilities.
18.3.2.4 Medical Gas. Medical gas storage and administration areas
shall be protected in accordance with NFPA 99, Standard for Health
Care Facilities.
18.3.2.5 Commercial Cooking Facilities. Commercial cooking facilities
shall be protected in accordance with Section 11.8.
Exception:* Where domestic cooking equipment is used for food-warming or
limited cooking, protection or segregation of food preparation facilities shall not
be required.
18.3.2.6 Buildings housing health care occupancies as indicated in
18.1.1.1.2 that have rooftop heliports shall be protected in accordance
with NFPA 418, Standard for Heliports.
18.3.3 Interior Finish.
18.3.3.1 General. Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter
10.
18.3.3.2* Interior Wall and Ceiling Finish. Interior wall and ceiling
finish materials in accordance with Chapter 10 shall be permitted
throughout if Class A except as indicated in 18.3.3.2.1 or 18.3.3.2.2.
18.3.3.2.1 Walls and ceilings shall be permitted to have Class A or
Class B interior finish in individual rooms having a capacity not
exceeding four persons.
18.3.3.2.2 Corridor wall finish not exceeding 4 ft (1.2 m) in height
that is restricted to the lower half of the wall shall be permitted to be
Class A or Class B.
18.3.3.3 Interior Floor Finish. Interior floor finish in accordance with
Section 10.7 installed in corridors and exits shall:
(a) not be restricted in smoke compartments protected throughout
by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance
with 11.3.1.
(b) be Class I if not complying with (a) above.
18.3.4 Detection, Alarm, and Communications Systems.
18.3.4.1 General. Health care occupancies shall be provided with a
fire alarm system in accordance with Section 11.2.
18.3.4.2* Initiation. Initiation of the required fire alarm systems shall
be by manual means in accordance with 11.2.2 and by means of any
required sprinkler system waterflow alarms, detection devices, or
detection systems.
Exception: Manual fire alarm boxes in patient sleeping areas shall not be
required at exits if located at all nurses’ control stations or other continuously
attended staff location, provided that such manual fire alarm boxes are visible
and continuously accessible and that travel distances required by 11.2.2.4 are
not exceeded.
18.3.4.3 Notification.
18.3.4.3.1 Occupant Notification. Occupant notification shall be
accomplished automatically in accordance with 11.2.3. Exception No.
3 to 11.2.3.2 shall be prohibited.
Exception:* In lieu of audible alarm signals, visible alarm-indicating
appliances shall be permitted to be used in critical care areas.
18.3.4.3.2 Emergency Forces Notification. Fire department
notification shall be accomplished in accordance with 11.2.4.
Exception: Smoke detection devices or smoke detection systems equipped with
reconfirmation features shall not be required to automatically notify the fire
department unless the alarm condition is reconfirmed after a period not
exceeding 120 seconds.
18.3.4.3.3 Alarm annunciation shall be provided in accordance with
11.2.7.
Exception: The alarm zone shall be permitted to coincide with the permitted
area for smoke compartments.
18.3.4.4 Emergency Control. Operation of any activating device in the
required fire alarm system shall be arranged to accomplish
automatically any control functions to be performed by that device.
(See 11.2.5.)
18.3.4.5 Detection.
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18.3.4.5.1 Detection systems, where required, shall be in accordance
with Section 11.2.
18.3.4.5.2 Detection in Spaces Open to Corridors. (See 18.3.6.1.)
18.3.4.5.3* Nursing Homes. An approved automatic smoke detection
system shall be installed in corridors throughout smoke
compartments containing patient sleeping rooms and in spaces open
to corridors as permitted in nursing homes by 18.3.6.1.
Exception No. 1: Corridor systems shall not be required where each patient
sleeping room is protected by an approved smoke detection system.
Exception No. 2: Corridor systems shall not be required where patient room
doors are equipped with automatic door-closing devices with integral smoke
detectors on the room side installed in accordance with their listing, provided
that the integral detectors provide occupant notification.
18.3.5 Extinguishment Requirements.
18.3.5.1* Buildings containing health care facilities shall be protected
throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in
accordance with Section 11.3.
Exception: In Type I and Type II construction, alternative protection measures
shall be permitted to be substituted for sprinkler protection in specified areas
where the authority having jurisdiction has prohibited sprinklers, without
causing a building to be classified as nonsprinklered.
18.3.5.2* Listed quick-response or listed residential sprinklers shall be
used throughout smoke compartments containing patient sleeping
rooms.
18.3.5.3 Standpipes. Class I standpipes in accordance with Section
11.4 shall be provided in buildings where any of the following occur:
(1) an occupiable area is more than 200 ft (60 m) from the nearest
point of fire department vehicle access in other than buildings
protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with Section 11.3.
(2) an occupiable floor level is more than 30 ft (9.1 m) above or
below the level of fire department vehicle access.)
18.3.5.4* Sprinklers in areas where cubicle curtains are installed shall
be in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler
Systems.
18.3.5.5 Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided in all health care
occupancies in accordance with Section 11.6.
18.3.6 Corridors.
18.3.6.1 Corridors shall be separated from all other areas by partitions
complying with 18.3.6.2 through 18.3.6.5. (See also 18.2.5.9.)
Exception No. 1: Spaces shall be permitted to be unlimited in area and open to
the corridor, provided that the following criteria are met:
(a) The spaces are not used for patient sleeping rooms, treatment rooms, or
hazardous areas.
(b) The corridors onto which the spaces open in the same smoke compartment
are protected by an electrically supervised automatic smoke detection system in
accordance with 18.3.4, or the smoke compartment in which the space is
located is protected throughout by quick-response sprinklers.
(c) The open space is protected by an electrically supervised automatic smoke
detection system in accordance with 18.3.4, or the entire space is arranged and
located to allow direct supervision by the facility staff from a nurses’ station or
similar space.
(d) The space does not obstruct access to required exits.
Exception No. 2: Waiting areas shall be permitted to be open to the corridor,
provided that the following criteria are met:
(a) The aggregate waiting area in each smoke compartment does not exceed
600 ft2 (55.7 m2).
(b) Each area is protected by an electrically supervised automatic smoke
detection system in accordance with 18.3.4, or each area is arranged and
located to allow direct supervision by the facility staff from a nursing station or
similar space.
(c) The area does not obstruct access to required exits.
Exception No. 3:* Spaces for nurses’ stations.
Exception No. 4: Gift shops not exceeding 500 ft2 (46.5 m2) shall be permitted
to be open to the corridor or lobby.
Exception No. 5: In a limited care facility, group meeting or multipurpose
therapeutic spaces shall be permitted to open to the corridor, provided that the
following criteria are met:
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(a) The space is not a hazardous area.
(b) The space is protected by an electrically supervised automatic smoke
detection system in accordance with 18.3.4, or the space is arranged and
located to allow direct supervision by the facility staff from the nurses’ station or
similar location.
(c) The area does not obstruct access to required exits.
18.3.6.2* Construction of Corridor Walls. Corridor walls shall form a
barrier to limit the transfer of smoke. Such walls shall be permitted to
terminate at the ceiling where the ceiling is constructed to limit the
transfer of smoke. No fire resistance rating is required for corridor
walls. In minor renovations where the smoke compartment is not
protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler
system, corridor walls shall have a fire resistance rating of not less than
½ hour, be continuous from the floor to the underside of the floor or
roof deck above, and resist the passage of smoke.
18.3.6.3* Corridor Doors.
18.3.6.3.1* Doors protecting corridor openings shall be constructed
to resist the passage of smoke. Compliance with NFPA 80, Standard
for Fire Doors and Fire Windows, shall not be required. Clearance
between the bottom of the door and the floor covering not exceeding
1 in. (2.5 cm) shall be permitted for corridor doors. In addition, in
minor renovations where the smoke compartment is not protected
throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system,
doors protecting corridor openings shall be constructed of 1 ¾ -in.
(4.4 cm) thick, solid-bonded core wood or of construction that resists
the passage of fire for not less than 20 minutes.
Exception: Doors to toilet rooms, bathrooms, shower rooms, sink closets, and
similar auxiliary spaces that do not contain flammable or combustible
materials.
18.3.6.3.2 Doors shall be provided with positive latching hardware.
Roller latches shall be prohibited. In minor renovations, existing
roller latches demonstrated to keep the door closed against a force of
5 lbf (22 N) shall be permitted.
Exception: Doors to toilet rooms, bathrooms, shower rooms, sink closets, and
similar auxiliary spaces that do not contain flammable or combustible
materials.
18.3.6.3.3* Hold-open devices that release when the door is pushed or
pulled shall be permitted.
18.3.6.3.4 Door-closing devices shall not be required on doors in
corridor wall openings other than those serving required exits, smoke
barriers, or enclosures of vertical openings and hazardous areas.
18.3.6.3.5 Nonrated, factory- or field-applied protective plates
extending not more than 48 in. (122 cm) above the bottom of the
door shall be permitted.
18.3.6.3.6 Dutch doors shall be permitted where they conform to
18.3.6.3. In addition, both the upper leaf and lower leaf shall be
equipped with a latching device, and the meeting edges of the upper
and lower leaves shall be equipped with an astragal, a rabbet, or a
bevel.
Dutch doors protecting openings in enclosures around hazardous
areas shall comply with NFPA 80, Standard for Fire Doors and Fire
Windows.
18.3.6.3.7 In minor renovations where the smoke compartment is not
protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler
system, door frames shall be labeled or of steel construction.
18.3.6.4 Transfer Grilles. Transfer grilles, regardless of whether they
are protected by fusible link-operated dampers, shall not be used in
these walls or doors.
Exception: Doors to toilet rooms, bathrooms, shower rooms, sink closets, and
similar auxiliary spaces that do not contain flammable or combustible
materials shall be permitted to have ventilating louvers or to be undercut.
18.3.6.5 Openings. In other than smoke compartments containing
patient bedrooms, miscellaneous openings such as mail slots,
pharmacy pass-through windows, laboratory pass-through windows,
and cashier pass-through windows shall be permitted to be installed in
vision panels or doors without special protection, provided that the
aggregate area of openings per room does not exceed 80 in.2 (520
cm2) and the openings are installed at or below half the distance from
the floor to the room ceiling.
18.3.7* Subdivision of Building Spaces.
421
18.3.7.1 Buildings containing health care facilities shall be subdivided
by smoke barriers as follows:
(1) To divide every story used by inpatients for sleeping or
treatment into not less than two smoke compartments
(2) To divide every story having an occupant load of 50 or more
persons, regardless of use, into not less than two smoke compartments
(3) To limit the size of each smoke compartment required by (1)
and (2) to an area not exceeding 22,500 ft2 (2100 m2)
Exception: The area of an atrium separated in accordance with
Section 9.7 shall not be limited in size.
(4) To limit the travel distance from any point to reach a door in
the required smoke barrier to a distance not exceeding 200 ft (60 m).
Exception No. 1: Stories that do not contain a health care occupancy, located
totally above the health care occupancy.
Exception No. 2: Areas that do not contain a health care occupancy and that
are separated from the health care occupancy by a fire barrier complying with
12.2.4.3.
Exception No. 3: Stories that do not contain health care occupancies and that
are more than one story below the health care occupancy.
Exception No. 4: Open-air parking structures protected throughout by an
approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
11.3.
18.3.7.2 Smoke barriers shall be provided on stories that are usable
but unoccupied.
18.3.7.3 Any required smoke barrier shall be constructed in
accordance with Section 8.4 and shall have a fire resistance rating of
not less than 1 hour.
Exception No. 1: Where an atrium is used, smoke barriers shall be permitted to
terminate at an atrium wall constructed in accordance with Exception No. 2 to
9.3(1). Not less than two separate smoke compartments shall be provided on
each floor.
Exception No. 2:* Smoke dampers shall not be required in duct penetrations of
smoke barriers in fully ducted heating, ventilating, and air conditioning
systems for buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3.
18.3.7.4 Not less than 30 net ft2 (2.8 net m2) per patient in a hospital
or nursing home, or not less than 15 net ft2 (1.4 net m2) per resident
in a limited care facility, shall be provided within the aggregate area of
corridors, patient rooms, treatment rooms, lounge or dining areas,
and other low hazard areas on each side of the smoke barrier. On
stories not housing bed or litterborne patients, not less than 6 net ft2
(0.56 net m2) per occupant shall be provided on each side of the
smoke barrier for the total number of occupants in adjoining
compartments.
18.3.7.5* Doors in smoke barriers shall be substantial doors, such as 1
3/4-in. (4.4-cm) thick, solid-bonded wood core doors, or shall be of
construction that resists fire for not less than 20 minutes. Nonrated
factory- or field-applied protective plates extending not more than 48
in. (122 cm) above the bottom of the door shall be permitted. Cross-
corridor openings in smoke barriers shall be protected by a pair of
swinging doors or a horizontal sliding door complying with 12.2.1.14.
Swinging doors shall be arranged so that each door swings in a
direction opposite from the other.
The minimum clear width for swinging doors shall be as follows:
(1) Hospitals and nursing homes — 41.5 in. (105 cm)
(2) Psychiatric hospitals and limited care facilities — 32 in. (81 cm)
The minimum clear width opening for horizontal sliding doors shall
be as follows:
(1) Hospitals and nursing homes — 83 in. (211 cm)
(2) Psychiatric hospitals and limited care facilities — 64 in. (163
cm)
18.3.7.6* Doors in smoke barriers shall comply with 8.4.2 and shall be
self-closing or automatic-closing in accordance with 18.2.2.2.6.
18.3.7.7* Vision panels consisting of fire-rated glazing or wire glass
panels in approved frames shall be provided in each cross-corridor
swinging door and at each cross-corridor horizontal sliding door in a
smoke barrier.
18.3.7.8 Rabbets, bevels, or astragals shall be required at the meeting
edges, and stops shall be required at the head and sides of door
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
frames in smoke barriers. Positive latching hardware shall not be
required. Center mullions shall be prohibited.
18.3.8* Special Protection Features — Outside Window or Door.
Every patient sleeping room shall have an outside window or outside
door. The allowable sill height shall not exceed 36 in. (91 cm) above
the floor.
Exception No. 1: Newborn nurseries and rooms intended for occupancy for less
than 24 hours, such as those housing obstetrical labor beds, recovery beds, and
observation beds in the emergency department.
Exception No. 2: Windows in atrium walls shall be considered outside windows
for the purposes of this requirement.
Exception No. 3: The window sill in special nursing care areas, such as those
housing ICU, CCU, hemodialysis, and neonatal patients, shall not exceed 60
in. (152 cm) above the floor.
Exception No. 4: The window sill in limited care facilities shall not exceed 44
in. (112 cm) above the floor.
18.4 Special Provisions.
18.4.1 Windowless Buildings. Windowless buildings or windowless
portions of buildings shall not be used for patient sleeping rooms.
Windowless buildings or windowless portions of buildings shall
comply with Chapter 30.
18.4.2 High-Rise Buildings. High-rise buildings shall comply with
Chapter 32.
18.5 Building Services.
18.5.1 Utilities.
18.5.1.1 Utilities shall comply with the provisions of Chapters 48, 49
and 50.
18.5.1.2 Power for alarms, emergency communication systems, and
illumination of generator set locations shall be in accordance with the
essential electrical system requirements of NFPA 99, Standard for
Health Care Facilities.
18.5.1.3 Any health care occupancy that normally uses life-support
devices shall have electrical systems designed and installed in
accordance with NFPA 99, Standard for Health Care Facilities.
Exception: This requirement shall not apply to a facility that uses life-support
equipment for emergency purposes only.
18.5.2 Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning.
18.5.2.1 Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning shall comply with
the provisions of Chapter 49 and shall be installed in accordance with
the manufacturer’s specifications.
Exception: As modified in 18.5.2.2.
18.5.2.2* Any heating device other than a central heating plant shall
be designed and installed so that combustible material will not be
ignited by the device or its appurtenances. If fuel-fired, such heating
devices shall be chimney connected or vent connected, shall take air
for combustion directly from outside, and shall be designed and
installed to provide for complete separation of the combustion system
from the atmosphere of the occupied area. Any heating device shall
have safety features to immediately stop the flow of fuel and shut
down the equipment in case of either excessive temperatures or
ignition failure.
Exception No. 1: Approved, suspended unit heaters shall be permitted in
locations other than means of egress and patient sleeping areas, provided that
such heaters are located high enough to be out of the reach of persons using the
area and are equipped with the safety features required by 18.5.2.2.
Exception No. 2: Fireplaces shall be permitted and used only in areas other
than patient sleeping areas, provided that such areas are separated from
patient sleeping spaces by construction having not less than a 1-hour fire
resistance rating and that such fireplaces comply with the provisions of Chapter
49. In addition, the fireplace shall be equipped with a hearth that shall be
raised not less than 4 in. (10.2 cm) and a fireplace enclosure guaranteed
against breakage up to a temperature of 650°F (343°C) and constructed of
heat-tempered glass or other approved material. If, in the opinion of the
authority having jurisdiction, special hazards are present, a lock on the
enclosure and other safety precautions shall be permitted to be required.
18.5.3 Elevators, Escalators, and Conveyors. Elevators, escalators, and
conveyors shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 51.
18.5.4 Rubbish Chutes, Incinerators, and Laundry Chutes.
18.5.4.1 Rubbish chutes, incinerators, and laundry chutes shall
comply with the provisions of Section 9.6.
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18.5.4.2 Any rubbish chute or linen chute, including pneumatic
rubbish and linen systems, shall be provided with automatic
extinguishing protection in accordance with Section 11.3. (See
Section 9.6.)
18.5.4.3 Any trash chute shall discharge into a trash collection room
used for no other purpose and protected in accordance with Chapters
6 and 33.
18.5.4.4 Incinerators shall not be directly flue-fed, nor shall any floor
charging chute directly connect with the combustion chamber.
Chapter 18 Annex
A.18.1.1.1.1 Exception In determining equivalency for conversions,
modernizations, renovations, or unusual design concepts of hospitals
or nursing homes, the authority having jurisdiction is permitted to
accept evaluations based on NFPA 101A, Guide on Alternative
Approaches to Life Safety, utilizing the parameters for new health
care occupancy construction.
A.18.1.1.1.8 The Code recognizes that certain functions necessary for
the life safety of building occupants, such as the closing of corridor
doors, the operation of manual fire alarm devices, and the removal of
patients from the room of fire origin, require the intervention of
facility staff. It is not the intent of 18.1.1.1.8 to specify the levels or
locations of staff necessary to meet this requirement.
A.18.1.1.2 This objective is accomplished in the context of the
physical facilities, the type of activities undertaken, the provisions for
the capabilities of staff, and the needs of all occupants through
requirements directed at the following:
(1) Prevention of ignition
(2) Detection of fire
(3) Control of fire development
(4) Confinement of the effects of fire
(5) Extinguishment of fire
(6) Provision of refuge or evacuation facilities, or both
(7) Staff reaction
A.18.1.1.4.5 The Code does not attempt to establish specific monetary
limits or percentage values to determine whether a project is major or
minor, as such a determination requires judgment. It is not the intent
of 18.1.1.4.5 to exempt significant renovations and modernization
projects for which the Code does intend to apply the automatic
sprinkler mandate. In minor renovations, only the renovation itself
needs to be brought up to the requirements for new nonsprinklered
facilities, not the entire smoke compartment or building.
For the purpose of this requirement, a floor that is not divided by
a smoke barrier is considered one smoke compartment.
A.18.1.2.2 Doctors’ offices and treatment and diagnostic facilities
intended solely for outpatient care that are physically separated from
facilities for the treatment or care of inpatients, but that are otherwise
associated with the management of an institution, might be classified
as business occupancies rather than health care occupancies.
A.18.1.2.3 It is the intent that these requirements apply to mobile,
transportable, and relocatable structures where such structures are
used to provide shared medical services on an extended or a
temporary basis. Where properly separated from the health care
occupancy and intended to provide services simultaneously for three
or fewer health care patients who are litterborne, the level of
protection for such structures should be based on the appropriate
occupancy classification of other chapters of this Code. Mobile,
transportable, or relocatable structures that are not separated from a
contiguous health care occupancy or that are intended to provide
services simultaneously for four or more health care patients who are
litterborne should be classified and designed as health care
occupancies.
A.18.2.2 In planning egress, arrangements should be made to transfer
patients from one section of a floor to another section of the same
floor that is separated by a fire barrier or smoke barrier in such a
manner that patients confined to their beds can be transferred in
their beds. Where the building design will allow, the section of the
corridor containing an entrance or elevator lobby should be
separated from corridors leading from it by fire or smoke barriers.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
Such arrangement, where the lobby is centrally located, will, in effect,
produce a smoke lock, placing a double barrier between the area to
which patients might be taken and the area from which they need to
be evacuated because of threatening smoke and fire.
A.18.2.2.2.4 Exception No. 2 The intent of the provision is that a
person following the natural path of the means of egress not
encounter more than one delayed release device along that path of
travel to an exit. Thus, each door from the multiple floors of a
building that opens into an enclosed stair is permitted to have its own
delayed release device, but an additional delayed release device is not
permitted at the level of exit discharge on the door that discharges
people from the enclosed stair to the outside.
A.18.2.2.2.6 It is desirable to keep doors in exit passageways, stair
enclosures, horizontal exits, smoke barriers, and required enclosures
around hazardous areas closed at all times to impede the travel of
smoke and fire gases. Functionally, however, this involves decreased
efficiency and limits patient observation by the staff of an institution.
To accommodate such needs, it is practical to presume that such
doors will be kept open, even to the extent of employing wood chocks
and other makeshift devices. Doors in exit passageways, horizontal
exits, and smoke barriers should, therefore, be equipped with
automatic hold-open devices activated by the methods described,
regardless of whether the original installation of the doors was
predicated on a policy of keeping them closed.
A.18.2.3.3 It is not the intent that the required corridor width be
maintained clear and unobstructed at all times. Projections into the
required width are permitted by the exception to 12.3.2. It is not the
intent that 18.2.3.3 supersede 12.3.2. Also, it is recognized that
wheeled items in use (such as food service carts, housekeeping carts,
gurneys, beds, and similar items) and wheeled crash carts not in use
(because they need to be immediately accessible during a clinical
emergency) are encountered in health care occupancy corridors. The
health care occupancy’s fire plan and training program should
address the relocation of these items during a fire. Note that “not in
use” is not the same as “in storage.” Storage is not permitted to be
open to the corridor unless it meets one of the exceptions to 18.3.6.1
and is not a hazardous area.
A.18.2.3.3 Exception No. 1 Occupant characteristics are an important
factor to be evaluated in setting egress criteria. Egress components in
nonpatient use areas, such as administrative office spaces, should be
evaluated based on actual use. A clear corridor width of not less than
44 in. (112 cm) is specified, assuming occupants in nonpatient areas
will be mobile and capable of evacuation without assistance.
A.18.2.3.3 Exception No. 2 Exit access should be arranged to avoid
any obstructions to the convenient removal of nonambulatory persons
carried on stretchers or on mattresses serving as stretchers.
A.18.2.3.4 Exception No. 1 See A.18.2.3.3, Exception No. 1.
A.18.2.3.4 Exception No. 2 See A.18.2.3.3, Exception No. 2.
A.18.2.4.3 An exit is not necessary for each individual smoke
compartment if there is access to an exit through other smoke
compartments without passing through the smoke compartment of
fire origin.
A.18.3.2.1 Provisions for the enclosure of rooms used for charging
linen chutes and waste chutes or for rooms into which these chutes
empty are provided in Chapter 9.
A.18.3.2.2 The hazard level of a laboratory is considered severe if
quantities of flammable, combustible, or hazardous materials are
present that are capable of sustaining a fire of sufficient magnitude to
breach a 1-hour fire separation. See the NFPA Fire Protection Handbook
for guidance.
A.18.3.2.5 Exception This exception is intended to permit small
appliances used for reheating, such as microwave ovens, hot plates,
toasters, and nourishment centers to be exempt from the
requirements for commercial cooking equipment.
A.18.3.3.2 The reduction in class of interior finish permitted by
Section 10.8 is permissible.
A.18.3.4.2 It is not the intent of this Code to require single-station or
multiple-station smoke alarms that might be required by local codes
to be connected to or to initiate the building fire alarm system.
423
A.18.3.4.3.1 Exception It is the intent of this exception to permit a
visible fire alarm signal instead of an audible signal to reduce
interference between the fire alarm and medical equipment
monitoring alarms.
A.18.3.4.5.3 The requirement for smoke detectors in spaces open to
the corridors eliminates the requirement contained in 18.3.6.1 for
direct supervision by the facility staff of nursing homes.
A.18.3.5.1 In areas where the replenishment of water supplies is not
immediately available from on-site sources, alternate provisions for
the water-fill rate requirements of NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation
of Sprinkler Systems, and NFPA 22, Standard for Water Tanks for Private
Fire Protection, that are acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction
should be provided. Appropriate means for the replenishment of
these supplies from other sources, such as fire department tankers,
public safety organizations, or other independent contractors should
be incorporated into the overall fire safety plan of the facility.
With automatic sprinkler protection required throughout new
health care facilities and quick-response sprinklers required in smoke
compartments containing patient sleeping rooms, a fire and its life-
threatening byproducts can be reduced, thereby allowing the defend-
in-place concept to continue. The difficulty in maintaining the proper
integrity of life safety elements has been considered and it has been
judged that the probability of a sprinkler system operating as designed
is equal to or greater than other life safety features.
A.18.3.5.2 The requirements for use of quick-response sprinklers
intend that quick-response sprinklers be the predominant type of
sprinkler installed in the smoke compartment. It is recognized,
however, that quick-response sprinklers might not be approved for
installation in all areas such as those where NFPA 13, Standard for the
Installation of Sprinkler Systems, requires sprinklers of the intermediate-
or high-temperature classification. It is not the intent of the 18.3.5.2
requirements to prohibit the use of standard sprinklers in limited
areas of a smoke compartment where intermediate- or high-
temperature sprinklers are required.
Where the installation of quick-response sprinklers is
impracticable in patient sleeping room areas, appropriate equivalent
protection features acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction
should be provided. It is recognized that the use of quick-response
sprinklers might be limited in facilities housing certain types of
patients or by the installation limitations of quick-response sprinklers.
A.18.3.5.4 For the proper operation of sprinkler systems, cubicle
curtains and sprinkler locations need to be coordinated. Improperly
designed systems might obstruct the sprinkler spray from reaching the
fire or might shield the heat from the sprinkler. Many options are
available to the designer including, but not limited to, hanging the
cubicle curtains 18 in. (46 cm) below the sprinkler deflector; using a
1/2-in. (1.3-cm) diagonal mesh or a 70 percent open weave top panel
that extends 18 in. (46 cm) below the sprinkler deflector; or
designing the system to have a horizontal and minimum vertical
distance that meets the requirements of NFPA 13, Standard for the
Installation of Sprinkler Systems. The test data that forms the basis of the
NFPA 13 requirements is from fire tests with sprinkler discharge that
penetrated a single privacy curtain.
A.18.3.6.1 Exception No. 3 A typical nurses’ station would normally
contain one or more of the following with associated furniture and
furnishings:
(1) Charting area
(2) Clerical area
(3) Nourishment station
(4) Storage of small amounts of medications, medical equipment
and supplies, clerical supplies, and linens
(5) Patient monitoring and communication equipment
A.18.3.6.2 It is the Code’s intent that there be no required fire
resistance nor area limitations for vision panels in corridor walls and
doors.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
An architectural, exposed, suspended-grid acoustical tile ceiling
with penetrating items such as sprinkler piping and sprinklers; ducted
HVAC supply and return-air diffusers; speakers; and recessed lighting
fixtures is capable of limiting the transfer of smoke.
A.18.3.6.3 While it is recognized that closed doors serve to maintain
tenable conditions in a corridor and adjacent patient rooms, such
doors, which under normal or fire conditions are self-closing, might
create a special hazard for the personal safety of a room occupant.
These closed doors might present a problem of delay in discovery,
confining fire products beyond tenable conditions.
Because it is critical for responding staff members to be able to
immediately identify the specific room involved, it is suggested that
approved automatic smoke detection that is interconnected with the
building fire alarm be considered for rooms having doors equipped
with closing devices. Such detection is permitted to be located at any
approved point within the room. When activated, the detector is
required to provide a warning that indicates the specific room of
involvement by activation of a fire alarm annunciator, nurse call
system, or any other device acceptable to the authority having
jurisdiction.
A.18.3.6.3.1 Gasketing of doors should not be necessary to achieve
resistance to the passage of smoke if the door is relatively tight-fitting.
A.18.3.6.3.3 Doors should not be blocked open by furniture, door
stops, chocks, tie-backs, drop-down or plunger-type devices, or other
devices that necessitate manual unlatching or releasing action to
close. Examples of hold-open devices that release when the door is
pushed or pulled are friction catches or magnetic catches.
A.18.3.7 See A.18.2.2.
A.18.3.7.3 Exception No. 2 See 18.1.1.4.5 for restrictions on the use
of this exception in renovations.
Where the smoke control system design requires dampers in order
that the system functions effectively, it is not the intent of the
exception to permit the damper to be omitted.
This exception is not intended to prevent the use of plenum returns
where ducting is used to return air from a ceiling plenum through
smoke barrier walls. Short stubs or jumper ducts are not acceptable.
Ducting is required to connect at both sides of the opening and to
extend into adjacent spaces away from the wall. The intent is to
prohibit open-air transfers at or near the smoke barrier walls.
A.18.3.7.5 Smoke partition doors are intended to provide access to
adjacent zones. The pair of cross-corridor doors are required to be
opposite swinging. Access to both zones is required.
A.18.3.7.6 Smoke barriers might include walls having door openings
other than cross-corridor doors. There is no restriction in the Code
regarding which doors or how many doors form part of a smoke
barrier. For example, doors from the corridor to individual rooms are
permitted to form part of a smoke barrier.
A.18.3.7.7 It is not the intent to require the frame to be a listed
assembly.
A.18.3.8 Individual sleeping cubicles within sleeping suites, as
permitted by 18.2.5.5, are not required to have an outside window or
outside door in each cubicle, provided that not less than one outside
window or outside door is provided in the suite or that the
requirements of 18.3.8, Exception No. 3, are met.
A.18.5.2.2 For both new and existing buildings, it is the intent to
permit the installation and use of fireplace stoves and room heaters
utilizing solid fuel as defined in NFPA 211, Standard for Chimneys,
Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances, provided that all such
devices are installed, maintained, and used in accordance with the
appropriate provisions of that standard and all manufacturers’
specifications. These requirements are not intended to permit
freestanding solid fuel-burning appliances such as freestanding wood-
burning stoves.
SUBSTANTIATION: The NFPA 5000 draft that was published for
purposes of soliciting public proposals does not fulfill the
requirement that the Report on Proposals contain proposals for all
424
the material that is to appear in a new document. This proposal
makes clear the SAF-HEA committee's choice of what is to be
contained in Chapter 18 on health care occupancies. The draft
incorporates the actions taken on the numerous proposals on
Chapter 18; includes editorial changes; and reflects changes made by
the committee to NFPA 101 material so as to be appropriate for the
building code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
MILLS: Add a reference: For assisted living facilities refer to Board
and Care.
___________________
(Log #583)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 844 - (Chapter 18): Accept in Part
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to SAF-HEA requesting that the provisions for nonsprinklered
existing building renovations be aggregated into a new subsection
18.4.3 Nonsprinklered Existing Building Renovations as was done by
SAF-DET in 20.4.4 so as to permit Chapter 54 Existing Buildings to
reference one subsection of Chapter 18 rather than numerous
individual provisions. This will also facilitate moving the material to
Chapter 54 if SAF-FUN so chooses.
Further, the TCC directs that a public comment on this proposal be
submitted in the TCC's name to SAF-FUN requesting that Chapter 54
be revised to reference the provisions of 18.4.3 Nonsprinklered
Existing Building Renovations for health care occupancies and 20.4.4
Nonsprinklered Existing Building Renovations for detention and
correctional occupancies.
SUBMITTER: James K. Lathrop, Koffel Assoc., Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise Chapter 18 on Health Care facilities
by incorporating the provisions for non-sprinklered facilities. This
can be accomplished by revising as follows:
18.1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
18.1.1 Application.
18.1.1.1 General.
18.1.1.4.5* Renovations, Alterations, and Modernizations.
Where major renovations, alterations, or modernizations are made in
a nonsprinklered facility, the automatic sprinkler requirements of
Chapter 18 shall apply to a smoke compartment undergoing the
renovation, alteration, or modernization. However, in cases where the
building is not protected throughout by an approved automatic
sprinkler system, the requirements of 18.1.6 and 18.3.3.2 for non-
sprinklered buildings shall also apply. Exception No. 2 to 18.3.7.3
shall be permitted only where adjacent smoke compartments are
protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with 18.3.5.2. Where minor renovations,
alterations, modernizations, or repairs are done in a nonsprinklered
facility, the requirements of 18.3.5.1 shall not apply but, in such cases,
the renovations, alterations, modernizations, or repairs shall not
reduce life safety below the level that previously existed, nor below the
level of requirements of this chapter for nonsprinklered buildings.
(See 4.6.7.)
A.18.1.1.4.5 add the following sentence: In minor renovations, only
the renovation itself must be brought up to the requirements for new
nonsprinklered facilities, not the entire smoke compartment or
building.
18.1.6 Minimum Construction Requirements.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

Table 18.1.6.2 Construction Type Limitations

Construction Type Stories Table 18.3.2.1 Hazardous Area Protection
1 2 3 4 or Hazardous Area Description
More Protection1 Separation/
I(443) X X X X Boiler and fuel-fired heater 1 hour
I(332) X X X X rooms
II(222) X X X X Central/bulk laundries larger 1 hour
II(111) X X+ X+ NP than 100 ft2 (9.3 m2)
II(000) X+ NP NP NP Laboratories employing See 18.3.6.3.4
III(211) X+ NP NP NP flammable or combustible
III(200) NP+ NP NP NP materials in quantities less than
IV(2HH) X+ NP NP NP those that would be considered
V(111) X+ NP NP NP a severe hazard
V(000) NP+ NP NP NP Laboratories that use 1 hour
X: Permitted type of construction. hazardous materials that would
NP: Not permitted. be classified as a severe hazard
+ Permitted type of construction for existing buildings undergoing in accordance with NFPA 99,
renovations but only where the building is protected throughout by Standard for Healt Care
an approved supervised automatic sprinkler system complying with 11- Facilities
3.1.
Paint shops employing 1 hour
hazardous substances and
18.2.3 Capacity of Means of Egress.
materials in quantities less than
18.2.3.2 The capacity of means of egress providing travel by means of
those that would be classified as
stairs shall be as follows:
a severe hazard
(a) In buildings protected throughout by an approved supervised
Physical plant maintenance 1 hour
automatic sprinkler system complying with 11-3.1: 0.3 in. (0.8 cm) per
shops
person, and the capacity of means of egress providing horizontal
travel (without stairs) by means such as doors, ramps, or horizontal Soiled linen rooms 1 hour
exits shall be 0.2 in. (0.5 cm) per person. Storage rooms larger than 50 See 18.3.6.3.4
(b) In buildings not complying with (a) above: 0.6 in. (1.5 cm) per ft2 (4.6 m2) but not exceeding
person, and the capacity of means of egress providing horizontal 100 ft2 (9.3 m2) storing
travel (without stairs) by means such as doors, ramps, or horizontal combustible material
exits shall be 0.5 in. (1.3 cm) per person. Storage rooms larger than 100 1 hour
18.2.6 Travel Distance to Exits. ft2 (9.3 m2) storing
18.2.6.2 Travel distance shall comply with 18.2.6.2.1 through combustible material
18.2.6.2.4. Trash collection rooms 1 hour
1
18.2.6.2.1 The travel distance between any room door required as an The protection specified in this table is based on the
exit access and an exit shall not exceed: requirement in 18.3.5.1 that automatic sprinklers must
(a) 150 ft (45 m) ) where the travel is within smoke compartments protect buildings housing new health care facilities. Where
protected throughout by an approved supervised automatic sprinkler new hazardous areas are formed in existing facilities, and it
system complying with 11-3.1 is not judged a major renovation, the hazardous area itself
(b) 100 ft (30 m) where not complying with (a) above must be protected with automatic sprinklers in addition to
18.2.6.2.2 the protection required in the table.
The travel distance between any point in a room and an exit shall not
exceed: 18.3.3 Interior Finish.
(a) 200 ft (60 m) where the travel is within smoke compartments 18.3.3.1 Interior finish shall be in accordance with Section 10.2.
protected throughout by an approved supervised automatic sprinkler 18.3.3.2 Interior Wall and Ceiling Finish. Interior wall and ceiling
system complying with 11-3.1 finish materials complying with 10.2.3 shall be permitted throughout
(b) 150 ft (45 m) where not complying with (a) above if Class A or Class B. The provisions of 10.2.8.1 shall not apply.
18.3.2 Protection from Hazards. Exception No. 1: Walls and ceilings shall be permitted to have Class
18.3.2.1* Hazardous Areas. A, Class B, or Class BC interior finish in individual rooms having a
Any hazardous area shall be protected in accordance with Section 8.4. capacity not exceeding four persons.
The areas described in Table 18.3.2.1 shall be protected as indicated. Exception No. 2: Corridor wall finish not exceeding 4 ft (1.2 m) in
18.3.2.5 Gift Shops. height that is restricted to the lower half of the wall shall be permitted
Gift shops shall be protected as hazardous areas where used for the to be Class A, Class B, or Class BC.
storage or display of combustibles in quantities considered hazardous. A.18.3.3.2 The reductions in class of interior finish permitted by
Gift shops not considered hazardous, protected throughout by an 10.2.8.1 are permissible.
approved supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 18.3.3.3 Interior Floor Finish.
11.3, and having separately protected storage shall be permitted to be (No requirements.)
as follows:
(1) Open to a lobby or corridor if the gift shop does not exceed 500 Interior floor finish complying with 10.7 installed in corridors and
ft2 (46.5 m2) exits shall be:
(2) Separated from a lobby or corridor with non-fire-rated walls (a) not be restricted in smoke compartments protected throughout
by an approved supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance
with 11.3
(b) Class I if not complying with (a) above.
18.3.4 Detection, Alarm, and Communications Systems.
18.3.4.5 Detection.

425
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
18.3.4.5.3* Nursing Homes and Limited Care Facilities. An approved
automatic smoke detection system shall be installed in corridors
throughout smoke compartments containing patient sleeping rooms
and in spaces open to corridors as permitted in nursing homes and
limited care facilities by 18.3.6.1.
Exception No. 1: Corridor systems shall not be required where each
patient sleeping room is protected by an approved smoke detection
system.
Exception No. 2: Corridor systems shall not be required where
patient room doors are equipped with automatic door-closing devices
with integral smoke detectors on the room side installed in
accordance with their listing, provided that the integral detectors
provide occupant notification.
18.3.5 Extinguishment Requirements.
18.3.5.1* Buildings containing health care facilities shall be protected
throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in
accordance with Section 9.7.
Exception: In Type I and Type II construction, where approved by
the authority having jurisdiction, alternative protection measures shall
be permitted to be substituted for sprinkler protection in specified
areas where the authority having jurisdiction has prohibited
sprinklers, without causing a building to be classified as
nonsprinklered.
18.3.5.2* Listed quick-response or listed residential sprinklers shall be
used throughout smoke compartments containing patient sleeping
rooms.
18.3.5.3 Where this Code requires an approved, supervised automatic
sprinkler system, the sprinkler system shall be electrically connected
to the fire alarm system.
(Reserved.)
18.3.6 Corridors.
18.3.6.2* Construction of Corridor Walls. Corridor walls shall form a
barrier to limit the transfer of smoke. Such walls shall be permitted to
terminate at the ceiling where the ceiling is constructed to limit the
transfer of smoke. No fire resistance rating is required for corridor
walls. In minor renovations where the smoke compartment is not
protected throughout by an approved supervised automatic sprinkler
system, corridor walls must have a fire resistance rating of not less
than 1 hour, must be continuous from the floor to the underside of
the floor or roof deck above, and must resist the passage of smoke.
18.3.6.3* Corridor Doors.
18.3.6.3.1* Doors protecting corridor openings shall be constructed
to resist the passage of smoke. Compliance with NFPA 80, Standard
for Fire Doors and Fire Windows, shall not be required. Clearance
between the bottom of the door and the floor covering not exceeding
1 in. (2.5 cm) shall be permitted for corridor doors. In addition, in
minor renovations where the smoke compartment is not protected
throughout by an approved supervised automatic sprinkler system,
doors protecting corridor openings must be constructed of 1 3/4 -in.
(4.4 cm) thick, solid-bonded core wood or of construction that resists
the passage of fire for not less than 20 min.
Exception: Doors to toilet rooms, bathrooms, shower rooms, sink
closets, and similar auxiliary spaces that do not contain flammable or
combustible materials.
g.
18.3.7* Subdivision of Building Spaces.
18.3.7.3 Any required smoke barrier shall be constructed in
accordance with Section 8.3 and shall have a fire resistance rating of
not less than 1 hour.
Exception No. 1: Where an atrium is used, smoke barriers shall be
permitted to terminate at an atrium wall constructed in accordance
with Exception No. 2 to 8.2.5.6(1). Not less than two separate smoke
compartments shall be provided on each floor.
Exception No. 2*: Dampers shall not be required in duct
penetrations of smoke barriers in fully ducted heating, ventilating,
and air conditioning systems. (See 18.1.1.4.5 for restrictions on the
use of this exception in renovations)
426
SUBSTANTIATION: As recognized in the draft, there are problems
when dealing with renovations. The Life Safety Code references
Chapter 19 on existing health care, but even that has problems and
this will modification will also be proposed to NFPA 101. It has been a
continuous problem since the 1991 Life Safety Code came out. The
only provision above that is somewhat beyond renovations is the
smoke detection requirement for limited care facilities. While trying
to address renovations in limited care it became clear that this was a
major oddity in the Code. If nursing homes and board and care
facilities require such protection, one cannot argue that the staff in
limited care is higher and justify the elimination of smoke detectors
there. More annex notes may be needed to clarify intent, but the vast
majority of the code text is needed or renovations could significantly
reduce the level of safety in a health care facility.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Part.
Revise Chapter 18 as follows:
18.1.1.4.5* Renovations, Alterations, and Modernizations. Where
major renovations, alterations, or modernizations are made in a
nonsprinklered facility, the automatic sprinkler requirements of
Chapter 18 shall apply to a smoke compartment undergoing the
renovation, alteration, or modernization. However, in cases where the
building is not protected throughout by an approved automatic
sprinkler system, the requirements of for non-sprinklered buildings
contained in this chapter shall also apply. Exception No. 2 to 18.3.7.3
shall be permitted only where adjacent smoke compartments are
protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with 18.3.5.2. Where minor renovations,
alterations, modernizations, or repairs are done in a nonsprinklered
facility, the requirements of 18.3.5.1 shall not apply but, in such cases,
the renovations, alterations, modernizations, or repairs shall not
reduce life safety below the level that previously existed, nor below the
level of requirements of this chapter for nonsprinklered buildings.
(See 4.6.7.)
18.2.3.2 The capacity of means of egress providing travel by means of
stairs shall be as follows:
(a) In buildings protected throughout by an approved supervised
automatic sprinkler system complying with 11-3.1: 0.3 in. (7.6 mm)
per person for travel by means of stairs; and the capacity of means of
egress providing horizontal travel (without stairs) by means such as
doors, ramps, or horizontal exits shall be 0.2 in. (5 mm) per person.
(b) In buildings not complying with (a) above: 0.6 in. (15 mm) per
person for travel by means of stairs, and the capacity of means of
egress providing horizontal travel (without stairs) by means such as
doors, ramps, or horizontal exits shall be 0.5 in. (13 mm) per person.
18.2.6.2.1 The travel distance between any room door required as an
exit access and an exit shall not exceed:
(a) 150 ft (45 m) ) where the travel is within smoke compartments
protected throughout by an approved supervised automatic sprinkler
system complying with 11-3.1
(b) 100 ft (30 m) where not complying with (a) above
18.2.6.2.2 The travel distance between any point in a room and an
exit shall not exceed:
(a) 200 ft (60 m) where the travel is within smoke compartments
protected throughout by an approved supervised automatic sprinkler
system complying with 11-3.1
(b) 150 ft (45 m) where not complying with (a) above
18.3.2 Protection from Hazards.
18.3.2.1* Hazardous Areas. Any hazardous area shall be protected in
accordance with Chapters 8 and 33 Section 8.4. The areas described
in Table 18.3.2.1 shall be protected as indicated.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler

Table 18.3.2.1 Hazardous Area Protection system, corridor walls shall have a fire resistance rating of not less than
Hazardous Area Description Separation/Protection1 ½ hour, be continuous from the floor to the underside of the floor or
Boiler and fuel-fired heater 1 hour roof deck above, and resist the passage of smoke.
rooms
Central/bulk laundries larger 1 hour 18.3.6.3* Corridor Doors.
than 100 ft2 (9.3 m2) 18.3.6.3.1* Doors protecting corridor openings shall be constructed
Laboratories employing See 18.3.6.3.4 to resist the passage of smoke. Compliance with NFPA 80, Standard
flammable or combustible for Fire Doors and Fire Windows, shall not be required. Clearance
materials in quantities less than between the bottom of the door and the floor covering not exceeding
those that would be considered a 1 in. (2.5 cm) shall be permitted for corridor doors. In addition, in
severe hazard minor renovations where the smoke compartment is not protected
Laboratories that use hazardous 1 hour throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system,
materials that would be classified doors protecting corridor openings shall be constructed of 1 ¾ -in.
as a severe hazard in accordance (4.4 cm) thick, solid-bonded core wood or of construction that resists
with NFPA 99, Standard for the passage of fire for not less than 20 minutes.
Health Care Facilities Exception: Doors to toilet rooms, bathrooms, shower rooms, sink closets, and
Paint shops employing similar auxiliary spaces that do not contain flammable or combustible
hazardous substances and materials.
materials in quantities less than 18.3.6.3.2 Doors shall be provided with positive latching hardware.
those Roller latches shall be prohibited. In minor renovations, existing
that would be classified as a 1 hour roller latches demonstrated to keep the door closed against a force of
severe hazard 5 lbf (22 N) shall be permitted.
Exception: Doors to toilet rooms, bathrooms, shower rooms, sink
Physical plant maintenance 1 hour
closets, and similar auxiliary spaces that do not contain flammable or
shops
combustible materials.
Soiled linen rooms 1 hour
18.3.6.3.7 In minor renovations where the smoke compartment is not
Storage rooms larger than 50 ft2 See 18.3.6.3.4
protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler
(4.6 m2) but not exceeding 100 system, door frames shall be labeled or of steel construction.
ft2 (9.3 m2) storing combustible
A.18.1.1.4.5 The Code does not attempt to establish specific monetary
material
limits or percentage values to determine whether a project is major or
Storage rooms larger than 100 1 hour minor, as such a determination requires judgment. It is not the intent
ft2 (9.3 m2) storing combustible of 18.1.1.4.5 to exempt significant renovations and modernization
material projects for which the Code does intend to apply the automatic
Trash collection rooms 1 hour sprinkler mandate. In minor renovations, only the renovation itself
1
The protection specified in Table 18.3.2.1 is based on the needs to be brought up to the requirements for new nonsprinklered
requirement in 18.3.5.1 that automatic sprinklers protect facilities, not the entire smoke compartment or building.
buildings housing new health care facilities. Where new
For the purpose of this requirement, a floor that is not divided by a
hazardous areas are formed in existing nonsprinklered
facilities, and it is not judged a major renovation, the smoke barrier is considered one smoke compartment.
hazardous area itself must be protected with automatic A.18.3.3.2 The reduction in class of interior finish permitted by
sprinklers in addition to the protection required in the Section 10.8 is permissible.
table. A.18.3.7.3 Exception No. 2 See 18.1.1.4.5 for restrictions on the use
of this exception in renovations.
18.3.3 Interior Finish. Where the smoke control system design requires dampers in order
18.3.3.1 General. Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter that the system functions effectively, it is not the intent of the
10 Section 10.2. exception to permit the damper to be omitted.
18.3.3.2* Interior Wall and Ceiling Finish. Interior wall and ceiling This exception is not intended to prevent the use of plenum returns
finish materials in accordance with Chapter 10 complying with 10.2.3 where ducting is used to return air from a ceiling plenum through
shall be permitted throughout if Class A except as indicated in smoke barrier walls. Short stubs or jumper ducts are not acceptable.
18.3.3.2.1 or 18.3.3.2.2. or Class B. The provisions of 10.2.8.1 shall not Ducting is required to connect at both sides of the opening and to
apply. extend into adjacent spaces away from the wall. The intent is to
18.3.3.2.1 Exception No. 1: Walls and ceilings shall be permitted to prohibit open-air transfers at or near the smoke barrier walls.
have Class A, Class B, or Class BC interior finish in individual rooms COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action should meet
having a capacity not exceeding four persons. most of the submitter's intent. The committee identified additional
18.3.3.2.2 Exception No. 2: Corridor wall finish not exceeding 4 ft paragraphs that needed revising to implement the concept for
(1.2 m) in height that is restricted to the lower half of the wall shall be nonsprinklered existing buildings undergoing renovation. The
permitted to be Class A, Class B, or Class BC. submitter's proposed text dealing with building construction could
18.3.3.3 Interior Floor Finish. (No requirements.) Interior floor not be done because the material is the responsibility of the BLD-STR
finish in accordance with Section 10.7 installed in corridors and exits committee and will be relocated to Section 7.3. The submitter's
shall: proposed changes (1) to require corridor smoke detectors in limited
(a) not be restricted in smoke compartments protected throughout care facilities, and (2) require electrical connection of the sprinkler
by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance system to the alarm system, were not done because the subjects are
with 11.3.1. not related to offering a nonsprinklerd option for existing buildings
(b) be Class I if not complying with (a) above. undergoing renovation.
18.3.6.2* Construction of Corridor Walls. Corridor walls shall form a NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
barrier to limit the transfer of smoke. Such walls shall be permitted to VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
terminate at the ceiling where the ceiling is constructed to limit the AFFIRMATIVE: 21
transfer of smoke. No fire resistance rating is required for corridor ___________________
walls. In minor renovations where the smoke compartment is not

427
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(Log #CP2037)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 845 - (18-1.2): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Health Care Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 18.1.2 as follows:
18.1.2 Multiple Mixed Occupancies. (See also 6.1.14.)
18.1.2.1 Multiple occupancies shall be in accordance with Section
6.2.
18.1.2.2* 18.1.2.1* Sections of health care facilities shall be
permitted to be classified as other occupancies, provided that they
meet all of the following conditions:
(1) They are not intended to serve health care occupants for
purposes of housing, treatment, or customary access by patients
incapable of self-preservation.
(2) They are separated from areas of health care occupancies by
construction having a fire resistance rating of not less than 2 hours.
18.1.2.3* 18.1.2.2* Ambulatory care facilities, medical clinics, and
similar facilities that are contiguous to health care occupancies but
are primarily intended to provide outpatient services shall be
permitted to be classified as business occupancies or ambulatory
health care facilities, provided that the facilities are separated from
the health care occupancy by not less than 2-hour fire resistance-rated
construction and the facility is not intended to provide services
simultaneously for four or more health care patients who are
litterborne.
18.1.2.4 18.1.2.3 Health care occupancies in buildings housing other
occupancies shall be completely separated from them by construction
in accordance with Section 6.2 with communicating openings
permitted only in corridors and only by approved self-closing fire
doors. having a fire resistance rating of not less than 2 hours as
provided for additions in 18.1.1.4.
18.1.2.5 18.1.2.4 All means of egress from health care occupancies
that traverse non-health care spaces shall conform to the
requirements of this Code for health care occupancies.
Exception: Exit through a horizontal exit into other contiguous
occupancies that do not conform with health care egress provisions,
but that do comply with requirements set forth in the appropriate
occupancy chapter of this Code, shall be permitted, provided that the
occupancy does not contain high hazard contents. The horizontal exit
shall comply with the requirements of 18.2.2.5.
18.1.2.6 18.1.2.5 Egress provisions for areas of health care facilities
that correspond to other occupancies shall meet the corresponding
requirements of this Code for such occupancies. Where the clinical
needs of the occupant necessitate the locking of means of egress, staff
shall be present for the supervised release of occupants during all
times of use.
18.1.2.7 18.1.2.6 Auditoriums, chapels, staff residential areas, or
other occupancies provided in connection with health care facilities
shall have means of egress provided in accordance with other
applicable sections of this Code.
18.1.2.8 18.1.2.7 Any area with a hazard of contents classified higher
than that of the health care occupancy and located in the same
building shall be protected as required in 18.3.2.
18.1.2.9 18.1.2.8 Non-health care-related occupancies classified as
containing high hazard contents shall not be permitted in buildings
housing health care occupancies.
SUBSTANTIATION: The Technical Committee on Fundamentals is
preparing a Section 6.2 on multiple occupancies that establishes two
options: (1) separated occupancies, and (2) mixed occupancies. This
proposal revises 18.1.2 to reference Section 6.2; deletes any material
that is adequately covered by 6.2; and retains unique provisions
applicable to health care occupancies.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
428
(Log #913d)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 846 - (18-1.6): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Sam Francis, American Forest & Paper Assn.
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Section 18.1.6 entirely, and substitute
the new text as follows:
18.1.6 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction shall be
in accordance with Chapter 7.
SUBSTANTIATION: The table derived from the Epcot Building
Code was incomplete and failed to include most of the occupancy
groups now included in this code. The data presented to the
Structures and Construction TC indicate that the area of a building is
not one of the significant factors in determining the safety of the
building. Number, location and size of exits, travel distance and fire
resistance of the structure do not change due to area. Therefore, the
allowable areas in this code should not be less than those permitted
under many of the building codes now in existence. The proposed
table simply recognizes those facts and proposes areas which are
currently permitted in the United States.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Replace 18.1.6 through 18.1.6.4 with the following:
18.1.6 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction shall be
in accordance with Chapter 7.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: Current 18.1.6.2 through 18.1.6.4 are
being retained but repositioned to Section 7.3 via Proposal 5000-361
(Log #CP2034). The submitter's recommendation agrees with the
directive from the Technical Correlating Committee on the Building
Code (the TCC) that construction requirements are to be moved to
Chapter 7. The committee has done what the submitter requested,
but not for the reason stated in the submitter's substantiation.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
(Log #978)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 847 - (18-1.6.2): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Section 18.1.6.2 - Minimum
Construction Requirements - from this Chapter.
SUBSTANTIATION: Minimum construction requirements are
addressed by the Height and Area Requirements of Table 7.3 of this
Code. Additional limitations for building construction stated in this
Chapter are not needed and may lead to a conflict in such
requirements, and confusion for the user of the document as to
where to find minimum building construction requirements and what
requirements to apply where there is a conflict.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See Committee Action on Proposal 5000-846 (Log #913d).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The action on the referenced proposal
should meet the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
(Log #672)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 848 - (18-1.6.3): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Joseph T. Holland, III, Hoover Treated Wood
Products
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows:
18.1.6.3 All interior walls and partitions in buildings of Type I or
Type II construction shall be of noncombustible, or limited-
combustible, or fire-retardant treated wood.
SUBSTANTIATION: Fire-retardant treated wood has been allowed
in Type I and Type II construction regardless of occupancy for at least
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
20 years and perhaps as long as 35 years. There is no record of its use
in partitions constituting a hazard. The characteristics of the pressure
treated wood are: flame spread of less than 25, no significant
progressive combustion during the fire, and a reduced rate of heat
release.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See Committee Proposal 5000-361 (Log #CP2034).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The action on the referenced proposal
should meet the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 20
NEGATIVE: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
AMBROSE: See my Explanation of Negative on Proposal 5000-361
(Log #CP2034).
___________________
(Log #967)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 849 - (18-3.1.1): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Revise the wording of this paragraph as
follows:
“Any vertical opening shall be enclosed or protected in accordance
with 9.2.5 Chapter 9.”
Correct the references to various paragraphs in Chapter 8 and
Chapter 9 by all exceptions to state the correct references in Chapter
9.
SUBSTANTIATION: This proposal seeks to correct the references
made by this section to incorrect or non-existing paragraphs in other
chapters of this Code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise 18.3.1.1 as follows:
18.3.1.1 Any vertical opening shall be enclosed or protected in
accordance with Chapter 9 9.2.5.
Exception No. 1: Unprotected vertical openings in accordance with
9.4.2 9.2.5.8 shall be permitted.
Exception No. 2: Exception No. 1 to 9.3.(1) 9.2.5.6(1) shall not
apply to patient sleeping and treatment rooms.
Exception No. 3: Multilevel patient sleeping areas in psychiatric
facilities shall be permitted without enclosure protection between
levels, provided that all the following conditions are met:
(a) The entire normally occupied area, including all communicating
floor levels, is sufficiently open and unobstructed so that a fire or
other dangerous condition in any part shall be obvious to the
occupants or supervisory personnel in the area.
(b) Egress capacity is sufficient to provide simultaneously for all the
occupants of all communicating levels and areas, with all
communicating levels in the same fire area being considered as a
single floor area for purposes of determination of required egress
capacity.
(c) The height between the highest and lowest finished floor levels
shall not exceed 13 ft (4 m); the number of levels shall not be
restricted.
Exception No. 4: Unprotected openings in accordance with 9.2
8.2.5.5 shall not be permitted.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The action should meet the submitter's
intent. Also see Proposal 5000-850 (Log #68).
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
429
(Log #68)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 850 - (18-3.1.1 Exception No. 1, No. 2 and No. 4): Accept
SUBMITTER: Marshall A. Klein, Marshall A. Klein & Assoc., Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
Exception No. 1: Unprotected vertical openings in accordance with
9.2.5.8 9.4.2 shall be permitted.
Exception No. 2: Exception No. 1 to 9.2.5.6(1) 9.3(1) shall not
apply to patient sleeping and treatment rooms.
Exception No. 4: Unprotected openings in accordance with 8.2.5.5
9.2 shall not be permitted.
SUBSTANTIATION: Editorial.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
(Log #134)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 851 - (18-3.2.5): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Peter J. Gore Willse, Industrial Risk Insurers
RECOMMENDATION: Either delete the requirements to treat gift
shops as hazardous areas OR define "in quantities considered
hazardous".
SUBSTANTIATION: As presently written, someone can consider a
bundle of newspaper as "hazardous" while others could consider 1000
lbs. of paper goods as hazardous. What do you consider the shop if it
is sprinklered?
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Delete 18.3.2.5 as follows:
18.3.2.5 Gift Shops. Gift shops shall be protected as hazardous areas
where used for the storage or display of combustibles in quantities
considered hazardous. Gift shops not considered hazardous and
having separately protected storage shall be permitted to be as
follows:
(1) Open to a lobby or corridor if the gift shop does not exceed 500
ft2 (46.5 m2)
(2) Separated from a lobby or corridor with non-fire-rated walls
Revise Exception No. 4 to 18.3.6.1 as follows:
Exception No. 4: Gift shops not exceeding 500 ft2 (46.5 m2) shall be
permitted to be open to the corridor or lobby where protected in
accordance with 18.3.2.5.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter is correct that the
language of 18.3.2.5 is ambiguous. Given that all new health care
occupancies are required to be sprinklered, it should be safe to
permit gifts shops not exceeding 500 ft2 (46.5 m2) to be open to the
corridor or lobby without having to judge the hazard presented by the
actual quantity of combustibles present in a specific gift shop.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
(Log #214)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 852 - (18-3.2.6): Accept in Part
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise Section 18.3.2.6 as follows:
“Cooking Facilities. Cooking facilities shall be protected in
accordance with Section 9.2.3 11.8.”
Leave Exception as is.
SUBSTANTIATION: Provide appropriate reference to NFPA 96.
See also ancillary proposal to add new Section 11.8 related to
cooking hazards.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Part.
Revise 18.3.2.6 as follows:
18.3.2.6 CommercialCooking Facilities. Commercial cooking
facilities shall be protected in accordance with 9.2.3 Section 11.8.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
Exception:* Where domestic cooking equipment is used for food-
warming or limited cooking, protection or segregation of food
preparation facilities shall not be required.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action applies the
NFPA 96-type protection only to commercial cooking equipment, not
to all the cooking equipment as the submitter had requested. Grease
laden vapors should not be created to any appreciable extent if the
cooking equipment is similar to that used in a residential setting.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
(Log #50)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 853 - (18-3.3): Accept in Part
SUBMITTER: Marcelo M. Hirschler, GBH International/Rep. Fire
Retardant Chemicals Association
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
18.3.3 Interior Finish
18.3.3.1 Interior finish shall be in accordance with section 10.2
Chapter 10. Interior wall and ceiling finish tested in accordance with
NFPA 286, Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Evaluating
Contribution of Wall and Ceiling Interior Finish to Room Fire
Growth, and meeting the conditions of 10.3.5.3 shall be deemed to
comply with a Class A classification in accordance with NFPA 255,
Standard Method of Test of Surface Burning Characteristics of
Building Materials.
18.3.3.2 Interior wall and ceiling finish. Interior wall and ceiling
finish materials in accordance with Chapter 10 complying with 10.2.3
shall be permitted throughout if Class A or Class B, except as
indicated in 18.3.3.2.1 or 18.3.3.2.2. The provisions of 10.2.8.1 10.8.1
shall not apply.
Exception No. 1: Walls and ceilings shall be permitted to have Class
A, Class B, or Class C interior finish in individual rooms having a
capacity not exceeding four persons.
Exception No. 2: Corridor wall finish not exceeding 4 ft (1.2 m) in
height that is restricted to the lower half of the wall shall be permitted
to be Class A, Class B, or Class C.
18.3.3.2.1 Walls and ceilings shall be permitted to have Class A, Class
B, or Class C interior finish in individual rooms having a capacity not
exceeding four persons.
18.3.3.2.2 Corridor wall finish not exceeding 4 ft (1.2 m) in height
that is restricted to the lower half of the wall shall be permitted to be
Class A, Class B, or Class C.
SUBSTANTIATION: This proposal addresses three separate issues:
(a) The sentence added to 18.3.3.1 addresses the issue that unless
this is stated specifically, there is no way of permitting interior finish
tested by the room corner test (NFPA 286) to be installed. There is
abundant evidence that materials that comply with a room-corner test
requirements are equivalent in fire performance to materials tested
using the Steiner tunnel test. As an example, Table 1 shows a set of 10
materials tested in the room-corner test and the Steiner tunnel test
(Reference: M.M. Hirschler & M.L. Janssens, Fire and Materials Conf.,
San Antonio, TX, Feb. 22-23, 1999, Interscience Communications,
London, UK, pp. 179-198): only one of the 10 materials failed the
room-corner test; all other materials met Class A flame spread index
(FSI not to exceed 25); even the material which flashed over the room
had a flame spread index low enough to meet Class B in the Steiner
tunnel test (FSI not to exceed 75). Also, only one of the 10 materials
in the set failed to meet the Steiner tunnel test smoke development
index limit of 450, and it also failed the criterion in 10.3.5.3. The two
enclosed Figures show comparisons of Steiner tunnel FSI versus room
corner peak rate of heat release and Steiner tunnel SDI versus room
corner total smoke released, indicating how materials meeting room-
corner test criteria also meet Steiner tunnel criteria.
430
Table 1 Test Results for Materials Tested in Room-Corner and
Steiner Tunnel Tests
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
It must be clarified that this proposal does not require a material to
undergo room-corner testing, but gives the option of material
approvals via room-corner testing, as intended by the Life Safety
Code. This option appears to be missing in the draft of the NFPA
5000 Building Code.
Figure Steiner Tunnel FSI
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
Figure Steiner Tunnel SDI
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
(b) The change from section 10.2.8.1 to section 10.8.1 corrects an
erroneous reference in the draft (section 10.2.8.1 does not exist).
The other changes attempt to have consistency of references between
the occupancy chapters.
(c) New sections 18.3.3.2.1 and 18.3.3.2.2 replace the existing
exceptions, and, by eliminating exceptions, as recommended by the
new NFPA Manual of Style, improve document formatting. This does
not change requirements.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Part.
See Committee Action on Proposal 5000-844 (Log #583).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The action on the referenced proposal
accomplishes what the submitter intended. Additionally it adds
language to address renovations in nonsprinklered building areas.
The submitter's lengthy sentence referencing NFPA 286 and NFPA
255 is not needed because the subject is adequately covered in
Chapter 10.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
(Log #768)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 854 - (18-3.3.2): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Thomas W. Fritz, Armstrong World Industries Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: 10.2.3 should be 10.3.2. There is no 10.2.8.1
section.
SUBSTANTIATION: Editorial.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See Committee Action on Proposal 5000-844 (Log #583).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The referenced proposal fixes the
incorrect reference.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
(Log #30)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 855 - (18-3.3.3): Reject
SUBMITTER: James K. Lathrop, Koffel Assoc., Inc./Rep. Carpet &
Rug Institute
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 18.3.3.3 as follows:
18.3.3.3 Interior Floor Finish. (No requirements.) Interior floor
finish in exit enclosures and in exit access corridors and in spaces not
separated from them by walls complying with 18.3.6 shall be not less
than Class I in accordance with Section 10.7. In all other spaces
interior floor finish shall comply with 10.7.1.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
SUBSTANTIATION: This proposal makes several changes. First, it
makes NFPA 5000 usable outside the U.S. The material for interior
finish in NFPA 5000 comes from the Life Safety Code. When the
interior floor finish requirements were first added to the Life Safety
Code, the requirements relied upon Federal Regulation to regulate
interior floor finish outside of the corridors and exit enclosures.
However, FF-1 (16 CFR 1630) is only mandatory in the U.S. To
provide the same level of life safety and property protection outside
the U.S. a new provision, 10.7.1 is being recommended for Chapter
10. Should this be rejected, the last sentence being recommended
here will be deleted editorially.
Since there is no “existing” chapter here, as in the Life Safety Code,
provisions for both spinklered and non-sprinklered renovations need
to be included here. This simplifies minor renovations in that they
have material to reference. The final change is that in sprinklered
buildings Class II interior finish would be required. In an occupancy
where “defend-in-place” is the norm a higher level of protection must
be provided. Class II material is readily available and presents no
hardship. It is estimate that in excess of 90 percent of the commercial
grade carpet used in corridors meets the requirements for Class II
interior floor finish so the impact will be minimal. It also brings
NFPA 5000 into agreement with the International Building Code. It
is important that the provisions for floor finish be consistent within
NFPA 5000 and the International Building Code. Carpet is marketed
nationally. At the time of manufacture it will not be generally known
if the carpet will be installed in an NFPA 5000 jurisdiction or an
International Building Code (IBC) enforcement area. If different
criteria exist in NFPA 5000 and the IBC different compliance systems
must be developed making the determination of compliance difficult
for code enforcers and the industry.
The proposed provisions for exit enclosures are consistent with the
philosophy of the Life Safety Code, that the exit enclosure be “sterile”
from a fire viewpoint.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: See Committee Action on Proposal
5000-844 (Log #583). The referenced proposal is from the same
submitter. The action taken on the referenced proposal does a better
job clarifying intent. There is no need to add a general reference to
10.7.1.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
(Log #176)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 856 - (18-3.4.5.3): Reject
SUBMITTER: Ken Bush, Maryland State Fire Marshals Office
RECOMMENDATION: Delete the two exceptions.
SUBSTANTIATION: Both of these exceptions should be deleted as
they are no longer needed. Exception 1 eliminates the requirement
for smoke detectors in corridors when the patient rooms have smoke
detectors installed. Both the patient room and corridors should be
protected with smoke detectors.
Exception 2 only provides for room occupant notification not
building notification as required by the base provision. This is not
consistent with the base provision.
Note: This proposal was submitted on behalf of the Ad-Hoc
Committee on Fire Code Development.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The proposal does not accomplish
what the submitter believes it does. No new substantiation has been
provided to justify the deletion of the exceptions. The second
paragraph of the submitter's substantiation is not true.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
431
(Log #989)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 857 - (18-3.5): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new 18.3.5.3 as follows:
“Approved Fire Department Standpipes in accordance with 11.4
shall be provided in all buildings having an occupiable floor level
more than 30 ft above the lowest level of fire department vehicle
access, or having an occupiable floor level more than 30 ft below the
highest level of fire department access.”
SUBSTANTIATION: The intent of this proposal is to address the
need for fire service operations in buildings of certain heights which
may require excessive hose lays for suppression activities. It is an
attempt to address firefighter safety issues and efficient suppression
efforts with consideration to current fire service manpower
arrangements, standard firefighting procedures, and limitations of
space in areas used for building access and suppression efforts by
responding emergency personnel while other emergency operations
are occurring, such as egress of occupants in stairwells and corridors.
The 30 ft distance has been proposed in order to coordinate with
recognized practices and limitations established by other existing
codes.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise 18.3.5.3 as follows:
18.3.5.3 (Reserved.) Standpipes. Class I standpipes in accordance
with Section 11.4 shall be provided in buildings where any of the
following occur:
(1) an occupiable area is more than 200 ft (60 m) from the nearest
point of fire department vehicle access in other than buildings
protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with Section 11.3.
(2) an occupiable floor level is more than 30 ft (9.1 m) above or
below the level of fire department vehicle access.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The Committee Action combines the
submitter's two proposals on standpipes - Proposal 5000- (Log #989)
and Proposal 5000-862 (Log #981). The 30 ft criterion has been
established based on any level of fire department vehicle access. The
submitter's choice of "lowest" and "highest" level is not necessary.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
(Log #187)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 858 - (18-3.5.1): Reject
SUBMITTER: Ken Bush, Maryland State Fire Marshals Office
RECOMMENDATION: Delete the Exception.
SUBSTANTIATION: It is time to remove these exceptions for new
construction and provide both life and property protection for these
occupancies. There is no technical justification for keeping these
exceptions.
Note: This proposal was submitted on behalf of the Ad-Hoc
Committee on Fire Code Development.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: Cases where it is the authority having
jurisdiction who prohibits the installation of sprinklers (for example,
in switchgear or transformer rooms) do actually occur. The
alternative offered is reasonable. The submitter has not submitted
any documentation to justify the deletion of the option.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(Log #920)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 859 - (18-3.5.1): Reject
SUBMITTER: Phillip A. Brown, American Fire Sprinkler Assn.
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Exception in it.
SUBSTANTIATION: All “R” type occupancies, excluding one-two
family dwellings should be protected throughout with an approved
automatic sprinkler system.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: Cases where it is the authority having
jurisdiction who prohibits the installation of sprinklers (for example,
in switchgear or transformer rooms) do actually occur. The
alternative offered is reasonable. The submitter has not submitted
any documentation to justify the deletion of the option. Please note
that the remainder of the building is fully protected by automatic
sprinklers; the exception allows only the sprinklers in the room in
question to be omitted.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
(Log #CP2041)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 860 - (18-3.5.1 and Exception): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Health Care Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Revise the 18.3.5.1 as follows:
18.3.5.1* Buildings containing health care facilities shall be
protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with Section 11.3 11.7.
Exception: In Type I and Type II construction, where approved by
the authority having jurisdiction, alternative protection measures shall
be permitted to be substituted for sprinkler protection in specified
areas where the authority having jurisdiction has prohibited
sprinklers, without causing a building to be classified as
nonsprinklered.
SUBSTANTIATION: The SAF-HEA committee reviewed use of the
phrase "where approved by the authority having jurisdiction"
throughout Chapter 18. This is the only occurrence that needs to be
deleted to remove arbitrary language. In accordance with the general
provisions of Chapter 4, the AHJ will judge the adequacy of the
alternative protection, but the AHJ doesn't decide if the exception will
be permitted to be used. The other change made corrects a reference
to the sprinkler provisions of Chapter 11.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
(Log #1140)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 861 - (18-3.5.3 (New) ): Reject
SUBMITTER: Kevin Kelly, National Fire Sprinkler Association
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text to read as follows:
“Fire Sprinkler Systems shall be installed throughout buildings with a
floor level located 55 ft or more above the lowest level of Fire
Department Vehicle Access.
Exception No. 1: Buildings where all floors located 55 ft or more
above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access have an
occupant load less than 30 shall not require sprinklers due to this
section.
Exception No. 2: Airport control towers shall not require sprinklers
due to this section.
Exception No. 3: Open parking structures shall not require
sprinklers due to this section.”
432
SUBSTANTIATION: Fire sprinklers, without the rest of the high-rise
provisions, are necessary in buildings beyond the reach of fire
department ground ladders. This is similar to a provision in the
International Building Code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter's first exception would
actually have the effect of lessening the level of sprinklering currently
required. New health care occupancies are required to be
sprinklered. Other exceptions proposed by the submitter do not have
applicability to health care occupancies.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
(Log #981)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 862 - (18-3.5.4): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new 18.3.5.4 as follows:
“Approved Fire Department Standpipes in accordance with 11.4
shall be provided in all buildings having an occupiable area more
than 200 ft from the closest point of fire department vehicle access.
Exception: Buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic extinguishing system.”
SUBSTANTIATION: The intent of this proposal is to address the
need for fire service operations in buildings which may require
excessive hose lays for suppression activities in buildings of large areas
or limited vehicle access. It is an attempt to address firefighter safety
issues and efficient suppression efforts with consideration to current
fire service manpower arrangements, and standard firefighting
procedures.
The 200 ft. distance has been proposed in order to coordinate with
recognized practices of standard lengths of pre-connected fire service
hose lines and limitations established by other existing codes. It is
also recognized that fires in buildings protected throughout by an
extinguishing system will be controlled by that extinguishing system,
and that hose lines would not be required for first line fire
containment and control. The additional time to extend hose lines in
buildings so protected would not adversely impact the overall
protection features of that building.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See Committee Action on Proposal 5000-857 (Log #989).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The action on the referenced proposal
should meet the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
(Log #229)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 863 - (18-3.5.6): Accept
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
“Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided in all health care
occupancies in accordance with 11.7.4.1 Secton 11.6.”
SUBSTANTIATION: The portable extinguisher referenced section is
currently incorrect.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

(Log #200) They are an integral part of a balanced fire protection package
Committee: SAF-HEA provided for a building. Large expanse buildings would be
5000- 864 - (18-3.6): Accept in Part particularly vulnerable if the fire service did not have standpipes
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire available to use.
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc. Automatic fire sprinklers are one excellent method of fire control,
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows: but they can fail or become overwhelmed by a fire. In that event,
18.3.6 Standpipes. these has to be a backup to allow the fire service an immediate fire
18.3.6.1 General. Standpipe and hose systems shall be installed and suppression capability.
maintained in accordance with Section 11.4 of this code.
18.3.6.2 Where required. Class I or III standpipe systems shall be
installed throughout all buildings in which occupied floors are Without standpipes, firefighters would be put in harm’s way. As you
located more than 30 feet (9,144 mm) above or below the lowest level can see from the following table, firefighters safety would be greatly
of fire department vehicle access. jeopardized if they had to maneuver the weight of excessive hose
18.3.6.3 Large expanse buildings. Class I or III standpipe systems lengths -- especially while wearing heavy breathing apparatus and
shall be provided in buildings in which the highest occupied floor is turnout gear.
30 feet (9,144 mm) or less above the lowest level of fire department
vehicle access and any portion of the building is more than 200 feet
(61 m) of travel from the nearest point of fire department access into One 50 Foot Hose Length 1-3/4 Inch 2-1/2 Inch
the building. -Weights 13.5 Pounds 34 Pounds
18.3.6.4 Roof outlets. Where standpipe systems are installed in - Holds: 7.5 Gallons 12.5 Gallons
- Water Weight: 60 Pounds 104 Pounds
buildings more than six stories or 75 feet (22,860 mm) in height, at Total Weight 73.5 Pounds 136 Pounds
least one riser shall extend through the roof and terminate in a two-
way, 2 1/2-inch hose connection. The main control valve on roof Two Lengths (100 feet) 147 Pounds 272 Pounds
hose connections or manifolded hose connections shall be located in Three Lengths (150 Feet) 220.5 Pounds 408 Pounds
an area that is not subject to freezing, is as close to the roof access as Four*** Lengths (200 feet) 294 Points 544 Pounds
practical and is plainly identified. Five Lengths (250 Feet) 367.5 Pounds 680 Pounds
Renumber remaining sections. Six Lengths (300 Feet) 441 Pounds 816 Pounds
Seven Lengths (350 Feet) 514.5 Pounds 952 Pounds
SUBSTANTIATION: The current draft of NFPA 5000 contains Eight Lengths (400 Feet) 588 Pounds 1,088 Pounds
minimal or, in some chapters, no requirements for standpipe systems.
Many of these standpipe thresholds proposed in this submittal were *** Four hose lengths (200 Feet) is the maximum recommended.
established by the Board for the Coordination of the Model Codes
(BCMC) in the late 1980’s are found in part of many of the existing Note: Supporting Material available for Review at NFPA
building and fire codes today. These requirements and thresholds are Headquarters.
basic fire protection for the building occupants, property protection COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Part.
and firefighter safety. Standpipe systems should be mandatory in See Committee Action on Proposal 5000-857 (Log #989).
NFPA-5000. COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The action on the referenced proposal
Balanced Fire Protection requires that provisions be made for should meet most of the submitter's intent. Roof outlets are
manual fire control. This is also an important issue relating to adequately covered in NFPA 14. There is no need to address Class III
firefighter safety. Please see the table developed to show the weights standpipes; only Class I for fire department use is needed.
of 1 3/4-inch and 2 1/2-inch fire hose in 50 foot lengths when filled NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
with water. When used inside a building, these are intended to be VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
mobile attack lines. Once can quickly see that 200 feet of fire hose or AFFIRMATIVE: 21
less, when charged with water, is the threshold at which we can expect ___________________
a fire crew to adequately handle while attacking and fighting a fire.
This is while wearing heavy protective gear and breathing apparatus. (Log #1022)
Also submitted are the 1991-1995 NFIRS, NFPA Survey showing Committee: SAF-HEA
methods of extinguishment. Note that there is insufficient detail with 5000- 865 - (18-6): Reject
regard to hose line use to determine if Class I (fire department use), TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
Class I (occupant use) or, Class III (either fire department or that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
occupant use) standpipes were used and, in the case of Class III, name to SAF-HEA requesting that the subject of this proposal be
whether the standpipe was used by the occupants or the fire revisited now that a draft of Chapter 100 Flood Resistant Design and
department. It is assumed that the predominant use of the hose lines Construction is available via Proposal 5000-1421 (Log #623).
is by trained firefighters, whether professional, volunteer or fire SUBMITTER: James A. Rossberg, Christopher P. Jones, American
brigade. The important thing to notice is that preconnected and Society of Civil Engineers/Rep. Federal Emergency Management
hand-laid hose lines form hydrant, draft or standpipe were the means Agency, Mitigation Directorate
of extinguishment for 19.6 percent of all fire in residential structures RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows:
and 25.7 percent of all fires in non-residential structures. This record 18.6 Flood Resistance. Buildings or structures used for health care
mandates that NFPA 5000 have strong standpipe requirements for all occupancies, that are located wholly or partly within the flood hazard
classes of systems. area established by Section 100.3.2, shall comply with the provisions of
We have retained those few provisions which are currently in NFPA Chapter 100.
5000 and added to them to provide a comprehensive standpipe SUBSTANTIATION: Makes code provisions compliant with National
package to the new building code. NFPA 5000 Section 4.5.1 indicates Flood Insurance Program regulations for buildings and structures in
that fire protection and life safety should not be depend solely and a flood hazard areas. Note that this proposal is one of a series of
single safeguard. Standpipes from part of a total fire protection proposals that will insure NFPA 5000 compliance with NFIP
package. regulations. Although submitted separately, the proposals comprising
Standpipes are vital for fire protection. The model codes and the series should be considered together.
national standard require that all portions of a building be within 200
feet of a standpipe hose connection.

433
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee does not know what
will end up being in proposed Chapter 100. There is concern that the
proposed requirements could adversely affect the renovation of
existing buildings and historical structures.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
(Log #CP2040)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 866 - (Chapter 19): Accept
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to SAF-HEA requesting that the scope provisions of 19.1.1.1.2
be expanded to cover the broader subject areas of NFPA 5000
including property conservation and mission continuity.
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Health Care Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Create a Chapter 19 Ambulatory Health
Care Occupancies to read as follows:
Chapter 19
Ambulatory Health Care Occupancies
19.1 General Requirements
19.2 Means of Egress Requirements
19.3 Protection
19.4 Special Provisions
19.5 Building Services
19.1 General Requirements.
19.1.1 Application.
19.1.1.1 General.
19.1.1.1.1 The requirements of this chapter apply to the following:
(1) New buildings or portions thereof used as ambulatory health
care occupancies (see Chapter 6)
(2) Additions made to, or used as, an ambulatory health care
occupancy
Exception: Additions classified as occupancies other than ambulatory health
care that are properly separated from the ambulatory health care occupancy in
accordance with 19.1.2.2 and conform to the requirements for the specific
occupancy.
(3) Alterations, modernizations, or renovations of existing
ambulatory health care occupancies
(4) Existing buildings or portions thereof upon change of
occupancy to an ambulatory health care occupancy
19.1.1.1.2 Ambulatory health care facilities shall comply with the
provisions of Chapter 27 and this chapter, whichever is more
stringent.
19.1.1.1.3 This chapter establishes life safety requirements, in
addition to those required in Chapter 27, for the design of all
ambulatory health care occupancies.
19.1.1.1.4 Buildings, or sections of buildings, that primarily house
patients who, in the opinion of the governing body of the facility and
the governmental agency having jurisdiction, are capable of judgment
and appropriate physical action for self-preservation under emergency
conditions shall be permitted to comply with chapters of this Code
other than Chapter 19.
19.1.1.1.5 It shall be recognized that, in buildings providing treatment
for certain types of patients or having detention rooms or a security
section, it might be necessary to lock doors and bar windows to
confine and protect building inhabitants. In such instances, the
authority having jurisdiction shall make appropriate modifications to
those sections of this Code that would otherwise require means of
egress to be kept unlocked.
19.1.1.1.6* The requirements of this chapter are based on the
assumption that staff is available in all patient-occupied areas to
perform certain fire safety functions.
19.1.1.2* Goals and Objectives. The goals and objectives of Sections
4.1 and 4.2 shall be met with due consideration for functional
434
requirements. This is accomplished by limiting the development and
spread of a fire emergency to the room of fire origin and reducing the
need for occupant evacuation, except from the room of fire origin.
19.1.1.3 Total Concept. All ambulatory health care facilities shall be
designed and constructed to minimize the possibility of a fire
emergency requiring the evacuation of occupants. Because the safety
of ambulatory health care occupants cannot be ensured adequately by
dependence on evacuation of the building, their protection from fire
shall be provided by appropriate arrangement of facilities, adequate,
trained staff, and development of operating and maintenance
procedures composed of the following:
(1) Design, construction, and compartmentation
(2) Provision for detection, alarm, and extinguishment
(3) Fire prevention and the planning, training, and drilling
programs for the isolation of fire, transfer of occupants to areas of
refuge, or evacuation of the building
19.1.1.4 Additions, Conversions, Modernization, Renovation, and
Construction Operations.
19.1.1.4.1 Additions. Additions shall be separated from any existing
structure not conforming to the requirements for ambulatory health
care occupancies by a fire barrier having not less than a 2-hour fire
resistance rating and constructed of materials as required for the
addition.
19.1.1.4.2 Communicating openings in dividing fire barriers required
by 19.1.1.4.1 shall be permitted only in corridors and shall be
protected by approved self-closing fire doors. (See also Section 8.2.)
19.1.1.4.3 Doors in barriers required by 19.1.1.4.1 shall normally be
kept closed.
Exception: Doors shall be permitted to be held open if they meet the requirements
of 19.2.2.3.
19.1.1.4.4 Changes of Occupancy. A change from a hospital or
nursing home to an ambulatory health care occupancy shall not be
considered a change in occupancy or occupancy subclassification.
19.1.1.4.5 Renovations, Alterations, and Modernizations. (See 4.6.6.)
19.1.1.4.6 Construction, Repair, and Improvement Operations. (See
4.6.9.)
19.1.2 Multiple Occupancies.
19.1.2.1 Multiple occupancies shall be in accordance with Section 6.2.
19.1.2.2* Sections of ambulatory health care facilities shall be
permitted to be classified as other occupancies, provided that they
meet all of the following conditions:
(1) They are not intended to serve ambulatory health care
occupants for purposes of treatment or customary access by patients
incapable of self-preservation.
(2) They are separated from areas of ambulatory health care
occupancies by construction having a fire resistance rating of not less
than 1 hour.
19.1.2.3 All means of egress from ambulatory health care occupancies
that traverse nonambulatory health care spaces shall conform to
requirements of this Code for ambulatory health care occupancies.
Exception: Exit through a horizontal exit into other contiguous occupancies
that do not conform with ambulatory health care egress provisions, but that do
comply with requirements set forth in the appropriate occupancy chapter of this
Code, shall be permitted, provided that the occupancy does not contain high
hazard contents.
19.1.2.4 Egress provisions for areas of ambulatory health care facilities
that correspond to other occupancies shall meet the corresponding
requirements of this Code for such occupancies. Where the clinical
needs of the occupant necessitate the locking of means of egress, staff
shall be present for the supervised release of occupants during all
times of use.
19.1.2.5 Any area with a hazard of contents classified higher than that
of the ambulatory health care occupancy and located in the same
building shall be protected as required in 19.3.2.
19.1.2.6 Non-health care-related occupancies classified as containing
high hazard contents shall not be permitted in buildings housing
ambulatory health care occupancies.
19.1.3 Special Definitions. (See Chapter 3.)
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
19.1.4 Classification of Occupancy. (See Chapter 6.)
19.1.5 Classification of Hazard of Contents. The classification of
hazard of contents shall be as defined in Section 6.2.
19.1.6 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction shall be in
accordance with Chapter 7.
19.1.7 Occupant Load. (See 27.1.7.)
19.2 Means of Egress Requirements.
19.2.1 General. Every aisle, passageway, corridor, exit discharge, exit
location, and access shall be in accordance with Chapter 12.
Exception: As modified by 19.2.2 through 19.2.10.
19.2.2 Means of Egress Components.
19.2.2.1 Components of means of egress shall be limited to the types
described in 27.2.2.
19.2.2.2 Special locking arrangements complying with 12.2.1.6 shall
be permitted on exterior doors.
19.2.2.3 Any door in an exit passageway, horizontal exit, smoke
barrier, stairway enclosure, or hazardous area enclosure shall be
permitted to be held open only by an automatic release device that
complies with 12.2.1.8.2. The required manual fire alarm system and
the systems required by 12.2.1.8.2 shall be arranged to initiate the
closing action of all such doors throughout the smoke compartment
or throughout the entire facility.
19.2.2.4 Where doors in a stair enclosure are held open by an
automatic release device as permitted in 19.2.2.3, initiation of a door-
closing action on any level shall cause all doors at all levels in the stair
enclosure to close.
19.2.3 Capacity of Means of Egress.
19.2.3.1 The capacity of any required means of egress shall be
determined in accordance with the provisions of 27.2.3 and Section
12.3.
19.2.3.2 The clear width of any corridor or passageway required for
exit access shall be not less than 44 in. (112 cm).
19.2.3.3 Doors in the means of egress from diagnostic or treatment
areas, such as x-ray, surgical, or physical therapy, shall provide a clear
width of not less than 32 in. (81 cm).
19.2.4 Number of Exits.
19.2.4.1 Not less than two exits of the types described in 27.2.2 that
are remotely located from each other shall be provided for each floor
or fire section of the building.
19.2.4.2 Any room and any suite of rooms of more than 2500 ft2 (232
m2) shall have not less than two exit access doors remotely located
from each other.
19.2.4.3 Not less than two exits of the types described in 27.2.2 shall
be accessible from each smoke compartment. Egress shall be
permitted through adjacent compartments but shall not require
return through the compartment of fire origin.
19.2.5 Arrangement of Means of Egress. (See 27.2.5.)
19.2.6 Travel Distance to Exits.
19.2.6.1 Travel distance shall be measured in accordance with Section
12.6.
19.2.6.2 Travel Distance. Travel distance shall be as follows:
(1) The travel distance between any room door required as an exit
access and an exit shall not exceed 100 ft (30 m).
(2) The travel distance between any point in a room and an exit
shall not exceed 150 ft (45 m).
Exception: The maximum travel distance in 19.2.6.2(1) or (2) shall be
permitted to be increased by 50 ft (15 m) in buildings protected throughout by
an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
11.3.
19.2.7 Discharge from Exits. (See 27.2.7.)
19.2.8 Illumination of Means of Egress. Means of egress shall be
illuminated in accordance with Section 12.8.
19.2.9 Emergency Lighting and Essential Electrical Systems.
19.2.9.1 Emergency lighting shall be provided in accordance with
Section 12.9.
19.2.9.2 Where general anesthesia or life-support equipment is used,
each ambulatory health care facility shall be provided with an essential
electrical system in accordance with NFPA 99, Standard for Health Care
Facilities.
435
Exception No. 1: Where battery-operated equipment is provided and acceptable
to the authority having jurisdiction.
Exception No. 2: This requirement shall not apply to a facility that uses life-
support equipment for emergency purposes only.
19.2.10 Marking of Means of Egress. Means of egress shall have signs
in accordance with Section 12.10.
19.3 Protection.
19.3.1 Protection of Vertical Openings. (See 27.3.1.)
19.3.2 Protection from Hazards. (See 27.3.2.)
19.3.2.1 Laboratories employing quantities of flammable,
combustible, or hazardous materials that are considered as a severe
hazard shall be protected in accordance with NFPA 99, Standard for
Health Care Facilities.
19.3.2.2 Anesthetizing locations shall be protected in accordance with
NFPA 99, Standard for Health Care Facilities.
19.3.2.3 Commercial Cooking Facilities. Commercial cooking
facilities shall be protected in accordance with Section 11.8.
Exception:* Where domestic cooking equipment is used for food-warming or
limited cooking, protection or segregation of food preparation facilities shall not
be required.
19.3.3 Interior Finish.
19.3.3.1 General. Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter
10.
19.3.3.2 Interior Wall and Ceiling Finish. Interior wall and ceiling
finish materials in accordance with Chapter 10 shall be Class A or
Class B in exits and in enclosed corridors furnishing access to exits;
and Class A, Class B, or Class C in office areas.
19.3.3.3 Interior Floor Finish. Interior floor finish in accordance
with Section 10.7 shall be Class I or Class II in corridors and exits.
19.3.4 Detection, Alarm, and Communications Systems.
19.3.4.1 General. Ambulatory health care facilities shall be provided
with fire alarm systems in accordance with Section 11.2, except as
modified by 19.3.4.2 through 19.3.4.5.
19.3.4.2 Initiation. Initiation of the required fire alarm systems shall
be by manual means in accordance with 11.2.2 and by means of any
detection devices or detection systems required.
19.3.4.3 Occupant Notification. Occupant notification shall be
accomplished automatically, without delay, in accordance with 11.2.3
upon operation of any fire alarm activating device.
19.3.4.4 Emergency Forces Notification. Fire department notification
shall be accomplished in accordance with 11.2.4.
Exception: Smoke detection devices or smoke detection systems equipped with
reconfirmation features shall not be required to automatically notify the fire
department unless the alarm condition is reconfirmed after a period not
exceeding 120 seconds.
19.3.4.5 Emergency Control. Operation of any activating device in the
required fire alarm system shall be arranged to accomplish
automatically any control functions required to be performed by that
device. (See 11.2.5.)
19.3.5 Extinguishment Requirements. (See 27.3.5.)
19.3.5.1 Isolated hazardous areas shall be permitted to be protected in
accordance with 11.3.1.2. Where more than two sprinklers are
installed in a single area, waterflow detection shall be provided to
sound the building fire alarm, or to notify by a signal, any constantly
attended location, such as PBX, security, or emergency room, at
which the necessary corrective action shall be taken.
19.3.5.2 Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided in ambulatory
health care facilities in accordance with Section 11.6.
19.3.6 Corridors.
19.3.6.1 General. (See 27.3.6.)
19.3.6.2 Openings. Miscellaneous openings such as mail slots,
pharmacy pass-through windows, laboratory pass-through windows,
and cashier pass-through windows shall be permitted to be installed in
vision panels or doors without special protection, provided that the
aggregate area of openings per room does not exceed 19 in.2 (135
cm2) and the openings are installed at or below half the distance from
the floor to the room ceiling.
Exception: For rooms protected throughout by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3, the aggregate area
of openings per room shall not exceed 80 in.2 (519 cm2).
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
19.3.7 Subdivision of Building Space.
19.3.7.1 Ambulatory health care facilities shall be separated from
other tenants and occupancies by walls having not less than a 1-hour
fire resistance rating. Such walls shall extend from the floor slab below
to the floor or roof slab above. Doors shall be constructed of not less
than 1 ¾-in. (4.4-cm) thick, solid-bonded wood core or the equivalent
and shall be equipped with positive latches. These doors shall be self-
closing and shall be kept in the closed position except when in use.
Any vision panels shall be of fixed fire window assemblies in
accordance with 8.7.5.
19.3.7.2 The ambulatory health care facility shall be divided into not
less than two smoke compartments.
Exception No. 1: Facilities of less than 5000 ft2 (465 m2) and protected by an
approved automatic smoke detection system.
Exception No. 2: Facilities of less than 10,000 ft2 (930 m2) and protected
throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system installed in
accordance with Section 11.3.
Exception No. 3: An area in an adjoining occupancy shall be permitted to serve
as a smoke compartment for the ambulatory health care facility if the following
criteria are met:
(a) The separating wall and both compartments meet the requirements of
19.3.7.
(b) The ambulatory health care facility is less than 22,500 ft2 (2100 m2).
(c) Access from the ambulatory health care facility to the other occupancy
is unrestricted.
19.3.7.3 Any required smoke barrier shall be constructed in
accordance with Section 8.4 and shall have a fire resistance rating of
not less than 1 hour.
Exception: Smoke dampers shall not be required in duct penetrations of smoke
barriers in fully ducted heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems for
buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with Section 11.3.
19.3.7.4 Vision panels in the smoke barrier shall be of fixed fire
window assemblies in accordance with 8.7.5.
19.3.7.5 Not less than 15 net ft2 (1.4 net m2) per ambulatory health
care facility occupant shall be provided within the aggregate area of
corridors, patient rooms, treatment rooms, lounges, and other low
hazard areas on each side of the smoke compartment for the total
number of occupants in adjoining compartments. Smoke barriers
shall be provided to limit the size of each smoke compartment to an
area not exceeding 22,500 ft2 (2100 m2) and to limit the travel
distance from any point to reach a door in the required smoke barrier
to 190 ft (60 m).
Exception: The area of an atrium separated in accordance with Section 9.3
shall not be limited in size.
19.3.7.6* Doors in smoke barriers shall be not less than 1 ¾-in. (4.4-
cm) thick, solid-bonded wood core or the equivalent and shall be self-
closing. A vision panel shall be required.
19.3.7.7 Doors in smoke barriers shall normally be kept closed, or, if
held open, they shall be equipped with automatic devices that will
release the doors upon activation of the fire alarm system and either
one of the following:
(1) A local smoke detector
(2) A complete automatic fire-extinguishing system or complete
automatic fire detection system
19.4 Special Provisions. (See Chapter 27.)
19.5 Building Services.
19.5.1 Utilities. Utilities shall comply with the provisions of Chapters
48, 49, and 50.
19.5.2 Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning.
19.5.2.1 Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning shall comply with
the provisions of Chapter 49 and shall be in accordance with the
manufacturer’s specifications.
Exception: As modified in 19.5.2.2.
436
19.5.2.2 Any heating device, other than a central heating plant, shall
be designed and installed so that combustible material will not be
ignited by the device or its appurtenances. If fuel-fired, such heating
devices shall be chimney connected or vent connected, shall take air
for combustion directly from the outside, and shall be designed and
installed to provide for complete separation of the combustion system
from the atmosphere of the occupied area. Any heating device shall
have safety features to immediately stop the flow of fuel and shut
down the equipment in case of either excessive temperature or
ignition failure.
Exception: Approved, suspended unit heaters shall be permitted in locations
other than means of egress and patient treatment areas, provided that such
heaters are located high enough to be out of the reach of persons using the area
and are equipped with the safety features required by 19.5.2.2.
19.5.3 Elevators, Escalators, and Conveyors. Elevators, escalators, and
conveyors shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 51.
19.5.4 Rubbish Chutes, Incinerators, and Laundry Chutes. Rubbish
chutes, incinerators, and laundry chutes shall comply with the
provisions of Section 9.6.
Chapter 19 Annex
A.19.1.1.1.6 The Code recognizes that certain functions necessary for
the life safety of building occupants, such as the closing of corridor
doors, the operation of manual fire alarm devices, and the removal of
patients from the room of fire origin, require the intervention of
facility staff. It is not the intent of 19.1.1.1.6 to specify the levels or
locations of staff necessary to meet this requirement.
A.19.1.1.2 This objective is accomplished in the context of the
physical facilities, the type of activities undertaken, the provisions for
the capabilities of staff, and the needs of all occupants through
requirements directed at the following:
(1) Prevention of ignition
(2) Detection of fire
(3) Control of fire development
(4) Confinement of the effects of fire
(5) Extinguishment of fire
(6) Provision of refuge or evacuation facilities, or both
(7) Staff reaction
A.19.1.2.2 Doctors’ offices and treatment and diagnostic facilities
intended solely for outpatient care that are physically separated from
facilities for the treatment or care of inpatients, but that are otherwise
associated with the management of an institution, might be classified
as business occupancies rather than health care occupancies.
A.19.3.2.3 Exception This exception is intended to permit small
appliances used for reheating, such as microwave ovens, hot plates,
toasters, and nourishment centers to be exempt from the
requirements for commercial cooking equipment.
A.19.3.7.6 Smoke barriers might include walls having door openings
other than cross-corridor doors. There is no restriction in the Code
regarding which doors or how many doors form part of a smoke
barrier. For example, doors from the corridor to individual rooms are
permitted to form part of a smoke barrier.
SUBSTANTIATION: The NFPA 5000 draft that was published for
purposes of soliciting public proposals does not fulfill the
requirement that the Report on Proposals contain proposals for all
the material that is to appear in a new document. This proposal
makes clear the SAF-HEA committee's choice of what is to be
contained in Chapter 19 on ambulatory health care occupancies. The
draft incorporates the actions taken on the numerous proposals on
Chapter 19; includes editorial changes; and reflects changes made by
the committee to NFPA 101 material so as to be appropriate for the
building code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(Log #CP2038)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 867 - (19-1.2): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Health Care Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 19.1.2 as follows:
19.1.2 Multiple Mixed Occupancies. (See also 6.1.14.)
19.1.2.1 Multiple occupancies shall be in accordance with Section
6.2.
19.1.2.2* 19.1.2.1* Sections of ambulatory health care facilities shall
be permitted to be classified as other occupancies, provided that they
meet all of the following conditions:
(1) They are not intended to serve ambulatory health care occupants
for purposes of treatment or customary access by patients incapable of
self-preservation.
(2) They are separated from areas of ambulatory health care
occupancies by construction having a fire resistance rating of not less
than 1 hour.
19.1.2.3 19.1.2.2 All means of egress from ambulatory health care
occupancies that traverse nonambulatory health care spaces shall
conform to requirements of this Code for ambulatory health care
occupancies.
Exception: Exit through a horizontal exit into other contiguous
occupancies that do not conform with ambulatory health care egress
provisions, but that do comply with requirements set forth in the
appropriate occupancy chapter of this Code, shall be permitted,
provided that the occupancy does not contain high hazard contents.
19.1.2.4 19.1.2.3 Egress provisions for areas of ambulatory health
care facilities that correspond to other occupancies shall meet the
corresponding requirements of this Code for such occupancies.
Where the clinical needs of the occupant necessitate the locking of
means of egress, staff shall be present for the supervised release of
occupants during all times of use.
19.1.2.5 19.1.2.4 Any area with a hazard of contents classified higher
than that of the ambulatory health care occupancy and located in the
same building shall be protected as required in 19.3.2.
19.1.2.6 19.1.2.5 Non-health care-related occupancies classified as
containing high hazard contents shall not be permitted in buildings
housing ambulatory health care occupancies.
SUBSTANTIATION: The Technical Committee on Fundamentals is
preparing a Section 6.2 on multiple occupancies that establishes two
options: (1) separated occupancies, and (2) mixed occupancies. This
proposal revises 19.1.2 to reference Section 6.2; deletes any material
that is adequately covered by 6.2; and retains unique provisions
applicable to ambulatory health care occupancies.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
(Log #913e)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 868 - (19-1.6): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Sam Francis, American Forest & Paper Assn.
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Section 19.1.6 entirely, and substitute
the new text as follows:
19.1.6 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction shall be
in accordance with Chapter 7.
SUBSTANTIATION: The table derived from the Epcot Building
Code was incomplete and failed to include most of the occupancy
groups now included in this code. The data presented to the
Structures and Construction TC indicate that the area of a building is
not one of the significant factors in determining the safety of the
building. Number, location and size of exits, travel distance and fire
resistance of the structure do not change due to area. Therefore, the
allowable areas in this code should not be less than those permitted
under many of the building codes now in existence. The proposed
437
table simply recognizes those facts and proposes areas which are
currently permitted in the United States.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Replace 19.1.6 through 19.1.6.7 with the following:
19.1.6 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction shall be
in accordance with Chapter 7.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: Current 19.1.6.4 through 18.1.6.7 are
being retained but repositioned to Section 7.3 via Proposal 5000-362
(Log #CP2035). The submitter's recommendation agrees with the
directive from the Technical Correlating Committee on the Building
Code (the TCC) that construction requirements are to be moved to
Chapter 7. The committee has done what the submitter requested,
but not for the reason stated in the submitter's substantiation.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
(Log #670)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 869 - (19-1.6.6): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Joseph T. Holland, III, Hoover Treated Wood
Products
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows:
19.1.6.6 All interior walls and partitions in building of Type I or Type
II construction shall be of noncombustible, or limited-combustible, or
fire-retardant treated wood.
SUBSTANTIATION: Fire-retardant treated wood has been allowed
in Type I and Type II construction regardless of occupancy for at least
20 years and perhaps as long as 35 years. There is no record of its use
in partitions constituting a hazard. The characteristics of the pressure
treated wood are: flame spread of less than 25, no significant
progressive combustion during the fire, and a reduced rate of heat
release.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See Committee Proposal 5000-362 (Log #CP2035).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The action on the referenced proposal
should meet the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 20
NEGATIVE: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
AMBROSE: See my Explanation of Negative on Proposal 5000-361
(Log #CP2034).
___________________
(Log #215)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 870 - (19-3.2.3): Accept in Part
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Add new Section 19.3.2.3 as follows:
19.3.2.3 Cooking Facilities. Cooking facilities shall be protected in
accordance with Section 11.8.
SUBSTANTIATION: NFPA 5000 currently has no requirements for
the protection of cooking facilities.
See also ancillary proposal to add new Section 11.8 related to
cooking hazards.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Part.
Add a new 19.3.2.3 as follows:
19.3.2.3 Commercial Cooking Facilities. Commercial cooking
facilities shall be protected in accordance with Section 11.8.
Exception:* Where domestic cooking equipment is used for food-
warming or limited cooking, protection or segregation of food
preparation facilities shall not be required.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action applies the
NFPA 96-type protection only to commercial cooking equipment, not
to all the cooking equipment as the submitter had requested. Grease
laden vapors should not be created to any appreciable extent if the
cooking equipment is similar to that used in a residential setting. The
exception is consistent with that applicable to hospitals and nursing
homes.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
(Log #51)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 871 - (19-3.3): Accept in Part
SUBMITTER: Marcelo M. Hirschler, GBH International/Rep. Fire
Retardant Chemicals Association
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
19.3.3 Interior Finish (See 27.3.3)
19.3.3.1 Interior wall and ceiling finish shall be in accordance with
Chapter 10. Interior wall and ceiling finish tested in accordance with
NFPA 286, Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Evaluating
Contribution of Wall and Ceiling Interior Finish to Room Fire
Growth, and meeting the conditions of 10.3.5.3 shall be deemed to
comply with a Class A classification in accordance with NFPA 255,
Standard Method of Test of Surface Burning Characteristics of
Building Materials.
19.3.3.2 Interior wall and ceiling finish. Interior wall and ceiling
finish materials in accordance with Chapter 10 shall be Class A or
Class B in exits and in enclosed corridors furnishing access to exits;
and Class A, Class B, or Class C in office areas.
19.3.3.3 Interior floor finish complying with Section 10.2.7 shall be
Class I or Class II in corridors and exits.
SUBSTANTIATION: This proposal addresses two separate issues:
(a) The second sentence in 19.3.3.1 addresses the issue that unless
this is stated specifically, there is no way of permitting interior finish
tested by the room corner test (NFPA 286) to be installed. There is
abundant evidence that materials that comply with a room-corner test
requirements are equivalent in fire performance to materials tested
using the Steiner tunnel test. As an example, Table 1 shows a set of 10
materials tested in the room-corner test and the Steiner tunnel test
(Reference: M.M. Hirschler & M.L. Janssens, Fire and Materials Conf.,
San Antonio, TX, Feb. 22-23, 1999, Interscience Communications,
London, UK, pp. 179-198): only one of the 10 materials failed the
room-corner test; all other materials met Class A flame spread index
(FSI not to exceed 25); even the material which flashed over the room
had a flame spread index low enough to meet Class B in the Steiner
tunnel test (FSI not to exceed 75). Also, only one of the 10 materials
in the set failed to meet the Steiner tunnel test smoke development
index limit of 450, and it also failed the criterion in 10.3.5.3. The two
enclosed Figures show comparisons of Steiner tunnel FSI versus room
corner peak rate of heat release and Steiner tunnel SDI versus room
corner total smoke released, indicating how materials meeting room-
corner test criteria also meet Steiner tunnel criteria.
Figure Steiner Tunnel FSI
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
Figure Steiner Tunnel SDI
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
Table 1 Test Results for Materials Tested in Room-Corner and
Steiner Tunnel Tests
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
438
It must be clarified that this proposal does not require a material to
undergo room-corner testing, but gives the option of material
approvals via room-corner testing, as intended by the Life Safety
Code. This option appears to be missing in the draft of the NFPA
5000 Building Code.
(b) The other changes attempt to have consistency of references
between the occupancy chapters.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Part.
Revise text to read as follows:
19.3.3 Interior Finish. (See 27.3.3)
19.3.3.1 General. Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter
10.
19.3.3.2 Interior Wall and Ceiling Finish. Interior wall and ceiling
finish materials in accordance with Chapter 10 shall be Class A or
Class B in exits and in enclosed corridors furnishing access to exits;
and Class A, Class B, or Class C in office areas.
19.3.3.3 Interior Floor Finish. Interior floor finish in accordance
with Section 10.7 shall be Class I or Class II in corridors and exits.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The action accomplishes most of what
the submitter requested. There is no need for the submitter's lengthy
sentence referencing NFPA 286 and NFPA 255 because the subject is
adequately addressed in Chapter 10.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
(Log #116)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 872 - (19-3.5): Reject
SUBMITTER: Charles Smeby, Jr., Florida State Fire College
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows:
19.3.5 Buildings over 10,000 square feet shall be protected by an
approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system installed in
accordance with Chapter 11.
SUBSTANTIATION: Since the NFPA 5000 draft is substantial
derived for the NFPA Life Safety Code and is focused towards
occupant safety during a fire, I would like to propose fire protection
criteria that would also cover firefighting safety and property
protection. Building codes typically contain many items that are
property protection features.
Each municipality has an interest in reducing and eliminating fire
losses. From both a "Public Policy" perceptive and to maintain
structures that provide taxes and places for employment for their
citizens, fire losses do have a major fiscal impact of local and state
governments.
This would also have the added benefit for reducing insurance
premiums that are the direct result of fire loss. Many of the
requirements int he typical building code were derived to limit fire
losses, and this tradition should be continued in this innovative new
code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The ambulatory health care center will
often be in a building (for example, an office building) with other
tenants. An area of 10,000 ft2 is not large. There is not adequate
substantiation for this proposal given that it would greatly impact
where an ambulatory health care facility can be located because there
is no sprinkler mandate for all office buildings (i.e., business
occupancies).
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(Log #921)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 873 - (19-3.5): Reject
SUBMITTER: Phillip A. Brown, American Fire Sprinkler Assn.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise as follows:
“Extinguishment Requirements: Ambulatory healthcare facilities
shall be provided with an automatic fire sprinkler system through out
in accordance with Chapter 11.”
SUBSTANTIATION: All “R” type occupancies, excluding one-two
family dwellings should be protected throughout with an approved
automatic sprinkler system.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The ambulatory health care center will
often be in a building (for example, an office building) with other
tenants. There is not adequate substantiation for this proposal given
that it would greatly impact where an ambulatory health care facility
can be located because there is no sprinkler mandate for all office
buildings (i.e., business occupancies).
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
(Log #988)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 874 - (19-3.5): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new 19.3.5.3 as follows:
“Approved Fire Department Standpipes in accordance with 11.4
shall be provided in all buildings having an occupiable floor level
more than 30 ft above the lowest level of fire department vehicle
access, or having an occupiable floor level more than 30 ft below the
highest level of fire department access.”
SUBSTANTIATION: The intent of this proposal is to address the
need for fire service operations in buildings of certain heights which
may require excessive hose lays for suppression activities. It is an
attempt to address firefighter safety issues and efficient suppression
efforts with consideration to current fire service manpower
arrangements, standard firefighting procedures, and limitations of
space in areas used for building access and suppression efforts by
responding emergency personnel while other emergency operations
are occurring, such as egress of occupants in stairwells and corridors.
The 30 ft distance has been proposed in order to coordinate with
recognized practices and limitations established by other existing
codes.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Make no change to Chapter 19.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The text of 19.3.5 on extinguishment
requirements references the business occupancy sprinkler provisions
of 27.3.5. Let the business occupancy chapter decide what standpipe
threshold is adequate. The SAF-HEA committee will then abide by
that decision given that many ambulatory health care occupancies will
be located as a tenant in an office building (i.e., business occupancy).
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
(Log #230)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 875 - (19-3.5.2): Accept
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
“Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided in ambulatory health
care facilities in accordance with 9-7.4.1 Section 11.6.”
439
SUBSTANTIATION: The portable extinguisher referenced section is
currently incorrect.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
(Log #1141)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 876 - (19-3.5.3 (New) ): Reject
SUBMITTER: Kevin Kelly, National Fire Sprinkler Association
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new section to read as follows:
“All buildings shall be protected throughout by a fire sprinklers
system.”
SUBSTANTIATION: Ambulatory Health Care occupancies contain
patients “incapable of taking action for self preservation under
emergency conditions without the assistance of others” (see 6.1.6.1).
These people need the additional protection of sprinkler systems
since they can not take care of themselves and staffing levels are
insufficient to help all evacuate.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The ambulatory health care center will
often be in a building (for example, an office building) with other
tenants. There is not adequate substantiation for this proposal given
that it would greatly impact where an ambulatory health care facility
can be located because there is no sprinkler mandate for all office
buildings (i.e., business occupancies).
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
(Log #1142)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 877 - (19-3.5.3 (New) ): Reject
SUBMITTER: Kevin Kelly, National Fire Sprinkler Association
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text to read as follows:
“Fire Sprinkler Systems shall be installed throughout buildings with a
floor level located 55 ft or more above the lowest level of Fire
Department Vehicle Access.
Exception No. 1: Buildings where all floors located 55 ft or more
above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access have an
occupant load less than 30 shall not require sprinklers due to this
section.
Exception No. 2: Airport control towers shall not require sprinklers
due to this section.
Exception No. 3: Open parking structures shall not require
sprinklers due to this section.
SUBSTANTIATION: Fire sprinklers, without the rest of the high-rise
provisions, are necessary in buildings beyond the reach of fire
department ground ladders. This is similar to a provision in the
International Building Code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The Code will require sprinklers if the
highest occupiable floor is more than 75 ft above the lowest level of
fire department vehicle access based on the well-accepted definition
of a high-rise building. The submitter requests that sprinkers be
required at 55 ft. The submitter has not provided adequate
substantiation to, in effect, change the definition of high rise. Also,
the submitter's exceptions do not apply to ambulatory health care
occupancies.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

(Log #980) SUBSTANTIATION: The current draft of NFPA 5000 contains

Committee: SAF-HEA minimal or, in some chapters, no requirements for standpipe systems.
5000- 878 - (19-3.5.4): Accept in Principle Many of these standpipe thresholds proposed in this submittal were
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire established by the Board for the Coordination of the Model Codes
Marshal (BCMC) in the late 1980’s are found in part of many of the existing
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new 19.3.5.4 as follows: building and fire codes today. These requirements and thresholds are
“Approved Fire Department Standpipes in accordance with 11.4 basic fire protection for the building occupants, property protection
shall be provided in all buildings having an occupiable area more and firefighter safety. Standpipe systems should be mandatory in
than 200 ft from the closest point of fire department vehicle access. NFPA-5000.
Exception: Buildings protected throughout by an approved, Balanced Fire Protection requires that provisions be made for
supervised automatic extinguishing system.” manual fire control. This is also an important issue relating to
SUBSTANTIATION: The intent of this proposal is to address the firefighter safety. Please see the table developed to show the weights
need for fire service operations in buildings which may require of 1 3/4-inch and 2 1/2-inch fire hose in 50 foot lengths when filled
excessive hose lays for suppression activities in buildings of large areas with water. When used inside a building, these are intended to be
or limited vehicle access. It is an attempt to address firefighter safety mobile attack lines. Once can quickly see that 200 feet of fire hose or
issues and efficient suppression efforts with consideration to current less, when charged with water, is the threshold at which we can expect
fire service manpower arrangements, and standard firefighting a fire crew to adequately handle while attacking and fighting a fire.
procedures. This is while wearing heavy protective gear and breathing apparatus.
The 200 ft. distance has been proposed in order to coordinate with Also submitted are the 1991-1995 NFIRS, NFPA Survey showing
recognized practices of standard lengths of pre-connected fire service methods of extinguishment. Note that there is insufficient detail with
hose lines and limitations established by other existing codes. It is regard to hose line use to determine if Class I (fire department use),
also recognized that fires in buildings protected throughout by an Class I (occupant use) or, Class III (either fire department or
extinguishing system will be controlled by that extinguishing system, occupant use) standpipes were used and, in the case of Class III,
and that hose lines would not be required for first line fire whether the standpipe was used by the occupants or the fire
containment and control. The additional time to extend hose lines in department. It is assumed that the predominant use of the hose lines
buildings so protected would not adversely impact the overall is by trained firefighters, whether professional, volunteer or fire
protection features of that building. brigade. The important thing to notice is that preconnected and
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle. hand-laid hose lines form hydrant, draft or standpipe were the means
Make no change to Chapter 19. of extinguishment for 19.6 percent of all fire in residential structures
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The text of 19.3.5 on extinguishment and 25.7 percent of all fires in non-residential structures. This record
requirements references the business occupancy sprinkler provisions mandates that NFPA 5000 have strong standpipe requirements for all
of 27.3.5. Let the business occupancy chapter decide what standpipe classes of systems.
threshold is adequate. The SAF-HEA committee will then abide by We have retained those few provisions which are currently in NFPA
that decision given that many ambulatory health care occupancies will 5000 and added to them to provide a comprehensive standpipe
be located as a tenant in an office building (i.e., business occupancy). package to the new building code. NFPA 5000 Section 4.5.1 indicates
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21 that fire protection and life safety should not be depend solely and a
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION: single safeguard. Standpipes from part of a total fire protection
AFFIRMATIVE: 21 package.
Standpipes are vital for fire protection. The model codes and
national standard require that all portions of a building be within 200
___________________ feet of a standpipe hose connection.
They are an integral part of a balanced fire protection package
(Log #201) provided for a building. Large expanse buildings would be
Committee: SAF-HEA particularly vulnerable if the fire service did not have standpipes
5000- 879 - (19-3.6): Accept in Principle available to use.
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire Automatic fire sprinklers are one excellent method of fire control,
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc. but they can fail or become overwhelmed by a fire. In that event,
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows: these has to be a backup to allow the fire service an immediate fire
19.3.6 Standpipes. suppression capability.
19.3.6.1 General. Standpipe and hose systems shall be installed and
maintained in accordance with Section 11.4 of this code. Without standpipes, firefighters would be put in harm’s way. As you
19.3.6.2 Where required. Class I or III standpipe systems shall be can see from the following table, firefighters safety would be greatly
installed throughout all buildings in which occupied floors are jeopardized if they had to maneuver the weight of excessive hose
located more than 30 feet (9,144 mm) above or below the lowest level lengths -- especially while wearing heavy breathing apparatus and
of fire department vehicle access. turnout gear.
19.3.6.3 Large expanse buildings. Class I or III standpipe systems
shall be provided in buildings in which the highest occupied floor is One 50 Foot Hose Length 1-3/4 Inch 2-1/2 Inch
30 feet (9,144 mm) or less above the lowest level of fire department -Weights 13.5 Pounds 34 Pounds
vehicle access and any portion of the building is more than 200 feet - Holds: 7.5 Gallons 12.5 Gallons
- Water Weight: 60 Pounds 104 Pounds
(61 m) of travel from the nearest point of fire department access into Total Weight 73.5 Pounds 136 Pounds
the building.
19.3.6.4 Roof outlets. Where standpipe systems are installed in Two Lengths (100 feet) 147 Pounds 272 Pounds
buildings more than six stories or 75 feet (22,860 mm) in height, at Three Lengths (150 Feet) 220.5 Pounds 408 Pounds
least one riser shall extend through the roof and terminate in a two- Four*** Lengths (200 feet) 294 Points 544 Pounds
way, 2 1/2-inch hose connection. The main control valve on roof Five Lengths (250 Feet) 367.5 Pounds 680 Pounds
hose connections or manifolded hose connections shall be located in Six Lengths (300 Feet) 441 Pounds 816 Pounds
Seven Lengths (350 Feet) 514.5 Pounds 952 Pounds
an area that is not subject to freezing, is as close to the roof access as Eight Lengths (400 Feet) 588 Pounds 1,088 Pounds
practical and is plainly identified.
Renumber remaining sections. *** Four hose lengths (200 Feet) is the maximum recommended.

440
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
Note: Supporting Material available for Review at NFPA
Headquarters.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Make no change to Chapter 19.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The text of 19.3.5 on extinguishment
requirements references the business occupancy sprinkler provisions
of 27.3.5. Let the business occupancy chapter decide what standpipe
threshold is adequate. The SAF-HEA committee will then abide by
that decision given that many ambulatory health care occupancies will
be located as a tenant in an office building (i.e., business occupancy).
Also, the submitter's text on roof outlets is not needed given that the
subject is adequately addressed in NFPA 14.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
(Log #819)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 880 - (19-3.7.3): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Dick M. Glumac, Glumac International/Rep. Golden
Gate Chapter ASHRAE
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows:
The wording “Exception: Dampers...” should read “Exception:
Smoke dampers...”.
SUBSTANTIATION: Better definition of the damper type.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise 19.3.7.3 Exception as follows:
19.3.7.3 Any required smoke barrier shall be constructed in
accordance with Section 8.3 8.4 and shall have a fire resistance rating
of not less than 1 hour.
Exception: Dampers Smoke dampers shall not be required in duct
penetrations of smoke barriers in fully ducted heating, ventilating,
and air conditioning systems for buildings protected throughout by
an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance
with Section 9.7 11.3.
Revise 18.3.7.3 Exception No. 2 as follows:
18.3.7.3 Any required smoke barrier shall be constructed in
accordance with Section 8.3 8.4 and shall have a fire resistance rating
of not less than 1 hour.
Exception No. 2: Dampers Smoke dampers shall not be required in
duct penetrations of smoke barriers in fully ducted heating,
ventilating, and air conditioning systems for buildings protected
throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in
accordance with Section 11.3.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The action accomplishes what the
submitter requested. Additionally, it makes a similar change to
18.3.7.3 for consistency and editorially corrects various referenced
paragraphs.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
(Log #820)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 881 - (19-5.2.1): Reject
SUBMITTER: Dick M. Glumac, Glumac International/Rep. Golden
Gate Chapter ASHRAE
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows:
Delete words “...and shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s
specifications.”
SUBSTANTIATION: The wording is not necessary.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The language is needed. It reinforces
the committee's intent.
441
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
(Log #1023)
Committee: SAF-HEA
5000- 882 - (19-6): Reject
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to SAF-HEA requesting that the subject of this proposal be
revisited now that a draft of Chapter 100 Flood Resistant Design and
Construction is available via Proposal 5000-1421 (Log #623).
SUBMITTER: James A. Rossberg, Christopher P. Jones, American
Society of Civil Engineers/Rep. Federal Emergency Management
Agency, Mitigation Directorate
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows:
19.6 Flood Resistance. Buildings or structures used for ambulatory
health care occupancies, that are located wholly or partly within the
flood hazard area established by Section 100.3.2, shall comply with the
provisions of Chapter 100.
SUBSTANTIATION: Makes code provisions compliant with National
Flood Insurance Program regulations for buildings and structures in
flood hazard areas. Note that this proposal is one of a series of
proposals that will insure NFPA 5000 compliance with NFIP
regulations. Although submitted separately, the proposals comprising
the series should be considered together.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee does not know what
will end up being in proposed Chapter 100. There is concern that the
proposed requirements could adversely affect the renovation of
existing buildings and historical structures.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
(Log #CP2006)
Committee: SAF-DET
5000- 883 - (Chapter 20): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Detention and Correctional
Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Create a Chapter 20 Detention and
Correctional Occupancies to read as follows:
Chapter 20
Detention and Correctional
Occupancies
20.1 General Requirements
20.2 Means of Egress Requirements
20.3 Protection
20.4 Special Provisions
20.5 Building Services
20.6 Reserved
20.1 General Requirements.
20.1.1 Application.
20.1.1.1 The requirements of this chapter apply to:
(a) New buildings or portions thereof used as detention or
correctional occupancies (see Chapter 4); and
(b) Additions made to, or used as, a detention or correctional
occupancy (see Chapter 4 and 20.1.1.6); and
(c) Alterations, modernizations, or renovations of existing
detention or correctional care occupancies (see Chapter 4 and
20.1.1.7); and
(d) Existing buildings or portions thereof upon change of
occupancy to a detention or correctional occupancy (see Chapter 4).
20.1.1.2 This chapter establishes life safety requirements for the
design of all new detention and correctional facilities.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
Exception No. 1: Use Condition I facilities protected as residential occupancies
in accordance with 20.1.4.3.
Exception No. 2:* Facilities determined to have equivalent safety provided in
accordance with Chapter 1.
20.1.1.3 Detention and correctional occupancies shall be those used
for purposes such as correctional institutions, detention facilities,
community residential centers, training schools, work camps, and
substance abuse centers where occupants are confined or housed
under some degree of restraint or security.
20.1.1.4 Detention and correctional occupancies provide sleeping
facilities for four or more residents and are occupied by persons who
are generally prevented from taking self-preservation action because
of security measures not under the occupants’ control.
20.1.1.5 Total Concept. All detention and correctional facilities shall
be designed, constructed, maintained, and operated to minimize the
possibility of a fire emergency. Because the safety of all occupants in
detention and correctional facilities cannot be adequately ensured
solely by dependence on evacuation of the building, their protection
from fire shall be provided by appropriate arrangement of facilities;
adequate trained staff; and development of operating, security, and
maintenance procedures composed of the following:
(a) Design, construction, and compartmentation; and
(b) Provision for detection, alarm, and extinguishment; and
(c) Fire prevention and planning, training, and drilling in
programs for the isolation of fire and transfer of occupants to areas of
refuge, or evacuation of the building, or protection of the occupants
in place; and
(d) Provision of security to the degree necessary for the safety of
the public and the occupants of the facility.
20.1.1.6 Additions. Additions shall comply with the requirements for
new construction in accordance with Chapter 4.
20.1.1.7 Modernizations or Renovations. Modernizations and
renovations shall be in accordance with Chapter 4.
Exception: In nonsprinklered existing buildings, modernizations or renovations
shall be permitted to comply with the nonsprinklered options contained in
20.4.4 in lieu of the sprinkler requirement of 20.3.5.2.
20.1.2* Multiple Occupancies.
20.1.2.1 Multiple occupancies shall be in accordance with Section 6.2.
20.1.2.2 Egress provisions for areas of detention and correctional
facilities that correspond to other occupancies shall meet the
corresponding requirements of this Code for such occupancies as
modified by 20.1.2.2.1 and 20.1.2.2.2.
20.1.2.2.1 Where security operations necessitate the locking of
required means of egress, staff shall be provided for the supervised
release of occupants during all times of use.
20.1.2.2.2* Where security operations necessitate the locking of
required means of egress, detention grade hardware shall be provided
on doors within the required means of egress.
20.1.2.3 Sections of detention and correctional facilities shall be
permitted to be classified as other occupancies provided they meet all
of the following conditions:
(a) They are not intended to serve residents for sleeping
purposes, and
(b) They are separated from areas of detention or correctional
occupancies by construction having a minimum 2-hr fire resistance
rating.
20.1.2.4 All means of egress from detention and correctional
occupancies that traverse other use areas shall, as a minimum,
conform to the requirements of this Code for detention and
correctional occupancies.
Exception: Egress through a horizontal exit into other contiguous occupancies
that do not conform to detention and correctional occupancy egress provisions,
but that do comply with requirements set forth in the appropriate occupancy
chapter of this Code, shall be permitted provided the occupancy does not
contain high hazard contents. The horizontal exit shall comply with the
requirements of 20.2.2.5.
20.1.2.5 Any area with a hazard of contents classified higher than that
of the detention or correctional occupancy and located in the same
building shall be protected as required in 20.3.2.
442
20.1.2.6 Nondetention or noncorrectional related occupancies
classified as containing high hazard contents shall not be permitted in
buildings housing detention or correctional occupancies.
20.1.3 Special Definitions. (See Chapter 3.)
20.1.4 Classification of Occupancy.
20.1.4.1* For applications of the life safety requirements that follow,
the resident user category is divided into five groups:
(a) Use Condition I - Free Egress. Free movement is allowed from
sleeping areas and other spaces where access or occupancy is
permitted to the exterior via means of egress that meet the
requirements of the Code.
(b) Use Condition II - Zoned Egress. Free movement is allowed
from sleeping areas and any other occupied smoke compartment to
one or more other smoke compartments.
(c) Use Condition III - Zoned Impeded Egress. Free movement is
allowed within individual smoke compartments, such as within a
residential unit comprised of individual sleeping rooms and group
activity space, with egress impeded by remote controlled release of
means of egress from such smoke compartment to another smoke
compartment.
(d) Use Condition IV - Impeded Egress. Free movement is
restricted from an occupied space. Remote controlled release is
provided to permit movement from all sleeping rooms, activity spaces,
and other occupied areas within the smoke compartment to another
smoke compartment.
(e) Use Condition V - Contained. Free movement is restricted from
an occupied space. Staff controlled manual release at each door is
provided to permit movement from all sleeping rooms, activity spaces,
and other occupied areas within the smoke compartment to another
smoke compartment.
20.1.4.2* To classify as Use Condition III or IV, the arrangement,
accessibility, and security of the release mechanism(s) used for
emergency egress shall be such that the minimum available staff, at
any time, can promptly release the locks.
20.1.4.3 Areas housing occupancies corresponding to Use Condition I
shall conform to the requirements of residential occupancies under
this Code.
Exception:* Use Condition I facilities shall be permitted to conform to the
requirements of this chapter for Use Condition II facilities.
20.1.5 Classification of Hazard of Contents. The classification of
hazard of contents shall be as defined in Chapter 6.
20.1.6 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction shall be
in accordance with Chapter 7.
20.1.7 Occupant Load. The occupant load, in number of persons for
whom means of egress and other provisions are required, shall be
determined on the basis of the occupant load factors of Table 12.3.1.2
that are characteristic of the use of the space or shall be determined
as the maximum probable population of the space under
consideration, whichever is greater.
20.2 Means of Egress Requirements.
20.2.1 General. Means of egress shall comply with Chapter 12.
Exception: As otherwise provided or modified in this section.
20.2.2 Means of Egress Components.
20.2.2.1 Components of means of egress shall be limited to the types
described in 20.2.2.2 through 20.2.2.10.
20.2.2.2 Doors. Doors complying with 12.2.1 shall be permitted.
Exception: As provided in 20.2.11.
20.2.2.3 Stairs.
20.2.2.3.1 Stairs complying with 12.2.2 shall be permitted.
Exception: Noncombustible grated stair treads and landing floors shall be
permitted.
20.2.2.3.2 Spiral stairs complying with 20.2.2.2.3 shall be permitted for
access to and between staff locations.
20.2.2.4 Smokeproof Enclosures. Smokeproof enclosures complying
with 12.2.3 shall be permitted.
20.2.2.5 Horizontal Exits. Horizontal exits complying with 12.2.4 and
the modifications of 20.2.2.5.1 through 20.2.2.5.3 shall be permitted.
20.2.2.5.1 At least 6 sq ft (0.56 sq m) of accessible space per occupant
shall be provided on each side of the horizontal exit for the total
number of people in adjoining compartments.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
20.2.2.5.2 Horizontal exits shall be permitted to comprise 100 percent
of the exits required, provided that an exit, other than a horizontal
exit, is accessible in some other (not necessarily adjacent) fire
compartment without requiring return through the compartment of
fire origin.
20.2.2.5.3 Ducts shall be allowed to penetrate horizontal exits in
accordance with Exception No. 2 to 12.2.4.3.3 if protected by
combination fire dampers/smoke leakage-rated dampers that meet
the smoke damper actuation requirements of 8.4.2.5.
20.2.2.6 Ramps. Ramps complying with 12.2.5 shall be permitted.
20.2.2.7 Exit Passageways. Exit passageways complying with 12.2.6
shall be permitted.
20.2.2.8 Fire Escape Ladders. Fire escape ladders complying with
12.2.9 shall be permitted.
20.2.2.9 Alternating Tread Devices. Alternating tread devices
complying with 12.2.11 shall be permitted.
20.2.2.10 Areas of Refuge. Areas of refuge complying with 12.2.12
shall be permitted.
20.2.3 Capacity of Means of Egress.
20.2.3.1 The capacity of any required means of egress shall be in
accordance with 12.3.
20.2.3.2 Aisles, corridors, and ramps required for egress shall be a
minimum of 4 ft (1.2 m) in width.
20.2.3.3 For residents’ sleeping room door widths, see 20.2.11.3.
20.2.4 Number of Exits. (See also Section 12.4.)
20.2.4.1 A minimum of two separate exits shall be
(a) Provided on every story; and
(b) Accessible from every part of every story, fire compartment, or
smoke compartment.
Exception to (b): Exit access travel shall be permitted to be common for the
distances allowed as common path of travel by 20.2.5.3.
20.2.4.2* A minimum of one approved exit shall be accessible from
each fire compartment and each required smoke compartment into
which residents are potentially moved in a fire emergency, with the
exits arranged so that egress shall not require return through the
zone of fire origin.
20.2.5 Arrangement of Means of Egress. (See also Section 12.5.)
20.2.5.1 Every sleeping room shall have a door leading directly to an
exit access corridor.
Exception No. 1: If there is an exit door opening directly to the outside from the
room at the ground level.
Exception No. 2: One adjacent room, such as a day room, group activity space,
or other common space shall be permitted to intervene. Where sleeping rooms
directly adjoin a day room or group activity space that is utilized for access to
an exit, such sleeping rooms shall be permitted to open directly to the day room
or space and shall be permitted to be separated in elevation by a one-half or full
story height.
20.2.5.2 No exit or exit access shall contain a corridor, hallway, or
aisle having a pocket or dead end exceeding 50 ft (15 m) for Use
Conditions II, III, or IV and 20 ft (6.1 m) for Use Condition V.
20.2.5.3 No common path of travel shall exceed 100 ft (30 m).
20.2.5.4 A sally port shall be permitted in a means of egress where
there are provisions for continuous and unobstructed travel through
the sally port during an emergency egress condition.
20.2.6 Travel Distance to Exits. Travel distance shall comply with
20.2.6.1 through 20.2.6.3.
20.2.6.1 The travel distance between any room door required as an
exit access and an exit shall not exceed 150 ft (30 m).
20.2.6.2 The travel distance between any point in a room and an exit
shall not exceed 200 ft (45 m).
20.2.6.3 The travel distance between any point in a sleeping room to
the door in that room shall not exceed 50 ft (15 m).
Exception: The maximum permitted travel distance shall be increased to 100 ft
(30 m) in open dormitories where the enclosing walls of the dormitory space are
of smoketight construction. Where travel distance to the exit access door from
any point within the dormitory exceeds 50 ft (15 m), a minimum of two exit
access doors remotely located from each other shall be provided.
20.2.7 Discharge from Exits.
20.2.7.1 Exits shall be permitted to discharge into a fenced or walled
courtyard, provided that not more than two walls of the courtyard are
443
the building walls from which egress is being made. Enclosed yards or
courts shall be of sufficient size to accommodate all occupants at a
minimum distance of 50 ft (15 m) from the building with a net area of
15 sq ft (1.4 sq m) per person.
20.2.7.2 All exits shall be permitted to discharge through the level of
exit discharge. The requirements of 12.7.2 shall be waived provided
that not more than 50 percent of the exits discharge into a single fire
compartment separated from other compartments by construction
having a minimum 1-hr fire resistance rating.
20.2.8 Illumination of Means of Egress. Illumination shall be
provided in accordance with Section 12.8.
20.2.9 Emergency Lighting. Emergency lighting shall be provided in
accordance with Section 12.9.
20.2.10 Marking of Means of Egress. Exit marking shall be provided
in areas accessible to the public in accordance with Section 12.10.
Exception: Exit signs shall not be required in residential housing areas.
20.2.11 Special Features.
20.2.11.1 Doors within means of egress shall be as required in
Chapter 12.
Exception: As provided in 20.2.11.2 through 20.2.11.10.
20.2.11.2 Doors shall be permitted to be locked in accordance with
the applicable use condition.
20.2.11.3* Doors to resident sleeping rooms shall be a minimum of 28
in. (71 cm) in clear width.
20.2.11.4 Doors in a means of egress shall be permitted to be of the
horizontal sliding type, provided the force to slide the door to its fully
open position does not exceed 50 lbf (222 N) where a force of 50 lbf
(222 N) is simultaneously applied perpendicular to the door.
20.2.11.5 Doors from areas of refuge to the exterior shall be
permitted to be locked with key locks in lieu of locking methods
described in 20.2.11.6. The keys to unlock such doors shall be
maintained and available at the facility at all times, and the locks shall
be operable from the outside.
20.2.11.6* Any remote control release used in a means of egress shall
be provided with a reliable means of operation, remotely located from
the resident living areas, to release locks on all doors. The remote
location shall have sight and sound supervision of the resident living
areas.
Exception: Provisions for remote control locking and unlocking of occupied
rooms in Use Condition IV shall not be required provided not more than 10
locks are necessary to be unlocked in order to move all occupants from one
smoke compartment to an area of refuge as promptly as required to relocate
occupants when remote control unlocking is used. Unlocking of all necessary
locks shall be accomplished with not more than two separate keys. (See 20.3.7.7
for requirements for smoke barrier doors.)
20.2.11.7 All remote control release operated doors shall be provided
with a redundant means of operation as follows:
(a) Power-operated sliding doors or power-operated locks shall
be constructed so that in the event of power failure, a manual
mechanical means to release and open the doors is provided at each
door, and either emergency power arranged in accordance with
12.9.2.2 is provided for the power operation or a remote control
manual mechanical release is provided.
(b) Mechanically operated sliding doors or mechanically
operated locks shall be provided with a manual mechanical means at
each door to release and open the door.
20.2.11.8 The provision of 12.2.1.5.2 for stairway re-entry shall not
apply.
20.2.11.9 Doors unlocked by means of remote control under
emergency conditions shall not automatically relock when closed
unless specific action is taken at the remote control location to enable
doors to relock.
20.2.11.10 Emergency power shall be provided for all electrically
power-operated sliding doors and power-operated locks. Power shall
be arranged to automatically operate within 10 sec upon failure of
normal power and to maintain the necessary power source for a
minimum of 1-1/2 hr.
Exception: This provision shall not be applicable for facilities with 10 or fewer
locks complying with the Exception to 20.2.11.6.
20.3 Protection.
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20.3.1 Protection of Vertical Openings. 20.3.4.1.1 Detention and correctional occupancies shall be provided
20.3.1.1 Any vertical opening shall be enclosed or protected in with a fire alarm system in accordance with Chapter 11, except as
accordance with Chapter 9. modified by 20.3.4.1.2 through 20.3.4.4.
Exception No. 1: Unprotected vertical openings in accordance with 9.4.2 shall 20.3.4.1.2 All fire alarm systems and detection systems required in this
be permitted. section shall be provided with a secondary power supply, and the
Exception No. 2:* In residential housing area smoke compartments protected installation shall be in accordance with NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm
throughout by an approved, automatic sprinkler system, unprotected vertical Code.
openings shall be permitted in accordance with the conditions of Section 9.2, 20.3.4.2 Initiation. Initiation of the required fire alarm system shall be
provided that the height between the lowest and highest finished floor levels does by manual means in accordance with 11.2.2, by means of any required
not exceed 23 ft (7 m). The number of levels shall not be restricted. Residential detection devices or detection systems, and by means of waterflow
housing areas subdivided in accordance with 20.3.8.1 shall be permitted to be alarm in the sprinkler system required by 20.3.5.2.
considered as part of the communicating space. The separation shall not be Exception No. 1: Manual fire alarm boxes shall be permitted to be locked,
required to have a fire resistance rating. [See 9.2 Exception No. 2 to (4).] provided that staff is present within the subject area when occupied and has
20.3.2 Protection from Hazards. keys readily available to unlock the boxes.
20.3.2.1* Hazardous Areas. Any hazardous area shall be protected in Exception No. 2: Manual fire alarm boxes shall be permitted to be located in a
accordance with Chapters 6 and 33. The areas described in the Table staff location, provided that the staff location is attended when the building is
20.3.2.1 shall be protected as indicated. occupied and that the staff attendant has direct supervision of the sleeping
area.
Table 20.3.2.1 Hazardous Area Protection 20.3.4.3 Notification.
Hazardous Area Separation/Protection 20.3.4.3.1 Occupant Notification. Occupant notification shall be
Description accomplished automatically in accordance with 11.237. A positive
Areas not incidental to alarm sequence shall be permitted in accordance with 11.2.3.4.
resident 2-hr Exception:* Any smoke detectors required by this chapter shall be permitted to
housing be arranged to alarm at a constantly attended location only and shall not be
Boiler and fuel-fired heater 2-hr or 1-hr and sprinklers required to accomplish general alarm indication.
rooms 20.3.4.3.2 Emergency Forces Notification. Fire department
notification shall be accomplished in accordance with 11.2.4. A
Commercial cooking In accordance with
positive alarm sequence shall be permitted in accordance with
equipment Section 11.8
11.2.3.4.
Commissaries 1-hr or sprinklers
Exception No. 1: Any smoke detectors required by this chapter shall not be
Employee locker rooms 1-hr or sprinklers required to transmit an alarm to the fire department.
Hobby/handicraft shops 1-hr or sprinklers Exception No. 2: This requirement shall not apply where staff is provided at a
Central or bulk laundries 1-hr and sprinklers constantly attended location that has the capability to promptly notify the fire
over 100 sq ft department or has direct communicaton with a control room having direct
(9.3 sq m) access to the fire department.
Maintenance shops 1-hr or sprinklers 20.3.4.4* Detection. An approved, automatic smoke detection system
Padded cells 1-hr and sprinklers shall be installed in accordance with Section 11.2 as modified by
Soiled linen rooms 1-hr and sprinklers 20.3.4.4.1 through 20.3.4.4.3 throughout all resident sleeping areas
Storage rooms > 50 sq ft 1-hr or sprinklers and adjacent day rooms, activity rooms, or contiguous common
(4.6 sq m) in area but spaces.
•100 sq ft (9.3 sq m) in 20.3.4.4.1 Smoke detectors shall not be required in sleeping rooms
area storing combustible with four or fewer occupants.
material 20.3.4.4.2 Other arrangements and positioning of smoke detectors
Storage rooms > 100 sq ft 1-hr and sprinklers shall be permitted to prevent damage or tampering, or for other
(9.3 sq m) storing purposes. Such arrangements shall be capable of detecting any fire,
combustible materials and the placement of detectors shall be such that the speed of
Trash collection rooms 1-hr and sprinklers detection is equivalent to that provided by the spacing and
arrangements required by the installation standards referenced in
20.3.2.2 Hazardous areas determined by the authority having Section 11.2. Detectors shall be permitted to be location in exhaust
jurisdiction as not incidental to residents’ housing shall be separated ducts from cells, behind grilles, or in other locations. The equivalent
by 2-hr fire resistance-rated barriers in conjunction with automatic performance of the design, however, shall be acceptable to the
sprinkler protection. authority having jurisdiction in accordance with the equivalency
20.3.2.3 Where cooking facilities are protected in accordance with concepts specified in Chapter 1.
NFPA 96, kitchens shall not be required to be provided with room- 20.3.4.4.3* Smoke detectors shall not be required in Use Condition II
wide protection. open dormitories where staff is present within the dormitory
20.3.3 Interior Finish. whenever the dormitory is occupied.
20.3.3.1 Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter 10. 20.3.5 Extinguishment Requirements.
20.3.3.2 Interior Wall and Ceiling Finish. Interior wall and ceiling 20.3.5.1 High-rise buildings shall comply with 20.4.3.
finish in accordance with Chapter 10 shall be Class A or Class B in 20.3.5.2 All buildings classified as Use Condition II, III, IV, or V shall
corridors, in exits, and in any space not separated from corridors and be protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic
exits by partitions capable of retarding the passage of smoke; and sprinkler system installed in accordance with 11.3.1.1.1.
Class A, Class B, or Class C in all other areas. The provisions of 10.8.1 20.3.5.3 The automatic sprinkler system required by 20.3.5.2 shall be
shall not apply. as follows:
20.3.3.3 Interior Floor Finish. Interior floor finish complying with (a) In complete accordance with Section 11.3, and
Chapter 10 shall be Class I or Class II in corridors and exits. The (b) Electrically connected to the fire alarm system, and
provisions of 10.8.2 shall not apply. (c) Fully supervised.
20.3.4 Detection, Alarm, and Communication Systems. 20.3.5.4 Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided in accordance
20.3.4.1 General. with Section 11.6.
Exception No. 1:* Access to portable fire extinguishers shall be permitted to be
locked.

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Exception No. 2: Portable fire extinguishers shall be permitted to be located at
staff locations only.
20.3.5.5 Standpipes.
20.3.5.5.1 A Class I standpipe system shall be provided in accordance
with Section 11.4 where any of the following occur:
(1) A minimum of one floor level is more than 30 ft (9 m) above or
below the level of fire department access.
(2) Any point on a floor in a building is more than 200 ft (60 m)
from its nearest point of fire department entry into the building.
20.3.5.5.2 Standpipe system roof outlets shall not be required in other
than high-rise buildings.
20.3.6 Corridors. (See 20.3.8.1.)
20.3.7 Subdivision of Building Spaces.
20.3.7.1 Smoke barriers shall be provided to divide every story used
for sleeping by residents, or any other story having an occupant load
of 50 or more persons, into a minimum of two compartments.
Exception No. 1: Protection shall be permitted to be accomplished with
horizontal exits. (See 20.2.2.5.)
Exception No. 2:* The requirement for subdivision of building space shall be
permitted to be fulfilled by one of the following:
(a) Smoke compartments having exit to a public way where such exit served
only one area and has no openings to other areas
(b) A building separated from the resident housing area by a 2-hour fire
resistance rating or 50 ft (15 m) of open space
(c) A secured, open area having a holding space located 50 ft (15 m) from
the housing area that provides 15 ft2 (1.4 m2) or more of refuge area of each
person (resident, staff, visitors) potentially present at the time of a fire
Doors used to access the areas specified in (a), (b), and (c) of this exception
shall meet the requirements for doors at smoke barriers for the applicable use
condition.
20.3.7.2 Where smoke barriers are required by 20.3.7.1, smoke
barriers shall be provided
(a) To limit the housing to a maximum of 200 residents in any
smoke compartment, and
(b) To limit the travel distance to a door in a smoke barrier
1. From any room door required as exit access to a maximum of
150 ft (30 m), and
2. From any point in a room to a maximum of 200 ft (45 m).
20.3.7.3* Any required smoke barrier shall be constructed in
accordance with 8.4.2. Barriers shall be of substantial construction
and shall have structural fire resistance.
20.3.7.4 Openings in smoke barriers shall be protected in accordance
with 8.4.2.
Exception No. 1:* There shall be no restriction on the total number of vision
panels in any barrier.
Exception No. 2: Sliding doors in smoke barriers that are designed to normally
be kept closed and are remotely operated from a continuously attended location
shall not be required to be self-closing.
20.3.7.5 At least 6 net sq ft (0.56 net sq m) per occupant shall be
provided on each side of the smoke barrier for the total number of
occupants in adjoining compartments. This space shall be readily
available wherever occupants are moved across the smoke barrier in a
fire emergency.
20.3.7.6 Doors shall provide resistance to the passage of smoke.
Swinging doors shall be self-latching, or the opening resistance of the
door shall be a minimum of 5 lbf (22 N).
20.3.7.7 Doors in smoke barriers shall conform with the requirements
for doors in means of egress as specified in 20.2.2 and shall have
locking and release arrangements according to the applicable use
condition. The provisions of the Exception to 20.2.11.6 shall not be
used for smoke barrier doors serving a smoke compartment
containing more than 20 persons.
20.3.7.8 Vision panels shall be provided in smoke barriers at points
where the barrier crosses an exit access corridor.
20.3.7.9 Smoke dampers shall be provided in accordance with 8.4.2.5.
Exception: Other arrangements and positioning of smoke detectors shall be
permitted to prevent damage or tampering, or for other purposes. Such
arrangements shall be capable of detecting any fire, and the placement of
detectors shall be such that the
speed of detection is equivalent to that provided by the spacing and
arrangement required by NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code, as referenced in
8.3.5.3.
20.3.8 Special Protection Features.
20.3.8.1* Subdivision of Resident Housing Spaces. Subdivision of
facility spaces shall comply with Table 20.3.8.1.

Table 20.3.8.1 Subdivision of Resident Housing Spaces

Use Condition
Feature II III IV V
Room to room separation NR NR NR SR
Room face to corridor NR NR NR
separation
Room face to common space NR NR SR
separation •50 ft >50 ft
(15 m)† (>15 m)†
Common space to corridor NR NR NR SR
separation
Total openings in solid room 120 in.2 (0.08 m2) 120 in.2 (0.08 m2) 120 in.2 (0.08 m2) 120 in.2 (0.08 m2),
face where room face is closable from inside, or
required to be smoke resistant
120 in.2 (0.08 m2) with
or fire rated‡ smoke control
NR: No requirement.
SR: Smoke resistant.
Notes:
1. Doors in openings in partitions required to be smoke resistant (SR) in accordance with Table 22.3.8 shall be substantial doors of
construction that resists the passage of smoke. Latches and door closers shall not be required on cell doors.
2. Under Use Condition II, Use Condition III, or Use Condition IV, a space subdivided by open construction (any combination of
grating doors and grating walls or solid walls) shall be permitted to be considered one room if housing not more than 16 persons.
The perimeter walls of such space shall be of smoke-resistant construction. Smoke detection shall be provided in such space. Under
Use Condition IV, common walls between sleeping areas within the space shall be smoke resistant, and grating doors and fronts shall
be permitted to be used. Under Use Condition II and Use Condition III, open dormitories shall be permitted to house more than 16
persons as permitted by other sections of this chapter.
3. Where barriers are required to be smoke resistant (SR), the provisions of 8.4.2 shall not apply.
†Travel distance through the common space to the exit access corridor.
‡“Total openings in solid room face” includes all openings (for example, undercuts, food passes, grilles), the total of which shall not
exceed 120 in.2 (0.08 m2). All openings shall be 36 in. (91 cm) or less above the floor.

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20.4 Special Provisions. Table 20.4.4.7 Hazardous Area Protection —

20.4.1 Windowless Structures. The provisions of Section 30.3 for Nonsprinklered Buildings
windowless structures shall not apply.
Hazardous Area Description Separation/Protection
20.4.2 Underground Buildings. See Section 30.2 for requirements for
Areas not incidental to resident 2 hours
underground buildings.
housing
20.4.3* High-Rise Buildings. High-rise buildings shall comply with
Boiler and fuel-fired heater 2 hours or 1 hour and
Section 32.2.
rooms sprinklers
20.4.4 Nonsprinklered Existing Building Renovations.
Central or bulk laundries >100 2 hours or 1 hour and
20.4.4.1 General. Modernizations or renovations of nonsprinklered
existing buildings shall be permitted to meet the requirements of this ft2 (>9.3 m2) sprinklers
chapter as modified by 20.4.4.2 through 20.4.4.13 in lieu of the Commercial cooking equipment In accordance with Section 11.8
sprinkler requirement of 20.3.5.2. Commissaries 1 hour or sprinklers
20.4.4.2 Minimum Construction Requirements (Nonsprinklered Employee locker rooms 1 hour or sprinklers
Buildings). Detention and correctional occupancies in Hobby/handicraft shops 1 hour or sprinklers
nonsprinklered buildings shall be limited to the types of building Maintenance shops 1 hour or sprinklers
construction permitted by Chapter 54. Padded cells 2 hours or 1 hour and
[Note: As part of ROC preparation, the details of Table 22.4.4.2.1 of sprinklers
NFPA 101-2000 need to be incorporated into Chapter 54 (Existing Soiled linen rooms 2 hours or 1 hour and
Buildings) after being coordinated with the height requirements that sprinklers
are prepared for Chapter 7.] Storage rooms >50 ft (>4.6 m ) 1 hour or sprinklers
2 2
20.4.4.3* Horizontal Exit Duct Penetrations (Nonsprinklered in area but •100 ft2 (9.3 m2) in
Buildings). Ducts shall be permitted to penetrate horizontal exits in area storing combustible
accordance with Exception No. 2 to 12.2.4.3.3 if protected by material
combination fire dampers/smoke leakage-rated dampers that meet
Storage rooms >100 ft2 (>9.3 2 hours or 1 hour and
the smoke damper actuation requirements of 8.4.2.5. sprinklers
20.4.4.4 Common Path of Travel (Nonsprinklered Buildings). A m2) storing combustible
common path of travel shall not exceed 50 ft (15 m). materials
Trash collection rooms 2 hours or 1 hour and
20.4.4.5 Travel Distance to Exits (Nonsprinklered Buildings). sprinklers
20.4.4.5.1 The travel distance between any room door required as an
exit access and an exit shall not exceed 100 ft (30 m).
20.4.4.5.2 The travel distance between any point in a room and an 20.4.4.8 Interior Finish (Nonsprinklered Buildings).
exit shall not exceed 150 ft (45 m). 20.4.4.8.1 Interior Wall and Ceiling Finish. Interior wall and ceiling
20.4.4.6 Protection of Vertical Openings (Nonsprinklered Buildings). finish in accordance with Chapter 10 shall be Class A in corridors, in
20.4.4.6.1 Multilevel residential housing areas without enclosure exits, and in any space not separated from corridors and exits by
protection between levels shall be permitted, provided that the partitions capable of retarding the passage of smoke; and Class A,
conditions of 20.4.4.6.2 through 20.4.4.6.4 are met. Class B, or Class C in all other areas.
20.4.4.6.2* The entire normally occupied area, including all 20.4.4.8.2 Interior Floor Finish. Interior floor finish in accordance
communicating floor levels, shall be sufficiently open and with Chapter 10 shall be Class I in corridors and exits.
unobstructed so that a fire or other dangerous condition in any part is 20.4.4.9 Detection, Alarm, and Communications Systems
obvious to the occupants or supervisory personnel in the area. (Nonsprinklered Buildings).
20.4.4.6.3 Egress capacity shall simultaneously accommodate all 20.4.4.9.1 Initiation. Initiation of the fire alarm system required by
occupants of all communicating levels and areas, with all 20.3.4.1.1 shall be by manual means in accordance with 1126.2 and by
communicating levels in the same fire area considered as a single means of any required detection devices or detection systems.
floor area for purposes of determining required egress capacity.
Exception No. 1: Manual fire alarm boxes shall be permitted to be locked,
20.4.4.6.4*The height between the highest and lowest finished floor provided that staff is present within the area when it is occupied and staff has
levels shall not exceed 13 ft (4 m). The number of levels shall not be keys readily available to unlock the boxes.
restricted.
Exception No. 2: Manual fire alarm boxes shall be permitted to be located in a
20.4.4.7 Hazardous Areas (Nonsprinklered Buildings). Any hazardous staff location, provided that the staff location is attended when the building is
area shall be protected in accordance with Section 6.2. The areas occupied and that the staff attendant has direct supervision of the sleeping
described in the Table 20.4.4.7 shall be protected as indicated. area.
20.4.4.9.2 Detection. An approved automatic smoke detection system
shall be in accordance with Section 11.2, as modified by 20.4.4.9.2.1
and 20.4.4.9.2.2, throughout all resident sleeping areas and adjacent
day rooms, activity rooms, or contiguous common spaces.
20.4.4.9.2.1 Smoke detectors shall not be required in sleeping rooms
with four or fewer occupants in Use Condition II or Use Condition
III.

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20.4.4.9.2.2 Other arrangements and positioning of smoke detectors shall
be permitted to prevent damage or tampering, or for other purposes. Such
arrangements shall be capable of detecting any fire, and the placement of
detectors shall be such that the speed of detection is equivalent to that
provided by the spacing and arrangements required by the installation
standards referenced in Section 11.2. Detectors shall be permitted to be
located in exhaust ducts from cells, behind grilles, or in other locations.
The equivalent performance of the design, however, shall be acceptable to
the authority having jurisdiction in accordance with the equivalency
concepts specified in Chapter 1.
20.4.4.10 Standpipes.
20.4.4.10.1 A Class III standpipe and hose system shall be provided in
accordance with Section 11.4 in all nonsprinklered buildings over two
stories in height.
20.4.4.10.2 Separate Class I and Class II standpipe systems shall be
permitted in lieu of the Class III system required by 20.4.4.10.1.
20.4.4.10.3 One-inch (25 mm) diameter formed hose on reels shall be
permitted to provide the Class II service permitted by 20.4.4.10.2.
20.4.4.11 Subdivision of Building Spaces (Nonsprinklered Buildings).
Where smoke barriers are required by 20.3.7.1, they shall be provided as
follows:
(1) They shall limit the occupant load to not more than 200
residents in any smoke compartment.
(2) They shall limit the travel distance to a door in a smoke barrier
as follows:
a. The distance from any room door required as exit access shall
not exceed 100 ft (30 m).
b. The distance from any point in a room shall not exceed 150 ft
(45 m).
20.4.4.12* Subdivision of Resident Housing Spaces (Nonsprinklered
Buildings). Subdivision of facility spaces shall comply with Table
20.4.4.12. (See Table 20.4.4.1.2 below.)
20.4.4.13 Windowless Structures (Nonsprinklered Buildings).
20.4.4.13.1 Windowless structures used as detention and correctional
occupancies shall comply with 20.4.4.13.2. The provisions of Section
30.3 for windowless structures shall not apply.
20.4.4.13.2 Means shall be provided to evacuate smoke from the
smoke compartment of fire origin. Any of the following means shall
be acceptable:
(1) Operable windows on not less than two sides of the building,
spaced not more than 30 ft (9.1 m) apart, that provide openings with
dimensions of not less than 22 in. (56 cm) in width and 24 in. (61 cm)
in height
(2)* Manual or automatic smoke vents
(3) Engineered smoke control system
(4) Mechanical exhaust system providing not less than 6 air
changes per hour
(5) Other method acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction
20.5 Building Services.
20.5.1 Utilities.
20.5.1.1 Utilities shall comply with the provisions of Chapters 48
through 50.
20.5.1.2 Alarms, emergency communication systems, and the
illumination of generator set locations shall be provided with
emergency power in accordance with NFPA 70, National Electrical Code.
20.5.2 Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning.

Table 20.4.4.12 Subdivision of Resident Housing Spaces — Nonsprinklered Buildings

Use Condition
Feature II III IV V
Room to room separation NR NR SR FR(1/2)
Room face to corridor SR SR SR FR
separation
Room face to common space NR NR SR SR FR
separation 50 ft >50 ft
(15 m)† (>15 m)†
Common space to corridor FR FR FR FR
separation
Total openings in solid room 120 in.2 (0.08 m2) 120 in.2 (0.08 m2) 120 in.2 (0.08 m2) 120 in.2 (0.08 m2),
face where room face is closable from inside, or
required to be smoke
120 in.2 (0.08 m2) with
resistant or fire rated‡ smoke control
NR: No requirement.
SR: Smoke resistant.
FR(1/2): Fire rated — 1/2 hour.
FR: Fire rated — 1 hour.
Notes:
1. Doors in openings in partitions required to be fire rated (FR(1/2), FR) in accordance with Table 20.4.4.12 in other than required
enclosures of exits or hazardous areas shall be substantial doors of construction that resists fire for not less than 20 minutes. Vision panels with
wired glass or glass with not less than 45-minute fire-rated glazing shall be permitted. Latches and door closers shall not be required on cell
doors.
2. Doors in openings in partitions required to be smoke resistant (SR) in accordance with Table 20.4.4.12 shall be substantial doors of
construction that resists the passage of smoke. Latches and door closers shall not be required on cell doors.
3. Under Use Condition II, Use Condition III, or Use Condition IV, a space subdivided by open construction (any combination of grating
doors and grating walls or solid walls) shall be permitted to be considered one room if housing not more than 16 persons. The perimeter walls
of such space shall be of smoke-resistant construction. Smoke detection shall be provided in such space. Under Use Condition IV, common
walls between sleeping areas within the space shall be smoke resistant, and grating doors and fronts shall be permitted to be used. In Use
Condition II and Use Condition III, open dormitories shall be permitted to house more than 16 persons as permitted by other sections of this
chapter.
4. Where barriers are required to be smoke resistant (SR), the provisions of 8.24.2 shall not apply.
†Travel distance through the common space to the exit access corridor.
‡“Total openings in solid room face” includes all openings (for example, undercuts, food passes, grilles), the total of which shall not exceed
120 in.2 (0.08 m2). All openings shall be 36 in. (91 cm) or less above the floor.

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20.5.2.1 Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning equipment shall
comply with the provisions of Chapter 49 and shall be installed in
accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.
Exception: As modified in 20.5.2.2.
20.5.2.2 Portable space heating devices shall be prohibited. Any
heating device other than a central heating plant shall be designed
and installed so that combustible material shall not be ignited by it or
its appurtenances. If fuel-fired, such heating devices shall be chimney
or vent connected, shall take air for combustion directly from outside,
and shall be designed and installed to provide for complete
separation of the combustion system from the atmosphere of the
occupied area. The heating system shall have safety devices to
immediately stop the flow of fuel and shut down the equipment in
case of either excessive temperatures or ignition failure.
Exception: Approved, suspended unit heaters shall be permitted in locations
other than means of egress and sleeping areas, provided such heaters are
located high enough to be out of the reach of persons using the area, and
provided they are vent connected and equipped with the safety devices required
above.
20.5.2.3 Combustion and ventilation air for boiler, incinerator, or
heater rooms shall be taken directly from and discharged directly to
the outside air.
20.5.3 Elevators, Escalators, and Conveyors. Elevators, escalators, and
conveyors shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 51.
20.5.4 Rubbish Chutes, Incinerators, and Laundry Chutes.
20.5.4.1 Rubbish chutes, incinerators, and laundry chutes shall
comply with the provisions of Section 9.6.
20.5.4.2 Any rubbish chute or linen chute, including pneumatic
rubbish and linen systems, shall be provided with automatic
extinguishing protection installed in accordance with Section 9.6.
20.5.4.3 Any trash chute shall discharge into a trash collecting room
used for no other purpose and protected in accordance with Section
9.6.
20.5.4.4 Any incinerator shall not be directly flue-fed, nor shall any
floor chute directly connect with the combustion chamber.
CHAPTER 20 ANNEX
A.20.1.1.2 Exception No. 2 In determining equivalency for
conversions, modernizations, renovations, or unusual design concepts
of detention and correctional facilities, the authority having
jurisdiction is permitted to accept evaluations based on Chapter 4 of
NFPA 101A, Guide on Alternative Approaches to Life Safety, utilizing the
parameters for new construction.
A.20.1.2 Detention and correctional facilities are a complex of
structures, each serving a definite and usually different purpose. In
many institutions, all, or almost all, the occupancy-type classifications
found in this Code are represented. Means of egress and other features
are governed by the type of occupancy classification and the hazard of
occupancy, unless specific exceptions are made.
All buildings and structures are to be classified using Chapter 22 and
Section 6.1 as a guide, subject to the ruling of the authority having
jurisdiction where there is a question as to the proper classification of
any individual building or structure.
Use condition classification of the institution, as well as individual
areas within the complex, is always to be considered by the authority
having jurisdiction.
A.20.1.2.2.2 Hardware of a lesser grade than detention grade might
not be suitable for the heavy use that these locks are expected to
receive.
A.20.1.4.1 Users and occupants of detention and correctional
facilities at various times can be expected to include staff, visitors, and
residents. The extent and nature of facility utilization will vary
according to the type of facility, its function, and its programs.
Figure A.20.1.4.1 illustrates the five use conditions.
Figure A.20.1.4.1 Detention and correctional use conditions.
(as shown in draft at the end of this report)
448
A.20.1.4.2 Prompt operation is intended to be accomplished in the
period of time between detection of fire by either the smoke
detector(s) required by 20.3.4.4 or by other means, whichever comes
first, and the advent of intolerable conditions forcing emergency
evacuation. Fire tests have indicated that the time available is a
function of the volume and height of the space involved and the rate
of fire development. In traditional single-story corridor arrangements,
the time between detection by smoke detectors and the advent of
lethal conditions down to head height can be as short as
approximately 3 minutes. In addition, it should be expected that
approximately 1 minute will be required to evacuate all the occupants
of a threatened smoke compartment once the locks are released. In
such a case, a prompt release time would be 2 minutes.
A.20.1.4.3 Exception If the Use Condition I facility conforms to the
requirements of residential occupancies under this Code, there are no
staffing requirements. If the Use Condition I facility conforms to the
requirements of Use Condition II facilities as permitted by this
exception, staffing is needed to the same degree that it is for any
other Use Condition II facility.
A.20.2.4.2 An exit is not necessary from each individual fire
compartment or smoke compartment if there is access to an exit
through other fire compartments or smoke compartments without
passing through the fire compartment or smoke compartment of fire
origin.
A.20.2.11.3 It might be necessary to provide a certain number of
resident sleeping rooms with doors providing a clear width of not less
than 32 in. (81 cm) (see 12.2.1.2) in order to comply with the
requirements for the physically handicapped. Such sleeping rooms
should be located where there is a direct accessible route to the
exterior or to an area of safe refuge. (See 20.3.7.)
A.20.2.11.6 A remote position is generally a control point where a
number of doors can be unlocked simultaneously, either
mechanically or electrically. In areas where there are a number of
sleeping rooms, it is impractical for attendants to unlock doors
individually. Doors in an exit should be unlocked prior to unlocking
sleeping room doors. Sight and sound supervision of resident living
areas can be by means of camera and communications systems.
This section of the Code does not intend to prohibit Use Condition V
facilities, nor does it intend to limit Use Condition V facilities to 10
manually released locks.
A.20.3.1 Exception No. 2 For purposes of providing control valves
and waterflow devices, multilevel residential housing areas complying
with this exception are considered to be single story.
A.20.3.2.1 Furnishings are usually the first items ignited in a
detention and correctional environment. The type, quantity, and
arrangement of furniture and other combustibles are important
factors in determining how fast the fire will develop. Furnishings,
including upholstered items and wood items such as wardrobes, desks,
and bookshelves, might provide sufficient fuel to result in room
flashover, which is the full fire involvement of all combustibles within
a room once sufficient heat has been built up within the room.
Combustible loading in any room opening onto a residential housing
area should be limited to reduce the potential for room flashover.
Rooms in which fuel loads are not controlled, thereby creating a
potential for flashover, should be considered hazardous areas. Where
fire-rated separation is provided, doors to such rooms, including
sleeping rooms, should be self-closing.
It is strongly recommended that padded cells not be used due to their
fire record. However, recognizing that they will be used in some cases,
provisions for the protection of padded cells are provided. It is
recognized that the 3/4-hour fire door will be violated with the “plant
on” of the padding, but a 3/4-hour fire door should be the base of the
assembly.
A.20.3.4.3.1 Exception The staff at the constantly attended location
should have the capability to promptly initiate the general alarm
function and contact the fire department or have direct
communication with a control room or other location that can initiate
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
the general alarm function and contact the fire department.
A.20.3.4.4 Examples of contiguous common spaces are galleries and
corridors.
A.20.3.4.4.3 An open dormitory is a dormitory that is arranged to
allow staff to observe the entire dormitory area at one time.
A.20.3.5.4 Exception No. 1 Where access to portable fire
extinguishers is locked, staff should be present on a 24-hour basis and
should have keys readily available to unlock access to the
extinguishers. Where supervision of sleeping areas is from a 24-hour
attended staff location, portable fire extinguishers are permitted to be
provided at the staff location in lieu of the sleeping area.
A.20.3.7.1 Exception No. 2 A door to the outside, by itself, does not
meet the intent of the exception if emergency operating procedures
do not provide for the door to be unlocked when needed. In cases
where use of the door is not ensured, a true smoke barrier per the
base requirement of 20.3.7.1 would be needed.
A.20.3.7.3 Structural fire resistance is defined as the ability of the
assembly to stay in place and maintain structural integrity without
consideration of heat transmission. Twelve-gauge steel plate suitably
framed and stiffened meets this requirement.
A.20.3.7.4 Exception No. 1 As an example, a smoke barrier is
permitted to consist of fire-rated glazing panels mounted in a security
grille arrangement.
A.20.3.8.1 The requirements in Table 22.3.8.1 for smoke-resistant
separations include taking the necessary precautions to restrict the
spread of smoke through the air-handling system. However, the intent
is not that smoke dampers are required to be provided for each
opening. Smoke dampers would be one acceptable method; however,
other techniques, such as allowing the fans to continue to run with
100 percent supply and 100 percent exhaust, would be acceptable.
A.20.4.3 Where the fire control center is not within the facility control
center, consideration should be given to coordinating activities
between the two control centers during a fire emergency.
A.20.4.4.3 This provision is intended to promote the use of horizontal
exits in detention and correctional occupancies. Horizontal exits
provide an especially effective egress system for an occupancy in
which the occupants, due to security concerns, are not commonly
released to the outside. This provision offers a Code-specified
equivalent alternative to the Chapter 12 requirement that horizontal
exits are not to be penetrated by ducts in nonsprinklered buildings.
The intended continuity of the fire resistance-rated and smoke-
resisting barrier is maintained by requiring that duct penetrations of
horizontal exits be protected by combination fire damper/smoke
leakage-rated dampers that will close upon activation of a smoke
detector and a heat-actuated mechanism before the barrier’s ability to
resist the passage of smoke and fire is compromised.
A.20.4.4.6.2 It is not the intent of this requirement to restrict room
face separations, which restrict visibility from the common space into
individual sleeping rooms.
A.20.4.4.6.4 The vertical separation between the lowest floor level and
the uppermost floor level is not to exceed 13 ft (4 m). Figure
A.20.4.4.6.4 illustrates how the height is to be determined.
Figure A.20.4.4.6.4 Vertical height measurement.
(as shown in draft at the end of this report)
A.20.4.4.12 The requirements in Table 20.4.4.12 for smoke-resistant
and fire-rated separations include taking the necessary precautions to
restrict the spread of smoke through the air-handling system.
However, the intent is that smoke dampers are required to be
provided for each opening. Smoke dampers would be one acceptable
method; however, other techniques, such as allowing the fans to
continue to run with 100 percent supply and 100 percent exhaust,
would be acceptable.
A.20.4.4.13.2(2) The automatic smoke venting should be in
449
accordance with NFPA 204, Guide for Smoke and Heat Venting, for light
hazard occupancies.
SUBSTANTIATION: The NFPA 5000 draft that was published for
purposes of soliciting public proposals does not fulfill the
requirement that the Report on Proposals contain proposals for all
the material that is to appear in a new document. This proposal
makes clear the SAF-DET committee's choice of what is to be
contained in Chapter 20 on detention and correctional occupancies.
The draft incorporates the actions taken on the numerous proposals
on Chapter 20; includes editorial changes; and reflects changes made
by the committee to NFPA 101 material so as to be appropriate for the
building code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 18
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
KOFFEL: Section 20.4.4 needs to be correlated with or referenced
by Chapter 54, Existing Structures.
___________________
(Log #CP2005)
Committee: SAF-DET
5000- 884 - (20-1.2): Accept
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that public comments on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to SAF-DET and SAF-FUN requesting that the TC's give
consideration to Mr. Koffel's comment on affirmative so as to make
any needed changes in Chapters 6 and 20.
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Detention and Correctional
Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 20.1.2 as follows:
20.1.2 Multiple Mixed Occupancies.
20.1.2.1 Multiple occupancies shall be in accordance with Section
6.2.
20.1.2.2 20.1.2.1 Egress provisions for areas of detention and
correctional facilities that correspond to other occupancies shall meet
the corresponding requirements of this Code for such occupancies.
Where security operations necessitate the locking of required means
of egress, staff shall be provided for the supervised release of
occupants during all times of use.
20.1.2.3 20.1.2.2 Sections of detention and correctional facilities
shall be permitted to be classified as other occupancies provided they
meet all of the following conditions:
(a) They are not intended to serve residents for sleeping purposes,
and
(b) They are separated from areas of detention or correctional
occupancies by construction having a minimum 2-hr fire resistance
rating.
20.1.2.3 Detention and correctional occupancies in buildings
housing other occupancies shall be completely separated from the
other occupancies by construction having a minimum 2-hr fire
resistance rating, as provided for additions in Section 20.1.1.6.
20.1.2.4 All means of egress from detention and correctional
occupancies that traverse other use areas shall, as a minimum,
conform to the requirements of this Code for detention and
correctional occupancies.
Exception: Egress through a horizontal exit into other contiguous
occupancies that do not conform to detention and correctional
occupancy egress provisions, but that do comply with requirements set
forth in the appropriate occupancy chapter of this Code, shall be
permitted provided the occupancy does not contain high hazard
contents. The horizontal exit shall comply with the requirements of
20.2.2.5 Section 18.2.2.5.
20.1.2.5 Any area with a hazard of contents classified higher than
that of the detention or correctional occupancy and located in the
same building shall be protected as required in Section 20.3.2.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
20.1.2.6 Nondetention or noncorrectional related occupancies
classified as containing high hazard contents shall not be permitted in
buildings housing detention or correctional occupancies.
SUBSTANTIATION: The Technical Committee on Fundamentals is
preparing a Section 6.2 on multiple occupancies that establishes two
options: (1) separated occupancies, and (2) mixed occupancies. This
proposal revises 20.1.2 to reference Section 6.2; deletes any material
that is adequately covered by 6.2; and retains unique provisions
applicable to detention and correctional occupancies.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 18
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
KOFFEL: The paragraph now identified as 20.1.2.2 should either be
referenced in or moved to Chapter 6. By definition, if sleeping
accommodations are not provided the occupancy classification is not
Detention and Correctional. Therefore, the user of the Code may not
go to Chapter 20 to find this requirement.
___________________
(Log #CP2003)
Committee: SAF-DET
5000- 885 - (20-1.2.1): Accept
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) notes that
the issue raised in Mr. Koffel's comment on affirmative has been
addressed via a TCC note to Proposal 5000-884 (Log #CP2005).
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Detention and Correctional
Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 20.1.2.1 as follows:
20.1.2.1 Egress provisions for areas of detention and correctional
facilities that correspond to other occupancies shall meet the
corresponding requirements of this Code for such occupancies as
modified by 20.1.2.1.1 and 20.1.2.1.2.
20.1.2.1.1 Where security operations necessitate the locking of
required means of egress, staff shall be provided for the supervised
release of occupants during all times of use.
20.1.2.1.2 Where security operations necessitate the locking of
required means of egress, detention grade hardware shall be provided
on doors within the required means of egress.
SUBSTANTIATION: Detention grade hardware is needed in all
portions of detention and correctional occupancy complexes, not just
the sleeping areas that are subject to the provisions of Chapter 20.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 18
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
KOFFEL: See my Comment on Affirmative on Proposal 5000-884
(Log #CP2005) only in this proposal the paragraph is still shown as
20.1.2.1.
___________________
(Log #913f)
Committee: SAF-DET
5000- 886 - (20-1.6): Accept in Part
SUBMITTER: Sam Francis, American Forest & Paper Assn.
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Section 20.1.6 entirety, and substitute
the new text as follows:
20.1.6 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction shall be
in accordance with Chapter 7.
SUBSTANTIATION: The table derived from the Epcot Building
Code was incomplete and failed to include most of the occupancy
groups now included in this code. The data presented to the
Structures and Construction TC indicate that the area of a building is
not one of the significant factors in determining the safety of the
building. Number, location and size of exits, travel distance and fire
resistance of the structure do not change due to area. Therefore, the
allowable areas in this code should not be less than those permitted
450
under many of the building codes now in existence. The proposed
table simply recognizes those facts and proposes areas which are
currently permitted in the United States.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Part.
Do not delete 20.1.6 in entirety.
Revise 20.1.6 to read:
20.1.6 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction shall be
in accordance with Chapter 7.
Delete 20.1.6.2 and 20.1.6.3.
Retain 20.1.6.1 and 20.1.6.4, but move them to Chapter 7 as directed
by Proposal 5000-359 (Log #CP2004)
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter's proposed reference to
Chapter 7 for construction requirements is consistent with the
directive from the Technical Correlating Committee on the Building
Code. However, the provisions of 20.1.6.1 and 20.1.6.4 need to be
retained. This should meet the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 18
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
___________________
(Log #671)
Committee: SAF-DET
5000- 887 - (20-1.6.4): Reject
SUBMITTER: Joseph T. Holland, III, Hoover Treated Wood
Products
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows:
20.1.6.4 All interior walls and partitions in building of Type I or Type
II construction shall be of noncombustible, or limited-combustible, or
fire-retardant treated wood.
SUBSTANTIATION: Fire-retardant treated wood has been allowed
in Type I and Type II construction regardless of occupancy for at least
20 years and perhaps as long as 35 years. There is no record of its use
in partitions constituting a hazard. The characteristics of the pressure
treated wood are: flame spread of less than 25, no significant
progressive combustion during the fire, and a reduced rate of heat
release.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The effect of the submitter's change
would be to permit exposed plywood walls. The committee continues
to support the need for at least a limtited-combustible material as the
exposed surface of walls and partitions. There is insufficient
justification to relax the current requirement that comes from the
NFPA 101 Life Safety Code.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 18
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
___________________
(Log #93)
Committee: SAF-DET
5000- 888 - (20-1.7): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Charles Nelson, Fowlkes and Assoc.
RECOMMENDATION: 20.1.7 Refers to Table “.3.1.2”. No such table
exists.
SUBSTANTIATION: In order to be “user friendly” the entire code
format should be consistent with the IBC.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Editorially correct 20.1.7 to read: "...occupant load factors of Table
12.3.1.2 that are..."
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The editorial correction should meet
the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 18
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
___________________
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(Log #830)
Committee: SAF-DET
5000- 889 - (20-2.2.5.3): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Howard Hooper, Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows:
20.2.2.5.3 Ducts shall be allowed to penetrate horizontal exits in
accordance with Exception No. 3 to Section 12.2.4.3.3 if protected by
combination fire dampers/smoke leakage-rated dampers that meet
the smoke damper actuation requirements of Chapter 6 Section 8.4.
SUBSTANTIATION: There are no smoke damper actuation
requirements in Chapter 6. These requirements are located in
Section 8.4.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise text as follows:
20.2.2.5.3 Ducts shall be allowed to penetrate horizontal exits in
accordance with Exception No. 2 to 3 to Section 12.2.4.3.3 if
protected by combination fire dampers/smoke leakage-rated dampers
that meet the smoke damper actuation requirements of Chapter 6
8.4.2.5.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The editorial corrections should met
the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 18
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
___________________
(Log #216)
Committee: SAF-DET
5000- 890 - (Table 20-3.2.1): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise Table 20.3.2.1 as follows:
“Commerical cooking equipment - In accordance with 7.2.3 11.8.”
SUBSTANTIATION: Provide appropriate reference for NFPA 96.
See also ancillary proposal to add new Section 11.8 related to
cooking hazards.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise Table 20.3.2.1 as follows:
Commerical cooking equipment - In accordance with 7.2.3 Section
11.8.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action accomplishes
what the submitter requested. Additionally, it editorially inserts the
word "Section."
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 18
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
___________________
(Log #52)
Committee: SAF-DET
5000- 891 - (20-3.3): Accept in Part
SUBMITTER: Marcelo M. Hirschler, GBH International/Rep. Fire
Retardant Chemicals Association
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
20.3.3 Interior Finish.
20.3.3.1 Interior finish shall be in accordance with section 10.2
Chapter 10. Interior wall and ceiling finish tested in accordance with
NFPA 286, Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Evaluating
Contribution of Wall and Ceiling Interior Finish to Room Fire
Growth, and meeting the conditions of 10.3.5.3 shall be deemed to
comply with a Class A classification in accordance with NFPA 255,
Standard Method of Test of Surface Burning Characteristics of
Building Materials.
20.3.3.2 Interior wall and ceiling finish. Interior wall and ceiling
finish materials in accordance with Chapter 10 complying with 10.2.3
shall be Class A or Class B in corridors, in exits, and in any space not
separated from corridors and exits by partitions capable of retarding
451
the passage of smoke; and Class A, Class B, or Class C in all other
areas. The provisions of 10.2.8.1 10.8.1 shall not apply.
SUBSTANTIATION: This proposal addresses two separate issues:
(a) The sentence added to 20.3.3.1 addresses the issue that unless
this is stated specifically, there is no way of permitting interior finish
tested by the room corner test (NFPA 286) to be installed. There is
abundant evidence that materials that comply with a room-corner test
requirements are equivalent in fire performance to materials tested
using the Steiner tunnel test. As an example, Table 1 shows a set of 10
materials tested in the room-corner test and the Steiner tunnel test
(Reference: M.M. Hirschler & M.L. Janssens, Fire and Materials Conf.,
San Antonio, TX, Feb. 22-23, 1999, Interscience Communications,
London, UK, pp. 179-198): only one of the 10 materials failed the
room-corner test; all other materials met Class A flame spread index
(FSI not to exceed 25); even the material which flashed over the room
had a flame spread index low enough to meet Class B in the Steiner
tunnel test (FSI not to exceed 75). Also, only one of the 10 materials
in the set failed to meet the Steiner tunnel test smoke development
index limit of 450, and it also failed the criterion in 10.3.5.3. The two
enclosed Figures show comparisons of Steiner tunnel FSI versus room
corner peak rate of heat release and Steiner tunnel SDI versus room
corner total smoke released, indicating how materials meeting room-
corner test criteria also meet Steiner tunnel criteria.
Figure Steiner Tunnel FSI
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
Figure Steiner Tunnel SDI
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
Table 1 Test Results for Materials Tested in Room-Corner and
Steiner Tunnel Tests
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
It must be clarified that this proposal does not require a material to
undergo room-corner testing, but gives the option of material
approvals via room-corner testing, as intended by the Life Safety
Code. This option appears to be missing in the draft of the NFPA
5000 Building Code.
(b) The change from section 10.2.8.1 to section 10.8.1 corrects an
erroneous reference in the draft (section 10.2.8.1 does not exist).
The other changes attempt to have consistency of references between
the occupancy chapters.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Part.
Revise text to read as follows:
20.3.3 Interior Finish
20.3.3.1 Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter 10.
20.3.3.2 Interior Wall and Ceiling Finish. Interior wall and ceiling
finish materials in accordance with Chapter 10 complying with 10.2.3
shall be Class A or Class B in corridors, in exits, and in any space not
separated from corridors and exits by partitions capable of retarding
the passage of smoke; and Class A, Class B, or Class C in all other
areas. The provisions of 10.2.8.1 10.8.1 shall not apply.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action accomplishes
what the submitter requested, but by referring to all of Chapter 10,
rather than 10.2 or 10.2.3, there is no need for the proposed sentence
spelling out the use of NFPA 286 and NFPA 255. These references
are adequately covered in Chapter 10. This should meet the
submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 18
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
___________________
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

(Log #31) COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.

Committee: SAF-DET
5000- 892 - (20-3.3.3): Reject
SUBMITTER: James K. Lathrop, Koffel Assoc., Inc./Rep. Carpet &
Rug Institute
RECOMMENDATION: Revised 20.3.3.3 to read as follows:
20.3.3.3 Interior Floor Finish. Interior floor finish complying with
Chapter 10 shall be Class I or Class II in corridors and exits. The
provisions of 10.2.8.2 shall not apply. Interior floor finish in exit
enclosures and in exit access corridors and in spaces not separated
from them by partitions capable of retarding the passage of smoke
shall be not less than Class I in accordance with Section 10.7. In all
other spaces interior floor finish shall comply with 10.7.1.
SUBSTANTIATION: This proposal makes several changes. First it
makes NFPA 5000 usable outside the U.S. The material for interior
finish in NFPA 5000 comes from the Life Safety Code. When the
interior floor finish requirements were first added to the Life Safety
Code, the requirements relied upon Federal Regulations to regulate
interior floor finish outside of the corridors and exit enclosures.
However FF-1 (16 CFR 1630) is only mandatory in the U.S. To
provide the same level of life safety and property protection outside
the U.S. a new provision, 10.7.1 is being recommended for Chapter
10. Should this be rejected, the last sentence being recommended
here will be deleted editorially. The other change is that the
provisions will be based on non-sprinklered but the reduction in
Chapter 10 for sprinkler protection will be allowed. This revision
correlates with changes proposed to other occupancy chapters and
makes the interior floor finish provisions parallel throughout the
Code.
This item does not modify the provisions for existing buildings in
20.4.4. This simplifies the use of the Code. Without this change, this
would be the only occupancy (along with health care if the change is
not accepted there) that prohibits the reduction for automatic
sprinkler protection in 10.8.2.
The proposed provisions for exit enclosures are consistent with the
philosophy of the Life Safety Code, that the exit enclosure be “sterile”
from a fire viewpoint.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The current text of 20.3.3.3 says what
the committee intends it to say. Because new detention/correctional
occupancies are required to be sprinklered, the text is accurate. For
renovations of nonsprinklered existing buildings, the interior floor
finish provisions of 20.4.4.8.2 apply.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 18
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
___________________
(Log #CP2002)
Committee: SAF-DET
5000- 893 - (20-3.4.3.2 Exception No. 2): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Detention and Correctional
Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Revise Exception No. 2 to 20.3.4.3.2 by
deleting the second sentence of as follows:
20.3.4.3.2 Emergency Forces Notification. Fire department
notification shall be accomplished in accordance with Section 11.2.8.
A positive alarm sequence shall be permitted in accordance with
Section 11.2.7.2.
Exception No. 1: Any smoke detectors required by this chapter shall
not be required to transmit an alarm to the fire department.
Exception No. 2: This requirement shall not apply where staff is
provided at a constantly attended location that has the capability to
promptly notify the fire department or has direct communicaton with
a control room having direct access to the fire department. The fire
plan, as required by 22.7.1.3, shall include procedures for logging of
alarms and immediate notification of the fire department.
SUBSTANTIATION: The sentence being deleted is an operational
issue that better belongs in the fire code.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 18
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
___________________
(Log #361)
Committee: SAF-DET
5000- 894 - (20-3.5.2): Reject
SUBMITTER: Fred K. Walker, US Air Force
RECOMMENDATION: Insert new section 20.3.5.2 and renumber
current 20.3.5.2 and following sections.
20.3.5.2 All building classified as Use Condition I shall comply with
the requirements of 23.3.5.
SUBSTANTIATION: These facilities classified as Use Condition I
provide the same living/access environment as “hotel and
dormitories” and the extinguishment requirements should be the
same.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The proposed text applicable to
sprinklering is not needed; the submitter's intent is already met by
current text. Per 20.1.4.3, Use Condition I buildings are required to
be protected in one of two ways. If treated as a residential occupancy,
the appropriate chapter (for example, hotels and dormitories) will
require sprinklers. If treated as a Use Condition II facility with
adequate staffing, the mandatory sprinkler requirement of 20.3.5.2
will apply.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 18
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
___________________
(Log #1143)
Committee: SAF-DET
5000- 895 - (20-3.5.2): Reject
SUBMITTER: Kevin Kelly, National Fire Sprinkler Association
RECOMMENDATION: Revise the section by including Use
Condition I.
SUBSTANTIATION: Sprinklers should be required in any building
with sleeping accommodations. Hotel occupancies are required to be
sprinklered and allow free access from the sleeping room to the
outside.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The proposed text applicable to
sprinklering is not needed; the submitter's intent is already met by
current text. Per 20.1.4.3, Use Condition I buildings are required to
be protected in one of two ways. If treated as a residential occupancy,
the appropriate chapter (for example, hotels and dormitories) will
require sprinklers. If treated as a Use Condition II facility with
adequate staffing, the mandatory sprinkler requirement of 20.3.5.2
will apply.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 18
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
___________________
(Log #117)
Committee: SAF-DET
5000- 896 - (20-3.5.2.1): Reject
SUBMITTER: Charles Smeby, Jr., Florida State Fire College
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows:
20.3.5.2.1 Buildings over 10,000 square feet shall be protected by an
approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system installed in
accordance with Chapter 11.

452
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
SUBSTANTIATION: Since the NFPA 5000 draft is substantial
derived for the NFPA Life Safety Code and is focused towards
occupant safety during a fire, I would like to propose fire protection
criteria that would also cover firefighting safety and property
protection. Building codes typically contain many items that are
property protection features.
Each municipality has an interest in reducing and eliminating fire
losses. From both a "Public Policy" perceptive and to maintain
structures that provide taxes and places for employment for their
citizens, fire losses do have a major fiscal impact of local and state
governments.
This would also have the added benefit for reducing insurance
premiums that are the direct result of fire loss. Many of the
requirements int he typical building code were derived to limit fire
losses, and this tradition should be continued in this innovative new
code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter's proposed text would
weaken the current sprinkler requirement. From his substantiation it
does not appear that he intends to do that.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 18
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
___________________
(Log #CP2000)
Committee: SAF-DET
5000- 897 - (20-3.5.5 and 20.4.4.10): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Detention and Correctional
Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Replace 20.3.5.5 with the 20.3.5.5 and the
new 20.4.4.10 that follow; renumber existing 20.4.4.10 through
20.4.4.12 as 20.4.4.11 through 20.4.4.13.
20.3.5.5 Standpipes.
20.3.5.5.1 A Class I standpipe system shall be provided in
accordance with Section 11.4 where any of the following occur:
(1) A minimum of one floor level is more than 30 ft (9 m) above or
below the level of fire department access.
(2) Any point on a floor in a building is more than 200 ft (60 m)
from its nearest point of fire department entry into the building.
20.3.5.5.2 Standpipe system roof outlets shall not be required in
other than high-rise buildings.
20.4.4.10 Standpipes.
20.4.4.10.1 A Class III standpipe and hose system shall be provided
in accordance with Section 11.4 in all nonsprinklered buildings over
two stories in height.
20.4.4.10.2 Separate Class I and Class II standpipe systems shall be
permitted in lieu of the Class III system required by 20.4.4.10.1.
20.4.4.10.3 One-inch (25 mm) diameter formed hose on reels shall
be permitted to provide the Class II service permitted by 20.4.4.10.2.
SUBSTANTIATION: The current standpipe requirements of NFPA
101 for detention and correctional occupancies need revision for
inclusion in NFPA 5000 for property protection and fire fighter safety
purposes. Unlike NFPA 1, which requires standpipes for floors more
than three stories ABOVE grade, it is important to provide standpipe
protection to floors located significantly below grade. It is difficult for
fire fighters to pull hose to floors above or below grade. The 30 ft
criterion in subpart (1) of 20.3.5.5(a) is a reasonable threshold for
requiring standpipes. The 200 ft criterion of subpart (2) takes into
consideration typical fire department pre-connect lines; and it, too, is
a reasonable threshold for requiring standpipes.
In other than high-rise detention and correctional facilities, roof
access is not provided due to security concerns. Thus, the standpipe
system roof outlets should be permitted to be omitted.
The portion of current 20.3.5.5 that has applicability only to
nonsprinklered existing buildings has been moved to the 20.4.4
subsection and reformatted to get rid of exceptions.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
453
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 18
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 17
NEGATIVE: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
KOFFEL: As proposed the standpipe requirement proposed in
20.3.5.5.1(2) is overly restrictive. The BCMC proposed a standpipe
requirement for buildings of larger area that is similar to what is
proposed herein. However, there was a minimum building area
(10,000 sq ft) and the threshold did not apply to sprinklered
buildings. This would require all detention and correction occupancy
buildings to be within 200 ft of fire fire department vehicle access.
___________________
(Log #979)
Committee: SAF-DET
5000- 898 - (20-3.5.6):
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that the action be revised from "Accept in Principle" to "Accept in
Part" given that the concept of exempting sprinklered buildings was
not accepted as raised by Mr. Koffel's comment on affirmative.
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new 20.3.5.6 as follows:
“Approved Fire Department Standpipes in accordance with 11.4
shall be provided in all buildings having an occupiable area more
than 200 ft from the closest point of fire department vehicle access.
Exception: Buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic extinguishing system.”
SUBSTANTIATION: The intent of this proposal is to address the
need for fire service operations in buildings which may require
excessive hose lays for suppression activities in buildings of large areas
or limited vehicle access. It is an attempt to address firefighter safety
issues and efficient suppression efforts with consideration to current
fire service manpower arrangements, and standard firefighting
procedures.
The 200 ft. distance has been proposed in order to coordinate with
recognized practices of standard lengths of pre-connected fire service
hose lines and limitations established by other existing codes. It is
also recognized that fires in buildings protected throughout by an
extinguishing system will be controlled by that extinguishing system,
and that hose lines would not be required for first line fire
containment and control. The additional time to extend hose lines in
buildings so protected would not adversely impact the overall
protection features of that building.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See Committee Proposal 5000-897 (Log #CP2000).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The action on the referenced proposal
should meet the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 18
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
KOFFEL: The Committee did not actually Accept in Principle since
the exception proposed for sprinklered buildings was not accepted.
See my Explanation of Negative on Proposal 5000-897 (Log
#CP2000).
___________________
(Log #1144)
Committee: SAF-DET
5000- 899 - (20-3.5.6 (New) ): Reject
SUBMITTER: Kevin Kelly, National Fire Sprinkler Association
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text to read as follows:
“Fire Sprinkler Systems shall be installed throughout buildings with a
floor level located 55 ft or more above the lowest level of Fire
Department Vehicle Access.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

Exception No. 1: Buildings where all floors located 55 ft or more less, when charged with water, is the threshold at which we can expect
above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access have an a fire crew to adequately handle while attacking and fighting a fire.
occupant load less than 30 shall not require sprinklers due to this This is while wearing heavy protective gear and breathing apparatus.
section. Also submitted are the 1991-1995 NFIRS, NFPA Survey showing
Exception No. 2: Airport control towers shall not require sprinklers methods of extinguishment. Note that there is insufficient detail with
due to this section. regard to hose line use to determine if Class I (fire department use),
Exception No. 3: Open parking structures shall not require Class I (occupant use) or, Class III (either fire department or
sprinklers due to this section.” occupant use) standpipes were used and, in the case of Class III,
SUBSTANTIATION: Fire sprinklers, without the rest of the high-rise whether the standpipe was used by the occupants or the fire
provisions, are necessary in buildings beyond the reach of fire department. It is assumed that the predominant use of the hose lines
department ground ladders. This is similar to a provision in the is by trained firefighters, whether professional, volunteer or fire
International Building Code. brigade. The important thing to notice is that preconnected and
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject. hand-laid hose lines form hydrant, draft or standpipe were the means
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter's proposed text would of extinguishment for 19.6 percent of all fire in residential structures
weaken the current sprinkler requirement. From his substantiation it and 25.7 percent of all fires in non-residential structures. This record
does not appear that he intends to do that. Also, some of the mandates that NFPA 5000 have strong standpipe requirements for all
proposed exceptions do not appear to be applicable to classes of systems.
detention/correctional occupancies. We have retained those few provisions which are currently in NFPA
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 18 5000 and added to them to provide a comprehensive standpipe
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION: package to the new building code. NFPA 5000 Section 4.5.1 indicates
AFFIRMATIVE: 18 that fire protection and life safety should not be depend solely and a
single safeguard. Standpipes from part of a total fire protection
package.
___________________ Standpipes are vital for fire protection. The model codes and
national standard require that all portions of a building be within 200
(Log #202) feet of a standpipe hose connection.
Committee: SAF-DET They are an integral part of a balanced fire protection package
5000- 900 - (20-3.6): Accept in Principle provided for a building. Large expanse buildings would be
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire particularly vulnerable if the fire service did not have standpipes
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc. available to use.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows: Automatic fire sprinklers are one excellent method of fire control,
20.3.6 Standpipes. but they can fail or become overwhelmed by a fire. In that event,
20.3.6.1 General. Standpipe and hose systems shall be installed and these has to be a backup to allow the fire service an immediate fire
maintained in accordance with Section 11.4 of this code. suppression capability.
20.3.6.2 Where required. Class I standpipe systems shall be installed Without standpipes, firefighters would be put in harm’s way. As you
throughout all buildings over two stories in height. can see from the following table, firefighters safety would be greatly
Class III standpipe systems shall be provided in all nonsprinklered jeopardized if they had to maneuver the weight of excessive hose
buildings over two stories in height. lengths -- especially while wearing heavy breathing apparatus and
Exception No. 1: One-inch (2.5 cm) diameter formed hose on reels turnout gear.
shall be permitted to provide Class II service.
Exception No. 2: Separate Class I and Class II systems shall be -Weights 13.5 Pounds 34 Pounds
permitted in lieu of Class III service. - Holds: 7.5 Gallons 12.5 Gallons
20.3.6.3 Large expanse buildings. Class I or III standpipe systems - Water Weight: 60 Pounds 104 Pounds
Total Weight 73.5 Pounds 136 Pounds
shall be provided in buildings two stories or less in height when any
portion of the building is more than 200 feet (61 m) of travel from Two Lengths (100 feet) 147 Pounds 272 Pounds
the nearest point of fire department access into the building. Three Lengths (150 Feet) 220.5 Pounds 408 Pounds
20.3.6.4 Roof outlets. Where standpipe systems are installed in Four*** Lengths (200 feet) 294 Points 544 Pounds
buildings more than six stories or 75 feet (22,860 mm) in height, at Five Lengths (250 Feet) 367.5 Pounds 680 Pounds
least one riser shall extend through the roof and terminate in a two- Six Lengths (300 Feet) 441 Pounds 816 Pounds
way, 2 1/2-inch hose connection. The main control valve on roof Seven Lengths (350 Feet) 514.5 Pounds 952 Pounds
Eight Lengths (400 Feet) 588 Pounds 1,088 Pounds
hose connections or manifolded hose connections shall be located in
an area that is not subject to freezing, is as close to the roof access as
*** Four hose lengths (200 Feet) is the maximum recommended.
practical and is plainly identified.
Delete the existing Section 20.3.5.5. Renumber remaining section
Note: Supporting Material available for Review at NFPA
safter the new setion 20.3.6.
Headquarters.
SUBSTANTIATION: The current draft of NFPA 5000 contains
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
minimal or, in some chapters, no requirements for standpipe systems.
See Committee Proposal 5000-897 (Log #CP2000).
Many of these standpipe thresholds proposed in this submittal were
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The action on the referenced proposal
established by the Board for the Coordination of the Model Codes
should meet the submitter's intent.
(BCMC) in the late 1980’s are found in part of many of the existing
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 18
building and fire codes today. These requirements and thresholds are
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
basic fire protection for the building occupants, property protection
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
and firefighter safety. Standpipe systems should be mandatory in
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
NFPA-5000.
SCHWARTZ: The use of 1-in. diameter formed hose on reels should
Balanced Fire Protection requires that provisions be made for
be specifically permitted, as suggested by the submitter.
manual fire control. This is also an important issue relating to
firefighter safety. Please see the table developed to show the weights
___________________
of 1 3/4-inch and 2 1/2-inch fire hose in 50 foot lengths when filled
with water. When used inside a building, these are intended to be
mobile attack lines. Once can quickly see that 200 feet of fire hose or

454
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(Log #842)
Committee: SAF-DET
5000- 901 - (20-4.4.12.1): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Howard Hooper, Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
20.4.4.12.1 Windowless structures used as detention and
correctional occupancies shall comply with 20.4.4.12.2. The
provisions of Section 11.7 Chapter 30 for windowless structures shall
not apply.
SUBSTANTIATION: This corrects the reference to the proper
location. Section 11.7 was the equivalent NFPA 101 reference.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise text to read as follows:
20.4.4.12.1 Windowless structures used as detention and
correctional occupancies shall comply with 20.4.4.12.2. The
provisions of Section 11.7 30.3 for windowless structures shall not
apply.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The editorial correction should meet
the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 18
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
___________________
(Log #1024)
Committee: SAF-DET
5000- 902 - (20-7): Reject
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to SAF-DET requesting that the subject of this proposal be
revisited now that a draft of Chapter 100 Flood Resistant Design and
Construction is available via Proposal 5000-1421 (Log #623).
SUBMITTER: James A. Rossberg, Christopher P. Jones, American
Society of Civil Engineers/Rep. Federal Emergency Management
Agency, Mitigation Directorate
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows:
20.7 Flood Resistance. Buildings or structures used for detention
and correctional occupancies, that are located wholly or partly within
the flood hazard area established by Section 100.3.2, shall comply with
the provisions of Chapter 100.
SUBSTANTIATION: Makes code provisions compliant with National
Flood Insurance Program regulations for buildings and structures in
flood hazard areas. Note that this proposal is one of a series of
proposals that will insure NFPA 5000 compliance with NFIP
regulations. Although submitted separately, the proposals comprising
the series should be considered together.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The proposal does not present enough
information to determine the impact these requirements would have
on detention/correctional buildings in various locales. Also, the
package has no exception for existing buildings and historical
buildings. Many older prisons are historical structures.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 18
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
___________________
(Log #266a)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 903 - (Chapter 21): Reject
SUBMITTER: Jake Pauls, Jake Pauls Consulting Services
RECOMMENDATION: In all of the Code’s requirements for stairs,
delete all requirements for minimum tread depth and maximum riser
height. Add requirements for reduced egress capacity, for tread
depths less than 11 inches and for riser dimensions exceeding 7
inches, based on adjustment formulas set out in NFPA 101A, 1998
edition.
455
SUBSTANTIATION: It should be clear from the outset, and obvious
given the proponent’s advocacy efforts as well as the undeveloped
nature of this proposal, that this is a “straw man” proposal intended to
be rejected. It responds to the frequent public comments of at least
one Technical Committee member (Mr. Brown) arguing that, in all of
his examinations of the technical basis for riser-tread dimensions, he
finds there is nothing there. For example, in Mr. Brown’s testimony at
the Fall 1999 NFPA Meeting, in relation to revision of stair riser-tread
dimensions, he stated: “But basically, if you look at all the
documentation there is, there is nothing there. There is no study.
There is nothing that shows that there is a real problem with the stair
geometry that is there today. There is no numbers there their just
isn’t .” Mr. Brown’s opinion is shared by some others. Given the
weight being given by some to this opinion, it deserves a response by
NFPA committees and members; this proposal provides an
opportunity for this.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee does not disagree with
the benefit of limiting riser height and tread depth dimensions,
however, the proposal does not provide any data to substantiate the
requirements in the draft code are inadequate or unsafe.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 20
ABSTENTION: 1
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF ABSTENTION:
FRANCIS: I am abstaining on this item because I believe it was
addressed in the last code change cycle when the membership voted
to support Mr. Pauls’ proposal.
___________________
(Log #CP1412)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 904 - (Chapter 21): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Residential Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Insert Chapter 21 of NFPA 5000, Building
Code, to incorporate the actions taken on the public and committee
proposals, with the exception of Proposal 5000-915 (Log #267), as
follows:
Chapter 21
One- And Two-Family Dwellings
21.1 General Requirements.
21.1.1 Application.
21.1.1.1* This chapter establishes life safety requirements for all one-
and two-family dwellings. One- and two-family dwellings include
buildings containing not more than two dwelling units in which each
dwelling unit is occupied by members of a single family with not more
than three outsiders, if any, accommodated in rented rooms.
A.21.1.1.1 The Code specifies that wherever there are three or more
living units in a building, the building is considered an apartment
building and is required to comply with Chapter 24. A townhouse unit
is considered to be an apartment building if there are three or more
units in the building. If the units are separated by a wall of sufficient
fire resistance and structural integrity to be considered as separate
buildings, then the provisions of Chapter 21 apply to each townhouse.
Condominium is a form of ownership, not occupancy; for example,
there are condominium warehouses, condominium apartments, and
condominium offices.
The provisions of 21.1.1.1 state that, in one- and two-family dwellings,
each dwelling unit can be “occupied by members of a single family
with not more than three outsiders...” The Code does not define the
term family. The definition of family is subject to federal, state, and
local regulations and might not be restricted to a person or a couple
(two people) and their children. The following examples aid in
differentiating between a single-family dwelling and a lodging or
rooming house:
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(1) An individual or a couple (two people) who rent a house from a
landlord and then sublease space for up to three individuals should
be considered a family renting to a maximum of three outsiders, and
the house should be regulated as a single-family dwelling in
accordance with Chapter 21.
(2) A house rented from a landlord by an individual or a couple
(two people) in which space is subleased to four or more individuals,
but not more than 16, should be considered and regulated as a
lodging or rooming house in accordance with Chapter 22.
(3) A residential building that is occupied by four or more
individuals, but not more than 16, each renting from a landlord,
without separate cooking facilities, should be considered and
regulated as a lodging or rooming house in accordance with Chapter
22.
21.1.1.2 The requirements of this chapter apply to new buildings and
modified buildings according to the provisions of Chapter 1 of this
Code.
21.1.2 Multiple Occupancies.
21.1.2.1 All multiple occupancies shall be in accordance with Section
6.2.
21.1.2.2 No dwelling unit of a residential occupancy shall have its sole
means of egress pass through any nonresidential occupancy in the
same building.
21.1.2.3 Multiple dwelling units of a residential occupancy shall be
permitted to be located above a nonresidential occupancy only where
one of the following conditions exists:
(1) Where the dwelling unit of the residential occupancy and exits
therefrom are separated from the nonresidential occupancy by
construction having a fire resistance rating of not less than 1 hour.
(2) Where the nonresidential occupancy is protected throughout by
an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance
with Section 11.3.
(3) Where the nonresidential occupancy is protected by an
automatic fire detection system in accordance with Section 11.2.
21.1.3 Definitions. Terms applicable to this chapter are defined in
Chapter 3.
21.1.4 Classification of Occupancy. (See 21.1.1.1.)
21.1.5 Classification of Hazard of Contents. The contents of
residential occupancies shall be classified as ordinary hazard in
accordance with Chapter 6.
21.1.6 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction shall be in
accordance with Chapter 7.
21.1.7 Occupant Load. (No requirements.)
21.2* Means of Escape Requirements.
A.21.2 The phrase “means of escape” indicates a way out of a
residential unit that does not conform to the strict definition of
means of egress but does meet the intent of the definition by
providing an alternative way out of a building.
21.2.1 General. The provisions of Chapter 12 shall not apply to means
of escape unless specifically referenced in this chapter.
21.2.2 Number and Types of Means of Escape.
21.2.2.1 Number of Means of Escape.
21.2.2.1.1 In dwellings or dwelling units of two rooms or more, every
sleeping room and every living area shall have not less than one
primary means of escape.
21.2.2.1.2 In dwellings or dwelling units of two rooms or more, every
sleeping room and every living area shall have not less than one
secondary means of escape. A secondary means of escape shall not be
required where one of the following conditions is met:
(1) The bedroom or living area has a door leading directly to the
outside of the building at or to grade level.
(2) The dwelling unit is protected throughout by an approved
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 21.3.5.
21.2.2.2 Primary Means of Escape. The primary means of escape shall
be a door, stairway, or ramp providing a means of unobstructed travel
to the outside of the dwelling unit at street or ground level.
21.2.2.3* Secondary Means of Escape. The secondary means of escape
shall be one of the following.
(a) It shall be a door, stairway, passage, or hall providing a way of
unobstructed travel to the outside of the dwelling at street or ground
456
level that is independent of and remote from the primary means of
escape.
(b) It shall be a passage through an adjacent nonlockable space,
independent of and remote from the primary means of escape, to any
approved means of escape.
(c) * It shall be an outside window or door operable from the
inside without the use of tools, keys, or special effort and shall provide
a clear opening of not less than 5.7 ft2 (0.53 m2). The width shall be
not less than 20 in. (51 cm), and the height shall be not less than 24
in. (61 cm). The bottom of the opening shall be not more than 44 in.
(112 cm) above the floor. Such means of escape shall be acceptable
where one of the following criteria are met:
(1) The window shall be within 20 ft (6.1 m) of grade.
(2) The window shall be directly accessible to fire department
rescue apparatus as approved by the authority having jurisdiction.
(3) The window or door shall open onto an exterior balcony.
(4) The window shall have a sill height below the adjacent
ground level and shall be provided with a window well meeting the
following criteria:
a. The window well shall have horizontal dimensions that allow
the window to be fully opened.
b. The window well shall have an accessible net clear opening
of not less than 9 ft2 (0.82 m2) with a length and width of not less than
36 in. (91.4 cm).
c. A window well with a vertical depth of more than 44 in. (112
cm) shall be equipped with an approved permanently affixed ladder
or with steps meeting the following criteria:
1. The ladder or steps shall not encroach more than 6 in. (15.2
cm) into the required dimensions of the window well.
2. The ladder or steps shall not be obstructed by the window.
Ladders or steps that comply with the requirements of
21.2.2.3(c)(4)c shall be exempt from the requirements of 12.2.2.
A.21.2.2.3 For use of emergency escape devices, refer to NFPA 101,
Life Safety Code, A.7.1.1.
A.21.2.2.3(c) A window with dimensions of 20 in. X 24 in. (51 cm X 61
cm) has an opening of 3.3 ft2 (0.31 m2), which is less than the
required 5.7 ft2 (0.53 m2). Therefore, either the height or width needs
to exceed the minimum requirement to provide the required clear
area.
21.2.2.4 In buildings other than those protected throughout by an
approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
21.3.5, every story more than 2000 ft2 (185 m2) in area or with a travel
distance to the primary means of escape of more than 75 ft (23 m)
shall be provided with two primary means of escape remotely located
from each other.
21.2.3 Arrangement of Means of Escape. Any required path of travel
in a means of escape from any room to the outside shall not pass
through another room or apartment not under the immediate
control of the occupant of the first room or through a bathroom or
other space subject to locking.
21.2.4 Doors.
21.2.4.1 Doors in the path of travel of a means of escape, other than
bathroom doors in accordance with 21.2.4.2, shall be not less than 28
in. (71 cm) wide.
21.2.4.2 Bathroom doors shall be not less than 24 in. (61 cm) wide.
21.2.4.3 Doors shall be not less than 6 ft 6 in. (2 m) in nominal
height.
21.2.4.4 Every closet door latch shall be such that children can open
the door from inside the closet.
21.2.4.5 Every bathroom door shall be designed to allow opening
from the outside during an emergency when locked.
21.2.4.6 Doors shall be swinging or sliding.
21.2.4.7* No door in any means of escape shall be locked against
egress when the building is occupied. All locking devices that impede
or prohibit egress or that cannot be easily disengaged shall be
prohibited.
A.21.2.4.7 It is the intent of this requirement that security measures,
where installed, do not prevent egress.
21.2.4.8 Floor levels at doors shall comply with 12.2.1.3.
21.2.4.9 Forces to open doors shall comply with 12.2.1.4.5.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

21.2.4.10 Latching devices for doors shall comply with 12.2.1.5.4. 21.3.4.2 Dwelling units shall protected by an approved smoke
21.2.5 Stairs, Landings, Ramps, Balconies, or Porches. detection system in accordance with Section 11.2 and equipped with
21.2.5.1 Stairs, ramps, guards, and handrails shall be in accordance an approved means of occupant notification.
with 12.2.2 for stairs and 12.2.5 for ramps, as modified by 12.2.5.1.1 21.3.5 Extinguishment Requirements.
through 12.2.5.1.4. 21.3.5.1 Where modifications are permitted by this Code based on the
12.2.5.1.1 The provisions of 12.2.2.5, 12.2.5.5, and 12.7.3 shall not installation of an automatic sprinkler system, such modifications shall
apply. be permitted when the automatic sprinkler system complies with
12.2.5.1.2 If serving as a secondary means of escape, stairs complying 11.3.1.1(a), 11.3.1.1(b), or 11.3.1.1(c), unless otherwise indicated in
with the fire escape requirements of Table 12.2.8.4(a) or Table this chapter.
12.2.8.4(b) shall be permitted. 21.3.5.2 Where an automatic sprinkler system is provided, either for
12.2.5.1.3 If serving as a secondary means of escape, ramps complying total or partial building coverage, the system shall be in accordance
with Table 21.2.5.1 shall be permitted. with 11.3.1.1(a), 11.3.1.1(b), or 11.3.1.1(c).
12.2.5.1.4 Riser heights not exceeding 7 3/4 in. (19.7 cm) and tread 21.4 Separation Between Townhouses.
depths of not less than 10 in. (25.4 cm) shall be permitted for stairs. 21.4.1 Each townhouse shall be considered a separate building when
separated from adjoining townhouses by the use of exterior walls
Table 21.2.5.1 Secondary Mena osf Escape Ramp Criteria located on the property line as required for the type of construction,
Feature Class A Class B or by a single wall meeting the requirements of 21.4.2 through 21.4.4.
Minimum width 44 in. (122 cm) 30 in. (76 cm) 21.4.2 Walls to create separate buildings shall provide not less than a
Maximum slope 1 in 10 1 in 8 2-hour fire-resistance rating. Plumbing, piping, ducts, electrical or
Maximum height 12 ft (3.7 m) 12 ft (3.7 m) other building services shall not be installed within or through the
between landings wall.
21.4.3 Walls to create separate buildings shall be continuous from the
foundation to the underside of the roof sheathing. The roof
sheathing shall be of noncombustible material or exterior grade fire
retardant treated wood, or one layer of 5/8 gypsum wallboard
21.2.5.2 The clear width of stairs, landings, ramps, balconies, and
attached to the underside of the roof decking for not less than a 4-
porches shall be not less than 36 in. (91 cm), measured in accordance
foot width on each side of such wall.
with 12.3.2.
21.4.4 Each dwelling unit sharing walls creating separate buildings
21.2.5.3 Spiral stairs and winders in accordance with 12.2.2.2.3 and
shall be designed and constructed to maintain its structural integrity
12.2.2.2.4 shall be permitted within a single dwelling unit.
independent of the unit on the opposite side of the wall, unless the
21.2.5.4 No sleeping rooms or living rooms shall be accessible only by
conditions of 21.4.5 are met.
a ladder, a stair ladder, an alternating tread device, or folding stairs or
21.4.5 Walls creating separate buildings shall be permitted to be
through a trap door.
penetrated by roof and floor structural members provided that the
21.2.5.5 Stairways shall be provided with lighting fixtures illuminating
fire-resistance rating and the structural integrity of the wall are
the treads and landings to a minimum level of 10 footcandles (108
maintained.
lux) measured at the center of treads and on landings.
21.5 Building Services. Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning
21.2.6 Hallways. The width of hallways shall be not less than 36 in. (91
equipment shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 49.
cm). The height of hallways shall be not less than 7 ft (2.1 m)
SUBSTANTIATION: The proposed Chapter 21 incorporates the
nominal, with clearance below projections from the ceiling of not less
actions taken on the public and committee proposals, with the
than 6 ft 8 in. (203 cm) nominal.
exception of Proposal 5000-906 (Log #1157) which did not achieve a
21.2.7 Bulkheads.
two-thirds majority vote at the committee meeting. If the Proposal
21.2.7.1 Bulkhead enclosures. Where provided, bulkhead enclosures
achieves the required two-thirds majority on the letter ballot, the
shall provide direct access to the basement from the exterior.
proposal will be incorporated into the chapter.
21.2.7.2 Bulkhead enclosure stairways. Stairways serving bulkhead
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
enclosures, not part of the required primary means of escape,
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
providing access from the outside grade level to the basement shall be
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
exempt from the provisions of 21.2.5.1 when the maximum height
AFFIRMATIVE: 20
from the basement finished floor level to grade adjacent to the
NEGATIVE: 1
stairway does not exceed 8 ft (2348 mm), and the grade level opening
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
to the stairway is covered by a bulkhead enclosure with hinged doors
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
or other approved means.
KLUVER: See my Explanation of Negative on Proposal 5000-911
21.3 Protection.
(Log #770) and Proposal 5000-913 (Log #769).
21.3.1 Protection of Vertical Openings. (No requirements.)
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
21.3.2 (Reserved.)
BURTON: I am voting to affirm the committee vote on the concept
21.3.3 Interior Finish.
of Log #CP1412 solely for the purpose of correcting the text of the
21.3.3.1 Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter 10.
NFPA 5000 draft document at this time. It is not my intent to signal
21.3.3.2 Interior finish on walls and ceilings of occupied spaces shall
agreement with the complete contents of Log #CP1412 with this
be Class A, Class B, or Class C.
affirmative vote. As provided for in the NFPA procedures, I reserve
21.3.3.3 Interior Floor Finish. (No requirements.)
the right to comment, challenge or vote to reject any or all sections of
21.3.4 Detection, Alarm, and Communications Systems. Smoke alarms
Chapter 21 of the NFPA 5000 document in any committee actions at a
shall be provided in accordance with either 21.3.4.1 or 21.3.4.2.
later date.
21.3.4.1 Smoke alarms shall be installed in accordance with 11.2.2.10
in the following locations:
___________________
(1) All sleeping rooms
(2) Outside of each separate sleeping area, in the immediate vicinity
of the sleeping rooms
(3) On each level of the dwelling unit, including basements

457
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
5000- 905 - (Chapter 21): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Residential Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Revise the following paragraphs to eliminate
exceptions in accordance with the NFPA Manual of Style as follows:
21.1.2.3 No multiple-dwelling
unit of a residential occupancy
shall be located above any
nonresidential occupancy.
Exception No. 1: Where the
dwelling unit of the residential
occupancy and exits therefrom are
separated from the nonresidential
occupancy by construction having
a fire resistance rating of not less
than 1 hour.
Exception No. 2: Where the
nonresidential occupancy is
protected throughout by an
approved, supervised automatic
sprinkler system in accordance
with Section 11.3.
Exception No. 3: Where the
nonresidential occupancy is
protected by an automatic fire
detection system in accordance
with Section 11.2.
21.2.2.1 Number of Means of
Escape. In any dwelling or
dwelling unit of two rooms or
more, every sleeping room
and every living area shall have
not less than one primary
means of escape and one
secondary means of escape.
Exception: A secondary means of
escape shall not be required where
one of the following conditions are
met:
(a) The bedroom or
living area has a
door leading
directly to the
outside of the
building at or to
grade level.
(b) The dwelling
unit is protected
throughout by an
approved automatic
sprinkler system in
accordance with
21.3.5.
21.2.2.4 Every story more than
2000 ft2 (185 m2) in area or
with a travel distance to the
primary means of escape of
more than 75 ft (23 m) shall
(Log #CP1416)
Committee: SAF-RES
21.1.2.3 Multiple dwelling
units of a residential
occupancy shall be permitted
to be located above a
nonresidential occupancy only
where one of the following
conditions exists:
(1) Where the dwelling unit
of the residential occupancy
and exits therefrom are
separated from the
nonresidential occupancy by
construction having a fire
resistance rating of not less
than 1 hour.
(2) Where the nonresidential
occupancy is protected
throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with
Section 11.3.
(3) Where the nonresidential
occupancy is protected by an
automatic fire detection
system in accordance with
Section 11.2.
21.2.2.1 Number of Means of
Escape.
21.2.2.1.1 In dwellings or
dwelling units of two rooms or
more, every sleeping room
and every living area shall have
not less than one primary
means of escape.
21.2.2.1.2 In dwellings or
dwelling units of two rooms or
more, every sleeping room
and every living area shall have
not less than one secondary
means of escape. A secondary
means of escape shall not be
required where one of the
following conditions is met:
(1) The bedroom or
living area has a door
leading directly to the
outside of the building
at or to grade level.
(2) The dwelling unit
is protected throughout
by an approved
automatic sprinkler
system in accordance
with 21.3.5.
21.2.2.4 In buildings other
than those protected
throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with
458
be provided with two primary
means of escape remotely
located from each other.
Exception: Buildings protected
throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with 21.3.5.
21.2.4.1 Doors in the path of
travel of a means of escape
shall be not less than 28 in.
(71 cm) wide.
Exception: Bathroom doors shall
be not less than 24 in. (61 cm)
wide.
21.2.5.1 Stairs, ramps, guards,
and handrails shall be in
accordance with 12.2.2 for
stairs and 12.2.5 for ramps.
Exception No. 1: The provisions of
12.2.2.5, 12.2.5.5, and 12.7.3
shall not apply.
Exception No. 2: If serving as a
secondary means of escape, stairs
complying with the fire escape
requirements of Table 12.2.8.4(a)
or Table 12.2.8.4(b) shall be
permitted.
Exception No. 3: If serving as a
secondary means of escape, ramps
complying with Table 21.2.5.1
shall be permitted.
Exception No. 4: Riser heights not
exceeding 7 3/4 in. (19.7 cm)
and tread depths of not less than
10 in. (25.4 cm) shall be
permitted for stairs.
21.3.4 Detection, Alarm, and
Communications Systems.
Approved, single-station
smoke alarms shall be installed
in accordance with 11.2.2.10
in the following locations:
(1) All sleeping rooms
(2) Outside of each
separate sleeping area, in the
immediate vicinity of the
sleeping rooms
(3) On each level of the
dwelling unit, including
basements
Exception: Dwelling units
protected by an approved smoke
detection system in accordance
with Section 11.2 and equipped
21.3.5, every story more than
2000 ft2 (185 m2) in area or
with a travel distance to the
primary means of escape of
more than 75 ft (23 m) shall
be provided with two primary
means of escape remotely
located from each other.
21.2.4.1 Doors in the path of
travel of a means of escape,
other than bathroom doors in
accordance with 21.2.4.2, shall
be not less than 28 in. (71 cm)
wide.
21.2.4.2 Bathroom doors shall
be not less than 24 in. (61 cm)
wide.
21.2.5.1 Stairs, ramps, guards,
and handrails shall be in
accordance with 12.2.2 for
stairs and 12.2.5 for ramps, as
modified by 12.2.5.1.1
through 12.2.5.1.4.
12.2.5.1.1 The provisions of
12.2.2.5, 12.2.5.5, and 12.7.3
shall not apply.
12.2.5.1.2 If serving as a
secondary means of escape,
stairs complying with the fire
escape requirements of Table
12.2.8.4(a) or Table
12.2.8.4(b) shall be permitted.
12.2.5.1.3 If serving as a
secondary means of escape,
ramps complying with Table
21.2.5.1 shall be permitted.
12.2.5.1.4 Riser heights not
exceeding 7 3/4 in. (19.7 cm)
and tread depths of not less
than 10 in. (25.4 cm) shall be
permitted for stairs.
21.3.4 Detection, Alarm, and
Communications Systems.
Smoke detection shall be
provided in accordance with
either 21.3.4.1 or 21.3.4.2.
21.3.4.1 Approved, single-
station smoke alarms shall be
installed in accordance with
11.2.2.10 in the following
locations:
(1) All sleeping rooms
(2) Outside of each separate
sleeping area, in the
immediate vicinity of the
sleeping rooms
(3) On each level of the
dwelling unit, including
basements
21.3.4.2 Dwelling units shall
protected by an approved
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
with an approved means of smoke detection system in
occupant notification. accordance with Section 11.2
and equipped with an
approved means of occupant
notification.
21.5.1.2 Unvented fuel-fired (Section deleted by committee
heaters shall not be used. proposal.)
Exception: Listed and approved
unvented fuel-fired heaters in one-
and two-family dwellings.
SUBSTANTIATION: The proposal intends only to reformat the
referenced paragraphs and not make substantive changes. Any
substantive changes resulting from other proposals will be
incorporated into this format.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
KLUVER: Because the existing section read better with the
Exception, retain Section 21.2.2.4 as currently written:
Proposed Section 21.3.4.2 should read: “21.3.4.2 Dwelling units shall
be protected by...”.
___________________
(Log #1157)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 906 - (21-1.1.3 (New) ): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Ed Sutton, National Association of Home Builders
RECOMMENDATION: 21.1 General Requirements.
21.1.1 Application.
21.1.1.1 (No change in current text).
21.1.1.2 (No change in current text).
21.1.1.3 One- and two-family dwellings shall be permitted to be
constructed in accordance with the requirements of the International
Residential Code.
SUBSTANTIATION: One- and two-family dwellings have
traditionally been constructed by prescriptive requirements such as
previously contained in the CABO One and Two Family Dwelling
Code and now in ICC's new International Residential Code (IRC).
The proposed draft of NFPA 5000 contains no such prescriptive
provisions that provide simple, clear direction for builders to use in
the construction of these dwellings.
Even if such prescriptive requirements were provided in proposals to
revise NFPA 5000, such requirements would be contained in
numerous chapters where they will be difficult for the builder to find
and utilize. It is NAHB policy to support "a simple, user-friendly and
stand-alone residential building code that includes housing
affordability as a major determinant in its development." With the
revisions approved in the 2000 cycle, the IRC is the only document
currently available that satisfies those requirements. NFPA 5000, as
currently formulated, will not satisfy the needs of the home building
industry since it will not be a stand-alone document.
It is our understanding of NFPA policy that references are limited to
documents developed in accordance with an ANSI-based consensus
process. However, reference is allowed for a document developed
using another process when there is no consensus-based document
available. We believe this to be the case for the IRC, and reference to
the IRC is permitted by NFPA policy.
In addition, the prescriptive requirements of the IRC have been
developed by industry for the IRC using the same consensus-based
material and design standards that will be referenced in the final
version of NFPA 5000. The construction requirements of the IRC will
459
comply with most, if not all, of the standards referenced by NFPA
5000. Therefore, technical consistency will be achieved.
Since there is no alternative currently available in the NFPA family of
codes, NAHB believes that this proposal best serves the needs of home
builders and the public in general. Reference to the IRC for the
construction of one- and two-family dwellings should be permitted
until such time as NFPA develops a stand-alone residential code that
satisfies those needs. Further, we question the need for another such
code and recommend that NFPA work with ICC and NAHB in the
development of a single national residential code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Add a reference to the International Residential Code in Chapter 2
and a new 21.1.1.3 as follows:
21.1.1.3 In lieu of complying with the provisions of this Code, one-
and two-family dwellings shall be permitted to be constructed in
accordance with the International Residential Code.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action clarifies the user
has a choice of complying with either NFPA 5000 or the IRC for one-
and two-family dwellings. The committee action should meet the
submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
NEGATIVE: 2
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
GERDES: NFPA 5000 is a work in progress. It is difficult, at best, to
say the IRC is equivalent to NFPA 5000. Will IRC accept NFPA 5000 as
equivalent? I do agree there is a need for a stand-alone document and
that NFPA should be working with ICC.
LATHROP: NFPA,and more specifically this committee, has no
control over the contents of the IRC. The committee has not reviewed
the IRC for technical content or consistency.
___________________
(Log #CP1401)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 907 - (21-1.2): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Residential Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 21.1.2 and 21.1.2.1 to read as follows:
21.1.2 Multiple Occupancies.
21.1.2.1 All multiple occupancies shall be in accordance with Section
6.2.
SUBSTANTIATION: The proposal coordinates with the action taken
by the Technical Committee on Fundamentals on Section 6.2.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #1026)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 908 - (21-1.2.1): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: James A. Rossberg, Christopher P. Jones, American
Society of Civil Engineers/Rep. Federal Emergency Management
Agency, Mitigation Directorate
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows:
21.1.2 Mixed Occupancies.
21.1.2.1 Where another type of occupancy exists in the same
building as a residential occupancy, the requirements of 6.171.14 of
this Code shall apply.
SUBSTANTIATION: Corrects incorrect section reference in text.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See Committee Proposal 5000-907 (Log #CP1401).
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The action on Proposal 5000-907 (Log
#CP1401) should meet the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #CP1402)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 909 - (21-1.3): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Residential Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 21.1.3 to read as follows:
21.1.3 Definitions. Terms applicable to this chapter are defined in
Chapter 3.
SUBSTANTIATION: The proposal provides language consistent with
the other residential occupancy chapters.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #913g)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 910 - (21-1.6): Accept
SUBMITTER: Sam Francis, American Forest & Paper Assn.
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Section 21.1.6 entirely, and substitute
the new text as follows:
21.1.6 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction shall be
in accordance with Chapter 7.
SUBSTANTIATION: The table derived from the Epcot Building
Code was incomplete and failed to include most of the occupancy
groups now included in this code. The data presented to the
Structures and Construction TC indicate that the area of a building is
not one of the significant factors in determining the safety of the
building. Number, location and size of exits, travel distance and fire
resistance of the structure do not change due to area. Therefore, the
allowable areas in this code should not be less than those permitted
under many of the building codes now in existence. The proposed
table simply recognizes those facts and proposes areas which are
currently permitted in the United States.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #770)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 911 - (21-2.2.1 Exception (b)): Reject
SUBMITTER: James F. McMullen, The McMullen Company,
Inc./Rep. O’Keeeffe’s Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Exception (b) of Section 21.2.2.2.1.
SUBSTANTIATION: NFPA’s public education efforts have
consistently recommended two ways out of each sleeping room and to
not egress through a burning area. Even if that area is sprinklered,
heat, smoke, and toxic gases still exist. Numerous documented live
saves have been recorded by having a secondary means of escape.
Many residential fires in which people die have occurred in the living
area of a house. Without a secondary means of escape, exiting is
required into and through a fire area potentially with toxic gases.
This exception would even allow unopenable security bars on
bedroom windows, a condition which has resulted in multiple life loss
from fires.
460
This exception allows a sleeping room in a dwelling to have only one
means of escape if the structure is protected with an automatic fire
sprinkler system meeting the standards of NFPA 13D. While NFPA
13D life safety systems are effective in preventing flashover, they are
not designed “to completely control a fire involving fuel loads that are
significantly higher than the average for dwelling units...” according
to NFPA 13D. Many dwelling fires involve large overstuffed chairs,
etc. that produce large volumes of toxic smoke.
Therefore, dwellings with an excessive volume of combustible
loading may prove to render the NFPA 13D systems less than
completely effective. Moreover, all fires produce toxic smoke, and
activation of the sprinklers produces large volumes of steam, thereby
further impeding egress visibility.
Lastly, fire sprinklers are not 100 percent effective in fire
extinguishment and have failed completely on occasion. They should
never be used as a substitute for life safe egressing.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: Sprinkler systems in accordance with
NFPA 13D are specifically intended to maintain tenable conditions in
the building, therefore, a secondary means of escape should not be
required (although most bedrooms and living areas will have such
secondary means of escape regardless of sprinkler protection).
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 20
NEGATIVE: 1
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
KLUVER: Automatic sprinkler protection may be appropriate as a
substitute for a second means for exit from sleeping rooms when
access to window openings are in excess of three stories from grade,
or when sleeping rooms are located in hotels where supervised,
scheduled maintenance of the sprinkler system are provided.
However, the code should not encourage such a substitution in one-
and two-family dwellings because it could lead to a wholesale
elimination of emergency egress. A reason for concern is the potential
lack of sprinkler maintenance in single family dwellings over the long
term. As housing stock becomes older, and the systems through lack
of maintenance become less effective, it will unnecessarily place our
older, less advantaged population at risk.
___________________
(Log #905)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 912 - (21-2.2.1 Exception (c) (New) ): Reject
SUBMITTER: Michael Fischer, Patio Enclosures, Inc./Rep. National
Sunroom Association
RECOMMENDATION: Add Exception c as follows:
(c) The bedroom or living area has a door leading to an open or
screened porch, sunroom, or patio cover.
SUBSTANTIATION: This exception allows sunroom additions that
are open or screened to allow for emergency escape and rescue, if
required by the floor plan of the existing structure.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The noted structures should already
comply with the requirements for secondary means of escape,
therefore, the proposed exception is not necessary. There are no
definitions of screened porch, sunroom, or patio cover. Also, the
noted structures would also need to have means of escape, which is
not addressed by the proposal.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(Log #769)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 913 - (21-2.2.4 Exception): Reject
SUBMITTER: James F. McMullen, The McMullen Company,
Inc./Rep. O’Keeeffe’s Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Exception from Section 21.2.2.4.
SUBSTANTIATION: This exception allows for the unlimited travel
distance to a primary means of escape in one- and two-family
dwellings with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance
with NFPA 13D. While residential sprinklers are effective in
preventing flashover in residences containing the normal amout of
combustible loading for a dwelling, they are not designed to
completely control a fire in a dwelling with excessive combustible
loading. Additionally, this exception allows large residential
occupancies in excess of 2000 SF to only have one exit. The very size
of the structure permits heavier than normal combustible loading for
a dwelling. Activation of fire sprinklers during a fire introduces large
volumes of steam, thereby further impeding visibility in exiting.
Residential occupancies historically produce large volumes of smoke
from fires due to overstuffed furniture, mattresses, etc. Smokey fires
produce toxic gases in great volumes prior to activation from heat of a
fire sprinkler system. While fire sprinklers are effective, they are not
100 percent effective; therefore should not be used as a substitute for
an adequate number of means of escape.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: Inadequate technical justification has
been submitted for change of this magnitude. From practical
standpoint, such large residences will likely have plenty of windows
and means of escape regardless. NFPA 13D sprinkler systems are
designed to maintain tenability, therefore, one primary means of
escape should be sufficient. The exception also serves as an incentive
to install sprinklers in one- and two-family dwellings.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 20
NEGATIVE: 1
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
KLUVER: Although I believe it is appropriate to increase the travel
distance in most occupancies where automatic sprinkler systems are
provided, I question its appropriateness for one- and two-family
dwellings. To allow unlimited travel distance for this particular
occupancy seems absurd. First, nothing has been provided to establish
a need for setting this precedent? Second, one- and two-family
occupancies have a greater potential for lack of sprinkler
maintenance than other occupancies. Third, the same sprinkler
system is also allowed as a substitution for the second means for egress
from sleeping rooms [see Proposal 5000-911 (Log #770).]
___________________
(Log #CP1420)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 914 - (21-2.4): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Residential Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Add the following new paragraphs:
21.2.4.8 Floor levels at doors shall comply with 12.2.1.3.
21.2.4.9 Forces to open doors shall comply with 12.2.1.4.5.
21.2.4.10 Latching devices for doors shall comply with 12.2.1.5.4.
SUBSTANTIATION: Addition of specific references to these sections
of Chapter 12 is necessary to include critical requirements for one-
and two-family dwellings not presently included in 21.2.4. The change
to Chapter 21 also provides requirements pertaining to Chapters 22
and 24 as a result of their references to this portion of Chapter 21.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
461
(Log #267)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 915 - (21-2.5.1 Exception No. 4): Reject
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) notes that
a Task Group is being created with representatives from SAF-MEA
and SAF-RES to study this issue and report back to SAF-RES and the
TCC prior to their ROC meeting. The Task Group should address
the last two sentences of the NFPA Standards Council directive.
SUBMITTER: Jake Pauls, Jake Pauls Consulting Services
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Exception No. 4 without replacement.
SUBSTANTIATION: The double lower standard for stairs in
dwelling units is not justified by philosophical considerations or the
injury toll. Moreover, usability considerations under all conditions of
use, including emergency escape/egress, dictate riser-tread geometry
similar to that commonly found in other buildings where most usage
conditions are much less demanding.
See extensive justification provided with this proposal. Also provided
is a detailed rebuttal to arguments presented when this issue was last
debated in relation to the Life Safety Code.
DETAILED JUSTIFICATION FOR "7-11" STEP GEOMETRY
FOR HOMES
In addition to being widely used as a minimum requirement in
model codes and standards, use of the "7-11" requirement has also
been repeatedly recommended for dwelling unit stairs by the CABO
Board for the Coordination of the Model Codes, BCMC (one quarter
of which was composed of NFPA representatives). That BCMC
recommendation went through the CABO Board of Directors and was
never rescinded before BCMC was replaced by BDMC when the
International Code Council (ICC) was formed. Within ICC the
International Building Code™ Means of Egress Committee, in 2000,
recommended (again) that the "7-11" step geometry requirement be
applied to dwellings as it was to other buildings. Within NFPA, in
1999, the Means of Egress Technical Committee and the NFPA
membership voting at the Fall 1999 Meeting voted strongly in favor of
the "7-11" step geometry requirement for dwellings covered by the
Life Safety Code. In October 2000, the Means of Egress Technical
Committee again voted in favor of "7-11" for dwellings, this time in
relation to NFPA 101B. Committees not agreeing to the use of the "7-
11" step geometry requirement were the NFPA 101 Residential
Technical Committee, the NFPA 101 Technical Correlating
Committee, the NFPA 501 (Manufactured Housing) committees and
industry-dominated ICC International Residential Code™
committees. Twice, in 2000, the NFPA Standards Council has dealt
with appeals on the step geometry issue for dwellings. In both cases,
the Council directed committees responsible for stairway
requirements for dwellings to justify, better than they had, why there
should be a lower standard of requirement for step geometry for
dwellings. Here follows an excerpt from the Standard Council's Long
Decision on Agenda Item SC#00-3(b), dated 13 January 2000, on
Comment 101-397. (The italicized emphasis has been added in this
proposal.)
The Council believes that further review of this issue should be
undertaken to establish, with greater clarity than has been presented
before the Council, whether and why retaining a different stair
geometry for this [One- and Two-Family Dwelling] occupancy is
justified. The Council is, therefore, directing the TC during the next
revision cycle to reconsider, either through a TC or a Public Proposal,
the 7/11 stair geometry for new construction in one and two-family
dwellings. Both sides should fully address the technical and cost-
benefit questions raised by this issue. Should the TC again decide to reject
the 7/11 stair geometry for this occupancy, it should provide clear
substantiation why a different stair geometry for one and two family dwellings
is justified."
The Standards Council made a somewhat similar decision (on
Agenda Item 00-58 (a/b/c/d/e/f/g), dated 20 July 2000, in the
more-complex set of issues raised by the TC-proposed inclusion of
stair geometry plus other stair and railing requirements in NFPA 501,
Standard for Manufactured Housing. After I submitted comments,
and pursued their approval through the TC, TCC, Annual Meeting
and Standards Council appeal levels, the Council returned the
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

package back to the NFPA 501 committee. This had the effect of not order of one hundred times more than we use stairways. See
including, for the 2000 edition of NFPA 501, any requirements on additional discussion of costs below.
stairs and railings.
As this proposal is prepared in March 2001, only the NFPA Means Table 1: Estimated Number of Injuries Treated in U.S. Hospital
of Egress Technical Committee has met and, in my opinion, Emergency Departments and Associated with Stairs or Steps, 1974-
responded fully to the Standards Council directives. This was in 1998
relation to NFPA 101B where the Means of Egress Technical Unadjusted Data Tabulated by Locale and Adjusted Totals
Committee has explicit jurisdiction over step geometry for dwellings. Tabulation by Jake Pauls Using CPSC/NEISS Data for Product Code
This Technical Committee considered the matter of technical 1842
soundness of the "7-11" step geometry requirement as well as the need
to apply it generally. It voted for the mainstreaming of the "7-11" step
geometry. In December 2000, the Residential Technical Committee
considered the same issue for NFPA 5000 but it responded quite
differently and, in my opinion, in defiance of the Standards Council
directive. The Technical Committee rejected the mainstreaming of
the "7-11" for dwellings but did not, in my opinion, provide the "clear
substantiation why a different stair geometry for one and two family
dwellings is justified."
Injury Epidemiology
Stair-related Injuries. As shown in Table 1, injury statistics from
the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) clearly
demonstrate that estimated number of injuries related to stairs has
been increasing over the last 25 years. Note that contrary to some
industry claims (noted in proposal E37-00 before ICC), there has not
been a recent trend downward in the estimated number of stair-
related injuries reported by the CPSC. Such industry claims were
apparently based on unadjusted data which did not take into account
important changes in CPSC's data gathering for the National
Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), especially in 1997
when the number of hospital emergency rooms reporting data was
increased from 91 to 101. This meant that unadjusted data were
incorrect, particularly in suggesting possible time trends. The data
shown in the right column are adjusted in accordance with correction
factors, for 1986 to 1996, obtained from CPSC staff. Notably, NEISS
data do not include injuries in some settings and, furthermore, only
about 40 percent of medically-treated injuries are treated in
emergency departments. Using the available, adjusted NEISS data,
Figure 1 consists of a graph depicting the 95 percent confidence
intervals and central trend line based on a linear growth of injuries
over time (at a rate of about two percent per year), Notably, during
approximately the same time period, as the estimated number of stair-
related injuries doubled, fire-related injuries to civilians (as reported
by NFPA) fell fairly steadily averaging about 3 percent decrease per
year reaching 21,875 (20,775 to 22,975 at the 95 percent confidence
intervals) in 1999. Like the stair-related injuries, there is some under
reporting in the fire injury data. (Note that fire-related deaths in the
home fell from about 6,000 to about 3,000 over the last 25 years.)
As shown by Table 1, the majority (about 63 percent) of stair-
related injuries occur in residential settings; in fact, according to
CPSC/NEISS statistics, about 85 percent of stairway-related injuries—
where the location is known—occur with residential stairs. Clearly,
residential stairs are high-priority candidates for careful attention to,
and regulation, of features such as riser-tread geometry.
Table 1 and Figure 1 clearly suggest that stairway-related injuries
have not been effectively controlled. Indeed, as noted above, the
trend line for stair-related injuries is upward while that for fire-related
injuries to civilians is downward. Similarly, in the USA, motor-vehicle
related fatalities in terms of vehicle miles driven have been dropping
(by about one-half). During the 25-year period shown in Figure 1,
population growth in the U.S. has been only about 1 percent a year.
Thus growth in stair-related injuries is not explained by population
growth nor, in my professional opinion, by increased home stair
usage.
Table 2 is taken from Lawrence, B.A. et al. 1999 ("Estimating the
costs of nonfatal consumer product injuries in the United States."
Proceedings of 7th International Conference on Product Safety Research, Figure 1
September 30 - October 1, 1999, Washington, DC, pp. 48-68.) Estimated Number of CPSC/NEISS Stair-Related Injuries
Notably, as ranked by injury cost, stairways pose a greater injury Treated in U.S. Hospital Emergency Departments
problem than floors even though we use floors somewhere on the Using Data Adjusted for Changes in CPSC/NEISS Sampling*

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* In 1997, CPSC/NEISS changed from a sample of 91 hospitals to

a sample of 101 hospitals.
There is a 95 percent confidence that the actual number of
CPSC/NEISS stair-related injuries treated in hospital emergency
departments lies between the two heavy lines shown on the graph.
The dashed line indicates the central, linear-trend line rising at a rate
of 2 percent per year.
Note that CPSC/NEISS data do not include stair-related injuries
occurring in some settings (such as occupational). Also, only about
40 percent of medically-treated injuries generally are treated in
hospital emergency departments.
Source: Quinlan KP et al. Expanding the National Electronic
Injury Surveillance System to Monitor All Nonfatal Injuries Treated in
US Hospital Emergency Departments, Annals of Emergency Medicine,
November 1999, Table 4, p. 641.
Note: "Fire/burn" only appears three times in the original, full
table of the top ten causes. It is ranked tenth for age group 0-4, with
61,000 injuries; seventh for age group 20-24 iwth 72,000 injuries; and
tenth for age group 45-54 with 46,000 injuries.
Table 3 shows the relative dangers of falls generally for nonfatal
injuries reported to hospital emergency rooms. It is based on a pilot
study of more injuries than have been included previously in
CPSC/NEISS data. CPSC/NEISS is now being expanded to better
reflect all injuires and first data are due out in 2001. Again, fire is a
relatively small cause of nonfatal injuries.
Tables 2 and 3 give us some indication of where we are heading
with our rapidly aging population. Indeed, over the last 25 years stair-
related (nonfatal, emergency room treated) injuries to people over 65
have grown from about 11 percent to about 14 percent of the total
stair-related injuries and from about 16 percent to about 23 percent
for serious stair-related injuries. Most stair-related fatalities occur
among people over 65 years of age.
Obviously, in the USA we are doing some things better than
others. Stairs we do badly. Indeed, over recent decades, dwelling unit
stair have gotten worse in terms of design and construction as well as
carpeting practices which have tended to reduce even further the
already reduced effective tread depth. Table 4 shows the stair
geometry requirements of NFPA 101 over recent decades.

Table 3
Five Leading Causes of Nonfatal Injuries Treated in U.S. Hospital
Eds by Age Group All Injury Study, 1997
Estimated Annual Number of Injuries in Thousands

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Table 4 Committee composed of a large proportion of home builders), home

NFPA 101 Stair Step Geometry Rules: 1963 to 2000 builders have been very successful in preventing local and state
jurisdictions from adopting even this compromise; builders proudly
1963 Edition (last Building Exits Code): boast that they have kept actually enforced codes for dwellings down
Most buildings, including dwellings (Class B): to the low standard permitting a rise of 8 or 8 1/4 inches and
Max.rise: 7 3/4 in. requiring only a 9-inch tread depth with absolutely no compensation
for thick carpeting which reduces the effective tread depth to about 8
Min. tread: 9 in.
inches while slightly increasing the effective rise height. Apparently,
Few buildings (Class A): this is also the current situation with the International Code Council's
Max. rise: 7 in. International Building Code™ (IBC) and International Residential
Code™ (IRC) although, in spring 2000 the IBC Means of Egress
Min. tread: 10 in. Committee voted to recommend that dwelling unit stairs be designed
to the "7-11" standard but ICBO/BOCA/SBCCI voted against this
Few buildings, existing stairs (Class C): later in 2000. Notably, according to industry and regulatory sources,
Max. rise: 8 in. NFPA 101 is rarely used for dwellings; thus with the political
compromises in model code development/adoption/ enforcement
Min. tread: 8 in. being propelled by the home building industry, there is little prospect
of seeing any reduction, or even a leveling off, of stair-related injuries
Recommendation for sum of two risers and a tread not less than 24 in the near future. (See the end of this proposal justification for
in. nor more than 25 in. comments regarding possible litigation—against industry and
regulatory organizations—that might improve this rather bleak
1967 to 1976 Editions:
picture.)
Most buildings, including dwellings (Class B):
Ranking on the Basis of Injury Cost. Table 2 is based on the
Max.rise: 8 in.
CPSC/NEISS injury data system but analyzed more systematically and
Min.tread: 9 in. taking into account cost of injuries. Table 2 shows the leading
products (ranked by percent of injury cost) for various age groups for
Few buildings (Class A): 1995-1996. "Stairs or steps" is an especially prominent product
Max. rise: 7 1/2 in. category within this ranking; it is the top or second category for seven
of twelve age groups. This category also accounts for about ten
Min. tread: 10 in. percent of total consumer product injury costs (for thoseproducts
coded by CPSC/NEISS). Notably, in relation to the slightly higher
Requirement for sum of two risers and a tread not less than 24 in. ranking of floors for the three oldest age groups, we need to recall
nor more than 25 in. that such people severely limit stair use. Even for the population
generally, we typically use floors about ten toa hundred times more
1981 Edition: than we use stairs.
New stairs: all buildings, including dwellings: Injury Costs Related to Stairs. The National Public Services
Max. rise: 7 in.
Research Institute, Landover, MD, (the source of Table 2) has
provided the following estimates of injury costs related to stairs.
Min. tread: 11 in.
Existing stairs: Class A and B as for 1976 edition. These figures are for the year 1995 in the U.S. and are stated in 1997
dollars.
1985 to 1994 Editions:**
New stairs except those in dwellings: Table 5
Max. rise: 7 in. Comprehensive Costs of Stair-related, Nonfatal Injuries for the Year
1995 in the United States
Min. tread: 11 in.
Medical costs $4.7 billion
New stairs in dwellings (Class B): Productivity losses $7.1 billion
Max. rise: 8 in. Quality of Life losses $38.1 billion
(which Ch. 5 only permitted for existing stairs) Total Costs $49.9 billion
Min. tread: 9 in.
These costs are what are termed "Comprehensive Costs." They are
1997 and 2000 Editions:
based on the CPSC Injury Cost Model taking a societal viewpoint and
New stairs except those in dwellings:
using data from the 1990s (including CPSC/NEISS and 17 other large
Max. rise: 7 in.
data sets) considering 11 cost components: inpatient, ambulance,
Min. tread: 11 in. ancillary and post-discharge costs; health insurance claims processing
costs; short-term and long-term work losses plus employer losses;
New stairs in dwellings: quality of life, and pain and suffering cost (subjected to a sensitivity
Max. rise: 7 3/4 in. analysis considering Quality Adjusted Life Years or QALYs); and
product liability costs consisting of insurance administration costs and
Min. tread: 10 in. litigation costs. A conservative 2.5 percent discount rate is used in the
Model. These estimates share, with earlier more-crude estimates, the
** Beginning in 1988, effective tread depth was specified. characteristic of being about an order of magnitude greater (a factor
of ten) than stair construction costs annually in the USA. Such a huge
History and Prospects. During this same time period, many code mismatch of injury costs and construction costs underlines that there
requirements and construction practices for dwelling unit stairs have is a huge unsolved stair safety problem; therefore improved
actually gotten worse. For example, at one time the BOCA and CABO requirements for design and construction—including riser-tread
codes specified a maximum rise of 8 inches but builders succeeded in requirements similar to those required in less-demanding,
raising the limit to 8 1/4 inches. Even after CABO and BOCA, in nonresidential settings—are clearly warranted.
1995 and 1996 respectively, went to the 7 3/4 by 10 requirement Hypocrisy about a Double Standard for Stairs. Now, relative to these
(based on the compromise recommendation of a BOCA Ad Hoc data and much additional information provided below, we have the

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widely-held position among building code authorities that stair-related
injuries—the majority of which occur in residential settings—do not warrant
the same attention to riser-tread requirements for dwellings as for other
buildings. Of course the position is preposterous and without good
foundation! However, building code authorities who participate in
code-change hearings—and who have apparently failed to resist the
pressures from home builders in the adoption and enforcement of
appropriate stair step geometry requirements for dwellings—continue to
take the ridiculous stand that there should be a double standard in step
geometry requirements for dwellings. Many of them have defended
their positions by arguing that there is not enough technical justification
for specific riser-tread geometry minimum requirements. If this position
is correct it applies to all step geometry requirements, i.e., those for all
buildings, not only for dwellings! If the "7-11" step geometry is
important enough and sufficiently justified for public buildings where a
small minority of stair-related injuries occur, then it surely must be
important enough and at least as well justified for dwellings where the
vast majority of stair-related injuries occur and where the use conditions
are far more demanding. Regulatory authorities must come to see the
hypocrisy and ethical bankruptcy of the currently favored position with
the dual standard in the model codes.
History of Debate on Improved Step Geometry Requirements in
Codes and Standards
Despite the frequent claims by homebuilder detractors that I am
the only person advocating the "7-11" requirement for stair design,
history shows otherwise. Improved step geometry, including the
mainstreaming of the "7-11" requirement, has been widely supported
and the lead on this has often been taken by others. For example:
ANSI A117.1 (1961): "Steps should, wherever possible, and in
conformation with existing step formulas, have risers that do not
exceed 7 inches." (At that time, common "existing step formulas"
suggested tread dimensions of 10 to 11 inches as appropriate with this
riser height.) I had nothing to do with the development of this
standard.
BOCA Basic Building Code (1975): For Assembly and Institutional
occupancies the requirement was for a 7.5-inch maximum riser and a
10-inch minimum tread plus 1-inch nosing. For other occupancies
there was a 8-in maximum riser and a 9-in minimum tread plus 1-inch
nosing. I was not a proponent.
BOCA (1977 !!), (1980) and (1984): "7-11" requirement proposed.
I was not the proponent in any of these cases.
NFPA (1978): "7-11" proposed for Life Safety Code, NFPA 101, by
three stair safety researchers. Dr. John Templer, Dr. John Archea,
and I made the recommendation to a committee. This led
subsequently to adoption (by the Means of Egress Committee on
which I was a member) of the "7-11" requirement for all stairs in the
1981 edition of NFPA 101.
ANSI A117.1 (1980): This introduced the requirement for stair
treads measured from riser to riser to be no less than 11 inches." I
had nothing to do with the development of this standard.
BOCA (1985): My proposal for mainstreaming the "7-11" stair
requirement was accepted by the Code Change Committee but BOCA
membership did not apply it to dwellings.
CABO/BCMC (1985): I was actively involved as a member of the
public working on the Means of Egress Report (1985) which
recommended the "7-11" requirement for all but dwelling stairs.
ANSI A117.1 (1986): The step geometry rule was clearly restated to
require risers no higher than 7 inches and treads not less than 11
inches, measured riser to riser. I had nothing to do with the
development of this requirement in the standard.
CABO/BCMC (1990): Motion made for "7-11" to be
mainstreamed for all stairs. I did not initiate that motion; I seconded
it. (Paul Heilstedt can confirm this.)
BOCA (1991): Proposal accepted by Code Change Committee and
BOCA membership to mainstream the "7-11" requirement. That
proposal came from CABO/BCMC (Luther Colliver and David
Wismer); not from me.
National Building Code of Canada (1993): Committee responsible
for dwellings refuses to consider change. Committee responsible for
other buildings adopts "7-11" geometry. I was the proponent.
466
BOCA Ad Hoc Committee on Stairway Safety (1993):
Improvement to dwelling unit stair geometry requirements (to 7 3/4
by 10) recommended by this committee which included a
disproportionate number of builders; there was considerable support
for the "7-11" by others on the committee. I was not a member of this
Committee.
BOCA (1994): BOCA membership adopts intermediate (7 3/4 by
10) requirement for dwelling unit stair geometry requirements.
Proponent was BOCA Ad Hoc Committee on Stairway Safety.
CABO (1994): CABO One and Two Family Dwelling Code
Committee accepts proposal (from representative of BOCA Ad Hoc
Committee on Stairway Safety) and CABO Code incorporated same
improved step geometry requirement as BOCA National Building
Code.
NFPA (1996): Life Safety Code,® NFPA 101, adopts same
requirement for dwelling unit step geometry as used in BOCA and
CABO Codes. I was the proponent of this; the NFPA committee vote
on this was unanimous, including NAHB's representative; and no
public comments were received on the proposal. NAHB's complaint
to Standards Council was rejected.
ICC (1997): International Building Code™ Means of Egress
Committee twice vote unanimously to recommend the "7-11" step
geometry as the minimum for dwellings as well as for other buildings.
I originated the recommendation.
ICC (1998/9): International Building Code™ Means of Egress
Committee and the International Residential Code™ Drafting
Committee (which has disproportionate representation from builder
spokesmen) votes for the intermediate step geometry requirement, 7
3/4 by 10, for dwellings. Code authorities backed this intermediate
rule, despite industry opposition. (I was not the proponent.)
NFPA (1999/2000): NFPA 101 Technical Committees disagree on
mainstreaming of the "7-11" rule to dwellings; the Residential TC
rejected my comment on this (101-397); the Means of Egress TC
resoundingly accepted my comment (101-398); the TCC rejected the
comments. Taken to NFPA members at the Fall 1999 Meeting of
NFPA, members voted for my comment 101-397. The Standards
Council subsequently rejected my Appeal and the Board of Directors
rejected my Petition. However, the Standards Council directed the
Residential TC to carefully reconsider, and fully justify, having a lower
standard of step geometry for dwellings.
NFPA (1999/2000): NFPA 501 Administration TC and the NFPA
501 TCC reject my comments seeking improvement in the step
geometry proposed for manufactured housing; the TC had proposed
the old 8 1/4 by 9 rule based on the 1989 edition of the CABO One
and Two-Family Dwelling Code. After an appeal to the NFPA
Standards Council, I prevailed in having all of the stair and railing
proposals returned to the Committee for additional work.
ICC (2000): International Building Code™ Means of Egress
Committee votes to recommend the "7-11" step geometry as the
minimum for dwellings as well as for other buildings. The
Committee's inability to recommend requirements on step carpeting
was noted as a reason for mainstreaming vote on step geometry.
Officials voting later did not support the committee.
Other History Behind Step Geometry Requirements
c.1 B.C. - Vitruvius:
Riser:tread:stringer ratio should be 3:4:5 (based on Pythagoras),
e.g., 7.5-in rise, 10-in tread geometry.
1570 - Palladio:
4.5-in to 6.8-in risers, 13.6-in to 20.4-in treads recommended.
1686 - Wotton:
6-in max risers, 12-in to 18-in treads recommended.
19th century - Common home stairs:
Often 7-in to 7.5-in risers, 10-inch treads plus 1-in nosing.
1927 - Uniform Building Code, 1st edition:
8-in max. risers, 9-inch min. treads for stairs in dwellings; 7.5-in
max. risers, 10-inch min. treads for most other stairs.
1932 - Architectural Graphic Standards:
7.25-in risers, 10-in treads recommended for "ample stairs" in
dwellings; 7.75-in risers, 9.5-inch treads recommended for "minimum
stairs."
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
1933 - Lehmann & Engelmann:
6.7-in risers, 11.4-in treads preferred; alternatively tread minus
riser equals 4.7 in. (Based on energy expenditure.)
1941 - Architectural Graphic Standards:
6-in to 7.75-in risers, 11-in min (including nosing) treads
recommended. 30 to 35-degree pitch preferred.
1942 - Fireman's Fund Fidelity:
6.75-in risers, 10.5-in treads recommended as adequately safe.
1972 - Teledyne Brown:
7.5-in max risers, 10-in min treads recommended within dwellings;
6-in max risers, 11-in min treads for exterior stairs. This became part
of HUD training handbook, Designing for Home Safety, in 1975.
1974 - John Templer:
7-in max risers, 11-in min treads recommended.
1978 - Carson, et al:
Survey of homes (up to 75 years old) in Milwaukee indicated mean
geometry of 7.7-in risers, 10.3-in treads. 30 percent were carpeted.
1989 - Liberty Mutual Research Center:
6-in to 8-in risers, 10-in to 13-in treads recommended based on
preference/psychophysical studies with 19 different step geometries.
Lower risers, deeper treads favored for descent.
1992 - John Templer:
Book, The Staircase, published; recommends nominal "7-11" with
7.2-in max risers, 11-in min treads.
Clearly, from the foregoing chronologies, there is a long history of
recommendations for lower riser heights and larger tread depths than
(1) currently accepted by homebuilders and their supporters
testifying on this matter or (2) found in the current model building
code requirements for dwellings.
Some Opposing Arguments Presented Recently Against Improved
Stair Step Geometry. Much weight was given, and frequent mention
was made subsequently by NAHB representatives, to a listing of 30
factors identified in 1999 by NFPA 101 Residential Technical
Committee member, Mr. Peter Christie in his ballot statement on my
comment 101-397 (on proposal 101-613) which recommended the "7-
11" step geometry for dwellings covered by NFPA 101 (page 207 of the
F99 ROC published by NFPA). There was not an opportunity during
the 1999 deliberations to challenge fully the listing. Here follows a
short form of such a challenge.
1. "7-11 stair geometry" is noted by Mr. Christie.
2-3. Four traditional riser-tread relation rules are noted (not
always accurately) by Mr. Christie. All of Mr. Christie's rules have
flaws that have led to their disappearance from most model
codes and standards. They all share the characteristic of
disallowing relatively good stair geometries (e.g. 6-inch rise and
12-inch tread) while allowing relatively bad step geometries (e.g.
approximately 8 1/2 inch rise and 8 1/2 inch tread).
4. One or two steps. Yes, this is an important factor in falls and
it is dealt with by NFPA 101 (7.1.7) and NFPA 101B (3-1.2).
5-8. Four items that are all, in essence, dealing with dimensional
uniformity that is important and dealt with by NFPA 101 and
NFPA 101B.
9. The matter of slippery treads is of minor importance but is
dealt with by NFPA 101 and NFPA 101B.
10. Carpeting of treads is important and is dealt with by NFPA
101 and NFPA 101B although the requirements could be
strengthened.
11-14. Functional handrail provision is important and is dealt
with by NFPA 101 and NFPA 101B.
15. Lighting is important but is not adequately dealt with by
NFPA 101 and NFPA 101B; it should be.
16. Undefined start of stair. This is mostly a problem with stairs
with one or two risers, the same issue noted in item 4 although it
also interacts with item 15, lighting.
17. Failure of user to look for stair. This is mostly a problem
with stairs with one or two risers, the same issue noted in item 4
although it also interacts with item 15, lighting.
18. Improper headroom is a relatively rare factor and is dealt
with by NFPA 101 and NFPA 101B.
467
19-30. This largest group of items noted by Mr. Christie really
identify use factors which are an inherent part of the residential
environment in which the stairway is used for many activities, by
a wide range of people, with a wide variety of footwear, under
conditions of medication/alcohol use and with visual
distractions. Here Mr. Christie and those who thoughtlessly
parrot his list make the biggest error. One must design for the
anticipated users and usage rather than blame the users for
shortcomings in the design that makes human error so
damaging. As the ergonomics principle puts it: “To erro is
human. To forgive, design.”
Thus to sum up Mr. Christie’s list, some of his items (i.e. items 2
and 3) are erroneous. About a dozen, which he states somewhat
repetively, are already dealt with in NFPA 101 and 101B as
complementary features of stairways, not features that can be used in
place of appropriate step geometry! In other words, we shouldn't
cherry pick some requirements out of a system of features that
work together to achieve a reasonable level of safety and
usability. The largest group of items (a dozen or so) actually
underlines the need for improved design in homes; such items
do not lessen the need for step geometry of at least the same
quality provided on other stairways. Should we simplistically
blame the victims or prohibit the common behaviors that
increase people's risk of falls? We do use such an approach in
motor vehicle and roadway design, for example. Rather we
design cars and roads to be reasonably forgiving of human error
and inadequacies. We need to the same in buildings including
homes.
Space and Cost Implications of Improved Step Geometry. On this
matter Mr. Christie made even more serious errors, in some cases
built upon errors in his list (discussed above). At the NFPA 101
Residential Technical Committee Report on Comments meeting (May
1999) he handed out a set of calculations which he claimed supported
his contention that the cost impact was much greater than the
approximate $400 cost impact that I had estimated in my comment.
However, he made serious errors including:
(a) Misusing the rule about twice the riser plus the tread depth.
He applied his misstatement of the rule to my geometry of 6.75-inch
riser with an 11-inch tread depth.
(b) Not applying his rule about twice the riser plus the tread depth
to his 7.714-inch riser with a 10-inch tread. By his rule, the riser
should have been lower and thus an additional step would be
required for his stair.
(c) Correcting for his errors, the difference in run length between
his stair and mine is only 25 inches, not the 42.5 inches he calculates.
(d) Correcting for his errors, the difference in area required
between his stair and mine is only 6.25 sq. ft., not 10.625 sq. ft.
(e) Correcting for his doubling of this area, the difference in area
is 6.25 sq. ft., not 21.25 sq. ft. The area for a single, story-to-story stair
should not be doubled; space above and below the stair is not entirely
lost.
(f) Finally, applying the $70 per sq. ft. cost figure, the difference
between his stair based on the 7.75 by 10 rule and my
recommendation based on the 7 by 11 rule is only $437.50, not
$1,487.50 as he claims. My $400.00 estimate was reasonable when the
calculation was performed without Mr. Chritie’s errors.
The actual step geometries of the two stairs is 15 risers or 7.2-inch
height with 10-inch tread depths compared with 16 risers of 6.75-inch
height with 11-inch tread depths. Here it should be noted that,
according to NAHB-published cost estimates, the stairs in a typical
2,150-sq. ft. house constructed in 1998 (at a purchase cost of $226,
680.00) was $558.00 or 0.4 persent of the house cost. Note that the
NAHB reported the builder's profit on this house at $20,837.00 or 9.2
percent of the total cost. ("The Truth about Regulatory Barriers to
Housing Affordability." National Association of Home Builders,
Washington, DC, c.1999, p. 4.)
Table 6 provides more general information relating, as a function
of ceiling heights, various step geometry rules and the actual area
differences required (above or below 50.5 sq. ft.) for a story-to-story
flight of stairs plus top and bottom landings. Notably, home builders'
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
decisions to increase ceiling heights beyond the minimum permitted
(7 ft.) or the former standard (8 ft.) to 9, 10 and even 11 feet, plus the
decision to use truss-based floor structural systems which are deeper
than joists, increases stair area as much as or more than needed to
provide the better step geometry.
Table 6
Relative Area, in square feet, Required with Various Code
Requirements
for Riser-Tread Geometry and Five Ceiling Heights
With a Floor System 11.25 inches Thick
The reference stairway occupies 50.5 square feet
(with a 14-riser straight flight plus top and bottom landings)
Benefits and Costs
Against these additional areas and related increased construction
costs we need to consider benefits which take at least two forms (in
addition to the beneficial aesthetic superiority of stairs with a more-
gradual pitch and a grander appearance); these benefits are improved
safety and improved usability.
Burden of Injury. Regarding safety or injury prevention, the
typical home stairway today is associated, on average, with injury
burden exceeding cost of construction by an order of magnitude (an
injury burden of about $50 billion annually in the USA versus a
stairway construction cost of only a few billion annually for the USA).
Even a ten percent reduction in fall occurrence would provide an
injury prevention benefit exceeding the entire cost of the stairway and
some two or three times more than the added cost required to
provide the "7-11" step geometry. Early estimates of efficacy of
improved step geometry (to the "7-11" standard) are for improvement
on the order of 25 percent (Alessi, D., Brill, M. and associates. Home
safety guidelines for architects and builders. NBS-GCR 78-156,
National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD, 1978.) See more
detailed and up-to-date analysis of benefits and costs at the front of
this justification.
Improved Usability. Regarding usability, for every hospital-treated
injury related to stairs there are, on average for all stairs in the USA,
about 4 million flight uses; thus there are many uses of a stair that are
injury free; each of these uses has an economic value. For example,
over the lifetime of a home stair flight there will be on the order of
one million uses. Assuming the entire stair cost is devoted to these
benign uses, this works out to a benefit costing on the order of one-
tenth cent per use. How many people would object to improved stiars
if they knew, that aside from the injury reduction benefits and the
greatly improved visual appearance, each use was going to cost on the
order of less than one-tenth cent? Also, as home occupants age and,
increasingly want to stay in their home (as AARP surveys continually
highlight as very important for over 80 percent of people over 50
years of age), what is the benefit of more-usable stairs. Note that, for
decades (long before I arrived on the scene as an advocate for more-
usable stairways), 7-inch (or lower) risers and 11-inch (or larger) tread
depths were the national standard for usability and they remain so,
unchallenged, today. Furthermore, some publications from the NAHB
Research Center have even recommended "7-11" stairs for retrofitting
homes where occupants have difficulty using stairways.
Affordability: First Costs. Over the last several years the
homebuilders (and homebuilder representatives) have repeatedly
claimed that first-cost impacts for even the 7 3/4 by 10 geometry
468
(relative to the 8 1/4 by 9 geometry) have been in the range of $1,000
to $3,500. While still grossly overstated, the $3,500 claim is about 18
percent of the maximum $20,000 first-cost claim made by
homebuilders in 1992 in relation to the "7-11" geometry. Underlining
the inflated nature of their estimates, we can note that a story-to-story
stairway (for a 7-ft, 6-in ceiling height), with "7-11" geometry, requires
approximately 12 percent more area than does a stairway with 7 3/4
by 10 geometry which, in turn, requires about 12 percent more area
than does a stairway with 8 1/4 by 9 geometry.
On the matter of several additional square feet of area required
for new step geometry requirements, we need to note that this
additional space for stairs amounts to only about one percent to about
one or two percent of the increase (about 600 sq. ft.) in average home
size in the USA in the last two decades (according to NAHB figures).
(The average home size increase over the last 50 years in the USA is
even more remarkable, totalling about 1,200 sq. ft. according to
NAHB.) Considering only the increase over the last few decades,
what did the home builders do with the additional 600 sq. ft. that
made the 40-percent larger homes safer and more usable?
Furthermore, how did the builders justify knocking about 19 million
households out of the home buying market with this average size
increase? The 600 square foot increase, if priced at $70 per square
foot, is associated with a cost increase of $42,000; NAHB claims that,
for every $100 increase in new home cost, 44,000 households cannot
afford a new home. Affordability is not harmed by improved stairs
anywhere close to the degree that other factors have. And, as shown
in the benefit considerations discussed above, stairs provide very
considerable benefits relative to their construction cost.
Clearly the homebuilders' cost impact estimates (like NFPA
Committee member Mr. Christie's) have been wildly incorrect, even
when we simply consider the proportions of area and cost here; i.e.,
according to the homebuilders, the 12 percent area increase to get
the 7 3/4 by 10 geometry costs up to $3,500 more; the next 12 percent
increase to get to the 7 by 11 geometry costs up to $16,500 more. In
each case we are dealing with an area difference of only about 6 sq ft
per story of stair (as shown in Table 6.) If we are to believe the
homebuilders, the purported first-cost impacts work out to about $600
per square foot to $2,200 per square foot.
Also remarkable are the claimed cost impacts relative to the base
costs of the stairs to the builder. Assuming that the builder buys a
quality manufactured stair (rather than throwing something together
on the site as is often the case), the builder's costs are on the order of
$1,000 for a stairway (including railings) with straight flights to
$10,000 or more for a fancy monumental curved stair. These data
come from trade literature (including Journal of Light Construction,
September 2000, p. 49). A more systematic, but dated analysis of all
of the costs in a new home (with two above-grade floors and a full
basement) was published by the Washington Post, May 1, 1993.
Constructed in 1988 for a complete cost (to the home buyer) of
$196,900, the stairs cost the builder $334 and stair railings $560.
Constructed in 1993, the same home cost (to the buyer) was $239,000
with the stairs costing the builder $414 and the stair railings $768.
(The builder's profits were $11,061 and $12,068 respectively.) In each
case the stair apparently met the old 8 1/4 by 9 step geometry
requirement.
Even by including a cost of $70 per square foot, this only adds (to
the cost difference due to step size) about $400 (per story height of
stairway) to go from the 7 3/4 by 10 geometry to the 7 by 11
geometry. (See prior discussion of Mr. Christie's flawed challenge to
this estimate.) Clearly, the homebuilders' first-cost impact claims are
completely out of line. Regrettably, since the builders' claims are
seldom critically examined by politicians and others, this has led to
many bad decisions not to adopt up-to-date BOCA and CABO code
requirements in various jurisdictions over the last few year (e.g., New
Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Michigan and other jurisdictions).
Industry's and Regulators' Reviews of Research
NAHB Research Center Reviews of Research in 1992 and 1993.
The NAHB Research Center developed some critical but incomplete
and biased reviews of the stair safety literature shortly after BOCA
members voted, in 1991, to adopt CABO/BCMC's recommendation
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
and revise the BOCA National Building Code to require the "7-11" stair
for dwellings. In one of his reviews, Dacquisto of the NAHB Research
Center made the same mistake he accused stair safety researchers of
making—drawing conclusions from data that are not statistically
significant. He drew many dubious, misleading conclusions from his
analysis presented in a memorandum which was also given to
ICC/IRC Drafting Committee members in 1997 by one of the NAHB
members of the Committee.
Errors by Industry Representatives. Other mistakes made in such
reviews and by some code drafting committee members include
accusing me of ignoring certain early studies of actual stair-related
injuries (such as Miller and Esmay, 1961, and Jones, 1963). In fact
such early studies were critically reviewed for their valuable
contribution decades ago as can be attested by anyone aware of the
much more comprehensive study performed during the 1970s at the
U.S. National Bureau of Standards under the leadership of John
Archea whose recommendations from that most-extensive study were
for "7-11" stair geometry for all stairs, especially those for dwellings
(Archea, et al., 1979). So, in resurrecting these two early studies and
presenting them to fellow committee members, NAHB representatives
ignored the far more extensive subsequent research which
incorporated and went far beyond these early studies. Moreover, we
should ask why the home builders—while waving these early studies
around—fail to heed even their well-founded recommendations on
improved step geometry including the matter of dimensional
uniformity, provision of handrails and adequate lighting. No, the
builders pull out of these studies mainly an isolated finding or two; for
example the comment that stair slope is not a factor in the reported
falls. They (and others who jump into the step geometry debate at
code hearings) need to recognize that we are not arguing over slope;
we are debating the actual dimensions. Both relatively good stairs and
relatively bad stairs can be built with exactly the same slope!
Older Homes Have Better Stairs. Moreover, the home builders do
not recognize that the homes surveyed in these early studies had step
dimensions significantly better than the builders are putting into
current homes. For example, the large survey (by Carson, et al. 1978)
of homes in Milwaukee showed that homes built before recent
decades had relatively good step geometry averaging 7.7-inch riser
height and 10.3-inch tread depth. Their survey indicated that, of the
homes checked, those older than 65 years (in 1978) had average tread
depths of 10.8 inches. (See also Jones 1963.)
Industry Should Participate in Research-Oriented Meetings.
Generally, regarding the writings of Dacquisto and his colleagues at
NAHB Research Center and NAHB, if they really believe their
criticisms are well founded they should publish them in the peer-
reviewed safety literature and present them at major conferences
focused on public health and safety research. After all it was the
NAHB Research Center that received one million dollars from HUD
(i.e., U.S. taxpayers' funds) in 1992 to examine the stair geometry
issue and related issues having a cost-benefit ramification; surely they
could use some of this money to participate in—or even sponsor—
conferences where research is critically discussed by a range of
researchers concerned with safety, including epidemiology, rather
than merely defending the selfish interests of home builders.
Apparently, none of the NAHB staff or NAHB Research Center staff
has attended even one of the recent national or international
conferences on injury prevention and control (all but one of which I
have attended, generally as a presenter). There is admittedly less
research than I and other researchers would like on the relationship
between step geometry and misstep/fall/injury rates. However, even
the available studies on misstep rates and on usability aspects in
relation to step geometry are valuable and provide important insights
on injury prevention aspects. This important point is missed in the
reviews of Mr. Dacquisto and his colleagues. Moreover, neither Mr.
Dacquisto nor his colleagues have had the benefit of close
examination—in the course of research or litigation-related
investigations—of actual stair-related injuries which top stair
researchers in the U.S. (e.g. Archea, Templer, Cohen) have done. I
am also involved with stair-related litigation in the U.S. and Canada;
therefore, I often investigate stair-related falls in depth and at least
469
one of my three video productions, the two-hour video The Pathology of
Everyday Things is widely used by top forensic experts also working on
stair-related falls.
Little Industry Support for Research. Notably a representative of
NAHB, repeatedly quoted out of context my comment (noted again
in the preceding paragraph) that there is "less research than I and
other researchers would like on the relationship between step
geometry and misstep/fall/injury rates." As a nonparticipant in
research plus research-oriented meetings, and as one who apparently
has no first-hand injury investigation experience (comparable to
experts such as Archea, Templer, Cohen, Fruin, or myself—all of
whom have publicly recommended the mainstreaming of the "7-11"
rule to dwellings), such NAHB representatives are on relatively poor
grounds to comment on the complete technical basis for improved
stairways. As the constructor of the vast majority of stairways on which
serious injuries occur, the home builders should at least be
supporting vastly increased research into all of the causes and
countermeasures. In my own litigation-related investigations of
stairway-related fall injuries, I typically expend on the order of one
thousand dollars for each site investigation and associated
documentation which is painstaking and detailed on as many as thirty
environmental factors implicated in such falls. A million dollars a
year in the USA devoted to equally careful examination of stairway fall
sites would help improve our formal understanding of why and how
such falls and injuries occur plus what countermeasures can be
employed. To date NAHB has done nothing toward this goal
although its members construct on the order of a billion dollars of
new stairways annually in new homes. The builders are not even
investing the roughly 0.03 percent of the construction cost to help
find out why the huge toll of injurious falls are occurring. That toll
greatly exceeds, by a factor of about 40,000, the one million dollars of
annual fall-site investigation recommended here.
Views of a Concerned Code Professional. Mr. Kelly, the ICBO-
nominated member on the ICC/IRC Drafting Committee expressed a
common concern: essentially, there seems to be no clear correlation
between riser-tread geometry and injury occurrence; injuries occur
for a variety of reasons. If the first statement is really true, then there
should be no rule about riser-tread geometry in any code; however,
not even the homebuilders believe this is the case—they always
propose some requirement for riser-tread geometry. Without
extremely expensive studies (requiring millions of dollars of funding,
none of which the builders of these dangerous products appear
willing to put up) we will never have the kind of findings Mr. Kelly
and others say are essential. If such building code enforcement
personnel genuinely believe that step geometry is not a sufficiently
important factor in stairway safety and usability, they should work
toward the elimination of all riser-tread rules for all buildings—
including all those less-dangerous buildings where the "7-11" is now
the most widely used step geometry standard. And while they are at
this, they should also delete the hundreds of pages of code
requirements for which there is even less epidemiological and
etiological evidence. If size of public health problem and research
evidence were taken into account in code revisions, codes would be
very slim documents but stair geometry requirements would be part of
those thin codes (rather than having requirements that,
quantitatively, are in inverse relation to the size of the problem).
Need to Act Expeditiously and Reasonably. Hopefully, some day
there will be additional research on the step geometry issue; for
example, case-control studies comparing stair fall-related injury
experience in homes built to the newer standards for step geometry
with stair fall-related injury experience in homes built to the
prevailing low standards maintained by reactionary homebuilders and
submissive regulators. However, even though—as with every public
health issue—more research would help, this does not mean we are
excused from acting now on the problems. A leader in the U.S. injury
prevention community put it well:
There is more to understanding injury problems than
epidemiology alone can deliver; the problems are complex, and such
an understanding requires many different kinds of information, both
quantitative and qualitative. The world is not tidy. We cannot wait
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
for precise quantification before we attempt to collect and use the
information available to us . We must be clear [that] our quest for
scientific purity does not divert attention from the epidemic.
[Editorial in American Journal of Public Health, May 1993, by Carol
Runyan, Director of the University of North Carolina Injury
Prevention Research Center.]
The landmark report Cost of Injury in the United States: A Report to
Congress. [Rice, D.P., McKenzie, E.J. and associates, San Francisco,
CA: Institute for Health & Aging, University of California, and Injury
Prevention Center, The Johns Hopkins University, 1989] also
addressed this point in relation to information about benefit-cost
issues:
The number of injuries could be substantially reduced by greater
application of current knowledge. . . . Although complete
information needed to calculate the precise savings that would result
from implementing numerous approaches is missing, the cost of
preventable injuries is so large that implementation would have to be
enormously expensive to contraindicate action.
These authors were likely not thinking about the home stair
problem specifically, but it is certainly a good example with the
estimated injury cost exceeding estimated construction cost by a
factor of about ten (as noted above).
Politically-driven Local and State Adoption Process
Much of the testimony from builders and their representatives at
model code hearings in recent years has dealt with the builders'
success at stopping, at local and state levels, the normal adoption of
model codes in as unamended a fashion as possible. Unlike in courts
of law, these manipulations have not been based on balanced
presentations of "the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the
truth." As one documenting this process at national level as well as in
the Commonwealth of Virginia, it is easy for me to describe the
behavior of the homebuilders' chief representative, the National
Association of Home Builders, as hypocritical, dishonest or
uninformed. Despite claims to the contrary by the NAHB
representative at code-change hearings, there is a policy encouraging
and implementing such antisocial activity or behavior and that policy
apparently comes from the highest levels of the NAHB—its officers
and Board of Directors. For example, there is NAHB Resolution No.
14A, dated May 20, 1996, on which is indicated "Approval" by the
"Board of Directors Action:"
WHEREAS, NAHB was unsuccessful in preventing the
change in the stair geometry requirement in the 1996
edition of the National Building Code (BOCA) and the
1995 edition of the CABO One and Two-Family Dwelling
Code; and
WHEREAS the safety benefits of the new 7 3/4" riser X
10" tread stair geometry are technically unsubstantiated and
will produce an economic hardship upon first-time home
buyers, in particular, and will generally make housing less
affordable;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the
National Association of Home Builders recommends that
all state and local governments who adopt the National
Building Code (BOCA) and the Council of American
Building Officials (CABO) model building codes, postpone
the adoption of any new stair geometry,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National
Association of Home Builders recommends that all state
and local governments who automatically adopt BOCA and
CABO model building codes, amend the 1996 and 1995
editions respectively to continue the use of the 1993 BOCA
and CABO model codes as they relate to stair geometry
provisions,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National
Association of Home Builders urges all state and local
affiliated Home Builders' Associations to contact state and
local code authorities and persuade them to postpone the
adoption of the new CABO and BOCA stair geometry
standard, and
470
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National
Association of Home Builders continue to vigorously
pursue the adoption of a stair geometry standard consistent
with the 1993 BOCA Code.
At about the time this resolution was apparently approved by the
Board, the NAHB began to make available—to its builder and
association members—its "first Building Code Action Kit." Subtitled,
"Amending or Repealing 1995/96 Stair Geometry Code Requirements by Local
Ordinance," this 260-page Kit includes a detailed strategy and set of
tactics including a seven-step program for managing a grassroots
effort; this included, as step seven: "Orchestrate Public Hearing. Get
all the players on the same stage at the same time on the same side"
(italic emphasis added in this quote). Apparently many jurisdictions
have found themselves at the receiving end of this NAHB-driven
"Grassroots Effort." The effort includes a column ("Covert Corner")
in the Virginia Builder (a publication of the Home Builders Association
of Virginia) May 1997 issue. Declaring a victory in its campaign within
the Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development—a
group dominated by builders and developers, the author (Dick
Covert, Executive Vice President, HBAV) noted:
Stair geometry and handrails: The HCD board voted to
keep the current standards for stair geometry and
handrails. So, the model building code of 8 1/4-by-9-inch
step geometries will stay on the books, saving builders
plenty since they don't have to redesign current floor plans.
Also, builders may continue to use readily available,
standard handrails as they have in the past—another plus
for your pocketbook. The board was not swayed that
making the rails smaller would greatly increase the safety of
the elderly and young.
I could not have expressed the selfishness of the builders much
better than does HBAV's Mr. Covert who is overt about "saving builders
plenty" and achieving "another plus for your [builder] pocketbook"
while displaying disdain for "the safety of the elderly and young." Mr.
Covert's opinion echoes the insensitive one of another builder in his
supporting statement for BOCA Code Change Proposal B72-97:
Safety concerns raised by proponents for shorter risers
and deeper treads simply has not been convincing. . . . If
this was the case, there would be a hewn outcry to stop such
potential disasters. . . . Many people who turn up in
hospital emergency rooms may say they fell down a set of
stairs when the truth is, they were pushed by a spouse or
parent.
This latter comment must surely rank as among the most
unfounded, callous and insensitive to date in relation to the very real,
large and growing problem of stair-related injuries. This underlines
even more dramatically the need for a better informed homebuilder
profession. For this comment to be followed immediately in the
supporting statement by the following adds further insult to injury:
Should we redesign homes and stair systems based upon
hazards in around homes, absolutely not. Stair safety is
important, more effort should be given to accident
prevention through education in both the classroom and
the home.
So, according to the proponent, the builders do not need the
education (to build stairs better). If we are to believe the proponent,
the fault lies solely with the users! If the proponent were better
informed about the science and technology (including ergonomics)
of injury prevention he would be quite aware that there is good
agreement among leading public-health authorities that, of three
injury prevention approaches—persuading behavior change,
requiring behavior change, and providing automatic protection, the
most effective is automatic protection through product and
environmental design. For example, this was the view of the
Committee on Trauma Research which prepared Injury in America: a
continuing public health problem, 1985. This prestigious committee also
noted the potential value of achieving this with laws and regulations.
Moreover, what and how do homebuilders think we should be
teaching stair users? Might it entail posting warnings at every dwelling
unit stair? Proposals for such warnings were not accepted during the
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
hearings on the final version of the first edition of the International
Residential Code™ nor with the 2000 edition of NFPA 101.
Building and Marketing Improved Stairs. Currently, as described
briefly in my paper for the Pacific Rim Conference of Building
Officials, home builders—with one known exception in the U.S.—do
not build and market stairs built to even the intermediate standard
adopted in the CABO/ICC One and Two Family Code, the BOCA National
Building Code, the Life Safety Code® or the new ICC codes. A still-
unpublished survey, performed for me in late 1997, entailed
(someone posing as a prospective buyer) speaking with, and getting
sales information from, sales agents for home builders selling new
townhouses and smaller detached homes (examples of "affordable
housing") in the greater Washington, DC, region (including nearby
counties of Northern Virginia and Maryland) and the greater
Richmond, VA, area. This region was chosen because of the non-
mandatory use, in these areas, of a new requirement in the BOCA
National Building Code, 1996 edition, and the CABO One and Two Family
Dwelling Code, 1995 edition; these contain an intermediate stair
geometry requirement—7 3/4 inches maximum rise and 10 inches
minimum tread depth (run) which the NAHB and local homebuilder
organizations were fighting. Asked if they knew whether the homes
they were selling met the new stair requirements, only four of 54 (7
percent) responded "yes." Asked somewhat more pointedly: do the
stairs meet new stair rules with 7 3/4 inch maximum riser height; 10-
inch minimum tread of the BOCA-1996 Code or CABO-1995 Code,
eight (16 percent) responded "yes;" three (6 percent) responded
"no;" 39 (78 percent) did not know! Many sales representatives
merely said that their new homes complied with codes without having
any specific idea of what that meant. One major builder providing
detailed sales literature as part of the survey response was known,
from local newspaper coverage, for building townhouses to the new
code requirement—including in a 16-foot (4.88 m) wide townhouse
which sold well and even had its stairway located on one side between
floors one and two and on the other side between floors two and
three. Surprisingly, this builder's sales literature listed between 39
and 85 standard "included features"—including items as small as a
mailbox; however, there was absolutely no mention of the significantly
improved stairways!
Apparently (with only a few exceptions) home builders refuse to
build, or even test the market for, improved stairs. So much for the
builders' pleas that the marketplace, rather than codes, should
govern. We do not have informed consumers in a position to chose
knowledgeably what they should spend money on if the builders hide
the fact when the improved stairs—which the builders protest are an
unaffordable feature in such homes—are installed. Perhaps this is a
deliberate strategy on the part of a mean-spirited, powerful industry
group intent on having its way by exercising, effectively, a veto on the
adoption and enforcement of requirements for improved stairs in
dwellings.
An Exceptional Builder that Markets Improved Stairs. One known
exception to the dismal pattern described above is a builder, in Ohio,
of new homes (totalling over 1,000 sales annually) with steps having
riser heights of no more than 7 3/4 inches and tread depths at least
10 inches. Sales literature for Dominion Homes™ refers to these
stairs as:
CABO Safer Stairs. By adding one inch to the depth of each step
and subtracting one half inch from the height of each step, as
recommended by the Council of American Building Officials
(CABO), we've made our stairs more user-friendly.
This builder turns what more short-sighted builders have seen as a
liability into a selling point with the following statements in its sales
literature (building on the fact that the new step geometry rule often
utilizes 14 risers rather than the 13 risers needed under earlier
editions of the CABO Code):
Take these 14 steps to a safer home. . . . Your family's
safety is one of our primary concerns. . . . Don't buy a
new home unless CABO safer stairs come with it (the same
way you shouldn't buy a car without airbags)
471
In a letter from Borror Corporation (builder of Dominion
Homes™) to CABO, January 23, 1996, the Architectural Department
Manager noted:
In implementing the new CABO standard, we found
that the effort was not nearly so burdensome as we had
initially feared. We were required to slightly enlarge the
foundations of 5 of the 31 models we build, and only slight
adjustments were necessary to the majority of our homes.
In retrospect, we believe the effort we have made to meet
the new standard has been manageable, and to the extent
that we were able to provide enhanced safety to our
customers, we are extremely happy to do so.
Here is one response from a builder to the Specious Endangerment
Argument (as I term it) propounded by other homebuilders who
claim that improved stairs will be unworkable and mean the end of
affordable housing as we know it. (My characterization owes its origin
to NAHB's related tirade against the Endangered Species Act.)
Builders should make their arguments on the benefit-cost of
improved stairs on the basis of homes they actually build and market
rather than on the basis of imagined or feared difficulties. They
could learn a lot from car builders who, after years of fighting against
improved safety and usability of automobiles, finally discovered
consumers wanted these features and were willing to pay for them and
that these features and amenities could even be built into smaller, more fuel-
efficient cars. A similar challenge faces the modular and manufactured
home industries which must, and can, fit more into smaller structures.
If a choice is made to build multi-level homes, then ways must be
devised to deal with stairs in a reasonable fashion given their huge
impact on safety and usability.
A footnote on the above-noted builder: in mid-2000 I learned from
a code professional in Ohio that the builder has apparently stopped
the marketing campaign. If true, was it because of pressure applied
by other builders? Builders who do not toe the line are potentially
vulnerable to pressure from fellow builders who can damage ones
prospects for development, access to skilled workers, etc. This matter
is being investigated further.
Potential for Litigation Against Builders and Regulators. The year
2000 marked a significant shift in my approach to the problem of the
home building industry's backwardness, condoned or supported by
the building regulatory community, regarding stair safety and
usability. I gave an invited presentation to the Association of Trial
Lawyers of America on August 1, 2000 at ATLA's annual convention
in Chicago. The topic was "Representation of the Elderly in Premises
Liability Cases with a Focus on Falls." The paper accompanying the
presentation is both in the conference proceedings and on Westlaw;
the presentation is sold both in audio tape form and as a one-hour
video. These are geared to the legal community. In addition to
detailed epidemiological and etiological information, as well as advice
on selecting and pursuing cases effectively, I concluded with the
following thoughts on the double standard plus the duty of home
builders, their trade associations, the regulators and their trade
associations. (Selected paragraphs from the original paper are
excerpted here; the complete paper should be consulted for all of the
concluding comments and other information.)
“The Problem of the Double Standard. The U.S.
building industry is not unique, only more egregious (in my
opinion), in applying a traditional lower standard of design
and construction to dwellings relative to what is required,
by building codes, for other buildings. Tragically, this
traditional practice is incompatible with our increasing life
span (which increased by about 60 percent during the 20th
century). Thus, the very premises where user needs are the
greatest, the codes are the most compromised and
deficient! While national standards for building usability
and safety require many of the features described in this
paper, the model building code organizations in the USA
have behaved in a most backward, reprehensible fashion in
my opinion (as a 33-year veteran of international research
and consulting related to codes and standards). At the
heart of their behavior is the maintenance of the traditional
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
double standard for home design and construction despite
the huge and growing needs of the consumers, especially
elderly ones. They have done this in the context of overly
cozy relationships with home builders, especially the
National Association of Homes Builders (NAHB).
Astonishingly, even after home builders associations
("spreading money around" and using political clout
generally) have successfully convinced state and local
jurisdictions to reduce below the already seriously compromised
model code requirements the rules adopted for local
enforcement, the model code organizations have continued
to appoint disproportionate numbers of NAHB
representatives to model code development committees
while rejecting memberships by individuals expert in, and
supportive of, public health—the raison d'etre for codes.
What all of this means for premises litigation is that
there will be no significant reduction in premises-related
injuries, especially from falls in homes, because the model
codes of the late 20th century and the 21st century are not
responsive to the needs of consumers, especially elderly
ones who have greater needs for reasonable circulation
facilities. Even worse, the codes actually adopted and
enforced at state and local level are significantly
compromised even further by the cozy relationship among
regulators and builders. But the picture gets even more
bleak; consumers are not even being given options for
safer, more-functional dwellings nor have they been
informed of design options when they purchase a new
home. Even expensive homes have low-standard stairways;
there is not a correlation between the price of a new home
and the functionality and safety of its stairways. Home
builders' protests that stair improvements will make homes
unaffordable ring hollow; they have increased average
home size in the USA by a factor one hundred times
greater than the additional area required to build stairs to
even the compromised—but rarely enforced—standard in the
newest model codes for dwellings. The average area
increase in new homes was over 600 square feet in two
recent decades and about 1,200 square over the last 50
years (according to data from NAHB). Again, as noted at
the beginning of this paper, stairs are an unusually
dangerous consumer product with annual comprehensive
injury costs exceeding costs of construction by an order of
magnitude.
At a minimum, consumers have a right to be informed
about the safety of the products they buy and use.
Moreover they have a right to be informed about measures
they can take to mitigate residual dangers. Peters and
Peters state this right most effectively in their new book
(Peters GA and Peters BJ. Warnings, Instructions, and
Technical Communications. Lawyers & Judges Publishing Co.,
Inc., Tucson, Arizona, 1999; p. 4).
It (the warning) should appropriately identify
specific hazards, the magnitude of the associated
risks, and describe the means by which a person
can avoid the danger. In essence, its objective is
informed consent or choice behavior. This is an
internationally accepted legal concept that was
highlighted in the Nuremberg war trials, which
indicated that a person must consent to a
personal exposure to significant risk and that
such consent must be informed, voluntary, and
revocable.
Duty, Breach, Cause and Harm. This paper has touched
on personal and environmental factors to be considered,
with the four essential legal elements, in many premises
liability cases. As an expert (trained in science, engineering
and architecture; enlightened in research; certified in
ergonomics; experienced in consulting; disillusioned by
model code development; and inspired by public health)
472
how can I further assist trial attorneys in their socially
beneficial role relative to the needs of the elderly? Often, I
can contribute to the assessment of the last three of the key
elements (breach, cause and harm) in successful litigation,
especially in relation to proximate causes of premises-
related injury. But it is the first of the elements—duty—
that intrigues me most after 33 years in the field of building
safety and usability. Premises owners are typically the
defendants in premises liability cases. But what duty do the
home builders have? What duty do the model code
organizations have? I perceive their behavior as not only
insensitive to, and negligent about, certain critical parts of
the built environments for our increasingly elderly society;
occasionally it appears wilful and wanton. What do the trial
attorneys think? Will the pattern of litigation concerning
tobacco and guns be followed by litigation on stairways
whose safety and usability has been compromised? The
prospect is intriguing.”
Another pertinent and forceful view, that of a well-known trial
attorney, reinforces my opinion about the longstanding deficiency of
code requirements:
Negligence is the failure to use due care. Safety
standards, codes and practices seldom constitute
documentation of what is due care in a given circumstance.
Generally they represent much less than due care. [Harry
Philo. Problems and potentialities of safety standards in
tort litigation, codes and practices. Trial, June/July 1966,
pp. 25-30.]
Financial Ability to Withstand Litigation. Having learned recently
that the annual operating budget of the NAHB is about $60 million
per year, I am intrigued by the relatively puny financial resources of
not only NAHB but of the model code organizations relative to the
potential damages that might be awarded if the home stairway issue
were thoroughly litigated. The entire annual operating budgets of
not only NAHB but also code groups like BOCA, ICBO, ICC, NFPA
and SBCCI (all of which continue to publish model codes or
standards with the flawed double standards for home stairways) would
be wiped out with compensatory damage awards based on about one
day's comprehensive injury costs for stair-related, nonfatal injuries in
the USA! Punitive damages, based on wilful and wanton behavior on
the part of defendants, could wipe out such organizations' financial
resources even faster. There might even be the prospect, in some
cases, of criminal charges based on conspiracy among builders and
code groups to keep low the requirements for home stairways without
so much as informing or warning home buyers of their rightful
options for improved stairways. How well would these organizations
fare in such civil or criminal proceedings? As I noted above, "The
prospect is intriguing." This is especially the case when model code
organizations like ICC permit such miserly limited deliberations (with
a 120-second testimony limit and 60-second rebuttal limit) within
code-change hearings, encouraging in effect, "sound-bite code
development." What the courts offer, indeed demand, is a full and
fair hearing of all the evidence and that evidence is presented and
challenged under oath. By these standards, code-development in the
USA today leaves much to be desired.
Intimidation of Officials. Also worthy of legal examination is the
adoption and enforcement of codes and standards. The builders have
had inordinate power which they have, in my opinion, exercised
irresponsibly in the adoption of codes at local and state level. The
extent of their power is reflected also in the damage done to the
careers of professional code administrators who have dared to stand
up to the political pressures of the builders. A case in point is the
firing, on April 28, 2000, of a 17-year employee of the Virginia
Department of Housing and Community Development (reported by
Associated Press on September 10, 2000). Mrs. Carolyn Williams, a
fire inspector (enforcing NFPA standards) and building code official,
had among other activities, championed the case of a single standard
for stairway geometry when she served as the Virginia representative
on BOCA's Ad Hoc Committee on Stairway Safety. Despite her
exceptional knowledge of the technical issues related to the stair
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
geometry debate, she was never permitted (despite immense effort on
her part and mine) to even testify to the Virginia Board of Housing
and Community Development when it considered adoption of model
code requirements for home stairs. Like other builder-dominated (or
intimidated) state and local boards, the Virginia Board caved in to
home builder demands that even the compromised 7 3/4 by 10
requirement of the BOCA and CABO codes not be adopted for the
Uniform Statewide Building Code for Virginia which had previously
been based on little or no amendment of national model codes. What
has the world come to when a devoted government employee's efforts
on behalf of the public is punished rather than being rewarded?
From information I have, her case does not appear unique. Again,
the courts will be the best way of addressing such intimidation of
public officials whose efforts to observe their ethical codes of conduct
(which stress duty to the public as uppermost) are punished.
NFPA's Role. As the organization with a better set of consensus-
based codes/standards-development procedures than the code-
development process controlled by ICC, NFPA is in a good position to
lead the way in the resolution of long-standing disputes on the home
stair riser-tread geometry issue. As a member of the NFPA Technical
Committee working on NFPA 101B, and as a well known submitter of
public proposals and comments on NFPA 101, NFPA 501 and NFPA
5000, I will do my utmost to have NFPA lead the way out of the
current morass. One aspect of this was to submit, to the American
Public Health Association (APHA) a public policy resolution on the
public health role of codes and standards which was adopted in 1999
(APHA Public Policy 99-16). A follow up public policy proposal, more
particularly focused on NFPA, was submitted and approved by APHA
in 2000 (as Policy 200019). One of its premises is that:
In 1999 NFPA fundamentally expanded its mission
statement: "to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and
other hazards on the quality of life by advocating
scientifically-based consensus codes and standards,
research, training and education"
The policy also notes APHA concern that:
In its potential expanded role in developing a full set of
codes and standards for the built environment, NFPA will
be more subject to pressures from industry organizations to
compromise requirements to the detriment of public
health.
The policy goes on to recommend that APHA:
4. Encourages NFPA and other organizations to
develop codes and standards requiring home stairways to be
designed and constructed so that steps and railings provide
at least the same level of usability and safety from falls as do
stairs and railings in other buildings.
More generally—and this is central to the whole stairway debate as
well—the policy also:
5. Encourages NFPA, in its development of codes and
standards, generally to utilize a "Universal Design" or
inclusive design philosophy, which maximizes safety and
usability for the largest range of people, including elderly
persons or those of any age with disabilities.
The complete public policy resolution is available at APHA's web
site, www.apha.org
As this proposal is prepared, it is unclear how NFPA will accept the
challenge from, as well as potential support of, the public health
community promised in the APHA public policy resolution. Here it
should be clear that this proposal as well as my views on potential
litigation are entirely my own and do not represent the position of
APHA or other organization. Regardless of what organizations like
NFPA and APHA do, there is much scope for individuals like me to
pursue fully all of the legitimate means to correct longstanding
defects in the way homes are designed, constructed and regulated.
The public health of Americans is benefitting immensely from the
efforts of lawyers on issues such as tobacco and handguns. Given the
huge toll of injuries and other losses because of inadequate stairways,
I must utilize the considerable strengths and experience of lawyers in
my own advocacy efforts on the safety and usability problems that
473
should be better addressed through codes/standards development,
adoption and enforcement.
Summary
The matter of riser-tread geometry is essentially very simple. If the
so-called "7-11" stair geometry is the minimum standard—both for
safety and usability—for nonresidential stairs where the toll of injuries
is much lower and where the use conditions are far less demanding,
then the "7-11" should be the minimum requirement for dwelling
units where the use conditions include the widest range of user
capabilities and needs. The "7-11" is the unchallenged minimum
standard for stair geometry (other than for dwellings) in the BOCA
National Building Code, Uniform Building Code, Life Safety Code,®
American National Standard for Accessibility and Usability of Buildings and
Facilities (ICC/ANSI A117.1), National Building Code of Canada plus the
first edition of the International Building Code.™ There is no basis for
the double standard which unreasonably imperils home stair users
and which makes such stairs unnecessarily difficult to use.
References
Alessi D, Brill M and associates (1978). Home safety guidelines for
architects and builders. NBS-GCR 78-156, National Bureau of
Standards, Gaithersburg, MD.
Archea JC, Collins BL and Stahl FI (1979). Guidelines for stair
safety. NBS-BSS 120, National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg,
MD.
Carson DH, Archea J, Margulis ST and Carson FE (1978). Safety
on stairs. BSS 108, National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD.
Committee on Trauma Research (1985). Injury in America: A
continuing public health problem, National Academy Press, Washington,
DC.
DiGiammo AP (2000). Installing Manufactured Stairs. Journal of
Light Construction, September 2000, p. 49.
Jones RA (1963). New safety developments in home construction
and equipment. National Safety Council Transactions, Vol. 6, pp. 65-69.
Lawrence BA et al. (1999). Estimating the costs of nonfatal
consumer product injuries in the United States." Proceedings of 7th
International Conference on Product Safety Research, September 30 -
October 1, 1999, Washington, DC, pp. 48-68.
Miller JA and Esmay ML (1961). Nature and causes of stairway
falls. Transactions of the ASAE, pp. 112-114.
NAHB (c.1999). The Truth about Regulatory Barriers to Housing
Affordability. National Association of Home Builders, Washington,
DC, p. 4.
NAHB (1996). NAHB stair geometry code action kit. National
Association of Home Builders, Washington, DC.
NAHB Research Center (1992). Stair safety: A review of the
literature and data concerning stair geometry and other
characteristics. NAHB Research Center, Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
National Public Services Research Institute (1998). The Injury
Cost Model: Concepts and analytical methods. National Public
Services Research Institute, Landover, Maryland.
Pauls J (1998). Benefit-cost analysis and housing affordability: the
case of stairway usability, safety, design and related requirements and
guidelines for new and existing homes. Proceedings of Pacific Rim
Conference of Building Officials, Maui, HI, pp. 21-38.
Pauls J (2000). Representation of the Elderly in Premises Liability
Cases with a Focus on Falls. Reference Materials Volume II,
Convention of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, August
2000, pp. 2613-2626. (Also on Westlaw; one-hour video available.)
Peters GA and Peters BJ (1999). Warnings, Instructions, and
Technical Communications. Lawyers & Judges Publishing Co., Inc.,
Tucson, Arizona, p. 4.
Philo H (1966). Problems and potentialities of safety standards in
tort litigation, codes and practices. Trial, June/July 1966, pp. 25-30.
Quinlan KP et al. (1999). Expanding the National Electronic
Injury Surveillance System to Monitor All Nonfatal Injuries Treated in
US Hospital Emergency Departments, Annals of Emergency Medicine,
November 1999, Table 4, p. 641.
Rice DP, McKenzie EJ and associates (1989). Cost of Injury in the
United States: a report to Congress. San Francisco, CA: Institute for
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
Health & Aging, University of California, and Injury Prevention
Center, The Johns Hopkins University.
Runyan CW (1993). Progress and potential in injury control.
American Journal of Public Health. 83(5), pp. 637-639.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: While the committee recognizes the
proponent’s desire to standardize all stair geometries to have a
minimum 7-11 rise:tread ratio, through the elimination of the current
code allowance for stairs having a 7¾-10 ratio permitted in one- and
two-family dwellings, no compelling evidence was presented in the
proponent’s substantiation to indicate to what extent, if any, this
specific change would impact loss statistics associated with accidents
occurring on stairs. In making this determination, the committee
does not contest the proponent’s claim that accidents associated with
stairs result in substantial losses, both monetarily and in personal
injury. The proponent’s data demonstrates this to be true. However,
what the proponent’s data fails to demonstrate is a direct and valid
correlation between the proposed change and the resulting affect on
loss statistics.
While the committee acknowledges the general benefits gained by
standardized code requirements, for stair geometry and otherwise,
approval of the proponent’s code change to make the code more
restrictive without a relevant and compelling justification would be
irresponsible. Because the proponent is requesting that the
committee make the code more restrictive than the existing
provisions in the Life Safety Code and because such a change would
have a substantial impact on cost and design freedom associated with
dwelling construction, documentation supporting the proposal
should demonstrate that there is a direct and significant benefit
associated with the specific change of stair geometry being proposed.
It does not. All that has been offered is a speculative cause-effect
relationship between the proposal and loss statistics.
Even the proponent admits in the submitted documentation that he
himself evaluates as many as 30 environmental factors in the
investigation of stair accidents, of which stair geometry is only one
(the committee notes that no analysis was provided to indicate
whether other more effective accident reduction strategies may exist).
Nevertheless, the proponent argues that a change in stair geometry
alone would result in a 12.5 percent reduction in losses associated
with accidents involving stairs.
The basis for this 12.5% reduction factor was documented in the
proponent’s substantiation as an NBS report (NBS-GCR 78-156),
which according to the proponent states that the “efficacy of
improved step geometry are for improvements on the order of 25%.”
In testimony presented to the committee on this proposal, the
proponent stated that the 25% figure was not directly correlated to
the change between 7¾-10 and 7-11 geometry, which is the subject of
this proposal, but was instead related to changing from 8¼-9 to 7-11.
The proponent further advised that his 12.5% estimate for loss
reduction associated with changing between 7¾-10 and 7-11, which
was used as the foundation of the proponent’s cost-benefit analysis,
was simply projected by “halving” the loss percentages, given that 7¾-
10 falls between 8¼-9 and 7-11 with respect to relative safety.
This projection, which theorizes that there is a linear relationship
between stair geometry and loss statistics appears to be entirely
without merit. On the contrary, it seems entirely possible that a much
larger percentage of stair accidents might be mitigated by changing
from 8¼-9 to 7¾-10, with only a minor impact or no impact at all for
changing from 7¾-10 and 7-11. If that were the case, a change from
the 7¾-10 geometry currently permitted by code for one- and two-
family dwellings to 7-11 would make the code unnecessarily restrictive.
By the proponent’s own admission during testimony offered to the
committee, he himself was the original proponent of the current code
allowance for a 7¾-10 stair. Surely, having advocated this exact
geometry as a reasonable “compromise” only a few years ago, the
proponent must have been convinced at the time that the 7¾-10
geometry provided an acceptable degree of safety, yet loss statistics
from that same period in time are now cited by the proponent as a
basis for arguing that what was previously an acceptable compromise
is no longer satisfactory. This inconsistency in logic and position
474
further diminishes the validity of the proponent’s arguments that the
7¾-10 geometry now permitted by code is inadequate or unsafe.
In summary, the technical committee determination to maintain the
existing allowance for a 7¾-10 stair geometry is a prudent and
responsible decision because the proponent has not provided a
compelling substantiation that the sole act of revising this geometry to
7-11 would yield a significant or cost-effective benefit. Even though
the gross loss statistics related to injuries involving stairs are indeed
significant, the specific impact of this limited change in geometry,
which would affect only new one- and two-family dwellings, is
speculative at best, given the documentation presented. Lacking a
compelling substantiation to justify elimination of a useful provision
in the code, the technical committee cannot support mandating 7-11
geometry on the sole basis of “standardizing” stair dimensions.
Finally, if the 7¾-10 stair geometry is truly a hazard to public health
on the order of magnitude of smoking or handguns, as the proponent
has claimed in testimony, the committee expects that there would be
ample case-history evidence to support the validity of the proponent’s
claims, yet no such evidence has been submitted for review. Along
that line, the committee found it peculiar that the proponent himself,
who indicated during testimony that he personally investigates an
average of 50 stair-related accidents annually, could not cite one
specific case in the past year where he determined that a change in
stair geometry alone from 7¾-10 to 7-11 would have prevented a
single injury.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 17
NEGATIVE: 3
ABSTENTION: 1
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
GERDES: The committee has not established a basis for deviating
from the 7-11 relationship required for all other buildings.
ISMAN: We are voting negatively on Log #267 for two reasons. First,
we disagree with the committee statement. We believe that the
proponent has provided ample substantiation to justify the 7-11 stair
geometry. Second, we are concerned that the committee has not
adequately responded to the Standards Council directive. Specifically,
the Council recognized that stairs in all other occupancies must follow
the 7-11 geometry. They asked the committee to justify why the stairs
in single family dwellings should be allowed to be different. In other
words, the Council was looking for technical justification from the
Committee as to why they have a different rule for this occupancy.
The Committee did not provide any discussion as to why single family
dwellings or two family dwellings should be allowed to utilize any
different geometry than the 7-11 required for all other occupancies.
LATHROP: The committee has not adequately addressed the
proponents technical substantiation, or the standards council
directive.
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
DALY: The proponent has failed to meet his obligation pursuant to
the NFPA Regulations Governing Committee Projects (the
“Regulations”) with regard to Proposal Content in that he fails to
establish that his proposed solution (the “7/11” stair design) will solve
or substantially mitigate the problem discussed (the incidence of
injuries on stairs) for stair design for this occupancy meeting the
current LSC requirements.
The proponent has indicated that there is no research to support his
proposed design solution as a conclusive remedy to the problem
identified. In his testimony on 12/4/2000 before the TC in Tampa,
FL., and in a subsequent colloquy with committee members, the
proponent admitted that based on his personal knowledge of the
subject matter and personal investigations of multiple stairway related
injuries, he is unable to state with certainty that the 7/11 stair
geometry would have affected the incidence or seriousness of such
injury record. His proposal and substantiation present no credible
statistical evidence and no other competent substantial evidence to
establish a reasonable probability that the design solution suggested
would have a measurable impact on the incidence of stair injuries.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
The proponent spoke of, but did not submit as a part of his
substantiation by the proposal closing date, conclusive and
complimentary cost benefit analyses in support of this particular
solution. While cumulative and historical injury and cost data was
submitted, it was not solely related to the stair geometry issue nor was
any specific cumulative cost data presented to indicate the financial
impact on the housing industry were his proposal to be adopted. The
submitter did casually mention in this proposal “a few billion dollars
of new stairways constructed annually in new homes”. (See page 20 of
the supporting material submitted with this proposal).
Even if such data were presented, the committee has been provided
no cost benefit criteria by the Standards Council by which to judge at
what level of cost vs. benefit such proposal should be considered to
have met a yet unestablished threshold for acceptance. All committees
have been directed by the TCC to use cost benefit analyses in their
consideration of new requirements being proposed for codes and
standards.
Based on the reasoned comments of several committee members at
the ROP meeting, a review of the supporting literature and my own
scientific training, I too subscribe to the conclusion that a variety of
issues including, but not limited to, illumination, physiology of users,
training (of young children), the coefficient of friction with respect to
stair finish, the type of footwear worn by users and handrails have an
effect, singularly or in combination, on the issue of injuries related to
stairs, greater than or equal to the geometry question.
The proponent’s own data, which covers stair injuries in both
residential and nonresidential occupancies, indicates a reported
number of injuries on stairs. Such data does not however report the
number of uses of stairs by which the committee might then gauge
the injury frequency (injuries per million uses for example). Such
data is routinely used in risk assessment. The proponent notes
however that his proposed 7/11-stair design is prevalent in
nonresidential occupancies. Such stair related injuries included in the
proponents supporting data occurring in those nonresidential
occupancies is conclusive evidence that the 7/11-stair design is not
the panacea suggested for residential occupancies.
Without definitive empirical technical research and an exhaustive
cost benefit analyses by a reputable source related specifically to the
impact of changing stair geometry as proposed, I cannot endorse the
proponent’s speculative scheme for this occupancy. Further, the
proponent’s attempt to pejoratively characterize the current LSC
provision for the design of stairs in residential occupancies with a
comparison to firearms and tobacco, both legal commodities at last
check, was neither illustrative of the problem nor the solution
proposed and consequently diminishes the bona fides of the proposal
and its author.
I should also note in response to the Standards Council’s direction
to the committee in this matter and for the record the proponent, not
the committee, bears the burden to substantiate any change to a code
provision based on the Regulations’ specific criteria for proposal
content. The Regulations currently place no burden on Technical
Committees to formulate an ex post facto substantiation for existing
criteria, which has weathered the NFPA code development process.
Should the Standards Council wish to place such new burdens on this
or any other committee, it must first propose changes in the
Regulations and seek the approval of the Board of Directors.
KLUVER: Although I agree with the minimum 10 in. (versus 11 in.)
tread depth exception for Group R-3, I believe that it should not be
allowed unless a nosing of not less than 3/4 in., but not more than 1
1/4 in., is provided on stairways having solid risers.
EXPLANATION OF ABSTENTION:
FRANCIS: See my Explanation of Abstention on Proposal 5000-903
(Log #266a).
___________________
475
(Log #263)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 916 - (21-2.5.3): Reject
SUBMITTER: Jake Pauls, Jake Pauls Consulting Services
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows:
“Spiral stairs and winders in accordance with 12.2.2.2.3.2, and
12.2.2.2.4. shall be permitted within a single dwelling unit.”
SUBSTANTIATION: This builds upon a larger public proposal that I
have submitted recommending the mainstreaming of the “7-11” step
geometry for dwellings. There is also a narrower public proposal to
delete 12.2.2.2.3.4. Allowing 9 1/2 inch riser heights and tread depths
of 7 1/2 inches in dwellings is not appropriate in view of the stair
safety and usability problems described at great length in the other,
larger proposal. Use of such mean step geometry for spiral stairs
should be restricted to very limited population conditions such as
industrial occupancies for which use/user conditions are very
different from dwellings.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: It appears the submitter's intent is to
prohibit the use of the 'three or fewer occupants' spiral stair described
in 12.2.2.2.3.3 of the draft Code. It does not make sense to permit
such a stair in an industrial occupancy and prohibit it in a one- or two-
family dwelling, where an industrial occupancy will likely have a
higher degree of hazard than a dwelling.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #264)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 917 - (21-2.5.5 (New) ): Accept in Part
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to SAF-RES requesting that the TC reevaluate its action with
respect to the enforceability of such a provision as raised in Mr.
Shapiro's explanation of negative.
SUBMITTER: Jake Pauls, Jake Pauls Consulting Services
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows:
21.2.5.5 Stairways shall be provided with lighting fixtures and
controls capable of illuminating the treads and landings to a
minimum level of 10 footcandles (108 lux) measured at the center of
treads and on landings. The lighting control or controls shall be
usable without traversing any step of the stairway.
SUBSTANTIATION: The 10-footcandle requirement parallels one in
the BOCA NBC, IBC (and an accepted-as-modified proposal for the
IRC) applicable to dwelling unit stairs. Note that the proposal does
not require that the stairs be actually illuminated at the 10-footcandle
level but that there is the potential to do so using the installed
lighting control which could be a dimmer to permit lower light levels
at night when adjoining spaces are darker and may be desirable to
have less than 10 footcandles on the stairway. The need for adequate
illumination on stairways follows from the huge stair safety problem
identified in detail in my accompanying proposal on step geometry.
The 10-footcandle criterion, as well as being in the IBC, is
recommended by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North
America although IESNA actually recommends that the 10
footcandles be adjusted up to a minimum of 20 footcandles for
elderly users or where there is little contrast int eh walking surfaces.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Part.
Add a new 21.2.5.5 as follows:
21.2.5.5 Stairways shall be provided with lighting fixtures
illuminating the treads and landings to a minimum level of 10
footcandles (108 lux) measured at the center of treads and on
landings.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The last sentence in the proposal is
addressed by the National Electrical Code and does not need to be
repeated here. The term 'capable' is deleted because it is confusing
and unenforceable.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 20
NEGATIVE: 1
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
SHAPIRO: While the concept of requiring a specific illumination
level for stairways has merit, the practical application of such a
requirement in one- and two-family dwellings is not evident.
Enforcement of this provision is seemingly impractical. For example,
the provision requires that lighting fixtures be capable of illuminating
the treads, but the capabilities of the lighting fixtures can only be
determined in the absence of ambient lighting. Thereby, on a sunny
day, how would an inspector know whether the adequacy of
illumination was due to ambient lighting or illumination produced by
light fixtures? To truly determine compliance with the provision,
inspections would have to take place at night.
Another problem with the provision is the ability of residential
designers to predict the level of illumination that would occur based
on locations/types of lighting fixtures. Is the designer now going to be
responsible for specifying the design/wattage of a light fixture that
the owner must choose from? Typically, lighting fixtures are picked
for one- and two-family residences long after the design has been
completed and construction is well under way. Furthermore, wall
colors/reflectivity and electrical switch options will have a bearing on
measurements taken at the stair tread. Even if a dwelling passed this
criteria on the day of inspection, changes in paint or use of dimmers
or lower wattage replacement bulbs could all affect the ultimate level
of illumination.
In short, while I recognize that this criteria has been adopted for
other occupancies and by other codes, that doesn’t make it right for
adoption here. It is imply inappropriate for the committee to put a
requirement in the code that is great in theory, but is unenforceable
in practice.
___________________
(Log #24)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 918 - (21-2.7 (New) ): Accept
SUBMITTER: James K. Lathrop, Koffel Assoc., Inc./Rep. Bilco
Company
RECOMMENDATION: Add the following new text:
21.2.7 Bulkheads.
21.2.7.1 Bulkhead enclosures. Where provided, bulkhead
enclosures shall provide direct access to the basement from the
exterior.
21.2.7.2 Bulkhead enclosure stairways. Stairways serving bulkhead
enclosures, not part of the required primary means of escape,
providing access from the outside grade level to the basement shall be
exempt from the provisions of 21.2.5.1 when the maximum height
from the basement finished floor level to grade adjacent to the
stairway does not exceed 8 ft (2348 mm), and the grade level opening
to the stairway is covered by a bulkhead enclosure with hinged doors
or other approved means.
SUBSTANTIATION: In many parts of the country, direct access is
provided from the outside to a basement (sometimes called a root
cellar or storm cellar) by convenience stairs or bulkhead enclosures as
indicated on the supporting material submitted. The bulkhead
enclosure stairways are used to move bulky articles like lawn furniture,
garden equipment and bicycles in and out of the basement. The
bulkhead enclosure stairways are not part of the required exits and
are not subject to the same amount of “traffic” as inside stairs as they
are not part of the normal circulation routes within a dwelling.
However, some authorities having jurisdiction have required
bulkhead enclosure stairways to comply with the requirements of
Section 12.2.2.
Bulkhead enclosure stairways, as illustrated on the attachment,
typically do not comply with the Section 12.2.2 criteria for treads and
risers, nor are the provisions for handrails or headroom met. We do
476
not believe that Section 12.2.2 should be applied to bulkhead
enclosure stairways within one and two family dwellings. We would
point out, since the bulkhead enclosure stairways are not mandated by
code, that a ladder and scuttle could be provided from the basement
to grade simply as a convenient way to move equipment in and out. It
is apparent that a bulkhead enclosure stairway would be a better
alternative than a ladder.
Bulkhead enclosure stairways, similar to those described on the
attachments, have been installed in approximately 2000,000 dwellings
since the product was first introduced in 1962. Also, over a period of
more than 50 years, more than 1.8 million doors have been installed
over existing dwelling bulkhead enclosure stairways with similar rise,
run and headroom. During these years no reports of headroom
difficulties or injuries have been reported to the manufacturer as
involving these stairways. The steps from basement to grade level vary
with site conditions, but are always fewer than required for a full
flight. This factor, combined with less frequent use, could account for
the excellent performance record.
In summary, bulkhead enclosure stairways have been “field tested”
for over 35 years with satisfactory results, the stairs are commonly
being used for access to basements within one and two family
dwellings, and NFPA 5000 should officially recognize such stairs as a
viable means for providing convenient means for moving oversize
objects in and out of the basement. The failure of the code to address
this issue leaves the manufacturer uncertain as to the acceptance of
such products and requires the authority having jurisdiction to issue
special rulings for each installation. This approach is burdensome
and disruptive to the marketing of these products.
Note: Supporting Material is available for review at NFPA
headquarters.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 20
ABSTENTION: 1
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF ABSTENTION:
LATHROP: See my Explanation of Abstention on Proposal 5000-963
(Log #32).
___________________
(Log #53)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 919 - (21-3.3): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Marcelo M. Hirschler, GBH International/Rep. Fire
Retardant Chemicals Association
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
21.3.3 Interior Finish.
21.3.3.1 Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter 10.
Interior wall and ceiling finish tested in accordance with NFPA 286,
Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Evaluating Contribution of Wall
and Ceiling Interior Finish to Room Fire Growth, and meeting the
conditions of 10.3.5.3 shall be deemed to comply with a Class A
classification in accordance with NFPA 255, Standard Method of Test
of Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials.
21.3.3.1 21.3.3.2 Interior wall and ceiling finish. Interior finish on
walls and ceilings of occupied spaces in accordance with Chapter 10
shall be Class A, Class B, or Class C as defined in Section 10.3.2.
SUBSTANTIATION: This proposal addresses two separate issues:
(a) The second sentence of 21.3.3.1 addresses the issue that unless
this is stated specifically, there is no way of permitting interior finish
tested by the room corner test (NFPA 286) to be installed. There is
abundant evidence that materials that comply with a room-corner test
requirements are equivalent in fire performance to materials tested
using the Steiner tunnel test. As an example, Table 1 shows a set of 10
materials tested in the room-corner test and the Steiner tunnel test
(Reference: M.M. Hirschler & M.L. Janssens, Fire and Materials Conf.,
San Antonio, TX, Feb. 22-23, 1999, Interscience Communications,
London, UK, pp. 179-198): only one of the 10 materials failed the
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
room-corner test; all other materials met Class A flame spread index
(FSI not to exceed 25); even the material which flashed over the room
had a flame spread index low enough to meet Class B in the Steiner
tunnel test (FSI not to exceed 75). Also, only one of the 10 materials
in the set failed to meet the Steiner tunnel test smoke development
index limit of 450, and it also failed the criterion in 10.3.5.3. The two
enclosed Figures show comparisons of Steiner tunnel FSI versus room
corner peak rate of heat release and Steiner tunnel SDI versus room
corner total smoke released, indicating how materials meeting room-
corner test criteria also meet Steiner tunnel criteria.
Figure Steiner Tunnel FSI
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
Figure Steiner Tunnel SDI
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
Table 1 Test Results for Materials Tested in Room-Corner and
Steiner Tunnel Tests
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
It must be clarified that this proposal does not require a material to
undergo room-corner testing, but gives the option of material
approvals via room-corner testing, as intended by the Life Safety
Code. This option appears to be missing in the draft of the NFPA
5000 Building Code.
(b) The other changes attempt to have consistency of references
between the occupancy chapters.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise 21.3.3 to read as follows:
21.3.3 Interior Finish.
21.3.3.1 Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter 10.
21.3.3.2 Interior finish on walls and ceilings of occupied spaces shall
be Class A,
Class B, or Class C.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action eliminates
unnecessary, duplicative references, and should meet the submitter's
intent. This action should be consistent with action taken by the
Technical Committee on Furnishings and Contents on Chapter 10.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 20
ABSTENTION: 1
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF ABSTENTION:
LATHROP: See my Explanation of Abstention on Proposal 5000-963
(Log #32).
___________________
(Log #156)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 920 - (21-3.4): Reject
SUBMITTER: S. Chester Jones, S. Chester Jones, P.E., Consultant
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
21.3.4 Detection, Alarm, and Communication Systems
21.3.4.1 Approved, single-station smoke alarms shall be installed in
accordance with 11.2.2.10 in the following locations:
1) All sleeping rooms
2) Outside of each separate sleeping area, in the immediate vicinity
of the sleeping rooms
3) On each level of the dwelling unit, including basements
Exception: Dwelling units protected by an approved smoke and heat
detection system in accordance with Section 11.2 and equipped with
approved means of occupant notification.
21.3.4.2 Approved, single-station heat alarms shall be installed in
accordance with 11.2.2.10 in the following locations:
1) Kitchens
477
2) Near heating equipment, including furnaces and hot water
heaters
30 Laundry rooms
4) Garages, attached
Exception: Dwelling units protected by an approved smoke and heat
detection system in accordance with Section 11.2 and equipped with
an approved means of occupant notification.
SUBSTANTIATION: In Section 1.2.1 of the Life Safety Code it is
clear that the intent of the Code is to "minimize danger to life from
fire." The Code however does not now address certain dangers as
identified int he report dated April 2000 from the Fire Analysis and
Research Division of NFPA entitles. "The U.S. Fire Problem Overview
Report." The statistics for manufactured homes have been deleted so
the following represents the number for one-and two-family dwellings
and apartments.
This report shows that for dwellings and apartments, 48.5% of
civilian deaths and 51.1% of civilian injuries result from fires
originating in:
a) Living room, family room, or den;
b) Kitchen;
c) Heating equipment room; and
d) Laundry room or area.
We do not mandate protection for these areas.
Further, this report shows that for dwellings and apartments, 34.4%
of civilian deaths and 47.0% of civilian injuries result from fires
caused by:
a) Heating equipment;
b) Other heat source;
c) Electrical distribution; and
d) Cooking equipment.
We do not mandate protection for these causes.
In the Appendix to the National Fire Alarm Code, for a long time we
have recognized these problems and recommended additional
protection. We can no longer, in good conscience, continue to omit
requirements for fire protection in such areas.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter has provided no data to
substantiate the package of protection currently prescribed (as in the
Life Safety Code) is inadequate. This action is also consistent with the
action taken by the Technical Committee on Building Service and
Fire Protection Equipment (Chapter 11).
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #846c)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 921 - (21-3.4, 22-3.3.5, 22-3.4.5, 24-3.4.5.1, 24-3.4.5.2): Accept in
Principle
SUBMITTER: Howard Hooper, Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
21.3.4 Detection, Alarm, and Communications Systems. Approved,
single-station and multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed in
accordance with 11.2.2.10 in the following locations: <Balance to
remain unchanged>
22.3.3.5 Smoke Alarms. Approved single-station and multiple-station
smoke alarms shall be installed in accordance with 11.2.2.10 in every
sleeping room. Such smoke alarms shall not be required to be
interconnected.
23.3.4.5* Smoke Alarms. An approved single-station or multiple-
station smoke alarm shall be installed in accordance with 11.2.2.10 in
every guest room and every living area and sleeping room within a
guest suite.
24.3.4.5.1 Approved, single-station or multiple station smoke alarm
shall be installed in accordance with 11.2.2.10 in every guest room
and every living area and sleeping room within a guest suite.
24.3.4.5.1 Approved, single-station or multiple-station smoke alarms
shall be installed in accordance with Section 11.2.5 outside every
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms and on all
levels of the dwelling unit including basements.
24.3.4.5.2 Approved, single-station or multiple-station smoke alarms
shall be installed in accordance with Section 11.2.5 in every sleeping
room. <Balance to remain unchanged>
SUBSTANTIATION: Either single-station or miltiple-station smoke
alarms are required in the applications covered by these sections,
depending on the configuration of the dwelling unit. This proposal
adds the additional references to “multiple-station” to clarify this
requirement.
The references to smoke detector in sections 17.6.3.4.3, A18.3.4.2,
25.23.4.3.2 and 25.3.3.4.7 have been revised to reflect the proper
term, smoke alarm.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise text to read as follows:
21.3.4 Detection, Alarm, and Communications Systems. Smoke
alarms shall be installed in accordance with 11.2.2.10 in the following
locations: <Balance to remain unchanged>
22.3.3.5 Smoke Alarms. Smoke alarms shall be installed in
accordance with 11.2.2.10 in every sleeping room. Such smoke alarms
shall not be required to be interconnected.
23.3.4.5* Smoke Alarms. Smoke alarms shall be installed in
accordance with 11.2.2.10 in every guest room and every living area
and sleeping room within a guest suite.
24.3.4.5.1 Smoke alarms shall be installed in accordance with
11.2.2.10 in every guest room and every living area and sleeping room
within a guest suite.
24.3.4.5.1 Smoke alarms shall be installed in accordance with 11.2.5
outside every sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms
and on all levels of the dwelling unit including basements.
24.3.4.5.2 Smoke alarms shall be installed in accordance with 11.2.5
in every sleeping room. <Balance to remain unchanged>
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The specification of single-station
and/or multiple-station smoke alarms should be addressed by
Chapter 11, rather than the individual occupancy chapters. Also, the
committee action deletes the term 'approved' since Chapter 11 and
NFPA 72 already require smoke alarms to be approved.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #CP1403)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 922 - (21-3.5): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Residential Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 21.3.5 to read as follows:
21.3.5 Extinguishment Requirements. Where an automatic sprinkler
system is provided, either for total or partial building coverage, the
system shall be in accordance with 11.3.1.1(a), 11.3.1.1(b), or
11.3.1.1(c).
SUBSTANTIATION: The proposal clarifies the types of automatic
sprinkler systems permitted in one- and two-family dwellings, and
coordinates with the action taken by the Technical Committee on
Building Service and Fire Protection Features on 11.3.1.1.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
478
(Log #CP1421)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 923 - (21-3.5.1): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Residential Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new 21.3.5.1 and renumber successive
paragraphs as follows:
21.3.5.1 Where modifications are permitted by this Code based on
the installation of an automatic sprinkler system, such modifications
shall be permitted when the automatic sprinkler system complies with
11.3.1.1(a), 11.3.1.1(b), or 11.3.1.1(c), unless otherwise indicated in
this chapter.
SUBSTANTIATION: The proposal clarifies modifications to code
requirements are permitted with the installation of any of the types of
sprinkler systems in 11.3.1.1 (NFPA 13, NFPA 13R, and NFPA 13D).
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #118)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 924 - (21-3.5.1 (New) ): Reject
SUBMITTER: Charles Smeby, Jr., Florida State Fire College
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows:
21.3.5.1 Buildings over 10,000 square feet shall be protected by an
approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system installed in
accordance with Chapter 11.
SUBSTANTIATION: Since the NFPA 5000 draft is substantial
derived for the NFPA Life Safety Code and is focused towards
occupant safety during a fire, I would like to propose fire protection
criteria that would also cover firefighting safety and property
protection. Building codes typically contain many items that are
property protection features.
Each municipality has an interest in reducing and eliminating fire
losses. From both a "Public Policy" perceptive and to maintain
structures that provide taxes and places for employment for their
citizens, fire losses do have a major fiscal impact of local and state
governments.
This would also have the added benefit for reducing insurance
premiums that are the direct result of fire loss. Many of the
requirements int he typical building code were derived to limit fire
losses, and this tradition should be continued in this innovative new
code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter provides no technical
justification for the proposed 10,000 sq-ft criteria.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 20
NEGATIVE: 1
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
ISMAN: Our negative ballot on Proposal 5000-924 (Log #118) and
5000-925 (Log #1145) is based on the fact that large single family
dwelling approach multiple family dwellings from a fire risk analysis
standpoint and should be protected as such. The Technical
Committee is not only required to take into account the submitter’s
substantiation, they are also supposed to factor their own knowledge
and experience to arrive at a committee action. Men, women, and
children are the leading causes of fire. As the number of people in a
dwelling increases, so does the risk due to fire. Each of these
proposals tried to solve this problem from a different perspective. The
10,000 sq ft area threshold has been justified by work done at Iowa
State regarding the size of a building that fire fighters can adequately
fight without interior assistance. Likewise, the 55 ft height threshold is
justified by the simple logic in the capability of a fire department to
fight fires high above the ground.
___________________
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(Log #1145)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 925 - (21-3.5.1 (New) ): Reject
SUBMITTER: Kevin Kelly, National Fire Sprinkler Association
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text to read as follows:
“Fire Sprinkler Systems shall be installed throughout buildings with a
floor level located 55 ft or more above the lowest level of Fire
Department Vehicle Access.
Exception No. 1: Buildings where all floors located 55 ft or more
above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access have an
occupant load less than 30 shall not require sprinklers due to this
section.
Exception No. 2: Airport control towers shall not require sprinklers
due to this section.
Exception No. 3: Open parking structures shall not require
sprinklers due to this section.”
SUBSTANTIATION: Fire sprinklers, without the rest of the high-rise
provisions, are necessary in buildings beyond the reach of fire
department ground ladders. This is similar to a provision in the
International Building Code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The proposed 55-foot height criteria
does not appear to apply to one- and two-family dwellings. The
proposed Exceptions do not apply to one- and two-family dwellings.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 20
NEGATIVE: 1
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
ISMAN: See my Explanation of Negative on Proposal 5000-924 (Log
#118).
___________________
(Log #CP1404)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 926 - (21-4): Accept
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to SAF-FIR requesting that the TC, that has primary jurisdiction
for fire rated assemblies and penetrations, evaluate the technical
bases for SAF-RES's requirement, as raised in the numerous
explanations of negative and comments on affirmative.
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Residential Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Delete 6.3.3 and add a new Section 21.4 as
follows:
21.4 Separation Between Townhouses.
21.4.1 Each townhouse shall be considered a separate building when
separated from adjoining townhouses by the use of exterior walls
located on the property line as required for the type of construction,
or by a single wall meeting the requirements of 21.4.2 through 21.4.4.
21.4.2 Such wall shall provide not less than a 2-hour fire-resistance
rating. Plumbing, piping, ducts, electrical or other building services
shall not be installed within or through the wall.
21.4.3 Such wall shall be continuous from the foundation to the
underside of the roof sheathing. The roof sheathing shall be of
noncombustible material or exterior grade fire retardant treated
wood, or one layer of 5/8 gypsum wallboard attached to the
underside of the roof decking for not less than a 4-foot width on each
side of such wall.
21.4.4 Each dwelling unit sharing such wall shall be designed and
constructed to maintain its structural integrity independent of the
unit on the opposite side of the wall.
Said wall shall be permitted to be penetrated by roof and floor
structural members provided that the fire-resistance rating and the
structural integrity of the wall is maintained.
SUBSTANTIATION: The proposal relocates townhouse separation
wall requirements from Chapter 6 to Chapter 21 without technical
changes other than deleting the provisions for party walls.
479
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
NEGATIVE: 3
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
DALY: The criterion is overly restrictive in that, as written, it would
prohibit installations of electrical outlets within walls even if done so
with listed assemblies, and is without foundation as to fire record.
KLUVER: I concur with Mr. Daly’s concern, as it pertains to
electrical outlets that penetrate 2 hour fire resistance walls separating
townhouse units. I do not believe it appropriate, however, to also
permit penetrations by plumbing, piping, ducts and other building
services (unless specified).
PUHLICK: I concur with Mr. Daly’s rationale in his negative vote.
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
KLEIN: New Section 21.4.2 should be corrected as follows:
21.4.2 Such wall shall provide not less than a 2 hour fire resistance
rating. Plumbing, piping, ducts, electrical or other building service
shall not be installed within the or through the wall be installed in
accordance with Chapter 8.
Reason: Townhouse party walls commonly will have electrical outlets
in them in accordance with the listing of the wall assembly. Chapter 8
covers penetrations. Our committee should not be superseding the
requirements of Chapter 8 that recognize listed wall assemblies with
listed protected penetrations.
SHAPIRO: There is no reason for the code to prohibit building
equipment from being installed in a townhouse separation wall, as
specified in the proposed Section 21.4.2, when applicable rules are
followed for protection of penetrations. There is no reason to
uniquely single out townhouse separation walls for such restrictive
treatment when other fire separation walls are not comparably
regulated. Rather than including a special limit on equipment in walls
in Chapter 21, it would be preferable to permit Chapter 8 to regulate
this equally for firewall assemblies.
I support the concept of moving the provisions from Chapter 6 to
Chapter 21, and the provision of concern presently exists in the text
in Chapter 6. Therefore, I am voting affirmative with comment, as
opposed to negative.
___________________
(Log #611)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 927 - (21-5.1.2): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: James Ranfone, American Gas Assn.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows:
21.5.1.2 Unvented fuel-fired heaters shall not be used.
Exception: Listed and approved unvented fuel gas-fired heaters in
one-and two-family dwellings installed to comply with the
requirements of the ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54, National Fuel Gas Code.
SUBSTANTIATION: To clarify that fuel gas fired unvented heaters
are permitted and that they must comply with the National Fuel Gas
Code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Delete 21.5.1.2 without substitution.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action should meet the
submitter's intent. Reference to NFPA 54, National Fuel Gas Code, is
made elsewhere in the Code.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(Log #1065)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 928 - (21-5.1.2): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Bruce J. Swiecicki, National Propane Gas Association
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 21.5.1.2 to read as follows:
21.5.1.2 Unvented fuel-fired heaters shall not be used.
Exception: Listed and approved unvented fuel gas-fired heaters in
one- and two-family dwellings installed to comply with the
requirements of the ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54, National Fuel Gas Code.
SUBSTANTIATION: To clarify that fuel gas fired unvented heaters
are permitted and that they must comply with the National Fuel Gas
Code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Delete 21.5.1.2 without substitution.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action should meet the
submitter's intent. Reference to NFPA 54, National Fuel Gas Code, is
made elsewhere in the Code.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #907)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 929 - (21-5.1.2 Exception (New) ): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Michael Fischer, Patio Enclosures, Inc./Rep. National
Sunroom Association
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new Exception text as follows:
Exception: Listed and approved unvented fuel-fired heaters in one-
and two-family dwellings and sunroom additions.
SUBSTANTIATION: To clarify that these listed heaters are allowed
in sunroom additions. The language currently allows their use in
dwellings; this language eliminates any possible confusion.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Delete 21.5.1.2 without substitution.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action should meet the
submitter's intent. Reference to NFPA 54, National Fuel Gas Code, is
made elsewhere in the Code.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #1025)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 930 - (21-6 (New) ): Reject
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to SAF-RES requesting that the subject of this proposal be
revisited now that a draft of Chapter 100 Flood Resistant Design and
Construction is available via Proposal 5000-1421 (Log #623).
SUBMITTER: James A. Rossberg, Christopher P. Jones, American
Society of Civil Engineers/Rep. Federal Emergency Management
Agency, Mitigation Directorate
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows:
21.6 Flood Resistance. One- and two-family dwellings that are
located wholly or partly within the flood hazard area established by
Section 100.3.2, shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 100.
SUBSTANTIATION: Makes code provisions compliant with National
Flood Insurance Program regulations for buildings and structures in
flood hazard areas. Note that this proposal is one of a series of
proposals that will insure NFPA 5000 compliance with NFIP
regulations. Although submitted separately, the proposals comprising
the series should be considered together.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee is unable to determine
the full impact of the proposal without having the opportunity to
review and understand the complete referenced document. The
480
committee is also unable to determine what buildings are located
wholly or partly within the flood hazard area.
The committee requests the Building Code Technical Correlating
Committee provide guidance on how to handle flood provisions.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #CP1413)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 931 - (Chapter 22): Accept
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to SAF-RES requesting that the TC review its action on this
proposal concerning the use of the term 'dwelling unit' in Sections
22.1.2.2 and 22.1.2.3.
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Residential Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Insert Chapter 22 of NFPA 5000, Building
Code, to incorporate the actions taken on the public and committee
proposals as follows:
Chapter 22
Lodging And Rooming House Occupancies
22.1 General Requirements.
22.1.1 Application.
22.1.1.1* This chapter applies to buildings that provide sleeping
accommodations for a total of 16 or fewer persons on either a
transient or permanent basis, with or without meals, but without
separate cooking facilities for individual occupants, except as
provided in Chapter 21.
A.22.1.1.1 Bed and breakfast occupancies with more than 3, but fewer
than 16, occupants are considered lodging and rooming houses.
22.1.1.2 The requirements of this chapter apply to new buildings and
to modified buildings according to the provisions of Chapter 1 of this
Code.
22.1.2 Multiple Occupancies.
22.1.2.1 All multiple occupancies shall be in accordance with Section
6.2.
22.1.2.2 No dwelling unit of a residential occupancy shall have its sole
means of egress pass through any nonresidential occupancy in the
same building.
22.1.2.3 Multiple dwelling units of a residential occupancy shall be
permitted to be located above a nonresidential occupancy only where
one of the following conditions exists:
(a) Where the dwelling unit of the residential occupancy and exits
therefrom are separated from the nonresidential occupancy by
construction having a fire resistance rating of not less than 1 hour.
(b) Where the nonresidential occupancy is protected throughout by
an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance
with Section 11.3.
(c) Where not more than two dwelling units are located above a
nonresidential occupancy, and the nonresidential occupancy is
protected by an automatic fire detection system in accordance with
Section 11.2.
22.1.3 Definitions. Terms applicable to this chapter are defined in
Chapter 3.
22.1.4 Classification of Occupancy. (See 22.1.1.1.)
22.1.5 Classification of Hazard of Contents. The contents of
residential occupancies shall be classified as ordinary hazard in
accordance with Chapter 6.
22.1.6 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction shall be in
accordance with Chapter 7.
22.1.7 Occupant Load. (See 22.1.1.1.)
22.2 Means of Escape Requirements.
22.2.1 Number and Types of Means of Escape.
22.2.1.1 Every sleeping room and living area shall have access to a
primary means of escape complying with Chapter 21 and located to
provide a safe path of travel to the outside. Where the sleeping room
is above or below the level of exit discharge, the primary means of
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
escape shall be an interior stair in accordance with 22.2.2, an exterior
stair, or a horizontal exit in accordance with 12.2.4.
22.2.1.2 In addition to the primary route, each sleeping room and
living area shall have a second means of escape in accordance with
21.2.2, unless the sleeping room or living area has a door leading
directly outside the building with access to grade or to a stairway that
meets the requirements for exterior stairs in 22.2.1.1.
22.2.1.3 In buildings other than those protected throughout by an
approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
22.3.5, every story more than 2000 ft2 (185 m2) in area or with travel
distance to the primary means of escape more than 75 ft (23 m) shall
be provided with two primary means of escape remotely located from
each other.
22.2.2 Interior stairways, other than those in accordance with 22.2.2.1
or 22.2.2.2, shall be enclosed by 1/2-hour fire barriers with all
openings protected with smoke-actuated automatic-closing or self-
closing doors having a fire resistance comparable to that required for
the enclosure. The stairway shall comply with 12.2.2.5.3.
22.2.2.1 Where an interior stair connects the street floor with the story
next above or below only, but not with both, the interior stair shall be
required to be enclosed only on the street floor.
22.2.2.2 Stairways shall be permitted to be unenclosed in accordance
with the exceptions to 22.3.1.1.
22.2.3 Doors in a means of escape, other than bathroom doors in
accordance with 22.2.4, and paths of travel in a means of escape shall
be not less than 28 in. (71 cm) wide.
22.2.4 Bathroom doors shall be not less than 24 in. (61 cm) wide.
22.2.5 Every closet door latch shall be such that it can be readily
opened from the inside in case of emergency.
22.2.6 Every bathroom door shall be designed to allow opening from
the outside during an emergency when locked.
22.2.7 Winders in accordance with 12.2.2.2.4 shall be permitted.
22.2.8* Door locking arrangements shall comply with either 22.2.7.1
or 22.2.7.2.
A.22.2.8 It is the intent of this requirement that security measures,
where installed, do not prevent egress.
22.2.8.1 No door in any means of escape shall be locked against egress
when the building is occupied.
22.2.8.2 Delayed-egress locks complying with 12.2.1.6.1 shall be
permitted, provided that not more than one such device is located in
any one escape path.
22.2.9 Doors serving a single dwelling unit shall be permitted to be
provided with a lock in accordance with Exception No. 3 to 12.2.1.5.1.
22.3 Protection.
22.3.1 Protection of Vertical Openings.
22.3.1.1 Vertical openings shall comply with either 22.3.1.1.1,
22.3.1.1.2, or 22.3.1.1.3.
22.3.1.1.1 Vertical openings shall be protected so that no primary
escape route is exposed to an unprotected vertical opening. The
vertical opening shall be considered protected if the opening is cut off
and enclosed in a manner that provides a smoke- and fire-resisting
capability of not less than 1/2 hour. Any doors or openings shall have
a smoke- and fire-resisting capability equivalent to that of the
enclosure and shall be automatic-closing on detection of smoke or
shall be self-closing.
22.3.1.1.2 In buildings three or fewer stories in height that are
protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system in
accordance with 22.3.5, unprotected vertical openings shall be
permitted. However, in such cases, a primary means of escape from
each sleeping area shall be provided. Such means of escape shall not
pass through a portion of a lower floor unless such portion is
separated from all spaces on that floor by construction having a 1/2-
hour fire resistance rating.
22.3.1.1.3 Stair enclosures shall not be required in buildings two or
fewer stories in height protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 22.3.5.1.
22.3.1.2* Exterior stairs shall be protected against blockage caused by
fire within the building.
A.22.3.1.2 Such protection can be accomplished by separation by
physical distance, arrangement of the stairs, protection of the
481
openings exposing the stairs, or a combination thereof.
22.3.2 Interior Finish.
22.3.2.1 Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter 10.
22.3.2.2 Interior wall and ceiling finish materials shall be Class A,
Class B, or Class C in occupied spaces.
22.3.2.3 Interior Floor Finish. (No requirements.)
22.3.3 Detection, Alarm, and Communications Systems.
22.3.3.1 General. Lodging and rooming houses shall be provided
with a fire alarm system in accordance with Section 11.2.
22.3.3.2 Initiation. Initiation of the required fire alarm system shall be
by manual means in accordance with 11.2.2, or by alarm initiation in
accordance with 11.2.2.1(3) in buildings protected throughout by an
approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 22.3.5.
22.3.3.3 Notification. Occupant notification shall be provided
automatically in accordance with 11.2.3, as modified by 22.3.3.3.1 and
22.3.3.3.2.
22.3.3.3.1* Visible signals for the hearing impaired shall not be
required where the proprietor resides in the building and there are
five or fewer rooms for rent.
A.22.3.3.3.1 The proprietor is the owner or owner’s agent with
responsible charge.
22.3.3.3.2 Positive alarm sequence in accordance with 11.2.3.4 shall be
permitted.
22.3.3.4 Detection. (Reserved.)
22.3.3.5 Smoke Alarms. Smoke alarms shall be installed in accordance
with 11.2.2.10 in every sleeping room. Such smoke alarms shall not be
required to be interconnected.
22.3.4 Separation of Sleeping Rooms.
22.3.4.1 All sleeping rooms shall be separated from escape route
corridors by smoke partitions in accordance with 8.4.1.
22.3.4.2 There shall be no louvers or operable transoms.
22.3.4.3 Air passages shall not penetrate the wall unless they are
properly installed heating and utility installations other than transfer
grilles.
22.3.4.4 Transfer grilles shall be prohibited.
22.3.4.5 Doors shall be provided with latches or other mechanisms
suitable for keeping the doors closed.
22.3.4.6 Doors shall not be arranged to prevent the occupant from
closing the door.
22.3.4.7 In buildings other than those protected throughout by an
approved, automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 22.3.5, doors
shall be self-closing or automatic-closing upon detection of smoke.
22.3.5 Extinguishment Requirements.
22.3.5.1 Where modifications are permitted by this Code based on the
installation of an automatic sprinkler system, such modifications shall
be permitted when the automatic sprinkler system complies with
11.3.1.1(a), 11.3.1.1(b), or 11.3.1.1(c), unless otherwise indicated in
this chapter.
22.3.5.2* Where an automatic sprinkler system is required or is used
as an alternative method of protection, either for total or partial
building coverage, the system shall be in accordance with Section 11.3
and shall actuate the fire alarm system in accordance with Section
11.2. In buildings up to and including four stories in height, systems
in accordance with 11.3.1.1(b) shall be permitted. The use of
automatic sprinkler systems in accordance with 11.3.1.1(c) shall be
permitted where the lodging or rooming house is not part of a mixed
occupancy. Entrance foyers shall be sprinklered. Lodging and
rooming houses with sleeping accommodations for more than eight
occupants shall be treated as two-family dwellings with regard to the
water supply.
Exception: In buildings sprinklered in accordance with 11.3.1.1(a), closets
less than 12 ft2 (1.1 m2) in area in individual dwelling units shall not be
required to be sprinklered. Closets that contain equipment such as washers,
dryers, furnaces, or water heaters shall be sprinklered regardless of size.
A.22.3.5.2 The decision to permit the use of the criteria from NFPA
13D, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and
Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes, in these
occupancies is based on the following:
(1) The desire to obtain a level of fire suppression and control that is
approximately equivalent to that delivered by residential facilities
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
protected by such systems (see the appendix statement in NFPA 13D, (c) Where not more than two
Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two- Exception No. 3: A building with dwelling units are located above
Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes) not more than two dwelling units a nonresidential occupancy, and
(2) The fact that potential fire exposure and challenge to the above a nonresidential occupancy the nonresidential occupancy is
suppression system in a small lodging and rooming occupancy is of shall be permitted, provided that the protected by an automatic fire
the same nature and no more severe than that found in residences nonresidential occupancy is protected detection system in accordance
22.3.5.3 All lodging or rooming houses, other than those meeting by an automatic fire detection system with Section 11.2.
22.3.5.4, shall be protected throughout by an approved automatic in accordance with Section 11.2.
sprinkler system in accordance with 22.3.5.
22.3.5.4 An approved, automatic sprinkler system shall not be 22.2.1.2 In addition to the 22.2.1.2 In addition to the
required where every sleeping room has a door opening directly to primary route, each sleeping primary route, each sleeping
the outside of the building at street or ground level, or has a door room and living area shall have a room and living area shall have
opening directly to the outside leading to an exterior stairway that second means of escape in a second means of escape in
meets the requirements of 22.2.1.1. accordance with 21.2.2. accordance with 21.2.2, unless
22.3.6 Commercial Cooking Equipment. Commercial cooking the sleeping room or living area
equipment shall be protected in accordance with Section 11.10. Exception: If the sleeping room has a door leading directly
22.4 Reserved. or living area has a door leading outside the building with access
22.5 Building Services. directly outside the building to grade or to a stairway that
22.5.1 Utilities. Utilities shall comply with the provisions of Chapters with access to grade or to a meets the requirements for
48 and 50. stairway that meets the exterior stairs in 22.2.1.1.
22.5.2 Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning. Heating, requirements for exterior stairs
ventilating, and air conditioning equipment shall comply with the in 22.2.1.1, that means of escape
provisions of Chapter 49. shall be considered as meeting
22.5.3 Elevators, Escalators, and Conveyors. Elevators, escalators, and all of the escape requirements
conveyors shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 51. for that sleeping room or living
SUBSTANTIATION: The proposed Chapter 22 incorporates the area.
actions taken on the public and committee proposals. 22.2.1.3 Every story more than 22.2.1.3 In buildings other than
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. 2000 ft2 (185 m2) in area or those protected throughout by
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22 with travel distance to the an approved, supervised
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION: primary means of escape more automatic sprinkler system in
AFFIRMATIVE: 20 than 75 ft (23 m) shall be accordance with 22.3.5, every
NEGATIVE: 1 provided with two primary story more than 2000 ft2 (185
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb means of escape remotely m2) in area or with travel
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE: located from each other. distance to the primary means
KLUVER: See my Explanation of Negative on Proposal 5000-940 of escape more than 75 ft (23
(Log #1200). Exception: Buildings protected m) shall be provided with two
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE: throughout by an approved, primary means of escape
BURTON: I am voting to affirm the committee vote on the concept supervised automatic sprinkler remotely located from each
of Log #CP1413 solely for the purpose of correcting the text of the system in accordance with 22.3.5. other.
NFPA 5000 draft document at this time. It is not my intent to signal 22.2.2 Interior stairways shall be 22.2.2 Interior stairways, other
agreement with the complete contents of Log #CP1413 with this enclosed by 1/2-hour fire than those in accordance with
affirmative vote. As provided for in the NFPA procedures, I reserve barriers with all openings 22.2.2.1 or 22.2.2.2, shall be
the right to comment, challenge or vote to reject any or all sections of protected with smoke-actuated enclosed by 1/2-hour fire
Chapter 22 of the NFPA 5000 document in any committee actions at automatic-closing or self-closing barriers with all openings
a later date. doors having a fire resistance protected with smoke-actuated
LATHROP: Add “supervised” after “approved” and before comparable to that required for automatic-closing or self-closing
“automatic” in 22.3.1.1.2. the enclosure. The stairway shall doors having a fire resistance
___________________ comply with 12.2.2.5.3. comparable to that required for
the enclosure. The stairway shall
(Log #CP1417) Exception No. 1: Where an interior comply with 12.2.2.5.3.
Committee: SAF-RES stair connects the street floor with the
5000- 932 - (Chapter 22): Accept story next above or below only, but 22.2.2.1 Where an interior stair
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Residential Occupancies not with both, the interior stair shall connects the street floor with
RECOMMENDATION: Revise the following paragraphs to be required to be enclosed only on the the story next above or below
eliminate exceptions in accordance with the NFPA Manual of Style as street floor. only, but not with both, the
follows: interior stair shall be required to
22.1.2.3 No multiple-dwelling 22.1.2.3 Multiple dwelling units Exception No. 2: Stairways shall be be enclosed only on the street
unit of a residential occupancy of a residential occupancy shall permitted to be unenclosed in floor.
shall be located above any be permitted to be located accordance with the exceptions to
nonresidential occupancy. above a nonresidential 22.3.1.1. 22.2.2.2 Stairways shall be
occupancy only where one of permitted to be unenclosed in
Exception No. 1: Where the dwelling the following conditions exists: accordance with the exceptions
unit of the residential occupancy and (a) Where the dwelling unit of to 22.3.1.1.
exits therefrom are separated from the the residential occupancy and
nonresidential occupancy by exits therefrom are separated 22.2.3 Doors and paths of travel 22.2.3 Doors in a means of
construction having a fire-resistance from the nonresidential in a means of escape shall be not escape, other than bathroom
rating of not less than 1 hour. occupancy by construction less than 28 in. (71 cm) wide. doors in accordance with 22.2.4,
having a fire resistance rating of and paths of travel in a means of
not less than 1 hour. Exception: Bathroom doors shall be escape shall be not less than 28
Exception No. 2: Where the (b) Where the nonresidential not less than 24 in. (61 cm) wide. in. (71 cm) wide.
nonresidential occupancy is protected occupancy is protected
throughout by an approved, throughout by an approved, 22.2.4 Bathroom doors shall be
supervised automatic sprinkler supervised automatic sprinkler not less than 24 in. (61 cm)
system in accordance with Section system in accordance with wide.
11.3. Section 11.3.

482

22.2.7* No door in any means
of escape shall be locked against
egress when the building is
occupied.
Exception: Delayed-egress locks
complying with 12.2.1.6.1 shall
be permitted, provided that not
more than one such device is
located in any one escape path.
22.3.1.1 Vertical openings shall
be protected so that no primary
escape route is exposed to an
unprotected vertical opening.
The vertical opening shall be
considered protected if the
opening is cut off and enclosed
in a manner that provides a
smoke- and fire-resisting
capability of not less than 1/2
hour. Any doors or openings
shall have a smoke- and fire-
resisting capability equivalent to
that of the enclosure and shall
be automatic-closing on
detection of smoke or shall be
self-closing.
Exception No. 1: In buildings three
or fewer stories in height that are
protected throughout by an approved
automatic sprinkler system in
accordance with 22.3.5, unprotected
vertical openings shall be permitted.
However, in such cases, a primary
means of escape from each sleeping
area shall be provided. Such means
of escape shall not pass through a
portion of a lower floor unless such
portion is separated from all spaces
on that floor by construction having
a 1/2-hour fire resistance rating.
Exception No. 2: In buildings two
or fewer stories in height protected
throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with 22.3.5.1,
stair enclosures shall not be required.
22.3.3.2 Initiation. Initiation of
the required fire alarm system
shall be by manual means in
accordance with 11.2.2.
Exception: Buildings protected
throughout by an approved
automatic sprinkler system in
accordance with 22.3.5, with alarm
initiation in accordance with
11.2.2.1(3).
22.3.3.3 Notification. Occupant
notification shall be provided
NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
22.2.7 Door locking
arrangements shall comply with
either 22.2.7.1 or 22.2.7.2.
22.2.7.1 No door in any means
of escape shall be locked against
egress when the building is
occupied.
22.2.7.2 Delayed-egress locks
complying with 12.2.1.6.1 shall
be permitted, provided that not
more than one such device is
located in any one escape path.
22.3.1.1 Vertical openings shall
comply with either 22.3.1.1.1,
22.3.1.1.2, or 22.3.1.1.3.
22.3.1.1.1 Vertical openings
shall be protected so that no
primary escape route is exposed
to an unprotected vertical
opening. The vertical opening
shall be considered protected if
the opening is cut off and
enclosed in a manner that
provides a smoke- and fire-
resisting capability of not less
than 1/2 hour. Any doors or
openings shall have a smoke-
and fire-resisting capability
equivalent to that of the
enclosure and shall be
automatic-closing on detection
of smoke or shall be self-closing.
22.3.1.1.2 In buildings three or
fewer stories in height that are
protected throughout by an
approved automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with
22.3.5, unprotected vertical
openings shall be permitted.
However, in such cases, a
primary means of escape from
each sleeping area shall be
provided. Such means of escape
shall not pass through a portion
of a lower floor unless such
portion is separated from all
spaces on that floor by
construction having a 1/2-hour
fire resistance rating.
22.3.1.1.3 Stair enclosures shall
not be required in buildings two
or fewer stories in height
protected throughout by an
approved, supervised automatic
sprinkler system in accordance
with 22.3.5.1.
22.3.3.2 Initiation. Initiation of
the required fire alarm system
shall be by manual means in
accordance with 11.2.2, or by
alarm initiation in accordance
with 11.2.2.1(3) in buildings
protected throughout by an
approved automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with
22.3.5.
22.3.3.3 Notification. Occupant
notification shall be provided
483
automatically in accordance with
11.2.3.
Exception No. 1*: Visible signals for
the hearing impaired shall not be
required where the proprietor resides
in the building and there are five or
fewer rooms for rent.
Exception No. 2: Positive alarm
sequence in accordance with
11.2.3.4 shall be permitted.
22.3.4 Separation of Sleeping
Rooms. All sleeping rooms shall
be separated from escape route
corridors by walls and doors that
are smoke resistant. There shall
be no louvers or operable
transoms. Air passages shall not
penetrate the wall unless they
are properly installed heating
and utility installations other
than transfer grilles. Transfer
grilles shall be prohibited. Doors
shall be provided with latches or
other mechanisms suitable for
keeping the doors closed. Doors
shall not be arranged to prevent
the occupant from closing the
door. Doors shall be self-closing
or automatic-closing upon
detection of smoke.
Exception: Door-closing devices
shall not be required in
buildings protected throughout
by an approved automatic
sprinkler system in accordance
with 22.3.5.
22.3.5.2 All new lodging or
rooming houses shall be
protected throughout by an
approved automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with
22.3.5.1.
Exception: Where every sleeping
room has a door opening directly to
the outside of the building at street or
ground level, or has a door opening
directly to the outside leading to an
exterior stairway that meets the
requirements of 22.2.1.1.
22.5.2.2 Unvented fuel-fired
heaters shall not be used.
automatically in accordance with
11.2.3, as modified by 22.3.3.3.1
and 22.3.3.3.2.
22.3.3.3.1 Visible signals for the
hearing impaired shall not be
required where the proprietor
resides in the building and there
are five or fewer rooms for rent.
22.3.3.3.2 Positive alarm
sequence in accordance with
11.2.3.4 shall be permitted.
22.3.4 Separation of Sleeping
Rooms.
22.3.4.1 All sleeping rooms shall
be separated from escape route
corridors by walls and doors that
are smoke resistant.
22.3.4.2 There shall be no
louvers or operable transoms.
22.3.4.3 Air passages shall not
penetrate the wall unless they
are properly installed heating
and utility installations other
than transfer grilles.
22.3.4.4 Transfer grilles shall be
prohibited.
22.3.4.5 Doors shall be provided
with latches or other
mechanisms suitable for keeping
the doors closed.
22.3.4.6 Doors shall not be
arranged to prevent the
occupant from closing the door.
22.3.4.7 In buildings other
than those protected
throughout by an approved,
automatic sprinkler system in
accordance with 22.3.5, doors
shall be self-closing or
automatic-closing upon
detection of smoke.
22.3.5.2 All new lodging or
rooming houses, other than
those meeting 22.3.5.3, shall be
protected throughout by an
approved automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with
22.3.5.1.
22.3.5.3 An approved,
automatic sprinkler system shall
not be required where every
sleeping room has a door
opening directly to the outside
of the building at street or
ground level, or has a door
opening directly to the outside
leading to an exterior stairway
that meets the requirements of
22.2.1.1.
(Section deleted by committee
proposal.)
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
Exception: Gas space heaters in
compliance with NFPA 54, National
Fuel Gas Code.
SUBSTANTIATION: The proposal intends only to reformat the
referenced paragraphs and not make substantive changes. Any
substantive changes resulting from other proposals will be
incorporated into this format.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
KLUVER: Proposed Section 22.1.2.3 should read: “22.1.2.3 Multiple
dwelling units of...nonresidential occupancy only where one of...”.
Proposed Section 22.2.2 should read: “22.2.2 Interior stairways,
other than...a fire resistance not less than comparable to that
required for...”.
Proposed Section 22.2.2.1 should read: “22.2.2.1 Where an interior stair
connects the street level story floor with either the story next above or
below only, but not with both, only the interior stair on the street level
story shall be required to be enclosed by 1/2-hr fire barriers only on the
street floor.”
Proposed Section 22.3.1.1.3 should read: “22.3.1.1.3 Stair enclosures
shall not be required in buildings two or fewer stories in height where the
building is protected throughout by...”.
Because the existing section read better with the Exception, retain
Section 22.3.3.2 as currently written. If the original language is not
retained, proposed Section 22.3.3.2 should read: “22.3.3.2 Initiation of
the...in accordance with 11.2.2.1(3) where the building is in buildings
protected throughout by...”.
Proposed Section 22.3.4 should read: “22.3.4.1 All sleeping rooms
shall be separated from escape rout corridors by wall and doors that
are smoke resistant and shall meet the following conditions:
(1) 22.3.4.2 There shall be no...
(2) 22.3.4.3 Air passages...
(3) 22.3.4.4 Transfer grilles...
(4) 22.3.4.5 Doors shall...
(5) 22.3.4.6 Doors shall not be...
22.3.4.27 In buildings other than...”.
___________________
484
(Log #1028
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 933 - (22-1.2.1): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: James A. Rossberg, Christopher P. Jones, American
Society of Civil Engineers/Rep. Federal Emergency Management
Agency, Mitigation Directorate
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows:
22.1.2 Mixed Occupancies.
22.1.2.1 Where another type of occupancy exists in the same
building as a residential occupancy, the requirements of 6.171.14 of
this Code shall apply.
SUBSTANTIATION: Corrects incorrect section reference in text.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise 22.1.2 and 22.1.2.1 to read as follows:
22.1.2 Multiple Occupancies.
22.1.2.1 All multiple occupancies shall be in accordance with
Section 6.2.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action is consistent with
action taken by the Technical Committee on Fundamentals (Chapter 6),
and should meet the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #CP1405
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 934 - (22-1.3): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Residential Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 22.1.3 to read as follows:
22.1.3 Definitions. Terms applicable to this chapter are defined in
Chapter 3.
SUBSTANTIATION: The proposal provides language consistent
with the other residential occupancy chapters.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #913h
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 935 - (22-1.6): Accept
SUBMITTER: Sam Francis, American Forest & Paper Assn.
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Section 22.1.6 entirely, and
substitute the new text as follows:
22.1.6 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction shall be
in accordance with Chapter 7.
SUBSTANTIATION: The table derived from the Epcot Building
Code was incomplete and failed to include most of the occupancy
groups now included in this code. The data presented to the
Structures and Construction TC indicate that the area of a building is
not one of the significant factors in determining the safety of the
building. Number, location and size of exits, travel distance and fire
resistance of the structure do not change due to area. Therefore, the
allowable areas in this code should not be less than those permitted
under many of the building codes now in existence. The proposed
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
table simply recognizes those facts and proposes areas which are
currently permitted in the United States.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #1199)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 936 - (22-2.1.3 Exception No. 2 (New) ): Reject
SUBMITTER: William Hopple, Simplex Time Recorder Co.
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new Exception No. 2 to read:
Exception No. 2: Buildings protected throughout by an approved,
total (complete) coverage smoke detection system, providing
occupant notification and installed in accordance with Chapter 11.
SUBSTANTIATION: Clearly, this is an issue of increasing egress
time. The section requires two means of escape remotely located from
each other unless the building is sprinkled in accordance with Section
22.3.5. Section 22.3.5.1 then requires the sprinkler system to be
installed in accordance with Section 11.3 and shall actuate the fire
alarm system in accordance with Section 11.2. Section 11.2.1.3 states
in part: “The provisions of Section 11.2 cover the basic functions of a
complete fire alarm system, including fire detection, alarm, and
communications. These systems are primarily intended to provide the
indication and warning of abnormal conditions, the summoning of
appropriate aid, and the control of occupant facilities to enhance
protection of life.
Therefore, in addition to the benefit provided by sprinkler
activation, the occupants are warned by its operation so that they can
choose whether to remain in their living area or egress the building. It
is presumptuous of us to think that occupants will remain inside of a
living area when sprinklers are operating, considerable quantities or
products of combustion are present and the fire alarm system is
operating the notification appliances. Occupants are going to attempt
to leave the structure.
That being said, providing sprinkler protection will increase the
likeliness of surviving a fire and the amount of time to egress the
structure. While it is true that early warning smoke detection systems
will not control or extinguish a fire this new exception will provide
considerably earlier warning to occupants so that they can safely
egress ... considerably earlier warning than would be initiated from
waterflow switches in the current exception.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: Insufficient technical substantiation
has been provided to permit an increase in travel distance in a means
of egress with smoke detection. While smoke alarms might reduce the
time to occupant awareness of a fire, they do not affect fire growth,
therefore, a second primary means of escape should be required for
nonsprinklered stories greater than 2000 sq-ft in area.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #CP1406)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 937 - (22-3.1.2): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Residential Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 22.3.1.2 and add a new A.22.3.1.2 as
follows:
22.3.1.2* Exterior stairs shall be protected against blockage caused
by fire within the building.
A.22.3.1.2 Such protection can be accomplished by separation by
physical distance, arrangement of the stairs, protection of the
openings exposing the stairs, or a combination thereof.
485
SUBSTANTIATION: The proposal is intended to clarify how exterior
means of escape stairs can be protected from a fire within the
building.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #54)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 938 - (22-3.2): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Marcelo M. Hirschler, GBH International/Rep. Fire
Retardant Chemicals Association
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
22.3.2 Interior Finish.
22.3.2.1 Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter 10.
Interior wall and ceiling finish tested in accordance with NFPA 286,
Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Evaluating Contribution of Wall
and Ceiling Interior Finish to Room Fire Growth, and meeting the
conditions of 10.3.5.3 shall be deemed to comply with a Class A
classification in accordance with NFPA 255, Standard Method of Test
of Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials.
22.3.2.2 Interior wall and ceiling finish. Interior wall and ceiling
finish materials complying with Section 10.3 in accordance with
Chapter 10 shall be Class A, Class B, or Class C in occupied spaces.
SUBSTANTIATION: This proposal addresses two separate issues:
(a) The sentence added to 22.3.2.1 addresses the issue that unless
this is stated specifically, there is no way of permitting interior finish
tested by the room corner test (NFPA 286) to be installed. There is
abundant evidence that materials that comply with a room-corner test
requirements are equivalent in fire performance to materials tested
using the Steiner tunnel test. As an example, Table 1 shows a set of 10
materials tested in the room-corner test and the Steiner tunnel test
(Reference: M.M. Hirschler & M.L. Janssens, Fire and Materials Conf.,
San Antonio, TX, Feb. 22-23, 1999, Interscience Communications,
London, UK, pp. 179-198): only one of the 10 materials failed the
room-corner test; all other materials met Class A flame spread index
(FSI not to exceed 25); even the material which flashed over the room
had a flame spread index low enough to meet Class B in the Steiner
tunnel test (FSI not to exceed 75). Also, only one of the 10 materials
in the set failed to meet the Steiner tunnel test smoke development
index limit of 450, and it also failed the criterion in 10.3.5.3. The two
enclosed Figures show comparisons of Steiner tunnel FSI versus room
corner peak rate of heat release and Steiner tunnel SDI versus room
corner total smoke released, indicating how materials meeting room-
corner test criteria also meet Steiner tunnel criteria.
Figure Steiner Tunnel FSI
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
Figure Steiner Tunnel SDI
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
Table 1 Test Results for Materials Tested in Room-Corner and
Steiner Tunnel Tests
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
It must be clarified that this proposal does not require a material to
undergo room-corner testing, but gives the option of material
approvals via room-corner testing, as intended by the Life Safety
Code. This option appears to be missing in the draft of the NFPA
5000 Building Code.
(b) The other changes attempt to have consistency of references
between the occupancy chapters.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise 22.3.2.2 to read as follows:
22.3.2.2 Interior wall and ceiling finish materials shall be Class A,
Class B, or Class C in occupied spaces.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action eliminates
unnecessary, duplicative references, and should meet the submitter's
intent. This action should be consistent with action taken by the
Technical Committee on Furnishings and Contents on Chapter 10.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 20
ABSTENTION: 1
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF ABSTENTION:
LATHROP: See my Explanation of Abstention on Proposal 5000-963
(Log #32).
___________________
(Log #247)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 939 - (22-3.4): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Michael Gardner, Gypsum Association
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
22.3.4. Separation of Sleeping Rooms. All sleeping rooms shall be
separated from escape route corridors by wall and doors that are
smoke resistant. by smoke partitions as defined in section 8.4.
(Remainder unchanged.)
SUBSTANTIATION: A "smoke resistant" wall or door is a term not
defined in the draft. It is a confusing term and seems to imply a
requirement for the use of a product that cannot be damaged by
smoke.
It is more likely that the intent of the paragraph is to require
materials that will prohibit the transfer of smoke from one side of the
corridor to the other. This is covered by the smoke barrier and smoke
partition information in Chapter 8.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise to read as follows:
22.3.4 Separation of Sleeping Rooms. All sleeping rooms shall be
separated from escape route corridors by smoke partitions in
accordance with 8.4.1. (Remainder unchanged.)
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action clarifies the
submitter's proposal by directing the user to the specific paragraph
addressing smoke partitions. Smoke dampers are not required in duct
penetrations through smoke partitions.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #1200)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 940 - (22-3.4 Exception): Reject
SUBMITTER: William Hopple, Simplex Time Recorder Co.
RECOMMENDATION: Delete text - Delete the exception entirely.
SUBSTANTIATION: This exception goes too far regarding
mitigating life-safety requirements just because a fire sprinkler system
is installed. The section requires doors to close upon detection of
smoke followed by an exception that says it’s acceptable to leave them
open if sprinklers are installed. If a fire occurs, considerable smoke
and steam will transition into the sleeping rooms as well as making the
escape route corridors very difficult to use. Sprinklers will not stop
these commodities from migrating into sleeping rooms and areas
used for egress. Reducing the cost of construction by using sprinklers
to mitigate methods and materials is occasionally acceptable when it
partners with other protection and does not reduce safety to
occupants. This exception does not provide an alternative to closing
the doors upon detection of smoke. Fire Sprinklers are not smoke
sensing devices. If the fire is a smoldering fire before going to flame,
486
significant smoke will enter the sleeping rooms. Even if and when the
sprinkler(s) activate, they will add to the decreased visibility in the
corridor and sleeping rooms.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: In lodging and rooming house
occupancies, which are similar to one- and two-family dwellings, it is
intended to allow the flexibility of leaving doors open in sprinklered
buildings.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 20
NEGATIVE: 1
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
KLUVER: Because of the transient nature of some occupants in
lodging and rooming house occupancies, I believe that additional
redundancy to protect the path of escape is appropriate. Although
sprinklers have an excellent record, their effectiveness decreases with
age. The proposed NFPA 5000 Building Code already has an extensive
number of sprinkler trade-offs that impact exiting, such as increased
distance of travel and reduced corridor ratings. I also agree with the
proponent’s statement that “the exception does not provide an
alternative to closing the doors upon detection of smoke”, thus
providing a ready path for smoke to contaminate the corridor should
a fire occur.
___________________
(Log #CP1422)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 941 - (22-3.5.1): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Residential Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new 22.3.5.1 and renumber successive
paragraphs as follows:
22.3.5.1 Where modifications are permitted by this Code based on
the installation of an automatic sprinkler system, such modifications
shall be permitted when the automatic sprinkler system complies with
11.3.1.1(a), 11.3.1.1(b), or 11.3.1.1(c), unless otherwise indicated in
this chapter.
SUBSTANTIATION: The proposal clarifies modifications to code
requirements are permitted with the installation of any of the types of
sprinkler systems in 11.3.1.1 (NFPA 13, NFPA 13R, and NFPA 13D).
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
NEGATIVE: 2
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
ISMAN: Our negative ballot on Log #CP1422 is because this
proposal will allow NFPA 13D systems to be used outside their scope
(in Lodging and Room Houses) and will inappropriately be utilized
for construction trade-offs.
KLUVER: I concur with Mr. Isman’s rationale in his negative vote.
___________________
(Log #CP1407)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 942 - (22-3.5.2): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Residential Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Delete the word “new” in 22.3.5.2.
SUBSTANTIATION: It is not necessary to use the word 'new' since
the scope of NFPA 5000 is limited to new construction.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(Log #188)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 943 - (22-3.5.2 Exception): Reject
SUBMITTER: Ken Bush, Maryland State Fire Marshals Office
RECOMMENDATION: Delete the Exception.
SUBSTANTIATION: It is time to remove these exceptions for new
construction and provide both life and property protection for these
occupancies. There is no technical justification for keeping these
exceptions.
NOTE: This proposal was submitted on behalf of the Ad-Hoc
Committee on Fire Code Development.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter has provided no
technical substantiation to warrant the removal of the exception.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #119)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 944 - (22-3.5.3 (New) ): Reject
SUBMITTER: Charles Smeby, Jr., Florida State Fire College
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows:
22.3.5.3 Buildings over 10,000 square feet shall be protected by an
approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system installed in
accordance with Chapter 11.
SUBSTANTIATION: Since the NFPA 5000 draft is substantial
derived for the NFPA Life Safety Code and is focused towards
occupant safety during a fire, I would like to propose fire protection
criteria that would also cover firefighting safety and property
protection. Building codes typically contain many items that are
property protection features.
Each municipality has an interest in reducing and eliminating fire
losses. From both a "Public Policy" perceptive and to maintain
structures that provide taxes and places for employment for their
citizens, fire losses do have a major fiscal impact of local and state
governments.
This would also have the added benefit for reducing insurance
premiums that are the direct result of fire loss. Many of the
requirements int he typical building code were derived to limit fire
losses, and this tradition should be continued in this innovative new
code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter provides no technical
justification for the proposed 10,000 sq-ft criteria.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #231)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 945 - (22-3.5.3 (New) ): Reject
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Add new Section 22.3.5.3
22.3.5.3 Portable fire extinguishers shall be installed in accordance
with Section 11.6 in common laundry, storage, trash collection, and
boiler and fuel-fired heater rooms.
SUBSTANTIATION: NFIRS and FEMA data indicate that portable
fire extinguishers are used to combat a relatively large percentage of
fires. A means to combat incipient fires in hazardous areas should be
provided. NFPA 5000 Section 4.5.1 indicates that fire protection and
life safety should not depend solely on a single safeguard. Portable
fire extinguishers form part of a total fire protection package.
487
Note: Supporting material is available for review at NFPA
Headquarters.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: Requirements for portable fire
extinguishers are within the scope of a fire prevention code, such as
NFPA 1, rather than the Building Code.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #1146)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 946 - (22-3.5.3 (New) ): Reject
SUBMITTER: Kevin Kelly, National Fire Sprinkler Association
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text to read as follows:
“Fire Sprinkler Systems shall be installed throughout buildings with a
floor level located 55 ft or more above the lowest level of Fire
Department Vehicle Access.
Exception No. 1: Buildings where all floors located 55 ft or more
above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access have an
occupant load less than 30 shall not require sprinklers due to this
section.
Exception No. 2: Airport control towers shall not require sprinklers
due to this section.
Exception No. 3: Open parking structures shall not require
sprinklers due to this section.”
SUBSTANTIATION: Fire sprinklers, without the rest of the high-rise
provisions, are necessary in buildings beyond the reach of fire
department ground ladders. This is similar to a provision in the
International Building Code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The proposed 55-foot height criteria
does not appear to apply to lodging and rooming house occupancies.
The proposed Exceptions do not apply to lodging and rooming house
occupancies.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #217)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 947 - (22-3.6 (New) ):
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that the action on this proposal be changed from "Accept" to "Accept
in Principle" without change to the wording shown in the Committee
Action field, in concurrence with Messrs. Lathrop's and Shapiro's
comment on affirmative.
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Add new Section 22.3.6 as follows:
22.3.6 Cooking Facilities. Cooking facilities shall be protected in
accordance with Section 11.8.
SUBSTANTIATION: NFPA 5000 currently has no requirements for
the protection of cooking facilities.
See also ancillary proposal to add new Section 11.8 related to
cooking hazards.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
Revise 22.3.6 as follows:
22.3.6. Commercial Cooking Equipment. Commercial cooking
equipment shall be protected in accordance with Section 11.8.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action is intended to
clarify the requirements of NFPA 96 apply to commercial cooking
equipment, and coordinate the cross-reference with the action on
Chapter 11. This action should meet the submitter's intent.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
LATHROP: Action should be Accept in Principle not Accept.
SHAPIRO: The action recorded for this item “Accept” is incorrect.
The committee’s action on the item, which is correctly recorded in
the revised text underneath the listed committee action, was to
“Accept in Principle.” See Proposal 5000-1010 (Log #219), which is
the identical change, but correctly shown as “Accept in Principle.”
___________________
(Log #610a)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 948 - (22-5.2.2, 23.5.2, 24.5.2.2 Exception): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: James Ranfone, American Gas Assn.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise the Exception in each section as
follows:
Exception: Gas space heaters installed in compliance with ANSI
Z223.1/NFPA 54, National Fuel Gas Code.
SUBSTANTIATION: To add the full designation of the National
Fuel Gas code, ANSI Z223.2/NFPA 54.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Delete the noted paragraphs.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action should meet the
submitter’s intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #1027)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 949 - (22-6 (New) ): Reject
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to SAF-RES requesting that the subject of this proposal be
revisited now that a draft of Chapter 100 Flood Resistant Design and
Construction is available via Proposal 5000-1421 (Log #623).
SUBMITTER: James A. Rossberg, Christopher P. Jones, American
Society of Civil Engineers/Rep. Federal Emergency Management
Agency, Mitigation Directorate
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows:
22.6 Flood Resistance. Lodging and rooming houses that are
located wholly or partly within the flood hazard area established by
Section 100.3.2, shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 100.
SUBSTANTIATION: Makes code provisions compliant with National
Flood Insurance Program regulations for buildings and structures in
flood hazard areas. Note that this proposal is one of a series of
proposals that will insure NFPA 5000 compliance with NFIP
regulations. Although submitted separately, the proposals comprising
the series should be considered together.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee is unable to determine
the full impact of the proposal without having the opportunity to
review and understand the complete referenced document. The
committee is also unable to determine what buildings are located
wholly or partly within the flood hazard area.
The committee requests the Building Code Technical Correlating
Committee provide guidance on how to handle flood provisions.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
488
(Log #CP1414)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 950 - (Chapter 23): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Residential Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Insert Chapter 23 of NFPA 5000, Building
Code, to incorporate the actions taken on the public and committee
proposals as follows:
Chapter 23
Hotels and Dormitory Occupancies
23.1 General Requirements.
23.1.1 The requirements of this chapter apply to the following:
(a) Buildings or portions thereof used as hotel or dormitory
occupancies, other than those dormitories meeting 23.1.2 (see
Chapter 1)
(b) Additions made to, or used as, a hotel or dormitory occupancy,
other than those dormitories meeting 23.1.2
(c) Alterations, modernizations, or renovations of existing hotel or
dormitory occupancies, other than those dormitories meeting 23.1.2
(d) Buildings or portions thereof upon change of occupancy to a
hotel or dormitory occupancy, other than those dormitories meeting
23.1.2
23.1.2 Any dormitory divided into suites of rooms, with one or more
bedrooms opening into a living room or study that has a door
opening into a common corridor serving a number of suites, shall be
classified as an apartment building.
23.1.3 Multiple Occupancies.
23.1.3.1 All multiple occupancies shall be in accordance with Section
6.2.
23.1.3.2 No guest room or guest suite of a hotel or dormitory
occupancy shall have its sole means of egress pass through any
nonresidential occupancy in the same building.
23.1.4 Definitions. Terms applicable to this chapter are defined in
Chapter 3.
23.1.5 Classification of Occupancy. (See 23.1.4.)
23.1.6 Classification of Hazard of Contents. The contents of
residential occupancies shall be classified as ordinary hazard in
accordance with Chapter 6. For the design of automatic sprinkler
systems, the classification of contents in NFPA 13, Standard for the
Installation of Sprinkler Systems, shall apply.
23.1.7 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction shall be in
accordance with Chapter 7.
23.1.8 Occupant Load. The occupant load, in number of persons for
whom means of egress and other provisions are required, shall be
determined on the basis of the occupant load factors of Table 12.3.1.2
that are characteristic of the use of the space or shall be determined
as the maximum probable population of the space under
consideration, whichever is greater.
23.2 Means of Egress Requirements.
23.2.1 General. Means of egress from guest rooms or guest suites to
the outside of the building shall be in accordance with Chapter 12
and this chapter. Means of escape within the guest room or guest suite
shall comply with the provisions of Section 21.2 for one- and two-
family dwellings. For the purpose of application of the requirements
of Chapter 21, the terms guest room and guest suite shall be
synonymous with the terms dwelling or living unit.
23.2.2 Means of Egress Components.
23.2.2.1 General.
23.2.2.1.1 Components of means of egress shall be limited to the types
described in 23.2.2.2 through 23.2.2.12.
23.2.2.1.2 In buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 23.3.5, exit
enclosures shall have a fire resistance rating of not less than 1 hour,
and the fire protection rating of doors shall be not less than 1 hour.
23.2.2.2 Doors.
23.2.2.2.1 Doors complying with 12.2.1 shall be permitted.
23.2.2.2.2 Door locking arrangements shall comply with either
23.2.2.2.2.1, 23.2.2.2.2.2, or 23.2.2.2.2.3.
23.2.2.2.2.1 No door in any means of egress shall be locked against
egress when the building is occupied.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
23.2.2.2.2.2 Delayed-egress locks complying with 12.2.1.6.1 shall be
permitted, provided that not more than one such device is located in
any one egress path.
23.2.2.2.2.3 Access-controlled egress doors complying with 12.2.1.6.2
shall be permitted.
23.2.2.2.3 Revolving doors complying with 12.2.1.10 shall be
permitted.
23.2.2.2.4 Horizontal sliding doors, as permitted by 12.2.1.14, shall
not be used across corridors.
23.2.2.3 Stairs. Stairs complying with 12.2.2 shall be permitted.
23.2.2.4 Smokeproof Enclosures. Smokeproof enclosures complying
with 12.2.3 shall be permitted.
23.2.2.5 Horizontal Exits. Horizontal exits complying with 12.2.4 shall
be permitted.
23.2.2.6 Ramps. Ramps complying with 12.2.5 shall be permitted.
23.2.2.7 Exit Passageways. Exit passageways complying with 12.2.6 shall
be permitted.
23.2.2.8 (Reserved.)
23.2.2.9 (Reserved.)
23.2.2.10 Fire Escape Ladders. Fire escape ladders complying with
12.2.9 shall be permitted.
23.2.2.11 Alternating Tread Devices. Alternating tread devices
complying with 12.2.11 shall be permitted.
23.2.2.12* Areas of Refuge.
A.23.2.2.12 The provision of 23.2.2.12 permits the entire floor to serve
as an area of refuge where it is protected in accordance with 23.3.5.
The provision is acceptable because supervised automatic sprinkler
systems have built-in signals for monitoring features of the system,
such as the opening and closing of water control valves. Such systems
also monitor pump power supplies, water tank levels, and conditions
that will impair the satisfactory operation of the sprinkler system.
Because of these monitoring features, supervised automatic sprinkler
systems have a high level of satisfactory performance and response to
fire conditions.
23.2.2.12.1 Areas of refuge complying with 12.2.12 shall be permitted,
as modified by 23.2.2.12.2.
23.2.2.12.2 In buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 23.3.5, the
two accessible rooms or spaces separated from each other by smoke-
resistive partitions in accordance with the definition of area of refuge
in Chapter 3 shall not be required.
23.2.3 Capacity of Means of Egress.
23.2.3.1 The capacity of means of egress shall be in accordance with
Section 12.3.
23.2.3.2 Street floor exits shall be sufficient for the occupant load of
the street floor plus the required capacity of stairs and ramps
discharging onto the street floor.
23.2.3.3* Corridors, other than those within individual guest rooms or
individual guest suites, shall be of sufficient width to accommodate
the required occupant load, and shall be not less than 44 in. (112
cm).
A.23.2.3.3 The provision for corridors within individual guest rooms
or guest suites does not apply where a suite can be subdivided and
rented separately.
23.2.4 Number of Exits
23.2.4.1 In buildings other than those complying with 23.2.4.2, not
less than two separate exits shall be provided on each story. (See also
Section 12.4.)
23.2.4.2 Buildings of four stories or less protected throughout by an
approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
23.3.5, with not more than four guest rooms or guest suites per floor,
shall be permitted to have a single exit under the following
conditions:
(a) The stairway is completely enclosed or separated by barriers
having a fire resistance rating of not less than 1 hour, with self-closing
1-hour fire protection-rated doors protecting all openings between
the stairway enclosure and the building.
(b) The stairway does not serve more than one-half of a story below
the level of exit discharge.
489
(c) All corridors serving as access to exits have not less than a 1-
hour fire resistance rating.
(d) The travel distance from the entrance door of any guest room
or guest suite to an exit does not exceed 35 ft (10.7 m).
(e) Horizontal and vertical separation with a fire rating of not less
than 1/2 hour is provided between guest rooms or guest suites.
23.2.5 Arrangement of Means of Egress.
23.2.5.1 Access to all required exits shall be in accordance with
Section 12.5, as modified by 23.2.5.2.
23.2.5.2 The distance between exits addressed by 12.5.1.4 shall not
apply to common nonlooped exit access corridors in buildings that
have corridor doors from the guest room or guest suite that are
arranged such that the exits are located in opposite directions from
such doors.
23.2.5.3 In buildings not protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 23.3.5,
common paths of travel shall not exceed 35 ft (10.7 m). Travel within
a guest room or guest suite shall not be included when calculating
common path of travel.
23.2.5.4 In buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 23.3.5,
common path of travel shall not exceed 50 ft (15 m).
23.2.5.5 In buildings not protected throughout by an approved,
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 23.3.5, dead-end
corridors shall not exceed 35 ft (10.7 m).
23.2.5.6 In buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 23.3.5,
dead-end corridors shall not exceed 50 ft (15 m).
23.2.5.7 Any guest room or any guest suite of rooms in excess of 2000
ft2 (185 m2) shall be provided with not less than two exit access doors
remotely located from each other.
23.2.6 Travel Distance to Exits.
23.2.6.1 Travel distance within a guest room or guest suite to a
corridor door shall not exceed 75 ft (23 m) in buildings not protected
by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance
with 23.3.5.
23.2.6.2 Travel distance within a guest room or guest suite to a
corridor door shall not exceed 125 ft (38 m) in buildings protected by
an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance
with 23.3.5.
23.2.6.3 Travel distance from the corridor door of any guest room or
guest suite to the nearest exit shall comply with either 23.2.6.2.1,
23.2.6.2.2, or 23.2.6.2.3.
23.2.6.3.1 Travel distance from the corridor door of any guest room
or guest suite to the nearest exit, measured in accordance with
Section 12.6, shall not exceed 100 ft (30 m).
23.2.6.3.2 Travel distance from the corridor door of any guest room
or guest suite to the nearest exit, measured in accordance with
Section 12.6, shall not exceed 200 ft (60 m) for exterior ways of exit
access arranged in accordance with 12.5.3.
23.2.6.3.3 Travel distance from the corridor door of any guest room
or guest suite to the nearest exit, measured in accordance with
Section 12.6, shall not exceed 200 ft (60 m) where the exit access and
any portion of the building that is tributary to the exit access are
protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with 23.3.5. In addition, the portion of the
building in which the 200-ft (60-m) travel distance is permitted shall
be separated from the remainder of the building by construction
having a fire resistance rating of not less than 1 hour, for buildings
not more than three stories in height, and 2 hours for buildings more
than three stories in height.
23.2.7 Discharge from Exits.
23.2.7.1 Exit discharge shall comply with Section 12.7.
23.2.7.2* Any required exit stair that is located so that it is necessary to
pass through the lobby or other open space to reach the outside of
the building shall be continuously enclosed down to a level of exit
discharge or to a mezzanine within a lobby at a level of exit discharge.
A.23.2.7.2 Where open stairways are permitted, they are considered as
exit access to exits rather than as exits, and the requirements for
travel distance to exits include the travel on such stairs.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

23.2.7.3 The distance of travel from the termination of the exit (2) Lobbies and corridors — Class A or Class B
enclosure to an exterior door leading to a public way shall not exceed (3) Other spaces — Class A, Class B, or Class C
100 ft (30 m). 23.3.3.3 Interior floor finish in exit enclosures and in exit access
23.2.8 Illumination of Means of Egress. Means of egress shall be corridors and in spaces not separated from them by walls complying
illuminated in accordance with Section 12.8. with 23.3.6 shall be not less than Class II in accordance with Section
23.2.9 Emergency Lighting. Emergency lighting in accordance with 10.7. In all other spaces, interior floor finish shall comply with 10.7.1.
Section 12.9 shall be provided in all buildings with more than 25 23.3.4 Detection, Alarm, and Communications Systems.
rooms, unless each guest room or guest suite has an exit direct to the 23.3.4.1 General. A fire alarm system in accordance with Section 11.2,
outside of the building at street or ground level. except as modified by 23.3.4.2 through 23.3.4.5, shall be provided.
23.2.10 Marking of Means of Egress. Means of egress shall have signs 23.3.4.2 Initiation. The required fire alarm system shall be initiated by
in accordance with Section 12.10. the following:
23.2.11 Special Means of Egress Features. (Reserved.) (1) Manual means in accordance with 11.2.2
23.3 Protection. (2) A manual fire alarm box located at the hotel desk or other
23.3.1 Protection of Vertical Openings. convenient central control point under continuous supervision by
23.3.1.1 Vertical openings shall comply with 23.3.1.1.1, 23.3.1.1.2, or responsible employees
23.3.1.1.3. (3) Any automatic sprinkler system
23.3.1.1.1 Vertical openings shall be enclosed or protected in (4) Any required automatic detection system other than sleeping
accordance with Chapter 9. room smoke detectors
23.3.1.1.2 Vertical openings in accordance with 9.4.2 shall be 23.3.4.3 Notification.
permitted. 23.3.4.3.1* Occupant notification shall be provided automatically in
23.3.1.1.3 In buildings protected throughout by an approved, accordance with 11.2.3. Positive alarm sequence in accordance with
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 23.3.5, the 11.2.3.4 shall be permitted.
fire resistance of walls enclosing vertical openings shall be not less A.23.3.4.3.1 Visible signaling appliances might be governed by
than 1 hour and the fire protection rating of doors shall be not less provisions of federal regulations in 28 CFR 36, Appendix A
than 1 hour. (Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines — ADAAG),
23.3.1.2 No floor below the level of exit discharge used only for Section 4.28, Alarms.
storage, heating equipment, or purposes other than residential 23.3.4.3.2* Guest rooms and guest suites specifically required and
occupancy shall have unprotected openings to floors used for equipped to accommodate hearing impaired individuals shall be
residential purposes. provided with a visible notification appliance.
23.3.2 Protection from Hazards. A.23.3.4.3.2 A quantity of such rooms and suites might be required to
23.3.2.1 Any room containing high-pressure boilers, refrigerating be equipped to accommodate hearing impaired individuals based on
machinery, transformers, or other service equipment subject to the total number of rooms in a transient lodging facility. (See 28 CFR
possible explosion shall not be located directly under or directly 36, Appendix A (Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility
adjacent to exits. All such rooms shall be effectively cut off from other Guidelines — ADAAG), Sections 9.1.3, 9.1.5, and 9.2.2(8).)
parts of the building as specified in Section X.X. 23.3.4.3.3 In occupiable areas, other than guest rooms and guest
23.3.2.2 Hazardous Areas. Any hazardous area shall be protected in suites, visible notification appliances shall be provided.
accordance with Section X.X. The areas described in Table 23.3.2.2 23.3.4.3.4 Annunciation in accordance with 11.2.7 shall be provided
shall be protected as indicated. Where sprinkler protection without in buildings exceeding two stories in height or having more than 50
fire-rated separation is used, areas shall be separated from other rooms.
spaces by smoke partitions complying with 8.4.1. 23.3.4.3.5* Provisions shall be made for the immediate notification of
the public fire department by telephone or other means in case of
Table 23.3.2.2 Hazardous Area Protection fire. Where there is no public fire department, notification shall be
Hazardous Area Description Separation/Protection made to the private fire brigade.
Boiler and fuel-fired heater 1-hr and sprinklers A.23.3.4.3.5 The provision for immediate notification of the public
rooms serving more than a fire department is intended to include, but is not limited to, all of the
single guest room or guest suite arrangements in Chapter 11. Other arrangements that depend on a
Employee locker rooms 1-hr or sprinklers clerk or other member of the staff to notify the fire department might
also be permitted. In such cases, however, it is essential that a trained
Gift or retail shops 1-hr or sprinklers
staff member and an immediately available means of calling the fire
Bulk laundries 1-hr and sprinklers
department are continuously available. If a telephone is to be used, it
Guest laundries not more than 1-hr or sprinklers1 should not be of any type or arrangement that requires a coin or the
100 sq ft (9.3 sq m) outside of unlocking of a device to contact the fire department.
guest rooms or guest suites 23.3.4.4 Detection. A corridor smoke detection system in accordance
Guest laundries more than 100 1-hr and sprinklers with Section 11.2 shall be provided in buildings other than those
sq ft (9.3 sq m) outside of guest protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler
rooms or guest suites system in accordance with 23.3.5.
Maintenance shops 1-hr and sprinklers 23.3.4.5* Smoke Alarms. Smoke alarms shall be installed in
Storage rooms 2 1-hr or sprinklers accordance with 11.2.2.10 in every guest room and every living area
Trash rooms 1-hr and sprinklers and sleeping room within a guest suite.
1
Where automatic sprinkler protection is provided, no A.23.3.4.5 Caution needs to be exercised in locating smoke detectors
enclosure shall be required. and smoke alarms with regard to their proximity to bathrooms,
2
Where storage areas not exceeding 24 sq ft (2.2 sq m) are cooking facilities, and HVAC outlets in order to prevent nuisance
directly accessible from the guest room or guest suite, no alarms.
separation or protection shall be required. 23.3.5 Extinguishment Requirements.
23.3.5.1 Where modifications are permitted by this Code based on the
23.3.3 Interior Finish. installation of an automatic sprinkler system, such modifications shall
23.3.3.1 Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter 10. be permitted when the automatic sprinkler system complies with
23.3.3.2 Interior wall and ceiling finish materials shall be permitted as 11.3.1.1(a), 11.3.1.1(b), or 11.3.1.1(c), unless otherwise indicated in
follows: this chapter.
(1) Exit enclosures — Class A

490
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
23.3.5.2 All buildings other than those complying with 23.3.5.3 shall
be protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic
sprinkler system in accordance with 23.3.5.4.
23.3.5.3 Automatic sprinkler protection shall not be required in
buildings other than high-rise buildings, where all guest sleeping
rooms have a door that opens directly to the outside at street or
ground level, or to exterior exit access arranged in accordance with
12.5.3.
23.3.5.4 Where an automatic sprinkler system is installed, either for
total or partial building coverage, the system shall be in accordance
with Section 11.3, as modified by 23.3.5.5. In buildings up to and
including four stories in height, systems in accordance with
11.3.1.1(b) shall be permitted.
23.3.5.5 The provisions for draft stops and closely spaced sprinklers in
NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, shall not
be required for openings complying with 9.4.2 where the opening is
within the guest room or guest suite.
23.3.5.6 Listed quick-response or listed residential sprinklers shall be
used throughout guest rooms and guest room suites.
23.3.5.7 Open parking structures complying with Section 29.8, that
are contiguous with hotels or dormitories shall be exempt from the
sprinkler requirements of 23.3.5.2.
23.3.5.8 In buildings other than those protected throughout with an
approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 11.3, portable fire extinguishers shall be provided as specified
in Section 11.6 in hazardous areas addressed by 23.3.2.2.
23.3.5.8 Standpipes.
23.3.5.8.1 General. Standpipe and hose systems shall be installed and
maintained in accordance with Section 11.4.
23.3.5.8.2 Where required. Class I standpipe systems shall be installed
throughout all buildings in which occupied floors are located more
than 30 feet (9,144 mm) above or below the lowest level of fire
department vehicle access.
23.3.5.8.3 Nonsprinklered large expanse buildings. Class I standpipe
systems shall be provided in nonsprinklered buildings in which any
portion of the building is more than 200 feet (61 m) of travel from
the nearest point of fire department access into the building.
23.3.5.8.4 Sprinklered large expanse buildings. Class I standpipe
systems shall be provided in sprinklered buildings in which any
portion of the building is more than 350 ft (107 m) of travel from the
nearest point of fire department access into the building.
23.3.5.8.5 Roof outlets. Roof outlets shall not be required on roofs
having a slope of 3 in 12 or greater.
23.3.6 Corridors.
23.3.6.1 Walls. Exit access corridor walls shall consist of fire barriers in
accordance with Section 8.3 that have not less than a 1-hour fire
resistance rating, or in buildings protected throughout by an
approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
23.3.5, corridor walls shall have not less than a 1/2-hour fire
resistance rating.
23.3.6.2 Doors. Doors that open onto exit access corridors shall have
not less than a 20-minute fire protection rating in accordance with
8.7.
23.3.6.3 Doors that open onto exit access corridors shall be self-
closing and self-latching.
23.3.6.4 Unprotected openings, other than those from spaces
complying with 23.3.6.5, shall be prohibited in exit access corridor
walls and doors.
23.3.6.5 Spaces shall be permitted to be unlimited in area and open to
the corridor, provided that the following criteria are met:
(a) The spaces are not used for guest rooms or guest suites or
hazardous areas.
(b) The building is protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 23.3.5.
(c) The space does not obstruct access to required exits.
23.3.6.6 Transoms, louvers, or transfer grilles shall be prohibited in
walls or doors of exit access corridors.
23.3.7 Subdivision of Building Spaces. Buildings shall be subdivided in
accordance with 23.3.7.1 or 23.3.7.2.
491
23.3.7.1 In buildings not meeting 23.3.7.2, each hotel guest room,
including guest suites, and dormitory room shall be separated from
other guest rooms or dormitory rooms by walls and floors constructed
as fire barriers having fire resistance ratings of not less than one hour.
23.3.7.2 In buildings protected throughout by an approved automatic
sprinkler system, electrically supervised in accordance with 11.3.2,
each hotel guest room, including guest suites, and dormitory room
shall be separated from other guest rooms or dormitory rooms by
walls and floors constructed as fire barriers having fire resistance
ratings of not less than 1/2 hour.
23.3.8 Special Protection Features. (Reserved.)
23.4 Special Provisions.
23.4.1 High-Rise Buildings. High-rise buildings shall comply with
Section Chapter 32.
23.5 Building Services.
23.5.1 Utilities. Utilities shall comply with the provisions of Chapters
48 and 50.
23.5.2 Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning. Heating,
ventilating, and air conditioning equipment shall comply with the
provisions of Chapter 49, except as otherwise required in this chapter.
23.5.3* Elevators, Escalators, and Conveyors. Elevators, escalators, and
conveyors shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 51. In high-rise
buildings, one elevator shall be provided with a protected power
supply and shall be available for use by the fire department in case of
emergency.
A.23.5.3 “Protected power supply” means a source of electrical energy
of sufficient capacity to allow proper operation of the elevator and its
associated control and communications systems. The power supply’s
point of origin, system of distribution, type and size of overcurrent
protection, degree of isolation from other portions of the building
electrical system, and degree of mechanical protection should be such
that it is unlikely that the supply would be disrupted at any but the
advanced stages of building fire involvement or by structural collapse.
A protected power supply might consist of, and should provide, not
less than the level of reliability associated with an electrical
distribution system with service equipment located and installed in
accordance with Section 230-72(b) and Section 230-82(5) of NFPA 70,
National Electrical Code. The distribution system is not to have any
other connection to the building electrical distribution system. A
protected power supply is not required to incorporate two sources of
energy or automatic transfer capability from a normal to an
emergency source, for example, an alternate set of service conductors.
The number and type of elevators to be connected to a protected
power supply should be limited, or the characteristics of the protected
power supply should be selected to ensure conformance with Section
230-95 of NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, without the provision of
ground fault protection for the supply.
An elevator installation supplied by a protected power supply should
comply with Article 620 of NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, except
that the energy absorption means required by Section 620-91 should
always be connected on the load side of the disconnecting means. The
energy absorption means should not consist of loads likely to become
inoperative or disconnected under the conditions assumed to exist
when the elevator is under the control of fire department personnel.
Examples of such loads include light and power loads external to the
elevator equipment room.
23.5.4 Rubbish Chutes, Incinerators, and Laundry Chutes. Rubbish
chutes, incinerators, and laundry chutes shall comply with the
provisions of Section 9.6.
23.6 Reserved.
SUBSTANTIATION: The proposed Chapter 23 incorporates the
actions taken on the public and committee proposals.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 20
NEGATIVE: 1
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE: Exception No. 1: Where the the following conditions exists:
KLUVER: See my Explanation of Negative on Proposal 5000-957 dwelling unit of the residential a. Where the dwelling
(Log #1084a) and Proposal 5000-961 (Log #1086). occupancy and exits therefrom are unit of the residential
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE: separated from the nonresidential occupancy and exits therefrom
BURTON: I am voting to affirm the committee vote on the concept occupancy by construction having are separated from the
of Log #CP1414 solely for the purpose of correcting the text of the a fire resistance rating of not less nonresidential occupancy by
NFPA 5000 draft document at this time. It is not my intent to signal than 1 hour. construction having a fire
agreement with the complete contents of Log #CP1414 with this resistance rating of not less than
affirmative vote. As provided for in the NFPA procedures, I reserve Exception No. 2: Where the 1 hour.
the right to comment, challenge or vote to reject any or all sections of nonresidential occupancy is b. Where the
Chapter 23 of the NFPA 5000 document in any committee actions at a protected throughout by an nonresidential occupancy is
later date. approved, supervised automatic protected throughout by an
LATHROP: Revise 25.3.4.2 by adding “each of” so as to read sprinkler system in accordance with approved, supervised automatic
“initiated by each of the following:”. Section 11.3. sprinkler system in accordance
with Section 11.3.
___________________
SUBSTANTIATION: The proposal intends only to reformat the
(Log #CP1418) referenced paragraphs and not make substantive changes. Any
Committee: SAF-RES substantive changes resulting from other proposals will be
5000- 951 - (Chapter 23): Accept incorporated into this format.
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
name to SAF-RES requesting that the TC give consideration to Messrs. VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
Klein's and Kluver's comment on affirmative so as to make any AFFIRMATIVE: 21
needed changes. NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Residential Occupancies COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
RECOMMENDATION: Revise the following paragraphs to eliminate KLEIN: My comment is an editorial correction. Sections 23.2.5.5
exceptions in accordance with the NFPA Manual of Style as follows: and 23.2.5.6 should be deleted since they are already covered by
23.1.1.1 The requirements of 23.1.1.1 The requirements of Sections 23.2.5.3 and 23.2.5.4.
this chapter apply to the this chapter apply to the KLUVER: Revise the 4 items under Section 23.1.1.1 by striking “,
following: following: other than those dormitories meeting 23.1.1.2”.
Proposed Section 23.1.2.3 should read: “23.1.2.3 Multiple dwelling
(1) Buildings or portions (1) Buildings or portions units of...nonresidential occupancy only where one of...”.
thereof used as hotel or thereof used as hotel or Because these existing sections read better with the Exceptions,
dormitory occupancies (see dormitory occupancies, other retain Sections 23.2.5.1, 23.2.5.2, 23.2.5.3, 23.2.6.1, 23.2.6.2, 23.2.9,
Chapter 1) than those dormitories meeting 23.3.4.4, 23.3.5.5, and 23.3.6.1 as currently written.
23.1.1.2 (see Chapter 1) Because Section 23.3.6.1 has so many other problems besides format,
(2) Additions made to, or it should remain in its current sad state until a proper rewrite is
used as, a hotel or dormitory (2) Additions made to, or undertaken.
occupancy used as, a hotel or dormitory
occupancy, other than those ___________________
(3) Alterations, dormitories meeting 23.1.1.2
modernizations, or renovations (Log #1085)
of existing hotel or dormitory (3) Alterations, Committee: SAF-RES
occupancies modernizations, or renovations 5000- 952 - (23-1.2): Accept in Principle
of existing hotel or dormitory SUBMITTER: Mark Kluver, Portland Cement Association
(4) Buildings or portions occupancies, other than those RECOMMENDATION: Revise Section 23.1.2 as follows:
thereof upon change of dormitories meeting 23.1.1.2 23.1.2 Mixed Occupancies.
occupancy to a hotel or 23.1.2.1 Where another type of occupancy exists in the same
dormitory occupancy (4) Buildings or portions building as a hotel or dormitory residential occupancy, the
thereof upon change of requirements of Section 6.3.4 6.17 of this code shall apply.
Exception: Any dormitory divided occupancy to a hotel or 23.1.2.2 No guest room or guest suite dwelling unit of a hotel or
into suites of rooms, with one or dormitory occupancy, other dormitory residential occupancy shall have its sole means of egress
more bedrooms opening into a than those dormitories meeting pass through any non residential occupancy in the same building.
living room or study that has a 23.1.1.2 23.1.2.3 No multiple dwelling unit of a residential occupancy shall
door opening into a common be located above any nonresidential occupancy.
corridor serving a number of suites, 23.1.1.2 Any dormitory divided Exception No. 1: Where the dwelling unit of the residential
shall be classified as an apartment into suites of rooms, with one or occupancy and exists therefrom are separated from the
building. more bedrooms opening into a nonresidential occupancy by construction having a fire resistance
living room or study that has a rating of not less than 1 hour.
door opening into a common Exception No. 2: Where the nonresidential occupancy is protected
corridor serving a number of throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in
suites, shall be classified as an accordance with Section 11.3.
apartment building. SUBSTANTIATION: Sections 23.1.2.1 and 23.1.2.2 address dwelling
units, however, the subject of the chapter is “hotel and dormitory
23.1.2.3 No multiple-dwelling 23.1.2.3 Multiple dwelling units occupancies”. Section 23.1.2.1 and 23.1.2.2 address dwelling units,
unit of a residential occupancy of a residential occupancy shall however, the subject of the chapter is “hotel and dormitory
shall be located above any be permitted to be located occupancies”. Section 23.1.2.1 also has an incorrect cross-reference.
nonresidential occupancy. above a nonresidential Section 23.1.2.3 has been deleted to allow the provisions of Section
occupancy only where one of 6.3.4 to apply.

492
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise 23.1.2 as follows:
23.1.2 Multiple Occupancies.
23.1.2.1 All multiple occupancies shall be in accordance with Section
6.2.
23.1.2.2 No guest room or guest suite of a hotel or dormitory
occupancy shall have its sole means of egress pass through any
nonresidential occupancy in the same building.
(Delete 23.1.2.3.)
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action coordinates with
action taken by the Technical Committee on Fundamentals (Chapter
6) and should meet the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #1030)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 953 - (23-1.2.1): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: James A. Rossberg, Christopher P. Jones, American
Society of Civil Engineers/Rep. Federal Emergency Management
Agency, Mitigation Directorate
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows:
23.1.2 Mixed Occupancies.
23.1.2.1 Where another type of occupancy exists in the same
building as a residential occupancy, the requirements of 6.171.14 of
this Code shall apply.
SUBSTANTIATION: Corrects incorrect section reference in text.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See the action on Proposal 5000-952 (Log #1085).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The Committee Action on Proposal
5000-952 (Log #1085) should meet the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #CP1408)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 954 - (23-1.3): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Residential Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 23.1.3 to read as follows:
23.1.3 Definitions. Terms applicable to this chapter are defined in
Chapter 3.
SUBSTANTIATION: The proposal provides language consistent with
the other residential occupancy chapters.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #973)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 955 - (23-1.6): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Section 23.1.6 - Minimum
Construction Requirements - from this Chapter.
SUBSTANTIATION: Minimum construction requirements are
addressed by the Height and Area Requirements of Table 7.3 of this
Code. Additional limitations for building construction stated in this
Chapter are not needed and may lead to a conflict in such
requirements, and confusion for the user of the document as to
493
where to find minimum building construction requirements and what
requirements to apply where there is a conflict.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See the action on Proposal 5000-956 (Log #913i).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action on Proposal
5000-956 (Log #913i) should meet the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #913i)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 956 - (23-1.6): Accept
SUBMITTER: Sam Francis, American Forest & Paper Assn.
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Section 23.1.6 entirely, and substitute
the new text as follows:
23.1.6 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction shall be
in accordance with Chapter 7.
SUBSTANTIATION: The table derived from the Epcot Building
Code was incomplete and failed to include most of the occupancy
groups now included in this code. The data presented to the
Structures and Construction TC indicate that the area of a building is
not one of the significant factors in determining the safety of the
building. Number, location and size of exits, travel distance and fire
resistance of the structure do not change due to area. Therefore, the
allowable areas in this code should not be less than those permitted
under many of the building codes now in existence. The proposed
table simply recognizes those facts and proposes areas which are
currently permitted in the United States.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #1084a)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 957 - (23-2.2.1.2): Reject
SUBMITTER: Mark Kluver, Portland Cement Association
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Section 23.2.2.1.2 as follows:
23.2.2.1.2 In buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 23.3.5, exit
enclosures shall have a fire resistance rating of not less than 1 hour,
and the fire protection rating of doors shall be not less than 1 hour.
SUBSTANTIATION: Traditional building codes, include the EPCOT
Building Code (Table 7.2 and Section 809.2), have not permitted this
reduction where automatic sprinklers are installed due to concerns
that property protection may not be adequately addressed. In
addition, a minimum 2-hour fire resistance rating is important to
occupants and firefighter safety in residential buildings where exit
enclosures connect four or more stories. Although occupancy loads
may be lower in hotels, dormitories and apartment buildings than
other occupancies that are not granted this sprinkler tradeoff, they
are full of occupants during the evening hours when fire typically
occur. Vertical exit ways must remain assessable by the fire service as
long as possible for evacuation purposes. Because of the need for
protection of exists for occupants and firefighters and the improved
property protection provided, 2-hour exit shafts are needed.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter has provided no data to
substantiate the proposed change from what has been in the Life
Safety Code for a number of years.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
NEGATIVE: 2
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
KLUVER: This proposal, which would delete Section 23.2.2.1.2, is
consistent with the last sentence of Exception No. 2 of Section
23.2.6.2 that requires that the increased travel distance permitted in a
sprinklered building (i.e., 20 ft versus 100 ft) must be separated from
the remainder of the building by 2-hr construction in buildings more
than three stories in height.
In the Committee Statement for rejection, it states that the submitter
provided no data to substantiate the deletion of a provision that has
been in the Life Safety Code for a number of years. In response, it
should be noted that the committee has not provided substantiation
to show that 1-hr rated exit enclosures in sprinklered buildings
connecting four or more stories have performed satisfactorily. The
fact that the Life Safety Code has permitted 1-hr exit enclosures does
not mean that it has been the practice, especially for mid- to high-rise
buildings, because local building codes have almost always applied,
and have required minimum 2-hr rated shaft enclosures. These
higher rated shafts provide not only life safety protection (especially
in the case of sprinkler failure), but also property protection. If the
NFPA 5000 Building Code is to be more than a life safety code it must
provide additional property protection features. To be a meaningful
building code, it needs to provide redundant life safety and property
protection features for critical structures, such as mid- to high-rise
buildings.
LATHROP: This provision should not be allowed in new
construction.
___________________
(Log #265)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 958 - (23-2.2.3): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Jake Pauls, Jake Pauls Consulting Services
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows:
“Stairs complying with 12.2.2 shall be permitted, provided that spiral
stairs shall comply with 12.2.2.2.3.2.”
SUBSTANTIATION: This builds upon a larger public proposal that I
have submitted recommending the mainstreaming of the “7-11” step
geometry for dwellings. There is also a narrower public proposal to
delete 12.2.2.2.3.4. Allowing 9 1/2 inch riser heights and tread depths
of 7 1/2 inches in guest rooms and guest suites is not appropriate in
view of the stair safety and usability problems described at great
length in that other proposal. Use of such mean step geometry for
spiral stairs should be restricted to very limited population conditions
such as industrial occupancies.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Do not add the proposed text.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: No revision to Chapter 23 is necessary
due to revisions to Chapter 12. The spiral stair described in
12.2.2.2.3.3 is now only permitted when specifically allowed by the
occupancy chapter. The committee action should meet the
submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #1195)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 959 - (23-2.6.1 Exception): Reject
SUBMITTER: William Hopple, Simplex Time Recorder Co.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows:
Exception: A travel distance not exceeding 125 ft (38 m) shall be
permitted in buildings protected by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 23.3.5. or
interconnected smoke alarms in all sleeping and living areas of the
guest room.
SUBSTANTIATION: This is another egress and quantity of time
issue. There is no reason that the same 50 additional feet of travel
494
distance should not be given if smoke alarms are installed and
interconnected in the guest rooms. Regardless of where the fire is
located, smoke alarms will respond to particles of combustion
considerably sooner than any kind of sprinkler head will, provide
occupant notification, and ample and additional egress time.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: Most buildings will be protected by
automatic sprinklers unless rooms have direct access to the outside.
It's unclear how many rooms would be affected by interconnected
smoke alarms. Also, while automatic detection might reduce the time
to occupant notification of a fire, it will not affect fire growth,
therefore, exit travel distance should not be permitted to be extended
based on the presence of smoke detection.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 20
NEGATIVE: 1
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
LATHROP: The proposal appears reasonable.
___________________
(Log #1196)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 960 - (23-2.6.2 Exception No. 2): Reject
SUBMITTER: William Hopple, Simplex Time Recorder Co.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise Exception No. 2 to read:
Exception No. 2: The permitted travel distance to exits shall not
exceed 200 ft (60 m) where the exit access and any portion of the
building that is tributary to the exit access are protected throughout
by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance
with 23.3.5 or an approved total (complete) coverage smoke detection
system, providing occupant notification and installed in accordance
with Chapter 11.
SUBSTANTIATION: This is another consideration for an alternate
method of increasing egress time. Since the section deals with travel
distance to the nearest exit, increasing it by twice the length due to
the early warning and protection afforded by automatic sprinklers
strongly suggests that it is acceptable to double the distance to an exit
because sprinklers will control or extinguish the fire. It is presumed
that occupants will still egress, otherwise, why limit the distance at all.
Although smoke detectors and sprinklers do not respond to the same
fire signatures, it is presumed by most that a flaming fire will usually
follow after the corridor has filled with smoke and become untenable.
Since smoke detectors are very early warning devices, and since the
existing Exception No. 2 is a time and travel distance variance, it only
makes sense to allow (at least) the same travel distance increase if the
building has automatic smoke detection installed that will initiate
occupant notification for an earlier egress.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The only application of the proposed
provision would be to nonsprinklered buildings, which would have
exterior corridors, therefore, the use of smoke detection would not
apply outside.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #1086)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 961 - (23-3.1.1 Exception No. 1 and No. 2): Reject
SUBMITTER: Mark Kluver, Portland Cement Association
RECOMMENDATION: Revise Section 23.3.1.1 as follows:
23.3.1.1 Any vertical opening shall be enclosed or protected in
accordance with Chapter 9.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
Exception No. 1: Openings in accordance with 9.4.1 shall be
permitted.
Exception No. 2: In buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 23.3.5, the
fire resistance of walls shall be not less than 1 hour and the fire
protection rating of doors shall be not less than 1 hour.
SUBSTANTIATION: It is not rational to require floors to be rated at
2-hours, and then allow them to have openings protected by shafts
that are rated at only 1-hour. Traditional building codes, including
the EPCOT Building Code (Table 7.2), do not permit this reduction
for automatic sprinklers due to concerns that property protection may
not be adequately addressed. In addition, vertical shafts, especially
those that connect four or more stories, act as chimneys during a fire.
The 2-hour rated shafts prevent the spread of fire though a building,
providing additional time for evacuation and safer working conditions
for firefighters. We question the rationale of proposing this sprinkler
tradeoff for residential occupancies, but not allowing it for
nonresidential occupancies. Shouldn’t equal property protection
features for all occupancies be provided. In addition, the occupants
in apartment buildings may be sleeping and not be aware of a
developing fire condition, thus creating a higher risk to life safety
than that of nonresidential occupancies.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter has provided no data to
substantiate the proposed change from what has been in the Life
Safety Code for a number of years.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
NEGATIVE: 2
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
KLUVER: The committee has not provided substantiation to show
that 1-hr rated shafts in sprinklered buildings connecting four or
more stories have performed satisfactorily. The fact that the Life
Safety Code has permitted 1-hr shaft enclosures does not mean that it
has been done except for a few isolated cases, especially for mid- to
high-rise hotels, because local building codes have almost also
applied, and have required minimum 2-hr rated shaft enclosures.
These higher rated shafts provide not only life safety protection
(especially in the case of sprinkler failure), but also property
protection. Before this Life Safety Code provision is carried into the
NFPA 5000 Building Code, some effort should be made to determine
its effectiveness under real world conditions.
If the NFPA 5000 Building Code is to be more than a life safety code
it must provide additional property protection features. To be a
meaningful building code, it needs to provide redundant life safety
and property protection features for critical structures, such as mid- to
high-rise buildings.
LATHROP: See my Explanation of Negative on Proposal 5000-957
(Log #1084a).
___________________
(Log #55)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 962 - (23-3.3): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Marcelo M. Hirschler, GBH International/Rep. Fire
Retardant Chemicals Association
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
23.3.3 Interior Finish.
23.3.3.1 Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter 10.
Interior wall and ceiling finish tested in accordance with NFPA 286,
Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Evaluating Contribution of Wall
and Ceiling Interior Finish to Room Fire Growth, and meeting the
conditions of 10.3.5.3 shall be deemed to comply with a Class A
classification in accordance with NFPA 255, Standard Method of Test
of Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials.
495
23.3.3.2 Interior wall and ceiling finish. Interior wall and ceiling
finish materials complying with 10.3 in accordance with Chapter 10
shall be permitted as follows:
(1) Exit enclosures - Class A
(2) Lobbies and corridors - Class A, or, Class B
(3) Other spaces - Class A, Class B, or Class C.
SUBSTANTIATION: This proposal addresses two separate issues:
(a) The sentence added to 23.3.3.1 addresses the issue that unless
this is stated specifically, there is no way of permitting interior finish
tested by the room corner test (NFPA 286) to be installed. There is
abundant evidence that materials that comply with a room-corner test
requirements are equivalent in fire performance to materials tested
using the Steiner tunnel test. As an example, Table 1 shows a set of 10
materials tested in the room-corner test and the Steiner tunnel test
(Reference: M.M. Hirschler & M.L. Janssens, Fire and Materials Conf.,
San Antonio, TX, Feb. 22-23, 1999, Interscience Communications,
London, UK, pp. 179-198): only one of the 10 materials failed the
room-corner test; all other materials met Class A flame spread index
(FSI not to exceed 25); even the material which flashed over the room
had a flame spread index low enough to meet Class B in the Steiner
tunnel test (FSI not to exceed 75). Also, only one of the 10 materials
in the set failed to meet the Steiner tunnel test smoke development
index limit of 450, and it also failed the criterion in 10.3.5.3. The two
enclosed Figures show comparisons of Steiner tunnel FSI versus room
corner peak rate of heat release and Steiner tunnel SDI versus room
corner total smoke released, indicating how materials meeting room-
corner test criteria also meet Steiner tunnel criteria.
Figure Steiner Tunnel FSI
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
Figure Steiner Tunnel SDI
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
Table 1 Test Results for Materials Tested in Room-Corner and
Steiner Tunnel Tests
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
It must be clarified that this proposal does not require a material to
undergo room-corner testing, but gives the option of material
approvals via room-corner testing, as intended by the Life Safety
Code. This option appears to be missing in the draft of the NFPA
5000 Building Code.
(b) The other changes attempt to have consistency of references
between the occupancy chapters.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise 23.3.3.2 to read as follows:
23.3.3.2 Interior wall and ceiling finish materials shall be permitted
as follows:
(1) Exit enclosures - Class A
(2) Lobbies and corridors - Class A or Class B
(3) Other spaces - Class A, Class B, or Class C
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action eliminates
unnecessary, duplicative references, and should meet the submitter's
intent. This action should be consistent with action taken by the
Technical Committee on Furnishings and Contents on Chapter 10.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 20
ABSTENTION: 1
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF ABSTENTION:
LATHROP: See my Explanation of Abstention on Proposal 5000-963
(Log #32).
___________________
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(Log #32)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 963 - (23-3.3.3): Accept
SUBMITTER: James K. Lathrop, Koffel Assoc., Inc./Rep. Carpet &
Rug Institute
RECOMMENDATION: Revised 23.3.3.3 to read as follows:
23.3.3.3 Interior Floor Finish. Interior floor finish in accordance
with Section 10.7 shall be in accordance with Table 23.3.3.3. Delete
the table Interior floor finish in exit enclosures and in exit access
corridors and in spaces not separated from them by walls complying
with 23.3.6 shall be not less than Class II in accordance with Section
10.7. In all other spaces interior floor finish shall comply with 10.7.1.
SUBSTANTIATION: This proposal does several things. First it
provides a consistent format throughout the code for interior floor
finish. Second it provides a user-friendly reference to the proposed
10.7.1. Should 10.7.1 not be accepted in Chapter 10 it will be
editorially removed here. Second it clarifies the use of the term
corridor and exit. It assures that areas open to the corridor are
treated the same as a corridor. This should not be technically
different than previously intended.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 20
ABSTENTION: 1
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF ABSTENTION:
LATHROP: Abstain due to client interest.
___________________
(Log #177)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 964 - (23-3.4.5 Exception): Reject
SUBMITTER: Ken Bush, Maryland State Fire Marshals Office
RECOMMENDATION: Delete the Exception.
SUBSTANTIATION: The exception eliminates the need for a
corridor smoke detection system when the building has an automatic
sprinkler system installed. For life safety purposes the corridor smoke
detection system should be installed to provide early warning in the
event of a fire. Many times smoke can accumulate and spread before
the sprinkler system operates or an alarm is initiated. This would
provide an early warning for the building occupants.
NOTE: This proposal was submitted on behalf of the Ad-Hoc
Committee on Fire Code Development.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter has provided no
technical data to substantiate the removal of the sprinkler exception
for corridor smoke detection, which has been in the Life Safety Code
for several years.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 20
NEGATIVE: 1
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
LATHROP: See my Explanation of Negative on Proposal 5000-959
(Log #1195).
___________________
(Log #155)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 965 - (23-3.4.5 Exception (New) ): Reject
SUBMITTER: S. Chester Jones, S. Chester Jones, P.E., Consultant
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
23.3.4.5* Smoke Alarms. An approved singe-station smoke alarm
shall be installed in accordance with 11.2.2.10 in every guest room
and every living area and sleeping room within a guest suite.
496
Exception: In buildings protected throughout with an approved
smoke and heat detection system in accordance with Section 11.2.
SUBSTANTIATION: In Section 1.2.1 of the Life Safety Code it is
clear that the intent of the Code is to "minimize danger to life from
fire." The Code however does not now address certain dangers as
identified int he report dated April 2000 from the Fire Analysis and
Research Division of NFPA entitles. "The U.S. Fire Problem Overview
Report." The statistics for manufactured homes have been deleted so
the following represents the number for one-and two-family dwellings
and apartments.
This report shows that for dwellings and apartments, 48.5% of
civilian deaths and 51.1% of civilian injuries result from fires
originating in:
a) Living room, family room, or den;
b) Kitchen;
c) Heating equipment room; and
d) Laundry room or area.
We do not mandate protection for these areas.
Further, this report shows that for dwellings and apartments, 34.4%
of civilian deaths and 47.0% of civilian injuries result from fires
caused by:
a) Heating equipment;
b) Other heat sources;
c) Electrical distribution; and
d) Cooking equipment.
We do not mandate protection for these causes.
In the Appendix to the National Fire Alarm Code, for a long time we
have recognized these problems and recommended additional
protection. We can no longer, in good conscience, continue to omit
requirements for fire protection in such areas.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter has provided no data to
substantiate the package of protection currently prescribed (as in the
Life Safety Code) is inadequate. This action is also consistent with the
action taken by the Technical Committee on Building Service and
Fire Protection Equipment (Chapter 11).
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #987)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 966 - (23-3.5 (New) ): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new 23.3.5.6 as follows:
“Approved Fire Department Standpipes in accordance with 11.4
shall be provided in all buildings having an occupiable floor level
more than 30 ft above the lowest level of fire department vehicle
access, or having an occupiable floor level more than 30 ft below the
highest level of fire department access.”
SUBSTANTIATION: The intent of this proposal is to address the
need for fire service operations in buildings of certain heights which
may require excessive hose lays for suppression activities. It is an
attempt to address firefighter safety issues and efficient suppression
efforts with consideration to current fire service manpower
arrangements, standard firefighting procedures, and limitations of
space in areas used for building access and suppression efforts by
responding emergency personnel while other emergency operations
are occurring, such as egress of occupants in stairwells and corridors.
The 30 ft distance has been proposed in order to coordinate with
recognized practices and limitations established by other existing
codes.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See the Committee Action on Proposal 5000-978 (Log #203).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action on Proposal
5000-978 (Log #203) should meet the submitter’s intent.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22 NOTE: This proposal was submitted on behalf of the Ad-Hoc
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION: Committee on Fire Code Development.
AFFIRMATIVE: 21 COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter has provided no
___________________ technical substantiation to remove the exception.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
(Log #CP1423) VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
Committee: SAF-RES AFFIRMATIVE: 20
5000- 967 - (23-3.5.1): Accept NEGATIVE: 1
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
name to SAF-RES requesting that the TC reevaluate its action with ISMAN: Our negative ballot on Log #189, 5000-970 (Log #358),
respect to the scope issue of NFPA 13D sprinkler systems as raised in 5000-971 (Log #922), 5000-972 (Log #923), 5000-973 (Log #120), and
Mr. Isman's explanation of negative. 5000-976 (Log #1147) can be summed up in a single paragraph. The
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Residential Occupancies building code should not allow 7 and 8 story hotel and dormitory
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new 23.3.5.1 and renumber successive occupancies to be built without sprinklers. Each of these proposals
paragraphs as follows: offered a possible solution to the problem. A reasonable compromise
23.3.5.1 Where modifications are permitted by this Code based on developed by a Task Group prior to the meeting, which would have
the installation of an automatic sprinkler system, such modifications required sprinklers for all hotels and dormitories above three stories
shall be permitted when the automatic sprinkler system complies with in height, was also defeated. The reality is that the population at large
11.3.1.1(a), 11.3.1.1(b), or 11.3.1.1(c), unless otherwise indicated in expects sprinklers in hotels and dorms, especially where the building
this chapter. gets to be more than three stories in height. The Federal Hotel/Motel
SUBSTANTIATION: The proposal clarifies modifications to code Fire Safety Act used this cut-off for defining sprinkler protection. The
requirements are permitted with the installation of any of the types of International Building Code does the same. At a time when states are
sprinkler systems in 11.3.1.1 (NFPA 13, NFPA 13R, and NFPA 13D). passing laws for all dorms to be sprinklered, regardless of size and exit
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. access, how can the NFPA justify allowing unsprinklered buildings to
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22 be built? If the new building code is a step backwards in requirements,
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION: who will use it?
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
NEGATIVE: 2 ___________________
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE: (Log #358)
ISMAN: Our negative ballot on Log #CP1423 is because this Committee: SAF-RES
proposal will allow NFPA 13D systems to be used outside their scope 5000- 970 - (23-3.5.2 Exception): Reject
(in Hotels and large dormitories) and will inappropriately be utilized SUBMITTER: Fred K. Walker, US Air Force
for construction trade-offs. RECOMMENDATION: Revise Exception to read:
KLUVER: I concur with Mr. Isman’s rationale in his negative vote. “One and story buildings where all sleeping rooms have a door that
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE: opens directly...”.
LATHROP: I do not recall 11.3.1.1(c) being allowed in hotels. I SUBSTANTIATION: The current wording is taken directly from the
believe that is a typo. Life Safety Code” which is intended to only protect life not the
building, its contents or business continuity. This revised
___________________ requirement will better complete the protection necessary to protect
the building, its contents and business continuity. While most fire
(Log #359) departments can readily deal with fires on the 1st or 2nd floor; it is
Committee: SAF-RES accepted that as the building height and number of floors the fire
5000- 968 - (23-3.5.1 and 23.3.5.2): Accept department’s work demand increases dramatically at the third floor
SUBMITTER: Fred K. Walker, US Air Force and above.
RECOMMENDATION: Renumber 23.3.5.2 to 23.3.5.1 and 23.3.5.1 COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
to 23.3.5.2. COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter has provided no
SUBSTANTIATION: The existing 23.3.5.2 is the actual technical substantiation to limit the exception to only one- and two-
extinguishment requirement and should be the first subparagraph in story buildings.
the section. The existing 23.3.5.1 is subordinate to requirement NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
23.3.5.2 simply explaining how to execute the requirement. VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. AFFIRMATIVE: 20
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22 NEGATIVE: 1
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION: NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
AFFIRMATIVE: 21 EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb ISMAN: See my Explanation of Negative on Proposal 5000-969 (Log
___________________ #189).

(Log #189) ___________________

Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 969 - (23-3.5.2 Exception): Reject
SUBMITTER: Ken Bush, Maryland State Fire Marshals Office
RECOMMENDATION: Delete the Exception.
SUBSTANTIATION: It is time to remove these exceptions for new
construction and provide both life and property protection for these
occupancies. There is no technical justification for keeping these
exceptions.
(Log #922)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 971 - (23-3.5.2 Exception): Reject
SUBMITTER: Phillip A. Brown, American Fire Sprinkler Assn.
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Exception in its entirety.
SUBSTANTIATION: All “R” type occupancies, excluding one-two
family dwellings should be protected throughout with an approved
automatic sprinkler system.

497
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.

COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter has provided no
technical substantiation to justify eliminating the exception.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 20
NEGATIVE: 1
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
ISMAN: See my Explanation of Negative on Proposal 5000-969 (Log
#189).
___________________
(Log #923)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 972 - (23-3.5.2 Exception): Reject
SUBMITTER: Phillip A. Brown, American Fire Sprinkler Assn.
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Exception in its entirety.
SUBSTANTIATION: All “R” type occupancies, excluding one-two
family dwellings should be protected throughout with an approved
automatic sprinkler system.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter has provided no
technical substantiation to justify eliminating the exception.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 20
NEGATIVE: 1
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
ISMAN: See my Explanation of Negative on Proposal 5000-969 (Log
#189).
___________________
(Log #120)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 973 - (23-3.5.3): Reject
SUBMITTER: Charles Smeby, Jr., Florida State Fire College
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows:
23.3.5.3 Buildings over 10,000 square feet shall be protected by an
approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system installed in
accordance with Chapter 11.
SUBSTANTIATION: Since the NFPA 5000 draft is substantial
derived for the NFPA Life Safety Code and is focused towards
occupant safety during a fire, I would like to propose fire protection
criteria that would also cover firefighting safety and property
protection. Building codes typically contain many items that are
property protection features.
Each municipality has an interest in reducing and eliminating fire
losses. From both a "Public Policy" perceptive and to maintain
structures that provide taxes and places for employment for their
citizens, fire losses do have a major fiscal impact of local and state
governments.
This would also have the added benefit for reducing insurance
premiums that are the direct result of fire loss. Many of the
requirements int he typical building code were derived to limit fire
losses, and this tradition should be continued in this innovative new
code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter provides no technical
justification for the proposed 10,000 sq-ft criteria.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 20
NEGATIVE: 1
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
ISMAN: See my Explanation of Negative on Proposal 5000-969 (Log
#189).
___________________
(Log #147)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 974 - (23-3.5.4): Accept
SUBMITTER: Jonathan Humble, American Iron and Steel Insitute
RECOMMENDATION: Revise Section 23.3.5.4
23.3.5.4 Open parking structures complying with NFPA 88A,
Standard for Parking Structures, Section 29.8, that are contiguous
with hotels or dormitories, shall be exempt from the sprinkler
requirements of 23.3.5.2.
SUBSTANTIATION: The proposal before you recommends that the
applicable content of NFPA 88A "Standard for Parking Structures" be
extracted and imported into the NFPA 5000 Building Code in lieu of
simply referencing NFPA 88A. This approach will make NFPA 5000 a
more complete document as the amount of text being proposed for
extraction is not substantive.
The proposed change reflects a dependency on the NFPA 5000
Building Code, versus the NFPA 88A standard, in order to ensure
consistency within the Building Code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #232)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 975 - (23-3.5.5): Reject
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Delete current Section 23.3.5.5 in its entirety
and add the following new sections to delete the current sprinkler
exception for hazardous areas and provide extinguishers in common
areas:
23.3.5.5 Portable fire extinguishers in accordance with 11.6 shall be
provided as described in Sections 23.3.5.5.1 and 23.3.5.5.2.
23.3.5.5.1 Portable fire extinguishers shall be installed in all
hazardous areas as addressed in Section 23.3.2.2.
23.3.5.5.2 Portable fire extinguishers shall be installed in public
spaces, co-located with manual fire alarms as required in Section
23.3.4.
SUBSTANTIATION: 1. Sprinklers and extinguishers are provided
for different reasons; portables for incipient fire control and
sprinklers for fires that are growing.
2. NFIRS and FEMA data indicate that portable fire extinguishers
are used to combat a relatively large percentage of fires. Occupants
may be familiar with hazards/equipment, but alarm/notification
should not be delayed. Co-location with fire alarms will increase the
probability of notification for incipient fires, before portables are
used. NFPA 5000 Section 4.5.1 indicates that fire protection and life
safety should not depend solely on a single safeguard. Portable fire
extinguishers for part of a total fire protection package.
Note: Supporting material is available for review at NFPA
Headquarters.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The use of portable extinguishers
should be limited to trained personnel, such as those likely to occupy
hazardous areas. Extinguishers in public areas might encourage
untrained occupants to attempt to fight a fire rather than egress the
building. In dormitories especially, extinguishers in public areas can
be a maintenance problem and subject to misuse. Extinguishers
should be permitted to be omitted in sprinklered buildings since the
sprinkler system is designed to either control or extinguish the fire
automatically.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________

498
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(Log #1147)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 976 - (23-3.5.6 (New) ): Reject
SUBMITTER: Kevin Kelly, National Fire Sprinkler Association
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text to read as follows:
“Fire Sprinkler Systems shall be installed throughout buildings with a
floor level located 55 ft or more above the lowest level of Fire
Department Vehicle Access.
Exception No. 1: Buildings where all floors located 55 ft or more
above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access have an
occupant load less than 30 shall not require sprinklers due to this
section.
Exception No. 2: Airport control towers shall not require sprinklers
due to this section.
Exception No. 3: Open parking structures shall not require
sprinklers due to this section.”
SUBSTANTIATION: Fire sprinklers, without the rest of the high-rise
provisions, are necessary in buildings beyond the reach of fire
deparmtaent ground ladders. This is similar to a provision in the
International Buidling Code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter's substantiation does not
appear to match the proposal.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 20
NEGATIVE: 1
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
ISMAN: See my Explanation of Negative on Proposal 5000-969 (Log
#189).
___________________
(Log #999)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 977 - (23-3.5.7 (New) ): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new 23.3.5.7 as follows:
“Approved Fire Department Standpipes in accordance with 11.4
shall be provided in all buildings having an occupiable floor level
more than 200 ft from the closest point of fire department vehicle
access.
Exception: Buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic extinguishing system.”
SUBSTANTIATION: The intent of this proposal is to address the
need for fire service operations in buildings which may require
excessive hose lays for suppression activities in buildings of large areas
or limited vehicle access. It is an attempt to address firefighter safety
issues and efficient suppression efforts with consideration to current
fire service manpower arrangements, and standard firefighting
procedures.
The 200 ft distance has been proposed in order to coordinate with
recognized practices of standard lengths of pre-connected fire service
hose lines and limitations established by other existing codes. It is
also recognized that fires in buildings protected throughout by an
extinguishing system will be controlled by that extinguishing system,
and that hose lines would not be required for first line fire
containment and control. The additional time to extend hose lines in
buildings so protected would not adversely impact the overall
protection features of that building.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See the Committee Action on Proposal 5000-978 (Log #203).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action on Proposal
5000-978 (Log #203) should meet the submitter’s intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
499
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 20
NEGATIVE: 1
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
DALY: See my Explanation of Negative on Proposal 5000-978 (Log
#203).
___________________
(Log #203)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 978 - (23-3.6): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows:
23.3.6 Standpipes.
23.3.6.1 General. Standpipe and hose systems shall be installed and
maintained in accordance with Section 11.4 of this code.
23.3.6.2 Where required. Class I or III standpipe systems shall be
installed throughout all buildings in which occupied floors are
located more than 30 feet (9,144 mm) above or below the lowest level
of fire department vehicle access.
23.3.6.3 Large expanse buildings. Class I or III standpipe systems
shall be provided in buildings in which the highest occupied floor is
30 feet (9,144 mm) or less above the lowest level of fire department
vehicle access and any portion of the building is more than 200 feet
(61 m) of travel from the nearest point of fire department access into
the building.
23.3.6.4 Roof outlets. Where standpipe systems are installed in
buildings more than six stories or 75 feet (22,860 mm) in height, at
least one riser shall extend through the roof and terminate in a two-
way, 2 1/2-inch hose connection. The main control valve on roof
hose connections or manifolded hose connections shall be located in
an area that is not subject to freezing, is as close to the roof access as
practical and is plainly identified.
Renumber remaining sections.
SUBSTANTIATION: The current draft of NFPA 5000 contains
minimal or, in some chapters, no requirements for standpipe systems.
Many of these standpipe thresholds proposed in this submittal were
established by the Board for the Coordination of the Model Codes
(BCMC) in the late 1980’s are found in part of many of the existing
building and fire codes today. These requirements and thresholds are
basic fire protection for the building occupants, property protection
and firefighter safety. Standpipe systems should be mandatory in
NFPA-5000.
Balanced Fire Protection requires that provisions be made for
manual fire control. This is also an important issue relating to
firefighter safety. Please see the table developed to show the weights
of 1 3/4-inch and 2 1/2-inch fire hose in 50 foot lengths when filled
with water. When used inside a building, these are intended to be
mobile attack lines. Once can quickly see that 200 feet of fire hose or
less, when charged with water, is the threshold at which we can expect
a fire crew to adequately handle while attacking and fighting a fire.
This is while wearing heavy protective gear and breathing apparatus.
Also submitted are the 1991-1995 NFIRS, NFPA Survey showing
methods of extinguishment. Note that there is insufficient detail with
regard to hose line use to determine if Class I (fire department use),
Class I (occupant use) or, Class III (either fire department or
occupant use) standpipes were used and, in the case of Class III,
whether the standpipe was used by the occupants or the fire
department. It is assumed that the predominant use of the hose lines
is by trained firefighters, whether professional, volunteer or fire
brigade. The important thing to notice is that preconnected and
hand-laid hose lines form hydrant, draft or standpipe were the means
of extinguishment for 19.6 percent of all fire in residential structures
and 25.7 percent of all fires in non-residential structures. This record
mandates that NFPA 5000 have strong standpipe requirements for all
classes of systems.
We have retained those few provisions which are currently in NFPA
5000 and added to them to provide a comprehensive standpipe
package to the new building code. NFPA 5000 Section 4.5.1 indicates
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

that fire protection and life safety should not be depend solely and a VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
single safeguard. Standpipes from part of a total fire protection AFFIRMATIVE: 18
package. NEGATIVE: 3
Standpipes are vital for fire protection. The model codes and NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
national standard require that all portions of a building be within 200 EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
feet of a standpipe hose connection. DALY: I am voting negative on Log #203 and 5000-977 (Log #999)
They are an integral part of a balanced fire protection package as the criterion for determining the necessity for standpipes within
provided for a building. Large expanse buildings would be hotel occupancies is not user friendly, will create mischief in the
particularly vulnerable if the fire service did not have standpipes design and enforcement communities and difficulty for the fire
available to use. service arriving at the scene of fires in such buildings to determine
Automatic fire sprinklers are one excellent method of fire control, whether or not standpipes are present. The criteria proposed for
but they can fail or become overwhelmed by a fire. In that event, standpipes to be provided when the highest floor level is 30 ft above
these has to be a backup to allow the fire service an immediate fire the level of fire department access is difficult to precisely determine
suppression capability. when buildings are designed given variable site conditions, as it does
Without standpipes, firefighters would be put in harm’s way. As you not affirmatively state the location of fire department access (front,
can see from the following table, firefighters safety would be greatly rear or sides?) and the “level of fire department access” is otherwise
jeopardized if they had to maneuver the weight of excessive hose wholly undefined. As such it is vague and arbitrary. Code enforcers
lengths -- especially while wearing heavy breathing apparatus and reviewing plans will interpret such criteria subjectively. Responding
turnout gear. fire service personnel will have to estimate a building’s height in order
to gauge their operational attack.
One 50 Foot Hose Length 1-3/4 Inch 2-1/2 Inch A more enlightened approach is simply to set the criterion based on
-Weights 13.5 Pounds 34 Pounds the number of stories in a building. Whether that is 4, the most likely
- Holds: 7.5 Gallons 12.5 Gallons criteria based on building code requirements and other standards, see
- Water Weight: 60 Pounds 104 Pounds
Total Weight 73.5 Pounds 136 Pounds
for example 1997 UBC Table 9A or a different number, is a matter for
debate but for designers, enforcers and firefighters is a much more
Two Lengths (100 feet) 147 Pounds 272 Pounds straight forward and clearly discernible criterion.
Three Lengths (150 Feet) 220.5 Pounds 408 Pounds KLEIN: I vote negative based on the explanations of the negative
Four*** Lengths (200 feet) 294 Points 544 Pounds votes.
Five Lengths (250 Feet) 367.5 Pounds 680 Pounds SHAPIRO: There are two problems with the committee action. First,
Six Lengths (300 Feet) 441 Pounds 816 Pounds it is preferable to base the height threshold for standpipes on the
Seven Lengths (350 Feet) 514.5 Pounds 952 Pounds number of stories in a building, as opposed to a fixed height limit.
Eight Lengths (400 Feet) 588 Pounds 1,088 Pounds
While it is recognized that other codes have adopted height vs. story
thresholds, the story-based threshold is easier to apply and in real-life,
*** Four hose lengths (200 Feet) is the maximum recommended.
accomplishes essentially the same outcome (depending on floor-to-
floor heights).
Note: Supporting Material available for Review at NFPA
The second problem with the proposal is the standpipe requirement
Headquarters.
for large expanse buildings. Currently, there are no specific provisions
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
in NFPA 14 to describe exactly what to provide when such a system is
Add a new 23.3.5.8 as follows:
called for. For example, the proposal as written might lead to having
23.3.5.8 Standpipes.
to provide standpipe hose connections in the middle of large open
23.3.5.8.1 General. Standpipe and hose systems shall be installed
areas just to meet distance limitations on spacing. Firefighters would
and maintained in accordance with Section 11.4.
be unlikely to go into a large expanse building during a fire without a
23.3.5.8.2 Where required. Class I standpipe systems shall be
charged hose-line in hand, making the hose stations required by this
installed throughout all buildings in which occupied floors are
section as proposed, valueless. In addition, how one determines what
located more than 30 feet (9,144 mm) above or below the lowest level
constitutes a “point of fire department access” is unclear. Is this an
of fire department vehicle access.
unlocked door, a door which is not normally operable from the
23.3.5.8.3 Nonsprinklered large expanse buildings. Class I
outside, a window, a garage door...?
standpipe systems shall be provided in nonsprinklered buildings in
The third, and perhaps most significant, issue is that the proposal
which any portion of the building is more than 200 feet (61 m) of
calls for a Class I standpipe system, which is quite different than
travel from the nearest point of fire department access into the
merely requiring a hose drop from a sprinkler system. As written, the
building.
proposal would not permit serving hose connections from overhead
23.3.5.8.4 Sprinklered large expanse buildings. Class I standpipe
sprinkler piping, and it would essentially necessitate the addition of
systems shall be provided in sprinklered buildings in which any
bulk distribution water piping to feed standpipe connections
portion of the building is more than 350 ft (107 m) of travel from the
throughout a building. This is unwarranted in sprinklered buildings.
nearest point of fire department access into the building.
While there is some merit to the concept of standpipes in very large
23.3.5.8.5 Roof outlets. Roof outlets shall not be required on roofs
buildings that do not exceed the height threshold, this proposal
having a slope of 3 in 12 or greater.
needs a lot of work before it is ready for adoption and it should be
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The references to Class III standpipes
rejected.
are not necessary since a standpipe meeting the requirements for
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
Class III in NFPA 14 also meets the requirements for Class I. For large
BONISCH: I agree with committee action of Accept in Principle
expanse buildings, a credit should be allowed when the building is
provided a Class I, manual dry or wet system (per NFPA 14) can be
sprinklered, therefore, the committee action increases the travel
installed to satisfy 25.3.3.9.3 and 25.3.3.9.4 without the need for a fire
distance threshold to 350 ft in such building. The proposed roof
pump.
outlet criteria is already addressed in NFPA 14. The committee action
clarifies roof outlets are not required on pitched roofs having a slope
___________________
of 3 in 12 or steeper.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22

500
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(Log #218)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 979 - (23-3.6): Accept in Principle
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs that a
public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's name to SAF-
RES requesting that the TC give consideration to Mr. Shapiro's comment
on affirmative so as to make any needed changes.
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire Equipment
Manufactureres Assn, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Add new Section 23.3.6 as follows:
23.3.6 Cooking Facilities. Cooking facilities shall be protected in
accordance with Section 11.8.
SUBSTANTIATION: NFPA 5000 currently has no requirements for
the protection of cooking facilities.
See also ancillary proposal to add new Section 11.8 related to
cooking hazards.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Add a new 23.3.9 as follows:
23.3.9 Commercial Cooking Equipment. Commercial cooking equipment
shall be protected in accordance with Section 11.10.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action coordinates with the
action taken by the Technical Committee on Building Service and Fire
Protection Equipment on Chapter 11.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
SHAPIRO: The text of this item should be revised for consistency to
Match Proposal 5000-947 (Log #217) and 5000-1010 (Log #219), which
were modified by the committee and which deal with the same issue.
___________________
(Log #1087)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 980 - (23-3.7.1): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Mark Kluver, Portland Cement Association
RECOMMENDATION: Revise Section 23.3.7.1 as follows:
23.3.7 Subdivision of Building Spaces
23.3.7.1 Each hotel guest room, including guest suites, and dormitory
room shall be separated from other guest rooms and dormitory rooms by
walls and/or floors constructed as fire barriers and having a fire resistance
rating of not less than 1-hour.
SUBSTANTIATION: Building codes, including the EPCOT Code
(Section 513.2(b)), have traditionally required that hotel guest rooms be
separated from each other by construction having a minimum fire
resistance of one hour. This requirement should also apply to dormitory
rooms as the risk of fire in such rooms probably exceeds that of a
traditional hotel.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise 23.3.7 to read as follows:
23.3.7 Subdivision of building spaces. Buildings shall be subdivided in
accordance with 23.3.7.1 or 23.3.7.2.
23.3.7.1 In buildings not meeting 23.3.7.2, each hotel guest room,
including guest suites, and dormitory room shall be separated from other
guest rooms or dormitory rooms by walls and floors constructed as fire
barriers having fire resistance ratings of not less than one hour.
23.3.7.2 In buildings protected throughout by an approved automatic
sprinkler system, electrically supervised in accordance with 11.3.2, each
hotel guest room, including guest suites, and dormitory room shall be
separated from other guest rooms or dormitory rooms by walls and floors
constructed as fire barriers having fire resistance ratings of not less than
1/2 hour.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action permits a
reduction in the fire resistance rating of the room separation when
the building is protected by an electrically supervised sprinkler system.
Also, the use of the term 'and/or' is not permitted by the NFPA
Manual of Style. The committee action should meet the submitter's
intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
501
(Log #1029)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 981 - (23-7 (New) ): Reject
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to SAF-RES requesting that the subject of this proposal be
revisited now that a draft of Chapter 100 Flood Resistant Design and
Construction is available via Proposal 5000-1421 (Log #623).
SUBMITTER: James A. Rossberg, Christopher P. Jones, American
Society of Civil Engineers/Rep. Federal Emergency Management
Agency, Mitigation Directorate
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows:
23.7 Flood Resistance. Hotels and dormitories that are located
wholly or partly within the flood hazard area established by Section
100.3.2, shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 100.
SUBSTANTIATION: Makes code provisions compliant with National
Flood Insurance Program regulations for buildings and structures in
flood hazard areas. Note that this proposal is one of a series of
proposals that will insure NFPA 5000 compliance with NFIP
regulations. Although submitted separately, the proposals comprising
the series should be considered together.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee is unable to determine
the full impact of the proposal without having the opportunity to
review and understand the complete referenced document. The
committee is also unable to determine what buildings are located
wholly or partly within the flood hazard area.
The committee requests the Building Code Technical Correlating
Committee provide guidance on how to handle flood provisions.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #CP1415)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 982 - (Chapter 24): Accept
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to SAF-RES requesting that the TC give consideration to Mr.
Klein's comment on affirmative so as to make any needed changes.
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Residential Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Insert Chapter 24 of NFPA 5000, Building
Code, to incorporate the actions taken on the public and committee
proposals as follows:
Chapter 24
Multifamily Dwellings
24.1 General Requirements.
24.1.1 Application.
24.1.1.1 The requirements of this chapter apply to:
(a) New buildings or portions thereof used as multifamily dwelling
occupancies (see Section 1.3); and
(b) Additions made to, or used as, an multifamily dwelling
occupancy and
(c) Alterations, modernizations, or renovations of existing
multifamily dwelling occupancies and
(d) Existing buildings or portions thereof upon change of
occupancy to an multifamily dwelling occupancy
24.1.1.2 Townhouses shall be permitted to be designed in accordance
with Chapter 24 when the dwelling units are separated by one-hour,
fire-resistance rated construction in accordance with Chapter 8.
Where property lines exist between units, townhouses shall comply
with Chapter 21.
24.1.2 Multiple Occupancies.
24.1.2.1 All multiple occupancies shall be in accordance with Section
6.2.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
24.1.2.2 No dwelling unit of a residential occupancy shall have its sole
means of egress pass through any nonresidential occupancy in the
same building.
24.1.2.3 Multiple dwelling units of a residential occupancy shall be
permitted to be located above a nonresidential occupancy only where
one of the following conditions exists:
(a) Where the dwelling unit of the residential occupancy and exits
therefrom are separated from the nonresidential occupancy by
construction having a fire resistance rating of not less than 1 hour.
(b) Where the nonresidential occupancy is protected throughout by
an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance
with Section 11.3.
24.1.3 Definitions. Terms applicable to this chapter are defined in
Chapter 3.
24.1.4 Classification of Occupancy. (See 24.1.3.)
24.1.5 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction shall be in
accordance with Chapter 7.
24.1.6 Occupant Load. The occupant load, in number of persons for
whom means of egress and other provisions are required, shall be
determined on the basis of the occupant load factors of Table 7.3.1.2
that are characteristic of the use of the space or shall be determined
as the maximum probable population of the space under
consideration, whichever is greater.
24.2 Means of Egress Requirements.
24.2.1 General.
24.2.1.1 Means of egress from dwelling units to the outside of the
building shall be in accordance with Chapter 12 and this chapter.
Means of escape within the dwelling unit shall comply with the
provisions of Section 21.2 for one- and two-family dwellings.
24.2.2 Means of Egress Components.
24.2.2.1 General.
24.2.2.1.1 Components of means of egress shall be limited to the types
described in 24.2.2.2 through 24.2.2.10.
24.2.2.1.2 In buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with
24.3.5, exit enclosures shall have a fire resistance rating of not less
than 1 hr, with doors having a fire protection rating of not less than 1
hr.
24.2.2.2 Doors.
24.2.2.2.1 Doors complying with 12.2.1 shall be permitted.
24.2.2.2.2* Door locking arrangements shall comply with either
24.2.2.2.2.1, 24.2.2.2.2.2, or 24.2.2.2.2.3.
A.24.2.2.2.2 It is the intent of this requirement that security measures,
where installed, should not prevent egress.
24.2.2.2.2.1 No door in any means of egress shall be locked against
egress when the building is occupied.
24.2.2.2.2.2 Delayed-egress locks complying with 12.2.1.6.1 shall be
permitted, provided that not more than one such device is located in
any one egress path.
24.2.2.2.2.3 Access-controlled egress doors complying with 12.2.1.6.2
shall be permitted.
24.2.2.2.3 Revolving doors complying with 12.2.1.10 shall be
permitted.
24.2.2.2.4 Horizontal sliding doors, as permitted by 12.2.1.14, shall
not be used across corridors.
24.2.2.3 Stairs.
24.2.2.3.1 Stairs complying with 12.2.2 shall be permitted.
24.2.2.3.2 Within any individual dwelling unit, stairs more than one
story above or below the entrance floor level of the dwelling unit shall
not be permitted.
24.2.2.3.3 Spiral stairs complying with 12.2.2.2.4 shall be permitted
within a single dwelling unit.
24.2.2.3.4 Winders complying with 12.2.2.2.5 shall be permitted
within a single dwelling unit.
24.2.2.4 Smokeproof Enclosures. Smokeproof enclosures complying
with 12.2.3 shall be permitted.
24.2.2.5 Horizontal Exits. Horizontal exits complying with 12.2.4 shall
be permitted.
24.2.2.6 Ramps. Ramps complying with 12.2.5 shall be permitted.
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24.2.2.7 Exit Passageways. Exit passageways complying with 12.2.6
shall be permitted.
24.2.2.8 Fire Escape Ladders. Fire escape ladders complying with
12.2.9 shall be permitted.
24.2.2.9 Alternating Tread Devices. Alternating tread devices
complying with 12.2.11 shall be permitted.
24.2.2.10* Areas of Refuge.
A.24.2.2.10 The provision of 24.2.2.10 permits the entire floor to serve
as an area of refuge where it is protected in accordance with 24.3.5.
The provision is acceptable because supervised automatic sprinkler
systems have built-in signals for monitoring features of the system,
such as the opening and closing of water control valves. Such systems
also monitor pump power supplies, water tank levels, and conditions
that will impair the satisfactory operation of the sprinkler system.
Because of these monitoring features, supervised automatic sprinkler
systems have a high level of satisfactory performance and response to
fire conditions.
24.2.2.10.1 Areas of refuge complying with 12.2.12 shall be permitted,
as modified by 24.2.2.10.2.
24.2.2.10.2 In buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 23.3.5, the
two accessible rooms or spaces separated from each other by smoke-
resistive partitions in accordance with the definition of area of refuge
in Chapter 3 shall not be required.
24.2.3 Capacity of Means of Egress.
24.2.3.1 The capacity of means of egress shall be in accordance with
Section 12.3.
24.2.3.2 Street floor exits shall be sufficient for the occupant load of
the street floor plus the required capacity of stairs and ramps
discharging onto the street floor.
24.2.3.3 Corridors with a required capacity of more than 50 persons as
defined in Section 12.3 shall be of sufficient width to accommodate
the required occupant load, but have a width of not less than 44 in.
(112 cm).
24.2.3.4 Corridors with a required capacity of not more than 50
persons as defined in Section 12.3 shall be not less than 36 in. (91 cm)
in width.
24.2.4 Number of Exits. The minimum number of exits shall comply
with either 24.2.4.1, 24.2.4.2, or 24.2.4.3. (See also Section 12.4.)
24.2.4.1 Every dwelling unit shall have access to at least two separate
exits remotely located from each other as required by 12.5.1.
24.2.4.2 Any dwelling unit shall be permitted to have a single exit
provided:
(a) That dwelling unit has an exit door opening directly to the
street or yard at ground level, or
(b) That dwelling unit has direct access to an outside stair
complying with 12.2.2 that serves a maximum of two units both of
which are located on the same floor, or
(c) That dwelling unit has direct access to an interior stair serving
only that unit and separated from all other portions of the building by
fire barriers having a minimum 1-hr fire resistance rating with no
opening therein.
24.2.4.3 Any building protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with
24.3.5 having four or fewer stories and with not more than four
dwelling units per story shall be permitted to have a single exit under
the following conditions:
(a) The stairway is separated from the rest of the building by
barriers having a minimum 1-hr fire resistance rating with self-closing
minimum 1-hr fire protection-rated doors protecting all openings
between the stairway enclosure and the building, and
(b) The stairway does not serve more than one-half story below the
level of exit discharge, and
(c) All corridors serving as access to exits have a minimum 1-hr fire
resistance rating, and
(d) There is not more than 35 ft (10.7 m) of travel distance from
the entrance door of any dwelling unit to an exit, and
(e) One-half-hour fire-rated horizontal and vertical separation
between dwelling units is provided.
24.2.5 Arrangement of Means of Egress.
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24.2.5.1 Access to all required exits shall be in accordance with 24.3.1.1.2 Vertical openings in accordance with 9.4.2 shall be
Section 12.5, as modified by 24.2.5.2. permitted.
24.2.5.2 The distance between exits addressed by 12.5.1.4 shall not 24.3.1.1.3 In buildings protected throughout by an approved,
apply to nonlooped exit access corridors in buildings that have supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 24.3.5, the
corridor doors from the dwelling units that are arranged such that the fire resistance of walls enclosing vertical openings shall be not less
exits are located in opposite directions from such doors. than 1 hour, and the fire protection rating of doors shall be not less
24.2.5.3 Common path of travel shall comply with 24.2.5.3.1 or than 1 hour.
24.2.5.3.2. 24.3.1.2 No floor below the level of exit discharge used only for
24.2.5.3.1 No common path of travel shall exceed 35 ft (10.7 m) in storage, heating equipment, or purposes other than residential
buildings not protected throughout by an approved, supervised occupancy open to the public shall have unprotected openings to
automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with 24.3.5. Travel floors used for residential purposes.
within a dwelling unit shall not be included when calculating 24.3.1.3 No unenclosed vertical opening shall be permitted in any
common path of travel. building or fire section with only one exit.
24.2.5.3.2 No common path of travel shall exceed 50 ft (15 m) in 24.3.2 Protection from Hazards.
buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic 24.3.2.1 Hazardous Areas. Any hazardous area shall be protected in
sprinkler system installed in accordance with 24.3.5. accordance with. The areas described in Table 24.3.2.1 shall be
24.2.5.4 Dead-end corridors shall be limited in accordance with either protected as indicated. Where sprinkler protection without fire-rated
24.2.5.4.1 or 24.2.5.4.2. separation is used, areas shall be separated from other spaces by
24.2.5.4.1 Dead-end corridors shall not exceed 35 ft (10.7 m) in partitions complying with Section 8.4 and with doors complying with
buildings not protected throughout by an approved, automatic Section 8.4.
sprinkler system in accordance with 23.3.5.
24.2.5.4.2 Dead-end corridors shall not exceed 50 ft (15 m) in Table 24.3.2.1 Hazardous Area Protection
buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic Hazardous Area Separation/Protection
sprinkler system in accordance with 23.3.5. Description
24.2.6 Travel Distance to Exits. Boiler and fuel-fired 1-hr and sprinklers
24.2.6.1 Travel distance within a dwelling unit (apartment) to a heater rooms
corridor door shall not exceed 75 ft (23 m) in buildings not protected serving more than a single
throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system dwelling unit
installed in accordance with 24.3.5. Employee locker rooms 1-hr or sprinklers
24.2.6.2 Travel distance within a dwelling unit (apartment) to a
Gift or retail shops 1-hr or sprinklers
corridor door shall not exceed 125 ft (38 m) in buildings protected
Bulk laundries 1-hr and sprinklers
throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system
installed in accordance with 24.3.5. Laundries not more than 1-hr or sprinklers1
24.2.6.3 The travel distance from a dwelling unit (apartment) 100 sq ft (9.3 sq m)
entrance door to the nearest exit shall be limited in accordance with outside of dwelling units
either 24.2.6.3.1, 24.2.6.3.2, or 24.2.6.3.3. Laundries more than 100 1-hr and sprinklers
24.2.6.3.1 The travel distance from a dwelling unit (apartment) sq ft (9.3 sq m)
entrance door to the nearest exit shall not exceed 100 ft (30 m). outside of dwelling units
24.2.6.3.2 In buildings protected throughout by an approved, Maintenance shops 1-hr and sprinklers
supervised automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Storage rooms outside of 1-hr or sprinklers
24.3.5, the travel distance from a dwelling unit (apartment) entrance dwelling units
door to the nearest exit shall not exceed 200 ft (60 m). Trash rooms 1-hr and sprinklers
1
24.2.6.3.3 The travel distance from a dwelling unit (apartment) Where sprinklers are provided, separation shall not be
entrance door to the nearest exit shall not exceed 200 ft (60 m) for required.
exterior ways of exit access arranged in accordance with 12.5.3.
24.2.6.4 The travel distance from areas other than those within living 24.3.3 Interior Finish.
units to the exit measured in accordance with Section 12.6 shall not 24.3.3.1 Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter 10.
exceed 200 ft (67 m), or 250 ft (83 m) in buildings protected 24.3.3.2 Interior wall and ceiling finish materials shall be permitted as
throughout by an approved, supervised, automatic sprinkler system follows:
installed in accordance with Section 11.3. (1) Exit enclosures - Class A
24.2.7 Discharge from Exits. Exit discharge shall comply with Section (2) Lobbies and corridors - Class A or Class B
12.7. (3) Other spaces - Class A, Class B, or Class C
24.2.8 Illumination of Means of Egress. 24.3.3.3 Interior floor finish in exit enclosures, exit access corridors,
Means of egress shall be illuminated in accordance with Section 12.8. and in spaces not separated from them by walls complying with 24.3.6
24.2.9 Emergency Lighting. Emergency lighting in accordance with shall be not less than Class II in accordance with Section 10.7. In all
Section 12.9 shall be provided in all buildings with more than 12 other spaces, interior floor finish shall comply with 10.7.1.
dwelling units or more than three stories in height, unless every 24.3.4 Detection, Alarm, and Communication Systems.
dwelling unit has a direct exit to the outside of the building at grade 24.3.4.1 General. Multifamily dwelling buildings with more than three
level. stories or with more than 11 dwelling units shall be provided with a
24.2.10 Marking of Means of Egress. Means of egress shall have signs fire alarm system in accordance with Section 11.2, except as modified
in accordance with Section 12.10 in all buildings requiring more than by 24.3.4.2 through 24.3.4.4.
one exit. Exception No. 1: Where each dwelling unit is separated from other contiguous
24.2.11 Special Means of Egress Features. (Reserved.) dwelling units by fire barriers (see Section 8.3) having a fire resistance rating
24.3 Protection. of not less than 1 hr, and where each dwelling unit has either its own
24.3.1 Protection of Vertical Openings. independent exit or its own independent stairway or ramp discharging at
24.3.1.1 Vertical openings shall comply with 24.3.1.1.1, 24.3.1.1.2, or grade.
24.3.1.1.3. Exception No. 2: Buildings protected throughout by an approved, automatic
24.3.1.1.1 Vertical openings shall be enclosed or protected in sprinkler system installed in accordance with 24.3.5, not exceeding four stories
accordance with Chapter 9. Where the provisions of Section 9.2 are in height, and containing not more than 16 dwelling units.
used, the requirements of 24.3.5.8 shall be met. 24.3.4.2 Initiation.

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 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
24.3.4.2.1 Initiation of the required fire alarm system shall be by
manual means in accordance with 11.2.2 unless the building complies
with 24.3.4.2.2.
24.3.4.2.2 Initiation of the required fire alarm system by manual
means shall not be required in buildings not exceeding four stories in
height, containing not more than 16 dwelling units, and protected
throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system
installed in accordance with 24.3.5.
24.3.4.2.3 In buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with
24.3.5, required fire alarm systems shall be initiated upon operation
of the automatic sprinkler system.
24.3.4.3 Notification.
24.3.4.3.1 Occupant notification shall be provided automatically in
accordance with Section 11.2. Visible signals shall be installed in units
designed for the hearing impaired. Positive alarm sequence in
accordance with 11.2.3.4 shall be permitted.
24.3.4.3.2 Annunciation in accordance with 11.2.7 shall be provided
unless the building complies with either 24.3.4.3.3 or 24.3.4.3.4.
24.3.4.3.3 Annunciation shall not be required in buildings not
exceeding two stories in height and having not more than 50 rooms.
24.3.4.3.4 Annunciation shall not be required in buildings protected
throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system
installed in accordance with 24.3.5, not exceeding four stories in
height, and containing not more than 16 dwelling units.
24.3.4.4 Detection. (Reserved.)
24.3.4.5 Smoke Alarms.
24.3.4.5.1* Smoke alarms shall be installed in accordance with 11.2.5
outside every sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms
and on all levels of the dwelling unit including basements.
A.24.3.4.5.1 Previous editions of NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code®,
permitted the single-station smoke detector required by 24.3.4.5.1 to
be omitted from each apartment where a complete automatic smoke
detection system was installed throughout the building. With such a
system, when one detector is activated, an alarm is sounded
throughout the building. Experience with complete smoke detection
systems in multifamily dwelling buildings has shown that numerous
nuisance alarms are likely to occur. Where there is a problem with
frequent nuisance alarms, occupants ignore the alarm, or the system
is either disconnected or otherwise rendered inoperative.
24.3.4.5.2 In buildings other than those protected throughout by an
approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system installed in
accordance with 24.3.5, smoke alarms shall be installed in every
sleeping room in accordance with 11.2.5.
24.3.5 Extinguishment Requirements.
24.3.5.1 Where modifications are permitted by this Code based on the
installation of an automatic sprinkler system, such modifications shall
be permitted when the automatic sprinkler system complies with
11.3.1.1(a) or 11.3.1.1(b), unless otherwise indicated in this chapter.
24.3.5.2 All buildings, other than those complying with 24.3.5.3, shall
be protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic
sprinkler system installed in accordance with 24.3.5.4.
24.3.5.3 Sprinkler systems shall not be required in buildings where
every dwelling unit has either:
(a) An exit door opening directly to the street or yard at ground
level, or
(b) Direct access to an outside stair complying with 12.2.2 that
serves a maximum of two units both of which are located on the same
floor, or
(c) Direct access to an interior stair serving only that unit and
separated from all other portions of the building by fire barriers
having a 1-hr fire resistance rating with no openings therein.
24.3.5.4 Where an automatic sprinkler system is installed, either for
total or partial building coverage, the system shall be installed in
accordance with Section 11.3, as modified by 24.3.5.5 and 24.3.5.6. In
buildings up to and including four stories in height, systems in
accordance with 11.3.1.1(b) shall be permitted.
24.3.5.5 In buildings sprinklered in accordance with 11.3.1.1(a),
closets less than 12 ft2 (1.1 m2) in area in individual dwelling units
shall not be required to be sprinklered. Closets that contain
504
equipment such as washers, dryers, furnaces, or water heaters shall be
sprinklered regardless of size.
24.3.5.6 The draft stop and closely spaced sprinkler requirements of
NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, shall not be
required for convenience openings complying with Section 9.4 where
the convenience opening is within the dwelling unit.
24.3.5.7 Listed quick response or listed residential sprinklers shall be
used throughout all dwelling units.
24.3.5.8 Open parking structures complying with Section 29.8 that are
contiguous with multifamily dwelling buildings shall be exempt from
the sprinkler requirements of 30.3.5.2.
24.3.5.9 Buildings with unprotected openings in accordance with
Section 9.2 shall be protected throughout by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 30.3.5.
24.3.5.10 Portable fire extinguishers in accordance with 11.7.4.1 shall
be provided in hazardous areas addressed by 30.3.2.1, unless the
building is protected throughout with an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.7.
24.3.5.11 Standpipes.
24.3.5.11.1 General. Standpipe and hose systems shall be installed and
maintained in accordance with Section 11.4.
24.3.5.11.2 Where required. Class I standpipe systems shall be
installed throughout all buildings in which occupied floors are
located more than 30 feet (9,144 mm) above or below the lowest level
of fire department vehicle access.
24.3.5.11.3 Nonsprinklered large expanse buildings. Class I standpipe
systems shall be provided in nonsprinklered buildings in which any
portion of the building is more than 200 feet (61 m) of travel from
the nearest point of fire department access into the building.
24.3.5.11.4 Sprinklered large expanse buildings. Class I standpipe
systems shall be provided in sprinklered buildings in which any
portion of the building is more than 350 ft (107 m) of travel from the
nearest point of fire department access into the building.
24.3.5.11.5 Roof outlets. Roof outlets shall not be required on roofs
having a slope of 3 in 12 or greater.
24.3.6 Corridors.
24.3.6.1 Walls. Exit access corridor walls shall consist of fire barriers in
accordance with Section 8.3 that have not less than a 1-hour fire
resistance rating, or in buildings protected throughout by an
approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
24.3.5, corridor walls shall have not less than a 1/2-hour fire
resistance rating.
24.3.6.2 Doors. Doors that open onto exit access corridors shall have a
minimum 20-min fire protection rating in accordance with 8.7.5.
24.3.6.3 Doors that open onto exit access corridors shall be self-
closing and self-latching.
24.3.6.4 Unprotected openings, other than those from spaces
complying with 24.3.6.5, shall be prohibited in exit access corridor
walls and doors.
24.3.6.5 Spaces shall be permitted to be unlimited in area and open to
the corridor, provided that the following criteria are met:
(a) The spaces are not used for guest rooms or guest suites or
hazardous areas.
(b) The building is protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 24.3.5.
(c) The space does not obstruct access to required exits.
24.3.6.6 Transoms, louvers, or transfer grilles shall be prohibited in
walls or doors of exit access corridors.
24.3.7 Subdivision of Building Spaces. Buildings shall be subdivided
in accordance with 24.3.7.1 or 24.3.7.2.
24.3.7.1 In buildings not meeting 24.3.7.2, dwelling units shall be
separated from each other by walls and floors constructed as fire
barriers having fire resistance ratings of not less than one hour.
24.3.7.2 In buildings protected throughout by an approved automatic
sprinkler system, electrically supervised in accordance with 11.3.2,
dwelling units shall be separated from each other by walls and floors
constructed as fire barriers having fire resistance ratings of not less
than 1/2 hour.
24.3.8 Special Protection Features. (Reserved.)
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
24.3.9 Commercial Cooking Equipment. Commercial cooking Exception No. 1: Delayed egress locks 24.2.2.2.2.1 No door in any
equipment shall be protected in accordance with Section 11.10. complying with Section 12.2.1.6.1 means of egress shall be locked
24.4 Special Provisions. shall be permitted, provided not more against egress when the building
24.4.1 High-Rise Buildings. High-rise buildings shall comply with than one such device is located in any is occupied.
Chapter 32. The sprinkler system modifications in 24.3.5.5 and one egress path.
24.3.5.6 shall be permitted. 24.2.2.2.2.2 Delayed-egress locks
24.5 Building Services. Exception No. 2: Access-controlled complying with 12.2.1.6.1 shall be
24.5.1 Utilities. Utilities shall comply with the provisions of Chapter egress doors complying with Section permitted, provided that not
48 through 50. 12.2.1.6.2 shall be permitted. more than one such device is
24.5.2 Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning. Heating, located in any one egress path.
ventilating, and air conditioning equipment shall comply with the
provisions of Chapter 49. 24.2.2.2.2.3 Access-controlled
24.5.3 Elevators, Escalators, and Conveyors. Elevators, escalators, egress doors complying with
and conveyors shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 51. 12.2.1.6.2 shall be permitted.
24.5.4 Rubbish Chutes, Incinerators, and Laundry Chutes. Rubbish
chutes, incinerators, and laundry chutes shall comply with the 24.2.2.10 Areas of Refuge. Areas 24.2.2.10 Areas of Refuge.
provisions of Section 9.6. of refuge complying with Section
SUBSTANTIATION: The proposed Chapter 24 incorporates the 12.2.12 shall be permitted. 24.2.2.10.1 Areas of refuge
actions taken on the public and committee proposals. complying with 12.2.12 shall be
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. Exception: In buildings protected permitted, as modified by
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22 throughout by an approved, 24.2.2.10.2.
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION: supervised automatic sprinkler system
AFFIRMATIVE: 20 installed in accordance with Section 24.2.2.10.2 In buildings
NEGATIVE: 1 24.3.5, the two accessible rooms or protected throughout by an
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb spaces separated from each other by approved, supervised automatic
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE: smoke-resistive partitions in sprinkler system in accordance
KLUVER: See my Explanation of Negative on Proposal 5000-990 accordance with the Section 12.1.2 with 23.3.5, the two accessible
(Log #1084b) and Proposal 5000-992 (Log #1088). definition of area of refuge shall not rooms or spaces separated from
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE: be required. each other by smoke-resistive
BURTON: I am voting to affirm the committee vote on the concept partitions in accordance with the
of Log #CP1415 solely for the purpose of correcting the text of the definition of area of refuge in
NFPA 5000 draft document at this time. It is not my intent to signal Chapter 3 shall not be required.
agreement with the complete contents of Log #CP1415 with this 24.2.3.3 The minimum corridor 24.2.3.3 Corridors with a
affirmative vote. As provided for in the NFPA procedures, I reserve width shall be sufficient to required capacity of more than
the right to comment, challenge or vote to reject any or all sections of accommodate the required 50 persons as defined in Section
Chapter 24 of the NFPA 5000 document in any committee actions at occupant load, but not less than 12.3 shall be of sufficient width to
a later date. 44 in. (112 cm). accommodate the required
KLEIN: My comment is an editorial correction. Under Section occupant load, but have a width
24.3.6.5(a), the words “guest rooms and guest suites” needs to be Exception: Corridors with a required of not less than 44 in. (112 cm).
deleted and changed to “dwelling units.” It appears that when this capacity of not more than 50 persons
section was copied over from the hotel section into the apartment as defined in Section 12.3 shall be not 24.2.3.4 Corridors with a
section the correct reference to dwelling units was missed. less than 36 in. (91 cm) in width. required capacity of not more
than 50 persons as defined in
___________________ Section 12.3 shall be not less than
(Log #CP1419) 36 in. (91 cm) in width.
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 983 - (Chapter 24): Accept 24.2.4 Number of Exits. (See 24.2.4 Number of Exits. The
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Residential Occupancies also Section 12.4.) Every dwelling minimum number of exits shall
RECOMMENDATION: Revise the following paragraphs to unit shall have access to at least comply with either 24.2.4.1,
eliminate exceptions in accordance with the NFPA Manual of Style as two separate exits remotely 24.2.4.2, or 24.2.4.3. (See also
follows: located from each other as Section 12.4.)
24.1.2.3 No multiple-dwelling 24.1.2.3 Multiple dwelling units required by Section 12.5.1.
unit of a residential occupancy of a residential occupancy shall Exception No. 1: Any dwelling unit 24.2.4.1 Every dwelling unit shall
shall be located above any be permitted to be located above shall be permitted to have a single exit have access to at least two
nonresidential occupancy. a nonresidential occupancy only provided: separate exits remotely located
where one of the following (a) That dwelling unit has an exit from each other as required by
Exception No. 1: Where the dwelling conditions exists: door opening directly to the street or Section 12.5.1.
unit of the residential occupancy by a. Where the dwelling yard at ground level, or
construction having a fire resistance unit of the residential occupancy (b) That dwelling unit has direct 24.2.4.2 Any dwelling unit shall
rating of not less than 1 hour. and exits therefrom are separated access to an outside stair complying be permitted to have a single exit
from the nonresidential with Section 12.2.2 that serves a provided:
Exception No. 2: Where the occupancy by construction having maximum of two units both of which (a) That dwelling unit has an
nonresidential occupancy is protected a fire resistance rating of not less are located on the same floor, or exit door opening directly to the
throughout by an approved, than 1 hour. (c) That dwelling unit has direct street or yard at ground level, or
supervised automatic sprinkler system b. Where the access to an interior stair serving only (b) That dwelling unit has
in accordance with Section 9.7. nonresidential occupancy is that unit and separated from all other direct access to an outside stair
protected throughout by an portions of the building by fire barriers complying with Section 12.2.2
approved, supervised automatic having a minimum 1-hr fire that serves a maximum of two
sprinkler system in accordance resistance rating with no opening units both of which are located
with Section 11.3. therein. on the same floor, or
(c) That dwelling unit has
24.2.2.2.2 No door in any means 24.2.2.2.2 Door locking Exception No. 2: Any building direct access to an interior stair
of egress shall be locked against arrangements shall comply with protected throughout by an approved, serving only that unit and
egress when the building is either 24.2.2.2.2.1, 24.2.2.2.2.2, or supervised automatic sprinkler system separated from all other portions
occupied. 24.2.2.2.2.3. installed in accordance with Section of the building by fire barriers
24.3.5 having four or fewer stories having a minimum 1-hr fire

505

and with not more than four dwelling
units per story shall be permitted to
have a single exit under the following
conditions:
(a) The stairway is separated from
the rest of the building by barriers
having a minimum 1-hr fire
resistance rating with self-closing
minimum 1-hr fire protection-rated
doors protecting all openings between
the stairway enclosure and the
building, and
(b) The stairway does not serve
more than one-half story below the
level of exit discharge, and
(c) All corridors serving as access
to exits have a minimum 1-hr fire
resistance rating, and
(d) There is not more than 35 ft
(10.7 m) of travel distance from the
entrance door of any dwelling unit to
an exit, and
(e) One-half-hour fire-rated horizontal
and vertical separation between
dwelling units is provided.
24.2.5.1 Access to all required
exits shall be in accordance with
Section 12.5.
Exception: The distance between exits
addressed by Section 12.5.1.4 shall
not be applicable to nonlooped exit
access corridors in buildings that have
corridor doors from the dwelling units
that are arranged such that the exits
are located in opposite directions from
such doors.
24.2.5.2 No common path of
travel shall exceed 35 ft (10.7 m).
Travel within a dwelling unit shall
not be included when calculating
common path of travel.
Exception: In buildings protected
throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system
installed in accordance with Section
24.3.5, common path of travel shall
not exceed 50 ft (15 m).
24.2.5.3 No dead-end corridor
shall exceed 35 ft (10.7 m).
NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
resistance rating with no opening
therein.
24.2.4.3 Any building protected
throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler
system installed in accordance
with Section 24.3.5 having four or
fewer stories and with not more
than four dwelling units per story
shall be permitted to have a
single exit under the following
conditions:
(a) The stairway is separated
from the rest of the building by
barriers having a minimum 1-hr
fire resistance rating with self-
closing minimum 1-hr fire
protection-rated doors protecting
all openings between the stairway
enclosure and the building, and
(b) The stairway does not serve
more than one-half story below
the level of exit discharge, and
(c) All corridors serving as
access to exits have a minimum 1-
hr fire resistance rating, and
(d) There is not more than 35
ft (10.7 m) of travel distance from
the entrance door of any dwelling
unit to an exit, and
(e) One-half-hour fire-rated
horizontal and vertical separation
between dwelling units is
provided.
24.2.5.1 Access to all required
exits shall be in accordance with
Section 12.5, as modified by
24.2.5.2.
24.2.5.2 The distance between
exits addressed by 12.5.1.4 shall
not apply to nonlooped exit
access corridors in buildings that
have corridor doors from the
dwelling units that are arranged
such that the exits are located in
opposite directions from such
doors.
24.2.5.2 Common path of travel
shall comply with 24.2.5.2.1 or
24.2.5.2.2.
24.2.5.2.1 No common path of
travel shall exceed 35 ft (10.7 m)
in buildings not protected
throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler
system installed in accordance
with 24.3.5. Travel within a
dwelling unit shall not be
included when calculating
common path of travel.
24.2.5.2.2 No common path of
travel shall exceed 50 ft (15 m) in
buildings protected throughout
by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system
installed in accordance with
Section 24.3.5.
24.2.5.3 Dead-end corridors shall
be limited in accordance with
either 24.2.5.3.1 or 24.2.5.3.2.
506
Exception: In buildings protected
throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system
installed in accordance with Section
24.3.5, dead-end corridors shall not
exceed 50 ft (15 m).
24.2.6.1 Travel distance within a
dwelling unit (apartment) to a
corridor door shall not exceed 75
ft (23 m).
Exception: In buildings protected
throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system
installed in accordance with Section
24.3.5, the travel distance shall not
exceed 125 ft (38 m).
24.2.6.2 The travel distance from
a dwelling unit (apartment)
entrance door to the nearest exit
shall not exceed 100 ft (30 m).
Exception No. 1: In buildings
protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system
installed in accordance with Section
24.3.5, the travel distance shall not
exceed 200 ft (60 m).
Exception No. 2: Travel distance to
exits shall not exceed 200 ft (60 m)
for exterior ways of exit access
arranged in accordance with Section
12.5.3.
24.2.6.3 The travel distance from
areas other than those within
living units to the exit measured
in accordance with Section 12.6
shall not exceed 200 ft (67 m).
Exception: Travel distance shall not
exceed 250 ft (83 m) in buildings
protected throughout by an approved,
supervised, automatic sprinkler system
installed in accordance with Section
11.3.
24.2.5.3.1 Dead-end corridors
shall not exceed 35 ft (10.7 m) in
buildings not protected
throughout by an approved,
automatic sprinkler system in
accordance with 23.3.5.
24.2.5.3.2 Dead-end corridors
shall not exceed 50 ft (15 m) in
buildings protected throughout
by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system in
accordance with 23.3.5.
24.2.6.1 Travel distance within a
dwelling unit (apartment) to a
corridor door shall not exceed 75
ft (23 m) in buildings not
protected throughout by an
approved, supervised automatic
sprinkler system installed in
accordance with 24.3.5.
24.2.6.2 Travel distance within a
dwelling unit (apartment) to a
corridor door shall not exceed
125 ft (38 m) in buildings
protected throughout by an
approved, supervised automatic
sprinkler system installed in
accordance with 24.3.5.
24.2.6.2 The travel distance from
a dwelling unit (apartment)
entrance door to the nearest exit
shall be limited in accordance
with either 24.2.6.2.1, 24.2.6.2.2,
or 24.2.6.2.3.
24.2.6.2.1 The travel distance
from a dwelling unit (apartment)
entrance door to the nearest exit
shall not exceed 100 ft (30 m).
24.2.6.2.2 In buildings protected
throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler
system installed in accordance
with Section 24.3.5, the travel
distance from a dwelling unit
(apartment) entrance door to the
nearest exit shall not exceed 200
ft (60 m).
24.2.6.2.3 The travel distance
from a dwelling unit (apartment)
entrance door to the nearest exit
shall not exceed 200 ft (60 m) for
exterior ways of exit access
arranged in accordance with
12.5.3.
24.2.6.3 The travel distance from
areas other than those within
living units to the exit measured
in accordance with Section 12.6
shall not exceed 200 ft (67 m), or
250 ft (83 m) in buildings
protected throughout by an
approved, supervised, automatic
sprinkler system installed in
accordance with Section 11.3.

24.2.9 Emergency Lighting.
Emergency lighting in
accordance with Section 12.9
shall be provided in all buildings
with more than 12 dwelling units
or more than three stories in
height.
Exception: Where every dwelling unit
has a direct exit to the outside of the
building at grade level.
24.3.1 Protection of Vertical
Openings.
24.3.1.1 Any vertical opening
shall be enclosed or protected in
accordance with 8.2.5. Where the
provisions of 8.2.5.5 are used, the
requirements of 24.3.5.5 shall be
met.
Exception No. 1: Openings in
accordance with 8.2.5.8 shall be
permitted.
Exception No. 2: In buildings
protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system
in accordance with 24.3.5, the fire
resistance of walls shall be not less
than 1 hour, and the fire protection
rating of doors shall be not less than 1
hour.
24.3.4.2.1 Initiation of the
required fire alarm system shall
be by manual means in
accordance with Section 11.2.2.
Exception: Buildings protected
throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system
installed in accordance with Section
24.3.5.1, not exceeding four stories in
height, and containing not more than
16 dwelling units.
24.3.4.3.2 Annunciation in
accordance with Section 11.2.11
shall be provided.
Exception No. 1: Buildings not more
than two stories in height and having
not more than 50 dwelling units.
Exception No. 2: Buildings protected
throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system
installed in accordance with Section
24.3.5.1, not exceeding four stories in
height, and containing not more than
16 dwelling units.
NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
24.2.9 Emergency Lighting.
Emergency lighting in
accordance with Section 12.9
shall be provided in all buildings
with more than 12 dwelling units
or more than three stories in
height, unless every dwelling unit
has a direct exit to the outside of
the building at grade level.
24.3.1.1 Vertical openings shall
comply with 24.3.1.1.1, 24.3.1.1.2,
or 24.3.1.1.3.
24.3.1.1.1 Vertical openings shall
be enclosed or protected in
accordance with 8.2.5. Where the
provisions of 8.2.5.5 are used, the
requirements of 24.3.5.5 shall be
met.
24.3.1.1.2 Vertical openings in
accordance with 8.2.5.8 shall be
permitted.
24.3.1.1.3 In buildings protected
throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with 24.3.5,
the fire resistance of walls
enclosing vertical openings shall
be not less than 1 hour, and the
fire protection rating of doors
shall be not less than 1 hour.
24.3.4.2.1 Initiation of the
required fire alarm system shall
be by manual means in
accordance with 11.2.2 unless the
building complies with 24.3.4.2.2.
24.3.4.2.2 Initiation of the
required fire alarm system by
manual means shall not be
required in buildings not
exceeding four stories in height,
containing not more than 16
dwelling units, and protected
throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler
system installed in accordance
with 24.3.5.1.
24.3.4.3.2 Annunciation in
accordance with 11.2.7 shall be
provided unless the building
complies with either 24.3.4.3.3 or
24.3.4.3.4.
24.3.4.3.3 Annunciation shall not
be required in buildings not
exceeding two stories in height
and having not more than 50
rooms.
24.3.4.3.4 Annunciation shall not
be required in buildings
protected throughout by an
approved, supervised automatic
sprinkler system installed in
accordance with 24.3.5, not
exceeding four stories in height,
and containing not more than 16
dwelling units.
507
24.3.4.5.2 Approved, single-
station smoke alarms shall be
installed in accordance with
Section 11.2.5 in every sleeping
room.
Exception: In buildings protected
throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system
installed in accordance with Section
22.3.5.
24.3.5.1 Where an automatic
sprinkler system is installed,
either for total or partial building
coverage, the system shall be
installed in accordance with
Section 11.3. In buildings up to
and including four stories in
height, systems installed in
accordance with NFPA 13R,
Standard for the Installation of
Sprinkler Systems in Residential
Occupancies up to and Including
Four Stories in Height, shall be
permitted.
Exception No. 1: In buildings
sprinklered in accordance with NFPA
13, Standard for the Installation of
Sprinkler Systems, closets less than 12
ft2 (1.1 m2) in area in individual
dwelling units shall not be required to
be sprinklered. Closets that contain
equipment such as washers, dryers,
furnaces, or water heaters shall be
sprinklered regardless of size.
Exception No. 2: The draft stop and
closely spaced sprinkler requirements
of NFPA 13, Standard for the
Installation of Sprinkler Systems,
shall not be required for convenience
openings complying with Section 9.4
where the convenience opening is
within the dwelling unit.
24.3.5.2 All buildings shall be
protected throughout by an
approved, supervised automatic
sprinkler system installed in
accordance with Section 24.3.5.1.
Exception: Buildings where every
dwelling unit has either:
(a) An exit door opening
directly to the street or yard at
ground level, or
(b) Direct access to an outside stair
complying with Section 12.2.2 that
serves a maximum of two units both
of which are located on the same floor,
or
(c) Direct access to an interior stair
serving only that unit and separated
from all other portions of the building
by fire barriers having a 1-hr fire
resistance rating with no openings
therein.
24.3.5.6 Portable fire
24.3.4.5.2 In buildings other than
those protected throughout by an
approved, supervised automatic
sprinkler system installed in
accordance with 24.3.5.1,
approved, single-station smoke
alarms shall be installed in
accordance with 11.2.5 in every
sleeping room.
24.3.5.1 Where an automatic
sprinkler system is installed,
either for total or partial building
coverage, the system shall be
installed in accordance with
Section 11.3, as modified by
24.3.5.2 and 24.3.5.3. In buildings
up to and including four stories
in height, systems in accordance
with NFPA 13R, Standard for the
Installation of Sprinkler Systems
in Residential Occupancies up to
and Including Four Stories in
Height, shall be permitted.
23.3.5.2 In buildings sprinklered
in accordance with NFPA 13,
Standard for the Installation of
Sprinkler Systems, closets less
than 12 ft2 (1.1 m2) in area in
individual dwelling units shall not
be required to be sprinklered.
Closets that contain equipment
such as washers, dryers, furnaces,
or water heaters shall be
sprinklered regardless of size.
24.3.5.3 The draft stop and
closely spaced sprinkler
requirements of NFPA 13,
Standard for the Installation of
Sprinkler Systems, shall not be
required for convenience
openings complying with Section
9.4 where the convenience
opening is within the dwelling
unit.
24.3.5.2 All buildings, other than
those complying with 24.3.5.3,
shall be protected throughout by
an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system
installed in accordance with
Section 24.3.5.1.
24.3.5.3 Sprinkler systems shall
not be required in buildings
where every dwelling unit has
either:
(a) An exit door opening
directly to the street or yard at
ground level, or
(b) Direct access to an outside
stair complying with Section
12.2.2 that serves a maximum of
two units both of which are
located on the same floor, or
(c) Direct access to an interior
stair serving only that unit and
separated from all other portions
of the building by fire barriers
having a 1-hr fire resistance
rating with no openings therein.
24.3.5.6 Portable fire

extinguishers in accordance with
11.7.4.1 shall be provided in
hazardous areas addressed by
30.3.2.1.
Exception: In buildings protected
throughout with an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system
in accordance with Section 9.7.
24.3.6.1 Walls. Exit access
corridor walls shall consist of fire
barriers in accordance with
Section 8.3 having a minimum 1-
hr fire resistance rating.
Exception: In buildings protected
throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system
installed in accordance with Section
24.3.5, corridor walls shall have a
minimum 1/2-hr fire resistance rating.
24.3.6.4 Unprotected openings
shall be prohibited in exit access
corridor walls and doors.
Exception: Spaces shall be permitted to
be unlimited in area and open to the
corridor, provided that
(a) The spaces are not used for
dwelling units or hazardous areas,
and
(b) The space is protected by an
approved automatic-automatic
sprinkler system installed in
accordance with Section 24.3.5, and
(c) The space does not obstruct
access to required exits.
NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
extinguishers in accordance with
11.7.4.1 shall be provided in
hazardous areas addressed by
30.3.2.1 unless the building is
protected throughout with an
approved, supervised automatic
sprinkler system in accordance
with Section 11.7.
24.3.6.1 Walls. Exit access
corridor walls shall consist of fire
barriers in accordance with
Section 8.3 that have not less
than a 1-hour fire resistance
rating, or in buildings protected
throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with 24.3.5,
corridor walls shall have not less
than a 1/2-hour fire resistance
rating.
24.3.6.4 Unprotected openings,
other than those from spaces
complying with 24.3.6.5, shall be
prohibited in exit access corridor
walls and doors.
24.3.6.5 Spaces shall be
permitted to be unlimited in area
and open to the corridor,
provided that the following
criteria are met:
(a) The spaces are not used
for guest rooms or guest suites or
hazardous areas.
(b) The building is protected
throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with 24.3.5.
(c) The space does not
obstruct access to required exits.
508
SUBSTANTIATION: The proposal intends only to reformat the
referenced paragraphs and not make substantive changes. Any
substantive changes resulting from other proposals will be
incorporated into this format.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
KLUVER: Proposed Section 24.1.2.3 should read: “24.1.2.3 Multiple
dwelling units of...nonresidential occupancy only where one of...”.
In proposed Section 24.2.4, the words “every dwelling unit”, “any
dwelling unit” and “that dwelling unit” should be replaced with either
“dwelling units“ or “the dwelling unit”.
Because these existing sections read better with the Exceptions,
retain Sections 24.2.5.1, 24.2.5.2, 24.2.5.3, 24.2.6.1, 24.2.6.2, 24.2.6.3,
24.2.9, 24.3.4.2.1, 24.3.4.3.2, 24.3.4.5.2, 24.3.5.6, and 24.3.6.1 as
currently written.
___________________
(Log #CP1426
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 984 - (Chapter 24): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Residential Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Change the title of Chapter 24 to
“Multifamily Dwellings,” and replace the term “apartment” with
“multifamily dwelling” throughout the chapter.
SUBSTANTIATION: There is confusion in the field regarding the
application of the chapter on apartment buildings to condominiums.
The proposal should help to eliminate such confusion.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 16
NEGATIVE: 5
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
CHRISTIE: Recommendation: That the word “apartment” be
retained and not changed to “multifamily dwellings”.
Substantiation: The use of the word “apartment” is well understood
everywhere in this country by the public, realtors, etc. Evidence is
submitted from the “Yellow Pages” for Baltimore which identifies
“apartments” and does not mention “multifamily dwellings”.
Furthermore there is an advantage of identifying with single words
rather than multiple ones.
Actually the word “apartment” is very descriptive. It is a dwelling that
is “apart” from other dwellings with its own entrance, etc. “Multiple
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
dwellings” could easily be interpreted as a dwelling with multiple
families in it.
There should be little reason of confusion with condominiums in
apartment buildings. The condominium simply defines the property
lines of an apartment.
DALY: I concur with the rationale expressed in the negative votes of
Messrs. Christie and Klein.
KLEIN: Please register my vote as negative because the word
“apartment” is well understood everywhere in this country by the
public. I agree with fellow committee member Peter Christie’s
negative vote on this issue that there should be little reason of
confusion with condominiums in apartment buildings. The term
condominium simply defines the property lines of an apartment. As
Mr. Christie has said to me in the past... “little words-little words,
always use the little words...”.
PUHLICK: Will the change, using the rationale of those who favor
the change, mean that people will be confused if two-families live in
one house?
SHAPIRO: The term “apartment” has been used in the Life Safety
Code for years and is well understood. It is completely unknown
whether the term “multi-family dwelling” will reduce or increase any
confusion regarding the terminology.
___________________
(Log #CP1425)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 985 - (24-1.1.2): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Residential Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new 24.1.1.2 as follows:
24.1.1.2 Townhouses shall be permitted to be designed in
accordance with Chapter 24 when the dwelling units are separated by
one-hour, fire-resistance rated construction in accordance with
Chapter 8. Where property lines exist between units, townhouses shall
comply with Chapter 21.
SUBSTANTIATION: The proposal clarifies townhouses without
property lines between dwelling units have the option of complying
with Chapter 21 or 24. The proposal is consistent with other model
building codes.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #1032)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 986 - (24-1.2.1): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: James A. Rossberg, Christopher P. Jones, American
Society of Civil Engineers/Rep. Federal Emergency Management
Agency, Mitigation Directorate
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows:
24.1.2 Mixed Occupancies.
24.1.2.1 Where another type of occupancy exists in the same
building as a residential occupancy, the requirements of 6.171.14 of
this Code shall apply.
SUBSTANTIATION: Corrects incorrect section reference in text.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise 24.1.2 and 24.1.2.1 to read as follows:
24.1.2 Multiple Occupancies.
24.1.2.1 All multiple occupancies shall be in accordance with Section
6.2.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action is consistent
with action taken by the Technical Committee on Fundamentals
(Chapter 6), and should meet the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
509
(Log #CP1409)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 987 - (24-1.3): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Residential Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 24.1.3 to read as follows:
24.1.3 Definitions. Terms applicable to this chapter are defined in
Chapter 3.
SUBSTANTIATION: The proposal provides language consistent with
the other residential occupancy chapters.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #975)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 988 - (24-1.5): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Section 24.1.5 - Minimum
Construction Requirements - from this Chapter.
SUBSTANTIATION: Minimum construction requirements are
addressed by the Height and Area Requirements of Table 7.3 of this
Code. Additional limitations for building construction stated in this
Chapter are not needed and may lead to a conflict in such
requirements, and confusion for the user of the document as to
where to find minimum building construction requirements and what
requirements to apply where there is a conflict.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See the Committee Action on Proposal 5000-989 (Log #913j).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action on Proposal
5000-989 (Log #913j) should meet the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #913j)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 989 - (24-1.5): Accept
SUBMITTER: Sam Francis, American Forest & Paper Assn.
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Section 24.1.5 entirely, and substitute
the new text as follows:
24.1.5 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction shall be
in accordance with Chapter 7.
SUBSTANTIATION: The table derived from the Epcot Building
Code was incomplete and failed to include most of the occupancy
groups now included in this code. The data presented to the
Structures and Construction TC indicate that the area of a building is
not one of the significant factors in determining the safety of the
building. Number, location and size of exits, travel distance and fire
resistance of the structure do not change due to area. Therefore, the
allowable areas in this code should not be less than those permitted
under many of the building codes now in existence. The proposed
table simply recognizes those facts and proposes areas which are
currently permitted in the United States.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(Log #1084b)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 990 - (24-2.2.1.2): Reject
SUBMITTER: Mark Kluver, Portland Cement Association
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Section 24.2.2.1.2 as follows:
24.2.2.1.2 In buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with
Section 24.3.5, exit enclosures shall have a fire resistance rating of not
less than 1 hour, with doors having a fire protection rating of not less
than 1 hour.
SUBSTANTIATION: Traditional building codes, include the EPCOT
Building Code (Table 7.2 and Section 809.2), have not permitted this
reduction where automatic sprinklers are installed due to concerns
that property protection may not be adequately addressed. In
addition, a minimum 2-hour fire resistance rating is important to
occupants and firefighter safety in residential buildings where exit
enclosures connect four or more stories. Although occupancy loads
may be lower in hotels, dormitories and apartment buildings than
other occupancies that are not granted this sprinkler tradeoff, they
are full of occupants during the evening hours when fire typically
occur. Vertical exit ways must remain assessable by the fire service as
long as possible for evacuation purposes. Because of the need for
protection of exists for occupants and firefighters and the improved
property protection provided, 2-hour exit shafts are needed.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter has provided no data to
substantiate the proposed change from what has been in the Life
Safety Code for a number of years.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
NEGATIVE: 2
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
KLUVER: In the Committee Statement for rejection, it states that
the submitter provided no data to substantiate the deletion of a
provision that has been in the Life Safety Code for a number of years.
In response, it should be noted that the committee has not provided
substantiation to show that 1-hr rated exit enclosures in sprinklered
buildings connecting four or more stories have performed
satisfactorily. The fact that the Life Safety Code has permitted 1-hr
exit enclosures does not mean that it has been the practice, especially
for mid- to high-rise buildings, because local building codes have
almost always applied, and have required minimum 2-hr rated shaft
enclosures. These higher rated shafts provide not only life safety
protection (especially in the case of sprinkler failure), but also
property protection. If the NFPA 5000 Building Code is to be more
than a life safety code it must provide additional property protection
features. To be a meaningful building code, it needs to provide
redundant life safety and property protection features for critical
structures, such as mid- to high-rise buildings.
LATHROP: This provision should not be allowed in new
construction.
___________________
(Log #1201)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 991 - (24-2.6.2 Exception No. 1): Reject
SUBMITTER: William Hopple, Simplex Time Recorder Co.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise Exception No. 1 to read:
Exception No. 1: In buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with
24.3.5, or an approved total (complete) coverage smoke detection
system, providing occupant notification and installed in accordance
with Chapter 11 the travel distance shall not exceed 200 ft (60 m).
SUBSTANTIATION: This is another consideration for an alternate
method of increasing egress time. Since the section deals with travel
distance to the nearest exit, increasing it by twice the length due to
the early warning and protection afforded by automatic sprinklers
510
strongly suggests that it is acceptable to double the distance to an exit
because sprinklers will control or extinguish the fire. It is presumed
that occupants will still egress, otherwise, why limit the distance at all.
Although smoke detectors and sprinklers do not respond to the same
fire signatures, it is presumed by most that a flaming fire will usually
follow after the corridor has filled with smoke and become untenable.
Since smoke detectors are very early warning devices, and since the
existing Exception No. 2 is a time and travel distance variance, it only
makes sense to allow (at least) the same travel distance increase if the
building has automatic smoke detection installed that will initiate
occupant notification for an earlier egress.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The only application of the proposed
provision would be to nonsprinklered buildings, which would have
exterior corridors, therefore, the use of smoke detection would not
apply outside.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #1088)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 992 - (24-3.1.1): Reject
SUBMITTER: Mark Kluver, Portland Cement Association
RECOMMENDATION: Revise Section 24.3.1.1 as follows:
24.3.1 Protection of Vertical Openings.
24.3.1.1 Any vertical opening shall be enclosed or protected in
accordance with 8.2.5 Chapter 9. Where the provisions 9.2 8.2.5.5 are
used, the requirements of 24.3.5.5 shall be met.
Exception No. 1: Openings in accordance with 9.4.2 8.2.5.8 shall be
permitted.
Exception No. 2: In buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 24.3.5, the
fire resistance of walls shall be not less than 1 hour and the fire
protection rating of doors shall be not less than 1 hour.
SUBSTANTIATION: The revisions to 24.3.1.1 and Exception No. 1
are made to correct what appears to be NFPA 101 section numbers.
The reason for striking Exception No. 2 is as follows. It is not rational
to require floors to be rated at 2-hours, and then allow them to have
openings protected by shafts that are rated at only 1-hour.
Traditional building codes, including the EPCOT Building Code
(Table 7.2), do not permit this reduction for automatic sprinklers due
to concerns that property protection may not be adequately
addressed. In addition, vertical shafts, especially those that connect
four or more stories, act as chimneys during a fire. The 2-hour rated
shafts prevent the spread of fire through a building, providing
additional time for evacuation and safer working conditions for
firefighters. We question the rationale of proposing this sprinkler
tradeoff for residential occupancies, but not allowing it for
nonresidential occupancies. Shouldn’t equal property protection
features for all occupancies be provided. In addition, the occupants
in apartment buildings may be sleeping and not be aware of a
developing fire condition, thus creating a higher risk to life safety
than that of nonresidential occupancies.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter has provided no data to
substantiate the proposed change from what has been in the Life
Safety Code for a number of years.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
NEGATIVE: 2
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
KLUVER: The committee has not provided substantiation to show
that 1-hr rated shafts in sprinklered buildings connecting four or
more stories have performed satisfactorily. The fact that the Life
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
Safety Code has permitted 1-hr shaft enclosures does not mean that it
has been done except for a few isolated cases, especially for mid- to
high-rise apartment buildings, because local building codes have
almost also applied, and have required minimum 2-hr rated shaft
enclosures. These higher rated shafts provide not only life safety
protection (especially in the case of sprinkler failure), but also
property protection. Before this Life Safety Code provision is carried
into the NFPA 5000 Building Code, some effort should be made to
determine its effectiveness under real world conditions.
If the NFPA 5000 Building Code is to be more than a life safety code
it must provide additional property protection features. To be a
meaningful building code, it needs to provide redundant and
property protection life safety features for critical structures, such as
mid- to high-rise buildings.
LATHROP: See my Explanation of Negative on Proposal 5000-990
(Log #1084b).
___________________
(Log #64)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 993 - (24-3.1.1, Exception No. 1 and 24.3.5.5): Accept
SUBMITTER: Marshall A. Klein, Marshall A. Klein & Assoc.,
Inc./Rep. Automotive Oil Change Association (AOCA)
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
24.3.1.1 Any vertical opening shall be enclosed or protected in
accordance with 8.2.5 Chapter 9. Where the provisions of 8.2.5.5 9.2
are used, the requirements of 24.3.5.5 shall be met.
“Exception No. 1: Openings in accordance with 8.2.5.8 9.4.2 shall
be...”
“24.3.5.5 Buildings with unprotected openings in acordance 8-2.5.5
9.2 shall be...”.
SUBSTANTIATION: Editorial.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 21
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________
(Log #56)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 994 - (24-3.3): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Marcelo M. Hirschler, GBH International/Rep. Fire
Retardant Chemicals Association
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
24.3.3 Interior Finish.
24.3.3.1 Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter 10.
Interior wall and ceiling finish tested in accordance with NFPA 286,
Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Evaluating Contribution of Wall
and Ceiling Interior Finish to Room Fire Growth, and meeting the
conditions of 10.3.5.3 shall be deemed to comply with a Class A
classification in accordance with NFPA 255, Standard Method of Test
of Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials.
24.3.3.2 Interior wall and ceiling finish. Interior wall and ceiling
finish materials complying with Chapter 10 shall be permitted as
follows:
(a) Exit enclosures - Class A;
(b) Lobbies and corridors - Class A, or, Class B;
(c) Other spaces - Class A, Class B, or Class C.
SUBSTANTIATION: The sentence added to 24.3.3.1 addresses the
issue that unless this is stated specifically, there is no way of permitting
interior finish tested by the room corner test (NFPA 286) to be
installed. There is abundant evidence that materials that comply with
a room-corner test requirements are equivalent in fire performance to
materials tested using the Steiner tunnel test. As an example, Table 1
shows a set of 10 materials tested in the room-corner test and the
Steiner tunnel test (Reference: M.M. Hirschler & M.L. Janssens, Fire
and Materials Conf., San Antonio, TX, Feb. 22-23, 1999, Interscience
Communications, London, UK, pp. 179-198): only one of the 10
511
materials failed the room-corner test; all other materials met Class A
flame spread index (FSI not to exceed 25); even the material which
flashed over the room had a flame spread index low enough to meet
Class B in the Steiner tunnel test (FSI not to exceed 75). Also, only
one of the 10 materials in the set failed to meet the Steiner tunnel test
smoke development index limit of 450, and it also failed the criterion
in 10.3.5.3. The two enclosed Figures show comparisons of Steiner
tunnel FSI versus room corner peak rate of heat release and Steiner
tunnel SDI versus room corner total smoke released, indicating how
materials meeting room-corner test criteria also meet Steiner tunnel
criteria.
Figure Steiner Tunnel FSI
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
Figure Steiner Tunnel SDI
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
Table 1 Test Results for Materials Tested in Room-Corner and
Steiner Tunnel Tests
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
It must be clarified that this proposal does not require a material to
undergo room-corner testing, but gives the option of material
approvals via room-corner testing, as intended by the Life Safety
Code. This option appears to be missing in the draft of the NFPA
5000 Building Code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise 24.3.3.2 to read as follows:
24.3.3.2 Interior wall and ceiling finish materials shall be permitted
as follows:
(1) Exit enclosures - Class A
(2) Lobbies and corridors - Class A or Class B
(3) Other spaces - Class A, Class B, or Class C
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action eliminates
unnecessary, duplicative references, and should meet the submitter's
intent. This action should be consistent with action taken by the
Technical Committee on Furnishings and Contents on Chapter 10.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 20
ABSTENTION: 1
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF ABSTENTION:
LATHROP: Abstain due to client interest.
___________________
(Log #33)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 995 - (24-3.3.3): Accept
SUBMITTER: James K. Lathrop, Koffel Assoc., Inc./Rep. Carpet &
Rug Institute
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 24.3.3.3 to read as follows:
24.3.3.3 Interior Floor Finish. Interior floor finish in accordance
with Section 10.6 shall be in accordance with Table 24.3.3.3. Delete
the table. Interior floor finish in exit enclosures and in exit access
corridors and in spaces not separated from them by walls complying
with 24.3.6 shall be not less than Class II in accordance with Section
10.7. In all other spaces interior floor finish shall comply with 10.7.1.
SUBSTANTIATION: This proposal does several things. First it
provides a consistent format throughout the code for interior floor
finish. Second it provides a user-friendly reference to the proposed
10.7.1. Should 10.7.1 not be accepted in Chapter 10 it will be
editorially removed here. Second it clarifies the use of the term
corridor and exit. It assures that areas open to the corridor are
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
treated the same as a corridor. This should not be technically
different than previously intended.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 20
ABSTENTION: 1
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF ABSTENTION:
LATHROP: See my Explanation of Abstention on Proposal 5000-994
(Log #56).
___________________
(Log #178)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 996 - (24-3.4.1 Exception No. 2): Reject
SUBMITTER: Ken Bush, Maryland State Fire Marshals Office
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Exception No. 2.
SUBSTANTIATION: The exception is inconsistent with the base
provision. The building should be provided with a fire alarm system
to the same level as an unsprinklered building to provide early
warning.
NOTE: This proposal was submitted on behalf of the Ad-Hoc
Committee on Fire Code Development.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter has not explained how
the exception is inconsistent with the base requirement.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #154)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 997 - (24-3.4.5): Reject
SUBMITTER: S. Chester Jones, S. Chester Jones, P.E., Consultant
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows:
23.3.4.5 Smoke and Heat Alarms.
24.3.4.5.1 Approved, single-station smoke alarms shall be installed in
accordance with Section 11.2.5.2.10 outside every sleeping area in the
immediate vicinity of the bedrooms and on all levels of the dwelling
unit including basements.
Exception: In buildings protected throughout by an approved
smoke and heat detection system installed in accordance with Section
11.2 and equipped with an approved means of occupant notification.
24.3.4.5.2 Approved, single-station smoke alarms shall be installed in
accordance with Section 11.2.5.2.10 in every sleeping room.
Exception No. 1: In buildings protected throughout by an approved
supervised automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with
Section 22.3.5.
Exception No. 2; In buildings protected throughout by an approved
smoke and heat detection system installed in accordance with Section
11.2 and equipped with an approved means of occupant notification.
24.3.4.5.3 Approved, single-station heat alarms shall be installed in
accordance with 11.2.2.10 int he following locations:
(1) Kitchens
(2) Near heating equipment, including furnaces and hot water
heaters
(3) Laundry rooms
Exception: Dwelling protected by an approved smoke and heat
detection in accordance with Section 11.2 and equipped with an
approved means of occupant notification.
SUBSTANTIATION: In Section 1.2.1 of the Life Safety Code it is
clear that the intent of the Code is to "minimize danger to life from
fire." The Code however does not now address certain dangers as
identified int he report dated April 2000 from the Fire Analysis and
Research Division of NFPA entitles. "The U.S. Fire Problem Overview
512
Report." The statistics for manufactured homes have been deleted so
the following represents the number for one-and two-family dwellings
and apartments.
This report shows that for dwellings and apartments, 48.5% of
civilian deaths and 51.1% of civilian injuries result from fires
originating in:
a) Living room, family room, or den;
b) Kitchen;
c) Heating equipment room; and
d) Laundry room or area.
We do not mandate protection for these areas.
Further, this report shows that for dwellings and apartments, 34.4%
of civilian deaths and 47.0% of civilian injuries result from fires
caused by:
a) Heating equipment;
b) Other heat sources;
c) Electrical distribution; and
d) Cooking equipment.
We do not mandate protection for these causes.
In the Appendix to the National Fire Alarm Code, for a long time we
have recognized these problems and recommended additional
protection. We can no longer, in good conscience, continue to omit
requirements for fire protection in such areas.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter has provided no data to
substantiate the package of protection currently prescribed (as in the
Life Safety Code) is inadequate. This action is also consistent with the
action taken by the Technical Committee on Building Service and
Fire Protection Equipment (Chapter 11).
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #179)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 998 - (24-3.4.5.2 Exception): Reject
SUBMITTER: Ken Bush, Maryland State Fire Marshals Office
RECOMMENDATION: Delete the Exception.
SUBSTANTIATION: The exception should be deleted. The smoke
alarms provide early warning to the occupants when a smoldering fire
has not activated the sprinkler system. The cost for new construction
is minimal for the benefit received.
NOTE: This proposal was submitted on behalf of the Ad-Hoc
Committee on Fire Code Development.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: No technical justification has been
provided to remove the sprinkler exception for sleeping room smoke
detectors. In previous editions of the Life Safety Code, there were no
requirements for sleeping room detectors until sprinklers became
mandatory (with exceptions). The addition of sleeping room
detectors in nonsprinklered buildings was an attempt to approach the
level of life safety afforded by sprinklers.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
NEGATIVE: 2
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
KLUVER: I concur with Mr. Lathrop and the proponent.
LATHROP: Concur with proponent.
___________________
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

(Log #CP1424) NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22

Committee: SAF-RES VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
5000- 999 - (24-3.5.1): Accept AFFIRMATIVE: 21
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Residential Occupancies NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new 24.3.5.1 and renumber successive ___________________
paragraphs as follows:
24.3.5.1 Where modifications are permitted by this Code based on (Log #121)
the installation of an automatic sprinkler system, such modifications Committee: SAF-RES
shall be permitted when the automatic sprinkler system complies with 5000- 1003 - (24-3.5.3): Reject
11.3.1.1(a) or 11.3.1.1(b), unless otherwise indicated in this chapter. SUBMITTER: Charles Smeby, Jr., Florida State Fire College
SUBSTANTIATION: The proposal clarifies modifications to code RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows:
requirements are permitted with the installation of either NFPA 13 or 24.3.5.3 Buildings over 10,000 square feet shall be protected by an
NFPA 13R sprinkler systems. approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system installed in
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. accordance with Chapter 11.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22 SUBSTANTIATION: Since the NFPA 5000 draft is substantial
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION: derived for the NFPA Life Safety Code and is focused towards
AFFIRMATIVE: 21 occupant safety during a fire, I would like to propose fire protection
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb criteria that would also cover firefighting safety and property
___________________ protection. Building codes typically contain many items that are
property protection features.
(Log #357) Each municipality has an interest in reducing and eliminating fire
Committee: SAF-RES losses. From both a "Public Policy" perceptive and to maintain
5000- 1000 - (24-3.5.1 and 24.3.5.2): Accept structures that provide taxes and places for employment for their
SUBMITTER: Fred K. Walker, US Air Force citizens, fire losses do have a major fiscal impact of local and state
RECOMMENDATION: Renumber 24.3.5.2 to 24.3.5.1 and 24.3.5.1 governments.
to 24.3.5.2. This would also have the added benefit for reducing insurance
SUBSTANTIATION: The existing 24.3.5.2 is the actual premiums that are the direct result of fire loss. Many of the
extinguishment requirement and should be the first subparagraph in requirements int he typical building code were derived to limit fire
the section. The existing 24.3.5.1 is subordinate to requirement losses, and this tradition should be continued in this innovative new
24.3.5.2 simply explaining how to execute the requirement. code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22 COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter provides no technical
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION: justification for the proposed 10,000 sq-ft criteria.
AFFIRMATIVE: 21 NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
___________________ NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb

(Log #190) ___________________

Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 1001 - (24-3.5.2 Exception): Reject
SUBMITTER: Ken Bush, Maryland State Fire Marshals Office
RECOMMENDATION: Delete the Exception.
SUBSTANTIATION: It is time to remove these exceptions for new
construction and provide both life and property protection for these
occupancies. There is no technical justification for keeping these
exceptions.
NOTE: This proposal was submitted on behalf of the Ad-Hoc
Committee on Fire Code Development.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter has provided no
technical substantiation to remove the exceptions.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #924)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 1002 - (24-3.5.2 Exception): Reject
SUBMITTER: Phillip A. Brown, American Fire Sprinkler Assn.
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Exception in its entirety.
SUBSTANTIATION: All “R” type occupancies, excluding one-two
family dwellings should be protected throughout with an approved
automatic sprinkler system.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter has provided no
technical justification to remove the exception.
(Log #148)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 1004 - (24-3.5.4): Accept
SUBMITTER: Jonathan Humble, American Iron and Steel Insitute
RECOMMENDATION: Revise Section 24.3.5.4 as follows:
24.3.5.4 Open parking structures complying with NFPA 88a,
Standard for Parking Structures, Section 29.8, that are contiguous
with apartment buildings, shall be exempt from the sprinkler
requirements of 30.3.5.2.
SUBSTANTIATION: The proposal before you recommends that the
applicable content of NFPA 88A "Standard for Parking Structures" be
extracted and imported into the NFPA 5000 Building Code in lieu of
simply referencing NFPA 88A. This approach will make NFPA 5000 a
more complete document as the amount of text being proposed for
extraction is not substantive.
The proposed change reflects a dependency on the NFPA 5000
Building Code, versus the NFPA 88A standard, in order to ensure
consistency within the Building Code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________

513
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(Log #233)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 1005 - (24-3.5.6): Reject
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Delete current Section 24.3.5.6 in its entirety
and add the following new sections to delete the current sprinkler
exception for hazardous areas and provide extinguishers in common
areas.
24.3.5.6 Portable fire extinguishers in accordance with 11.6 shall be
provided as described in Sections 24.3.5.6.1 and 24.3.5.6.2.
24.3.5.6.1 Portable fire extinguishers shall be installed in all
hazardous areas as addressed in Section 24.3.2.1.
24.3.5.6.2 Portable fire extinguishers shall be installed in public
spaces; co-located with manual fire alarms as required in Section
24.3.4.1.
SUBSTANTIATION: 1. Sprinklers and extinguishers are provided
for different reasons; portables for incipient fire control and
sprinklers for fires that are growing.
2. NFIRS and FEMA data indicate that portable fire extinguishers
are used to combat a relatively large percentage of fires. Occupants
may be familiar with hazards/equipment, but alarm/notification
should not be delayed. Co-location with fire alarms will increase the
probability of notification for incipient fires, before portables are
used. NFPA 5000 Section 4.5.1 indicates that fire protection and life
safety should not depend solely on a single safeguard. Portable fire
extinguishers for part of a total fire protection package.
Note: Supporting material is available for review at NFPA
Headquarters.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The use of portable extinguishers
should be limited to trained personnel, such as those likely to occupy
hazardous areas. Extinguishers in public areas might encourage
untrained occupants to attempt to fight a fire rather than egress the
building. Extinguishers in public areas can be a maintenance problem
and be subject to misuse. Extinguishers should be permitted to be
omitted in sprinklered buildings since the sprinkler system is designed
to either control or extinguish the fire automatically.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #1002)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 1006 - (24-3.5.7 (New) ): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new 24.3.5.7 as follows:
“Approved Fire Department Standpipes in accordance with 11.4
shall be provided in all buildings having an occupiable floor level
more than 30 ft from the lowest level of fire department vehicle
access, or having an occupiable floor level more than 30 ft below the
highest level of fire department access.”
SUBSTANTIATION: The intent of this proposal is to address the
need for fire service operations in buildings of certain heights which
may require excessive hose lays for suppression activities in buildings
of large areas or limited vehicle access. It is an attempt to address
firefighter safety issues and efficient suppression efforts with
consideration to current fire service manpower arrangements, and
standard firefighting procedures, and limitations of space in areas
used for building access and suppression efforts by responding
emergency personnel while other emergency operations are
occurring, such as egress of occupants in stairwells and corridors. The
30 ft distance has been proposed in order to coordinate with
recognized practices and limitations established by other existing
codes.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
514
See the Committee Action on Proposal 5000-1009 (Log #204).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action on Proposal
5000-1009 (Log #204) should meet the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #1148)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 1007 - (24-3.5.7 (New) ): Reject
SUBMITTER: Kevin Kelly, National Fire Sprinkler Association
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text to read as follows:
“Fire Sprinkler Systems shall be installed throughout buildings with a
floor level located 55 ft or more above the lowest level of Fire
Department Vehicle Access.
Exception No. 1: Buildings where all floors located 55 ft or more
above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access have an
occupant load less than 30 shall not require sprinklers due to this
section.
Exception No. 2: Airport control towers shall not require sprinklers
due to this section.
Exception No. 3: Open parking structures shall not require
sprinklers due to this section.”
SUBSTANTIATION: Fire sprinklers, without the rest of the high-rise
provisions, are necessary in buildings beyond the reach of fire
department ground ladders. This is similar to a provision in the
International Building Code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: Requirements for automatic sprinklers
already appear in 24.3.5. The proposed exceptions do not appear to
apply to apartment buildings.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #998)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 1008 - (24-3.5.8 (New) ): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new 24.3.5.8 as follows:
“Approved Fire Department Standpipes in accordance with 11.4
shall be provided in all buildings having an occupiable floor level
more than 200 ft from the closest point of fire department vehicle
access.
Exception: Buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic extinguishing system.”
SUBSTANTIATION: The intent of this proposal is to address the
need for fire service operations in buildings which may require
excessive hose lays for suppression activities in buildings of large areas
or limited vehicle access. It is an attempt to address firefighter safety
issues and efficient suppression efforts with consideration to current
fire service manpower arrangements, and standard firefighting
procedures.
The 200 ft distance has been proposed in order to coordinate with
recognized practices of standard lengths of pre-connected fire service
hose lines and limitations established by other existing codes. It is
also recognized that fires in buildings protected throughout by an
extinguishing system will be controlled by that extinguishing system,
and that hose lines would not be required for first line fire
containment and control. The additional time to extend hose lines in
buildings so protected would not adversely impact the overall
protection features of that building.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle. We have retained those few provisions which are currently in NFPA
See the Committee Action on Proposal 5000-1009 (Log #204). 5000 and added to them to provide a comprehensive standpipe
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action on Proposal package to the new building code. NFPA 5000 Section 4.5.1 indicates
5000-1009 (Log #204) should meet the submitter’s intent. that fire protection and life safety should not be depend solely and a
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22 single safeguard. Standpipes from part of a total fire protection
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION: package.
AFFIRMATIVE: 21 Standpipes are vital for fire protection. The model codes and
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb national standard require that all portions of a building be within 200
feet of a standpipe hose connection.
___________________ They are an integral part of a balanced fire protection package
provided for a building. Large expanse buildings would be
(Log #204) particularly vulnerable if the fire service did not have standpipes
Committee: SAF-RES available to use.
5000- 1009 - (24-3.6): Accept in Principle Automatic fire sprinklers are one excellent method of fire control,
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire but they can fail or become overwhelmed by a fire. In that event,
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc. these has to be a backup to allow the fire service an immediate fire
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows: suppression capability.
24.3.6 Standpipes. Without standpipes, firefighters would be put in harm’s way. As you
24.3.6.1 General. Standpipe and hose systems shall be installed and can see from the following table, firefighters safety would be greatly
maintained in accordance with Section 11.4 of this code. jeopardized if they had to maneuver the weight of excessive hose
24.3.6.2 Where required. Class I or III standpipe systems shall be lengths -- especially while wearing heavy breathing apparatus and
installed throughout all buildings in which occupied floors are turnout gear.
located more than 30 feet (9,144 mm) above or below the lowest level
of fire department vehicle access. One 50 Foot Hose Length 1-3/4 Inch 2-1/2 Inch
24.3.6.3 Large expanse buildings. Class I or III standpipe systems -Weights 13.5 Pounds 34 Pounds
shall be provided in buildings in which the highest occupied floor is - Holds: 7.5 Gallons 12.5 Gallons
- Water Weight: 60 Pounds 104 Pounds
30 feet (9,144 mm) or less above the lowest level of fire department Total Weight 73.5 Pounds 136 Pounds
vehicle access and any portion of the building is more than 200 feet
(61 m) of travel from the nearest point of fire department access into Two Lengths (100 feet) 147 Pounds 272 Pounds
the building. Three Lengths (150 Feet) 220.5 Pounds 408 Pounds
24.3.6.4 Roof outlets. Where standpipe systems are installed in Four*** Lengths (200 feet) 294 Points 544 Pounds
buildings more than six stories or 75 feet (22,860 mm) in height, at Five Lengths (250 Feet) 367.5 Pounds 680 Pounds
least one riser shall extend through the roof and terminate in a two- Six Lengths (300 Feet) 441 Pounds 816 Pounds
Seven Lengths (350 Feet) 514.5 Pounds 952 Pounds
way, 2 1/2-inch hose connection. The main control valve on roof Eight Lengths (400 Feet) 588 Pounds 1,088 Pounds
hose connections or manifolded hose connections shall be located in
an area that is not subject to freezing, is as close to the roof access as *** Four hose lengths (200 Feet) is the maximum recommended.
practical and is plainly identified.
Renumber remaining sections.
SUBSTANTIATION: The current draft of NFPA 5000 contains Note: Supporting Material available for Review at NFPA
minimal or, in some chapters, no requirements for standpipe systems. Headquarters.
Many of these standpipe thresholds proposed in this submittal were COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
established by the Board for the Coordination of the Model Codes Add a new 24.3.5.10 as follows:
(BCMC) in the late 1980’s are found in part of many of the existing 24.3.5.10 Standpipes.
building and fire codes today. These requirements and thresholds are 24.3.5.10.1 General. Standpipe and hose systems shall be installed
basic fire protection for the building occupants, property protection and maintained in accordance with Section 11.4.
and firefighter safety. Standpipe systems should be mandatory in 24.3.5.10.2 Where required. Class I standpipe systems shall be
NFPA-5000. installed throughout all buildings in which occupied floors are
Balanced Fire Protection requires that provisions be made for located more than 30 feet (9,144 mm) above or below the lowest level
manual fire control. This is also an important issue relating to of fire department vehicle access.
firefighter safety. Please see the table developed to show the weights 24.3.5.10.3 Nonsprinklered large expanse buildings. Class I
of 1 3/4-inch and 2 1/2-inch fire hose in 50 foot lengths when filled standpipe systems shall be provided in nonsprinklered buildings in
with water. When used inside a building, these are intended to be which any portion of the building is more than 200 feet (61 m) of
mobile attack lines. Once can quickly see that 200 feet of fire hose or travel from the nearest point of fire department access into the
less, when charged with water, is the threshold at which we can expect building.
a fire crew to adequately handle while attacking and fighting a fire. 24.3.5.10.4 Sprinklered large expanse buildings. Class I standpipe
This is while wearing heavy protective gear and breathing apparatus. systems shall be provided in sprinklered buildings in which any
Also submitted are the 1991-1995 NFIRS, NFPA Survey showing portion of the building is more than 350 ft (107 m) of travel from the
methods of extinguishment. Note that there is insufficient detail with nearest point of fire department access into the building.
regard to hose line use to determine if Class I (fire department use), 24.3.5.10.5 Roof outlets. Roof outlets shall not be required on roofs
Class I (occupant use) or, Class III (either fire department or having a slope of 3 in 12 or greater.
occupant use) standpipes were used and, in the case of Class III, COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The references to Class III standpipes
whether the standpipe was used by the occupants or the fire are not necessary since a standpipe meeting the requirements for
department. It is assumed that the predominant use of the hose lines Class III in NFPA 14 also meets the requirements for Class I. For large
is by trained firefighters, whether professional, volunteer or fire expanse buildings, a credit should be allowed when the building is
brigade. The important thing to notice is that preconnected and sprinklered, therefore, the committee action increases the travel
hand-laid hose lines form hydrant, draft or standpipe were the means distance threshold to 350 ft in such building. The proposed roof
of extinguishment for 19.6 percent of all fire in residential structures outlet criteria is already addressed in NFPA 14. The committee action
and 25.7 percent of all fires in non-residential structures. This record clarifies roof outlets are not required on pitched roofs having a slope
mandates that NFPA 5000 have strong standpipe requirements for all of 3 in 12 or steeper.
classes of systems. NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22

515
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
NEGATIVE: 2
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
KLEIN: I vote negative based on the explanations of the negative
votes.
SHAPIRO: My reason for negative balloting is identical to Proposal
5000-978 (Log #203). The proposals are identical and have the
identical shortcomings.
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
BONISCH: See my Comment on Affirmative on Proposal 5000-978
(Log #203).
___________________
(Log #219)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 1010 - (24-3.6): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Add new Section 24.3.6 as follows:
24.3.6 Cooking Facilities. Cooking facilities shall be protected in
accordance with Section 11.8.
SUBSTANTIATION: NFPA 5000 currently has no requirements for
the protection of cooking facilities.
See also ancillary proposal to add new Section 11.8 related to
cooking hazards.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Add a new 24.3.9 as follows:
24.3.9 Commercial Cooking Equipment. Commercial cooking
equipment shall be protected in accordance with Section 11.10.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action coordinates with
the action taken by the Technical Committee on Building Service and
Fire Protection Equipment on Chapter 11.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #1089)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 1011 - (24-3.7.1): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Mark Kluver, Portland Cement Association
RECOMMENDATION: Revise Section 24.3.7.1 as follows:
24.3.7 Subdivision of Building Spaces
24.3.7.1 Dwelling units shall be separated from each other by walls
and/or floors constructed as fire barriers and having a fire resistance
rating of not less than 1-hour.
SUBSTANTIATION: Building codes, including the EPCOT Code
(Section 513.2(b)), have traditionally required that dwelling units be
separated from each other by construction having a minimum fire
resistance of one hour.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise 24.3.7 to read as follows:
24.3.7 Subdivision of building spaces. Buildings shall be subdivided
in accordance with 24.3.7.1 or 24.3.7.2.
24.3.7.1 In buildings not meeting 24.3.7.2, dwelling units shall be
separated from each other by walls and floors constructed as fire
barriers having fire resistance ratings of not less than one hour.
24.3.7.2 In buildings protected throughout by an approved
automatic sprinkler system, electrically supervised in accordance with
11.3.2, dwelling units shall be separated from each other by walls and
floors constructed as fire barriers having fire resistance ratings of not
less than 1/2 hour.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee action permits a
reduction in the fire resistance rating of the room separation when
the building is protected by an electrically supervised sprinkler system.
516
Also, the use of the term “and/or” is not permitted by the NFPA
Manual of Style. The committee action should meet the submitter's
intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #1031)
Committee: SAF-RES
5000- 1012 - (24-6 (New) ): Reject
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to SAF-RES requesting that the subject of this proposal be
revisited now that a draft of Chapter 100 Flood Resistant Design and
Construction is available via Proposal 5000-1421 (Log #623).
SUBMITTER: James A. Rossberg, Christopher P. Jones, American
Society of Civil Engineers/Rep. Federal Emergency Management
Agency, Mitigation Directorate
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows:
24.6 Flood Resistance. Apartment occupancies that are located
wholly or partly within the flood hazard area established by Section
100.3.2, shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 100.
SUBSTANTIATION: Makes code provisions compliant with National
Flood Insurance Program regulations for buildings and structures in
flood hazard areas. Note that this proposal is one of a series of
proposals that will insure NFPA 5000 compliance with NFIP
regulations. Although submitted separately, the proposals comprising
the series should be considered together.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee is unable to determine
the full impact of the proposal without having the opportunity to
review and understand the complete referenced document. The
committee is also unable to determine what buildings are located
wholly or partly within the flood hazard area.
The committee requests the Building Code Technical Correlating
Committee provide guidance on how to handle flood provisions.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 22
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 21
NOT RETURNED: 1 Gottlieb
___________________
(Log #CP1506)
Committee: SAF-BCF
5000- 1013 - (Chapter 25): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Board and Care Facilities
RECOMMENDATION: Insert Chapter 25 of NFPA 5000, Building
Code, to incorporate the actions taken on the public and committee
proposals in this Report on Proposals, as follows:
Chapter 25
Residential Board and Care Occupancies
25.1 General Requirements.
25.1.1 Application.
25.1.1.1 The requirements of this chapter apply to:
(a) New buildings or portions thereof used as residential board
and care occupancies (see Chapter 1); and
(b) Additions made to, or used as, residential board and care
occupancies (see Chapter 1); and
(c) Alterations, modernizations, or renovations of existing
residential board and care occupancies (see Chapter 1); and
(d) Existing buildings or portions thereof upon change of
occupancy to a residential board and care occupancy (see Chapter 1).
25.1.1.2 This chapter is divided into three sections as follows:
(a) Section 25.1 — General Requirements
(b) Section 25.2 — Small Facilities (i.e., sleeping
accommodations for not more than 16 residents).
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(c) Section 25.3 — Large Facilities (i.e., sleeping
accommodations for more than 16 residents).
25.1.1.3 Conversion. For the purposes of this chapter, exceptions for
conversions shall apply only for a change of occupancy from an
existing residential or health care occupancy to a residential board
and care occupancy.
25.1.2 Multiple Occupancies.
25.1.2.1 All multiple occupancies shall be in accordance with Section
6.2.
25.1.2.2 No board and care occupancy shall have its sole means of
egress or means of escape pass through any nonresidential or non-
health care occupancy in the same building.
25.1.2.3 No board and care occupancy shall be located above a
nonresidential or non-health care occupancy unless such board and
occupancy and exits there from are separated from the nonresidential
or non-health care occupancy by construction having a fire resistance
rating of not less than 2 hours.
25.1.3 Definitions. See Chapter 3.
25.1.4 Acceptability of Means of Egress or Escape. No means of
escape or means of egress shall be considered as complying with the
minimum criteria for acceptance unless emergency evacuation drills
are regularly conducted using that route.
25.1.5* Fire resistance-rated assemblies shall comply with Section 8.3.
A.25.1.5. The provisions of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, 8.2.3.1.2(3)
address a 1/2-hour fire resistance rating. The information in
A.8.2.3.1.2(3) addresses common materials used in 1/2-hour fire
resistance-rated barriers.
25.2 Small Facilities.
25.2.1 General.
25.2.1.1 Scope. Section 25.2 shall apply to residential board and care
occupancies providing sleeping accommodations for not more than
16 residents. Where there are sleeping accommodations for more
than 16 residents, the occupancy shall be classified as a large facility in
accordance with Section 25.3.
25.2.1.2 Minimum Construction Requirements. Building construction
shall be in accordance with Section 7.8.
25.2.2 Means of Escape.
25.2.2.1 Primary Means of Escape. Every sleeping room and living
area shall have access to a primary means of escape located to provide
a safe path of travel to the outside. Where sleeping rooms or living
areas are above or below the level of exit discharge, the primary
means of escape shall be an interior stair in accordance with 25.2.2.4,
an exterior stair, a horizontal exit, or a fire escape stair.
25.2.2.2 Secondary Means of Escape. Sleeping rooms and living areas
in facilities without a sprinkler system installed in accordance with
25.2.3.5 shall have a second means of escape consisting of one of the
following:
(a) A door, stairway, passage, or hall providing a way of
unobstructed travel to the outside of the dwelling at street or ground
level that is independent of and remotely located from the primary
means of escape
(b) A passage through an adjacent nonlockable space,
independent of and remotely located from the primary means of
escape, to any approved means of escape
(c)* An outside window or door operable from the inside
without the use of tools, keys, or special effort, and providing a clear
opening of not less than 5.7 sq ft (0.53 sq m) with the width not less
than 20 in. (51 cm) and the height not less than 24 in. (61 cm). The
bottom of the opening shall be not more than 44 in. (112 cm) above
the floor. Such means of escape shall be acceptable if one of the
following is met:
1. The window is within 20 ft (6.1 m) of grade
2. The window is directly accessible to fire department rescue
apparatus as approved by the authority having jurisdiction
3. The window or door opens onto an exterior balcony
Exception: If the sleeping room has a door leading directly to the outside of the
building with access to grade or to an exterior stairway meeting the
requirements of 25.2.2.6.3, that means of escape shall be considered as meeting
all the escape requirements for the sleeping room.
517
A.25.2.2.2(c) A window with dimensions of 20 in. × 24 in. (51 cm × 61
cm) has an opening of 3.3 ft2 (0.31 m2), which is less than the
required 5.7 ft2 (0.53 m2). Therefore, either the height or width needs
to exceed the minimum requirement to provide the required clear
area.
25.2.2.3 Interior Stairs Used for Primary Means of Escape. Interior
stairs shall be enclosed with 1/2-hr fire barriers with all openings
equipped with smoke-actuated, automatic-closing or self-closing doors
having a fire protection rating comparable to that required for the
enclosure. Stairs shall comply with 12.2.2.5.3. The entire primary
means of escape shall be arranged so that occupants are not required
to pass through a portion of a lower story unless that route is
separated from all spaces on that story by construction having a
minimum 1/2-hr fire resistance rating.
In buildings of construction other than Type II(000), Type III(200),
or Type V(000), the supporting construction shall be protected to
afford the required fire resistance rating of the supported wall.
Exception No. 1: Stairs that connect a story at street level to only one other story
shall be permitted to be open to the story that is not the street level.
Exception No. 2: In buildings not exceeding three stories in height that are
protected by an approved, automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
25.2.3.5, stair enclosures shall not be required provided there still remains a
primary means of escape from each sleeping area that does not require
occupants to pass through a portion of a lower floor, unless that route is
separated from all spaces on that floor by construction having a 1/2-hr fire
resistance rating.
Exception No. 3: Stairs serving a maximum of two stories in buildings
protected with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
22.2.3.5.
25.2.2.4 Doors.
25.2.2.4.1 Doors and paths of travel to a means of escape shall be at
least 32 in. (81 cm) wide.
Exception No. 1: Bathroom doors shall be at least 24 in. (61 cm) wide.
Exception No. 2: In conversions (see 25.1.1.3), 28-in. (71-cm) doors shall be
permitted.
25.2.2.4.2 Doors shall be swinging or sliding.
25.2.2.4.3 Every closet door latch shall be readily opened from the
inside.
25.2.2.4.4 Every bathroom door shall be designed to allow opening
from the outside during an emergency when locked.
25.2.2.4.5 No door in any means of escape shall be locked against
egress when the building is occupied.
Exception No. 1: Delayed egress locks complying with 12.2.1.6.1 shall be
permitted on exterior doors.
Exception No. 2: Access-controlled egress locks complying with 12.2.1.6.2 shall
be permitted.
25.2.2.4.6 Forces to open doors shall comply with 12.2.1.4.5.
25.2.2.4.7 Door latching devices shall comply with 12.2.1.5.4.
25.2.2.5 Stairs.
25.2.2.5.1 Stairs shall comply with 12.2.2.
25.2.2.5.2 Winders complying with 12.2.2.2.4 shall be permitted only
in conversions.
25.2.2.5.3* Exterior stairs shall be protected against blockage caused
by fire within the building.
A.25.2.2.5.3 Exterior stair protection can be accomplished through
separation by physical distance, arrangement of the stairs, protection
of the openings exposing the stairs, or other means acceptable to the
authority having jurisdiction.
25.2.3 Protection.
25.2.3.1 Protection of Vertical Openings. Vertical openings shall be
separated by smoke partitions in accordance with 8.4.1 that prevent
the passage of smoke from one story to another story. Smoke
partitions shall have a fire resistance rating of not less than 1/2 hour.
Any doors or openings to the vertical opening shall be capable of
resisting fire for not less than 20 minutes.
Exception: Stairs shall be permitted to be open where complying with Exception
No. 2 or No. 3 to 25.2.2.3.
25.2.3.2 Hazardous Areas.
25.2.3.2.1* Any space where there is storage or activity having fuel
conditions exceeding that of a one- or two-family dwelling and the
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
possesses the potential for a fully involved fire shall be protected in
accordance with 25.2.3.2.2 and 25.2.3.2.3.
Spaces shall include, but shall not be limited to, areas for cartoned
storage, food or household maintenance items in wholesale or
institutional-type quantities and concentrations, or mass storage of
residents’ belongings.
A.25.2.3.2.1 Spaces containing approved, properly installed and
maintained furnaces and heating equipment, furnace rooms, and
cooking and laundry facilities should not be classified as hazardous
areas solely on the basis of such equipment.
25.2.3.2.2 When the space is on the same floor as, and is in or abuts, a
primary means of escape or a sleeping room shall be protected by one
of the following means:
(a) An enclosure with a fire resistance rating of at least 1 hr with
a self-closing or automatic-closing fire door in accordance with
12.2.1.8 having a fire protection rating of at least 3/4 hr and protected
by an automatic fire detection system connected to the fire alarm
system provided in 25.2.3.4.1
(b) An automatic sprinkler system, in accordance with 25.2.3.5,
and a smoke partition, in accordance with 8.2.4, located between the
space and the sleeping area or primary escape route. Any doors in
such separation shall be self-closing or automatic-closing in
accordance with 12.2.1.8.
25.2.3.2.2 Other spaces shall be protected by one of the following:
(a) An enclosure having a fire resistance rating of at least 1/2 hr,
with a self-closing or automatic-closing door in accordance with
12.2.1.8, equivalent to at least a 13/4-in. (4.4-cm) thick, solid bonded
wood core construction and protected by an automatic fire detection
system connected to the fire alarm system provided in 25.2.3.4.1
(b) Automatic sprinkler protection in accordance with 25.2.3.5,
regardless of enclosure
25.2.3.3 Interior Finish.
25.2.3.3.1 Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter 10.
25.2.3.3.2 Interior Wall and Ceiling Finish. Interior wall and ceiling
finish materials shall be Class A, Class B, or Class C.
25.2.3.3.3 Interior Floor Finish. (No requirements.)
25.2.3.4 Detection, Alarm, and Communication Systems.
25.2.3.4.1 Fire Alarm Systems. A manual fire alarm system shall be
provided in accordance with Section 11.2.
25.2.3.4.2 Occupant Notification. Occupant notification shall be
provided automatically, without delay, in accordance with 11.2.3.
25.2.3.4.3 Smoke Alarms.
25.2.3.4.3.1 Approved smoke alarms shall be provided in accordance
with 11.2.2.10 on all levels, including basements, but excluding crawl
spaces and unfinished attics. Additional smoke alarms shall be
installed in all living areas as defined in Chapter 3.
25.2.3.4.3.2 Each sleeping room shall be provided with an approved
smoke alarm in accordance with 11.2.2.10.
25.2.3.5 Extinguishment Requirements.
25.2.3.5.1* All facilities shall be protected throughout by an
approved, automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with
25.2.3.5.2. Quick response or residential sprinklers shall be provided.
A.25.2.3.5.1. Where any provision requires the use of an automatic
sprinkler system in accordance with 25.2.3.5, the exception is not
permitted to be used.
Exception*: In conversions, sprinklers shall not be required in small board and
care homes, serving eight or fewer residents, when all occupants have the ability
as a group to move reliably to a point of safety within 3 minutes.
A.25.2.3.5.1 Exception. The evacuation capability of the residents and
staff is a function of both the ability of the residents to evacuate and
the assistance provided by the staff. It is intended that the evacuation
capability be determined by the program restriction of the facility,
evaluation of the potential abilities of occupants, and once occupied,
by the procedure acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction. The
evacuation capability may be determined by using the definitions in
NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, 3.3.56, the application of NFPA 101A, Guide
on Alternative Approaches to Life Safety, Chapter 5, or a program of drills
(timed).
Where drills are used to determine evacuation capability, it is
suggested that the facility conduct and record fire drills six times per
518
year on a bimonthly basis, with a minimum of two drills conducted
during the night when residents are sleeping, and that the facility
conduct the drills in consultation with the authority having
jurisdiction. Records should indicate the time taken to reach a point
of safety, date and time of day, location of simulated fire origin,
escape paths used, and comments relating to residents who resisted or
failed to participate in the drills.
Evacuation capability, in all cases, is based on the time of day or
night when evacuation of the facility would be most difficult, such as
when residents are sleeping or fewer staff are present.
25.2.3.5.2* Where an automatic sprinkler system is installed, for
either total or partial building coverage, the system shall be in
accordance with 11.3.1.1(a) and shall initiate the fire alarm system in
accordance with 25.2.3.4.1. The adequacy of the water supply shall be
documented to the authority having jurisdiction.
A.25.2.3.5.2 The decision to permit the use of the criteria from NFPA
13D, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-
Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes, in these occupancies is based
on the following:
(1) The desire to obtain a level of fire suppression and control
approximately equivalent to that delivered by residential facilities
protected by such systems (see the appendix statement in NFPA 13D,
Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family
Dwellings and Manufactured Homes)
(2) The fact that potential fire exposure and challenge to the
suppression system in a small board and care facility are of the same
nature and are no more severe than those found in residences
Chapter 25 permits the use of NFPA 13D, Standard for the
Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and
Manufactured Homes, and NFPA 13R, Standard for the Installation of
Sprinkler Systems in Residential Occupancies up to and Including Four Stories
in Height, outside of their scopes. This permission based on a review of
the occupancy and a recognition that the fires in board and care
facilities is similar to those of other residential occupancies and that
the level of protection is appropriate. The requirements of NFPA 13D
and NFPA 13R have been supplemented with requirements for
additional water supplies to compensate for the special needs of the
board and care occupancy.
Exception No. 1: An automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
11.3.1.1(b) shall be permitted in facilities up to and including four stories in
height. All habitable areas and closets shall be sprinklered.
Exception No. 2*: An automatic sprinkler system complying with 11.3.1.1(c),
with a 30-min water supply, shall be permitted. All habitable areas and closets
shall be sprinklered. Facilities with more than eight residents shall be treated as
two-family dwellings with regard to water supply.
A.25.2.3.5.2 Exception No. 2. NFPA 13D, Standard for the Installation
of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and
Manufactured Homes, contains additional requirements for a piping
system serving both sprinkler and domestic needs.
25.2.3.5.3 Automatic sprinkler systems installed in accordance
11.3.1.1(a) and 11.3.1.1(b) shall be provided with electrical
supervision in accordance with 11.3.2.
25.2.3.5.4 Automatic sprinkler systems installed in accordance
11.3.1.1(c) shall be provided with valve supervision by one of the
following methods:
(a) A single listed control valve that shuts off both domestic and
sprinkler systems and a separate shutoff for the domestic system only
(b) Electrical supervision in accordance with 11.3.2
(c) Valve closure that causes the sounding of an audible signal in
the facility
25.2.3.5.5 Sprinkler piping serving not more than six sprinklers for
any isolated hazardous area shall be permitted to be installed in
accordance with 11.3.1.2. In new installations, where more than two
sprinklers are installed in a single area, water flow detection shall be
provided to initiate the fire alarm system required by 25.2.3.4.1.
Duration of water supplies shall be as required by 25.2.3.5.2.
25.2.3.6 Construction of Corridor Walls.
25.2.3.6.1 The separation walls of sleeping rooms shall be capable of
resisting fire for at least 1/2 hr, which is considered to be achieved if
the partitioning is finished on both sides with lath and plaster or
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
material providing a 15-min thermal barrier. Sleeping room doors
shall be substantial doors, such as those of 13/4-in. (4.4-cm) thick, solid
bonded wood core construction or of other construction of equal or
greater stability and fire integrity. Any vision panels shall be fixed fire
window assemblies in accordance with 8.7.5 or shall be wired glass not
exceeding 1296 sq in. (0.84 sq m) each in area and installed in
approved frames.
Exception: This requirement shall not apply to corridor walls that are smoke
partitions in accordance with 8.4.1 where the facility is protected in accordance
with 25.2.35. In such instances, there shall be no limitation on the type or size
of glass panels. Door closing shall comply with 25.2.3.6.4.
25.2.3.6.2 There shall be no louvers, operable transoms or other air
passages penetrating the wall other than properly installed heating
and utility installations other than transfer grilles, which shall be
prohibited.
25.2.3.6.3 Doors shall be provided with latches or other mechanisms
suitable for keeping the doors closed. No doors shall be arranged to
prevent the occupant from closing the door.
25.2.3.6.4 Doors shall be self-closing or automatic-closing in
accordance with 12.2.1.8.
Exception: Door-closing devices shall not be required in buildings protected
throughout by an approved, automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
25.2.3.5.
25.2.4 (Reserved.)
25.2.5 Building Services.
25.2.5.1 Utilities. Utilities shall comply with Chapters 48 through 50.
25.2.5.2 Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning. Heating,
ventilating, and air conditioning equipment shall comply with
Chapter 49, unless otherwise required in this chapter.
25.2.5.3 Elevators, Escalators, and Conveyors. Elevators, escalators,
and conveyors shall comply with Chapter 51.
25.3 Large Facilities.
25.3.1 General.
25.3.1.1 Scope. Section 25.3 shall apply to residential board and care
occupancies providing sleeping accommodations for more than 16
residents. Facilities having sleeping accommodations for not more
than 16 residents shall comply with Section 25.2.
25.3.1.2 Minimum Construction Requirements. Building construction
shall be in accordance with Section 7.8.
25.3.1.4 Occupant Load. The occupant load, in number of persons
for whom means of egress and other provisions are required, shall be
determined on the basis of the occupant load factors of Table 12.3.1.2
that are characteristic of the use of the space, or shall be determined
as the maximum probable population of the space under
consideration, whichever is greater.
25.3.2 Means of Egress.
25.3.2.1 Means of egress shall be in accordance with Chapter 12.
25.3.2.2 Means of Egress Components.
25.3.2.2.1 Components of means of egress shall be limited to the types
described in 25.3.2.2.2 through 25.3.2.2.10.
25.3.2.2.2 Doors. Doors in means of egress shall be as follows:
(a) Doors complying with 12.2.1 shall be permitted.
(b) Doors within individual rooms and suites of rooms shall be
permitted to be swinging or sliding.
(c) No door shall be equipped with a lock or latch that requires
the use of a tool or key from the egress side.
Exception No. 1 to (c): Delayed egress locks in accordance with 12.2.1.6.1
shall be permitted, provided not more than one device is located in any egress
path.
Exception No. 2 to (c): Access-controlled egress doors in accordance with
12.2.1.6.2 shall be permitted.
(d) Doors located in the means of egress that are permitted to
be locaked under other provisions of Chapter 25 shall have adequate
provisions made for the rapid removal of occupants by means such as
remote control of locks, keying of all locks to keys carried by staff at
all times, or other such reliable means available to staff at all times.
Only one such locking device shall be permitted on each door.
519
Exception to (d): Locks in accordance with 25.3.2.2.2, Exceptions No. 1 and
No. 2 to (c).
25.3.2.2.3 Stairs. Stairs complying with 12.2.2 shall be permitted.
25.3.2.2.4 Smokeproof Enclosures. Smokeproof enclosures complying
with 12.2.3 shall be permitted.
25.3.2.2.5 Horizontal Exits. Horizontal exits complying with 12.2.4
shall be permitted.
25.3.2.2.6 Ramps. Ramps complying with 12.2.5 shall be permitted.
25.3.2.2.7 Exit Passageways. Exit passageways complying with 12.2.6
shall be permitted.
25.3.2.2.8 Fire Escape Ladders. Fire escape ladders complying with
12.2.9 shall be permitted.
25.3.2.2.9 Alternating Tread Devices. Alternating tread devices
complying with 12.2.11 shall be permitted.
25.3.2.2.10 Areas of Refuge. Areas of refuge complying with 12.2.12
shall be permitted.
25.3.2.3 Capacity of Means of Egress.
25.3.2.3.1 The capacity of means of egress shall be in accordance with
Section 12.3.
25.3.2.3.2 Street floor exits shall be sufficient for the occupant load of
the street floor plus the required capacity of stairs and ramps
discharging onto the street floor.
25.3.2.3.3 The width of corridors shall be sufficient for the occupant
load served, but shall not be less than 60 in. (112 cm).
25.3.2.4 Number of Exits. Not less than two exits shall be accessible
from every story, including floors below the level of exit discharge and
floors occupied for public purposes.
25.3.2.5 Arrangement of Means of Egress.
25.3.2.5.1 Access to all required exits shall be in accordance with
Section 12.5.
25.3.2.5.2 No common path of travel shall exceed 125 ft (38.1 m).
25.3.2.5.3 No dead-end corridor shall exceed 30 ft (15 m).
25.3.2.5.4 Any room or any suite of rooms exceeding 2000 sq ft (185
sq m) shall be provided with not less than two exit access doors
located remotely from each other.
25.3.2.6 Travel Distance to Exits. Travel distance from any point in a
room to the nearest exit, measured in accordance with Section 12.6,
shall not exceed 250 ft.
25.3.2.7 Discharge from Exits. Exit discharge shall comply with
Section 12.7.
25.3.2.8 Illumination of Means of Egress. Means of egress shall be
illuminated in accordance with Section 12.8.
25.3.2.9 Emergency Lighting. Emergency lighting in accordance with
Section 12.9 shall be provided unless each sleeping room has a direct
exit to the outside at ground level.
25.3.2.10 Marking of Means of Egress. Means of egress shall be
marked in accordance with Section 12.10.
25.3.2.11 Special Means of Egress Features. (Reserved.)
25.3.3 Protection.
25.3.3.1 Protection of Vertical Openings.
25.3.3.1.1 Vertical openings shall be enclosed or protected in
accordance with Chapter 9.
25.3.3.1.2 Unenclosed vertical openings in accordance with Section
9.4 shall be permitted.
25.3.3.1.3 No floor below the level of exit discharge used only for
storage, heating equipment, or purposes other than residential
occupancy shall have unprotected openings to floors used for
residential occupancy.
25.3.3.2 Protection from Hazards. Hazardous areas shall be protected
in accordance with Section 9.4. The areas described in Table 25.3.3.2
shall be protected as indicated.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

Exception: Unenclosed corridors, passageways, balconies, colonnades, or other

arrangements with one or more sides along the long dimension fully or
Table 25.3.3.2 Hazardous area protection.
extensively open to the exterior at all times.
Hazardous Area Description Separation/ 25.3.3.5 Extinguishment Requirements.
Protection 25.3.3.5.1* All buildings shall be protected throughout by an
Boiler and fuel-fired heater rooms 1 hour approved, automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with
Central/bulk laundries larger than 100 1 hour Section 11.3. Quick response or residential sprinklers shall be
ft2 (9.3 m2) provided throughout.
Paint shops employing hazardous 1 hour A.25.3.3.5.1 It is intended that this requirement apply to existing
substances and materials in quantities small facilities that are converted to large facilities.
less than those that would be classified 25.3.3.5.2 (Reserved.)
as a severe hazard 25.3.3.5.3 Automatic sprinkler systems shall be provided with
Physical plant maintenance shops 1 hour electrical supervision in accordance with 11.3.2.
Soiled linen rooms 1 hour 25.3.3.5.4 (Reserved.)
Storage rooms larger than 50 ft2 (4.6 m2 Smoke partition 25.3.3.5.5 Portable Fire Extinguishers. Portable fire extinguishers
but not exceeding 100 ft2 (9.3 m2) shall be provided in accordance with Section 11.6.
storing combustible material 25.3.3.6* Corridors and Separation of Sleeping Rooms.
Storage room larger than 100 100 ft2 1 hour A.25.3.3.6 It is not intended to prohibit furniture in corridors and
(9.3 m2) storing combustible material spaces open to corridors provided the minimum required width is
Trash collection rooms 1 hour maintained. Storage is not permitted in corridors or spaces open to
corridors.
25.3.3.3* Interior Finish. 25.3.3.6.1 Access shall be provided from every resident use area to at
A.25.3.3.3 The provisions in Chapter 10 to allow modifications to least one means of egress that is separated from all sleeping rooms by
interior finish requirements with automatic sprinklers are intended to walls complying with 25.3.3.6.3 through 25.3.3.6.6.
be permitted. 25.3.3.6.2 Sleeping rooms shall be separated from corridors, living
25.3.3.3.1 Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter 10. areas, and kitchens by walls complying with 25.3.3.6.3 through
25.3.3.3.2 Interior Wall and Ceiling Finish. Interior wall and ceiling 25.3.3.6.6.
finish materials shall be in accordance with the following: 25.3.3.6.3 Walls required by 25.3.3.6.1 or 25.3.3.6.2 shall be smoke
(a) Exit enclosures — Class A partitions in accordance with 8.4.1.
(b) Lobbies and corridors — Class B 25.3.3.6.4 Doors protecting corridor openings shall be constructed to
(c) Rooms and enclosed spaces — Class B resist the passage of smoke.
25.3.3.3.3 Interior Floor Finish. Interior floor finish in exit enclosures 25.3.3.6.5 Door closing devices shall not be required on doors in
and in exit access corridors and in spaces not separated from them by corridor wall openings other than those serving required exits, smoke
walls complying with 25.3.3.6 shall be not less than Class II in barriers, or enclosures of vertical openings and hazardous areas.
accordance with Section 10.7. In all other spaces interior floor finish 25.3.3.6.6 No louvers, transfer grilles, operable transoms, or other air
shall comply with 10.7.1. passages shall penetrate such walls or doors, except properly installed
25.3.3.4 Detection, Alarm, and Communication Systems. heating and utility installations.
25.3.3.4.1 General. A fire alarm system shall be provided in 25.3.3.7 Subdivision of Building Spaces. Buildings shall be subdivided
accordance with Section 11.2. by smoke barriers in accordance with 25.3.3.7.1 through 25.3.3.7.9.
25.3.3.4.2 Initiation. The required fire alarm system shall be initiated 25.3.3.7.1 Every story shall be divided into not less than two smoke
by the following: compartments.
(a) Manual means in accordance with 11.2.2 25.3.3.7.2 Each smoke compartment shall have an area not exceeding
(b) A manual fire alarm box located at a convenient central 22,500 ft2 (2100 m2).
control point under continuous supervision of responsible employees 25.3.3.7.3 The travel distance from any point to reach a door in the
(c) The automatic sprinkler system required smoke barrier shall be limited to a distance of 200 ft (60 m).
(d) Any required detection system Exception No.1: Stories that do not contain a board and care occupancy,
25.3.3.4.3 Annunciator Panel. An annunciator panel connected to the located totally above the board and care occupancy.
fire alarm system shall be provided. The location of the annunciator Exception No. 2: Areas that do not contain a board and care occupancy and
shall be approved by the authority having jurisdiction. that are separated from the board and care occupancy by a fire barrier
25.3.3.4.4 Occupant Notification. Occupant notification shall be complying with Section 8.3.
provided automatically, without delay, in accordance with 11.2.3. Exception No. 3: Stories that do not contain board and care occupancies and
25.3.3.4.5 High-rise buildings shall be provided with an approved that are more than one story below the board and care occupancy.
means of voice communication in accordance with Chapter 32. Exception No. 4: Open-air parking structures protected throughout by an
Exception: Buildings equipped with a public address system. approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
25.3.3.4.6 Emergency Forces Notification. Fire department 11.3.
notification shall be accomplished in accordance with 11.2.4. 25.3.3.7.4 Smoke barriers shall be constructed in accordance with
Exception: Smoke detection devices or smoke detection systems equipped with 8.4.2 and shall have a fire resistance rating of not less than 1 hour.
reconfirmation features shall not be required to automatically notify the fire Exception No. 1: Where an atrium is used, smoke barriers shall be permitted to
department unless the alarm condition is reconfirmed after a period not terminate at an atrium wall constructed in accordance with Exception No. 2 to
exceeding 120 seconds. 9.3(1). Not less than two separate smoke compartments shall be provided on
25.3.3.4.7 Smoke Alarms. Approved smoke alarms shall be installed in each floor.
accordance with 11.2.2.10 inside every sleeping room, outside every Exception No. 2*: Dampers shall not be required in duct penetrations of smoke
sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms, and on all barriers in fully ducted heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems.
levels within a resident unit. A.25.3.3.7.4 Exception No. 2. Where the smoke control system design
25.3.3.4.8 Smoke Detection Systems. Corridors and spaces open to requires dampers in order that the system functions effectively, it is
the corridors shall be provided with smoke detectors in accordance not the intent of the exception to permit the damper to be omitted.
with NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code, that are arranged to initiate an This exception is not intended to prevent the use of plenum
alarm that is audible in all sleeping areas. returns where ducting is used to return air from a ceiling plenum
through smoke barrier walls. Short stubs or jumper ducts are not
acceptable. Ducting is required to connect at both sides of the

520
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
opening and to extend into adjacent spaces away from the wall. The
intent is to prohibit open-air transfers at or near the smoke barrier
walls.
25.3.3.7.5 Not less than 15 net ft2 (1.4 net m2) per resident shall be
provided within the aggregate area of corridors, lounge or dining
areas, and other low hazard areas on each side of the smoke barrier.
On stories not housing residents, not less than 6 net ft2 (0.56 net m2)
per occupant shall be provided on each side of the smoke barrier for
the total number of occupants in adjoining compartments.
25.3.3.7.6* Doors in smoke barriers shall be substantial doors, such as
1 3/4-in. (4.4-cm) thick, solid-bonded wood core doors, or shall be of
construction that resists fire for not less than 20 minutes. Nonrated
factory- or field-applied protective plates extending not more than 48
in. (122 cm) above the bottom of the door shall be permitted. Cross-
corridor openings in smoke barriers shall be protected by a pair of
swinging doors or a horizontal sliding door complying with 12.2.1.14.
Swinging doors shall be arranged so that each door swings in a
direction opposite from the other.
A.25.3.3.7.6 Smoke partition doors are intended to provide access to
adjacent zones. The pair of cross-corridor doors are required to be
opposite swinging. Access to both zones is required.
25.3.3.7.7* Doors in smoke barriers shall comply with 8.4.2.4 and shall
be self-closing or automatic-closing in accordance with 12.2.1.9.2.
A.25.3.3.7.7 Smoke barriers might include walls having door openings
other than cross-corridor doors. There is no restriction in the Code
regarding which doors or how many doors form part of a smoke
barrier. For example, doors from the corridor to individual rooms are
permitted to form part of a smoke barrier.
25.3.3.7.8* Vision panels consisting of fire-rated glazing or wire glass
panels in approved frames shall be provided in each cross-corridor
swinging door and at each cross-corridor horizontal sliding door in a
smoke barrier.
A.25.3.3.7.8 It is not the intent to require the frame to be a listed
assembly.
25.3.3.7.9 Rabbets, bevels, or astragals shall be required at the
meeting edges, and stops shall be required at the head and sides of
door frames in smoke barriers. Positive latching hardware shall not be
required. Center mullions shall be prohibited.
25.3.3.8* Cooking Facilities. Cooking facilities, other than those
within individual residential units, shall be protected in accordance
with Section 11.10.
A.25.3.3.8 The scope of NFPA 96 is limited to appliances that produce
grease-laden vapors, and does not apply to domestic cooking
equipment used for food warming or limited cooking.
25.3.3.9 Standpipes.
25.3.3.9.1 General. Standpipe and hose systems shall be installed and
maintained in accordance with Section 11.4.
25.3.3.9.2 Where Required. Class I standpipe systems shall be
installed throughout all buildings in which occupied floors are
located more than 30 feet (9,144 mm) above or below the lowest level
of fire department vehicle access.
25.3.3.9.3 Nonsprinklered Large Expanse Buildings. Class I standpipe
systems shall be provided in nonsprinklered buildings in which any
portion of the building is more than 200 feet (61 m) of travel from
the nearest point of fire department access into the building.
25.3.3.9.4 Sprinklered Large Expanse Buildings. Class I standpipe
systems shall be provided in sprinklered buildings in which any
portion of the building is more than 350 feet (107 m) of travel from
the nearest point of fire department access into the building.
25.3.3.9.5 Roof Outlets. Roof outlets shall not be required on roofs
having a slope of 3 in 12 or greater.
25.3.4 Special Provisions. (Reserved.)
25.3.5 (Reserved.)
25.3.6 Building Services.
25.3.6.1 Utilities. Utilities shall comply with Chapters 48 through 50.
25.3.6.2 Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning. Heating,
ventilating, and air conditioning equipment shall comply with
Chapter 49.
25.3.6.3 Elevators, Dumbwaiters, and Vertical Conveyors.
521
25.3.6.3.1 Elevators, dumbwaiters, and vertical conveyors shall comply
with Chapter 51.
25.3.6.3.2* In high-rise buildings, one elevator shall be provided with
a protected power supply and shall be available for use by the fire
department in case of emergency.
A.25.3.6.3.2 “Protected power supply” means a source of electrical
energy of sufficient capacity to allow proper operation of the elevator
and its associated control and communications systems. The power
supply’s point of origin, system of distribution, type and size of
overcurrent protection, degree of isolation from other portions of the
building electrical system, and degree of mechanical protection
should be such that it is unlikely that the supply would be disrupted at
any but the advanced stages of building fire involvement or by
structural collapse.
A protected power supply might consist of, and should provide, not
less than the level of reliability associated with an electrical
distribution system with service equipment located and installed in
accordance with Section 230-72(b) and Section 230-82(5) of NFPA 70,
National Electrical Code. The distribution system is not to have any
other connection to the building electrical distribution system. A
protected power supply is not required to incorporate two sources of
energy or automatic transfer capability from a normal to an
emergency source, for example, an alternate set of service conductors.
The number and type of elevators to be connected to a protected
power supply should be limited, or the characteristics of the protected
power supply should be selected to ensure conformance with Section
230-95 of NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, without the provision of
ground fault protection for the supply.
An elevator installation supplied by a protected power supply
should comply with Article 620 of NFPA 70, National Electrical Code,
except that the energy absorption means required by Section 620-91
should always be connected on the load side of the disconnecting
means. The energy absorption means should not consist of loads
likely to become inoperative or disconnected under the conditions
assumed to exist when the elevator is under the control of fire
department personnel. Examples of such loads include light and
power loads external to the elevator equipment room.
25.3.6.4 Rubbish Chutes, Incinerators, and Laundry Chutes. Rubbish
chutes, incinerators, and laundry chutes shall comply with Section 9.6.
25.4 Reserved.
25.5 Reserved.
25.6 Reserved.
SUBSTANTIATION: The proposed Chapter 25 incorporates the
actions taken on the public and committee proposals.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 16
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 15
NOT RETURNED: 1 Groner
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
EARLY: 25.1.1.3 Conversions. A health care occupancy, specifically a
nursing home, should not have to meet the fire-safety requirements
for board and care facilities since the fire-safety requirements for a
health care occupancy are generally more stringent.
25.2.2.4.5 Exception No. 2. I was unable to determine if Exception
No. 2 would allow for delayed egress locks on doors that separate an
alzheimer’s unit from the remainder of a board and care facility. The
doors would not be exterior doors.
A.25.2.3.5 Exception. If a facility is protected by an automatic
sprinkelr system, I do not believe that residents should be required to
participate in fire drills in the middle of the night. The risk of
accidents is too great. Residents are not required to participate in fire
drills conducted in nursing homes.
LATHROP: 25.2.2.1 - Change 25.2.2.4 to 25.2.2.3. Add reference to
horizontal exits and fire escape stairs.
25.2.2.2 Exception - Change reference from 25.2.2.6.3 to 25.2.2.5.3.
25.2.3.2.2 - There are 2 paragraphs with same number, change
second one to 25.2.3.2.3.
25.3.2.2.2(d) - I do not recall adding this paragraph.
25.3.3.4.2 - Add “each of” after “by”.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

25.3.3.7 - The 4 exceptions after 25.3.3.7.3 are misplaced - move to (Log #CP1502)
after 25.3.3.7. Committee: SAF-BCF
REUER: Paragraph 25.2.2.2-c3 - The exception refers to the 5000- 1017 - (25-2): Accept
requirements of 25.2.2.6.3. I believe this is a typo and should read SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Board and Care Facilities
25.2.2.5.3. RECOMMENDATION: Revise Section 25-2 Small Facilities, in its
Paragraph 25.2.2.3 - The exception refers to paragraph 22.2.3.5. My entirety, as follows:
copy of NFPA 5000 does not contain paragraph 22.2.3.5. 25.2 Small Facilities.
Paragraph 25.2.3.6.2 is confusing. I think it should end at “utility 25.2.1 General.
installations”. The wording should be similar to 25.3.3.6.6 to eliminate 25.2.1.1 Scope. Section 25.2 shall apply to residential board and care
transfer grilles. occupancies providing sleeping accommodations for not more than
___________________ 16 residents. Where there are sleeping accommodations for more
than 16 residents, the occupancy shall be classified as a large facility in
(Log #CP1504) accordance with Section 25.3.
Committee: SAF-BCF 25.2.1.2 Minimum Construction Requirements. Building construction
5000- 1014 - (25-1.2): Accept shall be in accordance with Section 7.8.
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Board and Care Facilities 25.2.2 Means of Escape.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 25.1.2 and 25.1.2.1 to read as follows: 25.2.2.1 Primary Means of Escape. Every sleeping room and living
25.1.2 Multiple Occupancies. area shall have access to a primary means of escape located to provide
25.1.2.1 All multiple occupancies shall be in accordance with Section a safe path of travel to the outside. Where sleeping rooms or living
6.2. areas are above or below the level of exit discharge, the primary
Delete the Exceptions to 25.1.2.1. 25.1.2.2 and 25.1.2.3 remain means of escape shall be an interior stair in accordance with 25.2.2.4,
unchanged. an exterior stair, a horizontal exit, or a fire escape stair.
SUBSTANTIATION: The proposal is accepted at the request of the 25.2.2.2 Secondary Means of Escape. Sleeping rooms and living areas
Technical Committee on Fundamentals to correlate with Chapter 6. in facilities without a sprinkler system installed in accordance with
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. 25.2.3.5 shall have a second means of escape consisting of one of the
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 16 following:
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION: (a) A door, stairway, passage, or hall providing a way of
AFFIRMATIVE: 15 unobstructed travel to the outside of the dwelling at street or ground
NOT RETURNED: 1 Groner level that is independent of and remotely located from the primary
___________________ means of escape
(b) A passage through an adjacent nonlockable space,
(Log #1034) independent of and remotely located from the primary means of
Committee: SAF-BCF escape, to any approved means of escape
5000- 1015 - (25-1.2.1): Accept in Principle (c)* An outside window or door operable from the inside
SUBMITTER: James A. Rossberg, Christopher P. Jones, American without the use of tools, keys, or special effort, and providing a clear
Society of Civil Engineers/Rep. Federal Emergency Management opening of not less than 5.7 sq ft (0.53 sq m) with the width not less
Agency, Mitigation Directorate than 20 in. (51 cm) and the height not less than 24 in. (61 cm). The
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows: bottom of the opening shall be not more than 44 in. (112 cm) above
25.1.2 Mixed Occupancies. the floor. Such means of escape shall be acceptable if one of the
25.1.2.1 Where another type of occupancy exists in the same following is met:
building as a residential occupancy, the requirements of 6.171.14 of 1. The window is within 20 ft (6.1 m) of grade
this Code shall apply. 2. The window is directly accessible to fire department rescue
SUBSTANTIATION: Corrects incorrect section reference in text. apparatus as approved by the authority having jurisdiction
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle. 3. The window or door opens onto an exterior balcony
See Committee Proposal 5000-1014 (Log #CP1504). Exception: If the sleeping room has a door leading directly to the outside of the
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: Committee Proposal 5000-1014 (Log building with access to grade or to an exterior stairway meeting the
#CP1504) should meet the submitter's intent. requirements of 25.2.2.6.3, that means of escape shall be considered as meeting
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 16 all the escape requirements for the sleeping room.
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION: A.25.2.2.2(c) A window with dimensions of 20 in. × 24 in. (51 cm × 61
AFFIRMATIVE: 15 cm) has an opening of 3.3 ft2 (0.31 m2), which is less than the
NOT RETURNED: 1 Groner required 5.7 ft2 (0.53 m2). Therefore, either the height or width needs
to exceed the minimum requirement to provide the required clear
___________________ area.
25.2.2.3 Interior Stairs Used for Primary Means of Escape. Interior
(Log #CP1503) stairs shall be enclosed with 1/2-hr fire barriers with all openings
Committee: SAF-BCF equipped with smoke-actuated, automatic-closing or self-closing doors
5000- 1016 - (25-1.2.2): Accept having a fire protection rating comparable to that required for the
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Board and Care Facilities enclosure. Stairs shall comply with 12.2.2.5.3. The entire primary
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 25.1.2.2 as follows: means of escape shall be arranged so that occupants are not required
“No board and care occupancy shall have its sole means of egress or to pass through a portion of a lower story unless that route is
means of escape pass through any nonresidential or non-health care separated from all spaces on that story by construction having a
occupancy in the same building.” minimum 1/2-hr fire resistance rating.
SUBSTANTIATION: It is necessary to add a reference to the means In buildings of construction other than Type II(000), Type III(200),
of escape for small board and care occupancies. or Type V(000), the supporting construction shall be protected to
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. afford the required fire resistance rating of the supported wall.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 16 Exception No. 1: Stairs that connect a story at street level to only one other story
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION: shall be permitted to be open to the story that is not the street level.
AFFIRMATIVE: 15 Exception No. 2: In buildings not exceeding three stories in height that are
NOT RETURNED: 1 Groner protected by an approved, automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
___________________ 25.2.3.5, stair enclosures shall not be required provided there still remains a

522
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
primary means of escape from each sleeping area that does not require
occupants to pass through a portion of a lower floor, unless that route is
separated from all spaces on that floor by construction having a 1/2-hr fire
resistance rating.
Exception No. 3: Stairs serving a maximum of two stories in buildings
protected with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
22.2.3.5.
25.2.2.4 Doors.
25.2.2.4.1 Doors and paths of travel to a means of escape shall be at
least 32 in. (81 cm) wide.
Exception No. 1: Bathroom doors shall be at least 24 in. (61 cm) wide.
Exception No. 2: In conversions (see 25.1.1.3), 28-in. (71-cm) doors shall be
permitted.
25.2.2.4.2 Doors shall be swinging or sliding.
25.2.2.4.3 Every closet door latch shall be readily opened from the
inside.
25.2.2.4.4 Every bathroom door shall be designed to allow opening
from the outside during an emergency when locked.
25.2.2.4.5 No door in any means of escape shall be locked against
egress when the building is occupied.
Exception No. 1: Delayed egress locks complying with 12.2.1.6.1 shall be
permitted on exterior doors.
Exception No. 2: Access-controlled egress locks complying with 12.2.1.6.2 shall
be permitted.
25.2.2.4.6 Forces to open doors shall comply with 12.2.1.4.5.
25.2.2.4.7 Door latching devices shall comply with 12.2.1.5.4.
25.2.2.5 Stairs.
25.2.2.5.1 Stairs shall comply with 12.2.2.
25.2.2.5.2 Winders complying with 12.2.2.2.4 shall be permitted only
in conversions.
25.2.2.5.3* Exterior stairs shall be protected against blockage caused
by fire within the building.
A.25.2.2.5.3 Exterior stair protection can be accomplished through
separation by physical distance, arrangement of the stairs, protection
of the openings exposing the stairs, or other means acceptable to the
authority having jurisdiction.
25.2.3 Protection.
25.2.3.1 Protection of Vertical Openings. Vertical openings shall be
separated by smoke partitions in accordance with 8.4.1 that prevent
the passage of smoke from one story to another story. Smoke
partitions shall have a fire resistance rating of not less than 1/2 hour.
Any doors or openings to the vertical opening shall be capable of
resisting fire for not less than 20 minutes.
Exception: Stairs shall be permitted to be open where complying with Exception
No. 2 or No. 3 to 25.2.2.3.
25.2.3.2 Hazardous Areas.
25.2.3.2.1* Any space where there is storage or activity having fuel
conditions exceeding that of a one- or two-family dwelling and the
possesses the potential for a fully involved fire shall be protected in
accordance with 25.2.3.2.2 and 25.2.3.2.3.
Spaces shall include, but shall not be limited to, areas for cartoned
storage, food or household maintenance items in wholesale or
institutional-type quantities and concentrations, or mass storage of
residents’ belongings.
A.25.2.3.2.1 Spaces containing approved, properly installed and
maintained furnaces and heating equipment, furnace rooms, and
cooking and laundry facilities should not be classified as hazardous
areas solely on the basis of such equipment.
25.2.3.2.2 When the space is on the same floor as, and is in or abuts, a
primary means of escape or a sleeping room shall be protected by one
of the following means:
(a) An enclosure with a fire resistance rating of at least 1 hr with
a self-closing or automatic-closing fire door in accordance with
12.2.1.8 having a fire protection rating of at least 3/4 hr and protected
by an automatic fire detection system connected to the fire alarm
system provided in 25.2.3.4.1
(b) An automatic sprinkler system, in accordance with 25.2.3.5,
and a smoke partition, in accordance with 8.2.4, located between the
space and the sleeping area or primary escape route. Any doors in
523
such separation shall be self-closing or automatic-closing in
accordance with 12.2.1.8.
25.2.3.2.2 Other spaces shall be protected by one of the following:
(a) An enclosure having a fire resistance rating of at least 1/2 hr,
with a self-closing or automatic-closing door in accordance with
12.2.1.8, equivalent to at least a 13/4-in. (4.4-cm) thick, solid bonded
wood core construction and protected by an automatic fire detection
system connected to the fire alarm system provided in 25.2.3.4.1
(b) Automatic sprinkler protection in accordance with 25.2.3.5,
regardless of enclosure
25.2.3.3 Interior Finish.
25.2.3.3.1 Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter 10.
25.2.3.3.2 Interior Wall and Ceiling Finish. Interior wall and ceiling
finish materials shall be Class A, Class B, or Class C.
25.2.3.3.3 Interior Floor Finish. (No requirements.)
25.2.3.4 Detection, Alarm, and Communication Systems.
25.2.3.4.1 Fire Alarm Systems. A manual fire alarm system shall be
provided in accordance with Section 11.2.
25.2.3.4.2 Occupant Notification. Occupant notification shall be
provided automatically, without delay, in accordance with 11.2.3.
25.2.3.4.3 Smoke Alarms.
25.2.3.4.3.1 Approved smoke alarms shall be provided in accordance
with 11.2.2.10 on all levels, including basements, but excluding crawl
spaces and unfinished attics. Additional smoke alarms shall be
installed in all living areas as defined in Chapter 3.
25.2.3.4.3.2 Each sleeping room shall be provided with an approved
smoke alarm in accordance with 11.2.2.10.
25.2.3.5 Extinguishment Requirements.
25.2.3.5.1* All facilities shall be protected throughout by an
approved, automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with
25.2.3.5.2. Quick response or residential sprinklers shall be provided.
A.25.2.3.5.1. Where any provision requires the use of an automatic
sprinkler system in accordance with 25.2.3.5, the exception is not
permitted to be used.
Exception*: In conversions, sprinklers shall not be required in small board and
care homes, serving eight or fewer residents, when all occupants have the ability
as a group to move reliably to a point of safety within 3 minutes.
A.25.2.3.5.1 Exception. The evacuation capability of the residents and
staff is a function of both the ability of the residents to evacuate and
the assistance provided by the staff. It is intended that the evacuation
capability be determined by the program restriction of the facility,
evaluation of the potential abilities of occupants, and once occupied,
by the procedure acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction. The
evacuation capability may be determined by using the definitions in
NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, 3.3.56, the application of NFPA 101A, Guide
on Alternative Approaches to Life Safety, Chapter 5, or a program of drills
(timed).
Where drills are used to determine evacuation capability, it is
suggested that the facility conduct and record fire drills six times per
year on a bimonthly basis, with a minimum of two drills conducted
during the night when residents are sleeping, and that the facility
conduct the drills in consultation with the authority having
jurisdiction. Records should indicate the time taken to reach a point
of safety, date and time of day, location of simulated fire origin,
escape paths used, and comments relating to residents who resisted or
failed to participate in the drills.
Evacuation capability, in all cases, is based on the time of day or
night when evacuation of the facility would be most difficult, such as
when residents are sleeping or fewer staff are present.
25.2.3.5.2* Where an automatic sprinkler system is installed, for
either total or partial building coverage, the system shall be in
accordance with 11.3.1.1(a) and shall initiate the fire alarm system in
accordance with 25.2.3.4.1. The adequacy of the water supply shall be
documented to the authority having jurisdiction.
A.25.2.3.5.2 The decision to permit the use of the criteria from NFPA
13D, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-
Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes, in these occupancies is based
on the following:
(1) The desire to obtain a level of fire suppression and control
approximately equivalent to that delivered by residential facilities
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
protected by such systems (see the appendix statement in NFPA 13D,
Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family
Dwellings and Manufactured Homes)
(2) The fact that potential fire exposure and challenge to the
suppression system in a small board and care facility are of the same
nature and are no more severe than those found in residences
Chapter 25 permits the use of NFPA 13D, Standard for the
Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and
Manufactured Homes, and NFPA 13R, Standard for the Installation of
Sprinkler Systems in Residential Occupancies up to and Including Four Stories
in Height, outside of their scopes. This permission based on a review of
the occupancy and a recognition that the fires in board and care
facilities is similar to those of other residential occupancies and that
the level of protection is appropriate. The requirements of NFPA 13D
and NFPA 13R have been supplemented with requirements for
additional water supplies to compensate for the special needs of the
board and care occupancy.
Exception No. 1: An automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
11.3.1.1(b) shall be permitted in facilities up to and including four stories in
height. All habitable areas and closets shall be sprinklered.
Exception No. 2*: An automatic sprinkler system complying with 11.3.1.1(c),
with a 30-min water supply, shall be permitted. All habitable areas and closets
shall be sprinklered. Facilities with more than eight residents shall be treated as
two-family dwellings with regard to water supply.
A.25.2.3.5.2 Exception No. 2. NFPA 13D, Standard for the Installation of
Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured
Homes, contains additional requirements for a piping system serving
both sprinkler and domestic needs.
25.2.3.5.3 Automatic sprinkler systems installed in accordance
11.3.1.1(a) and 11.3.1.1(b) shall be provided with electrical
supervision in accordance with 11.3.2.
25.2.3.5.4 Automatic sprinkler systems installed in accordance
11.3.1.1(c) shall be provided with valve supervision by one of the
following methods:
(a) A single listed control valve that shuts off both domestic and
sprinkler systems and a separate shutoff for the domestic system only
(b) Electrical supervision in accordance with 11.3.2
(c) Valve closure that causes the sounding of an audible signal in
the facility
25.2.3.5.5 Sprinkler piping serving not more than six sprinklers for
any isolated hazardous area shall be permitted to be installed in
accordance with 11.3.1.2. In new installations, where more than two
sprinklers are installed in a single area, water flow detection shall be
provided to initiate the fire alarm system required by 25.2.3.4.1.
Duration of water supplies shall be as required by 25.2.3.5.2.
25.2.3.6 Construction of Corridor Walls.
25.2.3.6.1 The separation walls of sleeping rooms shall be capable of
resisting fire for at least 1/2 hr, which is considered to be achieved if
the partitioning is finished on both sides with lath and plaster or
material providing a 15-min thermal barrier. Sleeping room doors
shall be substantial doors, such as those of 13/4-in. (4.4-cm) thick, solid
bonded wood core construction or of other construction of equal or
greater stability and fire integrity. Any vision panels shall be fixed fire
window assemblies in accordance with 8.7.5 or shall be wired glass not
exceeding 1296 sq in. (0.84 sq m) each in area and installed in
approved frames.
Exception: This requirement shall not apply to corridor walls that are smoke
partitions in accordance with 8.4.1 where the facility is protected in accordance
with 25.2.35. In such instances, there shall be no limitation on the type or size
of glass panels. Door closing shall comply with 25.2.3.6.4.
25.2.3.6.2 There shall be no louvers, operable transoms or other air
passages penetrating the wall other than properly installed heating
and utility installations other than transfer grilles, which shall be
prohibited.
25.2.3.6.3 Doors shall be provided with latches or other mechanisms
suitable for keeping the doors closed. No doors shall be arranged to
prevent the occupant from closing the door.
25.2.3.6.4 Doors shall be self-closing or automatic-closing in
accordance with 12.2.1.8.
524
Exception: Door-closing devices shall not be required in buildings protected
throughout by an approved, automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
25.2.3.5.
25.2.4 (Reserved.)
25.2.5 Building Services.
25.2.5.1 Utilities. Utilities shall comply with Chapters 48 through 50.
25.2.5.2 Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning. Heating,
ventilating, and air conditioning equipment shall comply with
Chapter 49, unless otherwise required in this chapter.
25.2.5.3 Elevators, Escalators, and Conveyors. Elevators, escalators,
and conveyors shall comply with Chapter 51.
SUBSTANTIATION: There is considerable confusion and debate
regarding the proper application and monitoring of the evacuation
capabilities of the occupants of residential board and care facilities.
This proposal addresses these issues by 1) eliminating the need to
evaluate evacuation capabilities and 2) strengthening the
requirements for small board and care facilities to provisions that can
encompass all evacuation capabilities.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 16
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 15
NOT RETURNED: 1 Groner
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
LATHROP: See my Comment on Affirmative on Proposal 5000-1013
(Log #CP1506).
___________________
(Log #913k)
Committee: SAF-BCF
5000- 1018 - (25-2.1.3): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Sam Francis, American Forest & Paper Assn.
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Section 25.2.1.3 entirely, and
substitute the new text as follows:
25.2.1.3 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction shall
be in accordance with Chapter 7.
SUBSTANTIATION: The table derived from the Epcot Building
Code was incomplete and failed to include most of the occupancy
groups now included in this code. The data presented to the
Structures and Construction TC indicate that the area of a building is
not one of the significant factors in determining the safety of the
building. Number, location and size of exits, travel distance and fire
resistance of the structure do not change due to area. Therefore, the
allowable areas in this code should not be less than those permitted
under many of the building codes now in existence. The proposed
table simply recognizes those facts and proposes areas which are
currently permitted in the United States.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See Committee Proposal 5000-1017 (Log #CP1502).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: Committee Proposal 5000-1017 (Log
#CP1502) should meet the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 16
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 15
NOT RETURNED: 1 Groner
___________________
(Log #220)
Committee: SAF-BCF
5000- 1019 - (25-2.3.2.3): Reject
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Add new Section 25.2.3.2.3 as follows:
25.2.3.2.3 Cooking Facilities. Cooking facilities shall be protected in
accordance with Section 11.8.
SUBSTANTIATION: NFPA 5000 currently has no requirements for
the protection of cooking facilities.
See also ancillary proposal to add new Section 11.8 related to
cooking hazards.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: Cooking equipment in small board
and care facilities is similar to that found in a residence. Protection of
such equipment in accordance with NFPA 96 should not be required.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 16
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 15
NOT RETURNED: 1 Groner
___________________
(Log #180)
Committee: SAF-BCF
5000- 1020 - (25-2.3.4.3.1): Accept
SUBMITTER: Ken Bush, Maryland State Fire Marshals Office
RECOMMENDATION: Delete the Exception.
SUBSTANTIATION: The exception should be deleted. The smoke
alarms provide early warning to the occupants when a smoldering fire
has not activated the sprinkler system. The cost for new construction
is minimal for the benefit received.
NOTE: This proposal was submitted on behalf of the Ad-Hoc
Committee on Fire Code Development.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The proposal is accepted in
recognition of the typical fatal-fire scenario in this occupancy, and in
conjunction with the committee rewrite of Section 25.2 which permits
for more openness in the means of escape. See Committee Proposal
5000-1017 (Log #CP1502).
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 16
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 15
NOT RETURNED: 1 Groner
___________________
(Log #846d)
Committee: SAF-BCF
5000- 1021 - (25-2.3.4.3.2, 25-3.3.4.7): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Howard Hooper, Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
25.2.3.4.3.2 Each sleeping room shall be provided with an approved,
listed single-station or multiple-station smoke detector alarm in
accordance with Section 11.2.5.
25.3.3.4.7 Smoke Alarms Detectors. Each sleeping room shall be
provided with an approved, single-station or multiple-station smoke
detector alarm in accordance with Section 11.2, powered from the
building electrical system.
SUBSTANTIATION: Either single-station or miltiple-station smoke
alarms are required in the applications covered by these sections,
depending on the configuration of the dwelling unit. This proposal
adds the additional references to “multiple-station” to clarify this
requirement.
The references to smoke detector in sections 17.6.3.4.3, A18.3.4.2,
25.23.4.3.2 and 25.3.3.4.7 have been revised to reflect the proper
term, smoke alarm.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See the actions on 5000-1026 (Log #CP1501) and 5000-1017 (Log
#CP1502).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee actions on 5000-1026
(Log #CP1501) and 5000-1017 (Log #CP1502) should meet the
submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 18
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 17
NOT RETURNED: 1 Groner
___________________
525
(Log #360)
Committee: SAF-BCF
5000- 1022 - (25-2.3.5): Accept
SUBMITTER: Fred K. Walker, US Air Force
RECOMMENDATION: Change title for 25.2.3.5 to “Extinguishment
Requirements”.
SUBSTANTIATION: This is consistent with the requirements title
used in other sections including the large facility section in Chapter
25.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 16
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 15
NOT RETURNED: 1 Groner
___________________
(Log #925)
Committee: SAF-BCF
5000- 1023 - (25-2.3.5 Exception No. 1): Reject
SUBMITTER: Phillip A. Brown, American Fire Sprinkler Assn.
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Exception No. 1 in its entirety.
SUBSTANTIATION: All “R” type occupancies, excluding one-two
family dwellings should be protected throughout with an approved
automatic sprinkler system.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: Small, “prompt” evacuation capability
facilities have a fire risk similar to that of a one- or two-family dwelling.
The total package of protection provided for such occupancies meets
the goals and objectives of the Code.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 16
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 12
NEGATIVE: 3
NOT RETURNED: 1 Groner
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
FAVRO: I continue to believe that all Board and Care Facilities,
regardless of size, number of occupants, or purported evacuation
capability, should be protected by automatic sprinklers. The total
package of protection now provided is considerable but it does not
equate to sprinkler protection.
ISMAN: With respect to Proposal 5000-1023 (Log #925), the
Association believes that sprinklers are necessary for all Board and
Care Occupancies, even those in very small facilities with people
normally capable of self-preservation. As the Committee has pointed
out in their comment on rejection, these occupancies are similar to
single family dwellings. As we all know, single family dwellings
represent a significant fire problem and need to be sprinklered. The
objectives of protecting a person in the room of fire origin cannot be
met without sprinklers.
REUER: The use of sprinkler systems has proven to be a valuable life
safety feature even in one- or two-family dwellings based upon the
data provided by the jurisdictions that mandate these systems in these
dwellings.
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
LATHROP: I believe this action is correct but ONLY because we do
not require one and two family dwellings to be sprinklered. We
should require both to be sprinklered.
___________________
(Log #1156)
Committee: SAF-BCF
5000- 1024 - (25-2.3.5.2 Exception No. 2 and No. 5): Reject
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Isman, National Fire Sprinkler Association
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Exceptions No. 2 and No. 5 to
25.2.3.5.2.
SUBSTANTIATION: The use of NFPA 13D and NFPA 13R in Board
and Care facilities for those that are impractical to evacuate is not
justified by the level of protection provided by these standards. Even
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
by increasing the water supply duration to 30 minutes when
referencing NFPA 13D, the proper level of care is not being given to
the residents. Significant portions of the building are allowed to be
unsprinklered under both NFPA 13D and NFPA 13R. A fire starting
in any of these spaces will not be controlled, and will overwhelm those
impractical to evacuate.
The entire premise of NFPA 13D and NFPA 13R is to provide time
for egress to occur. If the building burns down, but everyone gets out
alive, this is considered a successful application of the “life safety”
standards. If the patients are impractical to evacuate, there will not be
enough time for evacuation, and everyone will not get out alive.
When adopting a “defend in place” posture, as we must for those
impractical to evacuate, the only proper protection is a full NFPA 13
system. This proposal was developed by a Task Group of the
Technical Committee on Residential Sprinkler Systems consisting of
Ken Isman (chair), Fred Benn, Fred Bradley, Tom Lawrence, Ron
Rickson and Sandy Stanek but was not balloted by the full committee.
Therefore, it is being submitted individually in the name of the chair.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The facilities described in the
exceptions have fuel loads and arrangements similar to those found in
one-family dwellings. Adequate modifications are made to the
sprinkler installation criteria by the Building Code to compensate for
the characteristics of the occupancy. See A.25.2.3.5.2 (A.33.2.3.5.2 in
the 2000 Life Safety Code).
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 16
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 13
NEGATIVE: 2
NOT RETURNED: 1 Groner
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
ISMAN: With respect to 5000-1024 (Log #1156), we are concerned
with the lack of property protection afforded to the occupants of
buildings sprinklered in accordance with these standards being used
outside of their scope.
REUER: I agree with the submitter that facilities impractical to
evacuate should have a full NFPA 13 system to provide adequate
resident and building protection. There are still too many areas of the
building not provided with sprinkler protection if a “defend in place”
approach is taken.
___________________
(Log #248)
Committee: SAF-BCF
5000- 1025 - (25-2.3.6.1 and 25.3.1.3.1): Accept in Part
SUBMITTER: Michael Gardner, Gypsum Association
RECOMMENDATION: Modify both 25.2.3.6.1 and 25.3.1.3.1 to
correct phrase as follows:
“…provide 110 15-min thermal barrier…”.
SUBSTANTIATION: Current NFPA 101 text requires a 15 minute
thermal barrier in both instances. Draft text appears to incorporate a
typographical error.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Part.
Accept the proposal for 25.2.3.6.1.
Reject the proposal for 25.3.1.3.1.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The correction is applied to the rewrite
of Section 25.2. See Committee Proposal 5000-1017 (Log #CP1502).
In Section 25.3, however, permitted types of construction refers back
to Chapter 7, therefore, the reference to a 15 minute thermal barrier
is unnecessary. See Committee Proposal 5000-1026 (Log #CP1501).
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 16
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 15
NOT RETURNED: 1 Groner
___________________
526
(Log #CP1501)
Committee: SAF-BCF
5000- 1026 - (25-3): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Board and Care Facilities
RECOMMENDATION: Revise Section 25.3 Large Facilities, in its
entirety, as follows:
25.3 Large Facilities.
25.3.1 General.
25.3.1.1 Scope. Section 25.3 shall apply to residential board and care
occupancies providing sleeping accommodations for more than 16
residents. Facilities having sleeping accommodations for not more
than 16 residents shall comply with Section 25.2.
25.3.1.2 Minimum Construction Requirements. Building construction
shall be in accordance with Section 7.8.
25.3.1.4 Occupant Load. The occupant load, in number of persons
for whom means of egress and other provisions are required, shall be
determined on the basis of the occupant load factors of Table 12.3.1.2
that are characteristic of the use of the space, or shall be determined
as the maximum probable population of the space under
consideration, whichever is greater.
25.3.2 Means of Egress.
25.3.2.1 Means of egress shall be in accordance with Chapter 12.
25.3.2.2 Means of Egress Components.
25.3.2.2.1 Components of means of egress shall be limited to the types
described in 25.3.2.2.2 through 25.3.2.2.10.
25.3.2.2.2 Doors. Doors in means of egress shall be as follows:
(a) Doors complying with 12.2.1 shall be permitted.
(b) Doors within individual rooms and suites of rooms shall be
permitted to be swinging or sliding.
(c) No door shall be equipped with a lock or latch that requires the
use of a tool or key from the egress side.
Exception No. 1 to (c): Delayed egress locks in accordance with 12.2.1.6.1
shall be permitted, provided not more than one device is located in any egress
path.
Exception No. 2 to (c): Access-controlled egress doors in accordance with
12.2.1.6.2 shall be permitted.
(d) Doors located in the means of egress that are permitted to be
locaked under other provisions of Chapter 25 shall have adequate
provisions made for the rapid removal of occupants by means such as
remote control of locks, keying of all locks to keys carried by staff at
all times, or other such reliable means available to staff at all times.
Only one such locking device shall be permitted on each door.
Exception to (d): Locks in accordance with 25.3.2.2.2, Exceptions No. 1 and
No. 2 to (c).
25.3.2.2.3 Stairs. Stairs complying with 12.2.2 shall be permitted.
25.3.2.2.4 Smokeproof Enclosures. Smokeproof enclosures complying
with 12.2.3 shall be permitted.
25.3.2.2.5 Horizontal Exits. Horizontal exits complying with 12.2.4
shall be permitted.
25.3.2.2.6 Ramps. Ramps complying with 12.2.5 shall be permitted.
25.3.2.2.7 Exit Passageways. Exit passageways complying with 12.2.6
shall be permitted.
25.3.2.2.8 Fire Escape Ladders. Fire escape ladders complying with
12.2.9 shall be permitted.
25.3.2.2.9 Alternating Tread Devices. Alternating tread devices
complying with 12.2.11 shall be permitted.
25.3.2.2.10 Areas of Refuge. Areas of refuge complying with 12.2.12
shall be permitted.
25.3.2.3 Capacity of Means of Egress.
25.3.2.3.1 The capacity of means of egress shall be in accordance with
Section 12.3.
25.3.2.3.2 Street floor exits shall be sufficient for the occupant load of
the street floor plus the required capacity of stairs and ramps
discharging onto the street floor.
25.3.2.3.3 The width of corridors shall be sufficient for the occupant
load served, but shall not be less than 60 in. (112 cm).
25.3.2.4 Number of Exits. Not less than two exits shall be accessible
from every story, including floors below the level of exit discharge and
floors occupied for public purposes.
25.3.2.5 Arrangement of Means of Egress.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

25.3.2.5.1 Access to all required exits shall be in accordance with 25.3.3.4.1 General. A fire alarm system shall be provided in
Section 12.5. accordance with Section 11.2.
25.3.2.5.2 No common path of travel shall exceed 125 ft (38.1 m). 25.3.3.4.2 Initiation. The required fire alarm system shall be initiated
25.3.2.5.3 No dead-end corridor shall exceed 30 ft (15 m). by the following:
25.3.2.5.4 Any room or any suite of rooms exceeding 2000 sq ft (185 (a) Manual means in accordance with 11.2.2
sq m) shall be provided with not less than two exit access doors (b) A manual fire alarm box located at a convenient central control
located remotely from each other. point under continuous supervision of responsible employees
25.3.2.6 Travel Distance to Exits. Travel distance from any point in a (c) The automatic sprinkler system
room to the nearest exit, measured in accordance with Section 12.6, (d) Any required detection system
shall not exceed 250 ft. 25.3.3.4.3 Annunciator Panel. An annunciator panel connected to the
25.3.2.7 Discharge from Exits. Exit discharge shall comply with fire alarm system shall be provided. The location of the annunciator
Section 12.7. shall be approved by the authority having jurisdiction.
25.3.2.8 Illumination of Means of Egress. Means of egress shall be 25.3.3.4.4 Occupant Notification. Occupant notification shall be
illuminated in accordance with Section 12.8. provided automatically, without delay, in accordance with 11.2.3.
25.3.2.9 Emergency Lighting. Emergency lighting in accordance with 25.3.3.4.5 High-rise buildings shall be provided with an approved
Section 12.9 shall be provided unless each sleeping room has a direct means of voice communication in accordance with Chapter 32.
exit to the outside at ground level. Exception: Buildings equipped with a public address system.
25.3.2.10 Marking of Means of Egress. Means of egress shall be 25.3.3.4.6 Emergency Forces Notification. Fire department
marked in accordance with Section 12.10. notification shall be accomplished in accordance with 11.2.4.
25.3.2.11 Special Means of Egress Features. (Reserved.) Exception: Smoke detection devices or smoke detection systems equipped with
25.3.3 Protection. reconfirmation features shall not be required to automatically notify the fire
25.3.3.1 Protection of Vertical Openings. department unless the alarm condition is reconfirmed after a period not
25.3.3.1.1 Vertical openings shall be enclosed or protected in exceeding 120 seconds.
accordance with Chapter 9. 25.3.3.4.7 Smoke Alarms. Approved smoke alarms shall be installed in
25.3.3.1.2 Unenclosed vertical openings in accordance with Section accordance with 11.2.2.10 inside every sleeping room, outside every
9.4 shall be permitted. sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms, and on all
25.3.3.1.3 No floor below the level of exit discharge used only for levels within a resident unit.
storage, heating equipment, or purposes other than residential 25.3.3.4.8 Smoke Detection Systems. Corridors and spaces open to
occupancy shall have unprotected openings to floors used for the corridors shall be provided with smoke detectors in accordance
residential occupancy. with NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code, that are arranged to initiate an
25.3.3.2 Protection from Hazards. Hazardous areas shall be protected alarm that is audible in all sleeping areas.
in accordance with Section 9.4. The areas described in Table 25.3.3.2 Exception: Unenclosed corridors, passageways, balconies, colonnades, or other
shall be protected as indicated. arrangements with one or more sides along the long dimension fully or
extensively open to the exterior at all times.
Table 25.3.3.2 Hazardous area protection. 25.3.3.5 Extinguishment Requirements.
Hazardous Area Description Separation/ 25.3.3.5.1* All buildings shall be protected throughout by an
Protection approved, automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with
Boiler and fuel-fired heater rooms 1 hour Section 11.3. Quick response or residential sprinklers shall be
Central/bulk laundries larger than 100 1 hour provided throughout.
ft2 (9.3 m2) A.25.3.3.5.1 It is intended that this requirement apply to existing
Paint shops employing hazardous 1 hour small facilities that are converted to large facilities.
substances and materials in quantities Chapter 25 permits the use of NFPA 13D, Standard for the Installation of
less than those that would be classified Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured
as a severe hazard Homes, and NFPA 13R, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in
Physical plant maintenance shops 1 hour Residential Occupancies up to and Including Four Stories in Height, outside
Soiled linen rooms 1 hour of their scopes. This permission is based on a review of the occupancy
Storage rooms larger than 50 ft2 (4.6 m2 Smoke partition and a recognition that the fires in board and care facilities are similar
but not exceeding 100 ft2 (9.3 m2) to those of other residential occupancies and that the level of
storing combustible material protection is appropriate. In some circumstances, such as those for
Storage room larger than 100 100 ft2 1 hour impractical evacuation capabilities, the requirements of NFPA 13D
(9.3 m2) storing combustible material and NFPA 13R have been supplemented with requirements for
additional water supplies to compensate for the special needs of the
Trash collection rooms 1 hour
board and care occupancy.
25.3.3.5.2 (Reserved.)
25.3.3.3* Interior Finish.
25.3.3.5.3 Automatic sprinkler systems shall be provided with
A.25.3.3.3 The provisions in Chapter 10 to allow modifications to
electrical supervision in accordance with 11.3.2.
interior finish requirements with automatic sprinklers are intended to
25.3.3.5.4 (Reserved.)
be permitted.
25.3.3.5.5 Portable Fire Extinguishers. Portable fire extinguishers
25.3.3.3.1 Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter 10.
shall be provided in accordance with Section 11.6.
25.3.3.3.2 Interior Wall and Ceiling Finish. Interior wall and ceiling
25.3.3.6* Corridors and Separation of Sleeping Rooms.
finish materials shall be in accordance with the following:
A.25.3.3.6 It is not intended to prohibit furniture in corridors and
(a) Exit enclosures - Class A
spaces open to corridors provided the minimum required width is
(b) Lobbies and corridors - Class B
maintained. Storage is not permitted in corridors or spaces open to
(c) Rooms and enclosed spaces - Class B
corridors.
25.3.3.3.3 Interior Floor Finish. Interior floor finish in exit enclosures
25.3.3.6.1 Access shall be provided from every resident use area to at
and in exit access corridors and in spaces not separated from them by
least one means of egress that is separated from all sleeping rooms by
walls complying with 25.3.3.6 shall be not less than Class II in
walls complying with 25.3.3.6.3 through 25.3.3.6.6.
accordance with Section 10.7. In all other spaces interior floor finish
25.3.3.6.2 Sleeping rooms shall be separated from corridors, living
shall comply with 10.7.1.
areas, and kitchens by walls complying with 25.3.3.6.3 through
25.3.3.4 Detection, Alarm, and Communication Systems.
25.3.3.6.6.

527
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
25.3.3.6.3 Walls required by 25.3.3.6.1 or 25.3.3.6.2 shall be smoke
partitions in accordance with 8.4.1.
25.3.3.6.4 Doors protecting corridor openings shall be constructed to
resist the passage of smoke.
25.3.3.6.5 Door closing devices shall not be required on doors in
corridor wall openings other than those serving required exits, smoke
barriers, or enclosures of vertical openings and hazardous areas.
25.3.3.6.6 No louvers, transfer grilles, operable transoms, or other air
passages shall penetrate such walls or doors, except properly installed
heating and utility installations.
25.3.3.7 Subdivision of Building Spaces. Buildings shall be subdivided
by smoke barriers in accordance with 25.3.3.7.1 through 25.3.3.7.9.
25.3.3.7.1 Every story shall be divided into not less than two smoke
compartments.
25.3.3.7.2 Each smoke compartment shall have an area not exceeding
22,500 ft2 (2100 m2).
25.3.3.7.3 The travel distance from any point to reach a door in the
required smoke barrier shall be limited to a distance of 200 ft (60 m).
Exception No.1: Stories that do not contain a board and care occupancy,
located totally above the board and care occupancy.
Exception No. 2: Areas that do not contain a board and care occupancy and
that are separated from the board and care occupancy by a fire barrier
complying with Section 8.3.
Exception No. 3: Stories that do not contain board and care occupancies and
that are more than one story below the board and care occupancy.
Exception No. 4: Open-air parking structures protected throughout by an
approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
11.3.
25.3.3.7.4 Smoke barriers shall be constructed in accordance with
8.4.2 and shall have a fire resistance rating of not less than 1 hour.
Exception No. 1: Where an atrium is used, smoke barriers shall be permitted to
terminate at an atrium wall constructed in accordance with Exception No. 2 to
9.3(1). Not less than two separate smoke compartments shall be provided on
each floor.
Exception No. 2*: Dampers shall not be required in duct penetrations of smoke
barriers in fully ducted heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems.
A.25.3.3.7.4 Exception No. 2. Where the smoke control system design
requires dampers in order that the system functions effectively, it is
not the intent of the exception to permit the damper to be omitted.
This exception is not intended to prevent the use of plenum returns
where ducting is used to return air from a ceiling plenum through
smoke barrier walls. Short stubs or jumper ducts are not acceptable.
Ducting is required to connect at both sides of the opening and to
extend into adjacent spaces away from the wall. The intent is to
prohibit open-air transfers at or near the smoke barrier walls.
25.3.3.7.5 Not less than 1.4 net m2 (15 net ft2) per resident shall be
provided within the aggregate area of corridors, lounge or dining
areas, and other low hazard areas on each side of the smoke barrier.
On stories not housing residents, not less than 0.56 net m2 (6 net ft2)
per occupant shall be provided on each side of the smoke barrier for
the total number of occupants in adjoining compartments.
25.3.3.7.6* Doors in smoke barriers shall be substantial doors, such as
1 3/4-in. (4.4-cm) thick, solid-bonded wood core doors, or shall be of
construction that resists fire for not less than 20 minutes. Nonrated
factory- or field-applied protective plates extending not more than 48
in. (122 cm) above the bottom of the door shall be permitted. Cross-
corridor openings in smoke barriers shall be protected by a pair of
swinging doors or a horizontal sliding door complying with 12.2.1.14.
Swinging doors shall be arranged so that each door swings in a
direction opposite from the other.
A.25.3.3.7.6 Smoke partition doors are intended to provide access to
adjacent zones. The pair of cross-corridor doors are required to be
opposite swinging. Access to both zones is required.
25.3.3.7.7* Doors in smoke barriers shall comply with 8.4.2.4 and shall
be self-closing or automatic-closing in accordance with 12.2.1.9.2.
A.25.3.3.7.7 Smoke barriers might include walls having door openings
other than cross-corridor doors. There is no restriction in the Code
regarding which doors or how many doors form part of a smoke
barrier. For example, doors from the corridor to individual rooms are
permitted to form part of a smoke barrier.
528
25.3.3.7.8* Vision panels consisting of fire-rated glazing or wire glass
panels in approved frames shall be provided in each cross-corridor
swinging door and at each cross-corridor horizontal sliding door in a
smoke barrier.
A.25.3.3.7.8 It is not the intent to require the frame to be a listed
assembly.
25.3.3.7.9 Rabbets, bevels, or astragals shall be required at the
meeting edges, and stops shall be required at the head and sides of
door frames in smoke barriers. Positive latching hardware shall not be
required. Center mullions shall be prohibited.
25.3.3.8* Cooking Facilities. Cooking facilities, other than those
within individual residential units, shall be protected in accordance
with Section 11.10.
A.25.3.3.8 The scope of NFPA 96 is limited to appliances that produce
grease-laden vapors, and not to domestic cooking equipment used for
food warming or limited cooking.
25.3.3.9 Standpipes.
25.3.3.9.1 General. Standpipe and hose systems shall be installed and
maintained in accordance with Section 11.4.
25.3.3.9.2 Where required. Class I standpipe systems shall be installed
throughout all buildings in which occupied floors are located more
than 30 feet (9,144 mm) above or below the lowest level of fire
department vehicle access.
25.3.3.9.3 Nonsprinklered large expanse buildings. Class I standpipe
systems shall be provided in nonsprinklered buildings in which any
portion of the building is more than 200 feet (61 m) of travel from
the nearest point of fire department access into the building.
25.3.3.9.4 Sprinklered large expanse buildings. Class I standpipe
systems shall be provided in sprinklered buildings in which any
portion of the building is more than 350 feet (xx m) of travel from
the nearest point of fire department access into the building.
25.3.3.9.5 Roof outlets. Roof outlets shall not be required on roofs
having a slope of 3 in 12 or greater.
25.3.4 Special Provisions. (Reserved.)
25.3.5 (Reserved.)
25.3.6 Building Services.
25.3.6.1 Utilities. Utilities shall comply with Chapters 48 through 50.
25.3.6.2 Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning. Heating,
ventilating, and air conditioning equipment shall comply with
Chapter 49.
25.3.6.3 Elevators, Dumbwaiters, and Vertical Conveyors.
25.3.6.3.1 Elevators, dumbwaiters, and vertical conveyors shall comply
with Chapter 51.
25.3.6.3.2* In high-rise buildings, one elevator shall be provided with
a protected power supply and shall be available for use by the fire
department in case of emergency.
A.25.3.6.3.2 “Protected power supply” means a source of electrical
energy of sufficient capacity to allow proper operation of the elevator
and its associated control and communications systems. The power
supply’s point of origin, system of distribution, type and size of
overcurrent protection, degree of isolation from other portions of the
building electrical system, and degree of mechanical protection
should be such that it is unlikely that the supply would be disrupted at
any but the advanced stages of building fire involvement or by
structural collapse.
A protected power supply might consist of, and should provide, not
less than the level of reliability associated with an electrical
distribution system with service equipment located and installed in
accordance with Section 230-72(b) and Section 230-82(5) of NFPA 70,
National Electrical Code. The distribution system is not to have any
other connection to the building electrical distribution system. A
protected power supply is not required to incorporate two sources of
energy or automatic transfer capability from a normal to an
emergency source, for example, an alternate set of service conductors.
The number and type of elevators to be connected to a protected
power supply should be limited, or the characteristics of the protected
power supply should be selected to ensure conformance with Section
230-95 of NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, without the provision of
ground fault protection for the supply.
An elevator installation supplied by a protected power supply should
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
comply with Article 620 of NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, except
that the energy absorption means required by Section 620-91 should
always be connected on the load side of the disconnecting means. The
energy absorption means should not consist of loads likely to become
inoperative or disconnected under the conditions assumed to exist
when the elevator is under the control of fire department personnel.
Examples of such loads include light and power loads external to the
elevator equipment room.
25.3.6.4 Rubbish Chutes, Incinerators, and Laundry Chutes. Rubbish
chutes, incinerators, and laundry chutes shall comply with Section 9.6.
SUBSTANTIATION: It is inappropriate for large, 'impractical' board
and care facilities to comply with the provisions for health care
occupancies. Many of the provisions for health care occupancies are
based on the presence and action of staff. Staffing levels are
considerably reduced and not as trained as those in health care
occupancies. This results in a lower level of protection for large,
'impractical' board and care facilities. Furthermore, there is
considerable confusion and debate regarding the proper application
and monitoring of the evacuation capabilities of the occupants of
residential board and care facilities.
This proposal addresses these issues by 1) eliminating the need to
evaluate evacuation capabilities and 2) strengthening the
requirements for large board and care facilities to provisions that can
encompass all evacuation capabilities.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 16
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 15
NOT RETURNED: 1 Groner
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
LATHROP: See my Comment on Affirmative on Proposal 5000-1013
(Log #CP1506).
___________________
(Log #221)
Committee: SAF-BCF
5000- 1027 - (25-3.3.2.3): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Add new Section 25.3.3.2.3 as follows:
25.3.3.2.3 Cooking Facilities. Cooking facilities shall be protected in
accordance with Section 11.8.
SUBSTANTIATION: NFPA 5000 currently has no requirements for
the protection of cooking facilities.
See also ancillary proposal to add new Section 11.8 related to
cooking hazards.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Add a new 25.3.3.8 and associated annex paragraph as follows:
25.3.3.8* Cooking Facilities. Cooking facilities, other than those
within individual residential units, shall be protected in accordance
with Section 11.10.
A.25.3.3.8 The scope of NFPA 96 is limited to appliances that
produce grease-laden vapors, and does not apply to domestic cooking
equipment used for food warming or limited cooking.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: Protection of cooking equipment
within individual residential units is not necessary. The proposed
annex language clarifies the committee's intent. The reference to
Section 11.10 correlates with the location of the appropriate section
in Chapter 11 based on that committee's work. See Committee
Proposal 5000-569 (Log #CP1316).
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 16
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 15
NOT RETURNED: 1 Groner
___________________
529
(Log #34)
Committee: SAF-BCF
5000- 1028 - (25-3.3.3): Accept
SUBMITTER: James K. Lathrop, Koffel Assoc., Inc./Rep. Carpet &
Rug Institute
RECOMMENDATION: Revised 25.3.3.3.3 to read as follows:
25.3.3.3 Interior Floor Finish. Interior floor finish in accordance with
Section 10.6 shall be Class I or Class II in corridors and exits. Interior
floor finish in exit enclosures and in exit access corridors and in
spaces not separated from them by walls complying with 25.3.3.6 shall
be not less than Class II in accordance with Section 10.7. In all other
spaces interior floor finish shall comply with 10.7.1
SUBSTANTIATION: This proposal does several things. First it
provides a consistent format throughout the code for interior floor
finish. Second it provides a user-friendly reference to the proposed
10.7.1. Should 10.7.1 not be accepted in Chapter 10 it will be
editorially removed here. Second it clarifies the use of the term
corridor and exit. It assures that areas open to the corridor are
treated the same as a corridor. This should not be technically
different than previously intended.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 16
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
ABSTENTION: 1
NOT RETURNED: 1 Groner
EXPLANATION OF ABSTENTION:
LATHROP: Abstain due to client interest.
___________________
(Log #57)
Committee: SAF-BCF
5000- 1029 - (25-3.3.3): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Marcelo M. Hirschler, GBH International/Rep. Fire
Retardant Chemicals Association
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
25.3.3.3 Interior Finish.
25.3.3.3.1 Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter 10.
Interior wall and ceiling finish tested in accordance with NFPA 286,
Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Evaluating Contribution of Wall
and Ceiling Interior Finish to Room Fire Growth, and meeting the
conditions of 10.3.5.3 shall be deemed to comply with a Class A
classification in accordance with NFPA 255, Standard Method of Test
of Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials.
25.3.3.3.2 Interior wall and ceiling finish. Interior wall and ceiling
finish materials complying with Chapter 10 shall be permitted as
follows:
(a) Exit enclosures - Class A;
(b) Lobbies and corridors - Class A, or, Class B;
(c) Other spaces - Class A, Class B, or Class C.
SUBSTANTIATION: The sentence added to 25.3.3.3.1 addresses the
issue that unless this is stated specifically, there is no way of permitting
interior finish tested by the room corner test (NFPA 286) to be
installed. There is abundant evidence that materials that comply with
a room-corner test requirements are equivalent in fire performance to
materials tested using the Steiner tunnel test. As an example, Table 1
shows a set of 10 materials tested in the room-corner test and the
Steiner tunnel test (Reference: M.M. Hirschler & M.L. Janssens, Fire
and Materials Conf., San Antonio, TX, Feb. 22-23, 1999, Interscience
Communications, London, UK, pp. 179-198): only one of the 10
materials failed the room-corner test; all other materials met Class A
flame spread index (FSI not to exceed 25); even the material which
flashed over the room had a flame spread index low enough to meet
Class B in the Steiner tunnel test (FSI not to exceed 75). Also, only
one of the 10 materials in the set failed to meet the Steiner tunnel test
smoke development index limit of 450, and it also failed the criterion
in 10.3.5.3. The two enclosed Figures show comparisons of Steiner
tunnel FSI versus room corner peak rate of heat release and Steiner
tunnel SDI versus room corner total smoke released, indicating how
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
materials meeting room-corner test criteria also meet Steiner tunnel
criteria.
Figure Steiner Tunnel FSI
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
Figure Steiner Tunnel SDI
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
Table 1 Test Results for Materials Tested in Room-Corner and
Steiner Tunnel Tests
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
It must be clarified that this proposal does not require a material to
undergo room-corner testing, but gives the option of material
approvals via room-corner testing, as intended by the Life Safety
Code. This option appears to be missing in the draft of the NFPA
5000 Building Code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See Committee Proposal 5000-1026 (Log #CP1501).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The general reference to Chapter 10 in
25.3.3.3.1 of the proposed rewrite of Section 25.3 should meet the
submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 16
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 14
ABSTENTION: 1
NOT RETURNED: 1 Groner
EXPLANATION OF ABSTENTION:
LATHROP: Abstain due to client interest.
___________________
(Log #234)
Committee: SAF-BCF
5000- 1030 - (25-3.3.5.3): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise Section 25.3.3.5.3 as follows:
25.3.3.5.3 Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided in
accordance with Section 11.6 shall be provided near hazardous areas.
SUBSTANTIATION: NFIRS and FEMA data indicate that portable
fire extinguishers are used to combat a relatively large percentage of
fires. Fire extinguishers should not be provided just for hazardous
areas. Facility management is generally provided in large Board and
Care occupancies (greater than 16 people); personnel are likely to be
familiar with hazards and fire safety management; ready access to
equipment should be provided. NFPA 5000 Section 4.5.1 indicates
that fire protection and life safety should not depend solely on a
single safeguard. Portable fire extinguishers for part of a total fire
protection package.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See Committee Proposal 5000-1026 (Log #CP1501).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The revision to 25.3.3.5.5 in the
proposed rewrite of Section 25.3 should meet the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 16
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 15
NOT RETURNED: 1 Groner
___________________
(Log #997)
Committee: SAF-BCF
5000- 1031 - (25-3.3.5.5): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new 25.3.3.5.5 as follows:
“Approved Fire Department Standpipes in accordance with 11.4
shall be provided in all buildings having an occupiable floor level
530
more than 200 ft from the closest point of fire department vehicle
access.
Exception: Buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic extinguishing system.”
SUBSTANTIATION: The intent of this proposal is to address the
need for fire service operations in buildings which may require
excessive hose lays for suppression activities in buildings of large areas
or limited vehicle access. It is an attempt to address firefighter safety
issues and efficient suppression efforts with consideration to current
fire service manpower arrangements, and standard firefighting
procedures.
The 200 ft distance has been proposed in order to coordinate with
recognized practices of standard lengths of pre-connected fire service
hose lines and limitations established by other existing codes. It is
also recognized that fires in buildings protected throughout by an
extinguishing system will be controlled by that extinguishing system,
and that hose lines would not be required for first line fire
containment and control. The additional time to extend hose lines in
buildings so protected would not adversely impact the overall
protection features of that building.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See Committee Action on Proposal 5000-1032 (Log #205).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The Committee Action on Proposal
5000-1032 (Log #205) should meet the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 16
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 15
NOT RETURNED: 1 Groner
___________________
(Log #205)
Committee: SAF-BCF
5000- 1032 - (25-3.3.6): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows:
25.3.6 Standpipes.
25.3.6.1 General. Standpipe and hose systems shall be installed and
maintained in accordance with Section 11.4 of this code.
25.3.6.2 Where required. Class I or III standpipe systems shall be
installed throughout all buildings in which occupied floors are
located more than 30 feet (9,144 mm) above or below the lowest level
of fire department vehicle access.
25.3.6.3 Large expanse buildings. Class I or III standpipe systems
shall be provided in buildings in which the highest occupied floor is
30 feet (9,144 mm) or less above the lowest level of fire department
vehicle access and any portion of the building is more than 200 feet
(61 m) of travel from the nearest point of fire department access into
the building.
25.3.6.4 Roof outlets. Where standpipe systems are installed in
buildings more than six stories or 75 feet (22,860 mm) in height, at
least one riser shall extend through the roof and terminate in a two-
way, 2 1/2-inch hose connection. The main control valve on roof
hose connections or manifolded hose connections shall be located in
an area that is not subject to freezing, is as close to the roof access as
practical and is plainly identified.
Renumber remaining sections.
SUBSTANTIATION: The current draft of NFPA 5000 contains
minimal or, in some chapters, no requirements for standpipe systems.
Many of these standpipe thresholds proposed in this submittal were
established by the Board for the Coordination of the Model Codes
(BCMC) in the late 1980’s are found in part of many of the existing
building and fire codes today. These requirements and thresholds are
basic fire protection for the building occupants, property protection
and firefighter safety. Standpipe systems should be mandatory in
NFPA-5000.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

Balanced Fire Protection requires that provisions be made for located more than 30 ft (9,144 mm) above or below the lowest level of
manual fire control. This is also an important issue relating to fire department vehicle access.
firefighter safety. Please see the table developed to show the weights 25.3.3.9.3 Nonsprinklered large expanse buildings. Class I
of 1 3/4-inch and 2 1/2-inch fire hose in 50 foot lengths when filled standpipe systems shall be provided in nonsprinklered buildings in
with water. When used inside a building, these are intended to be which any portion of the building is more than 200 feet (61 m) of
mobile attack lines. Once can quickly see that 200 feet of fire hose or travel from the nearest point of fire department access into the
less, when charged with water, is the threshold at which we can expect building.
a fire crew to adequately handle while attacking and fighting a fire. 25.3.3.9.4 Sprinklered large expanse buildings. Class I standpipe
This is while wearing heavy protective gear and breathing apparatus. systems shall be provided in sprinklered buildings in which any
Also submitted are the 1991-1995 NFIRS, NFPA Survey showing portion of the building is more than 350 ft (107 m) of travel from the
methods of extinguishment. Note that there is insufficient detail with nearest point of fire department access into the building.
regard to hose line use to determine if Class I (fire department use), 25.3.3.9.5 Roof outlets. Roof outlets shall not be required on roofs
Class I (occupant use) or, Class III (either fire department or having a slope of 3 in 12 or greater.
occupant use) standpipes were used and, in the case of Class III, COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The references to Class III standpipes
whether the standpipe was used by the occupants or the fire are not necessary since a standpipe meeting the requirements for
department. It is assumed that the predominant use of the hose lines Class III in NFPA 14 also meets the requirements for Class I. For large
is by trained firefighters, whether professional, volunteer or fire expanse buildings, a credit should be allowed when the building is
brigade. The important thing to notice is that preconnected and sprinklered, therefore, the committee action increases the travel
hand-laid hose lines form hydrant, draft or standpipe were the means distance threshold to 350 ft in such building. The proposed roof
of extinguishment for 19.6 percent of all fire in residential structures outlet criteria is already addressed in NFPA 14. The committee action
and 25.7 percent of all fires in non-residential structures. This record clarifies roof outlets are not required on pitched roofs having a slope
mandates that NFPA 5000 have strong standpipe requirements for all of 3 in 12 or steeper.
classes of systems. NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 16
We have retained those few provisions which are currently in NFPA VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
5000 and added to them to provide a comprehensive standpipe AFFIRMATIVE: 14
package to the new building code. NFPA 5000 Section 4.5.1 indicates NEGATIVE: 1
that fire protection and life safety should not be depend solely and a NOT RETURNED: 1 Groner
single safeguard. Standpipes from part of a total fire protection EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
package. HOFFMAN: Accept the recommendation that all parts of a
Standpipes are vital for fire protection. The model codes and sprinklered building be within 200 ft of a standpipe hose connection.
national standard require that all portions of a building be within 200 Substantiation: Allowing an increase to 350 ft in a sprinklered
feet of a standpipe hose connection. building places too great a burden on only one means of fire
They are an integral part of a balanced fire protection package protection. Standpipes should not be compromised, nor should the
provided for a building. Large expanse buildings would be fire service personnel who must use manual means to fight a fire
particularly vulnerable if the fire service did not have standpipes which might have overtaken a sprinkler system. While our position
available to use. has always been that sprinklers should be provided and that they are
Automatic fire sprinklers are one excellent method of fire control, the most effective means of fire protection, we must not ignore the
but they can fail or become overwhelmed by a fire. In that event, possibility of passive and manual means of protection.
these has to be a backup to allow the fire service an immediate fire COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
suppression capability. BONISCH: I agree with the committee action of APR provided a
Without standpipes, firefighters would be put in harm’s way. As you Class I, manual dry or wet system (per NFPA 14) can be installed to
can see from the following table, firefighters safety would be greatly satisfy 25.3.3.9.3 and 25.3.3.9.4 without the need for a fire pump.
jeopardized if they had to maneuver the weight of excessive hose ___________________
lengths -- especially while wearing heavy breathing apparatus and
turnout gear. (Log #249)
Committee: SAF-BCF
One 50 Foot Hose Length 1-3/4 Inch 2-1/2 Inch 5000- 1033 - (25-3.3.6.3): Reject
-Weights 13.5 Pounds 34 Pounds SUBMITTER: Michael Gardner, Gypsum Association
- Holds: 7.5 Gallons 12.5 Gallons RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
- Water Weight: 60 Pounds 104 Pounds
Total Weight 73.5 Pounds 136 Pounds
25.3.3.6.3. Walls required by Section 25.3.3.6.1. or 25.3.3.6.2. shall
have a fire resisitance of not less than 1/2 hr. one hour.
Two Lengths (100 feet) 147 Pounds 272 Pounds SUBSTANTIATION: Section 25.3 addresses Residential Board and
Three Lengths (150 Feet) 220.5 Pounds 408 Pounds Care Occupancies that provide sleeping accommodations for more
Four*** Lengths (200 feet) 294 Points 544 Pounds than sixteen residents. These facilities are often large, multi-floor
Five Lengths (250 Feet) 367.5 Pounds 680 Pounds facilities where many of the residents may be partially or fully
Six Lengths (300 Feet) 441 Pounds 816 Pounds incapacitated. Given the probable difficulty in evacuating such a
Seven Lengths (350 Feet) 514.5 Pounds 952 Pounds
Eight Lengths (400 Feet) 588 Pounds 1,088 Pounds
facility, it would seem prudent to require the separation partitions in a
large occupancy to maintain a greater fire-resistance than those in a
*** Four hose lengths (200 Feet) is the maximum recommended. small board and care facility, such as is addressed by section 25.2.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
Note: Supporting Material available for Review at NFPA COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The combination of protection
Headquarters. features provided in this occupancy, including automatic sprinklers
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle. and smoke detection, does not warrant a requirement for one-hour
Add a new 25.3.3.9 as follows: rated corridor walls. No technical data or history has been provided to
25.3.3.9 Standpipes. substantiate the proposal.
25.3.3.9.1 General. Standpipe and hose systems shall be installed NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 16
and maintained in accordance with Section 11.4. VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
25.3.3.9.2 Where required. Class I standpipe systems shall be AFFIRMATIVE: 15
installed throughout all buildings in which occupied floors are NOT RETURNED: 1 Groner
___________________

531
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(Log #1001)
Committee: SAF-BCF
5000- 1034 - (25-3.5): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new 25.3.3.5.4 as follows:
“Approved Fire Department Standpipes in accordance with 11.4
shall be provided in all buildings having an occupiable floor level
more than 30 ft from the lowest level of fire department vehicle
access, or having an occupiable floor level more than 30 ft below the
highest level of fire department access.”
SUBSTANTIATION: The intent of this proposal is to address the
need for fire service operations in buildings of certain heights which
may require excessive hose lays for suppression activities in buildings
of large areas or limited vehicle access. It is an attempt to address
firefighter safety issues and efficient suppression efforts with
consideration to current fire service manpower arrangements, and
standard firefighting procedures, and limitations of space in areas
used for building access and suppression efforts by responding
emergency personnel while other emergency operations are
occurring, such as egress of occupants in stairwells and corridors. The
30 ft distance has been proposed in order to coordinate with
recognized practices and limitations established by other existing
codes.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See Committee Action on Proposal 5000-1032 (Log #205).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The Committee Action on Proposal
5000-1032 (Log #205) should meet the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 16
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 15
NOT RETURNED: 1 Groner
___________________
(Log #CP1505)
Committee: SAF-BCF
5000- 1035 - (25-4): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Board and Care Facilities
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Section 25.4 in its entirety, without
replacement.
SUBSTANTIATION: The subject of multiple occupancies is
addressed by criteria added to Chapter 6, as referenced in 25.1.2 [see
Proposal 5000-1014 (Log #CP1504).]
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 16
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 15
NOT RETURNED: 1 Groner
___________________
(Log #20)
Committee: SAF-BCF
5000- 1036 - (25-7.1): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: John C. Harrington, FM Global
RECOMMENDATION: This section of the Code references Section
10.10. However, no Section 10.10 has been included with this Code.
SUBSTANTIATION: Referenced material within the Code has not
been included.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Delete Section 25.7 without replacement.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The regulation of furnishings,
bedding, and decorations is outside the scope of a building code. The
committee action should meet the submitter's intent.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 16
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 15
NOT RETURNED: 1 Groner
___________________
532
(Log #1033)
Committee: SAF-BCF
5000- 1037 - (25-8): Reject
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to SAF-BCF requesting that the subject of this proposal be
revisited now that a draft of Chapter 100 Flood Resistant Design and
Construction is available via Proposal 5000-1421 (Log #623).
SUBMITTER: James A. Rossberg, Christopher P. Jones, American
Society of Civil Engineers/Rep. Federal Emergency Management
Agency, Mitigation Directorate
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows:
25.8 Flood Resistance. Residential board and care occupancies that
are located wholly or partly within the flood hazard area established
by Section 100.3.2, shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 100.
SUBSTANTIATION: Makes code provisions compliant with National
Flood Insurance Program regulations for buildings and structures in
flood hazard areas. Note that this proposal is one of a series of
proposals that will insure NFPA 5000 compliance with NFIP
regulations. Although submitted separately, the proposals comprising
the series should be considered together.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The committee did not have access to
the complete reference document and was, therefore,unable to
determine all its implications. The committee requests direction from
the Building Code TCC on incorporating flood resistance criteria into
NFPA 5000.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 16
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 15
NOT RETURNED: 1 Groner
___________________
(Log #17)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1038 - (Chapter 26): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: John C. Harrington, FM Global
RECOMMENDATION: Chapter 26 includes text directly lifted out of
NFPA 101. However, the section on Building Services as pertains to
this occupancy has not been included and needs to be added.
SUBSTANTIATION: Guidance is not provided and is needed.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See Committee Proposal 5000-1041 (Log #CP809).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The pages containing the sections
addressing utilities unfortunately was omitted from the 7/28/00 draft
of NFPA 5000. It was the intention to include this section in the draft.
Committee Proposal 5000-1041 (Log #CP809) will contain this
section. Please refer to this committee proposal for review.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #949)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1039 - (Chapter 26): Reject
SUBMITTER: Sarah A. Rice, Schirmer Engineering Corp.
RECOMMENDATION: Eliminate the concept of Anchor Stores
being separate buildings from a covered mall building.
SUBSTANTIATION: The current section on covered malls was
originally developed to address the then new concept (tread) of
enclosing open-air shopping areas.
At that time, the large retain occupancies, i.e., “anchor stores,” were
constructed as stand-along buildings as the owner wished to actually
own the building and land. Other buildings in the complex held the
multiple small retail, business and assembly occupancies. When the
covered mall provisions were developed, they were done so to reflect
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
the then accepted configuration of big retail stores being separate
buildings and all the other small businesses being located in a
separate building.
The covered mall buildings of today are not the covered mall
buildings of yesterday. They are not “retrofits” of “open-air”
merchandising centers or roofed over downtown shopping areas, but
large buildings constructed from the bottom up.
The need for having a “anchor store” to be a separate building rom a
“covered mall building” is long past or justified. As a covered mall
buildsing, by its very nature allowed to be a structure of unlimited
area, what good does it serve to not include the area of an “anchor
store?” It does not make the structure smaller, it only makes the
structural connections and openings more complicated. The tenants
within a covered mall building are not lijmited to a mazimum size,
nor are they limited to in the number of stories they connect within
the covered mall building. So when does a tenant space become an
“anchor store?”
A covered mall building will not be any less safe by deleting the
concept of “anchor stores.” The space once called an “anchor sotre”
will be regulated as a tenant space, subject to all the provisions
applicable to current tenant spaces including the minimum type of
construction, means of egress, suppression and smoke control.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: It is noted that some of the elements in
the substantiation do not reflect an accuracy as it relates to this
occupancy. Anchor stores and malls have significant applications as it
relates to ownership and to each other. Generally the anchor stores
and malls are built by different contractors. It is recognized that the
occupant of the anchor store maintain the control of this building
and are not considered a tenant of the mall. It is also recognized that
these particular facilities can and do operate independently with
different hours of operation. This is reflected in the requirement that
the anchor store has egress that is independent of the mall.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 16
NEGATIVE: 2
ABSTENTION: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
FRANCIS: I am changing my ballot on 5000-1039 (Log #949) to
Negative.
After reading Mr. Holmes’ comments, I reviewed the proposal and
the context within the code. Insofar as this is one of the safer
occupancies, the assertion by the proponent that the mall and the
store would not be any less safe is persuasive. Hence, it makes sense
to accept the proposal. The fact that the code is based upon
“Occupancies” rather than the hazards accentuates the need to look
at real buildings and how they behave when occupied. The hazards
are similar, the remedies for those hazards are properly addressed
and there is no compelling reason to not move to the condition
suggested by the proponent. It further seems unreasonable to project
code noncompliance or code violations onto a building or an
occupancy simply as a function of different ownership. If the code is
to apply equally and fairly to all, ownership is a nonissue. Mitigation
of the hazards surrounding the occupancy characteristics becomes the
only issue and the proponent makes her case for the adequacy of the
mitigation attendant to Covered Malls.
HOLMES: I am voting negative on the committee action to reject
Proposal 5000-1039 (Log #949)
The submitter correctly states that “the need for having an ‘anchor
store’ to be a separate building from a ‘covered mall building’ is long
past justified.”
The committee statement on Proposal 5000-1039 (Log #949) does
not relate to the submitter’s expressed concern.
The Committee Proposal, 5000-1074 (Log #CP812) does include
some provisions for separation but there are major flaws in Proposal
5000-1074 (Log #CP812)
See additional comments on negative ballot on Proposal 5000-1074
(Log #CP812) .
533
EXPLANATION OF ABSTENTION:
THORNBERRY: See my Explanation of Abstention on Proposal
5000-1063 (Log #58).
___________________
(Log #CP808)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1040 - (Chapter 26): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Mercantile and Business
Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 26.1.2 as follows:
26.1.2 Multiple Occupancies.
26.1.2.1 All multiple occupancies shall be in accordance with Section
6.2.
26.1.2.2 Combined Mercantile Occupancy and Parking Structures.
(retain current text)
SUBSTANTIATION: The technical committee recognizes that there
is ongoing activity related to Chapter 6. This revision is done in
accordance with the direction given from the Technical Committee
on Fundamentals. The purpose is to provide a standardization for the
occupancy chapters and the referencing of this section.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #CP809)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1041 - (Chapter 26): Accept
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to SAF-MER requesting that the TC give consideration to Mr.
Tomes' explanation of negative with respect to coordination with
Chapter 23, defining "protective wrappings," and the lack of
enforceability of such a provision.
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Mercantile and Business
Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Revise Chapter 26 as follows:
Chapter 26
Mercantile Occupancies
26.1 General Requirements.
26.1.1 Application.
26.1.1.1 The requirements of this chapter apply to the following:
(1) New buildings or portions thereof used as mercantile
occupancies (see 1.6.1)
(2) Additions made to, or used as, a mercantile occupancy (see
1.6.2 and 26.1.1.3)
(3) Alterations, modernizations, or renovations of existing
mercantile occupancies (see 1.12.1)
(4) Existing buildings or portions thereof upon change of
occupancy to a mercantile occupancy (see 1.12.1.8)
26.1.1.2 This chapter establishes life safety requirements for all new
mercantile buildings. Specific requirements for suboccupancy groups
such as Class A, Class B, and Class C mercantile occupancies; covered
malls; and bulk merchandising retail buildings are contained in
paragraphs pertaining thereto.
26.1.1.3 Additions to existing buildings shall conform to the
requirements for new construction. Existing portions of the structure
are not required to be modified, provided that the new construction
has not diminished the fire safety features of the facility. Existing
portions shall be upgraded if the addition results in a change of
mercantile subclassification. (See 26.1.4.2.)
26.1.1.4 When a mercantile occupancy changes from Class C to Class
A or Class B, or from Class B to Class A, the provisions of this chapter
shall apply.
26.1.2 Mixed Occupancies.
26.1.2.1 Mixed occupancies shall comply with Section 6.17.
26.1.2.2 Combined Mercantile Occupancies and Parking Structures.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
Walls separating parking structures from mercantile occupancies shall
have a fire resistance rating of not less than 2 hours.
Exception: In enclosed parking structures that are protected throughout by an
approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
11.3, or in open-air parking structures, nonrated glazing and nonrated
opening protectives shall be permitted if all of the following conditions are met:
(a) The openings do not exceed 25 percent of the area of the
wall in which they are located.
(b) The openings are used as the main entrance and for associated sidelight
functions.
(c) The enclosed connecting mercantile building is protected throughout by
an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
11.3.
(d) The floor elevation of the mercantile occupancy is not less than 4 in.
(10.2 cm) above the floor level of the parking structure.
(e) No vehicle is able to park or drive within 10 ft (3 m) of the openings.
(f) The openings are protected by not less than a glass membrane.
(g) Any doors in the glass membrane are self-closing.
26.1.3 Special Definitions.
Anchor Store. See 3.X.X.
Bulk Merchandising Retail Building. See 3.X.X.
Gross Leasable Area. See 3.X.X.
Open-Air Mercantile Operation. See 3.X.X.
26.1.4 Classification of Occupancy.
26.1.4.1 Mercantile occupancies shall include all buildings and
structures or parts thereof with mercantile occupancy as defined in
Chapter 6.
26.1.4.2 Subclassification of Occupancy.
26.1.4.2.1 Mercantile occupancies shall be subclassified as follows.
(a) Class A. All mercantile occupancies having an aggregate gross
area of more than 30,000 ft2 (2800 m2) or using more than three
levels, excluding mezzanines, for sales purposes.
(b) Class B. All mercantile occupancies of more than 3000 ft2 (280
m2) but not more than 30,000 ft2 (2800 m2) aggregate gross area, or
using floors above or below the street floor level for sales purposes
(mezzanines permitted). (See 26.1.4.2.3.)
Exception: If more than three floors, excluding mezzanines, are used, the
mercantile occupancy shall be Class A, regardless of area.
(c) Class C. All mercantile occupancies of not more than 3000 ft2
(280 m2) gross area used for sales purposes on one story only,
excluding mezzanines.
26.1.4.2.2 For the purpose of the classification required in 26.1.4.2.1,
the aggregate gross area shall be the total gross area of all floors used
for mercantile purposes. Where a mercantile occupancy is divided
into sections, regardless of fire separation, the aggregate gross area
shall include the area of all sections used for sales purposes. Areas of
floors not used for sales purposes, such as an area used only for
storage and not open to the public, shall not be counted for the
purposes of the classifications in 26.1.4.2.1(a) through (c). However,
means of egress shall be provided for such nonsales areas in
accordance with their occupancy as specified by other chapters of this
Code.
26.1.4.2.3 Mezzanines shall comply with Section 7.7.
26.1.4.2.4 Where a number of tenant spaces under different
management are located in the same building, the aggregate gross
area (see 26.1.4.2.2) of all such tenant spaces shall be used in
determining classification per 26.1.4.2.1.
Exception No. 1: Covered mall buildings. (See 26.4.4.)
Exception No. 2: Where individual tenant spaces are separated by fire barriers
with a 2-hour fire resistance rating.
Exception No. 3: Where tenant spaces are separated by fire barriers with a 1-
hour fire resistance rating and the building is protected throughout by an
approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
11.3.
26.1.5 Classification of Hazard of Contents.
26.1.5.1 The contents of mercantile occupancies shall be classified as
ordinary hazard in accordance with Chapter 6, except as modified by
26.1.5.2.
26.1.5.2 Mercantile occupancies shall be classified as high hazard if
high hazard commodities are displayed or handled without protective
534
wrappings or containers, in which case the following additional
provisions shall apply:
(1) Exits shall be located so that not more than 75 ft (23 m) of
travel from any point is needed to reach the nearest exit.
(2) From every point, there shall be not less than two exits
accessible by travel in different directions (no common path of
travel).
3) All vertical openings shall be enclosed.
26.1.6 Minimum Construction Requirements. (No special
requirements.)
26.1.7 Occupant Load. The occupant load, in number of persons for
whom means of egress and other provisions are required, shall be
determined on the basis of the occupant load factors of Table 12.3.1.2
that are characteristic of the use of the space or shall be determined
as the maximum probable population of the space under
consideration, whichever is greater.
26.2 Means of Egress Requirements.
26.2.1 General.
26.2.1.1 All means of egress shall be in accordance with Chapter 12
and this chapter.
26.2.1.2 No inside open stairway or inside open ramp shall be
permitted to serve as a component of the required means of egress
system for more than one floor.
26.2.1.3 Where there are two or more floors below the street floor, the
same stair or other exit shall be permitted to serve all floors, but all
required exits from such areas shall be independent of any open
stairways between the street floor and the floor below it.
26.2.1.4 Where a level, outside exit from upper floors is possible
owing to hills, such outside exits shall be permitted to serve instead of
horizontal exits. If, however, such outside exits from the upper floor
also serve as an entrance from a principal street, the upper floor shall
be classified as a street floor in accordance with the definition of
street floor in 3.X.X and shall be subject to the requirements of this
chapter for street floors.
26.2.1.5 For special considerations for high hazard contents, see
26.1.5.2.
26.2.2 Means of Egress Components.
26.2.2.1 Components of means of egress shall be limited to the types
described in 26.2.2.2 through 26.2.2.12.
26.2.2.2 Doors.
26.2.2.2.1 Doors complying with 12.2.1 shall be permitted.
26.2.2.2.2* Locks complying with Exception No. 2 to 12.2.1.5.1 shall
be permitted only on principal entrance/exit doors.
26.2.2.2.3 (Reserved.)
26.2.2.2.4 Delayed-egress locks complying with 12.2.1.6.1 shall be
permitted.
26.2.2.2.5 Access-controlled egress doors complying with 12.2.1.6.2
shall be permitted in buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised fire detection system in accordance with Section 11.2 or an
approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3.
26.2.2.2.6 Where horizontal or vertical security grilles or doors are
used as a part of the required means of egress from a tenant space,
such grilles or doors shall comply with Exception No. 2 to 12.2.1.4.1.
26.2.2.2.7 All doors at the foot of stairs from upper floors or at the
head of stairs leading to floors below the street floor shall swing in the
direction of egress travel.
26.2.2.2.8 Revolving doors complying with 12.2.1.10 shall be
permitted.
26.2.2.3 Stairs.
26.2.2.3.1 Stairs complying with 12.2.2 shall be permitted.
26.2.2.3.2 Spiral stairs complying with 12.2.2.2.3 shall be permitted.
26.2.2.4 Smokeproof Enclosures. Smokeproof enclosures complying
with 12.2.3 shall be permitted.
26.2.2.5 Horizontal Exits. Horizontal exits complying with 12.2.4 shall
be permitted.
26.2.2.6 Ramps. Ramps complying with 12.2.5 shall be permitted.
26.2.2.7 Exit Passageways. Exit passageways complying with 12.2.6
shall be permitted.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
Exception*: In lieu of the provisions of 12.2.6.4, an exit passageway in a
covered mall building shall be permitted to accommodate the following
independently:
(a) The portion of the occupant load assigned to the exit passageway from
only the covered mall/pedestrian way
(b) The largest occupant load assigned to the exit passageway from a single
tenant space
26.2.2.8 (Reserved.)
26.2.2.9 (Reserved.)
26.2.2.10 Fire Escape Ladders. Fire escape ladders complying with
12.2.9 shall be permitted.
26.2.2.11 Alternating Tread Devices. Alternating tread devices
complying with 12.2.11 shall be permitted.
26.2.2.12 Areas of Refuge. Areas of refuge complying with 12.2.12
shall be permitted.
Exception: In buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3, two rooms or
spaces separated from each other by smoke-resistant partitions in accordance
with the definition of area of refuge in 3.X.X shall not be required.
26.2.3 Capacity of Means of Egress.
26.2.3.1 The capacity of means of egress shall be in accordance with
Section 12.3.
26.2.3.2 In Class A and Class B mercantile occupancies, street floor
exits shall be sufficient for the occupant load of the street floor plus
the required capacity of stairs and ramps discharging through the
street floor.
26.2.4 Number of Exits. Not less than two separate exits shall meet
the following criteria (see also Section 12.4):
(1) They shall be provided on every story.
(2) They shall be accessible from every part of every story or
mezzanine.
Exception No. 1: Exit access travel shall be permitted to be common for the
distances permitted as common paths of travel by 26.2.5.3.
Exception No. 2: A single means of egress shall be permitted in a Class C
mercantile occupancy, provided that one of the following conditions is met:
(a) The travel distance to the exit or to a covered mall (if it is
considered a pedestrian way) does not exceed 75 ft (23 m).
(b) The travel distance to the exit or to a covered mall (if it is considered a
pedestrian way) does not exceed 100 ft (30 m), and the story on which the
occupancy is located and all communicating levels that are traversed to reach
the exit or covered mall are protected throughout by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3.
Exception No. 3: A single means of egress to an exit or to a covered mall (if it is
considered a pedestrian way) shall be permitted from a mezzanine within any
Class A, Class B, or Class C mercantile occupancy, provided that the common
path of travel does not exceed 75 ft (23 m), or does not exceed 100 ft (30 m) if
protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in
accordance with Section 11.3.
26.2.5 Arrangement of Means of Egress.
26.2.5.1 Means of egress shall be arranged in accordance with Section
12.5.
26.2.5.2 Dead-end corridors shall not exceed 20 ft (6.1 m).
Exception: In buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3, dead-end corridors
shall not exceed 50 ft (15 m).
26.2.5.3 Common paths of travel shall not exceed 75 ft (23 m).
Exception: A common path of travel shall be permitted for the first 100 ft (30
m) in a building protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic
sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3.
26.2.5.4 Aisles leading to each exit shall be required. The aggregate
width of such aisles shall be not less than the required width of the
exit.
26.2.5.5 Required aisles shall be not less than 36 in. (91 cm) in clear
width.
26.2.5.6 In Class A mercantile occupancies, not less than one aisle of a
5-ft (1.5-m) minimum width shall lead directly to an exit.
26.2.5.7 If the only means of customer entrance is through one
exterior wall of the building, two-thirds of the required egress width
shall be located in such wall.
Exception: Bulk merchandising retail buildings. (See 26.4.5.2.)
535
26.2.5.8 Not less than one-half of the required exits shall be located so
as to be reached without passing through checkout stands. In no case
shall checkout stands or associated railings or barriers obstruct exits,
required aisles, or approaches thereto.
26.2.5.9* Where wheeled carts or buggies are used by customers,
adequate provision shall be made for the transit and parking of such
carts to minimize the possibility that they might obstruct means of
egress.
26.2.5.10 Exit access in Class A and Class B mercantile occupancies
that are protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic
sprinkler system and exit access in all Class C mercantile occupancies
shall be permitted to pass through storerooms, provided that the
following conditions are met:
(1) Not more than 50 percent of exit access shall be provided
through the storeroom.
(2) The storeroom shall not be subject to locking.
(3) The main aisle through the storeroom shall be not less than 44
in. (112 cm) wide.
(4) The path of travel through the storeroom, defined with fixed
barriers, shall be direct and continuously maintained in an
unobstructed condition.
26.2.6 Travel Distance to Exits. Travel distance to exits, measured in
accordance with Section 12.6, shall not exceed 100 ft (30 m).
Exception: Travel distance shall not exceed 200 ft (60 m) in buildings
protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in
accordance with Section 11.3.
26.2.7 Discharge from Exits.
26.2.7.1 Exit discharge shall comply with Section 12.7 and 26.2.7.2.
26.2.7.2* Fifty percent of the exits shall be permitted to discharge
through the level of exit discharge in accordance with 12.7.2 only
where the building is protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
11.3, and the distance of travel from the termination of the exit
enclosure to an outside street door shall not exceed 50 ft (15 m).
26.2.8 Illumination of Means of Egress. Means of egress shall be
illuminated in accordance with Section 12.8.
26.2.9 Emergency Lighting. Class A and Class B mercantile
occupancies and covered mall buildings shall have emergency lighting
facilities in accordance with Section 12.9.
26.2.10 Marking of Means of Egress. Means of egress shall have signs
in accordance with Section 12.10.
Exception: Where an exit is immediately apparent from all portions of the sales
area, the exit marking shall not be required.
26.2.11 Special Means of Egress Features. (Reserved.)
26.3 Protection.
26.3.1 Protection of Vertical Openings. Any vertical opening shall be
enclosed or protected in accordance with Chapter 9.
Exception No. 1: In Class A or Class B mercantile occupancies protected
throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in
accordance with Section 11.3, unprotected vertical openings shall be permitted
at one of the following locations:
(a) Between any two floors
(b) Among the street floor, the first adjacent floor below, and the first
adjacent floor (or mezzanines) above
Exception No. 2: In Class C mercantile occupancies, unprotected openings
shall be permitted between the street floor and the mezzanine.
Exception No. 3: In Class A or Class B mercantile occupancies protected
throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in
accordance with Section 11.3, unenclosed openings in accordance with Section
9.2 shall be permitted.
26.3.2 Protection from Hazards.
26.3.2.1* Hazardous areas including, but not limited to, areas used for
general storage, boiler or furnace rooms, and maintenance shops that
include woodworking and painting areas shall be protected in
accordance with Section 8.2.2.1.
Exception: In general storage and stock areas protected by an automatic
extinguishing system in accordance with Section 11.3, an enclosure, if
provided, shall be exempt from the provisions of Section 8.2.2.1.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
26.3.2.2* High hazard contents areas, as classified in Chapter 6, shall
meet the following criteria:
(1) The area shall be separated from other parts of the building by
fire barriers having a fire resistance rating of not less than 1 hour,
with all openings therein protected by 3/4-hour fire protection-rated
self-closing fire doors.
(2) The area shall be protected by an automatic extinguishing
system in accordance with Section 11.3.
26.3.3 Interior Finish.
26.3.3.1 Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter 10.
26.3.3.2 Interior Wall and Ceiling Finish. Interior wall and ceiling
finish complying with Section 10.3 shall be Class A or Class B.
26.3.3.3 Interior Floor Finish. (No requirements.)
26.3.4 Detection, Alarm, and Communications Systems.
26.3.4.1 General. Class A mercantile occupancies shall be provided
with a fire alarm system in accordance with Section 11.2.
26.3.4.2 Initiation. Initiation of the required fire alarm system shall be
by manual means per 11.2.2.1(1).
Exception No. 1: Initiation shall be permitted to be by means of an approved
automatic fire detection system in accordance with 11.2.2.1(2) that provides
protection throughout the building.
Exception No. 2: Initiation shall be permitted to be by means of an approved
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 11.2.2.1(3) that provides
protection throughout the building.
26.3.4.3 Notification.
26.3.4.3.1 Occupant Notification. During all times that the mercantile
occupancy is occupied (see 12.2.1.1.3), the required fire alarm system,
once initiated, shall perform one of the following functions.
(a) It shall activate a general alarm in accordance with 11.2.3
throughout the mercantile occupancy.
Exception: Positive alarm sequence in accordance with 11.2.3.4 shall be
permitted.
(b) It shall activate an alarm signal in a continuously attended
location for the purpose of initiating emergency action by personnel
trained to respond to emergencies. Emergency action shall be
initiated by means of live voice public address system announcements
originating from the attended location where the alarm signal is
received. The system shall be permitted to be used for other
announcements, provided that the fire alarm use takes precedence
over any other use.
Exception: Any other occupant notification means permitted by 11.2.3 shall be
permitted in lieu of live voice public address system announcements.
26.3.4.3.2 Emergency Forces Notification. Emergency forces
notification shall be provided and shall include notifying the
following:
(1) The fire department in accordance with 11.2.4
(2) The local emergency organization, if provided
26.3.5 Extinguishment Requirements.
26.3.5.1 Mercantile occupancies shall be protected by an approved
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3 as follows:
(1) Throughout all mercantile occupancies three or more stories in
height
(2) Throughout all mercantile occupancies exceeding 12,000 ft2
(1115 m2) in gross area
(3) Throughout stories below the level of exit discharge where such
stories have an area exceeding 2500 ft2 (230 m2) used for the sale,
storage, or handling of combustible goods and merchandise
(4) Throughout mixed occupancies in accordance with Section
6.17 where the conditions of 26.3.5.1(1), (2), or (3) apply to the
mercantile occupancy
26.3.5.2 Automatic sprinkler systems in Class A mercantile
occupancies shall be supervised in accordance with 11.3.2.
26.3.5.3 Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided in all mercantile
occupancies in accordance with Section 11.6.
26.3.6 Corridors.
26.3.6.1* Where access to exits is provided by corridors, such
corridors shall be separated from use areas by walls having a fire
resistance rating of not less than 1 hour in accordance with Table 8.2.
Exception No. 1: Where exits are available from an open floor area.
Exception No. 2: Within a space occupied by a single tenant.
536
Exception No. 3: Within buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3.
26.3.6.2 Openings in corridor walls required by 26.3.6.1 to have a fire
resistance rating shall be protected in accordance with Table 8.1.
26.3.7 Subdivision of Building Spaces. (No special requirements.)
26.3.8 Special Protection Features. Nonrated glazing and nonrated
opening protectives per the exception to 26.1.2.2 shall be permitted
between mercantile occupancies and parking structures.
26.4 Special Provisions.
26.4.1 Underground Buildings or Windowless. (See Sections 30.2 and
30.3.)
26.4.2 High-Rise Buildings. High-rise buildings shall comply with the
automatic sprinkler requirements of 32.8.2.1.
26.4.3 Open-Air Mercantile Operations.
26.4.3.1 Open-air mercantile operations, such as open-air markets,
gasoline filling stations, roadside stands for the sale of farm produce,
and other outdoor mercantile operations shall be arranged and
conducted to maintain free and unobstructed ways of travel at all
times. Such ways of travel shall allow prompt escape from any point of
danger in case of fire or other emergency, with no dead ends in which
persons might be trapped due to display stands, adjoining buildings,
fences, vehicles, or other obstructions.
26.4.3.2 If mercantile operations are conducted in roofed-over areas,
they shall be treated as mercantile buildings, provided that canopies
over individual small stands to protect merchandise from the weather
are not construed as constituting buildings for the purpose of this
Code.
26.4.4 Covered Mall Buildings. The purpose of 26.4.4 is to establish
minimum standards of life safety for covered mall buildings having
not more than three levels. (See Chapter 3 for the definition of
Covered Mall Building.)
26.4.4.1 The covered mall building shall be treated as a single
building for the purpose of calculation of means of egress and shall
be subject to the requirements for appropriate occupancies, except as
modified by the provisions of 26.4.4. The covered mall shall be of a
clear width not less than that needed to accommodate egress
requirements as set forth in other sections of this Code.
Exception: The covered mall shall be permitted to be considered a pedestrian
way, in which case the travel distance within a tenant space to an exit or to the
covered mall shall not exceed 200 ft (60 m) (see 26.2.6, exception) or shall not
exceed the maximum for the appropriate occupancy. An additional 200 ft (60
m) shall be permitted for travel through the covered mall space if all the
following requirements are met.
(a) The covered mall shall be of a clear width not less than that
needed to accommodate egress requirements as set forth in other
sections of this chapter but shall be not less than 20 ft (6.1 m) wide in
its narrowest dimension.
(b) * On each side of the mall floor area, the covered mall shall be provided
with an unobstructed exit access of not less than 10 ft (3 m) in clear width
parallel to and adjacent to the mall tenant front. Such exit access shall lead to
an exit having a width of not less than 66 in. (168 cm). (See 26.4.4.2.)
(c) The covered mall and all buildings connected thereto shall be protected
throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in
accordance with Section 11.3. The system shall be installed in such a manner
that any portion of the system serving tenant spaces can be taken out of service
without affecting the operation of the portion of the system serving the covered
mall.
(d) Walls dividing tenant spaces from each other shall extend from the floor
to the underside of the roof deck, floor deck above, or ceiling where the ceiling is
constructed to limit the transfer of smoke. Where the tenant areas are provided
with an engineered smoke control system, walls shall not be required to divide
tenant spaces from each other. No separation shall be required between a tenant
space and the covered mall.
(e) * The covered mall shall be provided with a smoke control system.
26.4.4.2 Means of Egress Details.
26.4.4.2.1 Every floor of a covered mall shall be provided with the
number of means of egress specified by Section 12.4, with not less
than two means of egress remotely located from each other.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
26.4.4.2.2 Class A and Class B mercantile occupancies connected to a
covered mall shall be provided with the number of means of egress
required by Section 12.4, with not less than two means of egress
remotely located from one another.
26.4.4.2.3* Each individual anchor store shall have means of egress
independent of the covered mall.
26.4.4.2.4 Every covered mall shall be provided with unobstructed exit
access parallel to and adjacent to the mall tenant fronts. This exit
access shall extend to each mall exit.
26.4.4.2.5* Rooms housing building service equipment, janitor
closets, and service elevators shall be permitted to open directly onto
exit passageways, provided that the following criteria are met:
(1) The required fire resistance rating between such rooms or areas
and the exit passageway is maintained in accordance with 12.1.3.2.
(2) Such rooms or areas are protected by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3; however,
the exceptions in NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler
Systems, that permit the omission of sprinklers from such rooms are
not permitted.
(3) Service elevators opening into the exit passageway shall not
open into areas other than exit passageways.
(4) Where exit stair enclosures discharge into the exit passageway,
the provisions of 12.2.1.5.2 shall apply regardless of the number of
stories served.
26.4.4.2.6 Emergency Lighting. (See 26.2.9.)
26.4.4.3 Detection, Alarm, and Communications Systems.
26.4.4.3.1 General. Covered malls shall be provided with a fire alarm
system in accordance with Section 11.2.
26.4.4.3.2 Initiation. Initiation of the required fire alarm system shall
be by means of the required automatic sprinkler system in accordance
with 11.2.2.1(3).
26.4.4.3.3 Notification.
26.4.4.3.3.1 Occupant Notification. During all times that the covered
mall is occupied (see 12.2.1.1.3), the required fire alarm system, once
initiated, shall perform one of the following functions.
(a) It shall activate a general alarm in accordance with 11.2.3
throughout the covered mall.
Exception: Positive alarm sequence in accordance with 11.2.3.4 shall be
permitted.
(b) It shall activate an alarm signal in a continuously attended
location for the purpose of initiating emergency action by personnel
trained to respond to emergencies. Emergency action shall be
initiated by means of live voice public address system announcements
originating from the attended location where the alarm signal is
received. The system shall be permitted to be used for other
announcements, provided that the fire alarm use takes precedence
over any other use.
Exception: Any other occupant notification means permitted by 11.2.3 shall be
permitted in lieu of live voice public address system announcements.
26.4.4.3.3.2 Emergency Forces Notification. Emergency forces
notification shall be provided and shall include notifying the
following:
(1) The fire department in accordance with 11.2.4
(2) The local emergency organization, if provided
26.4.4.3.4 Emergency Control. The fire alarm system shall be
arranged to automatically actuate smoke management or smoke
control systems in accordance with 11.2.5.2(3).
26.4.5 Bulk Merchandising Retail Buildings. New bulk merchandising
retail buildings exceeding 12,000 ft2 (1100 m2) in area shall comply
with the requirements of this chapter as modified by 26.4.5.1 through
26.4.5.6.
26.4.5.1 Minimum Construction Requirements. Bulk merchandising
retail buildings shall have a distance of not less than 16 ft (4.9 m)
from the floor to the lowest of the underside of the ceiling, floor deck
above, or roof deck above.
26.4.5.2 Means of Egress Requirements. All means of egress shall be
in accordance with Chapter 12 and this chapter. Not less than 50
percent of the required egress capacity shall be located independent
of the main entrance/exit doors.
26.4.5.3 Storage, Arrangement, Protection, and Quantities of
537
Hazardous Commodities.
26.4.5.3.1 The storage, arrangement, protection, and quantities of
hazardous commodities shall be in accordance with the applicable
portions of the following:
(1) NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems
(2) NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code
(3) NFPA 30B, Code for the Manufacture and Storage of Aerosol Products
(4) NFPA 230, Standard for the Fire Protection of Storage
(5) NFPA 231D, Standard for Storage of Rubber Tires
(6) NFPA 430, Code for the Storage of Liquid and Solid Oxidizers
(7) NFPA 432, Code for the Storage of Organic Peroxide Formulations
(8) NFPA 434, Code for the Storage of Pesticides
26.4.5.4 Detection, Alarm, and Communications Systems.
26.4.5.4.1 General. Bulk merchandising retail buildings shall be
provided with a fire alarm system in accordance with Section 11.2.
26.4.5.4.2 Initiation. Initiation of the required fire alarm system shall
be by means of the required approved automatic sprinkler system (see
26.4.5.5) in accordance with 11.2.2.1(3).
26.4.5.4.3 Occupant Notification. During all times that the building is
occupied (see 12.2.1.1.3), the required fire alarm system, once
initiated, shall perform one of the following functions.
(a) It shall activate a general alarm in accordance with 11.2.3
throughout the building.
Exception: Positive alarm sequence in accordance with 11.2.3.4 shall be
permitted.
(b) It shall activate an alarm signal in a continuously attended
location for the purpose of initiating emergency action by personnel
trained to respond to emergencies. Emergency action shall be
initiated by means of live voice public address system announcements
originating from the attended location where the alarm signal is
received. The system shall be permitted to be used for other
announcements, provided that the fire alarm use takes precedence
over any other use.
Exception: Any other occupant notification means permitted by 11.2.3 shall be
permitted in lieu of live voice public address system announcements.
26.4.5.4.4 Emergency Forces Notification. Emergency forces
notification shall be provided and shall include notifying the
following:
(1) The fire department in accordance with 11.2.4
(2) The local emergency organization, if provided
26.4.5.5 Extinguishing Requirements. Bulk merchandising retail
buildings shall be protected throughout by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3 and the
applicable provisions of the following:
(1) NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems
(2) NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code
(3) NFPA 30B, Code for the Manufacture and Storage of Aerosol Products
(4) NFPA 230, Standard for the Fire Protection of Storage
(5) NFPA 231D, Standard for Storage of Rubber Tires
26.5 Building Services.
26.5.1 Utilities. Utilities shall comply with the provisions of Chapters
48 and 50.
26.5.2 Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning. Heating,
ventilating, and air conditioning equipment shall comply with the
provisions of Chapter 49.
26.5.3 Elevators, Escalators, and Conveyors. Elevators, escalators, and
conveyors shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 51.
26.5.4 Rubbish Chutes, Incinerators, and Laundry Chutes. Rubbish
chutes, incinerators, and laundry chutes shall comply with the
provisions of Section 9.6.
26.6 Reserved.
A.26.2.2.2.2 The words “principal entrance/exit doors” describe
doors that the authority having jurisdiction can reasonably expect to
be unlocked in order for the facility to do business.
A.26.2.2.7 Exception To design egress from a covered mall building,
the following steps should be used.
(a) The covered mall/pedestrian way has been assigned no occupant
load, but it is required to be provided with means of egress sized to
accommodate the total occupant load of the covered mall building
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
based on the gross leasable area. The exits for the covered
mall/pedestrian way are permitted to be provided by a combination
of exterior exit doors and exit passageways.
(b) After completion of step (a), each tenant space is to be judged
individually for occupant load and egress capacity. This step normally
sends a portion or all (per 26.4.4.2.2) of the tenant space’s occupant
load into the covered mall. Any remaining occupants are sent through
the back of the tenant space into an exit passageway that might serve
multiple tenant spaces and the covered mall.
(c) The width of the exit passageway is required to be sized for the
most restrictive of the following:
(1) For a width of not less than 66 in. (168 cm) per 26.4.4.1
Exception (b)
(2) For the portion of the egress capacity from the largest single
tenant space being served by the exit passageway
(3) For the portion of the egress capacity from the covered mall
being provided by the exit passageway
The concepts used in steps (a) through (c) include the following:
(1) After proper egress capacity is provided for the covered
mall/pedestrian way, each tenant space is then required to
independently provide egress capacity for its occupants.
(2) The covered mall required exit passageway width and the tenant
space required exit passageway width are not required to be added
together.
(3) The required exit passageway width for a tenant space is not
required to be added to that of other tenant spaces using the same
exit passageway.
A.26.2.5.9 In order to eliminate the obstruction to the means of
egress of the interior exit access and the exterior exit discharge, it is
the intent to provide adequate area for transit and parking of wheeled
carts or buggies used by customers. This area includes corral areas
adjacent to exits that are constructed to restrict the movement of
wheeled carts or buggies therefrom.
A.26.2.7.2 The basis for the exception to the general rule on
complete enclosure of exits up to their point of discharge to the
outside of the building is that, with the specified safeguards,
reasonable safety is maintained.
A stairway is not considered to discharge through the street floor area
if it leads to the street through a fire resistance-rated enclosure (exit
passageway) separating it from the main area, even though there are
doors between the first floor stairway landing and the main area.
The provisions of 26.2.7.2 should not be confused with those for open
stairways as permitted by 26.3.1, Exception No. 1.
A.26.3.2.1 It is the intent to permit a suspended natural gas-fired unit
heater that complies with the requirements of Section 9.2 to be
installed and used in a mercantile occupancy without classifying the
area in which it is located as hazardous.
A.26.3.2.2 The requirement for separating high hazard contents
areas from other parts of the building is intended to isolate the
hazard, and Exception No. 1 to 8.2.3.1.1 is applicable.
A.26.3.6.1 The intent of Exception No. 2 and Exception No. 3 to
26.3.6.1 is to permit spaces within single tenant spaces, or within
buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic
sprinkler system, to be open to the exit access corridor without
separation.
A.26.4.4.1 Exception (b) The minimum requirement for terminating
mall exit access in not less than 66 in. (168 cm) of egress width relates
to the minimum requirement for not less than one aisle in Class A
mercantile occupancies (30,000 ft2 (2800 m2) or greater sales area)
to be 5 ft (152 cm) in width.
A.26.4.4.1 Exception (e) Fire experience in covered mall shopping
centers indicates that the most likely place of fire origin is in the
tenant space where the combustible fire load is far greater than in the
covered mall proper.
Furthermore, any fires resulting from the comparatively low fire load
in the covered mall proper are more likely to be detected and
extinguished in their incipient stages. Early detection is likely due to
538
the nature of the covered mall proper as a high traffic pedestrian way.
Such fires produce less smoke development in a greater volume of
space than fires in the more confined adjacent tenant space.
Smoke control systems that address fire experience in covered malls
are necessary in order to achieve the following:
(1) Ensure the integrity of the covered mall as a pedestrian way by
maintaining it reasonably free of the products of combustion for a
duration not less than that required to evacuate the building
(2) Confine the products of combustion to the area of origin
(3) Remove the products of combustion with a minimum of
migration of such products of combustion from one tenant to another
Systems, or combinations of systems, that can be engineered to
address fires in covered malls include the following:
(1) Separate mechanical exhaust or control systems
(2) Mechanical exhaust or control systems in conjunction with
heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems
(3) Automatically or manually released gravity roof vent devices,
such as skylights, relief dampers, or smoke vents
(4) Combinations of items (1), (2), and (3) in this list, or any other
engineered system designed to accomplish the purpose of this section
A.26.4.4.2.3 It is not the intent of 26.4.4.2.3 to require that large
tenant spaces be considered anchor stores. A tenant space not
considered in determining the occupant load of the mall is required
to be arranged so that all of its means of egress will be independent of
the covered mall.
A.26.4.4.2.5 Rooms opening onto the exit passageway are intended to
include building service elevators, elevator machine rooms, electrical
rooms, telephone rooms, janitor closets, restrooms, and similar
normally unoccupied spaces not requiring hazardous area protection
in accordance with Section 8.4.
A.26.4.5.3.2 An example of a high hazard commodity without
protective containers is mineral spirits (flammable liquids) in plastic
containers.
SUBSTANTIATION: The Technical Committee generated this
committee proposal in response to the TCC directive to develop a
proposal addressing the particular chapter of responsibility for the
technical committees. The proposal is based on the original draft of
7/28/00. This proposal has deleted any provisions that may have
referenced existing provisions as shown in the draft. The technical
committee recognizes that there are some references to high hazard
applications still in this draft. These particular provisions will be
reviewed in conjunction with the activity that will have been taken
with the revisions being proposed for 6.2 and Chapter 33.
This proposal has not incorporated any of the proposed changes
from the other related proposals. The purpose of this is that if any
proposed revision to a particular section should not sustain sufficient
support that there will be text available to have further discussions on.
The sections with related proposals are:
26.1.1.1 see Committee Proposal 5000-1043 (Log #CP811)
26.1.1.2 see Proposal 5000-1044 (Log #957)
26.1.1.3 see Proposal 5000-1045 (Log #955)
26.1.2 see Committee Proposal 5000-1040 (Log #CP808)
26.1.4.2.1 see Committee Proposal 5000-1048 (Log #CP801)
26.1.5 see Committee Proposal 5000-1050 (Log #CP804)
26.1.6 see Proposal 5000-1055 (Log #913l)
26.2.5.3 see Committee Proposal 5000-1057 (Log #CP802)
26.2.6 see Committee Proposal 5000-1059 (Log #CP803)
26.3.2.3 see Proposal 5000-1062 (Log #222)
26.3.3 see Proposal 5000-1063 (Log #58)
26.3.5.4 see Proposal 5000-1065 (Log #1000)
26.3.5.5 see Proposal 5000-1067 (Log #996)
26.4.4 see Committee Proposal 5000-1074 (Log #CP812).
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
NEGATIVE: 1
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
HOLMES: 26.3.5 Requirements for fire department standpipes
have been omitted and should be included based on other committee
actions on other logs.
See also comments on Proposal 5000-1074 (Log #CP812) and
Proposal 5000-1069 (Log #206).
26.4.4, Covered Mall Buildings, should be moved to Chapter 30,
Special Structures.
At one time, covered mall buildings were limited to shopping malls
and were appropriately addressed in NFPA 101 as business and
mercantile occupancies. However, covered mall buildings now
enclose multiple occupancies including retail stores, restaurants,
entertainment and other assembly occupancies, offices, transportation
terminals, amusement parks, hotels and other residential
occupancies, and even industrial occupancies. A covered mall
building is a special structure and not a special occupancy limited to
mercantile and business occupancies. Covered mall buildings need to
be addressed in Chapter 30 of the Building Code to be referenced by
various occupancy chapters rather than specifically in Chapter 26 on
Mercantile Occupancies.
26.4.4.1(c) The second sentence of 26.4.4.1(c) which reads, “The
[automatic sprinkler] system shall be installed in such a manner that
any portion of the system serving tenant spaces can be taken out of
service without affecting the operation of the portion of the system
serving the covered mall” should be deleted.
If it is the intent that the tenant spaces must be protected by a
sprinkler system that is separate from the sprinkler system protecting
the covered mall, this should be clearly stated as such. If it is the
intent to allow a common sprinkler system to protect both the tenant
spaces and the covered mall but requiring that any portion of the
system serving the tenant spaces be capable of being taken out of
service without impairing the covered mall sprinkler protection, this
requirement is much too onerous to be implemented practically. As
written, this paragraph would require multiple sectional control valves
in the sprinkler system.
TOMES: Reject 26.1.5.2 The phrase in this section that states
‘without protective wrappings or containers” will be confusing to the
code enforcers. These criteria have not been defined, creating
confusion in the application of these requirements.
The section needs to clearly state that an area is only high hazard
where amounts exceed the acceptable amounts of commodities listed
in Chapter 33. This section should be rewritten, removing the
nebulous language and referencing the definition of “high hazard” in
Chapter 33.
26.3.2.2 “High hazard content areas” is not clear enough to the
authorities having jurisdiction apply this section appropriately. Since
Chapter 6 does not deal with amounts, this section needs to be
reworded to reference the definition of “high hazard” in Chapter 33.
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
THORNBERRY: I suggest an editorial correction which I believe will
clarify the intent of Section 26.4.5.1. Delete the word “above” in the
following: “...underside of the ceiling, floor deck above, or roof deck
above.”
Also, Section A.26.4.5.3.2 should be deleted since Section 26.4.5.3.2
has been deleted from the text of this chapter.
___________________
(Log #958)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1042 - (26-1.1.1): Accept
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Revise the wording of Paragraph 26.1.1.1 as
follows:
(1) new b Buildings or portions thereof used as mercantile
occupancies. (see 1.7.1) as provided in 1-6.
(2) ...(see 1.76.2 and 26.1.1.3)
(3) ...(see 1.1312.1)
(4) ...(see 1.1312.1.8).
539
SUBSTANTIATION: This proposal seeks to correct the references to
the applicable sections of Chapter 1, and to delete the reference to
new buildings in subparagraph (1) since all buildings regulated by
that subparagraph will be designated as new for the purposes of the
application of this Code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The correct references will be
coordinated during the drafting process.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #CP811)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1043 - (26-1.1.1): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Mercantile and Business
Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 26.1.1.1 as follows:
26.1.1.1 The requirements of this chapter apply to the following:
(1) Additions made to, or used as, a mercantile occupancy (see 1.6.2
and 26.1.1.3)
(2) Alterations, modernizations, or renovations of existing
mercantile occupancies (see 1.12.1)
(3) Existing buildings or portions thereof upon change of occupancy
to a mercantile occupancy (see 1.12.1.8).
SUBSTANTIATION: This committee proposal was developed for
clarification purposes for the reviewer and to document the revisions
to 26.1.1.1 as the result of the action taken on Proposal 5000-1044
(Log #957).
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #957)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1044 - (26-1.1.2): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Delete the first sentence of this paragraph.
SUBSTANTIATION: This Chapter no longer establishes only life
safety requirements and reference to such requirements should be
eliminated.
The application statement previously made by the deleted sentence
is adequately stated in the preceding paragraph.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise 26.1.1.2 to read as follows:
26.1.1.2 This chapter establishes life safety requirements for all
buildings or portions thereof used as mercantile occupancies as
provided in accordance with 1.6 new mercantile buildings. Specific
requirements for suboccupancy groups such as Class A, Class B, and
Class C mercantile occupancies; covered malls; and bulk
merchandising retail buildings are contained in paragraphs
pertaining thereto.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: 26.1.1.2 was revised by modifying the
first sentence of this provision by deleting the reference as noted in
the proposal and adding the provisions of 26.1.1.1(1). This should
satisfy the submitter's intent. See Committee Proposal 5000-1043
(Log #CP811) for related committee action on 26.1.1.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
NEGATIVE: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
THORNBERRY: See my Explanation of Negative Vote on Proposal
5000-1087 (Log #956).
___________________
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

(Log #955) (Log #CP801)

Committee: SAF-MER Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1045 - (26-1.1.3): Accept 5000- 1048 - (26-1.4.2.1): Accept
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
Marshal that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
RECOMMENDATION: Delete 16.1.1.3. name to SAF-MER requesting that the TC give consideration to Mr.
SUBSTANTIATION: Requirements as they apply to building Thornberry's comment on affirmative with respect to clarifying intent
additions are already stated as a part of 1.12 of this Code. In order to and various editorial issues.
maintain uniform application of this Code, all such requirements for SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Mercantile and Business
all occupancy types should be located within Chapter 1. Occupancies
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. RECOMMENDATION: Revise 26.1.4.2.1 as follows:
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19 26.1.4.2.1 Mercantile occupancies shall be subclassified as follows.
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION: (a) Class A. All mercantile occupancies having an aggregate gross
AFFIRMATIVE: 19 area of more than 30,000 ft2 (2800 m2) or using more than three
stories levels, excluding mezzanines, for sales purposes.
(b) Class B. All mercantile occupancies of more than 3000 ft2 (280
___________________ m2) but not more than 30,000 ft2 (2800 m2) aggregate gross area on
no more than three stories, or using stories floors above or below the
(Log #1036) street floor level for sales purposes (mezzanines permitted). (See
Committee: SAF-MER 26.1.4.2.3.)
5000- 1046 - (26-1.2.1): Accept in Principle Exception: If more than three floors, excluding mezzanines, are
SUBMITTER: James A. Rossberg, Christopher P. Jones, American used, the mercantile occupancy shall be Class A, regardless of area.
Society of Civil Engineers/Rep. Federal Emergency Management (c) Class C. All mercantile occupancies of not more than 3000 ft2
Agency, Mitigation Directorate (280 m2) gross area used for sales purposes on one story only,
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows: excluding mezzanines.
26.1.2 Mixed Occupancies. SUBSTANTIATION: This committee proposal has incorporated the
26.1.2.1 Mixed occupancies shall comply with Section 6.171.14. recommendation of Proposal 5000-1049 (Log #965). The term story
SUBSTANTIATION: Corrects incorrect section reference in text. is a defined term in this document and was used in lieu of the term
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle. floor which is not defined. Because a defined term is used it was
Revise 26.1.2 as follows: determined that the references to a mezzanine is not required.
26.1.2 Multiple Occupancies. COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
26.1.2.1 All multiple occupancies shall be in accordance with Section NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
6.2 VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
26.1.2.2 Combined Mercantile Occupancy and Parking Structures AFFIRMATIVE: 19
(retain current text) COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The Technical Committee recognizes THORNBERRY: I would like to offer the following editorial changes
that there is ongoing activity related to Chapter 6. This revision is to Section 26.1.4.2.1 to clarify its application and eliminate potential
done in accordance with the direction given from the Technical conflicts within the classification system for stores as follows:
Committee on Fundamentals. The purpose is to provide a (a) Change the word “using” to “occupying” to clarify the intent of
standardization for the occupancy chapters and the referencing of this section.
this section. (b) Delete the phrase “or using stories above or below the street
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19 level”. If this phrase is left in, there is an overlap between the
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION: definitions for Class A and Class C stores. Since the phrase uses the
AFFIRMATIVE: 19 word “or” that means that this phrase proposed to be deleted would
apply regardless of the square footage of floor area used for sales
purposes which would conflict with a Class A or Class C store that may
___________________ have a basement or may only be located in a basement which is still
considered a story. I believe with the deletion as proposed the intent
(Log #966) of the definition for Class B store will still be met since the word
Committee: SAF-MER “stories” is used in the limitation on the number of levels that a Class
5000- 1047 - (26-1.3): Accept in Principle B store can occupy.
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire (c) Change the word “on” to “occupying” to be consistent with the
Marshal text of subparagraphs (a) and (b) above.
RECOMMENDATION: Add the definitions of Covered Mall Building ___________________
and Street Floor to Chapter 3 of this Code.
SUBSTANTIATION: The definitions for these terms are unique to (Log #965)
this occupancy classification and should be defined as terms in Committee: SAF-MER
Chapter 3. There is no intent to change the recognized definitions 5000- 1049 - (26-1.4.2.1(b)): Accept in Principle
these terms. SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle. Marshal
See Committee Proposal 5000-90 (Log #CP805). RECOMMENDATION: Revise the wording of this subparagraph as
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The Committee Proposal 5000-90 (Log follows:
#CP805) will add these definitions and should satisfy the intent of the “...not more than 30,000 sq ft (2800 sq m) aggregate gross area on
submitter. no more than three floors, or using floors...”.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19 Delete the Exception.
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION: SUBSTANTIATION: It is bad practice to establish Code
AFFIRMATIVE: 19 requirements through Exceptions. In keeping with the new Manual
of Style, this proposal seeks to state the regulation of the maximum
number of floors within the text of the subparagraph, and to
___________________ eliminate the exception.

540
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See Committee Proposal 5000-1048 (Log #CP801).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The Committee Proposal 5000-1048
(Log #CP801) will address this item and also the related other
subparts and should satisfy the intent of the submitter.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #CP804)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1050 - (26-1.5): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Mercantile and Business
Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 26.1.5 as follows:
26.1.5. Classification of Hazard of Contents. The contents of
mercantile occupancies shall be classified in accordance with Section
6.2.
SUBSTANTIATION: This committee proposal is generated to show
the format for 26.1.5. This represents to cummulative action that was
taken on proposals 5000-1051 (Log #388) and 5000-1052 (Log #419).
The revision to 26.1.5 reflects the current activity associated with
Section 6.2 on classification of hazard and Chapter 33, Hazardous
Occupancy.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #388)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1051 - (26-1.5.2): Accept in Principle
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to SAF-MER requesting that it revisit this proposal so as to
coordinate the provisions in question.
SUBMITTER: David C. Tabar, The Sherwin-Williams Co.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows by deleting last
sentence of first paragraph and provisions (1), (2), and (3). [See also
proposed revision to 26.2.6 Travel Distance to Exits which is where
mercantile travel distance requirements are located]. New text is
proposed separately for section 26.2.6
26.1.5.2 Mercantile occupancies shall be classified as high hazard if
high hazard commodities are displayed or handled without protective
wrappings or containers. in which case the following additional
provisions shall apply: (See 6.6.2.4*)
(1) Exits shall be located so that not more than 75 ft (23 m) of travel
from any point is needed to reach the nearest exit.
(2) from every point, there shall be not less than two exits accessible
by travel in different directions (no common path of travel).
(3) All vertical openings shall be enclosed.
SUBSTANTIATION: 26.2.6 Travel Distance to Exits if the
appropriate section where travel distances should be addressed.
Since NFPA 5000 and NFPA 101 do not offer a “moderate Hazard”
classification, it is important to sharpen the distinction between
“Ordinary Hazard” and “High Hazard.” Regarding flammable liquids,
clearly, “open use’ represents a high hazard, whereas suitable, small,
closed containers represent an ordinary hazard (i.e., moderate fire
risk). Alternatively, bulk storage of flammable solvents represents -
potentially (though highly unlikely) a “high hazard”. Finally, the risk
of ignition of flammable vapors or gases quantities involved, and
adequacy of automatic fire detection or suppressions systems are
other factors requiring evaluation.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
541
Revise 26.1.5. as follows:
Revise 26.1.5.1 as shown in Committee Proposal 5000-1050 (Log
#CP804).
Delete 26.1.5.2 and revise subparts (1), (2), and (3) as follows:
(1) see Committee Proposal 5000-1057 (Log #CP802) on 26.2.6.1.
(2) see Committee Proposal 5000-1059 (Log #CP803) on 26.2.5.3.
(3) relocate to 26.3.2.2 to read:
26.3.2.2 In high hazard areas all vertical openings shall be enclosed.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The Technical Committee recognizes
that there is an ongoing activity associated with Chapter 33,
Hazardous Occupancy. Additional reviews will be necessary to
coordinate the requirements of 26.1.5.2 with this activity during the
comment phase. The three subparts were retained for coordination
with the activity associated with hazardous occupancies and will need
review during the comment phase. The technical committee has
generated committee proposals for 26.5.3 and 26.2.6 for chapter
formatting.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
ABSTENTION: 1
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
TOMES: The phrase in this section that states “without protective
wrappings or containers” will be confusing to the code enforcers.
These criteria have not been defined, creating confusion in the
application of these requirements.
The section needs to clearly state that an area is only high hazard
where amounts exceed the acceptable amounts of commodities listed
in Chapter 33. This section should be rewritten, removing the
nebulous language and referencing the definition of “high hazard” in
Chapter 33.
EXPLANATION OF ABSTENTION:
THORNBERRY: See my Explanation of Abstention on Proposal
5000-1063 (Log #58).
___________________
(Log #419)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1052 - (26-1.5.2 Exception (New) ): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: William E. Koffel, Koffel Assoc., Inc./Rep. Chemical
Specialties Manufacturers Association
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new Exception to read as follows:
26.1.5.2 Mercantile occupancies shall be classified ad high hazard if
high hazard commodities are displayed or handled without protective
wrappings or containers, in which case the following additional
provisions shall apply:
(1) Exits shall be located so that not more than 75 feet (23 m) of
travel from any point is needed to reach the nearest exit.
(2) From every point, there shall not be less than two exits accessible
by travel in different directions (no common path of travel).
(3) All vertical openings shall be enclosed.
Exception No. 1: Storage and display of aerosol products when in
compliance with the requirements of NFPA 30, Code for the
Manufacture and Storage of Aerosol Products.
SUBSTANTIATION: NFPA 30B, Code for Manufacture and Storage
of Aerosol Products, establishes controls for the storage, display and
manufacturing of aerosol products. These controls include storage
arrangements, protection criteria, construction requirements, etc.
The controls are validated by extensive full scale fire testing. Aerosol
products, when in accordance with NFPA 30B, are not likely to burn
with extreme rapidity nor are explosions likely, therefore they should
not be treated as high hazard contents.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See Committee Action on Proposal 5000-1051 (Log #388).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The Committee Action taken on
Proposal 5000-1051 (Log #388) should satisfy the intent of the
proposal. The action taken on Proposal 5000-1051 (Log #388) will
provide a direct reference to Section 6.2 which inturn will provide the
means for a person to identified what the hazard classification of a
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
particular commodity will be. It is recognized that Chapter 33,
Hazardous Occupancies, will provide the necessary clarification as to
which NFPA document should be applicable depending on the type
of commodity and quantity. Additional review will be done during
the comment phase to coordinate any necessary activity.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #389)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1053 - (26-1.5.2(1), (2), (3)): Accept in Principle
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to SAF-MER requesting that it revisit this proposal so as to
coordinate the high hazard provisions in question with those in
Chapter 33.
SUBMITTER: David C. Tabar, The Sherwin-Williams Co.
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text (relocate, with modifications)
from Draft 26.1.5.2 (1), (2) and (3) to incorporate exit travel distance
requirements for “high hazard” commodity mercantile occupancies as
follows:
26.2.6.1
(1) Areas where high hazard commodities are used shall have exits
located within 75-ft (23 m) of any point in the area where persons
might be present.
(2) From every point, there shall be not less than two exits accessible
by travel in different directories (no common path of travel).
(3) All vertical openings shall be enclosed.
SUBSTANTIATION: All mercantile “travel distance to exit”
requirements should be located within the same section.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See Committee Action on Proposal 5000-1051 (Log #388).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The Committee Action taken on
Proposal 5000-1051 (Log #388) should satisfy the intent of the
proposal.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
ABSTENTION: 1
EXPLANATION OF ABSTENTION:
THORNBERRY: See my Explanation of Abstention on Proposal
5000-1063 (Log #58).
___________________
(Log #974)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1054 - (26-1.6): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Section 26.1.6 - Minimum
Construction Requirements - from this Chapter.
SUBSTANTIATION: Minimum construction requirements are
addressed by the Height and Area Requirements of Table 7.3 of this
Code. Additional limitations for building construction stated in this
Chapter are not needed and may lead to a conflict in such
requirements, and confusion for the user of the document as to
where to find minimum building construction requirements and what
requirements to apply where there is a conflict.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See Committee Action on Proposal 5000-1055 (Log #913l).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The Committee Action on Proposal
5000-1055 (Log #913l) should satisfy the intent of the proposal.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
542
(Log #913l)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1055 - (26-1.6): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Sam Francis, American Forest & Paper Assn.
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Section 26.1.6 entirely, and substitute
the new text as follows:
26.1.6 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction shall be
in accordance with Chapter 7.
SUBSTANTIATION: The table derived from the Epcot Building
Code was incomplete and failed to include most of the occupancy
groups now included in this code. The data presented to the
Structures and Construction TC indicate that the area of a building is
not one of the significant factors in determining the safety of the
building. Number, location and size of exits, travel distance and fire
resistance of the structure do not change due to area. Therefore, the
allowable areas in this code should not be less than those permitted
under many of the building codes now in existence. The proposed
table simply recognizes those facts and proposes areas which are
currently permitted in the United States.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise 26.1.6 to read as follows:
26.1.6 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction types
and height and area requirements shall be in accordance with
Chapter 7.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The Technical Committee recognizes
that there are ongoing activities associated with formatting of the
occupancy chapters. The Technical Committee is proposing this text
for the referencing of Chapter 7 for construction and heights/area
tables.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #734)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1056 - (26-1.8 (New) ): Reject
SUBMITTER: Rick Thornberry, The Code Consortium Inc./Rep.
American Pyrotechnics Association
RECOMMENDATION: Add new Section to read as follows:
Section 26.1.8.1 Fireworks. Mercantile occupancies in which
fireworks, 1.4G are sold shall also comply with the applicable
requirements in NFPA 1124, Code for the Manufacture,
Transportation, Storage and Retail Sales of Fireworks and Pyrotechnic
Articles (2002) edition).
SUBSTANTIATION: This proposal is being submitted to specify the
special requirements for regulating the retail sales of fireworks, 1.4G
based on the requirements to be provided in the 2002 edition of
NFPA 1124. NFPA 1124 presently is in a code revision cycle which
culminate at the May Annual Meeting in 2002. Thus, it would be
available for reference by the NFPA 5000, 2002 edition. The NFPA
1124 Code will contain a new Chapter 7 on the Retail Sales of
Consumer Fireworks which is a comprehensive package of
requirements that have been developed or are still in the process of
being developed by the Pyrotechnics Technical Committee in
conjunction with the NFPA Technical Committee on Fire Prevention
Code as well as the American Pyrotechnics Association Code
Committee. These requirements will represent the state of the art
and a consensus of all involved parties for the appropriate and
reasonable fire and life safety regulations for the retail sales of
consumer fireworks, 1.4G.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The Technical Committee is aware of
the recent activities associated with the provisions that are being
developed for NFPA 1 and NFPA 1124 addressing the retail sales of
fireworks. It is the understanding of the technical committee that text
is being proposed for inclusion in NFPA 1124 and has not been fully
processed yet. At this time it would not be appropriate to reference
this document for this particular application. Also there is a proposed
there is a proposed chapter in this document, Chapter 33, Hazardous
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
Occupancies, which may contain requirements associated with this
commodity. It is recognized that additional review will be required
during the comment phase to coordinate any necessary actions.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
ABSTENTION: 1
EXPLANATION OF ABSTENTION:
THORNBERRY: See my Explanation of Abstention on Proposal
5000-1063 (Log #58).
___________________
(Log #CP802)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1057 - (26-2.5.3): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Mercantile and Business
Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 26.2.5.3 as follows:
26.2.5.3 Common path of travel shall be limited as follows:
a. Shall not exceed 75 ft (23 m) in mercantile occupancies classified
as low or ordinary hazard.
b. Shall not exceed 100 ft (30 m) in mercantile occupancies
classified as low or ordinary hazard where the building is protected
throughout by an approved supervised automatic sprinkler system.
c. Shall not be permitted in mercantile occupancies classified as high
hazard.
SUBSTANTIATION: The committee proposal was generated to
address the use of exception for compliance with the NFPA Manual of
Style. The technical committee also wishes to establish a particular
layout for this section. It is also recognizes that there will be a need to
review these provisions as they relate to the provisions of high hazard
as applied within Chapter 33, Hazardous Occupancies.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #807)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1058 - (26-2.6): Accept
SUBMITTER: Gene Boecker, CCI (Code Consultants, Inc.)
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows:
26.2.6 Travel Distance to Exits. Travel distance to exits, measured in
accordance with Section 12.6, shall not exceed 100 ft (30 m) 150 ft
(45 m).
Exception: Travel distance shall not exceed 200 ft (60 m) 250 ft (75
m) in buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3.
SUBSTANTIATION: When the 150 feet limitation was first
introduced into the Life Safety Code, it also allowed for a travel of up
to 50 feet within the room of origin. Over the years this provision has
disappeared. Hence, what once was acceptable to be 50 feet plus 150
feet (200 feet) has now been reduced to only 150 feet.
All other major model building codes, as well as the EPCOT
Building Code, allow 200 feet for the minimum travel distance in all
but the most hazardous occupancies. The 150 foot dimension should
be re-evaluated to determine whether there is empirical data to
support its continued use. If not, then the base number should be
changed to 200 feet for travel distance. The 250 feet for sprinkler
protection can be continued, without increase, since it reflects similar
requirements in other codes.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
543
(Log #CP803)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1059 - (26-2.6): Accept
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to SAF-MER requesting that the TC give consideration to
Messrs. Bush's, Thornberry's and Tomes' comment on affirmative so
as to make any needed changes. In addition, SAF-MER is directed to
coordinate the travel distance values in this proposal with those shown
in Proposal 5000-1058 (Log #807) and to determine if the inquiry on
low hazard (as raised in the substantiation) still needs to be
addressed.
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Mercantile and Business
Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Revise 26.2.6 as follows:
26.2.6 Travel Distance to Exits. Travel distance shall be as specified
in 26.2.6.1 through 26.2.6.3 and shall be measured in accordance with
Section 12.6.
26.2.6.1 Mercantile occupancies classified as ordinary hazard shall
not exceed 100 ft (30 m).
26.2.6.2 Mercantile occupancies classified as ordinary hazard in
buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic
sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3 shall not exceed 200
ft (60 m).
26.2.6.3 Mercantile occupancies classified as high hazard shall not
exceed 75 ft (23 m).
SUBSTANTIATION: This committee proposal is for formatting of
this section to eliminate the exception for compliance with the NFPA
Manual of Style. It is recognized that if proposal 5000 (log# 807) is
accepted that the values noted in this committee proposal will be
changed.
NOTE: SHOULD THERE BE A REFERENCE TO LOW HAZARD.
IT IS IN 26.2.5.3 5000-1057 (LOG #CP802).
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 17
NEGATIVE: 2
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
TABAR: 26-2.6.3 involves a prescriptive “75 ft” travel distance for all
cases where mercantile occupancies have been classified as “high
hazard”. For some consumer commodities, “high hazard”
classification may be rightly or wrongly determined with the existing
hazard classifications. Therefore, known protection criteria
developed from recent large-scale fire research initiatives may not be
factored in to the prescriptive “75 ft” travel distance requirement for
certain occupancies. The current classification scheme for
“Classification of Hazard of Contents” is outdated and inadequate due
to the potential for misapplication.
The definitions of “High Hazard” require further review, as does the
“75 ft” criteria, established many years ago for true high hazard
occupancy exposures (likely extremely rapid burning; or, “where
explosions are likely”).
TOMES: It was the intent of the committee to require 250 feet of
exit travel in a sprinklered mercantile building. This section needs to
be modified to reflect 250 feet of exit travel. This section also needs to
clearly state that “high hazard” refers to the definition in Chapter 33.
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
BUSH: In order to be editorially consistent throughout this
Chapter, the wording of this paragraph should be changed as follows:
26.6 Travel Distance to Exits. Travel distance shall be measured in
accordance with Section 12.6 and shall be limited as follows:
a. Shall not exceed 100 ft. (30m) in mercantile occupancies
classified as ordinary hazard.
b. Shall not exceed 200 ft (60m) in mercantile occupancies
classified as ordinary hazard in buildings protected throughout by an
approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with
Section 11.3.
c. Shall not exceed 75 ft (23m) in mercantile occupancies classified
as high hazard.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
This wording should be consistent with the requirements for
common path of travel in Section 26.2.5.3.
THORNBERRY: I have the following editorial corrections which I
recommend be made to this ballot item. Delete the NOTE at the end
of the substantiation. Also, add the words “low or” before “ordinary
hazard” in Sections 26.2.6.1 and 26.2.6.2 to be consistent with 5000-
1057 (Log #CP802) Section 26-2.5.3. This would also resolve the
question in the note proposed for deletetion.
___________________
(Log #390)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1060 - (26-2.6 Exception (New) ): Reject
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to SAF-MER requesting that it revisit this proposal so as to
coordinate the provisions in question.
SUBMITTER: David C. Tabar, The Sherwin-Williams Co.
RECOMMENDATION: Add new Exceptions to proposed 26.2.6.1
Exception No. 1: Areas determined to be high hazard that are
protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with section 11.7 shall have travel distances to
exits not exceeding 100 ft (30 m).
SUBSTANTIATION: Provisions that are similar for protected storage
occupancies are found in 29.2.6.3 Exception 1 of the Draft NFPA
5000, and in the related NFPA 101-2000.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The Technical Committee recognizes
that there is an ongoing activity associated with Chapter 33,
Hazardous Occupancy, which may address this item. The technical
committee understands that the document is addressing other
activities than just the protection from fire and this proposal does not
reflect these other activities that could occur such as spills. The
technical committee will review the provisions of Chapter 33,
Hazardous Occupancies, as it may apply to this proposal during the
comment phase.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 17
NEGATIVE: 1
ABSTENTION: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
TABAR: Further review and study is warranted which incorporates
sprinkler protection features developed from major large-scale fire
research initiatives conducted over recent years. These efforts have
resulted in effective fire control or suppression for stored/displayed
commodities, so that an occupant no longer is required to “hold their
breath” while exiting (the basis for the original “75 ft” exit travel
distance).
EXPLANATION OF ABSTENTION:
THORNBERRY: See my Explanation of Abstention on Proposal
5000-1063 (Log #58).
___________________
(Log #62)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1061 - (26-3.2.2): Reject
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to SAF-MER requesting that it revisit this proposal so as to
coordinate the high hazard provisions in question with those in
Chapter 33.
SUBMITTER: Patrick A. McLaughlin, McLaughlin & Assoc./Rep.
Arcg Chemicals and PPG Industries
RECOMMENDATION: Amend section 26.3.2.2 to read:
26.3.2.2 * High hazard contents areas, as classified in Chapter 6,
shall meet the following criteria:
544
(1) The area shall be separated from other parts of the building by
fire barriers having a fire resistance rating of not less than 1 hour,
with all openings therein protected by 3/4-hour fire protection-rated
self-closing fire doors.
(2) The area shall be protected by an automatic extinguishing
system in accordance with Section 11.3.
Exception No.1: Class 3 oxidizers when protected in accordance
with NFPA 430, Storage of Liquid and Solid Oxidizers.
SUBSTANTIATION: NFPA 430, Storage of Liquid and Solid
Oxidizers specifies conditions for retail sales of oxidizers including
storage arrangements, protection criteria, and allowable quantities.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The Technical Committee recognizes
that there is an ongoing activity associated with Chapter 33,
Hazardous Occupancy, which may address this item. The technical
committee will review the provisions of Chapter 33, Hazardous
Occupancies, as it may apply to this proposal during the comment
phase.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
TOMES: While I agree that Chapter 33 should address specific
exceptions, this section needs to reference Chapter 33 for its
definition of “high hazard.” “High hazard content areas” is not clear
enough to ensure that authorities having jurisdiction apply this
section appropriately. The section needs to clearly state that an area is
only high hazard where amounts exceed the acceptable amounts of
commodities listed in Chapter 33. Since Chapter 6 does not deal with
amounts, this section needs to be reworded to reference the
definition of “high hazard” in Chapter 33.
___________________
(Log #222)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1062 - (26-3.2.3): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Add new Section 26.3.2.3 as follows:
26.3.2.3 Cooking Facilities. Cooking facilities shall be protected in
accordance with Section 11.8.
SUBSTANTIATION: NFPA 5000 currently has no requirements for
the protection of cooking facilities.
See also ancillary proposal to add new Section 11.8 related to
cooking hazards.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise 26.3.2.3 and add a new A.26.3.2.3 to read as follows:
26.3.2.3* Commercial Cooking Facilities. Commercial cooking
facilities shall be protected in accordance with Section 11.8.
A.26.3.2.3 this provision is not intended to apply to the temporary
small scale demonstrational activities found in the same mercantile
occupancies
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The revision to 26.3.2.3 and the annex
notes are added to provide clarification as to when the provisions of
Section 11.8 are applicable. It is not the intention that the small
promotional displays would require the protection of a hood system as
described in Section 11.8. It is recognized that these are relatively
small operations and are considered temporary in nature.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(Log #58)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1063 - (26-3.3): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Marcelo M. Hirschler, GBH International/Rep. Fire
Retardant Chemicals Association
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
26.3.3 Interior Finish.
26.3.3.1 Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter 10.
Interior wall and ceiling finish tested in accordance with NFPA 286,
Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Evaluating Contribution of Wall
and Ceiling Interior Finish to Room Fire Growth, and meeting the
conditions of 10.3.5.3 shall be deemed to comply with a Class A
classification in accordance with NFPA 255, Standard Method of Test
of Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials.
26.3.3.2 Interior wall and ceiling finish. Interior wall and ceiling
finish materials complying with Section 10.3 in accordance with
Chapter 10 shall be Class A or Class B.
SUBSTANTIATION: This proposal addresses two separate issues:
(a) The sentence added to 26.3.3.1 addresses the issue that unless
this is stated specifically, there is no way of permitting interior finish
tested by the room corner test (NFPA 286) to be installed. There is
abundant evidence that materials that comply with a room-corner test
requirements are equivalent in fire performance to materials tested
using the Steiner tunnel test. As an example, Table 1 shows a set of 10
materials tested in the room-corner test and the Steiner tunnel test
(Reference: M.M. Hirschler & M.L. Janssens, Fire and Materials Conf.,
San Antonio, TX, Feb. 22-23, 1999, Interscience Communications,
London, UK, pp. 179-198): only one of the 10 materials failed the
room-corner test; all other materials met Class A flame spread index
(FSI not to exceed 25); even the material which flashed over the room
had a flame spread index low enough to meet Class B in the Steiner
tunnel test (FSI not to exceed 75). Also, only one of the 10 materials
in the set failed to meet the Steiner tunnel test smoke development
index limit of 450, and it also failed the criterion in 10.3.5.3. The two
enclosed Figures show comparisons of Steiner tunnel FSI versus room
corner peak rate of heat release and Steiner tunnel SDI versus room
corner total smoke released, indicating how materials meeting room-
corner test criteria also meet Steiner tunnel criteria.
Figure Steiner Tunnel FSI
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
Figure Steiner Tunnel SDI
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
Table 1 Test Results for Materials Tested in Room-Corner and
Steiner Tunnel Tests
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
It must be clarified that this proposal does not require a material to
undergo room-corner testing, but gives the option of material
approvals via room-corner testing, as intended by the Life Safety
Code. This option appears to be missing in the draft of the NFPA
5000 Building Code.
(b) The other changes attempt to have consistency of references
between the occupancy chapters.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise 26.3.3 as follows:
26.3.3 Interior Finish
26.3.3.1 Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter 10.
26.3.3.2 Interior wall and ceiling finish materials shall be Class A or
Class B.
26.3.3.3 No requirements for interior floor finish materials.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: This revision has incorporated the
activities associated with the changes proposed for Chapter 10 on
interior finishes. It is recognized that this proposal was submitted to
multiple occupancy chapters and to Chapter 10. This revision
incorporates the activity which the Technical Committee on
Furnishings and Contents took Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44). The
proposed revision coordinates this section so that it references a
545
single section on interior finish requirements without the need to
duplicate the provisions in Chapter 26 as proposed.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
ABSTENTION: 1
EXPLANATION OF ABSTENTION:
THORNBERRY: I am abstaining in accordance with Section 3-3(e)
of the “Guide for the Conduct of Participants in the NFPA Codes and
Standards Development Process” due to a specific client interest in
the item.
___________________
(Log #36)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1064 - (26-3.3.3): Reject
SUBMITTER: James K. Lathrop, Koffel Assoc., Inc./Rep. Carpet &
Rug Institute
RECOMMENDATION: Revised 26.3.3.3 to read as follows:
26.3.3.3 Interior Floor Finish. (No requirements.) Interior floor
finish in exit enclosures and in exit access corridors and in spaces not
separated from them by walls complying with 26.3.6 shall be not less
than Class II in accordance with Section 10.7. In all other spaces
interior floor finish shall comply with 10.7.1.
SUBSTANTIATION: When the provisions for interior floor finish
first went into the Life Safety Code (the basis for all interior finish
requirements in NFPA 5000), no provisions were included for floor
finishes in many occupancies. However, the floor finish is the same
regardless of the occupancy and the hazard remains. When a fire in a
room discharges flame and hot gases into a corridor resulting in
radiant heat transfer to the floor, the interior floor finish can spread
fire down the corridor. The proposed provisions for exit enclosures
are consistent with the philosophy of the Life Safety Code, that the
exit enclosure be “sterile” from a fire viewpoint.
The following quote from the Annex of NFPA 101 A.10.2.7.1
provides the justification for this requirement:
“The flooring radiant panel provides a measure of a floor covering’s
tendency to spread flames where located in a corridor and exposed to
the flame and hot gases from a room fire. The flooring radiant panel
test method is to be used as a basis for estimating the fire
performance of a floor covering installed in the building corridor.
Floor coverings in open building spaces and in rooms within
buildings merit no further regulation, provided that it can be shown
that the floor covering is at least as resistant to spread of flame as a
material that meets the U.S. federal flammability standard 16 CFR
1630, Standard for the Surface Flammability of Carpets and Rugs (FF
1-70). All carpeting sold in the U.S. since 1971 is required to meet
this standard and, therefore, is not likely to become involved in a fire
until a room reaches or approaches flashover. Therefore, no further
regulations are necessary for carpet other than carpet in exitways and
corridors.”
Most traditional floor coverings in mercantile occupancies, such as
concrete, wood and vinyl tile will not be adversely affected by this
proposal. However, where carpeting or an unusual floor finish is
used, this provision will prevent inappropriate material from being
used in corridors and exits.
The intent of this proposal is to provide the level of safety that has
been stated in the annex of the Life Safety Code for years.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The proponent has not demonstrated
the need to establish this requirement within this type of occupancy.
There are no current requirements for interior floor finishes. If the
proponent wishes to address the requirement associated with exit
enclosures then it is suggested that a comment on 12.1.4, Interior
Finish in Exits, should be submitted.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(Log #1000)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1065 - (26-3.5): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new 26.3.5.4 as follows:
“Approved Fire Department Standpipes in accordance with 11.4
shall be provided in all buildings having an occupiable floor level
more than 30 ft from the lowest level of fire department vehicle
access, or having an occupiable floor level more than 30 ft below the
highest level of fire department access.”
SUBSTANTIATION: The intent of this proposal is to address the
need for fire service operations in buildings of certain heights which
may require excessive hose lays for suppression activities in buildings
of large areas or limited vehicle access. It is an attempt to address
firefighter safety issues and efficient suppression efforts with
consideration to current fire service manpower arrangements, and
standard firefighting procedures, and limitations of space in areas
used for building access and suppression efforts by responding
emergency personnel while other emergency operations are
occurring, such as egress of occupants in stairwells and corridors. The
30 ft distance has been proposed in order to coordinate with
recognized practices and limitations established by other existing
codes.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Add a new 26.3.5.4 and renumber the remaining text as follows:
26.3.5.4 Approved Fire Department Standpipes in accordance with
11.4 shall be provided in all buildings having an occupiable floor level
more than 30 ft above from the lowest level of fire department vehicle
access, or having an occupiable floor level more than 30 ft below the
highest level of fire department vehicle access.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The revisions are provide for
clarification.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #122)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1066 - (26-3.5.1(2)): Reject
SUBMITTER: Charles Smeby, Jr., Florida State Fire College
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows:
“Buildings over 10,000 square feet shall be protected by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with
Chapter 11.”
SUBSTANTIATION: Since the NFPA 5000 draft is substantial
derived for the NFPA Life Safety Code and is focused towards
occupant safety during a fire, I would like to propose fire protection
criteria that would also cover firefighting safety and property
protection. Building codes typically contain many items that are
property protection features.
Each municipality has an interest in reducing and eliminating fire
losses. From both a "Public Policy" perceptive and to maintain
structures that provide taxes and places for employment for their
citizens, fire losses do have a major fiscal impact of local and state
governments.
This would also have the added benefit for reducing insurance
premiums that are the direct result of fire loss. Many of the
requirements int he typical building code were derived to limit fire
losses, and this tradition should be continued in this innovative new
code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
546
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The current requirement is for
automatic fire sprinkler protection to be required when a facility
exceeds 12,000 sq ft in gross area. The proponent has not
demonstrated in the substantiation the need to reduce the threshold
to this size.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #996)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1067 - (26-3.5.4): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new 26.3.5.4 as follows:
“Approved Fire Department Standpipes in accordance with 11.4
shall be provided in all buildings having an occupiable floor level
more than 200 ft from the closest point of fire department vehicle
access.
Exception: Buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic extinguishing system.”
SUBSTANTIATION: The intent of this proposal is to address the
need for fire service operations in buildings which may require
excessive hose lays for suppression activities in buildings of large areas
or limited vehicle access. It is an attempt to address firefighter safety
issues and efficient suppression efforts with consideration to current
fire service manpower arrangements, and standard firefighting
procedures.
The 200 ft distance has been proposed in order to coordinate with
recognized practices of standard lengths of pre-connected fire service
hose lines and limitations established by other existing codes. It is
also recognized that fires in buildings protected throughout by an
extinguishing system will be controlled by that extinguishing system,
and that hose lines would not be required for first line fire
containment and control. The additional time to extend hose lines in
buildings so protected would not adversely impact the overall
protection features of that building.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Add a new 26.3.5.5 and renumber the remaining text as follows:
26.3.5.5 Approved Fire Department Standpipes in accordance with
11.4 shall be provided in all buildings having any portion of an
occupiable floor level more than 200 ft of travel from the closest point
of fire department vehicle access.
Exception: Buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler extinguishing system.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The revisions are for clarification
purposes.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
NEGATIVE: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
THORNBERRY: See my Explanation of Negative Vote on Proposal
5000-1098 (Log #995).
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
HOLMES: I agree with the committee action to accept in principle
Log 996. The submitter proposed to add a new 25.3.5.4 covering fire
department standpipes. The committee action was to add a new
26.3.5.5 to cover this subject. Committee Proposals 5000-1041 (Log
#CP809) and 5000-1074 (Log #CP812) do not contain any text
related to fire department standpipes.
See additional comments on Proposal 5000-1041 (Log #CP809) and
Proposal 5000-1074 (Log #CP812).
___________________
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

(Log #1149) Many of these standpipe thresholds proposed in this submittal were
Committee: SAF-MER established by the Board for the Coordination of the Model Codes
5000- 1068 - (26-3.5.4 (New) ): Reject (BCMC) in the late 1980’s are found in part of many of the existing
SUBMITTER: Kevin Kelly, National Fire Sprinkler Association building and fire codes today. These requirements and thresholds are
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text to read as follows: basic fire protection for the building occupants, property protection
“Fire Sprinkler Systems shall be installed throughout buildings with a and firefighter safety. Standpipe systems should be mandatory in
floor level located 55 ft or more above the lowest level of Fire NFPA-5000.
Department Vehicle Access. Balanced Fire Protection requires that provisions be made for
Exception No. 1: Buildings where all floors located 55 ft or more manual fire control. This is also an important issue relating to
above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access have an firefighter safety. Please see the table developed to show the weights
occupant load less than 30 shall not require sprinklers due to this of 1 3/4-inch and 2 1/2-inch fire hose in 50 foot lengths when filled
section. with water. When used inside a building, these are intended to be
Exception No. 2: Airport control towers shall not require sprinklers mobile attack lines. Once can quickly see that 200 feet of fire hose or
due to this section. less, when charged with water, is the threshold at which we can expect
Exception No. 3: Open parking structures shall not require a fire crew to adequately handle while attacking and fighting a fire.
sprinklers due to this section. This is while wearing heavy protective gear and breathing apparatus.
SUBSTANTIATION: Fire sprinklers, without the rest of the high-rise Also submitted are the 1991-1995 NFIRS, NFPA Survey showing
provisions, are necessary in buildings beyond the reach of fire methods of extinguishment. Note that there is insufficient detail with
department ground ladders. This is similar to a provision in the regard to hose line use to determine if Class I (fire department use),
International Building Code. Class I (occupant use) or, Class III (either fire department or
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject. occupant use) standpipes were used and, in the case of Class III,
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The current requirements associated whether the standpipe was used by the occupants or the fire
with the thresholds for fire sprinkler protection as established in department. It is assumed that the predominant use of the hose lines
26.3.5 will provide coverage for a significant number of these facilities. is by trained firefighters, whether professional, volunteer or fire
Currently the requirement is to require fire sprinklers in those brigade. The important thing to notice is that preconnected and
buildings three or more stories in height. The proposed limitation hand-laid hose lines form hydrant, draft or standpipe were the means
may be less restrictive then the current provision because it is possible of extinguishment for 19.6 percent of all fire in residential structures
to have a building that is three stories in height but less then 55 feet and 25.7 percent of all fires in non-residential structures. This record
in height. The provisions of Exceptions No. 2 and No. 3 of the mandates that NFPA 5000 have strong standpipe requirements for all
proposal are not under the purview of this Technical Committee and classes of systems.
were not acted on. We have retained those few provisions which are currently in NFPA
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19 5000 and added to them to provide a comprehensive standpipe
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION: package to the new building code. NFPA 5000 Section 4.5.1 indicates
AFFIRMATIVE: 19 that fire protection and life safety should not be depend solely and a
single safeguard. Standpipes from part of a total fire protection
package.
___________________ Standpipes are vital for fire protection. The model codes and
national standard require that all portions of a building be within 200
(Log #206) feet of a standpipe hose connection.
Committee: SAF-MER They are an integral part of a balanced fire protection package
5000- 1069 - (26-3.6): Accept in Principle provided for a building. Large expanse buildings would be
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire particularly vulnerable if the fire service did not have standpipes
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc. available to use.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text as follows: Automatic fire sprinklers are one excellent method of fire control,
26.3.6 Standpipes. but they can fail or become overwhelmed by a fire. In that event,
26.3.6.1 General. Standpipe and hose systems shall be installed and these has to be a backup to allow the fire service an immediate fire
maintained in accordance with Section 11.4 of this code. suppression capability.
26.3.6.2 Where required. Class I or III standpipe systems shall be Without standpipes, firefighters would be put in harm’s way. As you
installed throughout all buildings in which occupied floors are can see from the following table, firefighters safety would be greatly
located more than 30 feet (9,144 mm) above or below the lowest level jeopardized if they had to maneuver the weight of excessive hose
of fire department vehicle access. lengths -- especially while wearing heavy breathing apparatus and
26.3.6.3 Large expanse buildings. Class I or III standpipe systems turnout gear.
shall be provided in buildings in which the highest occupied floor is
30 feet (9,144 mm) or less above the lowest level of fire department One 50 Foot Hose Length 1-3/4 Inch 2-1/2 Inch
vehicle access and any portion of the building is more than 200 feet -Weights 13.5 Pounds 34 Pounds
(61 m) of travel from the nearest point of fire department access into - Holds: 7.5 Gallons 12.5 Gallons
the building. - Water Weight: 60 Pounds 104 Pounds
Total Weight 73.5 Pounds 136 Pounds
26.3.6.4 Covered mall buildings. Covered mall buildings shall be
provided throughout with a Class I automatic wet standpipe system. Two Lengths (100 feet) 147 Pounds 272 Pounds
26.3.6.5 Roof outlets. Where standpipe systems are installed in Three Lengths (150 Feet) 220.5 Pounds 408 Pounds
buildings more than six stories or 75 feet (22,860 mm) in height, at Four*** Lengths (200 feet) 294 Points 544 Pounds
least one riser shall extend through the roof and terminate in a two- Five Lengths (250 Feet) 367.5 Pounds 680 Pounds
way, 2 1/2-inch hose connection. The main control valve on roof Six Lengths (300 Feet) 441 Pounds 816 Pounds
hose connections or manifolded hose connections shall be located in Seven Lengths (350 Feet) 514.5 Pounds 952 Pounds
Eight Lengths (400 Feet) 588 Pounds 1,088 Pounds
an area that is not subject to freezing, is as close to the roof access as
practical and is plainly identified.
*** Four hose lengths (200 Feet) is the maximum recommended.
Renumber remaining sections.
SUBSTANTIATION: The current draft of NFPA 5000 contains
minimal or, in some chapters, no requirements for standpipe systems.
Note: Supporting Material available for Review at NFPA
Headquarters.

547
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See Proposal 5000-1067 (Log #996), 5000-1065 (Log #1000), and
5000-1074 (Log #CP812).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The Technical Committee has
addressed these provisions in Proposal 5000-1067 (Log #996) and
5000-1065 (Log #1000). The proposed provisions of 26.3.6.1 and
26.3.6.2 are addressed in proposed 26.3.5.4 as noted in Proposal 5000-
1067 (Log #996). The proposed provision of 26.3.6.3 is addressed in
proposed 26.3.5.5 as noted in Proposal 5000-1065 (Log #1000). The
proposed provision for 26.3.6.4 is addressed in committee Proposal
5000-1074 (Log #CP812). The proposed provision for 26.3.6.5 was
not accepted as this provision would be more appropriately addressed
within NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipe, Private
Hydrant, and Hose Systems.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:
HOLMES: The proposal was to include text on Class I and Class III
standpipes in Chapter 26. The committee action was to accept in
principal. However, the committee action on other logs did not
include text on standpipes. Specific text related to standpipes should
be included in Chapter 26.
See additional comments on Proposals 5000-1041 (Log #CP809) and
5000-1074 (Log #CP812).
___________________
(Log #881)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1070 - (26-3.9 (New) ): Reject
SUBMITTER: Rick Thornberry, The Code Consortium Inc./Rep.
AAMA Smoke Vent Task Group
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new section 26.3.9 to read:
“In one-story buildings housing mercantile occupancies more than
50,000 sq. ft in undivided area, smoke and heat vents shall be installed
in accordance with NFPA 204.”
SUBSTANTIATION: This proposal simply adds back in section 508.4
of the 1998 EPCOT Building Code into the NFPA 5000 draft. That
section requires one-story buildings housing mercantile occupancies
greater than 50,000 sq ft. in area to be provided with smoke and heat
vents based on NFPA 204. This requirement is also consistent with
several of the national model building and fire codes. This will also
provide for property protection and fire fighter safety. The use of
smoke and heat vents in such large buildings will minimize the need
for the fire fighters to get onto the roof to ventilate the building in
the event of a fire. These vents will also help to limit the amount of
fire and smoke damage by venting the hot gases and smoke to the
exterior of the building before they can spread to remote areas of the
building.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: It is recognized that this requirement
will have an impact on many different mercantile occupancies without
a significant justification or benefits being provided for this type of
installation. It is also recognized that there are ongoing discussions
and debates on the installation of these devices. The current
documentation from the National Fire Protection Research
Foundation (NFPRF) and Factory Mutual on their research testing
have not established a significant finding to support the benefits of
these devices. NFPRF documentation notes that there were
inconsistencies in the operation of these devices, and it also did not
conclusively provide findings to ascertain or articulate the pros and
cons of these devices.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
ABSTENTION: 1
EXPLANATION OF ABSTENTION:
THORNBERRY: See my Explanation of Abstention on Proposal
5000-1063 (Log #58).
___________________
548
(Log #963)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1071 - (26-4.2): Accept
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Correct the reference in this paragraph to
32.2.2.1.
SUBSTANTIATION: This is an editorial correction to the
appropriate reference for the requirements for automatic sprinkler
protection in high-rise buildings.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #43)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1072 - (26-4.4): Reject
SUBMITTER: Marcelo M. Hirschler, GBH International/Rep. Fire
Retardant Chemicals Association
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
26.4.4.1 The covered mall building shall be treated as a single
building for the purpose of calculation of means of egress and shall
be subject to the requirements for appropriate occupancies, except as
modified by the provisions of 26.4.4. The covered mall shall be of a
clear width not less than that needed to accommodate egress
requirements as set forth in other sections of this Code , except as
modified by the provisions of 26.4.4.
Exception: 26.4.4.1.1 The covered mall shall be permitted to be
considered a pedestrian way, in which case the travel distance within a
tenant space to an exit or to the covered mall shall not exceed 200 ft
(60 m) (see 26.2.6, exception) or shall not exceed the maximum for
the appropriate occupancy. An additional 200 ft (60 m) shall be
permitted for travel through the covered mall space if all the
following requirements are met.
(a) The covered mall shall be of a clear width not less than that
needed to accommodate egress requirements as set forth in other
sections of this chapter but shall be not less than 20 ft (6.1 m) wide in
its narrowest dimension.
(b) * On each side of the mall floor area, the covered mall shall be
provided with an unobstructed exit access of not less than 10 ft (3 m)
in clear width parallel to and adjacent to the mall tenant front. Such
exit access shall lead to an exit having a width of not less than 66 in.
(168 cm). (See 26.4.4.2.)
(c) The covered mall and all buildings connected thereto shall be
protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with Section 9.7. The system shall be installed in
such a manner that any portion of the system serving tenant spaces
can be taken out of service without affecting the operation of the
portion of the system serving the covered mall.
(d) Walls dividing tenant spaces from each other shall extend from
the floor to the underside of the roof deck, floor deck above, or
ceiling where the ceiling is constructed to limit the transfer of smoke.
Where the tenant areas are provided with an engineered smoke
control system, walls shall not be required to divide tenant spaces
from each other. No separation shall be required between a tenant
space and the covered mall.
(e) * The covered mall shall be provided with a smoke control
system.
26.4.4.1.2 Materials of construction of the structures, rides and
attractions present in children playground areas of covered mall
buildings shall comply with any one of the following requirements:
(a) Interior finish Class C, based on test results from NFPA 255,
Standard Method of Test of Surface Burning Characteristics of
Building Materials, or from NFPA 286, Standard Method of Fire Tests
for Evaluating Contribution of Wall and Ceiling Interior Finish to
Room Fire Growth, in accordance with Chapter 10.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(b) A heat release rate not exceeding 100 kW when tested in
accordance with UL 1975, Standard for Fire Tests for Foamed Plastics
Used for Decorative Purposes.
(c) Be classified 94V-0 when tested as described in UL 94, Standard
for Safety Tests for Flammability of Plastic Materials for Parts in
Devices and Appliances.
Also: add reference to UL 1975 and UL 94 to Chapter 2.
SUBSTANTIATION: Covered mall buildings are required to be
sprinklered. This will ensure that any large fire will remain confined
to the area of origin and will not rage out of control.
However, in recent years there has been an increasing number of
structures built specifically to entertain very small children while their
parents go shopping. The materials of construction of the attractions
in such children's playgrounds are often foamed plastic materials, and
they are usually not fire retarded. In fact, if such structures were
deemed to be interior finish, they would not be permitted to be
constructed of foamed plastic materials by the requirements of
Chapter 10 (see section 10.4.3). If they were deemed to be decorative
objects, individual fuel packages, or other furnishings and contents
made of foamed plastics, they would have to meet a peak rate of heat
release of 150 kW, by the requirements of UL 1975 (per NFPA 101,
Life Safety Code). As they are not considered interior finish or
individual fuel packages, they are exempt from all fire safety
requirements. This means that they are likely to be ignitable by the
action of a small flame. That is not safe.
The appendix of Chapter 36 to the Life Safety Code (from which
Chapter 26 of NFPA 5000 has been drawn) states as follows: "Fire
experience in covered mall shopping centers indicates that the most
likely place of fire origin is in the tenant space where the combustible
fire load is far greater than in the covered mall proper." Clearly, the
combustible fire load in children's playgrounds is large and requires
particular protection in view of the extreme sensitivity of the type of
population using the facilities, namely children. It is well known that
children playing with fire is one of the most frequent causes of fire
initiation. If a fire starts in a playground, the Code should ensure that
the children present are not rapidly overwhelmed by the fire before
the overall sprinkler system in the mall comes into action.
There is, as yet, insufficient fire experience to see the effects of the
growth of these children's playgrounds on fire losses, and hopefully
few serious fires have occurred as yet. This is a case where prevention
is the wise course of action, to ensure children's safety from fire.
The proposed elimination of the exception to 26.4.4.1 is in
compliance with the NFPA Manual of Style. Note also that the annex
sections indicated by the asterisks to (b) and (e) are missing
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: This proposal represents a
requirement for a specific element that may be found in a covered
mall building provisions. This proposal represents a new concept
which is not currently addressed within the document. As noted in
the supporting document there is very limited documentation of
problems to mandate this requirement for this particular element.
Multilevel play structures are also addressed in public assemblies and
they do not contain these particular provisions for these structures. It
was determined because of the nature and limited application of
these fixtures that they should be treated on a case by case basis. It
was also noted that the fire test methods referenced do not appear to
be appropriate for this particular application. The use of interior
finish testing for materials not used as an interior finish is not
appropriate. The test criteria associated with UL 94 may not
represent an accurate testing procedure for this particular
arrangement as this test uses a small sample and a small flame
exposure. Also the UL 94 test is scoped for plastic materials for parts
in devices and appliances.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
549
(Log #355)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1073 - (26-4.4): Accept
SUBMITTER: Fred K. Walker, US Air Force
RECOMMENDATION: Delete the words “of life safety”.
SUBSTANTIATION: The building code covers more than “life
safety” it address community issues such as property protection, asset
protection and business continuity.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The document will be reviewed for the
use of this term and the appropriate action will be taken.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #CP812)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1074 - (26-4.4 through 26.4.4.12): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Mercantile and Business
Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Replace current Section 26.4.4 through
26.4.4.3.4 with the following:
26.4.4 COVERED MALL BUILDINGS
26.4.4.1 Scope: The purpose of this section is to establish minimum
requirements for covered mall buildings, having not more than three
stories and anchor building.
26.4.4.2 Definitions:
ANCHOR BUILDING. An exterior perimeter building of low or
ordinary combustible contents having direct access to a covered mall
building, but having all required means of egress independent of the
mall.
COVERED MALL BUILDING*. A single building enclosing a
number of tenants and occupants wherein two or more tenants have a
main entrance into one or more malls. For the purpose of this
chapter, anchor buildings shall not be considered as a part of the
covered mall building.
Annex to covered mall building:
A covered mall building may enclose one or more uses, such as retails
stores, drinking establishments, entertainment and amusement
facilities, passenger transportation terminals, offices, and other similar
uses.
FOOD COURT. A public seating area located in the mall which
serves adjacent food preparation tenant spaces.
GROSS LEASABLE AREA. The total floor area designed for tenant
occupancy and exclusive use. The area of tenant occupancy is
measured from the center lines of joint partitions to the outside of the
tenant walls. All tenant areas, including areas used for storage, shall
be included in calculating gross leasable area.
MALL. A roofed or covered common pedestrian area within a
covered mall building which serves as access for two or more tenants
and not to exceed three levels that are open to each other.
26.4.4.3 Minimum Construction Requirements
26.4.4.3.1 Types of Construction. The area of any covered mall
building, and anchor buildings 3 stories or less in height, of Types I,
II, or IV construction or 2 stories or less in height of Type III
construction shall not be limited provided the covered mall building
and attached anchor buildings and parking structures are surrounded
on all sides by a permanent open space of not less than 60 feet.
26.4.4.3.2 Anchor Building Separations.
26.4.4.3.2.1 Each anchor building 3 stories or less in height of Type I,
II or IV construction or 2 stories or less in height of Type III
construction shall be separated from the covered mall building and
other anchor buildings by a fire barrier, having a fire resistance rating
determined in accordance with Table 6.3 for the uses being separated
but not less than two hours.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
26.4.4.3.2.2 Anchor buildings constructed more than 3 stories in
height or of Type V construction shall be separated from the covered
mall building and other anchor buildings by fire walls. 26.4.4.3.3
Anchor Building Openings. Openings in the fire barrier provided in
accordance with Section 26.4.4.3.2.1 between an anchor building and
the pedestrian area of the mall are not required to be protected
except for those anchor buildings housing residential occupancies.
26.4.4.3.4 Parking Structures. Parking structures within 60 feet of the
covered mall building or anchor building shall be all the following:
a) of Type I or II construction
b) limited in height in accordance with Section 29.8
c) separated in accordance with Section 26.1.2.
26.4.4.3.5 Tenant Separations.
26.4.4.3.5.1 Each tenant space shall be separated from other tenant
spaces by partitions having a fire resistance rating of not less than 1
hour.
26.4.4.3.5.2 The partition shall extend to the underside of the ceiling.
26.4.4.3.5.3 No separation is required between the tenant space and
the mall.
26.4.4.5 Mixed Occupancies. Assembly other than stadiums and
arenas, Business & Mercantile occupancies located in covered mall
buildings shall not be required to comply with the provisions of
Section 6.3.4.
26.4.4.6 Means of Egress.
26.4.4.6.1 All means of egress shall be in accordance with Chapter 12
and this chapter.
26.4.4.6.2 The mall shall be permitted to be considered a pedestrian
way.
26.4.4.6.2.1 The travel distance within a tenant space to an exit or to the
mall shall not exceed 200 ft (60 m) (see 26.2.6, exception) or the maximum
travel distance permitted by the occupancy chapter.
26.4.4.6.2.2 An additional 200 ft (60 m) shall be permitted for travel
through the mall space if all the following requirements are met:
i) The covered mall shall be of a clear width not less than
that needed to accommodate egress requirements as set forth in other
sections of this chapter but shall be not less than 20 ft (6.1 m) wide in
its narrowest dimension.
ii) *On each side of the mall floor area, the covered mall
shall be provided with an unobstructed exit access of not less than 10
ft (3 m) in clear width parallel to and adjacent to the mall tenant
front.
iii) Such exit access shall lead to an exit having a width of not less
than 66 in. (168 cm). (See 36.4.4.2.)
Add appendix note on large exit flows may require greater than 10 feet.
26.4.4.6.3 Exit access from a mall shall lead to an exit having a width
of not less than 66 inches.
26.4.4.6.4 Dead ends not exceeding a length equal to twice the width
of the mall measured at the narrowest location within the dead-end
portion of the mall shall be permitted.
26.4.4.6.5 Each assembly occupancy with an occupant load of 500 or
more shall have not less than one-half of their required means of
egress independent of the mall.
26.4.4.6.6 Every story of a covered mall building shall be provided
with the number of means of egress specified by Section 12.4.
Exception No. 1: Exit access travel shall be permitted to be common for the
distances permitted as common paths of travel by 26.2.5.3.
Exception No. 2: A single means of egress shall be permitted in a Class C
mercantile occupancy or a business occupancy provided the travel distance to
the exit or to a mall does not exceed 100 ft (30 m).
26.4.4.6.7 Each individual anchor store shall have means of egress
independent of the mall.
26.4.4.6.8 Each individual tenant space shall have means of egress to
the outside or to the mall based on occupant load calculated by using
Table 12.3.1.2.
26.4.4.6.9 Where horizontal or vertical security grilles or doors are
used as a part of the required means of egress from a tenant space,
such grilles or doors shall comply with exception No.2 to 12.2.1.4.1.
26.4.4.6.8 Exit Passageways.
26.4.4.6.8.1 Exit passageways in a covered mall building shall be
permitted to accommodate the following independently:
550
a) The portion of the occupant load assigned to the exit
passageway from only the mall.
b) The largest occupant load assigned to the exit passageway
from a single tenant space.
26.4.4.6.8.2 Rooms housing building service equipment, janitor
closets, and service elevators shall be permitted to open directly onto
exit passageways, provided that the following criteria are met:
a) The required fire resistance rating between such rooms or
areas and the exit passageway is maintained in accordance with
12.1.3.2.
b) Such rooms or areas are protected by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
11.3; however, the exceptions in NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation
of Sprinkler Systems, that permit the omission of sprinklers from such
rooms are not permitted.
c) Service elevators opening into the exit passageway shall not
open into areas other than exit passageways.
d) Where exit stair enclosures discharge into the exit
passageway, the provisions of 12.2.1.5.2 shall apply regardless of the
number of stories served.
26.4.4.7 Mall Exit Capacity. The capacity of the required exits from
the mall shall accommodate the occupant load calculated as the sum
of 26.4.4.7.1 and 26.4.4.7.2.
26.4.4.7.1 Divide the gross leasable area of the covered mall building
(not including anchor buildings) by the appropriate lowest whole
number occupant load factor (OLF) from Figure 12.3.1.2. The
occupant load factor shall not be less than 30 and shall not exceed 55.
26.4.4.7.2 For any Food Court or other assembly occupant loads areas
located in the mall which are not included as a portion of the gross
leasable area of the covered mall building, calculated an occupant
load based on the occupant load factor for that use as specified in
Table 12.3.1.2. The remaining mall area shall not be asigned an
occupant load.
26.4.4.8 Fire Protection Systems.
26.4.4.8.1 Automatic Extinguishing Systems.
26.4.4.8.1.1 The covered mall building and all anchor buildings shall
be protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic
sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3 and this section.
26.4.4.8.1.2 The system shall be installed in such a manner that any
portion of the system serving tenant spaces can be taken out of service
without affecting the operating of the portion of the system serving
the mall.
26.4.4.8.2 Hose connections.
26.4.4.8.2.1 There shall be a hose outlet connected to a system sized
to deliver 250 gallons per minute at the most hydraulically remote
outlet.
26.4.4.8.2.2 The outlet shall be supplied from the mall zone sprinkler
system and shall be hydraulically calculated.
26.4.4.8.2.3 Hose outlets shall be provided at each of the following
locations:
a) Within the mall at the entrance to each exit passage or
corridor.
b) At each floor-level landing within enclosed stairways opening
directly onto the mall.
c) At exterior public entrances to the mall.
26.4.4.9 Smoke control. A smoke control system shall be provided in
covered mall buildings with floor opening connecting more then 2
levels..
26.4.4.10 Fire department access to equipment. Rooms or areas
containing controls for air-conditioning systems, automatic fire-
extinguishing systems or other detection, suppression or control
elements shall be identified for use by the fire department.
26.4.4.11 Alarm Systems.
26.4.4.11.1 Malls shall be provided with a fire alarm system in
accordance with Section 11.2 as modified by this section.
26.4.4.11.2 Initiation.
Initiation of the required fire alarm system shall be by means of the
required automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 11.2.2.1 (3).
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
26.4.4.11.3 Notification.
26.4.4.11.3.1 Occupant Notification.
During all times that the mall is occupied (see 12.2.1.1.3), the required
fire alarm system, once initiated, shall perform one of the following
functions.
(a) It shall activate a general alarm in accordance with 11.2.3
throughout the mall except positive alarm sequence in accordance
with 11.2.3.4 shall be permitted.
(b) It shall activate an alarm signal in a continuously attended
location for the purpose of initiating emergency action by personnel
trained to respond to emergencies. Emergency action shall be
initiated by means of live voice public address system announcements
originating from the attended location where the alarm signal is
received. The system shall be permitted to be used for other
announcements, provided that the emergency action use takes
precedence over any other use. Any other occupant notification
means permitted by 11.2.3 shall be permitted in lieu of live voice
public address system announcements.
26.4.4.11.3.2 Emergency Forces Notification.
Emergency forces notification shall be provided and shall include
notifying:
a) The fire department in accordance with 11.2.4, and
b) The local emergency organization, if provided.
26.4.4.12 Plastic signs. Within every store or level and from side wall
to side wall of each tenant space facing the mall, plastic signs shall be
limited as specified herein:
a) Plastic signs shall not exceed 20 percent of the wall area
facing the mall.
b) Plastic signs shall not exceed a height of 36 inches except if
the sign is vertical, the height shall not exceed 96 inches and the
width shall not exceed 36 inches.
c) Plastic signs shall be located a minimum distance of 18 inches
from adjacent tenants.
d) Plastics other than foam plastics shall be light-transmitting
plastics and shall have a self-ignition temperature of 650°F or greater
when tested in accordance with ASTM D 1929 or a flame spread index
not greater than 75 and smoke-developed index not greater than 450
when tested in the manner intended for use in accordance with NFPA
255.
e) Edges and backs of plastic signs in the mall shall be fully
encased in metal.
f) Foam plastics shall have a maximum heat-release rate of 150
kilowatts when tested in accordance with UL 1975 and shall have
physical characteristics in accordance with;
i) The minimum density of foam plastic signs shall not be
less than 20 pounds per cubic foot.
ii) The thickness of foam plastic signs shall not be greater
than ½-inch.
26.4.4.13 Kiosks. Kiosks and similar structures (temporary or
permanent) shall not be considered as tenant spaces and shall meet
the following requirements.
a) Combustible kiosks and similar structures shall be
constructed of any of the following materials:
i Fire retardant treated wood complying with the
requirements for fire retardant impregnated wood in NFPA 703.
ii. Light-transmitting plastics complying with Chapter 47.
iii. Foam plastics having a maximum heat release rate not
greater than 100 kW (105 BTU/hr) when tested in accordance with
UL 1975.
iv. Aluminum composite material (ACM) having a Class A
rating as specified in Chapter 10 when tested as an assembly in the
maximum thickness intended for use.
v. Textiles and films determined to be flame resistant in
accordance with NFPA 701. b) Kiosks or similar structures located
within the mall shall be protected with approved fire suppression and
detection devices.
b) The minimum horizontal separation between kiosks or
groups of kiosks and other structures within the mall shall be 20 ft.
c) Each kiosk or group of kiosks or similar structure shall have a
maximum area of 300 sq ft.
551
SUBSTANTIATION: This Committee Proposal was developed for
clarification purposes for the reviewer and to document the revisions
to 26.4.4 as the result of the action taken on Proposals 5000-1073 (Log
#355), 5000-1075 (Log #840), 5000-1076 (Log #356), 5000-1077 (Log
#903), 5000-1078 (Log #725), and 5000-1079 (Log #726).
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 16
NEGATIVE: 2
ABSTENTION: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
BUSH: The wording of Paragraph 26.4.4.3.3 should be changed to
reflect the possibilities of anchor buildings which may not be classified
as “residential occupancies”, but which may be used to house
occupants overnight. Such examples might be Health Care or
Detention Facilities which, due to the nature and capabilities of
occupants, should have a higher degree of protection, including the
separation from all spaces of the covered mall, than those
occupancies which are occupied by persons who are capable of self-
preservation. The wording of this paragraph should reflect
specifically those occupancies where the protection of the opening to
the covered mall in the fire barrier shall be permitted to be omitted.
Subparagraph iii of 26.4.4.6.2.2 is not needed since the next
paragraph (26.4.4.6.3) requires all exit access from a mall to lead to
an exit having a width of not less than 66 in.
The thickness of the plastic sign has not been specified in
26.4.4.12(f)ii.
Correctly reletter the subparagraphs of 26.4.4.13. There are
currently two subparagraphs lettered “b)” to this paragraph.
HOLMES: 26.4.4, Covered Mall Buildings, should be moved to
Chapter 30, Special Structures.
At one time, covered mall buildings were limited to shopping malls
and were appropriately addressed in NFPA 101 as business and
mercantile occupancies. However, covered mall buildings now
enclose multiple occupancies including retail stores, restaurants,
entertainment and other assembly occupancies, offices, transportation
terminals, amusement parks, hotels and other residential
occupancies, and even industrial occupancies. A covered mall
building is a special structure and not a special occupancy limited to
mercantile and business occupancies. Covered mall buildings need to
be addressed in Chapter 30 of the Building Code to be referenced by
various occupancy chapters rather than specifically in Chapter 26 on
Mercantile Occupancies.
26.4.4.3.2.1 The phrase, “3 stories or less in height of Type I, II or IV
construction or 2 stories or less in height of Type III construction”
should be deleted.
A fire barrier, with protected openings, will provide adequate
separation between covered mall buildings and anchor buildings,
regardless of the height of the buildings or construction type. The
means of egress and other factors for protection of the anchor
building, contents and occupants are provided independent of the
covered mall building. If the anchor building is over three stories, the
provisions of Chapter 32 on High Rise Buildings will apply to provide
adequate safety of people, property, and public welfare. A properly
designed and constructed fire barrier with protected openings will
provide adequate protection regardless of the height of the anchor
building. The height of the anchor building does not impact the
need for a fire wall as opposed to a fire barrier. It is neither practical
nor cost-effective to provide freestanding fire walls to separate covered
mall buildings and anchor buildings over three stories.
26.4.4.3.2.2 This paragraph should be deleted in its entirety.
A fire barrier, with protected openings, will provide adequate
separation between covered mall buildings and anchor buildings,
regardless of the height of the buildings or construction. The means
of egress and other factors for protection of the anchor building,
contents and occupants are provided independent of the covered
mall building. If the anchor building is over three stories, the
provisions of Chapter 32 on High Rise Buildings will apply to provide
adequate safety of people, property, and public welfare. A properly
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
designed and constructed fire barrier with protected openings will
provide adequate protection regardless of the height of the anchor
building. The height of the anchor building does not impact the
need for a fire wall as opposed to a fire barrier. It is neither practical
nor cost-effective to provide freestanding fire walls to separate covered
mall buildings and anchor buildings over three stories.
26.4.4.3.3 should be deleted in its entirety.
As currently presented, 26.4.4.3.3 will allow openings of unlimited
size in the fire barrier thus rendering the fire barrier ineffective and a
waste of construction funds. A fire barrier, with protected openings,
will provide adequate separation between covered mall buildings and
anchor buildings. If openings between the anchor building and the
pedestrian area of the mall area are allowed to be unprotected, the
purpose of the fire barrier is defeated.
See the following illustration that depicts an anchor building and
covered mall that complies with proposed 26.4.4.3.3.
The illustration shows a 300 ft. wide anchor building with partial 2-
hr. fire barrier as allowed by 26.4.4.3.3. Because the openings are to
the pedestrian way of the covered mall building, nearly 300 ft. off the
“wall” are fully open to the covered mall building and are
unprotected.
If the intent of 26.4.4.3.3 is to protect against the spread of fire from
combustible content to combustible content, then the required
independent sprinkler systems will provide protection against this
scenario.
If the intent of the fire barrier is to prevent the spread of fully
developed or post-flashover fires in the event of sprinkler system
failure, as is the typical intent of fire barriers, then the unprotected
openings totally defeat this intent.
Unlimited, unprotected openings should not be allowed in fire
barriers as allowed by proposed 26.4.4.3.3.
26.4.4.3.5.2 This paragraph should be revised to require that “The
partition shall extend to the underside of the roof sheathing or
floor/ceiling or roof deck or slab in accordance with Chapter 8.”
Paragraph 26.4.4.3.5.1 requires tenant separation by partitions
having a fire resistance rating of not less than 1 hour. The proposed
wording in 26.4.4.3.5.2 would allow the one hour rated partition to
terminate a ceiling that could be essentially decorative but with large
openings, to terminate at a ceiling that is combustible, to terminate at
a ceiling that is combustible, to terminate at a ceiling with no fire
resistance rating, and not continue to the floor/ceiling or roof deck.
552
Such a provision in 26.4.4.3.5.2 totally negates the benefit of the one-
hour wall required by 26.4.4.3.5.1.
26.4.4.8.1.2 This paragraph which reads, “The [automatic sprinkler]
system shall be installed in such a manner that any portion of the
system serving tenant spaces can be taken out of service without
affecting the operation of the portion of the system serving the mall”
should either be deleted or substantially revised.
If it is the intent that the tenant spaces must be protected by a
sprinkler system that is separate from the sprinkler system protecting
the covered mall, this should be clearly stated as such. If it is the
intent to allow a common sprinkler system to protect both the tenant
spaces and the covered mall but requiring that any portion of the
system serving the tenant spaces be capable of being taken out of
service without impairing the covered mall sprinkler protection, this
requirement is much too onerous to be implemented practically. As
written, this paragraph would require multiple sectional control valves
in the sprinkler system.
26.4.4.8.2 Requirements for fire department standpipes have been
omitted and should be included based on other committee actions on
other logs. As currently proposed, 26.4.4.8.2 would allow any type of
hose connection to any type of piping system from any water supply as
long as it is hydraulically designed to provide 250 gpm.
26.4.4.13(a) As currently proposed, 26.4.4.13(a) allows kiosks to be
constructed only with those materials that are listed in this section. As
worded, this precludes the use of steel, copper, aluminum, or other
noncombustible materials.
26.4.4.13(a) should be revised to read, (a) Kiosks and similar
structures (temporary or permanent) shall not be considered as
tenant spaces and shall be constructed of noncombustible or limited
combustible materials including, but not limited to, the following:
(include items i. through v.)
EXPLANATION OF ABSTENTION:
THORNBERRY: See my Explanation of Abstention on Proposal
5000-1063 (Log #58). Also, I have the following comments to make
regarding this ballot item although I have abstained on voting as
indicated above.
Section 26.4.4.2 Definitions. The definitions for Anchor Building
and Covered Mall Building are much too broad. I believe they allow
occupancies to be included which go beyond the scope and intent of
the provisions for covered mall buildings in this chapter. The types of
occupancies should be clearly limited to those that are typical and
traditional to a mercantile occupancy in a covered mall building and
should not include passenger transportation terminals, for example.
I also have the following editorial corrections which should be made
based on the actions taken in Baltimore during the Task Group
meeting according to my notes:
Section 26.4.4.1 Revise as follows: “...anchor buildings where
provided.”
Section 26.4.4.2 Anchor Building*. Add Section A.26.4.4.2 Anchor
Building. Parking structures should not be considered as anchor
buildings.
Section 26.4.4.6.2.2(i) and (ii). Delete the word “covered” before
the word “mall” in both subsections.
Section 26.4.4.7.2. Revise as follows: “...occupant loads for areas...”
Also, delete the letter “d” at the end of the word “calculated”.
Section 26.4.4.9. Revise as follows: “...buildings with having floor
openings...”
Section 26.4.4.12(d). Revise as follows: “...light-transmitting plastics
and or shall...ASTM D1929 or and a flame...”
Section 26.4.4.12(f)(ii). Revise as follows: “...greater than one half
inch.”
Section 26.4.4.13(a)v. Delete “b)” at the end of the line and the
sentence that immediately follows:
“Kiosks...devices.”
Also, it was my understanding that in the substantiation we were
going to include something that would indicate that a task group
would be established to study anchor building separations and solicit
Public Comments regarding Section 26.4.4.3.2 and also to study what
occupancies are appropriate in covered mall buildings, i.e. passenger
transportation terminals, as well as look at alternatives to Section
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
26.4.4.3.5 for tenant separations when considering the height of the
separation walls and smoke control provisions.
___________________
(Log #840)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1075 - (26-4.4.2.6): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Howard Hooper, Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
26.4.4.2.6 Emergency Lighting. (See 26.2.9) Covered malls shall be
provided with emergency lighting in accordance with Section 12.9.
SUBSTANTIATION: This proposal provides a direct reference to the
emergency lighting requirements in Section 12.9, which is more user
friendly than the current indirect reference through 26.2.9.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Retain the current reference so it reads:
26.4.4.2.6 Emergency Lighting (see 26.2.9).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The technical committee wishes to
retain current language as this section on covered mall buildings is
not a stand alone provision but uses the general provisions as found in
the earlier part of this chapter on mercantile occupancies.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #356)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1076 - (26-4.4.3.5 (New) ): Accept
SUBMITTER: Fred K. Walker, US Air Force
RECOMMENDATION: Add new Section to read as follows:
26.4.4.3.5 Covered mall buildings shall be protected by an approved
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 11.3.
SUBSTANTIATION: Fire experience has clearly shown that covered
mall building as highly prone to large loss fires in the absence of an
installed fire suppression system.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: See Committee Proposal 5000-1074
(Log #CP812) for complete action on 26.4.4.8.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #903)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1077 - (26-4.4.4): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Joseph T. Holland, III, Hoover Treated Wood
Products
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text to read as follows:
26.4.4.4 Kiosks. Kiosks and similar structures shall meet the
following requirements:
26-4.4.4.1 When located in the mall, combustible kiosks or other
structures shall be constructed of fire-retardant-treated wood.
26-4.4.4.2 Kiosks or similar structures shall be separated by a
minimum of 20 feet.
SUBSTANTIATION: The code is currently silent on combustible
structures in the mall.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See Committee Proposal 5000-1074 (Log #CP812).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: Committee Proposal 5000-1074 (Log
#CP812) addresses the provisions for covered mall buildings which
contains the provisions for kiosks. The committee proposal contains
addition requirements which correlates the 20 foot dimension with
the maximum size permitted for a kiosk or a group of kiosks.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
553
(Log #725)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1078 - (26-4.4.4 (New) ): Accept in Principle in Part
SUBMITTER: Rick Thornberry, The Code Consortium Inc./Rep.
Alusuisse Composites
RECOMMENDATION: Add the following new text:
26.4.4.4 Kiosks. Kiosks and similar structure; whether temporary or
permanent, shall comply with the following where located in the
covered mall:
(1) Combustible kiosks and similar structures shall be constructed
of any of the following materials:
a. Fire retardant treated wood complying with the requirements for
fire retardant impregnated wood in NFPA 703.
b. Light-transmitting plastics complying with Chapter 47.
c. Foam plastics having a maximum heat release rate not greater
than 100 kW (105 BTU/hr) when tested in accordance with UL 1975.
d. Aluminum composite material (ACM) having a Class A rating as
specified in Chapter 10 when tested as an assembly in the maximum
thickness intended for use.
e. Textiles and films determined to be flame resistant in accordance
with NFPA 701.
(2) Kiosks and similar structures shall be provided with approved
fire suppression and detection devices.
SUBSTANTIATION: The list of combustible materials proposed to
be allowed in the construction of combustible kiosks within the mall is
intended to provide additional flexibility in the construction of these
kiosks and recognize the fact that these materials are presently being
used but without specific guidance in the code. We believe that the
performance criteria specified herein is comparable to that presently
required for the allowable use of fire-retardant treated wood and
would not introduce any more of a significant fire safety hazard within
the mall if such materials are used in accordance with the criteria
specified herein.
The requirements for fire retardant treated wood are clearly stated
in NFPA 703. It specifies that the fire retardant impregnated wood
have a flame spread index not greater than 25 (Class A) without
evidence of continued progressive combustion when tested per NFPA
255 for a period of 30 minutes. Textiles and films are included since
they may be used to form the “roof” of the kiosk. The maximum heat
release rate of 100 kW for foam plastics used in combustible kiosk
construction is based on that required for exhibit booths in
accordance with Section 1103.3.3.4 of the 2000 Uniform Fire Code
and Section F-306.1.1 of the 1999 BOCA National Fire Prevention
Code. The requirements for light-transmitting plastics will be
specified in Chapter 47. The aluminum composite material (ACM)
requirements are based on those specified in a separate proposal
submitted to regulate the use of such materials in Chapter 35.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle in Part.
Accept only the provisions contained in item (1). See Committee
Proposal 5000-1074 (Log #CP812) for section 26.4.4.12.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The Committee Proposal 5000-1074
(Log #CP812) contains the complete technical committee action on
26.4.4.12. The provisions of item (2) were not accepted as the facility
is already required to be protected by fire sprinklers. The installation
of the fire sprinkler system is required be done in conformance with
NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems. Also the
provision references a provision for detection which is not required
currently for covered mall buildings.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
ABSTENTION: 1
EXPLANATION OF ABSTENTION:
THORNBERRY: See my Explanation of Abstention on Proposal
5000-1063 (Log #58).
___________________
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
(Log #726)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1079 - (26-4.4.4 (New) ): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Rick Thornberry, The Code Consortium Inc./Rep.
Alusuisse Composites, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows:
26.4.4.4 Plastic signs. Plastic signs installed within covered mall
buildings on the walls of tenant spaces fronting the mall shall comply
with the applicable requirements of the following:
(1) Plastic signs shall not be greater than 20 percent of the wall area
of the tenant space fronting the mall.
(2) Horizontal Plastic signs shall have a height not reater than 36
inches (914mm) Vertical plastic signs shall have a height not greater
than 96 inches (2438 mm) and a width not greater than 36 inches
(914mm).
(3) Plastic signs shall have a minimum horizontal separation
distance of 18 inches (457 mm) to the store fronts of adjacent tenants.
(4) Foam platic signs shall have a maximum heat release rate of 150
kW when tested in accordance with UL 1975 and shall also comply
with the following:
(a) Foam plastic signs shall have a density of not less than 20 pounds
per cubic foot (320 kg/m3
(b) Foam plastic signs shall have a thickness not greater than 1/2
inch (12.7 mm).
(5) Plastics other than foam plastics shall be light-transmitting plastics
complying with Chapter 47 or shall have a self-ignition temperature of
not less than 650o F (343 oC) when tested in accordance with ASMT
D 1929 and Class B rating as specified in Chapter 10 when tested in
the manner intended for use.
(a) Edges and backs of plastic signs shall be fully encased in metal.
SUBSTANTIATION: These proposed requirements are applicable to
plastic signs installed within covered mall buildings. They provide
reasonably fire safe criteria for these signs whether they be solid
plastic such as light transmitting plastic or constructed of foam plastic.
The proposed performance criteria and limitations of the use these
signs is consistent with several national model fire and building code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See Committee Proposal 5000-1074 (Log #CP812).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: Committee Proposal 5000-1074 (Log
#CP812) contains the action taken on 26.4.4.12 which should satisfy
the intentions of the submitter.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
ABSTENTION: 1
EXPLANATION OF ABSTENTION:
THORNBERRY: See my Explanation of Abstention on Proposal
5000-1063 (Log #58).
___________________
(Log #961)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1080 - (26-4.5): Accept
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Complete the requirements for Bulk
Merchandising Retail Buildings which have not been included as a
part of this draft.
SUBSTANTIATION: This proposal is an editorial correction to
complete the requirements for the occupancy subclassification which
were not published with this draft.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
See Committee Proposal 5000-1041 (Log #CP809).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: Committee Proposal 5000-1041 (Log
#CP809) includes those sections which where inadvertently not
included in the original 7/28 draft of NFPA 5000.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
554
(Log #391)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1081 - (26-4.5.1): Reject
SUBMITTER: David C. Tabar, The Sherwin-Williams Co.
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
26.4.5.1 Minimum Construction Requirements. Where Bulk bulk
merchandising retail buildings shall have a distance of not less than
16 ft (40 m) from the floor to the ceiling, from the floor to the floor
above, or from the floor to the roof of any story, have storage of
combustible materials in excess of 12 ft (3.7 m), roof heights shall be
designed to provide clearance between commodities and ceiling
sprinklers in accordance with applicable NFPA Codes or Standards.
SUBSTANTIATION: The originally proposed prescriptive text - not
found in NFPA 101 - would inaccurately dictate roof heights.
Necessary roof heights should be determined from appropriate
protection requirements, which are a function of the commodities
planned to be stored.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The concept of the 16 foot height was
not derived as noted in the substantiation from the fire sprinkler
protection requirements of a commodity. It was a threshold accepted
for these types of facilities due to the interaction of the general public
and the volume of commodities being stored within the facility. It is
recognized even with the minimum 16 foot ceilings that the
requirements associated with fire sprinkler systems would still have to
be satisfied.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
NEGATIVE: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
TABAR: The arbitrary use of “16 ft” ceiling heights will result in the
likely misapplication of what should constitute true “Bulk
Merchandise Retail Buildings”. The Committee - if intending to
establish a threshold ceiling height - should reconsider changing the
text to “greater than 18 ft” from the floor to the ceiling” rather than
“...not less than 16 ft from the floor to the ceiling”. This change
would still correlate with the Committee’s AIP action on Proposal
5000-145 (Log #383) (3-3.27 Bulk Merchandising Retail Building)
which clarifies that such buildings involve storage of combustible
materials “in excess of 12 ft in storage height”. This will help ensure
that the many, smaller mercantile occupancies having storage under
12 ft though with 16-18 ft ceilings will not be mistakenly classified as
“Bulk Merchandise Retail Buildings”.
___________________
(Log #301)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1082 - (26-4.5.1.2): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Robert J. Wills, American Iron and Steel Institute
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text to read as follows:
26.4.5.1.2 Unlimited allowable areas shall be permitted for covered
mall building, including anchor stores, when of Type I, II, III, or IV
construction provided the covered mall building and attached anchor
building and parking structures are surrounded on all sides by a
permanent open space of not less than 60 ft.
SUBSTANTIATION: The current draft lacks a specific type of
construction statement for covered mall buildings leaving them to be
addressed by the general height and area table. The proposed
requirement mirrors the covered mall type of construction allowance
found in most model building codes.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See Committee Proposal 5000-1074 (Log #CP812).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: Committee Proposal 5000-1074 (Log
#CP812) contains the action taken on 26.4.4.3 which should satisfy
the intentions of the submitter.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
ABSTENTION: 1
EXPLANATION OF ABSTENTION:
THORNBERRY: See my Explanation of Abstention on Proposal
5000-1063 (Log #58).
___________________
(Log #354)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1083 - (26-4.5.5 (New) ): Accept
SUBMITTER: Fred K. Walker, US Air Force
RECOMMENDATION: Add new section to read as follows:
26.4.5.5 Bulk merchandising buildings shall be protected by an
approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 11.3.
SUBSTANTIATION: Fire experience has clearly shown that bulk
merchandising building as highly prone to large loss fires in the
absence of an installed fire suppression system.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The provision for when a fire sprinkler
system is required is provide in the Committee Proposal 5000-1041
(Log #CP809). This section was inadvertently omitted in the original
7/28/00 draft of NFPA 5000.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #1035)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1084 - (26-7): Reject
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to SAF-MER requesting that the subject of this proposal be
revisited now that a draft of Chapter 100 Flood Resistant Design and
Construction is available via Proposal 5000-1421 (Log #623).
SUBMITTER: James A. Rossberg, Christopher P. Jones, American
Society of Civil Engineers/Rep. Federal Emergency Management
Agency, Mitigation Directorate
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows:
26.7 Flood Resistance. Mercantile occupancies that are located
wholly or partly within the flood hazard area established by Section
100.3.2, shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 100.
SUBSTANTIATION: Makes code provisions compliant with National
Flood Insurance Program regulations for buildings and structures in
flood hazard areas. Note that this proposal is one of a series of
proposals that will insure NFPA 5000 compliance with NFIP
regulations. Although submitted separately, the proposals comprising
the series should be considered together.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The Technical Committee recognizes
that this requirement is a federal mandate. The technical committee
is wishing to wait until the ongoing activity associated with the
proposed chapter on flood resistance is completed. During the
comment phase the technical committee will review these provisions
for possible coordination if necessary. It is the feeling that this
provision may not be necessary as a reference within each individual
occupancy chapter but may be more applicable as a base chapter
requirement that is applicable to all facilities as appropriate.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
555
(Log #CP810)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1085 - (Chapter 27): Accept
SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Mercantile and Business
Occupancies
RECOMMENDATION: Revise Chapter 27 as follows:
Chapter 27
Business Occupancies
27.1 General Requirements.
27.1.1 Application.
27.1.1.1 The requirements of this chapter apply to the following:
(1) New buildings or portions thereof used as business occupancies
(see 1.6.1)
(2) Additions made to, or used as, a business occupancy (see 1.6.2
and 27.1.1.3)
(3) Alterations, modernizations, or renovations of existing business
occupancies (see 1.12.1)
(4) Existing buildings or portions thereof upon change of
occupancy to a business occupancy (see 1.12.8.1)
Exception*: Facilities where the authority having jurisdiction has determined
equivalent safety is provided in accordance with Section 1.6
27.1.1.2 This chapter establishes life safety requirements for all new
business buildings. Specific requirements for high-rise buildings (see
definition in 3.X.X) are contained in paragraphs pertaining thereto.
27.1.1.3 Additions to existing buildings shall conform to the
requirements for new construction. Existing portions of the structure
shall not be required to be modified, provided that the new
construction has not diminished the fire safety features of the facility.
27.1.2 Mixed Occupancies.
27.1.2.1 Mixed occupancies shall comply with 6.17.
27.1.2.2 Combined Business Occupancies and Parking Structures.
Walls separating parking structures from business occupancies shall
have a fire resistance rating of not less than 2 hours.
Exception: In enclosed parking structures that are protected throughout by an
approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
11.3, or in open-air parking structures, nonrated glazing and nonrated
opening protectives shall be permitted if all of the following conditions are met:
(a) The openings do not exceed 25 percent of the area of the wall in which
they are located.
(b) The openings are used as the main entrance and for associated sidelight
functions.
(c) The enclosed connecting business building is protected throughout by an
approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section
11.3.
(d) The floor elevation of the business occupancy is not less than 4 in. (10.2
cm) above the floor level of the parking structure.
(e) No vehicle is able to park or drive within 10 ft (3 m) of the openings.
(f) The openings are protected by not less than a glass membrane.
(g) Any doors in the glass membrane are self-closing.
27.1.3 Special Definitions. (None.)
27.1.4 Classification of Occupancy. Business occupancies shall
include all buildings and structures or parts thereof with occupancy as
defined in Chapter 6.
27.1.5 Classification of Hazard of Contents.
27.1.5.1 The contents of business occupancies shall be classified as
ordinary hazard in accordance with Section 6.2.
27.1.5.2 For purposes of the design of an automatic sprinkler system,
a business occupancy shall be classified as a light hazard occupancy in
accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler
Systems.
27.1.6 Minimum Construction Requirements. (No requirements.)
27.1.7 Occupant Load. The occupant load, in number of persons for
whom means of egress and other provisions are required, shall be
determined on the basis of the occupant load factors of Table 12.3.1.2
that are characteristic of the use of the space or shall be determined
as the maximum probable population of the space under
consideration, whichever is greater.
27.2 Means of Egress Requirements.
27.2.1 General.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
27.2.1.1 All means of egress shall be in accordance with Chapter 12
and this chapter.
27.2.1.2 If, owing to differences in grade, any street floor exits are at
points above or below the street or ground level, such exits shall
comply with the provisions for exits from upper floors or floors below
the street floor.
27.2.1.3 Where two or more floors below the street floor are occupied
for business use, the same stairs or ramps shall be permitted to serve
each.
Exception: No inside open stairway or inside open ramp shall be permitted to
serve as a required egress facility from more than one floor level.
27.2.1.4 Floor levels below the street floor used only for storage,
heating, and other service equipment and not subject to business
occupancy shall have means of egress in accordance with Chapter 29.
27.2.2 Means of Egress Components.
27.2.2.1 Means of egress components shall be limited to
the types described in 27.2.2.2 through 27.2.2.12.
27.2.2.2 Doors.
27.2.2.2.1 Doors complying with 12.2.1 shall be permitted.
27.2.2.2.2* Locks complying with Exception No. 2 to 12.2.1.5.1 shall
be permitted only on principal entrance/exit doors.
27.2.2.2.3 (Reserved.)
27.2.2.2.4 Delayed-egress locks complying with 12.2.1.6.1 shall be
permitted.
27.2.2.2.5 Access-controlled egress doors complying with 12.2.1.6.2
shall be permitted.
27.2.2.2.6 Where horizontal or vertical security grilles or doors are
used as part of the required means of egress from a tenant space, such
grilles or doors shall comply with Exception No. 2 to 12.2.1.4.1.
27.2.2.2.7 (Reserved.)
27.2.2.2.8 Revolving doors complying with 12.2.1.10 shall be
permitted.
27.2.2.3 Stairs.
27.2.2.3.1 Stairs complying with 12.2.2 shall be permitted.
27.2.2.3.2 Spiral stairs complying with 12.2.2.2.3 shall be permitted.
27.2.2.4 Smokeproof Enclosures. Smokeproof enclosures complying
with 12.2.3 shall be permitted.
27.2.2.5 Horizontal Exits. Horizontal exits complying with 12.2.4 shall
be permitted.
27.2.2.6 Ramps. Ramps complying with 12.2.5 shall be permitted.
27.2.2.7 Exit Passageways. Exit passageways complying with 12.2.6
shall be permitted.
27.2.2.8 (Reserved.)
27.2.2.9 (Reserved.)
27.2.2.10 Fire Escape Ladders. Fire escape ladders complying with
12.2.9 shall be permitted.
27.2.2.11 Alternating Tread Devices. Alternating tread devices
complying with 12.2.11 shall be permitted.
27.2.2.12 Areas of Refuge. Areas of refuge complying with 12.2.12
shall be permitted.
Exception: In buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3, two rooms or
spaces separated from each other by smoke-resistant partitions in accordance
with the definition of area of refuge in 3.X.X shall not be required.
27.2.3 Capacity of Means of Egress.
27.2.3.1 The capacity of means of egress shall be in accordance with
Section 12.3.
27.2.3.2* The clear width of any corridor or passageway serving an
occupant load of 50 or more shall be not less than 44 in. (112 cm).
27.2.3.3 Street floor exits shall be sufficient for the occupant load of
the street floor plus the required capacity of stairs and ramps
discharging through the street floor.
27.2.4 Number of Exits.
27.2.4.1 (Reserved.)
27.2.4.2 Not less than two separate exits shall meet the following
criteria:
(1) They shall be provided on every story.
(2) They shall be accessible from every part of every story and
mezzanine.
556
Exception No. 1: Exit access travel shall be permitted to be common for the
distances permitted as common paths of travel by 27.2.5.3.
Exception No. 2: A single exit shall be permitted for a room or area with a total
occupant load of fewer than 100 persons, provided that the following criteria
are met:
(a) The exit shall discharge directly to the outside at the level of exit
discharge for the building.
(b) The total distance of travel from any point, including travel within the
exit, shall not exceed 100 ft (30 m).
(c) Such travel shall be on the same floor level or, if traversing of stairs is
necessary, such stairs shall not exceed 15 ft (4.5 m) in height, and the stairs
shall be provided with complete enclosures to separate them from any other part
of the building, with no door openings therein.
(d) A single outside stair in accordance with 12.2.2 shall be permitted to
serve all floors permitted within the 15-ft (4.5-m) vertical travel limitation.
Exception No. 3: Any business occupancy not exceeding three stories, and not
exceeding an occupant load of 30 people per floor, shall be permitted a single
separate exit to each floor. This exception shall be permitted only where the total
travel distance to the outside of the building does not exceed 100 ft (30 m) and
where the exit is enclosed in accordance with 12.1.3.2, serves no other levels,
and discharges directly to the outside. A single outside stair in accordance with
12.2.2 shall be permitted to serve all floors.
Exception No. 4: A single means of egress shall be permitted from a mezzanine
within a business occupancy, provided that the common path of travel does not
exceed 75 ft (23 m), or 100 ft (30 m) if protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3.
Exception No. 5: A single exit shall be permitted for a maximum two-story,
single-tenant space/building protected throughout by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3 where the total
travel to the outside does not exceed 100 ft (30 m).
27.2.5 Arrangement of Means of Egress.
27.2.5.1 Means of egress shall be arranged in accordance with Section
12.5.
27.2.5.2 Dead-end corridors shall not exceed 20 ft (6.1 m).
Exception: In buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3, dead-end corridors
shall not exceed 50 ft (15 m).
27.2.5.3 Common paths of travel shall not exceed 75 ft (23 m).
Exception No. 1: A common path of travel shall be permitted for the first 100 ft
(30 m) in a building protected throughout by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3.
Exception No. 2: A common path of travel shall be permitted for the first 100 ft
(30 m) within a single tenant space having an occupant load not exceeding 30
persons.
27.2.6 Travel Distance to Exits. Travel distance to exits, measured in
accordance with Section 12.6, shall not exceed 200 ft (60 m).
Exception: Travel distance shall not exceed 300 ft (91 m) in buildings
protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in
accordance with Section 11.3.
27.2.7 Discharge from Exits. Exit discharge shall comply with Section
12.7.
27.2.8 Illumination of Means of Egress. Means of egress shall be
illuminated in accordance with Section 12.8.
27.2.9 Emergency Lighting.
27.2.9.1 Emergency lighting shall be provided in accordance with
Section 12.9 in any building where any one of the following
conditions exists:
(1) The building is two or more stories in height above the level of
exit discharge.
(2) The occupancy is subject to 50 or more occupants above or
below the level of exit discharge.
(3) The occupancy is subject to 300 or more total occupants.
27.2.9.2 Emergency lighting in accordance with Section 12.9 shall be
provided for all underground and windowless structures as defined in
3.X.X and 3.X.X.
27.2.10 Marking of Means of Egress. Means of egress shall have signs
in accordance with Section 12.10.
27.2.11 Special Means of Egress Features. (Reserved.)
27.3 Protection.
27.3.1 Protection of Vertical Openings.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
27.3.1.1 Any vertical opening shall be enclosed or protected in
accordance with Chapter 9.
Exception No. 1: Unenclosed vertical openings in accordance with 9.4.2 shall
be permitted.
Exception No. 2: Exit access stairs shall be permitted to be unenclosed in two-
story single-tenant spaces that are provided with a single exit in accordance
with Exception No. 4 to 27.2.4.2.
27.3.1.2 Floors below the street floor used for storage or other than
business occupancy shall have no unprotected openings to business
occupancy floors.
27.3.2 Protection from Hazards.
27.3.2.1* Hazardous areas including, but not limited to, areas used for
general storage, boiler or furnace rooms, and maintenance shops that
include woodworking and painting areas shall be protected in
accordance with Table 8.2.
27.3.2.2* High hazard contents areas, as classified in Chapter 6, shall
meet the following criteria:
(1) The area shall be separated from other parts of the building by
fire barriers having a fire resistance rating of not less than 1 hour,
with all openings therein protected by 3/4-hour fire protection-rated
self-closing fire doors.
(2) The area shall be protected by an automatic extinguishing
system in accordance with Section 11.3.
27.3.3 Interior Finish.
27.3.3.1 Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter 10.
27.3.3.2 Interior Wall and Ceiling Finish. Interior wall and ceiling
finish complying with Section 10.3 shall be Class A or Class B in exits
and in enclosed corridors furnishing access to exits; and Class A, Class
B, or Class C in office areas.
27.3.3.3 Interior Floor Finish. Interior floor finish complying with
Section 10.7 shall be Class I or Class II in corridors and exits.
27.3.4 Detection, Alarm, and Communications Systems.
27.3.4.1 General. A fire alarm system in accordance with Section 11.2
shall be provided in any business occupancy where any one of the
following conditions exists:
(1) The building is two or more stories in height above the level of
exit discharge.
(2) The occupancy is subject to 50 or more occupants above or
below the level of exit discharge.
(3) The occupancy is subject to 300 or more total occupants.
27.3.4.2 Initiation. Initiation of the required fire alarm system shall be
by manual means in accordance with 11.2.2.1(1).
Exception No. 1: Initiation shall be permitted by means of an approved
automatic fire detection system in accordance with 11.2.2.1(2) that provides
protection throughout the building.
Exception No. 2: Initiation shall be permitted by means of an approved
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 11.2.2.1(3) that provides
protection throughout the building.
27.3.4.3 Occupant Notification. During all times that the building is
occupied (see 12.2.1.1.3), the required fire alarm system, once
initiated, shall perform one of the following functions.
(a) It shall activate a general alarm in accordance with 11.2.3
throughout the building.
Exception: Positive alarm sequence in accordance with 11.2.3.4 shall be
permitted.
(b) It shall activate an alarm signal in a continuously attended
location for the purpose of initiating emergency action by personnel
trained to respond to emergencies. Emergency action shall be
initiated by means of live voice public address system announcements
originating from the attended location where the alarm signal is
received. The system shall be permitted to be used for other
announcements, provided that the fire alarm use takes precedence
over any other use.
Exception: Any other occupant notification means permitted by 11.2.3 shall be
permitted in lieu of live voice public address system announcements.
27.3.5 Extinguishment Requirements. Portable fire extinguishers shall
be provided in every business occupancy in accordance with Section
11.6. (See also Section 27.4.)
27.3.6 Corridors.
557
27.3.6.1* Where access to exits is provided by corridors, such
corridors shall be separated from use areas by walls having a fire
resistance rating of not less than 1 hour in accordance with Table 8.2.
Exception No. 1*: Where exits are available from an open floor area.
Exception No. 2*: Within a space occupied by a single tenant.
Exception No. 3: Within buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 11.3.
27.3.6.2 Openings in corridor walls required by 27.3.6.1 to have a fire
resistance rating shall be protected in accordance with Table 8.1.
27.3.7 Subdivision of Building Spaces. (No special requirements.)
27.3.8 Special Protection Features. Nonrated glazing and nonrated
opening protectives per the exception to 27.1.2.2 shall be permitted
between business occupancies and parking structures.
27.4 Special Provisions.
27.4.1 Windowless or Underground Buildings. (See Sections 30.3 and
30.4.)
27.4.2* High-Rise Buildings. High-rise buildings shall comply with
Chapter 32.
27.5 Building Services.
27.5.1 Utilities. Utilities shall comply with the provisions of Chapters
48 and 50.
27.5.2 Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning. Heating,
ventilating, and air conditioning equipment shall comply with the
provisions of Chapter 49.
27.5.3 Elevators, Escalators, and Conveyors. Elevators, escalators, and
conveyors shall comply with the provisions of Section 9.5.
27.5.4 Rubbish Chutes, Incinerators, and Laundry Chutes. Rubbish
chutes, incinerators, and laundry chutes shall comply with the
provisions of Section 9.6.
A.27.1.1.1 Exception In determining equivalency for conversions,
modernizations, renovations, or unusual design concepts of business
occupancies, the authority having jurisdiction might permit
evaluations based on NFPA 101A, Guide on Alternative Approaches to
Life Safety, Chapter 7, utilizing the parameters for new construction.
A.27.2.2.2.2 The words “principal entrance/exit doors” describe
doors that the authority having jurisdiction can reasonably expect to
be unlocked in order for the facility to do business.
A.27.2.3.2 It is not the intent that this provision apply to noncorridor
or nonpassageway areas of exit access, such as the spaces between rows
of desks created by office layout or low-height partitions.
A.27.3.2.1 It is not the intent of this provision that rooms inside
individual tenant spaces, used to store routine office supplies for that
tenant, be required to be either separated or sprinklered.
A.27.3.2.2 The requirement for separating high hazard contents
areas from other parts of the building is intended to isolate the
hazard, and Exception No. 1 to 8.2.3.1.1 is applicable.
A.27.3.6.1 The intent of Exception No. 2 and Exception No. 3 to
27.3.6.1 is to permit spaces within single-tenant spaces, or within
buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic
sprinkler system, to be open to the exit access corridor without
separation.
A.27.3.6.1 Exception No. 1 Where exits are available from an open
floor area, such as open plan buildings, corridors are not required to
be separated. An example of an open plan building is a building in
which the work spaces and accesses to exits are delineated by the use
of tables, desks, bookcases, or counters or by partitions that are less
than floor-to-ceiling height.
A.27.3.6.1 Exception No. 2 It is the intent of this exception that a
single tenant be limited to an area occupied under a single
management and work the same hours. The concept is that people
under the same employ working the same hours would likely be
familiar with their entire tenant space. It is not the intent to apply this
provision simply because tenants are owned by the same organization.
For example, in a government-owned office building, the offices of
different federal agencies would be considered multiple tenants
because an employee normally works for one agency. The agencies
might work various hours. Another example of multiple tenancy
would be a classroom building of a university, since some classrooms
might be in use at times when other classrooms are not being used.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA

A.27.4.2 In the design of high-rise buildings, special consideration (Log #956)

should also be given to a life safety system including, but not limited Committee: SAF-MER
to, the following features: 5000- 1087 - (27-1.1.2): Accept in Principle
(1) Movement of occupants to safety SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
(2) Control of fire and smoke Marshal
(3) Psychological features RECOMMENDATION: Delete the first sentence of this paragraph.
(4) Communications systems SUBSTANTIATION: This Chapter no longer establishes only life
(5) Elevators safety requirements and reference to such requirements should be
(6) Emergency planning eliminated.
(7) Overall system reliability The application statement previously made by the deleted sentence
SUBSTANTIATION: The Technical Committee generated this is adequately stated in the preceding paragraph.
committee proposal in response to the TCC directive to develop a COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
proposal addressing the particular chapter of responsibility for the Revise 27.1.1.2 to read as follows:
technical committees. The proposal is based on the original draft of 27.1.1.2 This chapter establishes life safety requirements for all
7/28/00. This proposal has deleted any provisions that may have buildings or portions thereof used as business occupancies as
referenced existing provisions as shown in the draft. The technical provided in accordance with 1.6 new business buildings. Specific
committee recognizes that there are some references to high hazard requirements for high-rise buildings (see definition in 3.X.X) are
applications still in this draft. These particular provisions will be contained in paragraphs pertaining thereto.
reviewed in conjunction with the activity that will have been taken COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The revision to 27.2.1.1 incorporates
with the revisions being proposed for 6.2 and Chapter 33. the recommendations of the proposal and also includes the text from
This proposal has not incorporated any of the proposed changes 27.1.1.1(1). This should satisfy the submitter's intent. The reference
from the other related proposals. The purpose of this is that if any for highrise facilities and the appropriate requirements are addressed
proposed revision to a particular section should not sustain sufficient in 27.4.2 and this provision is not necessary.
support that there will be text available to have further discussions on. NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
The sections with related proposals are: VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
27.1.1.1 see Proposal 5000-1086 (Log #959) AFFIRMATIVE: 18
27.1.1.2 see Proposal 5000-1087 (Log #956) NEGATIVE: 1
27.1.1.3 see Proposal 5000-1088 (Log #954) EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
27.1.2 see Proposal 5000-1089 (Log #1038) THORNBERRY: I voted negatively on this ballot item since I believe
27.1.6 see Proposal 5000-1091 (Log #913m) the proper action should have been to add the words “fire and”
27.2.9.2 see Proposal 5000-1092 (Log #841) before the words “life safety” instead of deleting the words “life
27.3.2.3 see Proposal 5000-1093 (Log #223) safety”. This would better convey the intent of the chapter which I
27.3.3 see Proposal 5000-1094 (Log #59) believe is intended to provide for both fire and life safety.
27.3.5.2 see Proposal 5000-1097 (Log #986)
27.3.5.3 see Proposal 5000-1098 (Log #995). ___________________
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19 (Log #954)
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION: Committee: SAF-MER
AFFIRMATIVE: 19 5000- 1088 - (27-1.1.3): Accept
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
___________________ RECOMMENDATION: Delete 27.1.1.3.
SUBSTANTIATION: Requirements as they apply to building
(Log #959) additions are already stated as a part of 1.12 of this code. In order to
Committee: SAF-MER maintain uniform application of this Code, all such requirements for
5000- 1086 - (27-1.1.1): Accept all occupancy types should be located within Chapter 1.
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
Marshal NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
RECOMMENDATION: Revise the wording of Paragraph 27.1.1.1 as VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
follows: AFFIRMATIVE: 19
(1) new b Buildings or portions thereof used as business
occupancies. (see 1.7.1) as provided in 1-6.
(2) ...(see 1.76.2 and 27.1.1.3) ___________________
(3) ...(see 1.1312.1)
(4) ...(see 1.1312.1.8). (Log #1038)
SUBSTANTIATION: This proposal seeks to correct the references to Committee: SAF-MER
the applicable sections of Chapter 1, and to delete the reference to 5000- 1089 - (27-1.2.1): Accept in Principle
new buildings in subparagraph (1) since all buildings regulated by SUBMITTER: James A. Rossberg, Christopher P. Jones, American
that subparagraph will be designated as new for the purposes of the Society of Civil Engineers/Rep. FEMA, Mitigation Directorate
application of this Code. RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows:
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. 27.1.2 Mixed Occupancies.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19 27.1.2.1 Mixed occupancies shall comply with Section 6.171.14.
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION: SUBSTANTIATION: Corrects incorrect section reference in text.
AFFIRMATIVE: 19 COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise 27.1.2 as follows:
27.1.2 Multiple Occupancies.
___________________ 27.1.2.1 All multiple occupancies shall be in accordance with Section
6.2
27.1.2.2 Combined Business Occupancy and Parking Structures.
(retain current text)

558
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The Technical Committee recognizes
that there is ongoing activity related to Chapter 6. This revision is
done in accordance with the direction given from the Technical
Committee on Fundamentals. The purpose is to provide a
standardization for the occupancy chapters and the referencing of
this section.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #971)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1090 - (27-1.6): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Section 27.1.6 - Minimum
Construction Requirements - from this Chapter.
SUBSTANTIATION: Minimum construction requirements are
addressed by the Height and Area Requirements of Table 7.3 of this
Code. Additional limitations for building construction stated in this
Chapter are not needed and may lead to a conflict in such
requirements, and confusion for the user of the document as to
where to find minimum building construction requirements and what
requirements to apply where there is a conflict.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
See Committee Action on Proposal 5000-1091 (Log #913m).
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The Committee Action on Proposal
5000-1091 (Log #913m) should satisfy the intent of this proposal.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #913m)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1091 - (27-1.6): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Sam Francis, American Forest & Paper Assn.
RECOMMENDATION: Delete Section 27.1.6 entirely, and substitute
the new text as follows:
27.1.6 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction shall be
in accordance with Chapter 7.
SUBSTANTIATION: The table derived from the Epcot Building
Code was incomplete and failed to include most of the occupancy
groups now included in this code. The data presented to the
Structures and Construction TC indicate that the area of a building is
not one of the significant factors in determining the safety of the
building. Number, location and size of exits, travel distance and fire
resistance of the structure do not change due to area. Therefore, the
allowable areas in this code should not be less than those permitted
under many of the building codes now in existence. The proposed
table simply recognizes those facts and proposes areas which are
currently permitted in the United States.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise 27.1.6 to read as follows:
27.1.6 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction types
and height and area requirements shall be in accordance with
Chapter 7.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The Technical Committee recognizes
that there are ongoing activities associated with formatting of the
occupancy chapters. The technical committee is proposing this text
for the referencing of Chapter 7 for construction and heights/area
tables.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
559
(Log #841)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1092 - (27-2.9.2): Accept
SUBMITTER: Howard Hooper, Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Delete text as follows:
27.2.9.2 Emergency lighting in accordance with Section 12.9 shall be
provided for all underground and windowless structures. as defined in
3.X.X and 3.X.X.
SUBSTANTIATION: There are no definitions of underground or
windowless structures in Chapter 3.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #223)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1093 - (27-3.2.3): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Darrell W Harguth, Code Consultant/Rep. Fire
Equipment Manufactureres Assn, Inc.
RECOMMENDATION: Add new Section 27.3.2.3 as follows:
27.3.2.3 Cooking Facilities. Cooking facilities shall be protected in
accordance with Section 11.8.
SUBSTANTIATION: NFPA 5000 currently has no requirements for
the protection of cooking facilities.
See also ancillary proposal to add new Section 11.8 related to
cooking hazards.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise 27.3.2.3 and add a new A.27.3.2.3 to read as follows:
27.3.2.3* Commercial Cooking Facilities. Commercial cooking
facilities shall be protected in accordance with Section 11.8.
A.27.3.2.3 this provision is not intended to apply to the temporary
small scale demonstrational activities found in the same business
occupancies
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The revision to 27.3.2.3 and the annex
notes are added to provide clarification as to when the provisions of
Section 11.8 are applicable. It is not the intention that the small
promotional displays would require the protection of a hood system as
described in Section 11.8. It is recognized that these are relatively
small operations and are considered temporary in nature.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #59)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1094 - (27-3.3): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Marcelo M. Hirschler, GBH International/Rep. Fire
Retardant Chemicals Association
RECOMMENDATION: Revise text to read as follows:
27.3.3 Interior Finish.
27.3.3.1 Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter 10.
Interior wall and ceiling finish tested in accordance with NFPA 286,
Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Evaluating Contribution of Wall
and Ceiling Interior Finish to Room Fire Growth, and meeting the
conditions of 10.3.5.3 shall be deemed to comply with a Class A
classification in accordance with NFPA 255, Standard Method of Test
of Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials.
27.3.3.2 Interior wall and ceiling finish. Interior wall and ceiling
finish materials complying with Section 10.3 in accordance with
Chapter 10 shall be Class A or Class B in exits and in enclosed
corridors furnishing access to exits; and Class A, Class B, or Class C in
office areas.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
SUBSTANTIATION: This proposal addresses two separate issues:
(a) The sentence added to 27.3.3.1 addresses the issue that unless
this is stated specifically, there is no way of permitting interior finish
tested by the room corner test (NFPA 286) to be installed. There is
abundant evidence that materials that comply with a room-corner test
requirements are equivalent in fire performance to materials tested
using the Steiner tunnel test. As an example, Table 1 shows a set of 10
materials tested in the room-corner test and the Steiner tunnel test
(Reference: M.M. Hirschler & M.L. Janssens, Fire and Materials Conf.,
San Antonio, TX, Feb. 22-23, 1999, Interscience Communications,
London, UK, pp. 179-198): only one of the 10 materials failed the
room-corner test; all other materials met Class A flame spread index
(FSI not to exceed 25); even the material which flashed over the room
had a flame spread index low enough to meet Class B in the Steiner
tunnel test (FSI not to exceed 75). Also, only one of the 10 materials
in the set failed to meet the Steiner tunnel test smoke development
index limit of 450, and it also failed the criterion in 10.3.5.3. The two
enclosed Figures show comparisons of Steiner tunnel FSI versus room
corner peak rate of heat release and Steiner tunnel SDI versus room
corner total smoke released, indicating how materials meeting room-
corner test criteria also meet Steiner tunnel criteria.
Figure Steiner Tunnel FSI
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
Figure Steiner Tunnel SDI
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
Table 1 Test Results for Materials Tested in Room-Corner and
Steiner Tunnel Tests
(as shown in Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44))
It must be clarified that this proposal does not require a material to
undergo room-corner testing, but gives the option of material
approvals via room-corner testing, as intended by the Life Safety
Code. This option appears to be missing in the draft of the NFPA
5000 Building Code.
(b) The other changes attempt to have consistency of references
between the occupancy chapters.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise 27.3.3 as follows:
27.3.3 Interior Finish.
27.3.3.1 Interior finish shall be in accordance with Chapter 10.
27.3.3.2 Interior wall and ceiling finish materials shall be Class A or
Class B in exits and in enclosed corridors furnishing access to exits;
and Class A, Class B, or Class C in office areas
27.3.3.3 Interior Floor Finish. Interior floor finish in exit enclosures
and in exit access corridors and in spaces not separated from them by
walls complying with 27.3.6 shall be Class I or Class II. In all other
spaces interior floor finish shall comply with 10.7.1.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: This revision has incorporated the
activities associated with the changes proposed for Chapter 10 on
interior finishes. It is recognized that this proposal was submitted to
multiple occupancy chapters and to Chapter 10. This revision
incorporates the activity which the Technical Committee on
Furnishings and Contents took Proposal 5000-552 (Log #44). The
provisions for 27.3.3.3 are addressed in Proposal 5000-1095 (Log #35).
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
ABSTENTION: 1
EXPLANATION OF ABSTENTION:
THORNBERRY: See my Explanation of Abstention on Proposal
5000-1063 (Log #58). Also, I recommend an editorial revision to
Section 27.3.3.2 by changing the word “furnishing” to the word
“providing” in order to avoid confusion since furnishings are
regulated by this code.
___________________
560
(Log #35)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1095 - (27-3.3.3): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: James K. Lathrop, Koffel Assoc., Inc./Rep. Carpet &
Rug Institute
RECOMMENDATION: Revised 27.3.3.3 to read as follows:
27.3.3.3 Interior Floor Finish. Interior floor finish complying with
Section 10.7 shall be Class I or Class II in corridors and exits. Interior
floor finish in exit enclosures and in exit access corridors and in
spaces not separated from them by walls complying with 27.3.6 shall
not be less than Class II in accordance with Section 10.7. In all other
space interior floor finish shall comply with 10.7.3.
SUBSTANTIATION: This proposal does several things. First it
provides a consistent format throughout the code for interior floor
finish. Second it provides a user-friendly reference to the proposed
10.7.1. Should 10.7.1 not be accepted in Chapter 10 it will be
editorially removed here. Second it clarifies the use of the term
corridor and exit. It assures that areas open to the corridor are
treated the same as a corridor. This should not be technically
different than previously intended.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Revise 27.3.3.3 as follows:
27.3.3.3 Interior Floor Finish. Interior floor finish in exit enclosures
and in exit access corridors and in spaces not separated from them by
walls complying with 27.3.6 shall not be less than be Class I or Class II
in accordance with Section 10.7. In all other spaces interior floor
finish shall comply with 10.7.1.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The revisions are done for clarification
purposes. It is felt that some may enforce it so only Class II materials
are acceptable not realizing that Class I would also be accepted.
See Proposal 5000-1094 (Log #59) which has related activities on
interior finishes. The reference to Section 10.7 was deleted for
consistency taken with the action on Proposal 5000-1094 (Log #59).
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #696)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1096 - (27-3.5): Reject
TCC NOTE: The Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) directs
that a public comment on this proposal be submitted in the TCC's
name to SAF-MER requesting that the TC give consideration to Mr.
Perry's explanation of negative with respect to OSHA option for
"flee, don't fight" in lieu of portable extinguisher use.
SUBMITTER: Dave Frable, U.S. General Services Administration
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text as follows:
27.3.5 Extinguishment Requirements. Portable fire extinguishers
shall be provided in every business occupancy in accordance with
Section 11.6.
Exception: Business occupances equipped throughout with quick-
response sprinklers, fire extinguishers shall be required only in
special-hazard areas.
Appendix Material: Special-hazard areas, including but not limited
to laboratories, computer rooms, and generator rooms where
required by the Authority Having Jurisdiciton.
SUBSTANTIATION: The purpose of this proposed code change is to
recognize that our goal should be to evacuate the occupants as quickly
and as safely as possible. The presence of fire extinguishers has the
potential of delaying this evacuation as occupants attempt to
extinguish an incipient fire rather than initiating the fire alarm
system. This proposal also recognizes the value of quick-response
sprinklers that are designed to quickly contain a small fire. This
provision has also been recognized in the BOCA National Building
Code and the International Fire Code.
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: It is recognized that fire extinguishers
are used to extinguish the small incipient fires by the occupants prior
to the fire sprinkler activation. The statistics noted from the NFPA
report on method of extinguishment is that 19 percent of the fires for
business occupancies are extinguished by this method.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 17
NEGATIVE: 2
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
FRANCIS: Mr. Perry makes the case quite eloquently. In simple
terms, mere presence of extinguishers in no way assures that they will
be used. Moreover, this change is for quick response sprinklers.
There is every chance that the system will be activated in the time that
a minimally trained employee will need to find, retrieve and properly
use an extinguisher. Insofar as this then becomes an issue of how
much property damage the owner is willing to sustain, it is no longer a
matter for the building code to regulate. In fact, it seems to me that
the whole issue of extinguishers falls into this category and the
position espoused by Mr. Perry has broad application not
contemplated by Mr. Frable. I am moved to support this proposal
because in the current regulatory environment, there are far more
issues to consider than the building code. Those issues include OSHA
and insurance underwriters’ directives. And there is the issue of
liability when you provide this equipment and its for use by the
employees. In the final analysis, this proposal does not prohibit the
use of extinguishers. It simply affords the owner the flexibility to
consider their placement as part of an overall strategy to protect the
public, the employees and the property which brings them all
together.
PERRY: The requirement for fire extinguishers throughout business
occupancies is a long-standing inconsistency in the Life Safety Code
that should not be carried forward into the Building Code. While
there are general requirements for extinguishers in health care
occupancies, in those occupancies there is an expectation that there is
trained staff having specific duties in the event of an emergency. The
only other occupancies mandating general extinguisher placement
are mercantile and business. While it’s probably a stretch to assume
that the employee in the shoe store has been trained to fight a fire as
part of their employee training, it is even more of a stretch to assume
that every employee in an office building should somehow be
“deputized” as a fire fighter for their building. OSHA regulations
permit a strict “flee, don’t fight” approach to employee fire safety.
Mandating extinguishers in locations where corporate policy may
prohibit their use is unnecessary and unjustified.
___________________
(Log #986)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1097 - (27-3.5): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new 27.3.5.1 as follows:
“Approved Fire Department Standpipes in accordance with 11.4
shall be provided in all buildings having an occupiable floor level
more than 30 ft above the lowest level of fire department vehicle
access, or having an occupiable floor level more than 30 ft below the
highest level of fire department access.”
Renumber the remaining paragraphs of this section as necessary.
SUBSTANTIATION: The intent of this proposal is to address the
need for fire service operations in buildings of certain heights which
may require excessive hose lays for suppression activities. It is an
attempt to address firefighter safety issues and efficient suppression
efforts with consideration to current fire service manpower
arrangements, standard firefighting procedures, and limitations of
space in areas used for building access and suppression efforts by
responding emergency personnel while other emergency operations
are occurring, such as egress of occupants in stairwells and corridors.
561
The 30 ft distance has been proposed in order to coordinate with
recognized practices and limitations established by other existing
codes.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Add a new 27.3.5.2 as follows:
27.3.5.2 Approved Fire Department Standpipes in accordance with
11.4 shall be provided in all buildings having an occupiable floor level
more than 30 ft above from the lowest level of fire department vehicle
access, or having an occupiable floor level more than 30 ft below the
highest level of fire department vehicle access.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The revisions are made for clarification
purposes.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
(Log #995)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1098 - (27-3.5): Accept in Principle
SUBMITTER: Kenneth E. Bush, Office of the Maryland State Fire
Marshal
RECOMMENDATION: Add a new 27.3.5.2 as follows:
“Approved Fire Department Standpipes in accordance with 11.4
shall be provided in all buildings having an occupiable floor level
more than 200 ft from the closest point of fire department vehicle
access.
Exception: Buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic extinguishing system.”
Renumber the existing 27.3.5 to 27.3.5.1.
SUBSTANTIATION: The intent of this proposal is to address the
need for fire service operations in buildings which may require
excessive hose lays for suppression activities in buildings of large areas
or limited vehicle access. It is an attempt to address firefighter safety
issues and efficient suppression efforts with consideration to current
fire service manpower arrangements, and standard firefighting
procedures.
The 200 ft distance has been proposed in order to coordinate with
recognized practices of standard lengths of pre-connected fire service
hose lines and limitations established by other existing codes. It is
also recognized that fires in buildings protected throughout by an
extinguishing system will be controlled by that extinguishing system,
and that hose lines would not be required for first line fire
containment and control. The additional time to extend hose lines in
buildings so protected would not adversely impact the overall
protection features of that building.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.
Add a new 26.3.5.3 as follows:
26.3.5.3 Approved Fire Department Standpipes in accordance with
11.4 shall be provided in all buildings having any portion of an
occupiable floor level more than 200 ft of travel from the closest point
of fire department vehicle access.
Exception: Buildings protected throughout by an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler extinguishing system.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The revisions are for clarification
purposes.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 18
NEGATIVE: 1
EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE:
THORNBERRY: I voted negatively on this ballot item since I believe
the Exception should not allow for the deletion of the fire
department outlets in buildings protected throughout with an
approved automatic sprinkler system. Instead, I believe the spacing
between standpipe outlets could be increased and/or the
requirements for hose and hose racks be eliminated when a building
is protected with automatic sprinklers. However, I believe that fire
 NFPA 5000 — May 2002 ROP — Copyright 2001, NFPA
department still needs standpipes should the fire need to be mopped
up if it is only controlled by the sprinkler system or if the sprinkler
system is not operating properly or shut down which would require an
aggressive fire department attack. I believe that some credit should
be given for the installation of automatic sprinklers because of their
relatively high probability of success but their installation should not
justify total deletion of the requirements for fire department
standpipe outlets.
___________________
(Log #353)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1099 - (27-3.5.1 (New) ): Reject
SUBMITTER: Fred K. Walker, US Air Force
RECOMMENDATION: Add new section to read as follows:
27.3.5.1 Where an automatic sprinkler system is installed, either for
total or partial building coverage, the system shall be in accordance
with Section 11.3 and renumber the current text as 27.3.5.2.
SUBSTANTIATION: To be consistent with the requirements as
stated in the other occupancy chapters.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The proposal introduces a concept for
partial building coverage which is not defined within this document.
There is a related Proposal 5000-1485 (Log #426m) that address the
referencing of of Section 11.3.1 for fire sprinkler systems which has
the technical committee holding action until the revisions to 11.3.1
are completed. This requirement will be reviewed during the
comment phase with appropriate action being taken.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________
562
(Log #1150)
Committee: SAF-MER
5000- 1100 - (27-3.5.1 (New) ): Reject
SUBMITTER: Kevin Kelly, National Fire Sprinkler Association
RECOMMENDATION: Add new text to read as follows:
“Fire Sprinkler Systems shall be installed throughout buildings with a
floor level located 55 ft or more above the lowest level of Fire
Department Vehicle Access.
Exception No. 1: Buildings where all floors located 55 ft or more
above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access have an
occupant load less than 30 shall not require sprinklers due to this
section.
Exception No. 2: Airport control towers shall not require sprinklers
due to this section.
Exception No. 3: Open parking structures shall not require
sprinklers due to this section.”
SUBSTANTIATION: Fire sprinklers, without the rest of the high-rise
provisions, are necessary in buildings beyond the reach of fire
department ground ladders. This is similar to a provision in the
International Building Code.
COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject.
COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The substantiation does not provide
adequate reasoning to support the choice of this arbitrary height of
55 feet. The document currently recognizes the 75 foot threshold
when requiring fire sprinklers for those business occupancies that are
located in buildings that are considered highrise. The substantiation
does not provide documentation demonstrating the fire statistics or
related issues to support this height limitation. It is recognized that
the document contains many provisions that could be considered as
incentives for many facilities to be protected by fire sprinklers.
NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 19
VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:
AFFIRMATIVE: 19
___________________