1. Fire Protection Systems in the International Existing Building Code
Jeffrey M. Hugo, CBO
Director of Codes and Public Fire Protection
National Fire Sprinkler Association

2. Basic Use of the IEBC
The IEBC is made up of three different methods of achieving compliance.
Repairs stand alone.
Each compliance method is unique.
When a compliance method is chosen by designer, the code applies only to that method

3. Methods to Use in the IEBC
Prescriptive Method (Chapter 5)
Comply with the IBC as new.
Work Area Method (Chapters 6-12)
Scope of area where work is done
Level 1 – paper and paint
Level 2 – reconfiguration of space
Level 3 – 50%
Performance Method (Chapter 13)
Points and values system
Go to SQ handout

4. Who Gets to Pick the Method?
Answer: The designer.
The code official reviews, issues permits and enforces
Chapter 3 is the hub of the code.
Points to the three methods
Methods and specific requirements found in the methods are NOT combined or “cherry-picked”
When a method is picked by the designer, that becomes the “code book” for that project or permit. Other methods could be used in the same building at the same time other times. The construction documents and permit must be clear on method.
Speak from aspect of overview but spending time on fire protection stuff.
Evaluation: IEBC authorizes the code official to investigate and evaluate and note nonconformance.
Does IEBC require seismic bracing of sprinkle systems? It may for existing systems and for new systems. It depends a lot on ASCE 7, Appx A and IBC. IEBC big on structural, not so much non-struct components.
Seismic
Based on evaluation and design
IBC, ASCE 41, Appendix A
Does IEBC require seismic bracing of sprinklers?
Additional Codes
Resolves conflicts for alterations, repairs, changes of occupancy, relocation from other I-codes to IEBC.
Existing materials
Previous approvals remain, unless dangerous
New and Replacement materials
New materials
Like for like for repairs and alterations
Occupancy and use
Classified according to IBC, not legacy codes.

5. Provisions for all compliance methods
Chapter 3
Prescriptive Method
Chapter 5
Work Area Method
Chapter 6: Classification
Chapter 7: Alteration – Level 1
Chapter 8: Alteration – Level 2
Chapter 9: Alteration – Level 3
Chapter 10: Change of Occupancy
Chapter 11: Additions
Chapter 12: Historic Buildings
Choose your own adventure…
Performance Method
Chapter 13

6. What is a Work Area?
The portion(s) of a building consisting of all reconfigured spaces
Work areas can be rooms, floors, entire wings or specific as walls, structural elements, ceiling, etc.
Where work is done according to the scope of the project. Be scrupulous when reviewing plans and determining compliance with work areas and incidental work.

7. 1 2 3 4 M
6,000
A-2*
10,000
R-2*
10,000 M
4,000
Corridor
Corridor 5 6 7 8 9 M
6,000 M
2,000
A-2*
6,000 M*
13,000
B 2,000

8. Chapter 7: Alterations-Level 1
Level 1 Alterations:
Removal and replacement or the covering of existing
materials, elements, equipment, fixtures
Using new
That serve the same purpose.
Examples: New roof over old roof, new siding over old siding, New Class B wall finish over old Class B wall finish (watch for Class C).
NOTE: Work areas identify scope

9. Chapter 7: Alterations-Level 1
Fire protection:
Level 1 alterations shall be done in a manner that maintains the level of fire protection provided.
Wall, ceiling floor, and trim to IBC as new.
All new work, comply with the materials and methods of IBC, IPC, IMC, and IECC.
Penetrations, connections, continuity, etc.
Examples:
Corridor re-papered. Concealed covers are replaced with new listed colored covers.
Office area with 200 sf spacing (LH – pipe schedule) replaces all ceiling tile. New tile. Can spacing go up to 225 sf (LH – calculated)?
Sprinkler retrofitted throughout building. Corridor wall covering was Class C. Can Class B be used?

10. Chapter 8: Alterations-Level 2
Level 2 Alterations:
Reconfiguration of space or extension of any system
Installation of any new equipment
Addition of elimination of any door, or window
Requirements contained in Level 1 Alterations apply. (Chapter 7)
Work areas shall be noted on documents.
Configuration: the way the parts of something are arranged
Reconfiguration of space – high piled storage racks: aisle changes, height, etc

11. Alterations-Level 2:Rating Equivalency
Correlates with IFC Section
Fire resistance ratings can be reduced, or eliminated to current IBC– per code official approval
NFPA 13 and NFPA 13R
Requires a paper trail to justify the sprinklers.
Use as a handout: D:\Programs\EBC
803.6
Level 2 Alteration with fire sprinklers throughout could reduce the fire rating of a two-hour fire barrier to a one-hour fire barrier. If the wall never had penetration protection to begin with, this sentence would require the penetration protection from Chapter 7 of the IBC.
This is not to require a set of plans, an investigation and an evaluation report for each and every project, it only serves as examples of the data to show the code official.

12. Alterations-Level 2: Fire Protection
Fire protection in Section 804 is:
Limited to work area, or
to extent specified, where Level 2 Alterations are performed.

13. Alt – Level 2: Fire Prot: Corridors
When sprinklers are req’d throughout story
Include floor stair landing and intermediate landing
Corridor ratings are permitted to be reduced to IBC
a. For requirements for occupancies in Group I-2, see Sections and
407.3.
b. For a reduction in the fire-resistance rating for occupancies in Group I-3,
see Section
c. Buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in
accordance with Section or where allowed.
Tradeoff for sprinkerling per floor…eliminates: rated doors, dampers, etc.

14. Alt – Level 2: Fire Protection
High Rise
Work areas with exits or corridors serving an occupant load of 31+ OR more than one tenant:
“…sufficient sprinkler water…”
Sufficient: capable of meeting obligations, adequate, competent…
Occupied tenant spaces are exempt from sprinklers. Previous editions had just “tenant” Occupied would force owner to sprinklers all unoccupied on floor, however,
supply system from an existing standpipe or sprinkler riser serving that floor”.
Provide fire sprinkler system in entire work area on floor.
Where work area is 51% or more, sprinkler entire floor.
Occupied tenant spaces outside work area are exempt.
Windowless Story
Work area located in a windowless story per the IBC is required to be sprinklered...
Building has sufficient municipal water supply without installation of a new fire pump

15. Alt – Level 2: Fire Protection
A, B, E, I, M, R-1, R-2, R-4, F-1, S-1 & S-2
When work area >50% of floor area…
….If the building does not have sufficient municipal water supply for the design of a fire sprinkler system available to the floor without installation of a new fire pump…

16. Alternate Protection for Work Area
Where sprinklers are NOT installed:
Work areas have automatic smoke detection system throughout all occupied spaces other than sleeping units or individual dwelling units that activates the occupant notification system

17. Alterations-Level 2: Fire Protection
Other Required Fire Protection Systems
Work area located in area per IBC Table is required to be sprinklered...
…sufficient municipal water supply …new fire pump
IFC Table is also included
Table of IBC and IFC.
Point is: a designer can highlight all these areas in a work area and say they cannot install a sprinkler system because of a new fire pump. What code prevails? IEBC says is does in Section says IEBC does. In the IFC section it says if it is a new building req’d the IBC takes precedent.

18. Alterations-Level 2: Fire Protection
Supervision
When sprinkler systems are required by the IEBC, the following supervision methods are acceptable, when installed in accordance with NFPA 72:
Central station
Proprietary
Remote station
Local alarm
Exceptions apply to underground gate valves with roadway boxes, several chem systems, and combined fire/dom NFPA 13R systems.

19. Standpipe Exceptions No fire pump is required if FD can supply:
Sprinklered throughout:
PSI to topmost floor.
Unsprinklered building:
PSI to topmost floor.
Flow and pressure are designed for topmost floor even when not extended to topmost floor.
Interconnection of standpipes not required
Each standpipe requires a FDC

20. Alterations-Level 2: Fire Alarm
Fire alarm system or alarm-notification in work area:
Group E, I-1, I-2, I-3, R-1, R-2, R-4
Where sprinklered and connected to fire alarm system, heat detection not required.

21. Chapter 9: Alterations-Level 3
Level 3 Alterations:
Where work area exceeds 50% of building area.
Requirements contained in Level 1 and 2 Alterations apply. (Chapter 7 and 8)
Apply in all work areas regardless of shared corridors, exits, and occupant load:
803-Building Elements
804-Fire Protection
805-Means of Egress
Work area shall be noted on documents.

22. Chapter 9: Alterations-Level 3
Boiler and furnace rooms of I-1, I-2, I-4, R-1, R-2 and R-4 are enclosed by 1-hr rated construction.
Sprinklered furnace rooms are exempt from 1-hr enclosure and enclosure.

23. Chapter 9: Alterations-Level 3
Fire sprinklers are required in:
Groups: A, B, E, I, M, R-1, R-2, R-4, F-1, S-1 and S-2
Mixed uses
Windowless stories
Other required automatic sprinkler systems in Table
Regardless of shared corridors, exits, and occupant load
260 words in small slide of Table

24. Alterations-Level 3: High Rise
Fire sprinklers are provided in all work areas when the high rise has a sufficient water supply for the design and installation at the site.

25. Alt’s-Level 3: Furniture & Mattresses
Work areas with furniture or mattresses shall be sprinklered:
F-1 occupancy exceeds 2,500 sf.
M occupancy exceeds 5,000 sf.
S-1 occupancy exceeds 2,500 sf.
Threshold is based on size of occupancy, but application of sprinklers only in work area.
I.E.: 8,000 sf M occupancy with a 3,000 sf work area. Sprinklers are triggered because it exceeds 5,000, but only the 3,000 sf work area is sprinklered.

26. Alterations-Level 3: Fire Alarm
Fire alarms and detection installed as if new construction.
Manual alarms, if required as new, installed only in work area.
Fire detection, if required as new, installed in work area.

27. Repairs The 2018 IEBC addresses repairs in Chapter 4.
Repair: The reconstruction or renewal of any part of an existing building for the purpose of its maintenance or to correct
damage.
The purpose of this code change is to remove the topic of repair from the three compliance methods and to move repair into one standalone chapter.
The topic of repairs is fairly simple but the way the three methods handle the topic very differently:
• Prescriptive method- Specific requirements on structural repairs only, general statement on other topics with code official discretion on 'dangerous' situations
• Work area method- Specific requirements for structural (identical to prescriptive method), building materials, fire protection, accessibility, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical.
• Performance method- General requirements only and reference to the IBC for thresholds.

28. Chapter 4 - Repairs Fire protection Examples:
Repairs to fire protection shall be done in a manner that maintains level of fire protection provided.
Examples:
Fork truck hits galvanized pipe and in-rack sprinkler. Replace section of pipe, fitting, and sprinkler.
Concealed sprinkler covers fell off and damaged. Replace with same or listed equivalents.
Damaged corridor walls from carts?
Lift damages painted pipe and recalled sprinkler?
The work shall not make the building less conforming than it was before the repair was undertaken.
Existing materials can remain unless unsafe or dangerous.
Replacement materials are new.
No new hazardous materials for repairs

29. Important Notes to Remember
Three separate and distinct methods.
Work areas are designated and indicated by designer.
Not code official
Code official and designer sticks to chosen method.
Fire protection thresholds and installation references from IEBC go through IBC.

30. Director, Codes & Public Fire Protection
Thank You
Jeffrey M. Hugo, CBO
Director, Codes & Public Fire Protection
Text: (845)
NFSACodes