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Glass stairwell wall protection

Glass stairwell wall protection

Glass stairwell wall protection

(OP)
thread184-215775: Stairwell Exit Window Sprinkler Proctection?

I found the above thread asking the same question but wanted to get a bit more information on it.

The stairwell is only between the first and second floor of a building, and it's not a standard "stairwell."  On the first floor it opens up to a larger entry area.  Some of the walls on both floors are typical stud and drywall, others glass.

We have looked into the Tyco WS sprinkler but the architect is complaining about the aesthetics.

When using the index from NFPA 13(2010) under glass walls it references a section in Annex D (D.1.1.1) which is taken from the Life Safety Code.  That section is specifically about atriums, but it talks about glass being allowable in lieu of fire barriers.  My application isn't a typical stairwell or atrium but it seems like this annex reference may fit with it (or I may just be hoping it does and grasping at straws).

If that reference did apply, then it doesn't specifically mention needing to use sprinklers listed for glass protection (like the Tyco WS), but it does mention requiring the sprinkler be arranged to wet the entire surface of the glass.  Can that even be proven if it isn't a specifically listed sprinkler?

Is there an arguement to be made to use standard spray sprinklers for this?  It doesn't appear that a deluge system would be required based on the reference either, but other sections (and the above linked post) mention using them.  The client wants to stick with concealed sprinklers for aesthetics and pay as little as possible to resolve this.  Can he get both or does he just have to sacrifice one for the other?

RE: Glass stairwell wall protection

Are the glass walls required to be rated???????

If so what is driving the rating requirement???

If not required to be rated than no extra protection is required

How many stories is this building ????

RE: Glass stairwell wall protection

(OP)
The building is two stories plus a basement.  The stairs in question go only from the first to the second floor.  It is similar to an entry foyer in a house (somewhat of an open stairway), but all surrounding rooms/corridors on each floor are separated by either standard stud/drywall walls or these glass walls.  The village requires that any areas with stairs be enclosed by rated walls which is causing this issue.

RE: Glass stairwell wall protection

My gut is that either they put in rated glass (ugly), do the Tyco WS sprinkler (really ugly and not listed with horizontal mullions if I recall correctly), or eliminate the glass all together.

Travis Mack
MFP Design, LLC
www.mfpdesign.com
 

RE: Glass stairwell wall protection

One without a drawing of the glass wall a little hard to answer how to sprinkle it, if even possible


Need to have someone with building code knowledge check the enclosure requirement

How many total stairways are there???

Normaly you can have an open stair between two floors with no requirements

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