NFPA 101

[engineerfin]

If I have a sprinkled (B)Business building with a non-haz. storage room (paper supplies)over 100sf, does the room need to be 1 hr rated or any other rating. I think they removed the incidental storage room requirement but I cant seem to find anything in the 2015 NFPA 101

 

[CKCECB]

For New Business, the section in NPFA 101-15 is 38.3.2.1, which redirects to 8.7. Existing Business also redirects to 8.7.

8.7 allows a few options:
Enclose with a 1-hr fire barrier with no windows allowed; or
Protect with and automatic extinguishing system; or
Doing both of the above if the hazard is "severe"

Now for new construction, if you go with the extinguishing system option without fire barriers, you need to enclose the area with smoke partitions.

 

[engineerfin]

8.7 states that the degree of hazard must be GREATER than that of the normal occupancy. ie you are storing paper in an office that has paper in it, an architects office, its not greater. 8.7.1.2 (1) says no smoke partitions are required if automatic sprinklers are used. Kind of cyclic. I am looking at the 2015 NFPA 101 life safety book. Do you still think they are required?

 

[stookeyfpe]

If the building is sprinklered, then fire-resistive rated construction is not required. That includes smoke partitions.

 

[CKCECB]

38.3.2.1 General. Hazardous areas including, but not limited to, areas used for [highlight #FCE94F]general storage[/highlight], boiler or furnace rooms, and maintenance shops that include woodworking and painting areas shall be protected in accordance with Section 8.7.

My opinion is that the "general storage" wording above says you need to protect it, and is what drives you to 8.7. But it depends on the AHJ. How much paper, a couple of boxes, or a couple of pallets? And is it a supply closet, or a storage room? Compact mobile shelving? All of these factor in. I'd ask your AHJs (fire dept, building inspection dept, and insurance carrier, et al).

Stookeyfpe, this is where I got the smoke partition requirement, based on a "new" occupancy:

8.7.1.2 In new construction,[highlight #FCE94F] where protection is provided with automatic extinguishing systems without fire-resistive separation, the space protected shall be enclosed with smoke partitions in accordance with Section 8.4[/highlight], unless otherwise permitted by one of the following conditions:
(1) Where mercantile occupancy general storage areas and stockrooms are protected by automatic sprinklers in accordance with Section 9.7
(2) Where hazardous areas in industrial occupancies are protected by automatic extinguishing systems in accordance with 40.3.2
(3) Where hazardous areas in detention and correctional occupancies are protected by automatic sprinklers in accordance with 22.3.2

 

[engineerfin]

Under your yellow highlight it states UNLESS the stock room is protected by sprinklers which it is. And the first part of 8.7 says greater then occupancy. So you ae right, a few boxes of paper vs. a pallet