Fire Protection Design for Healthcare Facilities
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Transcript of Fire Protection Design for Healthcare Facilities
Fire Protection Design for Healthcare Facilities:Beyond Building Code Compliance
Scott Voelkerding, PE, CFPS
Fire Protection Engineer
September 16, 2010
Overview
Fire Protection: The Holistic Approach Applicable Codes and Standards Engaging Authorities in Design Accreditation Requirements Example Citations Existing Facilities
Scott Voelkerding, PE, CFPS
Registered Fire Protection Engineer 13 states NJ Pending
NFPA Certified Fire Protection Specialist 8 years with URS Lead Fire Protection Engineer for University
Medical Center (New Orleans, LA) Lead Author Cleveland Clinic Fire
Protection Life Safety Standards & Specifications
Fire Protection: The Holistic Approach
Active and passive systems working together to prevent or minimize the effects of fire Design of fire suppression and fire alarm
systems Design of egress & smoke control systems Fire resistive construction, including
firestopping of penetrations, spray fireproofing
Comprehensive Code Compliance
Applicable Codes and Standards NFPA 101: Life Safety Code
2009: Most recent edition 2000: Edition adopted by Joint Commission & CMS
International Building and Fire Codes 2009: Most recent edition Some jurisdictions adopt older editions, amendments
to these codes, or adopt their own codes altogether
Occupancy Classifications
NFPA 101 (2000) IBC (2009) Assembly Educational Day-Care Health Care Ambulatory Health Care Detention and Correctional One and Two Family Dwellings Lodging of Rooming Houses Hotels and Dormitories Apartment Buildings Residential Board and Care Mercantile Business Industrial Storage
Assembly Group A Business Group B Educational Group E Factory Group F High-Hazard Group H Institutional Group I Mercantile Group M Residential Group R Storage Group S Utility and Miscellaneous Group U
No “one to one” correlation between codes, each have different thresholds
Ambulatory Care Buildings
IBC 2009 added a section for ambulatory health care facilities Still classified as Group B if
occupancy is less than 24 hoursSpecific requirements for sprinklers,
fire alarms and smoke compartments Life Safety Code has separate
occupancy chapter for ambulatory care
Egress Capacity Widths
NFPA 101 (2000)
IBC 2006 IBC 2009
Occupancies other than those listed below 0.3” 0.2”
0.3” for all occupancies
High Hazard (NFPA 101) or
Hazardous: H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4 (IBC)0.7” 0.3”
Health Care (NFPA 101) or
Institutional: I-2 (IBC)
0.3” (AS)
0.6” (NS)
0.3” (AS)
NA (NS)
Board and Care (NFPA 101) 0.4” 0.2”
Required Egress Stairway Width per Occupant Comparison
NFPA 101 and the IBC differ regarding egress capacity requirements
IBC 2009 standardized egress capacity widths for all occupancies and removed sprinkler exceptions
Duct-Type Smoke Detectors
NFPA 90A: Standard for the Installation of Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems
International Mechanical Code
NFPA 101 referenced standard IBC referenced standard
Air supply systems greater than 2,000 cfm and return air systems greater than 15,000 cfm
Exception: If all portions of the building served by air distribution system have area smoke detectors
Return air systems greater than 2,000 cfm
Exception: If all portions of the building served by air distribution system have area smoke detectors
Engaging Authorities
Engage Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) early and often in the design process:Local Fire MarshalState Fire MarshalBuilding DepartmentGovernment Fire Protection Engineer
Discussion Items for Local Fire Marshal During Design Fire Hydrant Locations Fire Department Connection (FDC)
Locations Fire hydrant within 50-100 feet of FDC
Fire Command Center location and layout Annunciator Locations Vehicle Access Knox Box Locations Evacuation Strategy
Other Sources to Consider
Underwriter RequirementsFM Data Sheets
Published AHJ Memorandums NFPA Healthcare Interpretation Task
Force (HITF) Accreditation Documents
Joint Commission Statement of Conditions
Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Accreditation Requirements
Requirements vary by occupancy:Ambulatory Care, Behavioral Health,
Hospitals, Laboratories, etc. New vs. Existing Facilities Life Safety Chapter covers fire
protection requirements
Accreditation Requirements
Joint Commission Statement of Conditions (SOC)Basic Building Information (BBI)Life Safety Assessment (LSA)Plan for Improvement (PFI)
HITF Interpretation Examples Exit Access from Suites
Stairwell is NOT equivalent to an Exit Access Corridor
Storage Bins > 32 gallons Hazardous Area
Exit Discharge Non-paved surfaces to public way
Sprinkler Obstructions Patient Lift Equipment - Rails
Portable Equipment in Corridors <30 minutes
Hazardous Area Examples
Boiler/fuel fired heater rooms Laundry Rooms >100 sf Flammable Storage Rooms Laboratories Maintenance Repair Shops Soiled Linen Rooms Combustible Storage Rooms Trash Collection Rooms
Example Citations
Following are several examples of common citations
Even the best designed systems are subject to oversights or differing field conditions
Pull Station Mounting
Incorrect mounting height
Operable part of manual fire alarm box shall be not less than 42 inches and not more than 48 inches above the floor level.
NFPA 72 (2010) 17.14.4
Smoke Detector Spacing
Smoke detectors next to air diffusers
Smoke detectors should not be located in a direct airflow or closer than 36 inches from an air supply diffuser or return air opening.
NFPA 72 (2010) A17.7.4.1
Notification Appliance Mounting
Incorrect mounting of devices
Equipment installed shall be listed for the purpose for which it is used.
NFPA 72 (2010) 10.3.1
Synchronization Visible notification
devices not synchronized High flash rates of
strobes may pose a risk of seizure to people with photosensitive epilepsy. Visible appliances in the same field of view should be synchronized.
NFPA 72 (2010) A.18.5.4.3.2(3)
Storage
Obstructions to equipment
Manual fire alarm boxes shall be installed so that they are conspicuous, unobstructed, and accessible.
NFPA 72 (2010) 17.14.5
Fire Alarm Control Panel
Smoke detectors above FACP
Where not continuously occupied, smoke detectors shall be provided at the location of each FACP, NAC power extender, and supervising station transmitting equipment.
NFPA 72 (2010) 10.15
Device Maintenance
System components shall be installed, tested, and maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s published instructions and the Code.
NFPA 72 (2010) 10.3.2
Site Maintenance
Fire department connections shall be maintained without obstruction by fences, bushes, trees, walls, or any other fixed or moveable object.
IFC (2009) 912.3
Dry Pipe Systems
Dry pipe systems should ONLY be installed where heat is not adequate to prevent freezing and they should be converted to wet systems when heat is provided.
NFPA 13 (2007) A.7.2
Sprinkler Response
Where quick response sprinklers are installed, all sprinklers within a compartment shall be quick-response unless otherwise permitted
NFPA 13 (2007) 8.3.3.2
Obstructions
Obstructions to sprinkler discharge
Install sprinklers under fixed obstructions over 4 feet wide
Examples: ducts, decks, open deck flooring, overhead doors
NFPA 13 2007 8.5.5.3.1
Sprinkler Maintenance
System should be properly maintained at all times to ensure reliability
Obvious impairments should be repaired immediately and will fail inspections
Spare Sprinkler Cabinet
At least six spare sprinklers, a sprinkler wrench, and list of sprinklers installed shall be maintained on the premises
NFPA 13 2007 6.2.9
Firestopping
Through penetrations of fire resistance rated construction shall be protected by a firestop system in accordance with ASTM E 814 or UL 1479
Polyurethane expanding foam NOT acceptable
IBC (2009) 713.3.1.2
What about my existing facility: Is it “grandfathered”? NFPA 101
New vs. ExistingBuilding Rehabilitation
IBCChapter 34Compliance Alternatives Evaluation
NFPA 101AFire Safety Evaluation System (FSES)
Summary
Involve fire protection engineer in design process
Establish (editions of) applicable codes and standards early in design
Engage Authorities Having Jurisdiction early and often
Consult accreditation documents, underwriter standards, HITF Interpretations
Consider FSES for existing facilities