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Fire Protection Design for Healthcare Facilities: Beyond Building Code Compliance

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

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Fire Protection Design for Healthcare Facilities: Beyond Building Code Compliance

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  1. Fire Protection Design for Healthcare Facilities:Beyond Building Code Compliance Scott Voelkerding, PE, CFPS Fire Protection Engineer September 16, 2010

  2. Overview • Fire Protection: The Holistic Approach • Applicable Codes and Standards • Engaging Authorities in Design • Accreditation Requirements • Example Citations • Existing Facilities

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. Occupancy Classifications • No “one to one” correlation between codes, each have different thresholds

  7. Ambulatory Care Buildings • IBC 2009 added a section for ambulatory health care facilities • Still classified as Group B if occupancy is less than 24 hours • Specific requirements for sprinklers, fire alarms and smoke compartments • Life Safety Code has separate occupancy chapter for ambulatory care

  8. Egress Capacity Widths • NFPA 101 and the IBC differ regarding egress capacity requirements • IBC 2009 standardized egress capacity widths for all occupancies and removed sprinkler exceptions Required Egress Stairway Width per Occupant Comparison

  9. Duct-Type Smoke Detectors

  10. Engaging Authorities • Engage Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) early and often in the design process: • Local Fire Marshal • State Fire Marshal • Building Department • Government Fire Protection Engineer

  11. 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

  12. Other Sources to Consider • Underwriter Requirements • FM Data Sheets • Published AHJ Memorandums • NFPA Healthcare Interpretation Task Force (HITF) • Accreditation Documents • Joint Commission Statement of Conditions • Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

  13. Accreditation Requirements • Requirements vary by occupancy: • Ambulatory Care, Behavioral Health, Hospitals, Laboratories, etc. • New vs. Existing Facilities • Life Safety Chapter covers fire protection requirements

  14. Accreditation Requirements • Joint Commission Statement of Conditions (SOC) • Basic Building Information (BBI) • Life Safety Assessment (LSA) • Plan for Improvement (PFI)

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. Example Citations • Following are several examples of common citations • Even the best designed systems are subject to oversights or differing field conditions

  18. 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

  19. 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

  20. 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

  21. 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)

  22. 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

  23. 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

  24. 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

  25. 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

  26. 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

  27. 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

  28. 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

  29. Sprinkler Maintenance • System should be properly maintained at all times to ensure reliability • Obvious impairments should be repaired immediately and will fail inspections

  30. 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

  31. 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

  32. What about my existing facility: Is it “grandfathered”? • NFPA 101 • New vs. Existing • Building Rehabilitation • IBC • Chapter 34 • Compliance Alternatives Evaluation • NFPA 101A • Fire Safety Evaluation System (FSES)

  33. 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

  34. Questions?

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