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

Questions?