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 hours Specific 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 2006IBC 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 standardIBC 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 Marshal State Fire Marshal Building Department Government Fire Protection Engineer

Discussion Items for Local Fire Marshal During Design Fire Hydrant Locations Fire Department Connection (FDC) Locations Fire hydrant within feet of FDC Fire Command Center location and layout Annunciator Locations Vehicle Access Knox Box Locations Evacuation Strategy

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)

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)

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) A

Notification Appliance Mounting Incorrect mounting of devices Equipment installed shall be listed for the purpose for which it is used. NFPA 72 (2010)

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 (3)

Storage Obstructions to equipment Manual fire alarm boxes shall be installed so that they are conspicuous, unobstructed, and accessible. NFPA 72 (2010)

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)

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)

Obstructions Obstructions to sprinkler discharge Install sprinklers under fixed obstructions over 4 feet wide Examples: ducts, decks, open deck flooring, overhead doors NFPA

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

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)

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)

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?