The document you need to look at is the ibc.
Do awnings need fire rating ibc.
The best way to answer the question is to review what type of equipment is being installed in the mechanical room then go to the various nfpa or icc standards for the equipment.
Steve66 senior member.
The international codes i codes are the widely accepted comprehensive set of model codes used in the us and abroad to help ensure the engineering of safe sustainable affordable and resilient structures.
The international code council icc is a non profit organization dedicated to developing model codes and standards used in the design build and compliance process.
Good design judgement before diving in on whether sprinklers are required or not remember that good design judgement is always important.
Tables 704 8 2006 ibc and table 705 8 2009 and 2012 ibc lay out the percentage of protected and unprotected openings and size limits allowed in exterior walls.
When allowed the codes distinguish between openings that are protected fire rated doors windows shutters and unprotected no fire rating.
Building codes define requirements for fire ratings fire protection egress and accessibility.
The room could require a 2 hour rating a 1 hour rating or no fire rating.
Then the ibc adjusts the hourly fire resistance ratings depending on the occupancy of the building.
This means that wall assemblies including those containing sprayfoam insulation must be tested in accordance with astm e 119 to determine its hourly fire resistance rating to determine if it can be used within a specific building type.
That should give you some direction.
A building s use and occupancy classification is the category in the ibc that is assigned to each building or portion thereof that reflects unique hazards sanitation egress and other code related parameters associated with that category.
Just because certain code verbiage or annex material exists does not mean you as a designer engineer or review authority should forfeit good judgment or common sense.
Aug 24 2010 3 the nec does not generally require a fire rating of an electrical room.
For separating group s 1 fire areas from group s 1 fire areas a 3 hour rated fire barrier is required.
The bigger reason for putting sprinklers in every layer of cake is the possibility of flame lapping out of a window from an occupied floor onto the bottom of the floor below or if possible increasing the fire rating on the higher floors and sprinkler the ground floor where cars and the occasional ups truck may congregate.
