Does anyone else interpret IFC section 604 to mean that all emergency and standby power generation systems have to be protected with 2-hour fire rated construction, including the fuel supply, fuel piping, controllers, generators, etc...? Or am I reading too much into the "not less than 2-hour full-demand operation of the system" language?
In providing my opinion, I'm making some assumptions to answer your question. In the absence of more specificity on the building or occupancy, I'm assuming you're talking about a high-rise since that was the only section on any building or occupancy where I found language (fast scan) requiring 2-hour rated assemblies for the standby power system. You'd also have to interpret "system" to include the fuel supply, fuel piping, controllers, and all the other components of the "system" which could sometimes prove to be impractical. This is a building feature that would have, or should have, been addressed as part of the USBC plan review. The requirements could vary from one type of occupancy to another. (See Chapter 27 of the '00 or '03 edition of the USBC.)
Thanks for the feedback! You are correct in that this involves an 18 story highrise. I caught this on the mechanical plan review. Very little detail was given on the emergency power system. I had a handful of comments to clarify how, where and what protection was going to be afforded the system. Then the RDP questioned what was meant in the IBC and IFC by the word "system". Your feedback leads me to believe that I am not being unreasonable in my interpretation.
Does anyone else interpret IFC section 604 to mean that all emergency and standby power generation systems have to be protected with 2-hour fire rated construction, including the fuel supply, fuel piping, controllers, generators, etc...? Or am I reading too much into the "not less than 2-hour full-demand operation of the system" language?
Thanks for the feedback! You are correct in that this involves an 18 story highrise. I caught this on the mechanical plan review. Very little detail was given on the emergency power system. I had a handful of comments to clarify how, where and what protection was going to be afforded the system. Then the RDP questioned what was meant in the IBC and IFC by the word "system". Your feedback leads me to believe that I am not being unreasonable in my interpretation.
