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38B-006 (86) PHILIP R. SHERMAN, P. E. FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEERING AND BUILDING CODE CONSULTING P.O. Box 216 444 WILMOT CENTER ROAD ELKINS, NH 03233-0216 PHONE: 603-526-6190 FAx: 603-526-4979 EMAIL: PSHERMAN@PRSHERMAN.COM October 20, 2006 Proj: 1094.01 van Zelm Heywood& Shadford, Inc. 29 South Main Street West Hartford, CT 06107 Attention: Mr. David Chiovoloni Re: Smith College Northampton, Massachusetts Cogeneration Facility Code Summary Revision Three Dear Mr. Chiovoloni: This letter will set forth my code summary of the above project,based on floor plans dated September 15, 2006. The project consists of renovations to the existing steam plant, in order to house a cogeneration system. Applicable Codes The following codes apply to this project. While the codes in Massachusetts are in the process of being updated, no date has been set, nor are reliable drafts of the proposed codes available. Any changes to the codes will need to be tracked. Massachusetts normally updates their codes on January first, and allows a six month grace period. • 780 CMR, Massachusetts State Building Code, sixth edition • 527 CMR, Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code • 1991 Americans with Disabilities Act\ADAAG • 248 CMR Massachusetts Plumbing Code • 1993 BOCA Mechanical Code 0 2002 National Electrical Code • Other codes and standards as referenced by the above documents Use Groups • The steam plant is considered Use Group F-1.' No change of use is planned. • The exterior ammonia tank is considered Use Group H-4.2 Hazardous Materials The following hazardous materials will be present at the site. • #6 fuel oil for boilers, exempt from Use Group H regulations per 780 CMR 307.8 exception 7. • #2 fuel oil for boilers, exempt from Use Group H regulations per 780 CMR 307.8 exception 7. • Natural gas for boilers, exempt from Use Group H regulations per 780 CMR 307.8 exception 7. • Lubricating oil system, exempt from Use Group H regulations per 780 CMR 307.8 exception 7 • Boiler water treatment, caustics, amine, sulfite. Specific MSDS sheets will be provided, and total quantities within the building, existing and proposed, will be below threshold quantities indicated in 780 CMR Table 307.8(1) and Table 307.8(2) • 8000 gallon exterior tank of aqueous 19% ammonia and related interior piping and equipment. This material is considered a corrosive, irritant and toxic, per 780 CMR 307. Specific MSDS sheet will be provided, and the total quantity inside the building will be below threshold quantities indicated in 780 CMR Table 307.8(1) and Table 307.8(2). The exterior tank will comply with 780 CMR 417.6. Application of the Codes • Building Code — Use Group F-1 has a hazard index of 3, therefore work is required to comply with780 CMR 3404.3 — New building systems must be in accordance with requirements for new construction. — Alterations or repairs may be made with like materials. — The building official has agreed that the infilling of existing floor openings, currently occupied by fixed equipment to be demolished, is not deemed an addition. — The design team has proposed that this project does not constitute a substantial alteration, as the changes to the building are minimal. Most of the expense is related to the equipment, not the building. The building inspector has agreed with this approach, 2 provided that the fire alarm is upgraded throughout the building, and sprinklers are installed in accordance with NFPA 850, as discussed below. The structural engineer should review 780 CMR 3408 to determine structural requirements based on the extent of the proposed work. — Work involving energy compliance is to comply with 780 CMR 3407. • Fire Safety Code The work is to comply with 527 CMR. • Regulations of the Architectural Access Board There are no public areas within the buildings, therefore 521 CMR does not apply. • Americans with Disabilities Act All areas are employee work areas, therefore the spaces must be designed to be approached, entered and exited,but the work area itself is not required to be accessible. Up to 20% of the project budget affecting usability must be spent on making the path of travel to the employee work area accessible, including restrooms, drinking fountains and public telephones serving the space. General • Footprint area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . approximately 7,200 sf • Height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . two stories, approximately 52 feet • Open perimeter to 30 foot space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ignore • Sprinklers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . no • Construction type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2C • Height and area limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . not applicable, no additions or change of use Structural Fire Resistance • Structural ratings are not required, except that structure supporting newly rated members must be rated to the same level as the member supported, for one bay outside the member, including columns. 3 Barriers to Fire Spread • Egress stairwells:' — Existing stairs in the steam plant are required to be enclosed. Existing partitions and doors have no required rating. New construction is required to be one hour rated with one hour doors. Missing doors will be replaced and the existing enclosures will be made whole. — The building inspector has agree that the existing separation to the basement is satisfactory. • Mechanical shafts and penetrations: — No requirements for existing shafts and penetrations. New shafts and penetrations are required to be one hour rated if connecting two or three floors. Note that there is no blanket exemption for steam plants. See the code for exceptions where fire dampers are located at the floor line.' See 780 CMR Sections 713.4.3 for requirements for penetration protection of non-rated floors. • Building separations No requirements apply to exterior walls, as the work should not be deemed to increase the hazard to adjacent buildings. Outside Storage of Hazardous Materials • The exterior ammonia tank will comply with 780 CMR 417.6. • 780 CMR requires the installation to comply with 527 CMR,but 527 CMR has no requirements for this installation. • Protection from vehicle damage is required. • Fire lanes are to extend to within 150 feet of all portions of the tank. • A fire hydrant is to be located within 150 feet of the tank. A wall hydrant is proposed on the face of the building, located within 150 feet of the tank. • A six foot fence is required, or the arrangement is to be otherwise secured from public access. 4 Means of Egress • Occupant loads are calculated at one person per 100 gross square feet.' • Exit capacity' Based on 0.3 inches per person for stairs and 0.2 inches per person for doors, sufficient exit capacity is provided. • The following areas require at least two exits:$ Each floor Use Group F-1 spaces with more than 50 persons or a common path of travel of more than 75 feet. — Two means of access are required to high voltage switchgear per 527 CMR 12/NEC 110. • Travel distance is not regulated.' • Dead ends are not regulated.10 • Remoteness of multiple exits is not regulated." • Accessible means of egress are not required for existing exits.12 • Existing and new doors are required to be a minimum of 32" clear.13 • Existing and new stairs are required to be a minimum of 44" wide.14 • Existing stairs are required to be acceptable to the building official. • Exit signs, standard and emergency lighting are required for common spaces and rooms requiring more than one exit.15 Alarm, Suppression and Emergency Systems • A fire alarm system is not required by code but are recommended by NFPA 850.1' — By agreement with the building and fire officials, the existing fire alarm system will be modified to satisfy current code requirements, throughout the building. • Portable fire extinguishers are not required by code but are recommended by NFPA 850 and will be provided." 5 • Sprinklers By agreement with the building and fire officials, full building sprinklers are not required by code, as the project is not deemed a substantial alteration.18 This is based on an agreement that sprinklers will be installed in accordance with NFPA 850, a nationally recognized standard for fire protection in power plants. NFPA 850 requires sprinklers in the following areas. This list was developed based on drawing M-0.50. — Indoor fuel oil pumping or heating facilities — Burner front oil hazard — Boiler feed pumps including oil lubrication lines, bearings, and oil reservoirs — Hydraulic and lubricating oil. systems , unless listed fire resistant fluid is used — All areas below operating floor that are subject to oil flow, oil spray or oil accumulation — Bearing housings — Clean and dirty oil storage areas — Interior emergency generators — Storage rooms, offices, shops, locker rooms etc. The designers should review the code to be sure that other devices requiring protection are not also present. NFPA 850 also has recommendations for indoor and outdoor transformers, which should be reviewed. • A standpipe system is not required.19 Plumbing Fixture Counts • The actual occupant load is not being materially changed, therefore changes to the plumbing fixtures are not contemplated. This requires the approval of the plumbing inspector. Accessibility • ADA requires up to 20% of the budget which affects the usability of the building to be spent on the path of travel to the altered area, including entrance, rest rooms and drinking fountains. 6 Please let me know if there are areas where further information is required. Yours truly: +A PHILIP yGn SHEP80T. g Philip R. Sherman, P.E. No.36648 C:IAaProj110WW94001 revision three.wpd �SSIONAL��'� Endnotes 1. 780 CMR 306.2 2. 780 CMR 307.6 3. 780 CMR 3403 4. 780 CMR 3404.13 5. 780 CMR 713.4.3.2 6. 780 CMR 1008.1.2 7. 780 CMR 3404.6 8. 780 CMR 3404.5 9. 780 CMR 3404 10. 780 CMR 3404 11. 780 CMR 3404 12. 780 CMR 3404,ADA 4.1.6(1)(g) 13. 780 CMR 3404.6 14. 780 CMR 3404.6 15. 780 CMR 3404.7 and 3404.8 16. 780 CMR 917.4 17. 780 CMR 920.2 18. 780 CMR 3404.12,904.2 19. 780 CMR 3404.12,914.2.4