101 FR7040 SAF-MER (36.1.1.4) 36.1.1.4 The provisions of this chapter shall apply to life safety requirements for all new mercantile buildings. Specific requirements shall apply to suboccupancy groups, such as Class A, Class B, and Class C mercantile occupancies; covered malls mall buildings; and bulk merchandising retail buildings, and are contained in paragraphs pertaining thereto. Statement: The term "mall building" is the more appropriate term to use in the Code when referencing the entire building. 101 FR7004 SAF-MER (36.1.3.1.3) 36.1.3.1.3 In other than bulk merchandising mercantile occupancies, atrium walls in accordance with 6.1.14.4.6 shall be permitted to serve as part of the separation required by 6.1.14.4.1 for creating separated occupancies on a story-by-story basis from non-hazardous spaces in assembly, educational, day care, health care, ambulatory health care, residential, residential board and care occupancies, and business occupancies. Statement: Correlative text to address new Section 6.1.14.4.6. The provision is limited to separation from those occupancies that present an acceptable level of risk and hazard. 101 FR7006 SAF-MER (36.3.1) 36.3.1 Protection of Vertical Openings. Any vertical opening shall be protected in accordance with Section 8.6, except under any of the following conditions: (1) In Class A or Class B mercantile occupancies protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 9.7.1.1(1), unprotected vertical openings shall be permitted at one of the following locations: (a) Between any two floors (b) Among the street floor, the first adjacent floor below, and the adjacent floor (or mezzanine) above (2) In Class C mercantile occupancies, unprotected openings shall be permitted between the street floor and the mezzanine. (3) The draft stop and closely spaced sprinkler requirements of NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, shall not be required for unenclosed vertical openings permitted in 36.3.1(1) and (2). (4) Unenclosed vertical openings in accordance with 8.6.9.2 shall be permitted. Statement: Language permits the use of 8.6.9.2 which was added to the Code in 2012. 1
101 FR7014 SAF-MER (36.3.2.3) 36.3.2.3* Commercial Cooking Equipment Operations. Commercial cooking equipment operations shall be protected in accordance with 9.2.3, unless the cooking equipment is one of the following types: (1) Outdoor equipment (2) Portable equipment not flue-connected (23) Equipment used only for food warming Statement: 1. Coordinate terminology with revisions to 9.2.3 2. Portable equipment is addressed by NFPA 96 and does not need to be duplicated here. The hazard is based upon the cooking operation, not the portable nature of the equipment. NFPA 96 does permit such operations such as cooking demonstrations or limited cooking operations under NFPA 96, Section 1.1.4 101 FR7010 SAF-MER (36.3.2.4) 36.3.2.4 Alcohol-based hand rub dispensers in accordance with 8.7.3.3 shall be permitted. Statement: Proposed text adds language to permit the use of alcohol based hand rub dispensers per the new Section 8.7.3.3. 2
101 FR7043 SAF-MER (36.4.4.1 and 36.4.4.2 (New) ) 1. 36.4.4 Mall Buildings. 36.4.4.1 The provisions of 36.4.4 shall apply to mall buildings three or fewer stories in height and any number of anchor buildings. (See 3.3.36.9.) 36.4.4.2 Special Definitions. The following is a list of special terms used in this chapter: (1) Anchor Building. A building housing any occupancy having low or ordinary hazard contents and having direct access to a mall building, but having all required means of egress independent of the mall. (See 3.3.36.2) (2) Food Court. A public seating area located in a mall that serves adjacent food preparation tenant spaces. (See 3.3.51.2) (3) Gross Leasable Area. Fifty percent of major tenant areas, and 100 percent of all other floor areas designated for tenant occupancy and exclusive use, including storage areas. The area of tenant occupancy is measured from the centerlines of joint partitions to the outside of the tenant walls. (See 3.3.21.3) (4) Mall. A roofed or covered common pedestrian area within a mall building that serves as access for two or more tenants and does not exceed three levels that are open to each other. (See 3.3.167.) (5)* Mall Building. A single building enclosing a number of tenants and occupancies wherein two or more tenants have a main entrance into one or more malls. For the purpose of this chapter, anchor buildings shall not be considered as a part of the mall building. (See 3.3.36.9.) (6) Major Tenant. A tenant space, in a mall building, with one or more main entrances from the exterior that also serve as exits and are independent of the mall.(see 3.3.166.) 2. Renumber section accordingly Statement: Current text exists in NFPA 5000 and should be added to NFPA 101 for correlation. A list of special definitions for mall buildings should be added to Section 36.4.4 so the committee can modify the definitions when appropriate. The section provides users with a convenient location for those terms unique to mall buildings. It should be noted that the work to Section 36.4.4 for malls is ongoing, and commenced during the First Draft meetings. The committee plans to further address additional issues for the Second Draft phase and will continue to update and revise the provisions for malls for more clarity, consistency, and correlation with NFPA 5000. 101 FR7046 SAF-MER (36.4.4.3 (New) ) 36.4.4.5 Mixed Occupancies. Assembly occupancies, other than stadiums and arenas, and business and mercantile occupancies located in mall buildings shall not be required to comply with the provisions of 6.1.14.4. Statement: Current text exists in NFPA 5000 and should be added here for correlation. It should be noted that the work to Section 36.4.4 for malls is ongoing, and commenced during the First Draft meetings. The committee plans to further address additional issues for the Second Draft phase and will continue to update and revise the provisions for malls for more clarity, consistency, and correlation with NFPA 5000. 3
101 FR7049 SAF-MER (36.4.4.3.2.2) 36.4.4.6.2.2 A single means of egress shall be permitted in a Class C mercantile occupancy or a business occupancy, provided that the travel distance to the exit or to a mall pedestrian way (see 36.4.4.2) does not exceed 100 ft (30 m). Statement: The term "mall" is the appropriate term to use in this provision and is a defined term in the Code. It should be noted that the work to Section 36.4.4 for malls is ongoing, and commenced during the First Draft meetings. The committee plans to further address additional issues for the Second Draft phase and will continue to update and revise the provisions for malls for more clarity, consistency, and correlation with NFPA 5000. 101 FR7051 SAF-MER (36.4.4.3.7) Recommendation: Delete the following section: 36.4.4.3.7 Every mall shall be provided with unobstructed exit access parallel to, and adjacent to, the mall tenant fronts and extending to each mall exit. Statement: The provisions of this section are covered by other requirements for the design of egress systems in malls. The requirement is not enforceable and can be too restrictive for means of egress in malls. The text is not in NFPA 5000 and should be deleted here for correlation. It should be noted that the work to Section 36.4.4 for malls is ongoing, and commenced during the First Draft meetings. The committee plans to further address additional issues for the Second Draft phase and will continue to update and revise the provisions for malls for more clarity, consistency, and correlation with NFPA 5000. 101 FR7022 SAF-MER (36.4.4.8) Recommendation: Revise text as follows: 36.4.4.11 Kiosks. Kiosks and similar structures (temporary or permanent) shall not be considered as tenant spaces and shall meet all of the following requirements: (1) Combustible kiosks and similar structures shall be constructed of any of the following materials: (a) Fire-retardant-treated wood complying with the requirements for fire-retardant-impregnated wood in NFPA 703, Standard for Fire Retardant Treated Wood and Fire-Retardant Coatings for Building Materials (b) Light-transmitting plastics complying with the building code (c) Foamed plastics having a maximum heat release rate not greater than 100 kw when tested in accordance with ANSI/UL 1975, Standard for Fire Tests for Foamed Plastics Used for Decorative Purposes, or in accordance with NFPA 289, Standard Method of Fire Test for Individual Fuel Packages, using the 20 kw ignition source (d) Metal composite material (MCM) having a flame Statement: Delete ANSI approval designation from UL 1975 as UL 1975 is not ANSI approved. 4
101 FR7053 SAF-MER (36.4.5.4.4) 36.4.5.4.4 Emergency Forces Notification. Emergency forces notification shall be provided and shall include notifying both of the following: (1) Fire department in accordance with 9.6.4 (2) Approved Llocal emergency organization, if provided Statement: If a location organization is used to notify of a fire alarm activation, the organization should be approved by the AHJ. The proposed text is consistent with that in NFPA 5000 and throughout the rest of Chapter 36. 101 FR7026 SAF-MER (36.7.7) Recommendation: Add a new section to read: 36.7.7 Inspection of Door Openings. Door openings shall be inspected in accordance with 7.2.1.15. Statement: In the 2012 edition of the NFPA 101, Section 7.2.1.15, Inspection of Door Openings was revised from requiring the inspection of all door assemblies where the door leaves where required to swing in the direction of egress travel to Access-Controlled Egress Door Assemblies, Electrically-Controlled Egress Door Assemblies, Doors with Special Locking Arrangements, and doors equipped with fire exit hardware or panic hardware. A new requirement to inspect smoke door assemblies in accordance with NFPA 105, Standard for Smoke Doors and Other Opening Protectives was also added in the 2012 edition. 101 FR7042 SAF-MER (37.1.1.4) 37.1.1.4 The provisions of this chapter shall apply to life safety requirements for all existing mercantile buildings. Specific requirements shall apply to suboccupancy groups, such as Class A, Class B, and Class C mercantile occupancies; covered malls mall buildings; and bulk merchandising retail buildings, and are contained in paragraphs pertaining thereto. Statement: The term "mall building" is the more appropriate term to use in the Code when referencing the entire building. 101 FR7005 SAF-MER (37.1.3.1.3) 37.1.3.1.3 In other than bulk merchandising mercantile occupancies, atrium walls in accordance with 6.1.14.4.6 shall be permitted to serve as part of the separation required by 6.1.14.4.1 for creating separated occupancies on a story-by-story basis from non-hazardous spaces in assembly, educational, day care, health care, ambulatory health care, residential, residential board and care occupancies, and business occupancies. Statement: Correlative text to address new Section 6.1.14.4.6. The provision is limited to separation from those occupancies that present an acceptable level of risk and hazard. 5
101 FR7007 SAF-MER (37.3.1) 37.3.1 Protection of Vertical Openings. Any vertical opening shall be protected in accordance with Section 8.6, except under any of the following conditions: (1) In Class A or Class B mercantile occupancies protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 9.7.1.1(1), unprotected vertical openings shall be permitted at one of the following locations: (a) Between any two floors (b) Among the street floor, the first adjacent floor below, and the adjacent floor (or mezzanine) above (2) In Class C mercantile occupancies, unprotected openings shall be permitted between the street floor and the mezzanine. (3) The draft stop and closely spaced sprinkler requirements of NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, shall not be required for unenclosed vertical openings permitted in 36.3.1(1) and (2). (4) Unenclosed vertical openings in accordance with 8.6.9.2 shall be permitted. Statement: Language permits the use of 8.6.9.2 which was added to the Code in 2012. 101 FR7015 SAF-MER (37.3.2.3) 37.3.2.3* Commercial Cooking Equipment Operations. Commercial Ccooking equipment operations shall be protected in accordance with 9.2.3, unless the cooking equipment is one of the following types: (1) Outdoor equipment (2) Portable equipment not flue-connected (32) Equipment used only for food warming Statement: 1. Coordinate terminology with revisions to 9.2.3 2. Portable equipment is addressed by NFPA 96 and does not need to be duplicated here. The hazard is based upon the cooking operation, not the portable nature of the equipment. NFPA 96 does permit such operations such as cooking demonstrations or limited cooking operations under NFPA 96, Section 1.1.4 101 FR7011 SAF-MER (37.3.2.4) 37.3.2.4 Alcohol-based hand rub dispensers in accordance with 8.7.3.3 shall be permitted. Statement: Proposed text adds language to permit the use of alcohol based hand rub dispensers per the new Section 8.7.3.3. 6
101 FR7045 SAF-MER (37.4.4.1 and 37.4.4.2 (New) ) Recommendation: 1. Revise text to read as follows: 37.4.4 Mall Buildings. 37.4.4.1 The provisions of 37.4.4 shall apply to mall buildings three or fewer stories in height and any number of anchor buildings. (See 3.3.36.9.) 37.4.4.2 Special Definitions. The following is a list of special terms used in this chapter: (1) Anchor Building. A building housing any occupancy having low or ordinary hazard contents and having direct access to a mall building, but having all required means of egress independent of the mall. (See 3.3.36.2) (2) Food Court. A public seating area located in a mall that serves adjacent food preparation tenant spaces. (See 3.3.51.2) (3) Gross Leasable Area. Fifty percent of major tenant areas, and 100 percent of all other floor areas designated for tenant occupancy and exclusive use, including storage areas. The area of tenant occupancy is measured from the centerlines of joint partitions to the outside of the tenant walls. (See 3.3.21.3) (4) Mall. A roofed or covered common pedestrian area within a mall building that serves as access for two or more tenants and does not exceed three levels that are open to each other. (See 3.3.167.) (5)* Mall Building. A single building enclosing a number of tenants and occupancies wherein two or more tenants have a main entrance into one or more malls. For the purpose of this chapter, anchor buildings shall not be considered as a part of the mall building. (See 3.3.36.9.) (6) Major Tenant. A tenant space, in a mall building, with one or more main entrances from the exterior that also serve as exits and are independent of the mall.(see 3.3.166.) 2. Renumber section accordingly. Statement: Current text exists in NFPA 5000 and should be added to NFPA 101 for correlation. A list of special definitions for mall buildings should be added to Section 36.4.4 so the committee can modify the definitions when appropriate. The section provides users with a convenient location for those terms unique to mall buildings. It should be noted that the work to Section 36.4.4 for malls is ongoing, and commenced during the First Draft meetings. The committee plans to further address additional issues for the Second Draft phase and will continue to update and revise the provisions for malls for more clarity, consistency, and correlation with NFPA 5000. 101 FR7048 SAF-MER (37.4.4.3) 37.4.4.5 Mixed Occupancies. Assembly occupancies, other than stadiums and arenas, and business and mercantile occupancies located in mall buildings shall not be required to comply with the provisions of 6.1.14.4. Statement: Proposed text was added to Chapter 36 for correlation with NFPA 5000 and should be added here for correlation with new and existing Mercantile occupancies. It should be noted that the work to Section 36.4.4 for malls is ongoing, and commenced during the First Draft meetings. The committee plans to further address additional issues for the Second Draft phase and will continue to update and revise the provisions for malls for more clarity, consistency, and correlation with NFPA 5000. 7
101 FR7050 SAF-MER (37.4.4.3.2.2) 37.4.4.6.2.2 A single means of egress shall be permitted in a Class C mercantile occupancy or a business occupancy, provided that the travel distance to the exit or to a mall pedestrian way (see 37.4.4.2) does not exceed 100 ft (30 m). Statement: The term "mall" is the appropriate term to use in this provision and is a defined term in the Code. It should be noted that the work to Section 36.4.4 for malls is ongoing, and commenced during the First Draft meetings. The committee plans to further address additional issues for the Second Draft phase and will continue to update and revise the provisions for malls for more clarity, consistency, and correlation with NFPA 5000. 101 FR7052 SAF-MER (37.4.4.3.7) Recommendation: Delete the following section: 37.4.4.3.7 Every mall shall be provided with unobstructed exit access parallel to, and adjacent to, the mall tenant fronts and extending to each mall exit. Statement: The provisions of this section are covered by other requirements for the design of egress systems in malls. The requirement is not enforceable and can be too restrictive for means of egress in malls. The text is not in NFPA 5000 and should be deleted here for correlation. It should be noted that the work to Section 36.4.4 for malls is ongoing, and commenced during the First Draft meetings. The committee plans to further address additional issues for the Second Draft phase and will continue to update and revise the provisions for malls for more clarity, consistency, and correlation with NFPA 5000. 101 FR7023 SAF-MER (37.4.4.8) Recommendation: Revise text as follows: 37.4.4.11 Kiosks. Kiosks and similar structures (temporary or permanent) shall not be considered as tenant spaces and shall meet all of the following requirements: (1) Combustible kiosks and similar structures shall be constructed of any of the following materials: (a) Fire-retardant-treated wood complying with the requirements for fire-retardant-impregnated wood in NFPA 703, Standard for Fire Retardant Treated Wood and Fire-Retardant Coatings for Building Materials (b) Light-transmitting plastics complying with the building code (c) Foamed plastics having a maximum heat release rate not greater than 100 kw when tested in accordance with ANSI/UL 1975, Standard for Fire Tests for Foamed Plastics Used for Decorative Purposes, or in accordance with NFPA 289, Standard Method of Fire Test for Individual Fuel Packages, using the 20 kw ignition source (d) Metal composite material (MCM) having a flame Statement: Delete ANSI approval designation from UL 1975 as UL 1975 is not ANSI approved. 8
101 FR7054 SAF-MER (37.4.5.4.4) 37.4.5.4.4 Emergency Forces Notification. Emergency forces notification shall be provided and shall include notifying both of the following: (1) Fire department in accordance with 9.6.4 (2) Approved Llocal emergency organization, if provided Statement: If a location organization is used to notify of a fire alarm activation, the organization should be approved by the AHJ. The proposed text is consistent with that in NFPA 5000 and throughout the rest of Chapter 37. 101 FR7027 SAF-MER (37.7.7) Recommendation: Add a new section to read: 37.7.7 Inspection of Door Openings. Door openings shall be inspected in accordance with 7.2.1.15. Statement: In the 2012 edition of the NFPA 101, Section 7.2.1.15, Inspection of Door Openings was revised from requiring the inspection of all door assemblies where the door leaves where required to swing in the direction of egress travel to Access-Controlled Egress Door Assemblies, Electrically-Controlled Egress Door Assemblies, Doors with Special Locking Arrangements, and doors equipped with fire exit hardware or panic hardware. A new requirement to inspect smoke door assemblies in accordance with NFPA 105, Standard for Smoke Doors and Other Opening Protectives was also added in the 2012 edition. 101 FR7002 SAF-MER (38.1.3.1.3) 38.1.3.3 Atrium walls in accordance with 6.1.14.4.6 shall be permitted to serve as part of the separation required by 6.1.14.4.1 for creating separated occupancies on a story-by-story basis from non-hazardous spaces in assembly, educational, day care, health care, ambulatory health care, residential, residential board and care occupancies, and mercantile occupancies other than bulk merchandise buildings. Statement: Correlative text to address new Section 6.1.14.4.6. The provision is limited to separation from those occupancies that present an acceptable level of risk and hazard. 9
101 FR7000 SAF-MER (38.1.7) 38.1.7 Occupant Load. 38.1.7.1 The occupant load, in number of persons for whom means of egress and other provisions are required, shall be determined on the basis of the occupant load factors of Table 7.3.1.2 that are characteristic of the use of the space, or shall be determined as the maximum probable population of the space under consideration, whichever is greater. 38.1.7.2 The occupant load factor for business use shall be 150 ft 2 per person 38.1.7.3 The occupant load factor for concentrated business use shall be 50 ft 2 per person. Statement: Action was taken by the Means of Egress Technical Committee to change the occupant load factor for business use areas based upon research conducted and presented in a published report by the Fire Protection Research Foundation. However, the FPRF report does not adequately justify that the 100 sq. ft per person factor, as proposed by the Means of Egress Committee is the correct factor for concentrated use business spaces. The report indicates that 50 sq. ft. per person more appropriately reflects the concentrated business use areas. The committee is not in agreement that the 100 occupant load factor represents the concept of concentrated use areas and that a different value for this factor should be used. Note to CC: Proposed text should be moved to Chapter 7 if accepted. 101 FR7032 SAF-MER (38.2.1.2) 38.2.1.2 If, owing to differences in grade the finished ground level, any street floor exits are located at points above or below the street or the finished ground level, such exits shall comply with the provisions for exits from upper floors or floors below the street floor. Statement: The term "finished ground level" is the appropriate term used in the Code. The definition of "grade" in Chapter 3 refers users to the definition of "finished ground level". Change correlates with the language currently in NFPA 5000. 101 FR7034 SAF-MER (38.2.1.3) 38.2.1.3 Stairs and ramps serving two or more floors below a street floor occupied for business use shall be permitted in accordance with Multiple floors shall comply with 38.2.1.3.1 and 38.2.1.3.2. 38.2.1.3.1 Where two or more floors below the street floor are occupied for business use, the same stairs or ramps shall be permitted to serve each floor. 38.2.1.3.2 An inside open stairway or inside open ramp shall be permitted to serve as a required egress facility a component of the required means of egress system from not more than one floor level below the street floor. Statement: Current language exists in NFPA 5000 and should be added here for correlation. The proposed changes make the section more readable and clear. 10
101 FR7036 SAF-MER (38.2.2.1) 38.2.2.1 Components Permitted General. Means of egress components shall be limited to the types described in 38.2.2.2 through 38.2.2.12. Statement: Proposed change makes the title of the section consistent with those in other chapters of the Code and NFPA 5000. 101 FR7037 SAF-MER (38.2.4.4) 38.2.4.4 Any business occupancy three or fewer stories in height, and not exceeding an occupant load of 30 people per story, shall be permitted a single separate exit to each story, provided that all of the following criteria are met: (1) The exit shall discharge directly to the outside. (2) The total travel distance to the outside of the building shall not exceed 100 ft (30 m). (3) Interior exit stairs The exit shall be enclosed in accordance with 7.1.3.2, and both of the following also shall apply: (a) The stair shall serve as an exit from no other stories. (b) A single outside stair in accordance with 7.2.2 shall be permitted to service all stories. Statement: Proposed change is editorial only and clarifies the language and application of (3). 101 FR7028 SAF-MER (38.2.4.6) 38.2.4.6 A single exit means of egress shall be permitted for a maximum two-story, single-tenant space or building single-tenant space or building two or fewer stories in height, provided that both of the following criteria are met: (1) The building is protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 9.7.1.1(1). (2) The total travel to the outside does not exceed 100 ft (30 m). Statement: 1. This section permits an interior unenclosed stair to be used as the exit access portion of the means of egress from the upper floor(s). The term exit is specifically defined in Code and it is not an unenclosed exit access stair. 2. Additional revisions have been made to clarify that this section is applicable to two different scenarios: 1. a maximum two-story single tenant space in a fully sprinklered buillding or 2. any sprinklered single-tenant building with a maximum of two stories. 11
101 FR7008 SAF-MER (38.3.1.1) 38.3.1.1 Vertical openings shall be enclosed or protected in accordance with Section 8.6, unless otherwise permitted by any of the following: (1) Unenclosed vertical openings in accordance with 8.6.9.1 shall be permitted. (2) Unenclosed vertical openings in accordance with 8.6.9.2 shall be permitted. (23)Exit access stairs in accordance with 38.2.4.6 shall be permitted to be unenclosed. Statement: Language permits the use of 8.6.9.2 which was added to the Code in 2012. 101 FR7016 SAF-MER (38.3.2.3) 38.3.2.3* Commercial Cooking Equipment Operations. Commercial Ccooking equipment operations shall be protected in accordance with 9.2.3, unless the cooking equipment is one of the following types: (1) Outdoor equipment (2) Portable equipment not flue-connected (32) Equipment used only for food warming Statement: 1. Coordinate terminology with revisions to 9.2.3 2. Portable equipment is addressed by NFPA 96 and does not need to be duplicated here. The hazard is based upon the cooking operation, not the portable nature of the equipment. NFPA 96 does permit such operations such as cooking demonstrations or limited cooking operations under NFPA 96, Section 1.1.4 101 FR7012 SAF-MER (38.3.2.4) 38.3.2.4 Alcohol-based hand rub dispensers in accordance with 8.7.3.3 shall be permitted. Statement: Proposed text adds language to permit the use of alcohol based hand rub dispensers per the new Section 8.7.3.3. 12
101 FR7039 SAF-MER (38.3.4.2, 38.3.4.3 and 38.3.4.4) 38.3.4.2 Initiation. Initiation of the required fire alarm system shall be by any one of the following means: (1) Manual means in accordance with 9.6.2.1(1) (2) Means of an aapproved automatic fire detection system that complies in accordance with 9.6.2.1(2) and that provides protection throughout the building in accordance with 9.6.2.6. (3) Means of an aapproved automatic sprinkler system that complies in accordance with 9.6.2.1(3) and that provides protection throughout the building in accordance with 9.6.2.6. 38.3.4.3 Occupant Notification. During all times that the building is occupied (see 7.2.1.1.3), the required fire alarm system, once initiated, shall perform one of the following functions: (1) It shall activate a general alarm in accordance with 9.6.3 throughout the building, and (2) A positive alarm sequence in accordance with 9.6.3.4 shall be permitted. 38.3.4.4 Emergency Forces Notification. Emergency forces notification shall be provided and shall include notifying both of the following: (1) Fire department in accordance with 9.6.4 (2) Approved Llocal emergency organization, if provided Statement: Section 38.3.4.2 through 38.3.4.4 are being revised to correlate with the language and format currently in NFPA 5000. The requirements for fire alarm systems are being presented in list formats which are more clear and user friendly. References to Section 9.6.2.6 were added to remind users that fire alarm systems using automatic fire detection or waterflow detection devices to initiate the fire alarm system must also be provides with a manual fire alarm box. The phrase "throughout the building" is being deleted from 38.3.4.3 as the requirements for the alarm system coverage are contained in the fire alarm requirements of the core Chapter 9. 101 FR7025 SAF-MER (38.7.7) Recommendation: Add a new section to read: 38.7.7 Inspection of Door Openings. Door openings shall be inspected in accordance with 7.2.1.15. Statement: In the 2012 edition of the NFPA 101, Section 7.2.1.15, Inspection of Door Openings was revised from requiring the inspection of all door assemblies where the door leaves where required to swing in the direction of egress travel to Access-Controlled Egress Door Assemblies, Electrically-Controlled Egress Door Assemblies, Doors with Special Locking Arrangements, and doors equipped with fire exit hardware or panic hardware. A new requirement to inspect smoke door assemblies in accordance with NFPA 105, Standard for Smoke Doors and Other Opening Protectives was also added in the 2012 edition. 13
101 FR7003 SAF-MER (39.1.3.3) 39.1.3.3 Atrium walls in accordance with 6.1.14.4.6 shall be permitted to serve as part of the separation required by 6.1.14.4.1 for creating separated occupancies on a story-by-story basis from non-hazardous spaces in assembly, educational, day care, health care, ambulatory health care, residential, residential board and care occupancies, and mercantile occupancies other than bulk merchandise buildings. Statement: Correlative text to address new Section 6.1.14.4.6. The provision is limited to separation from those occupancies that present an acceptable level of risk and hazard. 101 FR7001 SAF-MER (39.1.7) 39.1.7 Occupant Load. 39.1.7.1 The occupant load, in number of persons for whom means of egress and other provisions are required, shall be determined on the basis of the occupant load factors of Table 7.3.1.2 that are characteristic of the use of the space, or shall be determined as the maximum probable population of the space under consideration, whichever is greater. 39.1.7.2 The occupant load factor for business use shall be 150 ft 2 per person 39.1.7.3 The occupant load factor for concentrated business use shall be 50 ft 2 per person. Statement: Action was taken by the Means of Egress Technical Committee to change the occupant load factor for business use areas based upon research conducted and presented in a published report by the Fire Protection Research Foundation. However, the FPRF report does not adequately justify that the 100 sq. ft per person factor, as proposed by the Means of Egress Committee is the correct factor for concentrated use business spaces. The report indicates that 50 sq. ft. per person more appropriately reflects the concentrated business use areas. The committee is not in agreement that the 100 occupant load factor represents the concept of concentrated use areas and that a different value for this factor should be used. Note to CC: Proposed text should be moved to Chapter 7 if accepted. 101 FR7033 SAF-MER (39.2.1.2) 39.2.1.2 If, owing to differences in grade the finished ground level, any street floor exits are located at points above or below the street or the finished ground level, such exits shall comply with the provisions for exits from upper floors or floors below the street floor. Statement: The term "finished ground level" is the appropriate term used in the Code. The definition of "grade" in Chapter 3 refers users to the definition of "finished ground level". Change correlates with the language currently in NFPA 5000. 14
101 FR7035 SAF-MER (39.2.1.3) 39.2.1.3 Stairs and ramps serving two or more floors below a street floor occupied for business use shall be permitted in accordance with Multiple floors shall comply with 39.2.1.3.1 and 39.2.1.3.2. 39.2.1.3.1 Where two or more floors below the street floor are occupied for business use, the same stairs, escalators, or ramps shall be permitted to serve each floor. 39.2.1.3.2 An inside open stairway, inside open escalator, or inside open ramp shall be permitted to serve as a required egress facility a component of the required means of egress system from not more than one floor level below the street floor. Statement: Current language exists in NFPA 5000 and should be added here for correlation. The proposed changes make the section more readable and clear. 101 FR7030 SAF-MER (39.2.2.2.7) 39.2.2.2.7 Horizontal or vertical security grilles or doors complying with 7.2.1.4.1(3) shall be permitted to be used as part of the required means of egress from a tenant space. Statement: For several editions this section of the Code has referenced 7.2.1.4(3) which does not exist. The correct reference is as shown in the proposed change. 101 FR7038 SAF-MER (39.2.4.4) 39.2.4.4 Any business occupancy three or fewer stories in height, and not exceeding an occupant load of 30 people per story, shall be permitted a single separate exit to each story, provided that all of the following criteria are met: (1) The exit shall discharge directly to the outside. (2) The total travel distance to the outside of the building shall not exceed 100 ft (30 m). (3) Interior exit stairs The exit shall be enclosed in accordance with 7.1.3.2, and both of the following also shall apply: (a) The stair shall serve as an exit from no other stories. (b) A single outside stair in accordance with 7.2.2 shall be permitted to service all stories. Statement: Proposed change is editorial only and clarifies the language and application of (3). 15
101 FR7029 SAF-MER (39.2.4.6) 39.2.4.6 A single exit means of egress shall be permitted for a maximum two-story, single-tenant space or building single-tenant space or building two or fewer stories in height, provided that both of the following criteria are met: (1) The building is protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 9.7.1.1(1). (2) The total travel to the outside does not exceed 100 ft (30 m). Statement: 1. This section permits an interior unenclosed stair to be used as the exit access portion of the means of egress from the upper floor(s). The term exit is specifically defined in Code and it is not an unenclosed exit access stair. 2. Additional revisions have been made to clarify that this section is applicable to two different scenarios: 1. a maximum two-story single tenant space in a fully sprinklered buillding or 2. any sprinklered single-tenant building with a maximum of two stories. 101 FR7031 SAF-MER (39.2.4.7) 39.2.4.7 A single exit shall be permitted for a single-tenant building three or fewer stories in height and not exceeding an occupant load of 15 people per story, provided that all of the following criteria are met: (1) The building is protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 9.7.1.1(1) and an automatic smoke detection system in accordance with Section 9.6. (2) Activation of the building sprinkler and or smoke detection system shall provide occupant notification throughout the building. (3) The total travel to the outside does not exceed 100 ft (30 m). Statement: The intent of 39.2.4.7(2) is for the activation of either the required smoke detection system or the building sprinkler system provide notification throughout the building. This allows for rapid notification of building occupants. 16
101 FR7009 SAF-MER (39.3.1.1) 39.3.1.1 Vertical openings shall be enclosed or protected in accordance with Section 8.6, unless otherwise permitted by any of the following: (1) Unenclosed vertical openings in accordance with 8.6.9.1 or 39.2.4.7 shall be permitted. (2) Unenclosed vertical openings in accordance with 8.6.9.2 shall be permitted. (23) Exit access stairs in accordance with 39.2.4.6 or 39.2.4.7 shall be permitted to be unenclosed. (34) Unprotected vertical openings shall be permitted in buildings complying with all of the following: (a) Where protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 9.7.1.1(1) (b) Where no unprotected vertical opening serves as any part of any required means of egress (c) Where required exits consist of exit doors that discharge directly to the finished ground level in accordance with 7.2.1, outside stairs in accordance with 7.2.2, smokeproof enclosures in accordance with 7.2.3, or horizontal exits in accordance with 7.2.4 Statement: Language permits the use of 8.6.9.2 which was added to the Code in 2012. 101 FR7017 SAF-MER (39.3.2.3) 39.3.2.3* Commercial Cooking Equipment Operations. Commercial Cooking equipment operations shall be protected in accordance with 9.2.3, unless the cooking equipment is one of the following types: (1) Outdoor equipment (2) Portable equipment not flue-connected (32) Equipment used only for food warming Statement: 1. Coordinate terminology with revisions to 9.2.3 2. Portable equipment is addressed by NFPA 96 and does not need to be duplicated here. The hazard is based upon the cooking operation, not the portable nature of the equipment. NFPA 96 does permit such operations such as cooking demonstrations or limited cooking operations under NFPA 96, Section 1.1.4 101 FR7013 SAF-MER (39.3.2.4) 39.3.2.4 Alcohol-based hand rub dispensers in accordance with 8.7.3.3 shall be permitted. Statement: Proposed text adds language to permit the use of alcohol based hand rub dispensers per the new Section 8.7.3.3. 17
101 FR7041 SAF-MER (39.3.4.2 and 39.3.4.3) 39.3.4.2 Initiation. Initiation of the required fire alarm system shall be by one of the following means: (1) Manual means in accordance with 9.6.2.1(1) (2) Means of an aapproved automatic fire detection system that complies in accordance with 9.6.2.1(2) and that provides protection throughout the building in accordance with 9.6.2.6. (3) Means of an aapproved automatic sprinkler system that complies in accordance with 9.6.2.1(3) and that provides protection throughout the building in accordance with 9.6.2.6. 39.3.4.3 Occupant Notification. During all times that the building is occupied (see 7.2.1.1.3), the required fire alarm system, once initiated, shall perform one of the following functions: (1) It shall activate a general alarm in accordance with 9.6.3 throughout the building, and both of the following also shall apply: (a) Positive alarm sequence in accordance with 9.6.3.4 shall be permitted. (b) A presignal system in accordance with 9.6.3.3 shall be permitted. (2) Occupant notification shall be permitted to be made via a voice communication or public address system in accordance with 9.6.3.9.2. Statement: Section 39.3.4.2 and 39.3.4.3 are being revised to correlate with the language and format currently in NFPA 5000 as well as the changes made to the corresponding sections in Chapter 38. The revisions provide clarity and are more user friendly. References to Section 9.6.2.6 were added to remind users that fire alarm systems using automatic fire detection or waterflow detection devices to initiate the fire alarm system must also be provides with a manual fire alarm box. The phrase "throughout the building" is being deleted from 39.3.4.3 as the requirements for the alarm system coverage are contained in the fire alarm requirements of the core Chapter 9. 101 FR7024 SAF-MER (39.7.7) Recommendation: Add a new section to read: 39.7.7 Inspection of Door Openings. Door openings shall be inspected in accordance with 7.2.1.15. Statement: In the 2012 edition of the NFPA 101, Section 7.2.1.15, Inspection of Door Openings was revised from requiring the inspection of all door assemblies where the door leaves where required to swing in the direction of egress travel to Access-Controlled Egress Door Assemblies, Electrically-Controlled Egress Door Assemblies, Doors with Special Locking Arrangements, and doors equipped with fire exit hardware or panic hardware. A new requirement to inspect smoke door assemblies in accordance with NFPA 105, Standard for Smoke Doors and Other Opening Protectives was also added in the 2012 edition. 101 FR7018 SAF-MER (A.36.3.2.3) A.36.3.2.3 It is not the intent to prohibit the use of equipment that is used less frequently and does not produce significant grease-laden vapors such as that equipment used for cooking demonstrations. Statement: Clarifies the change made to 36.3.2.3. 18
101 FR7044 SAF-MER (A.36.4.4.2.2) A.36.4.4.2.5 Mall Building. A mall building might enclose one or more uses, such as retail and wholesale stores, drinking and dining establishments, entertainment and amusement facilities, transportation facilities, offices, and other similar uses. Statement: Proposed change adds corresponding annex note to new Section 36.4.4.2.2. 101 FR7019 SAF-MER (A.37.3.2.3) A.37.3.2.3 It is not the intent to prohibit the use of equipment that is used less frequently and does not produce significant grease-laden vapors such as that equipment used for cooking demonstrations. Statement: Clarifies the change made to 37.3.2.3 101 FR7047 SAF-MER (A.37.4.4.2.2) A.37.4.4.2.5 Mall Building. A mall building might enclose one or more uses, such as retail and wholesale stores, drinking and dining establishments, entertainment and amusement facilities, transportation facilities, offices, and other similar uses. Statement: Proposed change adds corresponding annex note to new Section 37.4.4.2.2. 101 FR7020 SAF-MER (A.38.3.2.3) A.38.3.2.3 It is not the intent to prohibit the use of equipment that is used less frequently and does not produce significant grease-laden vapors such as that equipment used for cooking demonstrations. Statement: Clarifies the change made to 38.3.2.3 101 FR7021 SAF-MER (A.39.3.2.3) A.39.3.2.3 It is not the intent to prohibit the use of equipment that is used less frequently and does not produce significant grease-laden vapors such as that equipment used for cooking demonstrations. Statement: Clarifies the change made to 39.3.2.3 19