9.5.2.14. |
"(1) Each room into which a linen or refuse chute discharges shall be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a 1- hr fire-resistance rating.
(2) Automatic sprinklers shall be installed in each linen or refuse chute
(3)Where the room into which the chute discharges is sprinklered and at least one sprinkler head is installed at the top of the chute, an existing chute installation shall be deemed to be in compliance with Sentence (2). (4)Despite Sentence 9.5.2.1.(2), a closure is not required at the opening between the chute and the room into which it discharges."
|
|
Intent: |
Because they usually extend the full height of a building, linen and refuse chutes can be a means for the rapid spread of smoke throughout a building. Refuse chutes are also a common place for fires to start. To protect against this rapid spread of smoke (and possibly fire) specific protection is required.
Linen and refuse chutes are required to be fire separated in accordance with the requirements for vertical service spaces. The room into which the chute discharges is required to be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a 1 h fire resistance rating. Sprinklers are also required in both the chute and the discharge room. A closure is not required at the chute/room interface as the chute and room are protected by sprinklers.
|
|
Other Resources: |
OBC 3.5.3.3., 9.10.1.11. | |
Application: |
||
| Q1 | This Article addresses fire protection needs for refuse chutes and the rooms into which they discharge. Requirements for refuse intake rooms are not specifically identified. In the situation where existing intake rooms have an existing 45 min separation between suites and corridors and the existing intake openings are structurally sound and self-close by spring or other mechanical means, is the 45 min vertical separation acceptable with the existing intake closure? | |
| A1 | A refuse chute is considered to be a vertical service space and Article 9.5.2.13. requires that it be separated from the rest of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating equivalent to that required for the floor assembly. In a building regulated by Section 9.5 the required fire-resistance rating will be either 30 min or 45 min depending on the size of the building.
If the required fire-resistance rating is maintained between the refuse chute and the intake room, then the intake room can be considered as a separate room from the vertical service space. Article 9.5.2.7. would only require that the intake room be separated from adjacent suites and public corridors by a fire separation having a 30 min fire-resistance rating. If the required rating is not maintained between the refuse chute and the intake room then there are two options. The owner can upgrade the chute openings so that the required rating is provided between the refuse chute and the intake room in which case the above paragraph would then apply. Alternatively, the intake room can be considered as part of the vertical service space and be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having the same fire-resistance rating as required for the refuse chute. It should be noted that the Fire Code does not require that there be an intake room. In some older buildings the refuse chute opens directly into the corridor. In this case, a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating equivalent to that required for the floor assembly must be provided between the refuse chute and the corridor. The Chief Fire Official has the option of exercising authority under Article 9.1.2.4. to accept closures between the refuse chute and the intake room or the refuse chute and the corridor which are not listed but which are of sturdy construction and reliably self-close and therefore, in the opinion of the Chief Fire Official, will provide an adequate level of protection against the spread of smoke and fire. |
|
| Q2 | Do existing refuse chute intake room doors require a latch? | |
| A2 | No. The refuse chute intake room must be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having either a 30 min or a 45 min fire-separation rating (See Question 1 above). Where a 45 min. fire-protection rating is required, Sentence 9.5.2.8.(3) permits an existing hollow metal or kalamein door in a hollow metal frame and equipped with a self-closing device. Where a 20 min fire-protection rating is required, Sentence 9.5.2.8.(4) permits an existing 45 mm solid core wood door in a solid wood or hollow metal frame and equipped with a self-closing device. Neither sentence requires that the door have a latching device. However, it should be noted that the self-closing device must be capable of closing the door tightly enough to prevent the spread of smoke. |
|
||||||||||||||||||
