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Opinions & Applications for the Fire Code (1997 edition) (revoked November 21, 2007)

9.6.2.13. REFUSE AND LINEN CHUTES

9.6.2.13.

  
  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:
    1. at the top,
    2. at alternate floor levels, and
    3. in the room or bin into which the chute discharges.

  3. An existing chute installation shall be deemed to be in compliance with Sentence (2) where:
    1. the chute outlet in the discharge room is protected by an automatic, self-latching closure held open by a fusible link,
    2. the room into which the chute discharges is sprinklered, and
    3. at least one sprinkler head with a minimum discharge rate of 66 L/min is located at the top of the chute.

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.

Other Resources:

   OBC 3.5.3.3.

Application:

  
Q1:  

This Article discusses protective 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 9.6.2.12. requires that it be separated from the rest of the building by a fire separation having a 45 min fire-resistance rating. Article 9.6.2.5. requires that the intake room be separated from adjacent suites and public corridors by a fire separation having a 45 min fire-resistance rating. This separation is required whether or not there is a separation between the refuse chute and the intake room.

The Fire Code does not have a specific requirement for the protection of the intake openings into refuse chutes. It only requires that the chute be separated from the rest of the building by a fire separation having a 45 min fire-resistance rating. Because both the intake room and the refuse chute require the same rating it is possible to consider the intake room as part of the vertical service space. The refuse chute/intake room can be separated as a unit from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a 45 min fire-resistance rating.

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 45 min fire-resistance rating must be provided between the refuse chute and the corridor. The closures protecting the intake openings must either be listed closures or must be closures which are of sturdy construction and reliably self-close and could be accepted under Article 9.1.2.4. because, in the opinion of the Chief Fire Official, they 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:   Yes. The refuse chute intake room must be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a 45 min fire-resistance rating. (See Question 1 above) Where a 45 min fire-protection rating is required, Sentence 9.6.2.6.(4) permits an existing hollow metal or kalamein door in a hollow metal frame equipped with a self-closing and latching device. This require-ment applies regardless of what type of closure there is between the refuse chute and the intake room.