Committee Input No. 6501-NFPA 5000-2015 [ New Section after 27.3.4.3.2 ] 27.3.4.3 Risk Analysis for Mass Notification Systems. A risk analysis for mass notification systems shall be provided in accordance with Section 55.13. Submitter Information Verification Submitter Full Name: Kristin Bigda Organization: [ Not Specified ] Street Address: City: State: Zip: Submittal Date: Fri Aug 28 09:28:17 EDT 2015 Committee Statement Committee Statement: Response Message: New language has been added to Chapter 55 regarding conducting a risk analysis to determine the need for the installation of a mass notification system in a building. The committee is generally interested in this subject area but is seeking additional information regarding the application of new Section 55.13 specific to Mercantile occupancies. A task group has been formed to further explore the issue and will present its findings for the Second Draft phase. Page 1
Committee Input No. 6513-NFPA 5000-2015 [ Section No. 27.4.4 ] 27.4.4 Mall Buildings. 27.4.4.1 Scope. Subsection 27.4.4 shall establish the minimum requirements for mall buildings having not more than three stories and any number of anchor buildings. 27.4.4.2 Special Definitions. A list of special terms used in this chapter follows. 27.4.4.2.1* Anchor Building. A building housing any occupancies 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. 27.4.4.2.2* 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 3.3.67.12.) a: Enclosed Mall Concourse. A mall concourse which has less than 50 % of the total area of the perimeter walls and roof open to the outer air. b: Open mall Concourse. * A mall concourse which has 50 % or more of the total area of the perimeter walls and roof open to the outer air. Such openings shall be distributed uniformly over the length of the mall concourse A. 27.4.4.2. 2(4)(b) An open mall concourse is permitted to serve as the public way provided that the open mall concourse meets the definition of public way in accordance with this Code. 27.4.4.2. 3 Food Court. A public seating area located in a mall that serves adjacent food preparation tenant spaces. 27.4.4.2.4 Gross Leasable Area. The total floor area designated for tenant occupancy and exclusive use. The area of tenant occupancy is measured from the centerlines of joint partitions to the outside of the tenant walls. All tenant areas, including areas used for storage, are part of the gross leasable area. 27.4.4.2.5 Mall. Structure 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 A.27.4.4.2.5(5) A mall structure can include either an enclosed mall concourse or an open mall concourse. A mall structure may be enclosed by construction which could range from total enclosure to construction which is open, either partially or totally, to the outer air. For structures without complete walls and/or roof, the termination of the mall exit discharge would determine the extent of the structure. each other. (See 3.3.382.) 27.4.4.2.6 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 3.3.382.) Page 2
27.4.4.3 Minimum Construction Requirements. Construction shall be in accordance with all of the following: (1) Chapter 7, Construction Types and Height and Area Requirements (2) Chapter 8, Fire-Resistive Materials and Construction (3) Chapter 13, Encroachments into the Public Right-of-Way (4) Chapter 14, Safeguards During Construction (5) Chapter 31, Occupancies in Special Structures (6) Chapter 35, Structural Design (7) Chapter 36, Soils, Foundations, and Retaining Walls (8) Chapter 37, Exterior Wall Construction (9) Chapter 38, Roof Assemblies and Roof Structures (10) Chapter 39, Flood-Resistant Design and Construction (11) Chapter 40, Quality Assurance During Construction 27.4.4.3.1 Types of Construction. The area of mall buildings and attached anchor buildings shall not be limited where the mall buildings, anchor buildings, and attached parking structures are surrounded on all sides by a permanent open space of not less than 60 ft (18.3 m) under any one of the following conditions: (1) Mall buildings and anchor buildings of Type I, Type II, or Type IV construction shall not exceed three stories in height. (2) Mall buildings and anchor buildings of Type III construction shall not exceed two stories in height. 27.4.4.3.2 Anchor Building Separations. 27.4.4.3.2.1 Each anchor building three stories or less in height of Type I, Type II, or Type IV construction, or two stories or less in height of Type III construction, shall be separated from the mall building and other anchor buildings by a fire barrier having a fire resistance rating determined in accordance with Table 6.2.4.1.1(a) for the uses being separated, but with a rating of not less than 2 hours. 27.4.4.3.2.2 Anchor buildings of more than three stories in height of Type I, Type II, or Type IV construction, or of more than two stories in height of Type III construction, or any anchor building of Type V construction, shall be separated from the mall building and other anchor buildings by fire walls. 27.4.4.3.3 Anchor Building Openings. Openings in the fire barrier provided in accordance with 27.4.4.3.2.1 between an anchor building and the pedestrian area of the mall shall not be required to be protected for those anchor buildings housing assembly occupancies, business occupancies, and mercantile occupancies other than bulk merchandising retail buildings. Page 3
27.4.4.3.4 Parking Structures. Parking structures within 60 ft (18.3 m) of the mall building or anchor building shall meet all of the following criteria: (1) They shall be of Type I or Type II construction. (2) They shall be limited in height in accordance with Section 30.8. (3) They shall be separated in accordance with 27.1.2. 27.4.4.3.5 Tenant Separations. 27.4.4.3.5.1 Each tenant space shall be separated from other tenant spaces by partitions having a fire resistance rating of not less than 1 hour. 27.4.4.3.5.2* The partition shall extend to the underside of the ceiling. 27.4.4.3.5.3 No separation shall be required between the tenant space and the mall. 27.4.4.4 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 6.2.4. 27.4.4.5 Means of Egress. 27.4.4.5.1 All means of egress shall be in accordance with Chapter 11 and this chapter. 27.4.4.5.2 The mall concourse shall be permitted to be considered a pedestrian way, provided that the criteria of 27.4.4.5.2.1 through 27.4.4.5.2.2 are met. 27.4.4.5.2.1 The travel distance within a tenant space to an exit or to the mall shall not exceed the maximum travel distance permitted by the occupancy chapter. Page 4
27.4.4.5.2.2 An additional 200 ft (61 m) shall be permitted for travel through the enclosed mall space or 300 ft (91 m)for travel through the open mall space,, provided that all of the following requirements are met: (1) The mall shall be of a clear width not less than that needed to accommodate egress requirements as set forth in other sections of this chapter, but shall be not less than 20 ft (6100 mm) wide in its narrowest dimension. (2) A.27.4.4.5.2.2 See Section 27.2.5.7. (3) On each side of the mall floor area, the mall shall be provided with an unobstructed exit access of not less than 10 ft (3050 mm) in clear width parallel to, and adjacent to, the mall tenant front. (4) (5) The mall, and all buildings connected thereto, except open parking structures, shall be protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 55.3.1.1 (1). (6) The sprinkler system specified in 27.4.4.5.2.2 (4) shall be installed in such a manner that any portion of the system serving tenant spaces can be taken out of service without affecting the operation of the portion of the system serving the mall. (7) * The exit access from a mall, as specified in 27.4.4.5.2.2 (2), shall lead to an exit having a width of not less than 66 in. (1675 mm). * Walls dividing tenant spaces from each other shall have a fire resistance rating of not less than 1 hour, and all of the following also shall apply: (8) (9) The partition shall extend to the underside of the ceiling or to the roof or floor above. No separation shall be required between a tenant space and the mall. (10)* Malls with a floor opening connecting more than two levels shall be provided with a smoke control system. 27.4.4.5.3 Dead ends not exceeding a length equal to twice the width of the mall concourse for enclosed mall concourses or two and a half times the width of the mall concourse for open mall concourses, measured at the narrowest location within the dead-end portion of the mall, shall be permitted. 27.4.4.5.4 Each assembly occupancy with an occupant load of 500 or more shall have not less than one-half of its required means of egress independent of the mall. 27.4.4.5.5 Every story of a mall building shall be provided with the number of means of egress specified by Section 11.4 and as modified by 27.4.4.5.5.1 or 27.4.4.5.5.2. 27.4.4.5.5.1 Exit access travel shall be permitted to be common for the distances permitted as common paths of travel by 27.2.5.3. 27.4.4.5.5.2 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 does not exceed 100 ft (30 m). Page 5
27.4.4.5.5.3 Every floor of a mall shall be provided with the number of means of egress specified by Section 11.4, with not less than two means of egress remotely located from each other. 27.4.4.5.5.4 Class A and Class B mercantile occupancies connected to a mall shall be provided with the number of means of egress required by Section 11.4, with not less than two means of egress remotely located from one another. 27.4.4.5.6 Each individual major tenant of a mall building shall have a minimum of one-half of its required means of egress independent of the mall. 27.4.4.5.7* Each individual anchor building shall have means of egress independent of the mall. 27.4.4.5.8 Each individual tenant space shall have means of egress to the outside or to the mall based on occupant load calculated in accordance with Table 11.3.1.2. 27.4.4.5.9 Exit passageways shall comply with 27.4.4.5.9.1 and 27.4.4.5.9.2. 27.4.4.5.9.1 Exit passageways in a mall building shall be permitted to accommodate the following independently: (1) Portion of the occupant load assigned to the exit passageway from only the mall (2) Largest occupant load assigned to the exit passageway from a single tenant space 27.4.4.5.9.2* Rooms housing building service equipment, janitor closets, and service elevators shall be permitted to open directly onto exit passageways, provided that all of the following criteria are met: (1) The required fire resistance rating between such rooms or areas and the exit passageway shall be maintained in accordance with 11.1.3.2. (2) Such rooms or areas shall be protected by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with NFPA 13 and 55.3.2; however, the exceptions in NFPA 13 that permit the omission of sprinklers from such rooms shall not be permitted. (3) Service elevators opening into the exit passageway shall not open into areas other than exit passageways. (4) Where exit stair enclosures discharge into the exit passageway, the provisions of 11.2.1.5.9 shall apply, regardless of the number of stories served. 27.4.4.6 Mall Exit Capacity. The capacity of the required exits from the mall shall accommodate the occupant load calculated as the sum of the occupant loads required in 27.4.4.6.1 and 27.4.4.6.2. 27.4.4.6.1 The gross leasable area of the mall building (not including anchor buildings) shall be divided by the appropriate lowest whole number occupant load factor (OLF) from Figure 11.3.1.2. The occupant load factor shall not be less than 30 and shall not exceed 55. Page 6
27.4.4.6.2 For any food court or other assembly occupancy areas located in the mall that are not included as a portion of the gross leasable area of the mall building, an occupant load shall be calculated based on the occupant load factor for the appropriate use, as specified in Table 11.3.1.2. The remaining mall area shall not be assigned an occupant load. 27.4.4.7 Fire Protection Systems. 27.4.4.7.1 Automatic Extinguishing Systems. 27.4.4.7.1.1 The mall building and all anchor buildings shall be protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with NFPA 13, 55.3.2, and 27.4.4.7.1. 27.4.4.7.1.2 The system shall be installed in such a manner that any portion of the system serving tenant spaces can be taken out of service without affecting the operation of the portion of the system serving the mall. 27.4.4.7. 1.3 Any shade structures, canopies, awnings, or similar structures in the open mall concourse shall be protected by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system where required by NFPA 13 and 55.3. 2. 27.4.4.7.2 Hose Connections. Where the mall is not protected by a standpipe system in accordance with NFPA 14, hose connections shall be installed in accordance with 27.4.4.7.2.1 through 27.4.4.7.2.3. 27.4.4.7.2.1 There shall be a hose outlet connected to a system sized to deliver 250 gal/min (946 L/min) at the most hydraulically remote outlet. 27.4.4.7.2.2 The outlet shall be supplied from the mall zone sprinkler system and shall be hydraulically calculated. 27.4.4.7.2.3 Hose outlets shall be provided at each of the following locations: (1) Within the mall at the entrance to each exit passage or corridor (2) At each floor level landing within enclosed stairways opening directly onto the mall (3) At exterior public entrances to the mall 27.4.4.8* Smoke Control. A smoke control system in accordance with Section 55.7 and complying with 8.12.3 (5) shall be provided in a an enclosed mall concourse with floor openings connecting more than two levels. 27.4.4.9 Fire Department Access to Equipment. Rooms or areas containing controls for air-conditioning systems; automatic fire-extinguishing systems; or other detection, suppression, or control elements shall be identified for use by the fire department. 27.4.4.10 Emergency lighting shall be provided in accordance with 27.2.9. A. 27.4.4.10 See 11. 8. 1.1 Page 7
27.4.4.10.1 General. Malls shall be provided with a fire alarm system in accordance with Section 55.2, as modified by 27.4.4.10. 27.4.4.10.2 Initiation. Initiation of the required fire alarm system shall be by means of the required automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 55.2.2 (3) and by manual means in accordance with 55.2.2.1.6 and 55.2.2.1.7. 27.4.4.10.3 Notification. 27.4.4.10.3.1 Occupant Notification. During all times that the mall is occupied, the required fire alarm system, once initiated, shall perform one of the following functions: (1) It shall activate a general alarm in accordance with 55.2.3 throughout the mall, except a positive alarm sequence in accordance with 55.2.3.4 shall be permitted. (2) Occupant notification shall be permitted to be made via a voice communication or public address system in accordance with 55.2.3.9.2. 27.4.4.10.3.2* Visible signals shall not be required in malls. (See 55.2.3.5.6.) 27.4.4.10.3.3 Emergency Forces Notification. Emergency forces notification shall be provided and shall include notifying all of the following: (1) Fire department in accordance with 55.2.4 (2) Approved local emergency organization, if provided 27.4.4.10.3.4 Emergency Control. The fire alarm system shall be arranged to automatically actuate smoke management or smoke-control systems in accordance with 55.2.5.2 (3). 27.4.4.11 Tenant Spaces. Each individual tenant space shall have means of egress to the outside or to the mall, based on occupant load calculated by using Table 11.3.1.2. 27.4.4.12 Kiosks. Page 8
27.4.4.12.1 Kiosks and similar structures (temporary or permanent) shall not be considered as tenant spaces and shall be constructed of noncombustible or limited-combustible materials, or of combustible materials meeting any of the following criteria: (1) Listed fire-retardant-treated wood complying with the requirements of 45.5.15 (2) Light-transmitting plastics complying with Chapter 48 (3) Foamed plastics having a maximum heat release rate not greater than 100 kw when tested in accordance with UL 1975 or in accordance with NFPA 289, Standard Method of Fire Test for Individual Fuel Packages, using the 20 kw ignition source (4) Metal composite material (MCM) having a flame spread index not greater than 25 and a smoke developed index not greater than 450 in accordance with ASTM E 84, Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials, or ANSI/UL 723, Standard for Test for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials, when tested as an assembly in the maximum thickness intended for use (5) Textiles and films meeting the flame propagation performance criteria contained in Test Method 1 or Test Method 2, as appropriate, of NFPA 701, Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Flame Propagation of Textiles and Films 27.4.4.12.2 Kiosks or similar structures located within the enclosed mall concourse shall be protected with approved fire suppression and detection devices. 27.4.4.12.3 * The minimum horizontal separation between kiosks, or groups of kiosks, and other structures within the mall shall be 20 ft (6100 mm). 27.4.4.12.4 Each kiosk, or group of kiosks, or similar structure shall have a maximum area of 300 ft 2 (27.8 m 2 ). Submitter Information Verification Submitter Full Name: Kristin Bigda Organization: [ Not Specified ] Street Address: City: State: Zip: Submittal Date: Wed Sep 02 15:45:26 EDT 2015 Committee Statement Committee Statement: The proposed changes are the result of task group work that was initiated at the completion of the 2015 revision cycle and will continue through the 2018 cycle. The focus of the task group was to update terminology related to shopping malls to better describe the applicability and intent of the Code sections as well as develop language to address both enclosed and open type mall concourses. The proposed Committee Input is developed with the intent of soliciting public comment and additional review by the mall Page 9
0 task group and is focused on the definition of open and enclosed mall concourses as well as the impact of open mall concourses on existing code requirements. Prior to the Second Draft meeting the task group will continue to meet and review the code requirements for open versus enclosed mall concourses and determine how the code is to be appropriately applied to either open or enclosed mall concourses. The task group is looking at areas such as egress travel, fire protection systems and protection of the mall concourse, as well as protection and presence of kiosks and equipment within the mall concourse. Response Message: It should be noted that the term 'mall' will be replaced with 'mall concourse' and 'mall building' will be replaced with 'mall structure' pending the results of revisions made by the Committee during the First Draft meeting. Public Input No. 102-NFPA 5000-2015 [Section No. A.27.4.4.2.2] Public Input No. 103-NFPA 5000-2015 [New Section after A.27.4.4.2.2] Public Input No. 100-NFPA 5000-2015 [Section No. 27.4.4.2.5] Page 10
1 Committee Input No. 6512-NFPA 5000-2015 [ Section No. 28.1.7 ] 28.1.7 Occupant Load. 28.1.7.1 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 11.3.1.2 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. 28.1.7.2 The occupant load for business use shall be 150 ft 2 /person. Submitter Information Verification Submitter Full Name: Kristin Bigda Organization: [ Not Specified ] Street Address: City: State: Zip: Submittal Date: Mon Aug 31 15:21:29 EDT 2015 Committee Statement Committee Statement: This CI proposes to revise the current maximum floor area allowance per occupant in Table 11.3.1.2 for business occupancies from 100 ft2/occupant (gross) to 150 ft2/occupant (gross) for determining the means of egress requirements in business areas for public consideration in an effort to solicit public comments on this important subject. The rationale is based on several past research studies that have concluded that the 100 ft2/occupant (gross) occupant load factor for business occupancies is very conservative which has led to requiring Group B occupancies and office buildings in general to have additional egress capacity and a greater number of exits to accommodate an "overestimated" building population. The increase from 100 ft2/occupant (gross) to 150 ft2/occupant (gross) for business occupancies is still a conservative figure; yet reasonable, based on recent changes in office building design as well as changes in the North American workplace and work style trends; such as work station configurations, flexible work schedules, telecommuting, work at home, etc. The existing occupant load factor of 100 ft2/occupant (gross) for business occupancies first appeared in the 3rd edition of the Building Exits Code that was published in 1934. The occupant load factor of 100 ft2/occupant (gross) was specified for office, factory, and workrooms. All occupant load factors were based on the gross floor area of the building, such that no deduction was permitted for corridors, closets, restrooms, or other subdivisions. However, since the initial NBS study in 1935, several other studies have been conducted to determine the occupant load factors for various occupancies. One common similarity of each of the studies was that all of the subsequent studies have concluded that the 100 ft2/occupant (gross) occupant load factor for business Page 11
2 occupancies is conservative. Studies conducted between 1966 and 1992 have indicated that occupant load factors in business occupancies ranged from 150 ft2/occupant (gross) to 278 ft2/occupant (gross). In addition, a 1995 study of 23 Federal sector and private sector office buildings also indicated a mean occupant load factor of 248 ft2/occupant for all office buildings. Lastly, a recent project to study the appropriateness of the 100 ft2/occupant load factor for business occupancies was recently undertaken by the NFPA Fire Protection Research Foundation. The study was conducted by WPI undergrad students. The recommendations of this study have indicated that it is reasonable to increase the occupant load factor to 150 ft2/occupant in business. Response Message: Page 12
3 Committee Input No. 6505-NFPA 5000-2015 [ New Section after 28.2.2.2.1 ] 28.2.2.2.2 Where approved by the Authority Having Jurisdiction doors shall be permitted to be provided with locking devices that are capable of being unlocked from outside the room. Submitter Information Verification Submitter Full Name: Kristin Bigda Organization: [ Not Specified ] Street Address: City: State: Zip: Submittal Date: Fri Aug 28 13:50:07 EDT 2015 Committee Statement Committee Statement: Response Message: In the wake of many recent events, offering adequate protection for occupants in business occupancies used for educational purposes, such as college and university buildings, is an important and relevant issue. The committee is interested in the subject of door locking in locations such as classroom doors and is seeking guidance of the Educational and Daycare Technical Committee to provide consistent provisions for the educational facilities that fall under the definition of Business occupancies. It is recognized that the Educational committee is developing language on this subject and it will be reviewed by this committee through direction of the Correlating Committee prior to the Second Draft stage. Additional input from the college and university industry is welcome. Page 13
4 Committee Input No. 6502-NFPA 5000-2015 [ New Section after 28.3.4.3 ] 28.3.4.4 Risk Analysis for Mass Notification Systems. A risk analysis for mass notification systems shall be provided in accordance with Section 55.13. Submitter Information Verification Submitter Full Name: Kristin Bigda Organization: [ Not Specified ] Street Address: City: State: Zip: Submittal Date: Fri Aug 28 09:29:56 EDT 2015 Committee Statement Committee Statement: New language has been added to Chapter 55 regarding conducting a risk analysis to determine the need for the installation of a mass notification system in a building. The committee is generally interested in this subject area but is seeking additional information regarding the application of new Section 55.13 specific to college and university campus buildings. A task group has been formed to further explore the issue and will be looking at the following issues prior to the Second Draft meeting: -Qualifications of person completing risk analysis -Feedback from college and university industry on the impact of new 55.13 -How are the provisions applied to an entire campus versus a single building, and are their implications of applying provisions for mass notification on a building by building basis only. -Extent of application: what types of buildings should this apply to? How can the Code properly identify the type of college and university buildings that this requirement should apply to? -Extent of the application of the required emergency plan. Response Message: -How would enforcing new 55.13 impact non-classroom buildings? Public Input No. 80-NFPA 5000-2015 [New Section after 28.3.4.3] Page 14