BCAB #1457 - Fire Separation of Storage Lockers, Articles 3.3.4.3. & 3.3.5.7.

January 21, 1998

BCAB #1457

Re: Fire Separation of Storage Lockers, Articles 3.3.4.3. & 3.3.5.7.

Project Description

The project in question is a new four storey residential condominium over a below grade storage garage.

Reason for Appeal

Article 3.3.4.3. requires "...storage rooms not located within a suite, for the use of tenants in residential occupancies, shall be sprinklered and separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation of...1 hr...". Article 3.3.5.7. requires a storage garage to be "... separated from other occupancies by a fire separation with a fire resistance rating of not less than 1.5 h."

Appellant's Position

The appellant contends that Article 3.3.4.3. is satisfied by locating the lockers in the storage garage which is considered a separate building and separated from the suites by a floor assembly acting as a fire separation with a minimum 2 hour fire resistance rating. The appellant further contends that Article 3.3.5.7. has no bearing on the appeal.

Building Official's Position

The building official maintains that Article 3.3.5.7. does apply as storage lockers for personal use of the tenants should be sprinklered, separated from the storage garage by a fire separation with a fire resistance rating of 1.5 hours and separated from each other by a fire separation having a fire resistance rating of 3/4 hours.

Appeal Board Decision #1457

It is the determination of the Board that Article 3.3.5.7. applies and requires a 11/2 hour fire separation between the storage garage and the residential storage lockers. Article 3.3.4.3. does not require a rating between the individual storage lockers.

George R. Humphrey, Chair