Fire-Resistance Rating Requirements for Building Elements

Fall 2020
Exercise Chapters 4 & 5
PROBLEM 1: Refer to International Building Code Table 601, “Fire-Resistance Rating Requirements for Building Elements” (Fig. 4.1; p.110 in the textbook). Based on IBC Table 601, answer each of the following questions. [short answer / 2.5 points each]
* What do the designations of A and B indicate in the Table?
From the chart, the letter “A” under each construction type designates a construction that is protected. Letter A is a representation of a protected construction. On the other hand, letter “B” designates a type pf construction that is unprotected.
* What is the typical fire resistance rating for columns that are part of the structural frame in a Type VA building?
The typical fire resistance rating for column is the least restricted of the five with a protected coating at one hour. From the IBC table 601, for type IIA construction the footnote ‘e’ shows the provisions for the substitution of an approved automatic sprinkler system for 1-hour construction of fire resistance. As shown in 5000: Table 7.2.1.1, type IIA construction is similar to type II construction as indicated by the NFPA. Nevertheless, the NFPA never provide a comparable exemption for sprinkler systems.
* Which construction type requires a 2-hour fire rating for its floor construction?
Type 1, Both A and B
* According to this table, which structure or building element does not typically require a fire rating?
Nonbearing partitions and walls
PROBLEM 2: Refer to “Allowable Building Height in Feet Above Grade Plane” (Fig. 4.4; p.127 in the textbook), “Allowable Number of Stories Above Grade Plane” (Fig. 4.5; p.128 in the textbook), and “Allowable Area Factor (A1=NS, Is, S13R, or SM as applicable) in Square Feet” (Fig. 4.6; p.129 in the textbook) for these problems. [short answer / 5 points each]
* An existing non-sprinklered building with a construction type of Type IIIB has two floors with a total height of 40 feet. May this building be converted into an out-patient medical office building? Why or why not?
Every building has falls under one construction types whether its new or existing. The type of building must meet the minimun requirement for every building or structure element in the given construction type. However, it is classified in the next less restrive construction types if it fails to meet even one criteria. The building in this case can be converted into an outpatient medical office building. The maximum number of feet for the office building that is unsprinklered is 65 feet in height. Since the given building would have a maximum height of 40 feet in height, it can be easily converted into an offcie building. The height of buidling is determined and limited in the number of allowable stories and height.
* An existing single story non-sprinklered building with a construction type of Type IIIB has a floor area 17,500 square feet. Can this building be converted into a restaurant? Why or why not?
No, the building cannot be converted into a restaurant because the building cannot have more than 16,000 sq feet per floor to be a restaurant. The building does not have sprinkler so it cannot be con...