STATE BUILDING CODE INTERPRETATION NO. 07-05

CODE:

2006 International Building Code / International Fire Code

SECTION:

902, 903.2.2 Exception 1

QUESTION:

1.  Does “requires a chassis” mean that the chassis is a part of the building structure?

2.  Can an existing 4970 square foot portable classroom building (made of 5 modular sections) have a 3712 square foot addition (made of 4 modular sections) with a 2-hour fire-resistance-rated fire wall between the existing and the addition be approved without the requirement for an automatic fire sprinkler system?

ANSWER:

1.  No.  Section 902 defines a portable classroom as a structure designed to use a chassis for transport. The structure can be hoisted onto a flatbed trailer for relocation and still meet the definition of portable. 

2.  No.  Washington State Amendment 903.2.2 requires an automatic sprinkler system in all Group E occupancies except for portable classrooms or clusters of less than 5000 square feet and Group E occupancies with an occupant load of 50 or less.

           A two hour fire-resistance-rated fire wall would not meet Section 705.4 of the IBC for separations.

SUPERSEDES:

None

REQUESTED BY:

City of Vancouver