sandwood

Jeff - New Columbia are F1. Their sprinkler sub did not ask for an FPE report, and they passed city inspections. They are sprinklered, but to F1 standards. Who you talk to makes a difference, but I'm concerned that the commentary language is out there and, on the face of it, directs people to H1 conclusions....

to wit: "Exception 10 covers the storage of distilled spirits and wines in wooden barrels and casks. This statement may appear to exempt all requirements for these products from being a Group H occupancy. However, the IBC will still classify the storage area as a Group H occupancy if the amounts exceed the maximum allowable quantities (MAQs) per control area listed in Table 307.1(1) of that code for flammable or combustible liquids. All requirements for a Group H occupancy in the IBC are still applicable; however, any requirements from the code are not." If this language is universally applied, it would force all distilleries aging in barrels to meet H occupancy requirements (which are much more stringent as far as sprinklering goes, and therefore much more expensive). The language is not very well written, so if anyone has received professional input reaching a different conclusion, I'd love to hear about it!

Any update? Our fire protection engineer (required by the sprinkler company) tells us that commentary to the 2013 IFC provides that barrel storage should be counted against MAQ, despite the plain language of the exceptions. The result is an H classification instead of F1. Expensive!

Thanks John - we appreciate all your help!

That's the Moonea bottle by Verallia