Appeal 33533

Appeal Summary

Status: Decision Rendered on RECONSIDERATION OF 32354

Appeal ID: 33533

Submission Date: 10/16/24 10:12 AM

Hearing Date: 10/23/24

Case #: B-002

Appeal Type: Building

Project Type: commercial

Building/Business Name: DTNA Corp 42

Appeal Involves: Reconsideration of appeal

Proposed use: Repair garage

Project Address: 4821 N Channel Ave

Appellant Name: Tom Jaleski

LUR or Permit Application #: Permit 23-104507 -CO

Stories: 1 Occupancy: H-2 Construction Type: IB

Fire Sprinklers: Yes - throughout

Plans Examiner/Inspector: Joe Thornton/Kent Hegsted

Plan Submitted Option: pdf   [File 1]   [File 2]   [File 3]

Payment Option: electronic

Appeal Information Sheet

Appeal item 1

Code Section

OSSC 406.8.6.4 and OFC 2311.8.5

Requires

Where such spaces are not separately enclosed, noncombustible spray curtains shall be provided to restrict the spread of flammable gases.

Code Modification or Alternate Requested

The South Shop and the adjacent buildings are separated by Fire Walls. The lighter than air gases will be prevented from migrating from the South Shop by a Fire Wall that that extends more than 15 feet above the highest opening between the buildings.

Proposed Design

The South Shop at Corp 42 will serve as a vehicle repair garage for articulated semi-trucks powered by lighter than air fuels. There will also be propane powered lifts and CNG vehicles in the South Shop.
The proposed design includes a 3-hour Fire Wall between the South and North shops, with a 180-minute fire resistance rated roll up door [per OSSC Table 716.1(2)] behaving as a pass through between the two spaces. The Fire wall has more than 15 feet of rated construction with no openings above the roll up door.
Equivalent protection is provided by the 15 feet of 3-hour rated wall, preventing migration of the lighter than air flammable gases from migrating between spaces. Additional protection is provided by continuous ventilation in the entire South Shop of 1 CFM/square foot, increasing to 4 CFM/square foot when the gas detection devices are activated.

Reason for alternative

The proposed design includes a 3-hour Fire Wall between the South and North shops, with a 180-minute fire resistance rated roll up door [per OSSC Table 716.1(2)] behaving as a pass through between the two spaces. The Fire wall has more than 15 feet of rated construction with no openings above the roll up door.
Equivalent protection is provided by the 15 feet of 3-hour rated wall, preventing migration of the lighter than air flammable gases from migrating between spaces. Additional protection is provided by continuous ventilation in the entire South Shop of 1 CFM/square foot, increasing to 4 CFM/square foot when the gas detection devices are activated.
In the unlikely event of a flammable gas/hydrogen leak from a vehicle within the South Shop, gas detection will increase the continuous mechanical exhaust rate of 1 CFM/square foot to 4 CFM/square foot. The exhaust in the South Shop is taken at the high point of the shop and it served by six (6) upblast exhaust fans rated for hydrogen [AMCA spark resistant type A or B]. The ceiling height in the South Shop is between 31.5’ to 30.5’ with an average of 31’, more than 15’ above the top of the highest opening in the Fire Wall.
The intent of the spray curtain required by OSSC 406.8.6.4 and OFC 2311.8.5 is to provide a low permeable barrier to prevent the migration of flammable gases. All the flammable gases used in the South shop are lighter than air gases, hydrogen and CH4. The 15’ of 3 hour rated wall will prevent any flammable gases from migrating to the adjacent buildings. Additional protection is provided by continuous ventilation exceeding code requirements. The combination of fire rated wall and ventilation provides equivalent protection for a spray curtain and request approval of this appeal.

Appeal Decision

Restrict the spread of flammable gases from the South Shop with a 3-hour firewall and 180-minute roll-up door instead of noncombustible spray curtains: Granted as proposed.

"The Administrative Appeal Board finds that the information submitted by the appellant demonstrates that the approved modifications or alternate methods are consistent with the intent of the code; do not lessen health, safety, accessibility, life, fire safety or structural requirements; and that special conditions unique to this project make strict application of those code sections impractical.

Pursuant to City Code Chapter 24.10, you may appeal this decision to the Building Code Board of Appeal within 90 calendar days of the date this decision is published. For information on the appeals process, how to file a reconsideration, and appealing to the Building Code Board of Appeal, go to https://www.portland.gov/ppd/file-appeal/appeal-process or email PPDAppeals@portlandoregon.gov.
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