Appeal 34905
Appeal Summary
Status: Decision Rendered
Appeal ID: 34905
Submission Date: 7/17/25 2:08 PM
Hearing Date: 7/30/25
Case #: B-2
Appeal Type: Building
Project Type: commercial
Building/Business Name: Mississippi Apartments
Appeal Involves: Erection of a new structure
Proposed use: Mixed-Use/Apartments
Project Address: 5422 N MISSISSIPPI AVE
Appellant Name: JOSEF WEST
LUR or Permit Application #: Other None
Stories: 5 Occupancy: A-3, R-2, B, S-1, S-2 Construction Type: 1-A/V-A
Fire Sprinklers: Yes - Throughout
Plans Examiner/Inspector: Maureen McCafferty
Plan Submitted Option: pdf [File 1] [File 2]
Payment Option: electronic
Appeal Information Sheet
Appeal item 1
| Code Section | OSSC 716.5 - Opening Fire Protection, NFPA 110, 7.7.2.1 |
|---|---|
| Requires | Minimum fire shutter assembly rating for a 2-hour fire barrier is 90 minutes. |
| Code Modification or Alternate Requested | Sprinkler coverage in lieu of fire shutter. |
| Proposed Design | Mississippi Apartments has an on-grade generator room that must be located inside the building envelope. The generator requires intake ventilation air for cooling purposes. Intake air is brought in from the parking garage entrance before the garage door, directly from an intake louver in the required 2hr rated exterior wall. Please see attached drawings A1.08 - Emergency Power.pdf and A1.02 - Enlarged Floor Plan.pdf. To avoid the use of a fire damper as part of the intake louver in the rated wall, we are proposing additional fire sprinkler protection on both sides of the opening to ensure the continued supply of intake air to support the operation of the generator in a fire event. The additional type 13 sprinklers will be installed at a minimum of 4 inches and a maximum of 24 inches from the opening spaced at 6'-0" max. on center. A separate permit from the Fire Marshal is required. |
| Reason for alternative | Due to the location of the generator within the limits of the building enclosure, it is impractical to convey intake air from the building's exterior wall or along the entrance of the garage from the property line. Equivalent accommodation for ventilation air for the generator to continue running in case of a power failure. The generator is drawing air directly from the garage entrance drive aisle. |
Appeal Decision
Allow sprinkler coverage in lieu of a fire damper at the intake louver in the 2-hour exterior wall of a generator enclosure: 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 the 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.