Appeal 35081

Appeal Summary

Status: CANCEL

Appeal ID: 35081

Submission Date: 1/21/26 10:58 AM

Hearing Date: 2/5/26

Case #: 26-07

Appeal Type: Fire

Project Type: commercial

Building/Business Name: Mattress Pole Barn/Environmentally Conscious Recycling

Appeal Involves: other: Building is not subject to automatic sprinkler system

Proposed use: Mechanical disassembly of used mattresses and box springs for material recycling

Project Address: 12409 NE San Rafael St

Appellant Name: NATALIE ZITO

LUR or Permit Application #: Permit 25-098766-000-00-CO

Stories: 1 Occupancy: F1 Construction Type: Pole Barn

Fire Sprinklers: No

Plans Examiner/Inspector: Zach Parrish

Plan Submitted Option: pdf   [File 1]

Payment Option: mail

Appeal Information Sheet

Appeal item 1

Code Section

2023 PFC 903.2.4

Requires

OSSC § 903.2.4 (5):
“An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings containing a Group F-
1 occupancy used for the manufacture or processing of upholstered furniture or mattresses
where the fire area exceeds 2,500 square feet.”

• Definition — Fire Area (OSSC § 202):
“The aggregate floor area enclosed and bounded by fire walls, fire barriers, exterior walls, or
horizontal assemblies of a building.”

• IBC/OSSC Commentary (Section 903.2):
“Where a structure is sufficiently open on two or more sides so that the accumulation of heat
and combustion products is unlikely, such a space may not constitute an enclosed fire area for
the purposes of automatic sprinkler protection.”

Code Modification or Alternate Requested

Although the building exceeds 2,500 sq ft, it is open on two complete sides, allowing natural ventilation
and preventing heat and smoke accumulation typical of an enclosed fire area.
The south and east walls provide limited structural enclosure; the north and west sides are entirely
open from grade to roofline.
Therefore, the space does not meet the definition of an “enclosed fire area” as per OSSC § 202.
We respectfully request confirmation that this open-sided pole building, used for mattress disassembly,
is not considered an enclosed fire area under OSSC § 202 and therefore is not subject to automatic
sprinkler protection under OSSC § 903.2.4 (5).

Proposed Design

This pole building is already up - the builders (Cascade Buildings) never obtained our permit, and so we are working on completing necessary requirements to legalize the building.

Reason for alternative

I'm not sure how to answer this question, but please reach out to me if you have any further questions regarding this appeal.

Appeal Decision

26-07 is a building code appeal, as the applicant is citing building codes and the subject is requirements and definitions of a fire area.

Respectfully,



JEFF GALVAN | Senior Fire Inspector
PORTLAND FIRE & RESCUE
1900 SW 4th Ave
Portland, OR 97201
Phone: 503.823.3820 | Mobile: 503.209.8404 | Fax: 503.823.7291
www.portlandoregon.gov/fire