426.1.1 Type of construction and height exceptions.

Buildings shall be constructed in compliance with the height, number of stories and area limitations specified in Sections 504 and 506; except that where erected of Type I or II construction, the heights and areas of grain elevators and similar structures shall be unlimited, and where of Type IV construction, the maximum building height shall be 65 feet (19 812 mm) and except further that, in isolated areas, the maximum building height of Type IV structures shall be increased to 85 feet (25 908 mm).

426.1.2 Grinding rooms.

Every room or space occupied for grinding or other operations that produce combustible dusts in such a manner that the room or space is classified as a Group H-2 occupancy shall be enclosed with fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both. The fire-resistance rating of the enclosure shall be not less than 2 hours where the area is not more than 3,000 square feet (279 m 2 ), and not less than 4 hours where the area is greater than 3,000 square feet (279 m 2 ).

426.1.3 Conveyors.

Conveyors, chutes, piping and similar equipment passing through the enclosures of rooms or spaces shall be constructed dirt tight and vapor tight, and be of approved noncombustible materials complying with Chapter 30.

426.1.4 Explosion control.

Explosion control shall be provided as specified in the New York City Fire Code, or spaces shall be equipped with the equivalent mechanical ventilation complying with the New York City Mechanical Code.

426.1.5 Grain elevators.

Grain elevators, malt houses and buildings for similar occupancies shall not be located within 30 feet (9144 mm) of interior lot lines or structures on the same lot, except where erected along a railroad right-of-way.

426.1.6 Coal pockets.

Coal pockets located less than 30 feet (9144 mm) from interior lot lines or from structures on the same lot shall be constructed of not less than Type IB construction. Where more than 30 feet (9144 mm) from interior lot lines, or where erected along a railroad right-of-way, the minimum type of construction of such structures not more than 65 feet (19 812 mm) in building height shall be Type IV.

426.1.7 Tire rebuilding.

Buffing operations shall be located in a room separated from the remainder of the building housing the tire rebuilding or tire recapping operation by a 1-hour fire barrier.

   Exception: Buffing operations are not required to be separated where all of the following conditions are met:

      1.   Buffing operations are equipped with an approved continuous automatic water-spray system directed at the point of cutting action;

      2.   Buffing machines are connected to particle-collecting systems providing a minimum air movement of 1,500 cubic feet per minute (cfm) (0.71 m 3 /s) in volume and 4,500 feet per minute (fpm) (23 m/s) in-line velocity; and

      3.   The collecting system shall discharge the rubber particles to an approved outdoor noncombustible or fire-resistant container, which is emptied at frequent intervals to prevent overflow.

Section BC 427: Non-Production Chemical Laboratories

427.1 General.

The provisions of this section shall govern the design, construction and chemical quantity limitations of buildings and portions thereof occupied or designed to be occupied as a nonproduction laboratory. Nonproduction laboratories shall be classified into occupancy groups in accordance with Section 427.5. The provisions of this section shall not apply to production laboratories classified in Occupancy Group F or H.