NO. AB-010 : | |
DATE : | September 18, 2002 (Updated 1/1/2023 for code reference) |
SUBJECT : | Fire and Life Safety |
TITLE : | Local Equivalency for Approval of Communicating Openings Between Buildings on Separate Properties |
PURPOSE : | The purpose of this Administrative Bulletin is to provide standards and procedures for the application and case-by-case review of requests for a modification based on local equivalency to allow communicating openings between buildings where such openings do not comply with the provisions of the latest edition of the San Francisco Building Code (SFBC) regarding fire resistance of exterior walls and protection of openings at property lines. This bulletin permits the continuing application of code provisions of former editions of the SFBC regarding communicating openings. In conformance with current State law, requests for approval of communicating openings will be considered on a case-by-case basis when reasonable equivalency is proposed. |
REFERENCES : | Current edition of the San Francisco Building Code (SFBC) - Section , Openings |
DISCUSSION : | Project sponsors may request the application of this local equivalency allowing openings in building walls which connect buildings on separate lots when such openings in exterior walls do not meet the provisions of SFBC Section and when it can be demonstrated on a case-by-case basis that there are practical difficulties in meeting the provisions of the code, that the modification is in conformance with the intent and purpose of the code, and that reasonable equivalency is provided in fire-protection and structural integrity. |
Such proposed modification may be approved by the Department of Building Inspection and the Fire Department if it conforms with the below listed standard provisions. The Department of Building Inspection and other City departments may impose additional requirements, in addition to those listed below, in the approval of any request for a code modification or alternate based upon individual building and property conditions.
If a project sponsor wishes to propose methods of protection of communicating openings which differ from those listed below, proposals for the use of alternate materials, designs, or methods of construction may be submitted for review in the same manner as for this Local Equivalency. The Department of Building Inspection may require that additional substantiation be provided supporting any claims made for such proposals.
Procedures for Application of Local Equivalencies
Project sponsors wishing to apply Local Equivalencies must fill out and submit the Request for Approval of Local Equivalencies form (Attachment A). Fees to be paid and scheduling of review of requests are as noted on that form. Following the Department of Building Inspection review and, when appropriate, the San Francisco Fire Department review, each request will either be approved, approved with conditions, disapproved, or placed on “Hold” pending submittal of additional information.
Determinations of the staff of the Department of Building Inspection regarding local equivalencies may be administratively brought for further review to the Deputy Director and the Director of the Department of Building Inspection. Determinations of the Director may be appealed to the Building Inspection Commission or to other designated appeals bodies.
Further details of procedures for the review of local equivalencies may be found in AB-005, Procedures for Approval of Local Equivalencies.
Conditions of Local Equivalency
Communicating openings between new or existing buildings located on real or assumed property lines where such openings are closer to property lines than permitted under SFBC Section
and Table 705.8 may be permitted on a case-by-case basis when the following provisions or other approved equivalent provisions are met and the project sponsor provides documentation of the practical difficulties involved in carrying out the provisions of the regular code.
The standard provisions for this local equivalency include:
1. The total width of all communicating openings in a building wall shall not exceed 25 percent of the length of the wall at the floor where the openings occur. A single opening shall not exceed 120 square feet. Multiple openings are permitted.
2. Communicating openings in each building shall be protected by approved and listed automatic-closing fire assemblies having fire protection ratings of at least that required for the exterior wall of the building per Tables 601 and
.5, or for any occupancy separation required between adjoining occupancies in the separate buildings as prescribed in Table 508.4, whichever results in a greater fire-resistive rating. In no case shall the opening protection be less than one-hour. Such fire assemblies shall close in the event of heat or smoke detected on either side of the communicating opening and shall cause a local fire alarm to sound upon closing.
3. All vertical shafts and stairways in each building having communicating openings shall be enclosed on the floor or floors where such communicating openings occur, and on the floors immediately above and below where such communicating openings occur. Enclosures shall be in accordance with SFBC Table 601 and SFBC Section
. Openings into such shaft and stairway enclosures shall comply with SFBC Sections
and
.
4. The total combined floor area for floor connected by communicating openings shall the basis for determination of fire sprinkler requirements in accordance with SFBC Section 903.2.
5. A communicating opening shall not adversely affect the lateral force resisting capability of either building and shall not cause the transfer of lateral forces between buildings. Calculations and details substantiating this shall be provided.
6. Fire protection assemblies in communicating openings shall be designed, insofar as practical, to resist blockage and jamming in the case of seismic events.
7. Communicating openings shall not be used as required exits.
8. Sprinklers for exposure protection of the openings shall be installed within 18 inches of the openings in each building. The heads shall be of ordinary temperature, quick-response type and be spaced at six feet on center or at the manufacturer’s recommended minimum spacing, whichever provides the closer spacing.
9. The owner of each building having a communicating opening shall provide a recorded statement that such opening(s) will be closed or protected with approved fire-resistive wall construction in the event that either building is altered in such a manner that the communicating openings no longer comply with the provisions of this Administrative Bulletin. A copy of a Declaration of Use Limitation (Attachment B) shall be submitted to the plan reviewer prior to completion of Department of Building inspection plan review.
A permit application and related submittal documents shall detail all construction which is approved as a result of this request for local equivalency. No work to create a communicating opening between buildings shall be done prior to approval of such permit application and issuance of a permit.
Originally signed by:
Frank Y. Chiu, Director
October 3, 2002
Gary Massetani, Fire Marshal
October 9, 2002
Approved by the Building Inspection Commission on September 18, 2002
Attachment A: Request for Approval of Local Equivalency
Attachment B: Assessor/Recorder’s Office Document - “Declaration of Use Limitation”
Attachment B: Assessor/Recorder’s Office Document - “Declaration of Use Limitation”