ATRIUM SEPARATION
Atrium Separation — Max Planck Institute, Jupiter, FL
A three-floor atrium was categorized as a two-floor atrium with a communicating space, separated by a one-hour UL certified fire protective curtain — removing the need for any active smoke control.
The code path
The two-floor rule applies — IBC 404.5 exception 6: no active smoke control is required for a two-floor atrium. Because the curtain is UL certified for one hour (see the UL Online Certification Directory), the fire protection engineers and the authority having jurisdiction were able to remove all active smoke extraction systems.
The curtain deploys by gravity and maintains tenable conditions in the egress corridors during the evacuation sequence.
Alternative 1 — Smoke extraction system
Not gravity-fail-safe, four times the cost of curtain technology, and it increases life-cycle cost.
Alternative 2 — Glass block wall
Not possible — the space needs to stay open for the monumental stairway in non-alert times.
Alternative 3 — Fire shutter
No space in the floating ceiling. The curtain needs only a 12-inch housing for a 30-foot drop height and weighs 10 pounds per linear foot.
PRODUCT USED ON PROJECTS LIKE THIS
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