LUBA RET. EX 076/077 RE-E - Laserfiche WebLink

Wherever these lightweight construction tech- niques are used, serious consideration should be given to providing sprinkler protection throughout the building, if not already required. Sprinkler protection of combustible concealed spaces is an important feature for firefighter safety. Further discussion about lightweight construc- tion can be found in "Building Construction for the Fire Service," published by the NFPA. Shaftways Vertical shafts within buildings sometimes have exterior openings accessible to firefighters. Any such doors or windows should be marked "SHAFT- WAY" on the exterior with at least 6 inch high letter- ing (Figure 2.26) as required by the IFC and NFPA 1. This warns firefighters that this would be an unsafe entry point. If properly marked, time will not be wasted attempting entry at these points. Normally, interior openings to shafts are readily discernable. Ordinary elevator doors are not likely to be mistaken for anything else. However, other interior shaft openings that could be mistaken for ordinary doors or windows should also have shaft- way marking. Skylights Without special precautions, roof-mounted sky- lights obscured by heavy smoke or snow may col- lapse under the weight of a firefighter. Skylights should be designed to bear the same weight load as the roof. The same applies to coverings over unused skylights. If this is not practical, mount bar- riers around skylights to prevent firefighters from inadvertently stepping on them. Considerations - Hazards to the Fire Service ■ Provide prominent exterior signs on all buildings with truss construction. ■ Mark all exterior shaftway openings. ■ Mark all interior shaftway openings that are not readily discernable. ■ Never design traps or pitfalls into buildings. ■ Use design precautions to prevent falls through skylights. FIRE. S'E'R.V.1'C'E. FEATU',R.ES OF BUILDINGS AND FIRE P,ROT,ECTI.O,N SYSTEMS 27 143 i • i i I I I II ~I I I • i (Fig. 2.26) Exterior shaftway marking.