MyFloridaCode.com

I want to thank you all for your input.  I¹d like to clarify something and
verify if my take is correct or not.

The situation, as a reminder, is that a completed, multi-story Time Share
building, with a conditioned interior corridor on each floor, was modified
to pressurize the building, both corridor and units.  The design revisions
implemented were to pressurize the corridor and undercut the unit doors to
thereby pressurize the units as well.

NFPA 80 allows up to a 3/4² undercut.  Fine.  But, my take is that the
door¹s integrity and therefore its rating, have been compromised by making
field cuts to create the 3/4² undercut.  We¹re talking 45-minute HM doors,
Yes or No?

Also, FBC mechanical code....
601.2 Air movement in egress elements. Corridors shall not serve as supply,
return, exhaust, relief or ventilation air ducts.

Exceptions:  

 1. Use of a corridor as a source of makeup  air for exhaust systems in
rooms that open directly onto such corridors,  including toilet rooms,
bathrooms, dressing rooms, smoking lounges and janitor  closets, shall be
permitted, provided that each such corridor is directly  supplied with
outdoor air at a rate greater than the rate of makeup air taken  from the
corridor.  
2. Where located within a dwelling unit, the use  of corridors for conveying
return air shall not be prohibited.
3. Where located within tenant spaces of  1,000 square feet (93 m2) or less
in area, utilization of corridors  for conveying return air is permitted.

My take on Exception #1 is that this would not permit the residential unit
from opening directly onto a corridor for all this pressurized makeup air.
The only component of the unit that has exhaust systems that would require
make up air are the bathrooms and washer/dryer closet, neither of which
opens directly to the corridor as the code states.  Yes or No?

Since this is a common corridor, and means of egress, I don¹t see either
Exception #2 or #3 applying.  Yes or No?

At some point I need to submit this information to the Building Official
stating my concerns and exceptions to this solution having been approved.  I
just want to confirm my understanding of the code.

Thank you.

Eric



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