MyFloridaCode.com

Would not the pressurization of the corridors improve life-safety by 
keeping the smoke out of the corridors?  Is that not why we 
pressurize stairwells?

Direct outdoor air supply of pre-conditioned air is a very good 
method of conditioning corridors.  A return system for this air is 
not necessary and is not a good idea as it does not achieve 
pressurization.  These systems are often connected to sensor and 
alarm systems.

There may or may not be a requirement to modify the sensor and alarm 
system in the situation you describe.  This answer depends on the 
existing system and its configuration and the local requirements 
which may or may not be clear - or may or may not make sense.

An architect or engineer is bound by professional ethics to report 
life-saftey issues.  Now as we all know the code is not particularly 
very clear in many instances about what these matters actually are.

The way I run my life is pretty simple.  I report life-safety issues 
regardless of whether there is a code violation or not wherever I am. 
Makes my life simpler that way.

I don't go around reporting code violations unless I have been 
retained to offer an opinion on code violations and I only do so in a 
jurisdiction where I am qualified to do so.

 From what you have described I do not know whether or not a 
life-safety issue exists or whether or not a code violation exists. 
If a life-safety issue exists I would report it as I am an engineer.

Seems to me that I think the building might be safer, you are saying 
that it is not.  You saw the building.  I did not.  It might be a 
code violation.  It might not.  Thinking there is a code violation is 
different from knowing it is a code violation.  And a code violation 
that is a life-safety issue is different from a code violation that 
is not a life-safety issue.

>Question for the group (although I have a sense of the answer, but 
>no back up):
>
>If an architect, engineer or licensed CBO (not associated with a 
>municipality) is aware of a code violation due to permitted and 
>approved modifications to a building, are they obligated to report 
>it? And if so, to whom?  Chapter and verse please.
>
>Here is the scenario:
>For various reasons not critical to this discussion, the HVAC system 
>of a multi-story time-share building was modified to improve the 
>positive pressure and fresh air supply.  This modification was 
>permitted, we believe.
>
>The building has interior corridors.  The conditioned , pressurized 
>fresh air is supplied through the duct system of the central 
>corridor, which in my mind, makes it a plenum.
>Through the corridors, this pressurized air is intended to be forced 
>into the units, pressurizing them as well.
>
>This configuration requires, I believe, modifications to the sensor 
>and alarm system in the corridor ducts, including the elevator.
>
>As designed/installed, the pressurization of the corridor would also 
>force air, and smoke, into the exist stairwells and elevator shaft, 
>which are static (no pressurized, vented system for the stair wells).
>
>Being pressurized, with 100% fresh air, there is no return air for 
>the corridors on each floor.  No return air, no way to monitor 
>smoke/fire in the system.
>
>If there is a fire, smoke in the corridors can be forced into the 
>units, into the stairs, into the elevator shaft.
>
>Assuming these observations are correct, it would appear that in the 
>process of improving the HVAC created a more critical life safety 
>situation.
>
>Input please.
>
>Thank you.
>
>Eric
>
>
>
>
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