31D-010 Mr. Louis Hasbrouck, Building Commissioner
Re: Clark Science Center, Smith College
Fire Suppression System (Sprinklers) Penetrations
30 November 2011
Page 2 of 2
As you can see, we have provided wall penetrations larger than the sprinkler
piping in all cases. Whereas NFPA 13 does have blanket -size criteria for pipe
penetrations, Chapter 34 of the Seventh Edition of the State Building Code
(3400.2 and 3406.0) recognizes that when working within an existing building,
renovations and alterations must not make the building less safe than without
the work being undertaken.
The building is no less seismically resilient or rigid as a result of the installation
of a new sprinkler system; nor is the building less safe as a result of the
installation of a new sprinkler system. Seismic conditions generally in Western
Massachusetts are different than elsewhere in the United States, and the "one size
1
fits all" criteria of NFPA 13 9.3.2 does recognize this fact. However, you have
the capacity with Chapter 34 to recognize the construction constraints of working
with existing building fabric and to render an opinion on our request for relief.
I am available to review this request with you at your earliest convenience.
Thank you for your understanding.
Truly yours,
R E Dinneen Architects & Planners, Inc.
Ir 4S 7 -“ativiKow-
Ralph E. Dinneen, AIA, LEED AP
Principal
RED /cd
cc: Bob Dooley, P.M.., Bond Bros.
Warren Cochrane, RDK Engineers
Central File
30 November 2011
Mr. Louis Hasbrouck
Building Commissioner
Office of the Building Commission
--�� Puchalski Municipal Building
212 Main Street
Northampton, MA 01060
R.E. DINNEEN Re: Clark Science Center
ARCHITECTS 8Z Smith College, Northampton, MA
PLANNERS, INC. Fire Suppression System (Sprinklers) Penetrations
Sabin -Reed Hall
Project No. 08202.12
Dear Mr. Hasbrouck:
As part of our project close -out of significant renovations undertaken by Smith
College of Burton Hall and Sabin -Reed Hall at the Clark Science Center,
Northampton, MA, certain tolerances for new sprinkler pipe penetrations were
very nearly met. It was brought to our attention that NFPA 13 provides a specific
dimensional solution to pipe penetration openings through walls in response to
seismic forces.
Members of
American Institute I am writing this letter to you with the following key points in the anticipation
of Architects that in your capacity as Northampton Building Commissioner you would afford
Boston Society this construction project relief from NFPA 13 9.3.2 per Commonwealth of
of Architects Massachusetts State Code Chapter 34, Seventh Edition.
This project takes place in Sabin -Reed Hall. Sabin -Reed was built in 1967 and
was not designed within current seismic force loading. Our current work was
designed and engineered within the State Building Code, Seventh Edition.
The new sprinkler system is a significant life safety improvement to Sabin -Reed
and Burton Hall alike. However, the following tolerances were impractical to
meet and I report the following conditions as fact in Sabin -Reed:
New Sprinkler Piping NFPA13 Actual
at Wall Penetration Opening Opening
1" O.D. + 2" diam 2" I.D.
11/4" O.D. + 2" diam 21/2" I.D.
1/2" O.D. + 2" diam 212" I.D.
2" O.D. + 2" diam 31/2" I.D.
3" O.D. + 2" diam 4'/2" I.D.
123 North Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02114 -2143 tel 617 227 7727 fax 617 227 1870
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
} City of Northampton ' if .
h t DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING INSPECTIONS,
. _ 212 Main Street • Municipal Building
Northampton, MA 01060
Ralph Dinneen
R.E. Dinneen Architects and Planners, Inc.
123 North Washington Street
Boston, MA 02114-2143
December 9, 2011
Re: Sabin -Reed Hall
Dear Mr. Dinneen,
I have reviewed your request to allow reduced clearances around sprinkler pipe wall
penetrations in Sabin -Reed Hall at Smith College.
Section 104.10 of the eighth edition of the Massachusetts State Building Code states:
"Wherever there are practical difficulties involved in carrying out the provisions of this code, the
building official shall have the authority to grant modifications for individual cases, upon application of
the owner or owner's representative, provided the building official shall first find that special individual
reason makes the strict letter of this code impractical and the modification is in compliance with the
intent and purpose of this code and that such modification does not lessen health, accessibility, life and
fire safety, or structural requirements. The details of action granting modifications shall be recorded and
entered in the files of the department of building safety."
I find that reducing clearances around the sprinkler pipe penetrations to the extent you propose
will not lessen life safety or structural requirements. The clearances required in NFPA 13, §9.3.2 are
applicable to all areas of the world regardless of seismic hazard. The reductions you propose because
of the limited space available in this building are sufficient in my opinion to provide adequate seismic
protection given the low level of seismic ground motion in this area.
I am granting your request to allow relief from the strict requirements of NFPA 13, §9.3.2 and to
allow the reductions detailed in your request.
I am forwarding a copy of your request and my decision to the Massachusetts Board of Building
Regulations and Standards.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Louis Hasbrouck
Building Commissioner
City of Northampton
lasbrouck@city.northampton.ma.us