HomeMy WebLinkAboutPetition for Variance (trans id #1842555) - 08/16/2010 Safety and Buildings
R EC E iV E D 2331 GREEN SAN LUIS BAY PL WI STE 54304 150
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isconsin SEP 2 2010 www.commerce.wi.gov /sb/
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Department of Commerce DEPARTMENT OF
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Jim Doyle, Governor
INSPECTION SERVICES DIVISION Aaron Olver, Secretary.
August 16, 2010
CUST ID No. 641592 ATTN. Buildings & Structures Inspector
RICHARD DANNHAUSEN BUILDING INSPECTION
BERNERS SCHOBER ASSOCIATES CITY OF OSHKOSH
310 PINE ST POB 1130
GREEN BAY WI 54301 OSHKOSH WI 54902
APPROVAL OF PETITION FOR VARIANCE Identification Numbers
Transaction ID No. 1842555
SITE: Site ID No. 715566
UW Oshkosh Please refer to both identification numbers,
(026 Elmwood Ave above, in all correspondence with the agency.
City of Oshkosh
Winnebago County
FOR: Petition for Variance
IBC 716.5.3(P)
The submittal described above has been reviewed for equivalency to applicable Wisconsin Administrative Codes and
compliance with Wisconsin Statutes. The submittal has been CONDITIONALLY APPROVED. The owner, as
defined in section 101.01(10), Wisconsin Statutes, is responsible for compliance with all conditions of this petition
approval and other applicable code requirements. Plan submittal and approval to the department or its agent may be
necessary prior to construction undertaken per this petition. This petition approval may be affected if applicable
codes are revised prior to plan submittal for any necessary construction work.
The code section petitioned requires that fire and smoke dampers be installed at duct penetrations of fire rated
shaft enclosures.
The variance requested is to eliminate the installation of smoke dampers in exhaust system duct penetrations of fire
rated shaft enclosures. The fire dampers would remain.
The intent of the code section petitioned is to limit the migration of smoke to other parts of the building via a shaft
and the chimney effect.
The petitioner submitted the SB -9890 application form including 3 additional pages of supporting documents.
Reviewer's Comments:
• The building is five stories and a basement containing an R -2 occupancy residence hall located on the
University ,of Wisconsin - Oshkosh campus. The building is type IIIA construction and is fully sprinkled with
a type 13 automatic sprinkler system. The building is equipped with an emergency generator.
• The ERU -1 and ERU -2 exhaust systems serving exhaust ductwork penetrating shaft walls will be connected
to the standby emergency power system. In addition he URU -1 and ERU -2 exhaust systems operate
continuously moving air into the exhaust ductwork during all fire alarm conditions preventing migration of
smoke from floor to floor. Running the exhaust fans during a fire alarm condition will prevent the migration
of smoke from one space to another.
• The HVAC system complies with NFPA 90A by incorporating the following upgrades which are not
required by the Wisconsin Code. Two manual fan shutdown switches will be locked inside a locked panel
adjacent to the fire alarm panel in the main lobby for use by the fire depaitment. A key for the panel will be
located inside the fireman's knox box. The switches will allow the fireman to manually turn off the fan
systems through the DDCC facilities management system.
• Per the submitter, the use of duct smoke detectors are believed to be the cause of high rates of false alarms
as the exhaust air is unfiltered. There was no data provided to substantiate this general comment.
RICHARD DANNHAUSEN Page 2 8/16/2010
• NFPA 90 -A Section 5.3.5.1.4 states, "Smoke dampers shall not be required in ducts where the air continues
to move and the air - handling system installed is arranged to prevent recirculation of exhaust or return air
under fire emergency conditions ".
• The petition examiner recommends approval of this petition for variance to eliminate the installation of
smoke dampers at duct penetrations of fire rated shaft enclosures which prevent recirculation of exhaust air
under fire conditions. This petition examiner believes that code equivalency is being provided by
continuous operation of the exhaust system, no recirculation of the exhaust air, exhaust ductwork will be
under continual negative pressure and the similarity of the proposed condition to what is provided for under
NFPA 90 -A, Section 5.3.5.1.4.
• The City Of Oshkosh Fire Department position statement recommends approval.
Departmental Action: CONDITIONAL APPROVAL
Reviewer's Conditions of Approval:
All of the petitioner's statements of fact or intent included on the variance application form, any other documents
submitted to the Department, as well as any other conditions of approval listed below, shall be carried out. Any
recommended conditions of approval by the fire department and/or municipal building inspection department listed
above shall also be carried out unless otherwise stated below. This variance is specific to the subject code section(s)
petitioned and the building or object as it will exist following completion of the current construction project and shall
not be used for any additional or future modifications, additions, or alterations to the subject building or object.
• Municipal Building Official, please forward a copy of this letter to the official in charge of conducting fire
depai tment inspections in your municipality.
• Based on the precedent established by the previous petitions, this petition for variance is being processed as
permitted by Wisconsin Statute s. 101.02(6)(g), and Comm 3.
• Based on the precedent established by the previous petitions, this petition for variance is being processed as
permitted by Wisconsin Statute s. 101.02(6)(g), and Comm 3.
• The exhaust fan shall be supplied with two sources of power. Primary power shall be the normal building power
systems and the `secondary power shall be from an approved standby source in accordance with section 909.11.
This decision will become final unless the department within 30 days from the date of this letter receives a written
request for a hearing. A request for hearing should be sent to the address shown on this letterhead. A copy of this
letter must be included with the request for a hearing. The request for hearing should state the reasons for objecting
to the department's decision, because a request for hearing may be denied if it does not present a significant question
in fact, law or policy.
Inquiries concerning this correspondence may be made to me at the telephone number listed below, or at the address
on this letterhead.
Sincerely,
Fee Required $ 550.00
Fee Received $ 550.00
Balance Due $ 0.00
John D VanBuecken, P.E.
Building Plan Reviewer , Integrated Services
(920)492 -7727 , Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm WiSMART code: 7648
john.vanbuecken@wisconsin.gov
Mgmt. Prec. Review by: jas
cc: John R Anderson, State Building Inspector, (715) 823 -2014, Monday,7:45A.M.- 4:30P.M.
Brian Meulemans, Berners, Schober Associates Inc
Division of State Facilities, State of Wisconsin