Response provided by Jonathan Henderson, Fire Captain:
Regarding "903.1.1 Alternative Protection. Alternative automatic fire-extinguishing systems complying with Section 904 shall be
permitted in addition to automatic sprinkler protection where recognized by the applicable standard, or as approved
by the fire code official."
What might be an alternative option?
Alternative options include alternative automatic fire-extinguishing systems such as commercial cooking systems, wet-chemical systems, dry-chemical systems, carbon dioxide systems and foam systems. These systems are normally used to protect a specific hazard such as cooking operations using a wet-chemical system. Other systems include clean agent systems that displace the oxygen from a room to extinguish a fire. Often times these systems are used in placed where the application of water could possibly destroy sensitive electronics.
This amendment can be found in the North Central Texas Council of Governments Code Adoption but we chose not to take this amendment.
Regarding "903.2.9.5 Self-Service Storage Facility. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout all self-service
storage facilities."
Are sprinkler systems required now at all? I see the exception if there are no interior corridors.
Sprinkler systems are required now. This amendment has been in place since May 7, 2019. Prior to this amendment it is possible that self-storage facilities would have required a sprinkler system based on size and/or configuration. This only applies to new construction and does not change requirements for existing facilities.
Original reasoning from the North Central Texas Council of Governments adoption of the 2015 International Fire Code;
Reason: Fire departments are unable to inspect these commercial occupancies and are unaware of the contents being stored. Previous allowance to separate units by fire barriers is difficult to enforce maintenance after opening.
How many of the places where sprinklers are now required, where they were not previously, will have to install sprinkler systems?
There are no retroactive requirements for self-storage facilities at this time.
