Suite wall construction Q&A

The walls for a suite need to conform to the requirements for corridor walls

By Healthcare Facilities Today


In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question on the proper construction of a suite wall.

Q: I cannot find anywhere in the NFPA code information on the proper construction of a suite wall. We’ve been building them as smoke walls, but the code doesn’t address this specifically.

A: The NFPA Life Safety Code 2000 edition does not address the construction of the suite walls … directly. However, it does have something to say about it in a roundabout manner.

"A suite is nothing more than a room, albeit a very large room with many smaller rooms inside it. Nonetheless, the suite is a room. Sections 18/19.2.5 (of the 2000 edition of the Life Safety Code) discusses the arrangement of the means of egress and how it relates to rooms. In this section, the Life Safety Code uses the terms “room” and “suite” interchangeably. This section also uses the phrase “suite of rooms,” which further reinforces the concept that a suite is a room. So the conclusion is: If a suite is a room, then it must be protected in the same fashion as a room," Keyes wrote

The short answer: The walls for a suite need to conform to the requirements for corridor walls.

Read the detailed answer.

 

 

 



March 10, 2014



Recent Posts

Ventilation and Filtering for Infection ControlĀ 

Poor IAQ can be deadly in healthcare facilities, so maintaining proper air conditioning and filter systems is key in controlling the spread of infection.


ChristianaCare Opens Aston Campus Neighborhood Hospital

The hospital is expected to care for approximately 15,000 patients each year.


Stantec Breaks Ground on New Academic Medical Center in Miami

The project is scheduled for completion in 2028.


Building Senior Living for the Next Generation of Retirees

As baby boomers seek new retirement expectations, developers and designers must rethink senior living facilities


Managing Drain and Biofilm Risk

Drains are out of sight, but a coordinated program linking infection prevention, EVS and facilities can keep them from getting out of control.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.