IBC 714.3 / ASTM E814

IBC 1613 / ASCE 7 Chapter 13

IBC Section 1613 and ASCE 7 require non-structural components (including mechanical piping) in high-rise buildings to be seismically braced. Generator exhaust piping that separates during a seismic event will flood the generator room with hot exhaust gases and carbon monoxide, disabling emergency power and creating immediate life-safety risks.

IBC 403.4.7 / NEC Article 700

IBC Section 403.4.7 requires stairwell pressurization systems to be connected to emergency or standby power. If the fan loses power during a fire, the stairwell loses its smoke-free status, trapping occupants in a smoke-filled egress path. The fan must operate for the duration of the fire event on emergency power per NEC Article 700.

IBC 714.4 / ASTM E814

IBC Section 714.4 requires all penetrations through fire-resistance-rated floor assemblies to be firestopped with a listed through-penetration firestop system. Unsealed bus duct penetrations create vertical smoke and fire migration paths through the entire building, defeating the purpose of rated floor/ceiling assemblies.

IBC 714.4 / NFPA 110 Section 7.2.2

The generator room typically has a 2-hour fire-rated enclosure per NFPA 110 Section 7.2.2. Any penetration through rated walls or floors, including exhaust piping, must maintain the fire-resistance rating using a listed through-penetration firestop system per IBC 714.4. An unsealed exhaust penetration creates a path for fire and smoke to spread beyond the generator room.

IBC 909.11 / IBC 403.4.7

IBC Section 909.11 requires smoke control systems to be connected to both normal and emergency power. Smoke damper actuators that fail during a power outage cannot reposition, rendering the smoke control system non-functional. All smoke control components, including damper actuators, must be on emergency power per IBC 403.4.7.

IBC Section 3006

This passes code with conditions. IBC Section 3006.2 requires enclosed elevator lobbies or an approved alternative at each floor in high-rise buildings to prevent smoke from entering the hoistway. The lobby does not necessarily require its own pressurization system if the building's smoke control system (per IBC 909) prevents smoke from migrating through the lobby to the hoistway. Smoke detectors for Phase I recall are separately required per NFPA 72. Note that general elevator hoistway venting is no longer a code requirement — old Section 3004 (Hoistway Venting) was removed/reserved in the 2015 IBC and later editions because lobby and hoistway-opening protection (Section 3006) supersede it, so venting at the top is optional, not mandated. The building's approach of using the floor smoke control system in lieu of individual lobby pressurization is permitted if the smoke control engineer of record demonstrates adequate protection.