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C. Separate all occupied areas from demolition, renovation, or construction activities by
temporary smoke-tight construction partitions of gypsum board or other approved non-
combustible or limited-combustible material. Partitions shall be full height, extending through
suspended ceilings to the floor slab or roof deck above. Where the potential of fire and smoke
spread does not pose a threat to building occupants, partition height may be permitted to
terminate at the ceiling. If this is the case, modify VAMCS 01010, 1-4 accordingly.
Note: This requirement is due to the inherently greater potential for fire or hazardous
materials incidents associated with the combustibles and operations of
demolition/construction. This risk is made worse by the likelihood of compromised fire
protection systems and fire/smoke resistant construction. This does not obviate the need
to provide other protective measures to contain dirty and debris as specified by
VAMCS 01010 section 1.6(D)(5).
D. Phase construction as necessary to ensure blocking of exits is minimized or avoided. If exits
are blocked during construction, provide alternate exit routes during each phase of
construction and identify them on the construction drawings.
E. Minimize or avoid disruptions to fire alarm and sprinkler systems. Delineate phasing of
construction to ensure that installations of new systems are expedited, and existing systems
are kept in service until the replacement system is operational. If fire protection systems are
to be disrupted, ensure procedures are incorporated to maintain equivalent levels of fire
protection and provide formal notification to the facility while systems are down.
1.5 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Fire Protection requirements of ADA do not apply to
federal agencies; however, VA is required to comply with the Uniform Federal Accessibility
Standards (UFAS).
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