When Can I Use NFPA 13R? (A PDF Cheatsheet)

Last week I discussed a common question in residential construction concerning whether NFPA 13R could be used, or whether NFPA 13 had to be used.

If you haven't read it, you might check it out. Here's a link.

The four global limitations to using NFPA 13R include:

1. The building must be a residential occupancy.
   NFPA 13R Section 1.1 expresses this limitation, as does the IBC 903.3.1.2.
   If the building is mixed-occupancy, the IBC does provide guidance. If any of the non-residential occupancies require an NFPA 13 system, then 13R is not allowed. If non-residential occupancies do not require an NFPA 13 system, then 13R could be used in the residential portions of the building. Non-residential areas would still require protection per NFPA 13. [IBC 903.3.1.2 Annex and Commentary Material]
   
   
2. The number of stories above grade plane must be four or less.
   One exception to this is for pedestal-type construction, where the limitation is four stories above a horizontal assembly instead of grade plane. IBC 510.2 and 510.4 have more information on this.
   
   
3. The height of the building cannot exceed 60 feet (18 meters).
   
   
4. If any code exceptions for an NFPA 13 fully-sprinklered building are used in the building design, then an NFPA 13R system cannot be used.

The last qualifier is often the most difficult to assess, and is an important question that the architect or code consultant for the building will need to answer.

To help determine whether a building can use NFPA 13R, here's a PDF cheatsheet that shows differences in code allowances using NFPA 13, 13R, 13D, and no protection at all.​ 

DOWNLOAD THE NFPA 13R ELIGIBILITY CHEATSHEET

All of the references are to the International Building Code 2018 Edition, but this should help offer some quick guidance on different code allowances to check for your project. As always, it's worth using this as a starting point and then exploring the code nuances to be sure your project is up to snuff.

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Other Notes
Travis Mack at AFSA
If you're going to AFSA's Conference in San Diego next week, be sure to check out Travis Mack's presentation on this topic. He's an industry leader & expert in everything suppression.

Correction on the Porte-Cochere Logic
A couple weeks ago I discussed the differences between different forms of heat transfer in the context of flame spread. I made a point that conductive heat transfer is the least critical of the three forms of heat transfer, but suggested that fires "jump" across roadways due only to radiation heat transfer. This is due primarily to convective heat transfer - strong winds can promote fire growth far faster than radiative heat transfer can - and it often does for large wildfires.

Prep Guide
I mentioned last week - but I'm down to about a dozen copies of the 2019 PE Prep Guide Edition left for the year. If you know someone who is looking for a copy you might suggest they get it sooner rather than later.

Thanks & have a great week!