For projects where you have to survey and/or trace existing sprinkler systems for modifications, what tools/methods do you use? Just a 25' measuring tape and a ladder? Point and shoot laser? Laser scans? 

I generally measure locations of sprinklers and pipe off of walls or structure using a point-and-shoot laser measure and a laser plumb bob so I know I'm right beneath my measurement point. That being said I'm very interested in learning about how other people do takeoffs.

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Is it allowed, by code, to have multiple buildings served by a single fire department connection?

There's an existing series of about 12 buildings (a campus) that is served by a site fire pump house (most buildings only have sprinkler, a couple have standpipes). On the discharge side of the pump house is a fire department connection. This is the only method to supplement flow and pressure for the fire department.

NFPA 13, 14, 20, and 24 would all apply here, as well as the IBC and IFC (2015). Is this permitted by code? 

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I have seen window sprinklers spaced across an entire wall of a building that has windows on the exterior and I have been told it has to do with spreading fire to a building next to it.

I have also seen window sprinklers on the exterior of a building where there is a metal fire staircase next to the building outside of windows. Any insight on either of these scenarios as to why the sprinklers would be necessary?

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What range of heights are allowed for standpipe hose connections above the landing in a stairwell?

Any advice as to arranging the hose connection (height, orientation, etc.)?

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There's clear guidance for small bathrooms and closet sprinkler protection under NFPA 13D, 13R, and NFPA 13. Do laundry rooms have any similar provisions that would either omit sprinklers or require them in small laundry rooms?

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​So the calculation for occupant load for classrooms, etc., uses an occupant load factor that is a net factor.

How do we calculate for additional students occupying corridors outside classrooms while classes are in session?

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Does NFPA 13 limit the friction loss per foot of pipe? What is good practice to follow in calculation process? 

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Is there any benefit to having the backflow preventer on the discharge side of the fire pump? We've seen several RFPs recently that are requiring the backflow to be on the discharge side of the fire pump.

To me it seems as though this arrangement unnecessarily leaves more pipe and mechanical components exposed to the public water supply, but I'd be interested in others' opinions.

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I understand there's a tradition of locating a horn/strobe or other exterior waterflow notification appliance on the exterior of the building, but where is it required and is a location stipulated?

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In your opinion/experience what is the most appropriate fire sprinkler hazard category for a yoga/fitness studio? 

When the studio is mostly an open space for active classes the hazard could be limited to the floor mat pads, while my concern would be potential vertical storage of the usually foam-filled pads. Have you come across this before?

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Are there any requirements pertaining to mixing fire sprinkler k-factors or temperatures in the same room?

We often come across unit heater placement, so at least on the temperatures I suspect that mixing in the same room happens fairly commonly to accommodate heat sources.

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Is there a maximum height that's permitted between the main roof and a suspended ceiling in order to still omit sprinklers above the ceiling? 

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NFPA 24 requires the following: "After installation, rods, nuts, bolts, washers, clamps, and other restraining devices shall be cleaned and thoroughly coated with a bituminous or other acceptable corrosion-retarding material." (NFPA 24 2016/2019 10.6.2.5)

If stainless nuts and bolts are used for the restraining glands in the underground fire main, do they still need to be coated with a bituminous material for protection against corrosion?

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Is there a standard or code basis for when pipe is required  to be replaced due to corrosion or loss in the pipe wall thickness?

It's usually to the building owner's benefit to examine or replace portions of pipe that are corroded, or consider full-system replacement when a renovation opportunity occurs. Just curious if there's a standard or code basis that would otherwise force pipe replacement.

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I have a wet sprinkler system fed by a combined standpipe/sprinkler riser by municipal water with a "brand new" fire pump in the basement.

Where should the main drain be installed?

The municipal water enters the building and goes through the backflow preventer and then into the fire pump both being located in the fire pump room. After the fire pump, the riser goes to floor #1 and above. On the first floor there is a floor control valve with drain.

I explained to property manager that a main drain is required in the fire pump room to test the adequacy of the water supply and drain the system. The installer agreed with me but explained that is was not part of the drawing and he did not install one because he did not get paid for one.

The property owner consulted with the engineer of record who said that the main drain is not in the fire code. He also said his plans for the fire pump installation were approved by the Department of Building. He also consulted with other more experienced engineers in his firm and was told that no main drain is required on the fire pump piping or in the pump room, but if I wanted to drain the system or perform a main drain test I could do it from the first floor. 

Is a main drain in the basement fire pump room required?

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I've heard reference to a requirement for sprinkler protection beneath occupied floor levels. This comes up with building overhangs or parking garages beneath buildings. 

Aside from it being a common practice and a good idea, where does this requirement originate in code?

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NFPA 13 has clear requirements which do not encourage pipe to be routed underneath buildings (NFPA 13 2016 Section 10.4.3 / 2019 Section 6.4.3).

As best I can tell NFPA 13R does not have similar provisions, although the reasoning for not routing underneath is the same (pipe can become compromised by building settling, leakage is extremely difficult to repair, leakage could cause significant building damage).

Do I have any justification to not allow pipe to be run underneath a building designed under NFPA 13R? The project at hand is an attached block of apartments that has a breezeway in-between, and the contractor is looking to run pipe back underground (below footings and the breezeway sidewalk) to serve the block of apartments on the opposite side.

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Inspections requirements are often based on NFPA standards, such as NFPA 25 for Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems.

Although NFPA establishes many well-accepted engineering practices and has the standards available to be incorporated or adopted into law, this may not always necessarily be true.

My question is if any inspection and tests, such as stated within NFPA 25, are legally required? Perhaps by OSHA's General Clause? Are there existing legal provisions that can make NFPA 25 enforceable?

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A remote project site does not have any water utility available. 

Under the latest edition of NFPA 22 (2018 Edition of Water Tanks for Private Fire Protection, Section 4.1.1), the "size... of tanks shall be determined by the required fire flow and duration for the attached fire protection system(s) and the pressures required."

Is this implying that the site fire flow for firefighting operation should be included as part of the storage volume for the water storage tank?

For this project the sprinkler system's required water supply would be about 40,000 gallons, while water storage for site fire flow would be well over 240,000 gallons under IFC fire flow or 140,000 gallons under NFPA 1142. Prior versions of NFPA 22 required "the size... of the tank shall be determined by conditions at each individual property after due consideration of all factors involved."

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A hearty THANK YOU to the top contributors (and all contributors) for January 2019. Your perspective and opinion not only help the individual with the original questions, but help to further discussion and improve the industry by allowing others to learn and grow from your expertise. Thank you!

As a fire sprinkler system designer/engineer we often get asked about fire flow for new construction buildings. It seems as though anything that has "fire" in its name is then directly sent our way, but fire flow for a building does not relate to the interior fire sprinkler system and is typically not something we do. I don't come across many civil engineers who understand or cover fire flow either.

Is this supposed to be (or typically) handled by the civil engineer? For MEP/FP or fire sprinkler contractors, do you typically provide fire flow calculations to verify the water supply to the site?

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