Are Climbing Walls a Sprinkler Obstruction?

7/12/2022

We have a climbing gym that's in construction. See the image below.

The architect is calling this out as an assembly space, so we have light hazard upright protection up at the roof only.

The fire marshal walked the building and has concerns that the climbing walls create obstructions.

Are the climbing walls a construction concern? Any other input here?

Thanks in advance.

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9 Comments

Pete H

7/12/2022 06:51:39 am

Seems like a floor mounted obstruction if it goes up high enough. I'd say as long as you're following Table 8.6.5.2.2 (NFPA 13 2016 Edition) you're okay. So as long as there are more than 18" vertical distance between the deflector and the top of the climbing walls, I wouldn't worry about your horizontal distance to the wall or your spacing.

Alex

7/12/2022 07:43:21 am

Hi,

When you say construction concern, are you asking if the wall creates an obstruction to sprinklers? If that is the case, just confirm measurements with Table 8.6.5.1.2 and Table 8.6.5.2.2.

When the wall protrudes outwards, is it greater than 4 feet? That would be the only area where I can see the code official pushing back. Personally, I think only ceiling coverage is required either way.

Thanks,
Alex

schulman

7/12/2022 08:05:33 am

anything that leaves a large enough area of the floor without water during a fire is an obstruction

Jesse

7/12/2022 08:11:03 am

We just did a very large project like this and dealt with this same issue.

First, assembly doesn't drive design criteria. Occupancy hazard class does.

In my case, the climbing walls sloped to create a semi-inverted climbing experience. My concern was it creating a shielded area below. We discussed it at length with our AHJ and determined the slope wasn't sufficient to trap heat to activate a sprinkler. So we designed to OH2 (0.20 / 1,500 w/ 250 hose) and spaced sprinklers about5 feet from the perimeter of the climbing walls.

Franck

7/12/2022 08:17:08 am

Not a technical point of view (it has been highlighted above), but a practical point of view : is the climbing wall combustible? Is there something at the bottom of the wall combustible? If the answer is no to both questions, then what is the problem? Your ceiling sprinklers would cover a “no hazard” area…

Dan Wilder

7/12/2022 08:27:12 am

Most times, just the vertical portions aren't an issue.

The inclines/overhangs greater than 4' have been the issues in the past along. We have had to drop lines beneath some catwalk structure then had to add a sprinkler or sprinklers. We used concealed sprinklers and have used both bright chrome or brass along painting a large yellow circle with a warning around the sprinkler location.

Glenn Berger

7/12/2022 08:42:11 am

Climbing walls are a vertical obstruction as defined by NFPA 13. My experience is that if there is sufficient clear space on the top of the climbing wall, then sprinkler protection does not require modifications.

Greg

7/19/2022 08:54:09 am

In one of my experiences with climbing walls, the position of the wall against a interior hallway wall created a void space. The space was used for storage of ropes and climbing gear. It was large enough to enter through a small hatch door and included a light switch and light. The interior of the climbing wall was a resin. A sprinkler was extended into the space and I believe we included a wall recessed valve to isolate. The wall valve was labeled. This was a work-around achieved following a preliminary occupancy walk-through when the space was discovered.

Also, I spy with my little eye .... in your picture what appears to be a HVLS Fan. If it is, do you remember the rules for those and sprinkler activation, etc. etc. ?

Tracy

9/10/2024 02:45:58 pm

What about the crash pads? Does anyone know if the crash pads push the combustibility load out of light hazard or if they required to have a fire resistance rating?

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Are Climbing Walls a Sprinkler Obstruction?

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