Can Buildings Share Fire Alarm, Sprinkler System?

7/22/2024

Can we connect 2 or three buildings to the same fire alarm system? What about sprinkler?

What code basis (IBC or NFPA 13/72) would allow or disallow multiple buildings on the same system?

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9 Comments

Todd E Wyatt

7/22/2024 08:26:33 am

Yes.

NFPA 13-2023 permits an Automatic Sprinkler System (Chapter 4 General Requirements 4.4 System Protection Area Limitations, 4.4.6 Detached Buildings.) ... with the approval of the AHJ ... "detached structures shall be permitted to be supplied by the fire sprinkler system of an adjacent building

James Phifer

7/22/2024 08:38:03 am

A single fire sprinkler riser can be used to protect multiple buildings under certain circumstances.
Below copied from NFPA 13: 20169 ed.
8.2.5 Multiple buildings attached by canopies, covered
breezeways, common roofs, or a common wall(s) shall be permitted to be supplied by a single fire sprinkler riser.
8.2.5.1 The maximum system size shall comply with 8.2.1.
8.2.6* Detached Buildings.
8.2.6.1 Unless the requirements of 8.2.6.2 apply, detached
buildings, regardless of separation distance, that do not meet
the criteria of 8.2.5 shall be provided with separate fire sprinkler systems.
8.2.6.2 When acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction,
detached structures shall be permitted to be supplied by the
fire sprinkler system of an adjacent building.

A.8.2.6 Buildings adjacent to a primary structure can be protected by extending the fire sprinkler system from the primary
structure. This eliminates the need to provide a separate fire
sprinkler system for small auxiliary buildings. Items that
should be considered before finalizing fire sprinkler design
should include the following:
(1) Actual physical distance between adjacent structures
(2) Potential for the property to be split into separate parcels
and sold separately
(3) Square footage of both the primary and auxiliary structures
(4) Difficulties in providing a separate water supply to the
auxiliary structure
(5) Occupancy/hazard of the auxiliary structure
(6) Ability of emergency response personnel to easily identify
the structure from which waterflow is originating.

I do not know the rules concerning alarms.

Glenn Berger

7/22/2024 08:40:10 am

Are these buildings independent or separated by a distance?

If these facilities are attached then there is a potential to use the same system.

Chad

7/22/2024 08:43:56 am

For fire alarm- Yes. Is it a good idea, IMO, no unless the AHJ has a fair amount of input/approval authority. A lot of local amendments will prohibit or restrict this.

72 mentions " Multiple-building" systems in the handbook under protected premises. IBC just refers back to 72.

There a so many considerations to be made in regards to how to install its not as simple, sure just do it. Annunciation, circuit protection, initiating zone size, notification zones, just to name a few.

For sprinkler, its common for a single water source to feed multiple buildings, however, you would need to calc each building separately and they would each have a riser. IBC and 13 would not directly speak to this as prohibited or allowed.

Dan Wilder

7/22/2024 08:47:51 am

While I do not think there is any specific text (on the fire sprinkler side anyway) prohibiting this setup, it creates several issues/questions.

Do the systems exceed NFPA limits on system sizing? Is this a single lead in and then separate systems that reside within one building and bulk feeds out to the others (manifold) or is this a daisy chain of feeds from underground to above ground? Gas stations with fuel canopies we see this setup a lot more with a single riser.

FDC requirements (specific to each building, are they remote, signage)?

What type of buildings are they? Are they high value properties or containing high value items? If they are low hazard, less occupied buildings I could argue more with is than say a set of classroom buildings or auditoriums.

Are the buildings current and will forever be owned by the same person/entity/Co-op? Having a separate owner between buildings creates a huge liability risk and creates a gap on who is responsible for what.

Will the insurance allow the installation in the first place?

Dan Wilder

7/22/2024 08:52:47 am

and I should jump into Chapter 4 more often, thanks James!

Todd E Wyatt

7/23/2024 07:35:39 am

Yes, an automatic sprinkler system (ASPS) in one building is permitted to be supplied to a detached building where acceptable to the AHJ per NFPA 13-2023 4.4.6.2 .

Pete

7/24/2024 10:40:27 am

I would also consider how a wet system pipe running between the buildings would be protected from freezing if there is any distance between the buildings.

Mark Harris

7/24/2024 05:17:09 pm

I ran into this once and AHJ required separate water supply to a separate address even though buildings were connected. Had nothing to do with NFPA but was something in the IBC. As far as alarms again talk to AHJ as the fire department response will be based on how alarm is reported.

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Can Buildings Share Fire Alarm, Sprinkler System?

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