I have a situation where I need to protect a modular home manufacturing facility.

It has a paint both that's self-contained with its own sprinkler hookups, all the regulars of a tiny home making shop basically. They will have rack storage of wood products up to 20' high and wanted the design to be such that they could move the storage rack locations in the future if they wished.

NFPA 13 (2016) A.5.4.2 gives a list of some Extra Hazard Group 2 occupancies and it specifically lists (4) Manufactured home or modular building assemblies (where finished enclosure is present and has combustible interiors) I had made the assumption that ESFR was a worst case, safe bet design for the entire facility due to the amount of water you get from heads opening up.

The contractor is concerned with how code says one thing in one place and something open to interpretation in another place. Section 8.4.6.6 says "ESFR sprinklers designed to meet any criteria in Chapter 12 through Chapter 20 shall be permitted to protect light and ordinary hazard applications."

That's fine, but I just see that as just a statement.

When you get to the requirements for Storage, Section 12.6.7.1 says the following: "ESFR sprinklers designed to meet any criteria in Chapter 12 or Chapter 14 through Chapter 20 shall be permitted to protect any of the following: (1) Light hazard occupancies (2) Ordinary hazard occupancies (3) Any storage arrangement in Chapter 13 referencing OH1, OH2, EH1, and EH2 design criteria"

Item 3 is where I want to make the argument that we can in fact use ESFR sprinklers in an Extra Hazard Group 2 scenario.

Can ESFR be used for an Extra Hazard Group 2 situation like this?

I need some expert opinions/interpretations. Thanks in advance.

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I'm a plan reviewer for a project that's coming into our area. We have a local gym/special amusement facility that has several foam pit areas.

What is an appropriate sprinkler design criteria for a foam pit?

The plans call for a 5-ft platform, which leads us to believe the pit is 5-ft or less in depth, but we're not sure about the building on the platform of other foam pads; so there's a chance this depth could exceed 5-ft when it's all said and done and measured with a tape.

Best I can relate to for this type of situation is in NFPA 13 2022 edition, Section 4.3.1.7.2.4, which references Table 4.3.1.7.1.1. Also, I've referenced IFC 3203.7.1 for classification.

Is there any other information that you can point me to for guidance?

If so, it would be greatly appreciated.

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For a fire pump subject to NFPA 20, I know that the suction side requires an eccentric reducer, but “can” one be put on the discharge side?

I have a situation where we are removing and replacing existing pumps where both the suction and discharge are at the same elevation, but the new pumps have the discharge about 2.5” lower than the suction.

I am trying to find a solution to resolve this. Thanks in advance.

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Can the pipe from a remote FDC at the front of our building route under the building slab to connect to our fire pump room at the back of the building?

The Fire Pump Room is on the basement level.

This is for a six-story hotel with a partial basement along the back portion of the building that is open to a lower grade level in back. Here's a sketch below.

The fire marshal requires a remote FDC at the sidewalk in front of the building. Our fire pump room happens to be on the opposite side, in the back.

The most straightforward routing is below the building, but it is minimum 60' of run which certainly exceeds the 10' maximum distance allowed for the fire supply from NFPA 13.

Going above the first floor ceiling is challenging given all the interiors/ceilings, public spaces, and glass at the street front.

Given that the FDC pipe is normally-dry and not pressurized, do we have the same restrictions of 10' max below grade?

Even if not, can't say I'm thrilled about having that many joints below our building above. Thanks for your help/thoughts!

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We have a situation where we'll have a piece of equipment in one control area that has a closed-use pipe arrangement with oxidizing gases that goes through different control areas. I've gotten conflicting feedback on this.

How do you figure the amount of "in-use" for each control area? 

Here's a sketch of the concept:

The equipment that is using the oxygen is on the fourth floor Control Area 2. The tanks that feed it are (2) 200 CF oxygen tanks that are in the second floor Control Area 1.

Which of the following two scenarios is the proper way to tally up the "in-use" quantity for the fourth floor Control Area 2 when comparing against the Maximum Allowable Quantities (MAQs)?

• Concept #1: The "in-use" amount is only the gas within the equipment itself, and only the gas within the piping to the extent of the control area wall.
• Concept #2: The "in-use" amount is all of the gas within the equipment itself, and all of the gas within all of the piping, and all of the gas within the (2) oxygen tanks which are actively hooked up to it.

 
My initial gut reaction was that the second option is correct, but now I’m not sure. My reasoning being that if there is an event in 4th floor control area 2 that causes a leak or something like that, it’s not going to just leak out what is physically within the control area… it’s going to leak out everything in all of the piping, all of the equipment, and all of the hooked up tanks. This is all presuming there are no safety devices to stop this from happening.

Assuming my initial gut reaction was correct, is there a way to limit the amount so that it stops at the control area wall?

As in: is there a safety device such as an automatic shutoff valve we can put at the wall such that in the event of a leak or other event, the automatic valve will shut off and then we only have to count the amount of gas between the equipment and the shutoff valve?

I’ve looked in the IBC and its commentary for more info, but couldn’t find anything helpful. I’ve also reached out to a number of different people and there seems to be a variety of different opinions on it.

Thanks in advance.

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Do open (exterior) stairs need standpipes?

If the stairs are more than 50% open, sprinkler protection is not required but what about standpipes?

This building has three stairways. Two are interior and one is open and on the exterior. Standpipes are provided in the two interior stairways.

Thanks in advance.

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I understand that Chapter 7 of NFPA 101 applies to stairs on the means of egress.

However, in the case of a feature stair, does the same dimensional requirements and handrails on both sides still apply?

In theory, should a person be on the feature stair when the fire alarm activates, they would need to traverse the stair to escape and it therefore forms part of the means of egress?

Thanks in advance.

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Section 5.3.2.1 of NFPA 25, Gauges shall be replaced or tested every five years by comparison with a calibrated gauge.

Is it required for us to provide a sticker on the gauge to indicate it has been re-calibrated by the 3rd party, or will a sharpie inscription on the glass of the gauge be sufficient to meet this requirement?

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What is the required duration for a Secondary Water Supply within Seismic Zone?

IBC Section 403.3.3:
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"The secondary water supply shall have a duration of not less than 30 minutes as determined by the occupancy hazard classification in accordance with NFPA 13."

Does this mean minimum 30 minutes, with the gpm/demand determined by NFPA 13?

Or the minimum duration is also determined by NFPA 13, such that the secondary water supply could require an even longer duration, like 60 minutes?

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I have a plan reviewer that is not accepting our proposed design for a manual standpipe calculation.

The calculation shows a required pressure on the fire department pumper truck to be a minimum of 217 PSI.

It has been confirmed that the pumper truck can reach and/or exceed 250 PSI.

The AHJ is requesting that we increase the standpipe from 4-inch to 6-inch, which is not alleviating the higher pressures as we are still above 175 PSI.

This would be a first for me to have to install pressure reducing hose valves on a manual wet standpipe.

My understanding per NFPA-14 (2016) 7.2.3.2 is that this is only an issue when the static pressures on the systems exceed 175 PSI (city static is 113 PSI).

So in essence, we are advising the fire department pumper truck operator to dial his pump up to 217, but this wouldn't be static, as they would be flowing out of the hose valve(s), correct?

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Has anyone dealt with the robotic parking garages?

The 2021 IFC/IBC Section 903.2.10.2:
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Mechanical-access enclosed parking garages. An approved automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings used for the storage of motor vehicles in a mechanical-access enclosed parking garage. The portion of the building that contains the mechanical-access enclosed parking garage shall be protected with a specially engineered automatic sprinkler system.

Some of the articles I read indicated a water mist with foam. Completely new thought processes to go through for these since there is very little access for fire personnel.

Any thoughts on where to begin or what to read would be appreciated. Thanks.

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In the introduction (Origin and Development) to the 2023 Ed. of NFPA 25, it mentions that several changes have been made to Chapter 5, "such as additional requirements to remove concealed sprinkler cover plates and inspect the sprinklers". I have scoured the text of Chapter 5, and cannot find this requirement anywhere.

Was this discussed but not implemented?

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I am working on a 4-story multifamily building that's above a 1-level parking garage on the ground floor.

The exterior wall is less than 10-ft fire separation distance to the property line, requiring the exterior wall it to be 1-hour fire-resistance-rated.

Since it is an open parking garage, I need a lot of openings within this wall to provide ventilation. Denver has an amendment that allows 50% allowable openings with water curtains per NFPA 13.

Since the parking garage will have a dry system, is this even possible?

It seems like a very odd condition but again I need over 25% opening within the wall to comply as an open parking garage.

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For exposed copper piping in Ordinary Hazard occupancies, can the joints be soldered (sweat) together or must they be brazed?

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The maximum allowable protection area for a sprinkler listed is in Table 8.6.2.2.1(a) of NFPA 13 (2016 Edition).

Section 8.5.2.1.1(1)(b) says to choose the larger of twice the distance to the wall, or the distance to the next sprinkler.

Do we use the protection areas in Table 8.6.2.2.1(a) when applying this code section, or do you use the maximum allowable protection area for a sprinkler that's listed in the manufacturer's data?

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There was a warehouse that was struck by a tornado in 2021 which is in my jurisdiction, and we are now seeing some warehouses wanting to place pre-built tornado shelters within their buildings (which is great).

My question is: do the pre-built shelters need to have sprinkler protection?

My feelings are that the shelters are non-combustible, the only fuel-load would be from the 5-gallon bucket-style water closet and a privacy drape.

Obviously, a fire in this unit while occupied would not be tenable long before a sprinkler head would activate. I also understand that if a portion of a building that would normally be sprinklered (a school hallway) and is "hardened" to make it qualify as a shelter would still require sprinklers.

Thanks in advance for any help or guidance.

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I’ve been reviewing standards to determine the equivalency between fireproofing thickness and the fire resistance rating.

This is for an industrial plant structure. I realize there are many factors but at some point I need a reference to determine what the rating is required to be.

What is the process to determine what the required fire-resistance-rating of a component needs to be?

In this case, it is for structural steel supporting columns of the open structure. The structure is composed of the main support columns and those supporting vessels, etc. The structure is about 5-6 levels tall.  For simplicity I wanted to address the main columns starting on floor 1 where a pool fire may start.  If I could find the standard / guidance for this then I can adapt for vessel supports, etc.  

I’ve been through calculations and information from API 2218 to determine the fireproofing thickness for a certain hour rating. However, I have yet to determine or find the hourly rating requirement.

I’m assuming it will be 1-3 hours, for example, using API 2510 (LPG) as a guide with reference to UL 1709. It does specify a 1½ hour time rating which then gives a fireproofing thickness. Further, the fire protection requirements will come from a risk assessment of the system. I have to be able to give guidance to the risk team to help them come to suitable answers.

What can I use to provide a best answer to an hourly rating, hopefully, chapter and verse?

Thank you for your help in advance.

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Is missing a coverplate for a concealed sprinkler a deficiency in NFPA 25 that would be required to be corrected?

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So I am dealing with a building who stores plastic containers, I asked for the SDS sheets to find out what they say as far as protection.

The SDS sheets only mention water fog, dry chemical, foam, and carbon dioxide as suitable extinguishing agents; no water spray. The building currently has water spray. 

In the SDS under "Unsuitable Extinguishing Media" it lists "none known". Does this mean that water spray could be suitable for use even though it is not mentioned under extinguishing media?

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The architect has specified a solid panel ceiling in an 8-ft wide corridor.

The ceiling has a 4-inch gap that extends the width of the corridor. The gap is spaced every 8-ft.

The architect would like us to locate the sprinklers in the gaps so the ceiling has a clean look. The gaps are open to above. There are no sprinklers above the ceiling.

I believe the sprinklers should be installed in the solid part of the ceiling, not the gap, so heat can collect and activation is not delayed.

Am I correct?

​Thank you in advance for your responses.

We are working on a new (750 gpm) standpipe system.

When testing and setting the field adjustable 2-1/2" PRV hose valves, do you set each one flowing 250 gpm while also flowing 500 gpm elsewhere, to account for the hydraulically calculated design (i.e. lower inlet pressure per NFPA 14-11.5.5.1)?

Or do you just set each one only flowing 250 GPM by itself?

Thanks in advance.

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We have a Type-I, non-combustible condominium building over 75-feet tall.

The existing ceiling is concrete coated with filigree, then a popcorn finish.

For the renovation (and adding lighting), a new ceiling is being dropped using a 1-1/2" steel hat track then 1/2" drywall for a total of a 2-inch drop.

Existing smoke detectors are 10-year battery, surface-mounted to the filigree ceiling. They are not linked or part of the building fire alarm system. There is one fire alarm speaker in each unit tied to the building fire alarm system.

Do the smoke detectors have to be flush with the new drywall surface, or could they be left on the filigree ceiling?

I believe the speaker can be left attached to the filigree ceiling and be in a pocket (or a void) in the new drywall ceiling with a metal speaker cover. The sound is actually amplified.

I've never heard or seen a smoke detector being installed below or even with the surface of the ceiling, though. 

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I have a situation with obstructed construction; solid 18-inch steel beams with pockets being over 320 square feet. The beams are 10-ft on center. 

The area is part of a warehouse, Ordinary Hazard Group 2. 

Can I space my branch lines 14-ft apart if I'm protecting every pocket?

Sprinklers are 5-ft (on center) from beam and 14-ft to the next branch line.

Thanks in advance!

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Looking for some back history here - why is heat sensor detection temperature 57 degrees C?

On what basis was sprinkler temperature determined to be 68 degrees C?

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I am working on a NFPA 13R 3-story apartment building.

The Labor & Industries (Washington State) compliance elevator inspector is requiring sprinklers in the pit and in the machine room, because it has more than 2 occupants and it is a commercial elevator.

Can someone clarify if Labor & Industries requirements do not follow NFPA standards? If they do not, do their requirement supersede adopted NFPA standards?

Have others ran into similar situations like this?

Thanks in advance.

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