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Where does the requirement for a post-indicating valve originate? If I only have a sprinkler system, is a post-indicating valve required?
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Would you consider a kitchen with only an oven/stovetop unit in a primary residential building to be considered Light or Ordinary Hazard for sprinkler protection?
NFPA 13 annex material states that commercial kitchens should be considered OH1, while "Residential" areas are Light Hazard. Interested in others' input on this. Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Subscribe When a backflow preventer needs to be replaced, can the two isolation valves remain in place, closed, and only the center body of the backflow be inserted in-between these isolation valves?
Would this violate the listing on the assembly if it's a one-for-one replacement? If the backflow is listed as an entire assembly, then it seems as though an additional isolation valve on the supply-side of the backflow preventer would often be needed to shut off the system just in order to replace the backflow preventer. Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Subscribe What is the maximum throw for a horizontal sidewall sprinkler? Just looking for a typical extended coverage sprinkler, not a dry-type.
Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Subscribe There's a jurisdiction that is considering requiring "Fire Fighter Air Replenishment System" or as I understand it a standpipe-for-air system. Has anyone designed these systems?
The International Fire Code (Appendix L) provides requirements for the system - my only concern is the size and storage of pressurized oxygen tanks either in or near the stairwells and the potentially increased hazard they could be in a fire. Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Subscribe Many fire pump arrangements I've seen include flanged fittings and pipe connections on the suction side of the fire pump. Is there a requirement for this?
Are grooved connections allowed for pipes and fittings on the suction side of the pump assembly? Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Subscribe My company has recently re-evaluated how we take measurements onsite in the hope that we can find better/faster solutions than running tape measures to nearby structure. We create shop/installation drawings, to precision in measuring parts of existing systems is important.
What do you use when on job sites? Tape? Laser Measure? 360 cameras? Has anyone had any luck using laser scanners or photometrics for measurements? Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Subscribe A fire marshal is requesting a wall hydrant on the backside of a project where there is limited access. Is there a prescriptive flow that needs to be calculated at this location?
This project is considered a high-rise (8 stories) and does have a fire pump. He has already requested there be 100 psi available at the wall hydrant. Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Subscribe A big thank you to those who chimed in during this past month - thanks for making this a more positive and helpful community! Top Contributors for October:
We're looking into some basic-level risk assessment for an owner, and I'm seeking any data concerning the actual frequency that fires occur for different types of facilities. For instance - in a 12,000 sqft office building, how likely would a fire be to occur in a year?
Where is a good starting point for gathering this type of information? Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Subscribe Have a dry manual standpipe system that is going to be retrofit along exterior stairs in the southern US. Is there any requirement that would prevent the standpipe from being interconnected underground (not under the building)?
I understand there's difficulties with drainage and access for future repairs, but as a last option is it even permissible by code? Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Subscribe I've heard that sprinkler frame arms are typically aligned with the pipe which they're connected. I commonly see this for uprights, but how often is this true for pendents?
Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Subscribe Is the discharge side of a fire pump required to step up to a larger pipe size on the discharge flange of the fire pump? Inspected a pump where there was a flowmeter welded on flanged pipe which was the same size as the discharge flange of the fire pump.
Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Subscribe. Are sprinklers required to be installed in an escalator pit? The volume is small but I understand there to be hydraulic fluids and equipment in the pit. Has anyone come across this before?
Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Subscribe. There's many code contingencies that depend on a fully-sprinklered building. If a room within a fully-sprinklered building is protected with a clean agent system (per NFPA 2001) and sprinklers are omitted from that room, does the building still meet the criteria to be considered fully protected and qualify for the numerous code contingencies?
Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Subscribe. I've heard that pressure reducing valves are not recommended and should be avoided on sprinkler or standpipe systems where possible. Has anyone had any experience or insight as to why this is?
Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Subscribe. NFPA 13 lists requirements for calculations showing that hangers must be designed to support the weight of water-filled pipe plus 250 lb (115 kg) at each point of piping support (NFPA 13 9.1.1.2 of 2016 Edition).
When are these calculations necessary? Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Subscribe. What sprinkler type or finish would you recommend for a highly corrosive area? In this case I'm working on a pool equipment room.
Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Subscribe. Does the "small room rule" apply to sidewall sprinklers?
Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Subscribe. From a sprinkler contractor in the UK - We have a British Standard BS 9251 which is based (loosely) on your NFPA 13 D/R for the use in houses, flats and care homes and so on. One area which is very grey to us and not included in the design standard is the distance from obstructions such a pendant lampshade which lower than the ceiling or a smoke detector or emergency light fitting.
I know most contractors are using 300mm (1 ft) as a minimum from a pendant drop light fitting but then you ask them why no one can tell you. for other obstruction such as a smoke detector many any using 4 times the depth as a method. For beams and larger continuous obstructions, it's much easier as most just use a bean rule in EN BS 12845 (our equivalent NFPA 13). I would be very interested in understanding the approach which you take for such things and very much looking forward to your assistance. Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Subscribe. A building which has an old fire alarm system is going to have its interior completely gutted (all systems, walls, everything but the structure and exterior walls are to be removed). The fire alarm system is to be demolished and replaced entirely, and the building will change to a business occupancy once complete.
Is a fire alarm system required by code to be active during the renovation? Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Subscribe. Had a quick question regarding design of thrust blocks for underground FDC / fire water supply. In your experience is that design typically a civil designer’s responsibility or the responsibility of the fire sprinkler sub?
I have a project where both parties are saying they do not do this design – the sprinkler sub says their design begins at the flanges in the riser room. I have an earthwork subcontractor doing the physical installation of the FDC and fire water pipes outside leading into the riser room. Would thrust blocking details then need to be calc’ed and detailed by the civil engineer? I’d appreciate knowing what your experience has been! Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Subscribe. I've come across several retail projects where there will be a "closet" that is just solid shelves about 18-24 inches deep and about four or five shelves tall, with a mirror across the front that acts as a door. It's certainly possible to provide a sprinkler outside of the closet and protect to the back of the hazard, but is this approach allowed?
To me it doesn't seem practical to provide a sprinkler at the top inside this shallow unit just as we wouldn't provide a sprinkler within the inside of cabinetry. If anything, the multiple solid shelves could prevent heat from collecting at the top and water from effectively reaching the bottom, although the door could also prevent discharge from reaching the bottom. Curious how others would approach these situations. Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Subscribe. I've had the request multiple times from architects to provide closely spaced sprinklers near interior windows to provide the equivalent of a 1-hour wall.
The only support I see for such an arrangement in the International Building Code or in NFPA 13 for glass is specific to the "Enclosure of Atriums," Section 404.5 (2003-2009 Editions) or 404.6 (2013-2015 Editions). If someone is looking to provide the equivalent of a 1-hour wall, with glass, that is not a part of an atrium enclosure, then are the only options to provide rated glass or the Tyco WS Window Sprinkler? I sense a lot of confusion on this topic from architects, whom I guess see other project arrangements and just assume they're standard closely-spaced sprinklers. Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Subscribe. Is a sprinkler ever not required in an electrical room? We typically provide sprinklers in all electrical rooms, but are being asked specifically if we can omit one on a project.
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