Change Sprinkler with New Electric Cove Heater?

4/15/2025

I am working on a retrofit project where the owner wants to replace the existing electric baseboard heaters with electric cove heaters. Being a radiant heater, NFPA 13 clearly states that sprinklers within the high and intermediate temperature zones would need to be changed out to suit.

I am getting pushback from the design team, given the small size and low power (1KW) of the heaters.

NFPA 13 seems petty cut and dry on this.

Am I missing something?

Anyone run into this before?

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3 Comments

Pete H

4/15/2025 06:31:13 am

Sounds like you're right, but more information would be required.

Basically check NFPA 13 (2016) 8.3.2.5 and the Tables 8.3.2.5 (a-c) [9.4.2.5 and 9.4.2.5(a-c) if you're looking in 2019-2022]. If they have uninsulated heat ducts or if they have hot air flues within 9-18 inches of your deflector, you need intermediate temp (and high temp below 9).

Find in the code exactly where and how the cove heaters are requiring a change of nearby heads and show them the code. Or just say that you're fine moving forward but if the AHJ brings it up, it becomes a more expensive extra to do it after an inspection in a way that could require refiling the plans.

Dan Wilder

4/15/2025 08:22:46 am

As these could be a longer, lower output system, there may be an argument that the discharge temp would not exceed a temp threshold. That would be an argument to lessen the restrictions, but I would still provide an intermediate temp sprinkler if it fell within the "pie shaped cylinder" space as described in the temp rating chart.

If the argument is to not change the sprinklers at all and assuming the existing sprinklers are ordinary temp (135-155), I would stay with your position...in writing. They could always hire an engineering company to provide the thermal modeling to prove their point, but that would likely cost as much as you just doing the work in the first place.

Jack G

4/15/2025 09:05:01 am

NFPA definitely has requirements for sprinkler head temperatures near difuser and heat sources and ceiling temperatures.
I would first put a thermocouple in the room and record the temperatures produced. ( a cold winter day may produce more heat at start up )
The way cove heaters ( that I m familiar with) work is that they draw cooler air in from the bottom then with heater/strip a fan carries the air up and across the ceiling.
Cove heaters can be placed anywhere on the wall . I think it depends whether this is a vestibule or a small room like a bathroom. If a vestibule, the start up temperature could be high and trigger the max ceiling temperatures (difuser code), Or it could be a gradual heat increase. The distance of the heater ( distance) if similar , the diffuser trigger could apply. Then there is also the chance of the heater working in the summer temperatures.
In any event determine the max ceiling temperatures.
My perspective is if it’s a small room, the response time won’t matter significantly if the sprinkler temperature were changed.

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Change Sprinkler with New Electric Cove Heater?

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