Closely-Spaced Sprinklers for Floor Openings?

4/24/2019

NFPA 13 requires closely spaced sprinklers with a draft curtain around unenclosed moving stairways, staircases, or similar unenclosed floor openings which are not large (20 feet or more across and 1000 sqft or greater), as an alternative to the enclosure of the vertical opening (NFPA 13 8.15.4.1 in 2016 and 9.3.5.1 in 2019).

This seems to jive with NFPA 101, but where does it come into play with the International Building Code?

As a sprinkler designer I want to be cognizant of situations where closely spaced sprinklers and draft curtains are necessary, but would they only surface as an AHJ-approved code alternative by IBC 104.11 (Alternative materials, design and methods)?

Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit a Question | Subscribe

2 Comments

PETE

4/24/2019 10:20:20 am

NFPA 13 also calls for closely spaced sprinklers when putting water curtain sprinklers on windows to fire rate the partition.
IFC/IBC adopts the National Fire Codes up to the date of the IFC release. It will never repeat everything that is in the codes or replace them. The main difference between the 2 is the occupancy classifications. Those in the IFC are meant to align with the IBC, not the NFC. Generally, the IFC will make requirements for life safety provisions such as smoke curtains and smoke ventilation systems based on the IFC/IBC occupancy classification. The section on alarms, for example, spells out the level of notification required for each type of occupancy. The IFC may point out some details that are necessary as they relate to an installation, but for the most part it points back to the NFCs for the details. For example, it may say that a certain situation requires a UL300 listed wet chemical automatic extinguishing system installed per the requirements of NFPA 17A. As always, in the end the AHJ has the final say so.

COLIN L. link

4/24/2019 12:01:53 pm

IBC (2015) addresses this situation specifically in section 712 - VERTICAL OPENINGS, and references the protection methods of NFPA 13:

712.1.3 Escalator openings. Where a building is
equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in
accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, vertical openings for
escalators shall be permitted where protected in accordance
with Section 712.1.3.1 or 712.1.3.2.

712.1.3.1 Opening size. Protection by a draft curtain
and closely spaced sprinklers in accordance with NFPA
13 shall be permitted where the area of the vertical
opening between stories does not exceed twice the horizontal
projected area of the escalator. In other than
Groups B and M, this application is limited to openings
that do not connect more than four stories.

Free Signup

Subscribe and learn something new each day:

Community

Thank You to Our Top
August 2020 Contributors!

1. SK
2. Near Engineer
3. NinaB
4. Brenton
5. Mike

6. Sean
7. Dan Wilder
8. Tim D.
9. Rob B.
10. Jonathan

Your Post

SUBMIT A QUESTION

The Toolkit

Sprinkler Designer or Engineer?

Get all of our tools, including the Sprinkler Database, Friction Loss Calculator, Fire Pump Analyzer and more:

FREE 30-DAY TRIAL

GET THE TOOLKIT

Filters

Exam Prep

2020 PE Prep Guide
(Available Now!)

PE Prep Series
(Available Now!)

2020 PE Prep Series
Current Leaderboard
(Click to enlarge)

PE Problems

Visit July-October for daily Fire Protection PE Exam sample questions.

Solutions are posted the day after posting.

Comment with your solutions, questions or clarifications.

Please note that questions posted are unofficial and in accordance with NCEES rules are intended to be similar to actual exam questions, not actual exam questions themselves.

RSS Feed

Home - About - Blog - Contact - Exam Prep - Store

Copyright © 2020 MeyerFire, LLC
The views, opinions, and information found on this site represent solely the author shown and do not represent the opinions of any other party, nor does the presented material assume responsibility for its use. Fire protection and life safety systems constitute a critical component for public health and safety and you should consult with a licensed professional for proper design and code adherence. Some (not all) outbound links on this website, such as Amazon links, are affiliate-based where we receive a commission for orders placed elsewhere.