Combination Riser Allowed within Rated Shaft?

9/22/2022

We have a project where the architect wants the combination sprinkler/standpipe riser installed within a rated shaft with a rated door to access both the system control valve and standpipe hose valve.

Aside from the gymnastics of the installation, we can't find anything in NFPA referencing standpipes within a shaft.

The AHJ is considering it without an opinion just yet. Does anyone know if this is acceptable?

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6 Comments

Glenn Berger

9/22/2022 08:07:07 am

It is permitted. Architects loves to hide this piping from view. Need to ensure that the valves are accessible with the panels being located correctly.

Dan Wilder

9/22/2022 08:10:06 am

Allowable, yes. Just need to provide signage accordingly.

Some items to consider (dealing with this on a job now)

The hose valve (typically) is placed within it's own rated cabinet so that the rating occurs behind the valve and the door is not rated (allows for break glass configurations and does not open the shaft up to the floor for FD access). These are typically 18x18 sized (Larsen, Guardian, Croker all carry versions to start). Watch for the depth as it means the vertical piping and drains have to be offset further to the side or away from the wall. Grooved HV's have been great within these!

The access panel for the sprinkler riser is just attached to the wall and accessible via a rated panel only (no cabinet - Acudor or LarsenMFG are our go-to's). These have been 24x36 panels (vertical or horizontal) to provide access to all the riser pieces (control, check valve, flow switch, drain and/or test and drain),

Putting both together makes for a very large panel (24x48) and getting creative with piping configurations. We have been asked to provide a sprinkler in the top of the shaft as well (rare but has happened).

Issues have been:

Aesthetics (2 large panels that take up a lot of wall space),
Watch for hand rails, door swings (both the panel/cabinet and egress doors), and extinguisher cabinets...they always seem to be in the same place
Support for the riser/drain - We've made the GC provide steel angle iron across the shaft to allow riser floor clamps
Other trades in the shaft (water and roof drains), especially with offsets
Testing - The GC loves to get the rated shafts completed first and burying the piping prior to being able to test has been an issue

Jesse

9/22/2022 08:10:53 am

Yep, this isn't uncommon. I have two projects ongoing in which we're doing this. Just make sure the AHJ is involved in the determining the hose valve access cabinets or panels.

Alex

9/22/2022 08:14:35 am

As others have mentioned, this is common. Need to ensure valves are accessible and any openings are rated.

Travis Mack

9/22/2022 08:26:57 am

Think about operations for a minute. Will the fire crews be able to connect to the hose valve and still stay in a protected space? They are in stairs because that is a rated shaft. The crews can be protected while hooking equipment and then exit the stair ready to attack the fire.

If this shaft and hose valve location does not allow the fire crew to be in a protected environment to connect they I would not be doing it. You can run the pipe anywhere. NFPA 14 and the IFC have very specific locations for Jose valves. They are mostly in protected spaces for fire crew safety.

Todd E Wyatt

9/22/2022 09:34:25 am

See “NFPA 14 Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems” for minimum clearances (e.g. 3 Feet) of standpipe hose connections (handle of the valve) and any adjacent object ranging from fully open to fully closed.

Chapter 4 — System Components and Hardware
4.7 Hose Connections.
4.7.5
Hose connections shall be located so that there is at least 3 in. (76.2 mm) clearance between any adjacent object and the handle of the valve when the valve is in any position ranging from fully open to fully closed.
A.4.7.5
It is important to provide adequate clearance for the valve handle so that a fire fighter using a gloved hand can quickly open and close a hose valve. Subsection 4.7.5 does not pertain to hose valves located in closets and cabinets.

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Combination Riser Allowed within Rated Shaft?

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