Control Sprinklers with Valve on Same Level?

9/21/2022

Are sprinklers required to be controlled by valves which are physically located on the same floor level?

Are sprinklers in high ceilings OK to be controlled by valves on the upper level, or do they need to be controlled by a valve on the same level as the floor?

A project with a second, or even third-story high ceiling in a lobby would be one example of this scenario. Another example could be an entrance to an underground parking garage with an NFPA 13 system.

It makes sense for valves to control the sprinklers on the level the valve is on, just wondering about a specific code reference. I know about the exception for the top of stair shafts. Thank you everyone!

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7 Comments

Dan Wilder

9/21/2022 08:13:04 am

Not to my knowledge, they just need to be labeled/identified as to what/where they serve and in an accessible/protected/heated location (8.3.1.8, 16.9.3.1.1, 16.9.3.4, 16.9.12.3 to name a few requirements, none say it has to be located on the same floor level)

Ummm...depends. Typically I have not taken this into account and run the sprinklers from the roof/deck level adjacent to the high ceiling (not the floor that they protect) however I have run lower zones up to high ceilings on projects with smoke control requirements. Garages are difficult because how do you define a floor level from a ramp and is the construction enough to provide separation to not activate adjacent zone/level sprinklers (I am also thinking of the last couple I have done where the ramp ran the length of the garage and was open to the 3rd/4th level underside as the ramp started from Level 1)?

I see it both ways but I will also defer the locating of the event to the fire alarm peeps, even with a single floor level having 52,000 FT², a water flow alarm at the riser tells me nothing as to the location within the building (yes I understand not every FA system includes addressable devices).

Franck

9/21/2022 08:27:50 am

Not a requirement to my knowledge

It is a good practice (especially from Insurance company recommended practices when looking to potential fires and consequences) to have the valve in the same sprinkler area, so that in case of impairment of the sprinkler system controlled by the valve you do not have other systems running in what has become an unprotected area.
But not mandatory

The best place is even to have the sectional valve as a PIV located 40 ft away from your building

Jesse

9/21/2022 08:50:43 am

Agree with Franck and Dan. Especially the part about knowing what level water is flowing on.

It can get goofy when the ground-floor area is less than 52,000 sq. ft. and we have multiple levels of protection effectively fed by a single riser.

Glenn Berger

9/21/2022 08:55:47 am

As long as everything is documented, approved by the AHJ and owner's rep(s), the isolation valve does not need to be on the same level as the sprinklers. None of us know what you building con figuration is, such that we would only be guessing on proper location of sprinkler control valve.

Munny Khan

9/21/2022 09:06:13 am

I've found this issue in my recent new role with this small company where we take note of all issues of every job (where in my old role with a big company there were individuals for every little thing). I've found with this is the zoning set up for the fire alarm panel and the importance to have it as simple as possible. I'll admit I'm still not 100% comfortable with it but the owner is excellent with it, so I'm learning. I haven't questioned a code reference for it but it is something in another code or standard that is fire protection related and can contribute to a better overall life safety system in the end.

Alex

9/21/2022 09:07:40 am

Nothing in the code I can think of that requires isolations to be installed on the floor. My first thought is a parking garage where each dry system is installed within a single room. Just want to make sure its clearly delineated and the fire department knows how to isolate the system in the case of a false activation.

Todd E Wyatt

9/21/2022 09:23:30 am

SUMMARY
Control valves are required at “each floor” in high-rise buildings (HRB).

EXPLANATION
The scoping Code (e.g. 2021 IBC) for Fire Protection (Chapter 9) includes (9) references to “control valves” (CV) … here are the applicable references pertaining to CV for automatic sprinkler systems (ASPS) :

Section 903 Automatic Sprinkler Systems
903.3 Installation Requirements
903.3.8 Limited Area Sprinkler Systems
903.3.8.4 Supervision
Control valves shall not be installed between the water supply and sprinklers unless the valves are of an approved indicating type that are supervised or secured in the open position.

903.4 Sprinkler System Supervision and Alarms
Valves controlling the water supply for automatic sprinkler systems, pumps, tanks, water levels and temperatures, critical air pressures and waterflow switches on all sprinkler systems shall be electrically supervised by a listed fire alarm control unit.
Exceptions:
4. Jockey pump control valves that are sealed or locked in the open position.
5. Control valves to commercial kitchen hoods, paint spray booths or dip tanks that are sealed or locked in the open position.
903.4.3 Floor Control Valves
Approved supervised indicating control valves shall be provided at the point of connection to the riser on each floor in high-rise buildings.

904.11 Automatic Water Mist Systems
904.11.2 Water Mist System Supervision and Alarms
904.11.2.3 Floor Control Valves
Floor control valves shall be provided as required for automatic sprinkler systems in accordance with Section 903.4.3.

904.13 Commercial Cooking Systems
904.13.4 Special Provisions for Automatic Sprinkler Systems
Automatic sprinkler systems protecting commercial-type cooking equipment shall be supplied from a separate, indicating-type control valve that is identified. Access to the control valve shall be provided.

The refernced standard for ASPS (2022 NFPA 13) includes (90) refernces to “control valve” and (13) refernces to “each floor” … of these, (3) include both :

Annex D — Sprinkler System Information from the 20182021 Edition of the Life Safety Code
This annex is not a part of the requirements of this NFPA document but is included for informational purposes only.
D.1.1.2 Special Structures and High-Rise Buildings.
High-rise buildings shall be protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with NFPA 101, Section 9.7. A sprinkler control valve and a waterflow device shall be provided for each floor. [101:11.8.3.1]
D.2 Life Safety Code.
D.2.2 Special Structures and High-Rise Buildings.
D.2.2.1 Design Criteria.
High-rise buildings shall be protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 9.7 of NFPA 101. A sprinkler control valve and a waterflow device shall be provided for each floor. [101:11.8.3.1]

Chapter 16 — Installation of Piping, Valves, and Appurtenances
16.11 System Attachments.
16.11.10* Alarm Attachments — High-Rise Buildings.
When a fire must be fought internally due to the height of a building, the following additional alarm apparatus shall be provided:
1. Each sprinkler system on each floor shall be equipped with a separate waterflow device. The waterflow device shall be connected to an alarm system in such a manner that operation of one sprinkler will actuate the alarm system, and the location of the operated flow device shall be indicated on an annunciator and/or register. The annunciator or register shall be located at grade level at the normal point of fire department access, at a constantly attended building security control center, or at both locations.

Control Sprinklers with Valve on Same Level?

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