Does Fire Sprinkler Riser Room Require Rating?

12/14/2020

I was looking through the International Building Code and have not found a requirement for a fire sprinkler riser room to be enclosed by a fire-rated wall.

Are there any requirements other than clearances to service the equipment for this room?

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11 Comments

Randy

12/14/2020 11:18:52 am

Check NFPA 20 for equipment protection if you have a fire pump.

Jess L.

12/14/2020 11:47:26 am

Re: the Fire Pump Room, CA building code (IBC) calls it out in section 913.

Re: other valve rooms, I've not yet seen a rating requirement.

Franck

12/14/2020 12:01:30 pm

If I speak as an AHJ, I would say : the more, the better...

I don’t know what would be the requirement from IBC, but there are none from NFPA.
Sprinkler risers are allowed inside the building without a room around them.
It is a good practice, as well as a direct access from outside, but not a formalized requirement.
But the area should be adequately sprinkler protected and the sprinkler risers accessible at all time (no storage against)

Michael Major

12/14/2020 12:40:11 pm

Here in California, CFC 901.4.6 has requirements for the riser room size, what is allowed in the riser room, signs, access, lighting, and working space. Looks like it is model code, so should be in the IFC.

No rated room required unless also in a fire pump room.

Todd E Wyatt

12/14/2020 01:13:14 pm

The 2021 IBC includes requirements for "riser rooms" per Section 902 including size, access, environment, and lighting but not a fire-resistance rating (FRR) for the walls for this room type.

Jonathan Joseph

12/14/2020 01:47:08 pm

I believe you would have to maintain the structure's exterior or interior fire rating for walls and ceilings depending on where it is located and what occupancies that are attached and surround the room.

John M

12/14/2020 07:48:51 pm

I am an AHJ. There is some language in NFPA 72 regarding smoke barriers and protection of the alarm components.

Mitchell O

12/14/2020 09:57:05 pm

Check NFPA 24 (2019) Section 6.2.9. This is section does have a requirement for the control valve to be located in a fire-rated room accessible from the exterior. There are 7 different options listed, any of which you can comply with. Here in Alaska, we don't use many PIVs nor do we located BFP outside (apparently it gets cold here), so this leaves us with few options beside rating the riser room. Local Gov't FPE's enforce this on every project.

This is the only requirement I know for rating of riser rooms (assuming your control valve is located adjacent to your riser).

sean

12/15/2020 07:03:45 am

you have not recieved a good answer. Not withstanding any local amendments the IBC/IFC only require rated construction around a fire pump room.

A riser does not even need to be enclosed.

Franck

12/15/2020 11:45:35 am

Sean is right

NFPA 24 only applies to private fire service mains and as indicated in 3.3.13:
A private fire service main, as used in this standard, is that pipe and its appurtenances on private property that is between a source of water and the base of the system riser for water-based fire protection systems; between a source of water and inlets to foam-making systems; between a source of water and the base elbow of private hydrants or monitor nozzles; and used as fire pump suction and discharge piping, beginning at the inlet side of the check valve on a gravity or pressure tank.

This means that the valves on the riser for sprinkler systems is not part of NFPA 24, but NFPA 13.
And there is no requirement in NFPA 13 to provide a fire rated room accessible from the exterior for the sprinkler riser and its associated valve.
NFPA 13 only requires the following:
16.9.3.1.1
Each sprinkler system shall be provided with a listed indicating valve in an accessible location, so located as to control all automatic sources of water supply.

16.9.3.4 * Control Valve Accessibility.
All control valves shall be located where accessible and free of obstructions.

It is definitely a good practice (as well as a direct outside access) but not a mandatory requirement.

Mitchell O

12/15/2020 07:49:52 pm

I agree with you Franck, that NFPA 13 starts at the valve on the riser (if one exists). In our case, our control valve (typically on the BFP) is located adjacent to the riser, in the same room.

So the piping between the water source and base of the system riser would include the BFP and associated valves (IE, control valve), which we locate inside next to the riser. Since we don't use PIV's, the option we often have to follow is rating of the "riser room" (keep in mind we are not doing it for the riser, it just so happens the riser is co-located with the NFPA 24 control valve).

Again, not saying this applies to all, but this is one scenario where a "riser room" MAY require to be rated. In most cases however, I agree, the riser itself would not require a rated room.

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