Emergency Electrical Feeders Require Sprinklers?

7/30/2021

I'm being asked to provide sprinkler protection for emergency electrical feeders for a highrise hotel. NFPA 70 (2014 Edition) Article 700.10.D.1 states:

"Feeder Circuit wiring shall meet one of the following conditions: 1) Be installed in spaces or areas that are fully protected by an approved automatic fire suppression system."

The conduit runs exposed tight to deck, and also through non-sprinklered, non-combustible ceiling cavities.

I'm worried that we'll be required to sprinkler the entire concealed space where there is unprotected conduit installed - or would it be acceptable to provide localized coverage?

Does anyone have experience with this or know of any guidelines for this application?

This is a first for me in my 20-years, historically I've always seen this type of conduit be encased in concrete or handled by one of the other (4) options listed in the NEC.

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5 Comments

Jonathan Sullivan

7/30/2021 08:35:45 am

Interesting question, the NEC commentary states that fire protection is required above and below the ceiling for this scenario.

"Where emergency system feeders are installed above a suspended ceil-ing, for the system to be fully protected by a fire suppression system, sprinklers must be provided above the suspended ceilings even though sprinklers might be installed below the ceiling. "

You may be better off providing one of the other protection options.

Kim

7/30/2021 09:59:12 am

We are sprinkling a new hospital. W/i the FPE drawing, they spec'd "Life Safety Sprinklers" above certain conduit racks.

I'd never run into anything like this before either.

NOW, we are getting calls from the owner's reps and GC, asking "Why are those uprights up there above the conduit? Who told you to do that?"

Jessica Lutz

8/30/2021 01:26:08 pm

Any updates to your situation?

James Phifer

8/5/2021 08:56:29 am

We had this exact situation at a prison facility and our AHJ made us conform to the requirements of NFPA 13: (2016 ed) 8.15.1.5

Localized Protection of Exposed Combustible Construction
or Exposed Combustibles

8/6/2021 01:21:06 pm

Thank you James! This section is very helpful.

Emergency Electrical Feeders Require Sprinklers?

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