ESFR Sprinklers Allowed for 63-ft Ceiling, in OH2?

5/21/2026

Can ESFR sprinklers be used in a manufacturing building that is 63'-0" high to protect an Ordinary Group 2 occupancy?

NFPA 13 2022 14.2.7 allows the use of ESFR to cover OH2 and lower occupancies, but I believe that those occupancies are located in storage areas or are incidental to the storage being protected. FMDS 3-26 and 8-9 allow their use up to 100 ft, but they do not classify ESFR sprinklers the same as NFPA.

Any thoughts?

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5 Comments

Pete H

5/21/2026 06:33:22 am

I think I'd say no.

From NFPA 13 (2025):

14.2.6 - occupancy and hazard. ESFR Sprinklers designed to meet any applicable ESFR criteria in Chapter 20 or Chapter 23 through 26 shall be permitted to protect light and ordinary hazard occupancies.

-

This makes me think that an AHJ could immediately say that a ceiling of that height is not covered in those chapters. And it isn't. that'd have to be an FM design if it were ESFR. I'd honestly recommend in your case trying to use Extended Coverage 25.2K Sprinklers operating at a minimum Density of 0.45 GPM/Sq. Ft based on:

From NFPA 13 (2025)

19.2.3.2.5.2 Sprinkler Density/Areas for Ceiling Heights over 30 ft.

(C) For Ordinary Hazard G2 occupancies where the ceiling height is greater than 40 feet, the ceiling sprinkler shall comply with the following:

1) Use a minimum density of 0.45 gpm/ sq ft
2) Increase the design areas obtained from table 19.2.3.1.1 by 30 percent
3) Use the design areas from 19.2.3.1.1, without a 30 percent increase, where an extended coverage sprinkler having a minimum nominal K Factor of 25.2 is used.

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Dan Wilder

5/21/2026 07:31:39 am

In no particular order...all referencing the 2025 Edition

ESFR design is not based on CMDA criteria so interchanging the two is not allowed. This goes to the wording in 19.2.3.2.5.2 for "Sprinkler Density/Area for Ceiling Heights over 30 ft (9.1m)."

19.2.3.2.5 has a detailed chart for ceiling height, Occupancy Hazard, Sprinkler Coverage and several other criteria...none of which include an ESFR design approach.

If the original design is for ESFR criteria, the cross over is allowed. There is no path to go directly to ESFR to protect other than storage occupancies.

14.2.6 - ESFR sprinklers designed to meet any applicable ESFR criteria in Chapter 20 or Chapter 23 through Chapter 26 shall be permitted to protect light and ordinary hazard occupancies

Glenn Berger

5/21/2026 08:28:22 am

In addition to other responses - Check the manufacturer data sheet. You probably will not find many sprinklers approved for heights above 55 feet.

There may be applicable criteria for sprinklers for very tall spaces, but you need a sprinkler that can accommodate that condition.

Robert

5/21/2026 09:21:38 am

Reach out to the manufacture to clarify maximum height for the sprinkler head and request a document, if possible, for AHJ. if the design method used does not specify a maximum height the guidance to follow would be manufacture spec.

Example if a standard sprinkler head is used for light hazard per manufacture spec there is no maximum ceiling height.

anthony

5/22/2026 08:34:20 am

Short answer no. There are no ESFR sprinklers (that I know of) that are listed for over 55ft ceiling levels. others have mentioned that ESFR can protect OH2 but you run into the limitations of what an ESFR system can do.

If this is a case of applying "better" fire protection or trying to do more I would suggest against using ESFR for this. Mainly as a compliance issue.

IF there is storage in the area you'll need in rack sprinklers or a false ceiling. see chapter 25 of NFPA for ways to "raise the floor"

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ESFR Sprinklers Allowed for 63-ft Ceiling, in OH2?

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