FDC Required for Limited Area Sprinkler System?

8/11/2020

I was searching for an answer to question that was asked about limited area fire sprinkler systems.

Is a Fire Department Connection required for a limited area fire sprinkler system?

The application that we have is a single sprinkler head installed in a medical gas closet. From my code research (IFC 2015 903.3.8 with amendments), it appears that a limited area system can be run off of the domestic water supply and thus omits a need for the FDC and other devices associated with a full sprinkler installation.

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3 Comments

John Lane

8/11/2020 11:29:45 am

NFPA 13 Section 8.17.2.2 (2013 Ed.) States the following systems shall not require a fire department connection:
(1) Buildings located in remote areas that are inaccessible for fire department support.
(2) Large-capacity deluge systems exceeding the pumping capacity of the fire department.
(3) Single-story buildings not exceeding 2000 sqft in area.

I would use #3 since the current system is only 1 head, and it can be run off of the domestic system, and the protected area is not larger than 2000 Sqft.

JTL

Jonathan Sullivan

8/11/2020 11:44:29 am

Also check with your AHJ. Likely they will allow #3, but it is worth getting their buy in.

Mark C.

8/12/2020 10:41:42 am

I believe you did answer your own question. IFC 2015, Section 903.3.8.3 says you can pipe the sprinkler from the plumbing system, which eliminates the need for an FDC. If the building has a wet standpipe system installed, the limited area sprinkler must be supplied from that, which would require an FDC for the standpipe system.

903.3.8.3 Piping arrangement. Where a limited area sprinkler system is installed in a building with an automatic wet standpipe system, sprinklers shall be supplied by the standpipe system. Where a limited area sprinkler system is installed in a building without an automatic wet standpipe system, water shall be permitted to be supplied by the plumbing system provided that the plumbing system is capable of simultaneously supplying domestic and sprinkler demands.

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