Fire Sprinkler Riser OK In Rated Stair Enclosure?

4/2/2024

Does code allow a fire sprinkler riser to be installed in a rated stairwell enclosure?

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11 Comments

Pete H

4/2/2024 06:57:39 am

https://blog.qrfs.com/233-what-is-a-fire-riser-room-ifc-and-nfpa-requirements/

This write up has a good run down of riser room requirements including changes in the 2018 edition of IFC.

As long as your stairwell and assembly fall within those requirements and you don't have anything else against code in the assembly leading to the riser room (too much underground pipe beneath a building for example), a stairwell is often a location that works best. Especially if you have floor control valve assemblies on upper floors and you wish to make them accessible.

Glenn Berger

4/2/2024 08:13:45 am

I cannot speak for ALL applicable codes. Generally a simple sprinkler riser (with floor control valves) is allowed in the protected stair enclosure assuming that the riser does not encroach on the required egress path.

Anthony

4/2/2024 08:19:06 am

Yes you can, but its best practice to have water entry in a mechanical room or dedicated water service room.

Todd E Wyatt

4/2/2024 08:20:59 am

Class I Standpipe Hose Connections (CI-SHC) are required to be provided, where required (per IBC-2021 905.3.1 through 905.3.8 ), in Interior Exit Stairways (IES) per the scoping Code (e.g. IBC-2021).

While all IES are “stairways”, not all stairways are IES. An IES is defined as an “exit component that serves to meet one or more means of egress design requirements, such as required number of exits or exit access travel distance, and provides for a protected path of egress travel to the exit discharge or public way.” IES are rated either 1-Hour or 2-Hours.

Class I Standpipes are required per IBC-2021 905.3 Required Installations.

Todd E Wyatt

4/2/2024 08:21:29 am

REFERENCES
IBC-2021
Chapter 9 Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems
Section 905 Standpipe Systems

905.3 Required Installations
Standpipe systems shall be installed where required by Sections 905.3.1 through 905.3.8. Standpipe systems are allowed to be combined with automatic sprinkler systems.
Exception: Standpipe systems are not required in Group R-3 occupancies.
905.3.1 Height
905.3.2 Group A
905.3.3 Covered and Open Mall Buildings
905.3.4 Stages
905.3.5 Underground Buildings
905.3.6 Helistops and Heliports
905.3.7 Marinas and Boatyards
905.3.8 Landscaped Roofs

905.4 Location of Class I Standpipe Hose Connections
Class I standpipe hose connections shall be provided in all of the following locations:
1. In every required interior exit stairway, a hose connection shall be provided for each story above and below grade plane. Hose connections shall be located at the main floor landing unless otherwise approved by the fire code official.
Exception: A single hose connection shall be permitted to be installed in the open corridor or open breezeway between open stairs that are not greater than 75 feet (22 860 mm) apart.
2. On each side of the wall adjacent to the exit opening of a horizontal exit.
Exception: Where floor areas adjacent to a horizontal exit are reachable from an interior exit stairway hose connection by a 30-foot (9144 mm) hose stream from a nozzle attached to 100 feet (30 480 mm) of hose, a hose connection shall not be required at the horizontal exit.
3. In every exit passageway, at the entrance from the exit passageway to other areas of a building.
Exception: Where floor areas adjacent to an exit passageway are reachable from an interior exit stairway hose connection by a 30-foot (9144 mm) hose stream from a nozzle attached to 100 feet (30 480 mm) of hose, a hose connection shall not be required at the entrance from the exit passageway to other areas of the building.
4. In covered mall buildings, adjacent to each exterior public entrance to the mall and adjacent to each entrance from an exit passageway or exit corridor to the mall. In open mall buildings, adjacent to each public entrance to the mall at the perimeter line and adjacent to each entrance from an exit passageway or exit corridor to the mall.
5. Where the roof has a slope less than 4 units vertical in 12 units horizontal (33.3-percent slope), a hose connection shall be located to serve the roof or at the highest landing of an interior exit stairway with access to the roof provided in accordance with Section 1011.12.
6. Where the most remote portion of a nonsprinklered floor or story is more than 150 feet (45 720 mm) from a hose connection or the most remote portion of a sprinklered floor or story is more than 200 feet (60 960 mm) from a hose connection, the fire code official is authorized to require that additional hose connections be provided in approved locations.

Jack G

4/2/2024 10:27:28 am

Of course they are allowed per the above responses.
In fact in the early 70 s, I performed installations on several remote nursing homes and we had them build a one story tank in them, below grade, lined it and installed vertical pumps. Was perfect.

Christopher Nelson

4/2/2024 11:32:59 am

NFPA 101 Section 7.1.3.2.1 (10) allows sprinkler piping and standpipes.

Dewayne Martinez

4/2/2024 12:45:46 pm

What if it is a bulk pipe riser that is not supplying any sprinklers or standpipe associated with the stairwell?

Todd E Wyatt

4/2/2024 01:42:05 pm

IBC-2021
Section 1023 Interior Exit Stairways and Ramps
1023.5 Penetrations
Penetrations into or through interior exit stairways and ramps are prohibited except for the following:

2. Fire protection systems.

Such penetrations shall be protected in accordance with Section 714. There shall not be penetrations or communication openings, whether protected or not, between adjacent interior exit stairways and ramps.

Franck

4/5/2024 09:10:06 am

Yes it is possible
As long as they are safely accessible in case of fire in the building.

But if feasible, it is always a good practice to have them in a safe readily accessible room, as outlined by Anthony.

Dave

4/9/2024 03:56:23 pm

I just ran into a similar situation again, in my case I found some help here:
https://www.meyerfire.com/daily/is-a-bulk-feed-allowed-in-interior-exit-stair

Fire Sprinkler Riser OK In Rated Stair Enclosure?

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