Ignore Beams with Residential Concealed?

4/14/2022

My understanding is that when using residential concealed sprinklers in a single-family (residential) home, there is an exception to beams - that we space as if they are not present.

This is in the living room (image below). I think the plan reviewer is looking for sprinklers within each bay. My reading of the code was that concealed sprinklers cannot be lowered, so I disregarded the beams.

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5 Comments

Alex

4/14/2022 07:51:35 am

Hi,

What code section are you referring too? NFPA 13R (2013 edition) section 6.4.6.3.6 outlines the design guidelines for continuous obstructions to pendent sprinklers. This section leads you to Figure 6.4.3.6.2. This figure will help determine if your sprinkler can provide coverage under the beam (obstruction).

How deep are your beams? Are you still providing adequate coverage when installing heads within the center of the pocket?

Lastly, Section 5.1.1.6.2 states that escutcheons and cover plates can be used for both recessed and concealed sprinklers. I've seen sprinklers with escutcheons installed lower than the ceiling. You just need to ensure the sprinkler is installed as listed.

Thanks,
Alex

Franck Orset

4/14/2022 08:36:17 am

As outlined by Alex, you can't avoid the obstruction requirements just because they are residential concealed.
Options are either
- to located them directly below the beams (depending on the height of the beams)
- as you indicated in your sketch, if the beams do not create an obstruction as per chap. 6.4.6.3.6 - but you have to ensure that the ditance of the sprinklers to the beams, compared to the distance between the deflector and the bottom of the beam does not create an obstruction (nice table and sketch in NFPA)
- as indicated by the plan reviewer, to provide sprinklers within each bay

Jesse

4/14/2022 09:22:54 am

These beams may indeed constitute an obstruction. I'd be curious to know their depth. Then you'll use the obstruction rules to determine if they do or do not create an obstruction to discharge.

Jay

4/14/2022 09:27:42 am

This is regarding a single family home.
See NFPA 13D. It has specific requirements for beamed ceilings and no, you can't just ignore the beams.
What standard are you referencing that says concealed sprinklers, residential or otherwise, can be spaced without consideration of beams that will obstruct the development of the sprinkler discharge pattern?

Pete H

4/15/2022 12:36:24 pm

Are the beams over the ceiling and in a concealed space? Are you in 13R or 13D?

Otherwise, what everyone else has said, consult the respective standard of the project (13R or 13D) and treat the beams as the obstruction respective to their depth and see if you can spray under them based on the guidance of the standard.

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Ignore Beams with Residential Concealed?

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