Is CPVC Allowed in Tempered Residential Attic?

6/9/2025

Is CPVC pipe allowed to be used in a tempered space, residential attic?

It's four 8-units attached side by side with a common supply and can be individually isolated.

It's monitored by a full central station alarm system.

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4 Comments

Pete H

6/9/2025 07:51:25 am

What's the hazard and square footage of the attic?

Anthony

6/9/2025 07:57:20 am

If this is a 13R or 13D the wont be any issue with this instillation.

If this is a full 13 and the attic is a mechanical space then probably not but that would be based on the pipe listing and if the mechanical space was less than 400 sqft.

Dan Wilder

6/9/2025 08:06:49 am

As long as you follow the MFG instructions for the allowed locations, yes. Unfortunately, the question does not define it well enough for a definitive answer.

Page 10
https://spearsmfg.com/flameguard/03-FG-3_0321_web.pdf

Page 15
https://www.vikinggroupinc.com/sites/default/files/2024-06/Manual_Viking-BlazeMaster-CPVC-Install_Web.pdf?__hstc=233546881.e9f2b30464d3f58c30ec19276eba5f1b.1712585771342.1734638081380.1734691168438.156&__hssc=233546881.18.1734691168438&__hsfp=336580338&hsCtaTracking=da269401-9b87-48fb-be9c-2eb706a44a16%7C081bb919-6376-4ddd-89cf-43c4a79cedf5

Page 9
https://ipexna.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/technical-manual-ipex-usen-cpvc-fire-sprinklers-tm-2000.pdf

James E Art Fire Protection Engineer (FPE)

6/10/2025 01:31:16 pm

Thanks Dan,

Overkill?

On pg 9 of that Spears brochure it specially says:
"Spears® FlameGuard® CPVC Fire Sprinkler Products CANNOT be installed in spaces designated by NFPA 13 as combustible, concealed spaces that require sprinklers,
UNLESS
the space is protected by sprinklers that are specifically Listed for the application.
• NFPA 13D and NFPA 13R permit the omission of sprinklers in
combustible, concealed spaces. Spears® FlameGuard® CPVC Fire Sprinkler Products can be installed in these areas when sprinkling residential occupancies in accordance with these standards."

I understand that co's want to limit liability, etc,
but "regular" sprinklers in an attic or concealed space will likely
activate pretty much the same?
Yes, Perhaps the attic sprinklers will have a better spray pattern.
Early fire tests done by the Palo Alto, Ca Fire Dept. on PVC pipe with fire sprinklers indicated that the plastic pipe would NOT fail once water was FLOWING,(which cools the pipe)
and IF the fire exposure was well away from a sprinkler,
the failure mode was pinhole leaks that spray water on or near the fire,
and even that small flow kept the pipe from further failure.

Perhaps the code should allow if there are ANY sprinklers in the same space?
What do you think?

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Is CPVC Allowed in Tempered Residential Attic?

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