Keep ESFR for Converted Gym, Increase Spacing?

9/5/2025

I have a building that is changing from storage to a gymnasium.

Would the existing ESFR sprinklers be allowed to be used and spaced more than the 100 sqft?

I have several sprinklers too far off walls in the existing placement.

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9 Comments

Pete H

9/5/2025 06:16:47 am

I can be wrong about this as I'm not opening up a code book to double check but I'm pretty sure it's:

Used: yes.

Respaced at greater than 100 ft: No. The ESFR is listed for storage based ESFR protection. The code concession that ESFR and storage may protect a lesser hazard space is still at the spacing and protection scheme that the ESFR design is listed for.

Glenn Berger

9/5/2025 08:16:46 am

You can keep the existing ESFR sprinklers but you must correct the issues with sprinkler placement.

Anthony Crispo

9/5/2025 09:11:31 am

I agree with Glenn here. Also I'd just be carful about intermixing lower k factor heads into the area. keep it as a standard set through out.

ANGIE KAMM

9/5/2025 08:19:30 am

We just had this scenario and ended up with so many over spaced ESFR Heads to walls (And were obsolete ESFR Heads) that we needed to swap out to 8.0K sprinklers.

Heather T

9/5/2025 08:28:39 am

When this type of scenario happens what flow and pressure does the ESFR require? Can they be used in a density area design approach?

Casey Milhorn

9/5/2025 08:30:04 am

You could possibly swap out to EC-25s and the spacing might be acceptable depending on how far off the wall they are placed. But you would need to make sure they are installed per their listing (spacing, deflector distances, hydraulic demand, etc.).
I would also want to offer a second price to reconfigure heads with smaller K-factors that are better suited for a gym. If a head were to be accidently activated, or even activated under a fire condition, the amount of water and water damage could potentially be a liability for you. Offering a second price offering to do it "the right way" should help with that liability if that were to happen.

Dan Wilder

9/5/2025 09:18:46 am

Yes to use
No to spacing (pending applicable NFPA 13 adoption)

13'-19
14.2.7 allows ESFR for light & ordinary hazard
9.4.3.1(4) allows ESFR

However, as an ESFR sprinkler, the spacing rules in 14.2.9 still apply as there were no provisions in place yet.

The 2022 Edition allowed a much broader application. I recently lost the request with an AHJ to apply these rules for a project (they were on the 2019 edition and unwilling to allow it because they had not reviewed all of the changes yet).

14.2.7* Occupancy and Hazard - 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.

14.2.7.1 - When ESFR sprinklers are used for the protection of light or ordinary hazard occupancies, 14.2.7.1.1 through 14.2.7.1.3 shall be permitted.

14.2.7.1.1 - In light hazard occupancies, the protection area limitations of ESFR sprinklers shall be permitted to meet the protection area requirements of Table 10.2.4.2.1(a).

14.2.7.1.2 - In light and ordinary hazard occupancies, the sprinkler spacing of ESFR sprinklers shall be permitted to meet the sprinkler spacing requirements of 10.2.5.

14.2.7.1.3 - In light and ordinary hazard occupancies, the obstruction to the sprinkler discharge pattern of ESFR sprinklers shall be permitted to meet the obstruction discharge requirements of 10.2.7.2.

Dennis Wilson

9/8/2025 09:03:12 am

Thanks Dan, so if I read this right, section 14.2.7.1.2 refers me to section 10.2.5. and this tells me that spacing per light hazard is acceptable and going more than 6' off walls is also acceptable. On another note, the Fire Marshal has approved using head guards, which are not allowed for ESFR sprinklers.

Jesse

9/5/2025 09:52:11 am

Agree with Dan - yes to use, no you can't change the spacing. The ESFR sprinklers are listed for their installed spacing. And you can use ESFR with OH and LH occupanices, but you can't increase the coverage.

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Keep ESFR for Converted Gym, Increase Spacing?

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