NFPA 13 Section 8.15.4 (2013 Edition) requires certain types of unenclosed floor openings to be protected with closely spaced sprinklers where sprinklers serve as an alternative to the enclosure of the vertical opening.
What method do you use to determine if the opening requires enclosure, and thus closely-spaced sprinklers? As a sprinkler designer, I may overlook something in the Building Code that allows the unprotected opening, or vice versa. A pre-bid RFI to the architect seems to be the best course, but it would be nice to have something to hang the hat on before the bid is submitted. Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
2 Comments
Wayne Ammons
8/19/2019 08:06:42 am
I would absolutely submit a pre-bid RFI or qualify the bid with or without closely spaced sprinklers around the opening in question. In my opinion, the architect should have an intimate knowledge of the building codes, NFPA 101, 5000, etc. to design the proper enclosures, barriers, and ratings to meet the needs of the owner. On more than one occasion I have seen the design of an area in a building change once the architect realized there would need to be sprinklers every 6 ft. around an opening or those attractive window sprinklers to protect glazing.
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Kelly
8/20/2019 07:16:12 am
As a design engineer, I can tell you that there are any number of instances that could require or not require closely spaced sprinklers around an opening.
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