Must NFPA 13R Backflow Valves be Supervised?

1/15/2019

A small, wood-structure apartment complex is getting an NFPA 13R fire sprinkler system. Based on hydraulic calculations, the incoming water service only needs to be 2-inch, and the backflow can be as small as 1-1/2-inch.

Many backflow preventers with indicating butterfly valves don't get down to the 1-1/2-inch size - rather many of the small backflows only have ball valves which I'm not sure can actually be supervised.

Are the valves on a backflow preventer for an NFPA 13R system required to be supervised? Is there ever a case where the backflows can use ball valves on an NFPA 13R system?

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7 Comments

TJ Jones III

1/15/2019 10:14:30 am

NFPA 13 R (2010 Edition) 6.8.2 says yes you need to have the valves supervised or "Valves that are locked open". The Ames 2000 B-FP makes a 1" supervised BFP.

sean

1/15/2019 11:31:49 am

the building code (IBC) requires electronic supervision

Mike

1/15/2019 03:24:37 pm

Could you give the chapter references

Thanks

sean

1/15/2019 03:30:27 pm

2018 IBC/IFC

903.4 Sprinkler system supervision and alarms. Valves
controlling the water supply for automatic sprinkler systems,
pumps, tanks, water levels and temperatures, critical air pressures
and waterflow switches on all sprinkler systems shall be
electrically supervised by a listed fire alarm control unit.

It has said electrically for a few revision cycles. Note there are some exemptions but for NFPA 13R only 3 may apply and it is an atypical installation

3/.Automatic sprinkler systems installed in accordance
with NFPA 13R where a common supply main is
used to supply both domestic water and the automatic
sprinkler system, and a separate shutoff valve
for the automatic sprinkler system is not provided.

Hope that helps

Mike

1/15/2019 08:00:43 pm

I don't want to sound like a know it all. Locks are allowed for 13R - family homes - to keep the costs of a fire sprinkler system low. Cost is the major argument by developers against sprinkler systems.

Brian

10/15/2020 07:10:28 pm

Mike, is it 13D one and two Family dwellings you are talking about..

Matthew

3/22/2026 12:10:28 pm

This has been a pet-peeve of mine for years. You can order the backflow, with the LBV (Less Ball Valve) option. Then use regular valves and nipples to connect them all. Problem Solved.

But since they are now allowed seemingly because demand and mis-information must cure hammer..

But yes, They must be supervised, Potter makes a pull switch looking one. You need simply provide a hole in the end of the handle. Mount the switch to where it will pull the cord when operated.

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Must NFPA 13R Backflow Valves be Supervised?

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