NFPA 13 Omission Apply to NFPA 13R Building?

8/3/2022

Does an exception for sprinkler omissions under NFPA 13 apply to a building protected under NFPA 13R?

In this particular case, we are in a cold-weather climate, and I would like to make use of NFPA 13-2019 Section 9.2.3.3(2) to omit balcony sprinklers. NFPA 13R-2019 offers no exceptions that I am aware of to 13R Section 6.6.5.1, which requires sprinklers protecting exterior balconies with a roof deck above.

This is a wood-frame 4-story apartment building.

In Ontario, the 2013 editions are enforced, but the wording is the same to the 2019 references cited. Thanks in advance.

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7 Comments

Alex

8/3/2022 05:28:54 am

Hi,

No sprinkler omissions listed in NFPA 13 do not apply for 13R. Two separate standards. You need to follow the standard being used for your building.

Alex

M. Newell

8/3/2022 08:16:19 am

Balcony protection is allowed to be omitted in NFPA 13 because the system is more robust. If you look in the building code it actually requires NFPA 13R balconies to have balcony protection so omission shall not apply.

Casey Milhorn

8/3/2022 08:39:09 am

Yeah, the key here is the mention of wood construction. So I'm assuming type V construction. There was a lot of confusion in previous editions on when balcony protection was required. Basically IBC had requirements for protection that were not reflected in NFPA 13 or 13R accurately. This led to a lot of scope holes for contractors and probably more than just a few major issues. IBC and NFPA have cleaned this up now and it's pretty clear in type V construction that you will protect balconies. Where it gets weird is sometimes you may not have to protect the combustible space above the balcony in a full 13, or in earlier editions you might protect the space above, but not the balcony itself. Meyer has a great flow chart on this. It's extremely helpful.

Dave

8/3/2022 11:16:09 am

^THIS^ One usually gets bit by this only once$.
Wow, ON gets pretty cold, of course watch the dry barrel length and installation. I wish the Victaulic flexible dry sprinklers were around back in my design days (be watchful of sloping them correctly)

Anthony

8/3/2022 09:19:14 am

As others have said, you're stuck in the standard you're using.

I'd also point out that residential balconies are typically more often wood and vinyl and can also contain higher fuel loads of of plastic furniture or toys. Thus at a higher risk than a commercial property built out of non combustible construction and is free of debris.

Mike

8/3/2022 09:43:43 am

13R most likely does not have this exception because of the liklihood of occupants cooking on the balcony.

Jesse

8/3/2022 10:37:07 am

13R is a standalone document, so omission allowances in 13 do not apply to 13R.

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NFPA 13 Omission Apply to NFPA 13R Building?

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