NFPA 13 or 72 Discuss Pre-Action Panel Locations?

12/31/2025

Where in NFPA-72 OR 13 does it discuss the location of control panels for pre-action systems?

Is there any guidance?

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7 Comments

Pete H

12/31/2025 06:38:56 am

As per this prior Meyer Fire thread from 2021:

https://www.meyerfire.com/daily/requirements-for-location-of-pre-action-valves

Mike L answers it pretty fully in the first post:

"NFPA does not limit the locations where Pre-Action valve assemblies can be located. The valves should be installed in an readily accessible location and protected from physical damage. In the case of an active warehouse, bollards or a guardrail is recommended. The releasing panel should be treated as an electrical panel (provide a smoke detector above it and maintain minimum of 3 feet of clearance in front of it).

If it's going to be in a dirty environment, then I'd suggest using a pre-pak style assembly."

Glenn Berger

12/31/2025 08:11:30 am

How does one find previous questions and responses?

Dan Wilder

12/31/2025 09:41:30 am

If you ask a question in Google (or just at the top of any internet browser) add "Meyer" or "Meyer Fire" at the end it typically places the top results from this forum.

Secondly, you can add "site:meyerfire.com" to the beginning of search and it will specifically search this site.

Pete H

12/31/2025 09:52:21 am

And half the time (for me) just trying to research the question directly will pop it up as the top result anyway (possibly due to user use of the site in my case, but I imagine that goes for most posters here).

Dave L.

12/31/2025 01:23:47 pm

Or just go to the search box located just above "Submit a Question"

Ricardo Gonzales

12/31/2025 09:28:40 am

In my experience, the best place for such a panel is in the same room the valves are located.

The building FACU usually monitors this panel and provides the necessary information to the FD when in alarm. If there is a supervisory or a trouble, the responding technician has to go to the panel anyway to ascertain the issue and correct it. Once you decide where the panel should go, present the location to the AHJ get their agreement and get it in writing. (signing the approved plans for the location) There's nothing more frustrating than selective amnesia and the cost to move the panel once it's installed and nothing in writing to where it's to go.

Mark Harris

12/31/2025 09:55:12 am

Well said Ricardo.

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NFPA 13 or 72 Discuss Pre-Action Panel Locations?

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