NFPA 13R in 4-Story Residential + 1-Story Garage?

7/23/2024

I have a 5-story building going up with 4-story residential over 1-story parking.

Can the residential portion be NFPA 13R?

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9 Comments

Pete H

7/23/2024 07:14:11 am

Unfortunately this leads to more questions:

Is the 1 story of parking under the grade plane?

Is the total building height under 60'-0" with the parking story?

Did the architect already take allowances to consider this an NFPA 13 system?

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Taken from Todd E Wyatt's response to this thread:
https://www.meyerfire.com/daily/nfpa-13r-system-for-4-story-with-2-levels-below

The prescribed requirements for utilizing an automatic sprinkler system in Group R occupancies per 2021 IBC is as follows :

"903.3.1.2 NFPA 13R Sprinkler Systems

Automatic sprinkler systems in Group R occupancies shall be permitted to be installed throughout in accordance with NFPA 13R where the Group R occupancy meets all of the following conditions:

1. Four stories or fewer above grade plane.

2. The floor level of the highest story is 30 feet (9144 mm) or less above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.

3. The floor level of the lowest story is 30 feet (9144 mm) or less below the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.

The number of stories of Group R occupancies constructed in accordance with Sections 510.2 and 510.4 shall be measured from grade plane."

Lastly, the basement Group S-2 parking garages would not be permitted to be protected by a NFPA 13R automatic sprinkler system.

Anthony

7/23/2024 07:19:20 am

Potentially if you have a pedestal building. which requires a 3 (or 2?) hr horizontal fire separation between the first floor parking and the remaining R occupancy. Mix of ch 504 and 510 of ICC.

Todd E Wyatt

7/23/2024 08:25:49 am

The scoping Code (e.g. IBC-2021) identifies where an automatic sprinkler system (ASPS) is required based on the Occupancy Classification(s) (OC) assigned to the building and/or “Specific Building Areas and Hazards”.

IBC-2021
Chapter 9 Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems
Section 903 Automatic Sprinkler Systems
903.2 Where Required
Approved automatic sprinkler systems in new buildings and structures shall be provided in the locations described in Sections 903.2.1 through 903.2.12.

The parking garage (PG) portion of the building requires an ASPS based on the following conditions :

903.2.10 Group S-2 Parking Garages
An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings classified as parking garages where any of the following conditions exists:
1. Where the fire area of the enclosed parking garage in accordance with Section 406.6 exceeds 12,000 square feet (1115 m2).
2. Where the enclosed parking garage in accordance with Section 406.6 is located beneath other groups.
Exception: Enclosed parking garages located beneath Group R-3 occupancies.
3. Where the fire area of the open parking garage in accordance with Section 406.5 exceeds 48,000 square feet (4460 m2).

If the PG meets ANY of these (3) conditions, an ASPS based on NFPA 13 is required.

The residential portion of the building requires an ASPS :

903.2.8 Group R
An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3 shall be provided throughout all buildings with a Group R fire area.

If the Group R Residential Occupancy Classification (OC) meets ALL of the following conditions, an ASPS based on NFPA 13R is permitted (although not required) :

903.3.1.2 NFPA 13R Sprinkler Systems
Automatic sprinkler systems in Group R occupancies shall be permitted to be installed throughout in accordance with NFPA 13R where the Group R occupancy meets all of the following conditions:
1. Four stories or fewer above grade plane.
2. The floor level of the highest story is 30 feet (9144 mm) or less above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.
3. The floor level of the lowest story is 30 feet (9144 mm) or less below the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.
4. The number of stories of Group R occupancies constructed in accordance with Sections 510.2 and 510.4 shall be measured from grade plane.

[email protected]

7/23/2024 08:41:58 am

It depends.

Is the parking below grade? The issue being that 13R has a maximum height of 60' above the ground 2016 NFPA 13R 1.1

Jonathan Griffin

7/23/2024 10:47:09 am

No. With a Parking Garage directly below the R Occupancy, the Garage now needs an NFPA-13 system. Based upon the information provided, the chances of the highest Floor Landing being above 30-Ft. are good.

Good Luck!

Jack G

7/23/2024 01:39:15 pm

A lot depends on the building so let’s review some things:
1— 504. : area increases 13———13r———- 13d
Yes. Yes. No
Egress width. Y. Y. N
Travel distance. Y. Y. N
2. Rating reductions
Separated occupancies. Y. N. N
Type V A. Construction. Y. N. N **. 2 story VB
Units fire part. Sleep/ dwell. Y. N. N
Corridor walls. Y. Y. N
3. Miscellaneous tables/ sections
300, 400 500 700 800 900 1000
Haz mat increases. Y. N. N
High rise mods. Y. N. N
Atriums. Y. N. N
Unlimited area buildings. Y. N. N
Allowable area /openings. Y. N. N
Vertical separation / open. Y. Y. N
Res floor/ceiling draftstopping. Y. Y.**. N. ( **-extend automatic sprinklers into the affected area )
Non res dft/stopping. Y. N. N
Group R-1, R-2 attic dft/stop. Y. Y**. N
Floor/ interior finishes. Y. Y. N
Manual fire alarms A,B,E,F,M. Y. Y,R-1, R-2. N
Accessed/exitdisch em open. Y. Y. N
Balconies. Y
Extend spks under balconies. Y. Y
This is a chart I use and I developed it from the IBC commentary book. Meyer fire cheat sheet is also developed from codes.
An NFPA 13 system as indicated above would be required for type V construction.
Also in IBC group S-2 With R,A,B,S,M ABOVE it:
Sections in 509- if you can create a separate 3 hour separation between the S-2 and ( either, R,A,B,S,M). Then the garage can be a separate area for ( allowable area) ( number of stories) ( types of construction 1-A)
So if all the conditions are met….you 4 story building becomes a 3 story and a 1 story and will meet the 4 story allowed up to construction type IV, and will meet the 3 story requirement for type V-A.
An Nfpa13 system is required.
Construction type V-B is limited to 2 stories, or 3, if separation assemblies between s-2, and the r are built.
An NFPA 13 system is required.
The information given does not tell “ how it’s built”- so the chart should be used to determine how to protect it.
So your building probably requires an NFPA- 13 system.

Jack G

7/23/2024 01:50:53 pm

The paragraph that starts with “ so if should be amended to :
So if all the conditions are met….. your “5” story building becomes a “4” story and a “1” story. And will meet the 4 story height in tables but will not meet the 3 story , or 2 story for typ V construction. So 13 r or 13 d is not applicable due to “ applicable building height.

Joe Burtell

7/25/2024 08:51:03 am

Per the 2021 IBC If you building to the top floor is mor than 30 feet above FD access, 13R is not allowed. This is new to the 2021.

[F] 903.3.1 .2 NFPA 1 3R sprinkler systems.
Automatic sprinkler systems in Group R occupancies shall be permitted to be installed throughout in accordance with NFPA 13R where the Group R occupancy meets all of the following conditions:
1. Four stories or fewer above grade plane.
2. The floor level of the highest story is 30 feet (91 44 mm) or less above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.
3. The floor level of the lowest story is 30 feet (91 44 mm) or less below the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.
The number of stories of Group R occupancies constructed in accordance with Sections 510.2 and 510.4 shall be measured from grade plane.

Jack G

7/25/2024 10:03:46 am

The building height can be increased in height due to the type of construction 1-A, 2-A , etc.

NFPA 13R in 4-Story Residential + 1-Story Garage?

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