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We are looking at designing a fire sprinkler system for a 3 story, 20k sqft per floor apartment which is requiring an NFPA 13 system per the code plan.
The code plan also gives the option of removing the dry system in the attic if draft stops are provided. I have not read or heard of this ever being an option before. Are attic sprinkler systems allowed to be omitted with draft stops per some standard or code? Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
5 Comments
Brett
6/17/2026 06:38:51 am
Assuming typical draftstops that are installed to divide an attic into 3,000 sq ft areas then no, that is not an option for a building protected per NFPA 13.
Paul Allen
6/17/2026 08:14:47 am
I've not heard of draftstopping being a substitute for protecting the attic. If allowed by the local jurisdiction, you should look into a NFPA 13R system for this residential project. Also, if using the NFPA 13 system, you're allowed to not sprinkler the space if it's filled with insulation as long as there is a maximum 2" gap at the top below the roof deck. This may be impractical depending on the roof type.
Dan Wilder
6/17/2026 08:39:55 am
This sounds more like a mix of application specific criteria that does not apply in your case.
Aaron
6/17/2026 10:55:39 am
Obviously only applies if this is a Canadian project, but draft stops for unheated attics instead of dry sprinkler systems is a very common exception to sprinkler protection in Canada, in NBC / BCBC. Given recent history over the last few years in my town at least of the whole roof burning off of draft-stopped attics, I'm not sure I'd recommend it, though. Everyone gets out safe, though, but the *whole* building needs remediation after for water damage when the whole roof goes...
Jon N
6/17/2026 09:00:17 pm
I believe that the architect (or design professional) is misinterpreting the building code. In my past career as a fire code AHJ, I have seen this tried more than once. The International Building Code (IBC) requires draft-stopping in an attic (maximum size of 3,000 sq. ft.). It allows omission of draft-stopping if the attic is sprinkler-protected. Nowhere in the IBC does it say that draft-stopping replaces sprinkler protection, but it does say that NFPA 13 sprinkler protection can replace draft-stopping. Leave a Reply. |
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