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I have a situation where the AHJ is requiring sprinklers be installed per NFPA 13 2019 9.3.14.3. My design is based on the fact that the bottom of the clouds (suspended ceiling panels) is 0'-8" below the ACT above. There are no openings in the ACT. While the Engineers at the AHJ seem to agree with my design, they state there is not a specific exception allowing me to omit the sprinklers above the clouds. When referencing NFPA 13 2019 9.7.2, the expanded material states that historically sprinklers are allowed to be omitted from above the clouds where the cloud is less than 12" from the ceiling above. My question is, how can this be addressed with the AHJ if the scenario for omission in question is not specifically addressed in the standard?  Thanks in advance.
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5 Comments
Dan Wilder
3/13/2024 07:40:07 am
This isn't a lower ceiling open to an upper ceiling without protection per 9.3.14.3, this is an obstruction beneath the ceiling at a minimum and possibly a hybrid cloud ceiling.
Jesse
3/13/2024 08:43:37 am
I agree with Dan. I see this as an obstruction to discharge issue
Glenn Berger
3/13/2024 09:19:16 am
Prepared a section through the ceiling system and show that omission of sprinklers above the clouds is permissible is the best way to educate the AHJ on the project specifics.
Connor R
3/13/2024 09:25:41 am
I agree with Dan and Jesse above. You could think of it like this: If there was an 8" deep cable tray taking up the entire ceiling of the room, the sprinkler would naturally be run beneath it as it would still be installed within 12" of the ceiling. The same goes for this situation.
Todd
3/13/2024 09:48:30 am
NFPA allows deflectors to be installed within 12" of the continuous ceiling in unobstructed construction. In accordance with their listing all of the heads could be installed at 12" down and be compliant, perhaps not aesthetically appealing but none the less compliant. As previously mentioned, this is not a heat collection issue as NFPA allows for the entire 12" space to be the heat "well" as I sometimes refer to it. The fact that some are lower and some are higher has no bearing on compliance. The presence of the 'clouds' is only a hinderance to compliant coverage if obstruction criteria is not satisfied. Leave a Reply. |
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