Protect Only to the Column of a Patio Overhang?

7/3/2023

On an exterior patio, is there anything in NFPA 13 that allows you to protect from the building to the column only?

Or are we required to protect to the edge of the overhang?

In this case it makes the difference in extended coverage dry sidewalls and a dry system.

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15 Comments

Dan Wilder

7/3/2023 07:42:23 am

NFPA 13 2022 Edition - Section 9.5.1.3 is the closest I can think of to consider this, but the picture leads me to believe that this construction would not comply but Section 9.2.3.4/9.3.19 are clear on the requirements to sprinkler beneath.

If the AHJ will buy off on the annex section of A9.3.19.1 may be a possibility, but rough scaling of the illustration indicates that the projection past the column is greater than 4', thus requiring sprinklers.

There may be a case if the owner changer that area past the column to some sort of open pergola or get the AHJ to omit protection overall are the two outs I can think of.

Jesse

7/3/2023 08:06:32 am

Short of the workarounds Dan mentioned, I think you're looking at a dry system.

Glenn Berger

7/3/2023 08:12:49 am

You basically answered your own question here. The strictest interpretation of NFPA 13 would require the dry sprinkler system in the application mentioned.

Jay

7/3/2023 09:26:23 am

Is sprinkler protection required under this exterior roof?
2016 nfpa 13:8.15.7.2 *
Sprinklers shall be permitted to be omitted where the exterior canopies, roofs, porte-cocheres, balconies, decks, and similar projections are constructed with materials that are noncombustible, limited-combustible, or fire retardant–treated wood as defined in NFPA 703, or where the projections are constructed utilizing a noncombustible frame, limited-combustibles, or fire retardant–treated wood with an inherently flame-resistant fabric overlay as demonstrated by Test Method 2 in accordance with NFPA 701.

empty

7/3/2023 11:20:02 am

(commenting for notifications, this discussion is informative)

Anthony

7/3/2023 11:41:34 am

I honestly don't see the need for sprinklers. The entire construction is noncombustible and in my reading of NFPA 13 the need for protection is not required. I would verify with your AHJ and layout your concerns.
Yes, I have done a number of this type of projects ranging in depths of 8 to 12 feet and no sprinklers required.

Franck

7/3/2023 01:15:07 pm

I fully agree with Anthony’s comments.
The construction is non combustible outside and there is no space for storage of combustible load underneath.
One could argue that some plants/vegetation in the corten steel planter could be a combustible load. But this means that any vegetation close to a building would require a water curtain against the walls… which is normally not the case.
You may find AHJ that could ask for protection, as a conservative approach, but I see many reasons for not providing any (and limit cost and future maintenance problems).

You should consider NFPA as : protect if something can burn, either from the activity / storage or the construction. In your case, this does not apply.

But if the AHJ…

Streeter

7/3/2023 05:41:24 pm

Aren't the benches that are called out as being made of wood an issue in this case?

Matt C.

7/4/2023 07:16:10 am

I think it may be difficult to argue that the presence of a wood furnishing constitutes reclassifying the building as 'combustible construction'

Matt C.

7/4/2023 07:25:20 am

Also, furnishings in assembly occupancies (which is what I'm assuming this is) are typically required to be rated or otherwise treated for flame spread.

Robert Morgan

7/3/2023 05:04:46 pm

What happens when during cold (or hot) weather there are side panels installed. If the building it is attached to requires sprinklers how do we get around sprinkling this space? We have had many covered patios/canopies that were not initially sprinkled but later added side panels, heaters (sometimes gas). Does this not become an extension of the building? Most of the Fire Marshals I have consulted with along with ICC and NFPA have advised me that under these conditions these areas should be sprinkled.

Matt C.

7/4/2023 07:20:49 am

If the initial construction is such that these panels are part of the design of the building, then yes absolutely. Otherwise, who are we to speculate on construction that has not been specified and is not a part of any current scope.
If and when this occurs, technically a building permit will be required, at which point a review by the AHJ will be triggered for any submission documents where this will hopefully be caught by them, if not called out by the project's engineering team. It's not a perfect process but it's the one we've got.
TL;DR: We cross that bridge when we come to it.

Alan Barnhizer

7/5/2023 04:51:14 pm

Is this part of an A2 occupancy? Because it looks like an outdoor dining/bar area. In Ohio the building code reads the following:

For Group A-1, A-2, A-3 and A-4 occupancies, the automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout the story where the fire area containing the Group A-1, A-2, A-3 or A-4 occupancy is located.

If the outdoor seating area is included in the fire area, then I would say it requires protection. However, as small as it is you might want to consider an anti-freeze system.

Patrick Drumm

7/9/2023 12:22:48 pm

It has to be frustrating to the original poster that almost 50% of the responses are not trying to answer the question asked, but prove that protection is not needed and his/her question is void. In a lot of states, these exterior overhangs are required to be protected to the building code so even though the construction is non-combustible the poster may live in one of these states where the overhang is required to be protected. I'm all for adding additional information for insight, but not answering the question and then questioning the validity of the question, seems unproductive.

To answer the question, I'm not familiar with anything in NFPA 13, but I would look for something similar to what Alan is describing in your local codes for clarity.

Chris

7/13/2023 01:58:27 pm

I would say if you are protecting anything under that canopy then you will be protecting the whole thing.

Protect Only to the Column of a Patio Overhang?

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