MeyerFire
  • Blog
  • Forum
  • TOOLKIT
    • ALL TOOLS
    • BUY THE TOOLKIT
  • UNIVERSITY
    • ALL COURSES
    • JOIN THE UNIVERSITY
  • PE Exam
    • PE Forum & Errata
    • PE Store
    • PE Tools
    • PE PREP SERIES
    • PE 100-Day Marathon
  • LOGIN
    • TOOLKIT-ONLY LOGIN
    • UNIVERSITY LOGIN
  • PRICING
    • SOFTWARE & TRAINING
    • STORE
  • OUR CAUSE
    • ABOUT MEYERFIRE
    • JOB OPENINGS
    • BECOME AN INSTRUCTOR
    • HELP/SUPPORT
Picture

Sprinkler Concealed Space if Minimal Wood?

11/29/2022

11 Comments

 
I'm working on a mid-rise 5-story residential building.

The building structure is permitted to be combustible construction per 3.2.2.50 of the National Building Code of Canada.

For sound proofing the developer decided to build with cast in-place concrete columns and slabs, but decided to use combustible studs for the interior partitions .

So far, nothing wrong here. Now being that the ceiling is 10-ft high, a drop ceiling was built creating a concealed space for the duct and wiring and so on. The architect says that the top part of the interior combustible partition needed not to be drywalled inside the concealed space to the underside of the concrete slab.

The concealed space is made up of a concrete slab with fire separations sealed to the underside of the slab containing every unit individually without sharing any concealed space with the other units.

On the other hand the sprinkler guy says that the exposed 2x4 studs surface in the concealed scape are not considered "limited combustible material," per NFPA 13 Section 8.15.1, and the space should be sprinklered or filled with non-combustible insulation.

Being that the building was permitted to be of combustible construction and the developer went above and beyond with the concrete structure, I'm not sure whether the space needs to be sprinkler protected or not.

Anybody had this scenario happen before, and if so, how should it be addressed?

Thanks.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
11 Comments
Paul Pinigis link
11/29/2022 08:09:00 am

What is the construction of the suspended ceiling? Does it include wood that is exposed in the concealed space? If so, how much?

Reply
James Johnathon Phifer
11/29/2022 08:12:01 am

If the wood joists are exposed above the ceiling, then the space is considered combustible and must be protected.

Reply
Glenn Berger
11/29/2022 08:12:51 am

Probably need more information. How much exposed wood is located in the proposed unsprinklered space? It would be easy to eliminate any questions and just conceal the wood within the drywall.

Reply
Patrick Drumm
11/29/2022 08:25:52 am

I agree with Glenn. Also, depending on the number of walls, this may be the most cost-effective options as well. If I were the owner, I would request change order proposals for both options to compare.

Reply
Connor
11/29/2022 08:19:09 am

Per NFPA-13-2016 8.15.1.1, sprinkler protection is required where you have exposed combustible construction. The partitions are constructed with combustible materials, and those materials are exposed in the concealed space above the ceiling. Therefore, it requires sprinkler protection. If they are separated with adequate construction, you may be able to omit sprinkler above some small isolated compartments not exceeding 55 sq ft such as bathrooms.

Options include:
1. Sprinkler the space above ceiling.
2. Fill the space with noncombustible insulation.
3. Sheetrock the walls all the way up to the concrete deck above.
4. With AHJ approval, apply intumescent coatings or other fireproofing to the exposed wood construction.

Depending on where you are in the construction process, some options may be cheaper than others.

Reply
Alex
11/29/2022 08:47:42 am

I would simply encase the portion of the wood columns above the ceiling within drywall. You cannot have combustibles above the drop ceiling.

Reply
Jesse
11/29/2022 09:33:06 am

The combustible material above the drop ceiling is the issue. Still don't know a lot of data here, but seems like your sprinkler guy is right.

Reply
Franck
11/29/2022 10:46:40 am

Be careful, there is a difference between what the construction code allows and what is necessary to be protected.
You can have a combustible building (made with sandwich metal panels and combustible insulation, for example), that complies with the construction code, but that does not mean that you don't need to protect it... against its construction elements.

As indicated above, it all depends on the quantity of wood in your case and if you consider it as combustible, or limited combustible.
If considered combustible by your sprinkler guy, then sprinklers are required !
Better trust the fire protection guy than the architect ;)

Reply
Clement
11/29/2022 11:28:50 am

Description,

The conceal space is made up of a 10`` concrete slab and the suspended ceiling is framed with metal channel and finish with 1/2`` gypsum. The fire separation is drywall to the underside of the slab and the only exposed wood is from the top of the interior partition, basically about 8`` of the face of a 2x4 wood stud,

Reply
Corey Eppinghaus
11/29/2022 12:10:35 pm

Are you sure about the 3.2.2.50 because I'm looking at the 2020 NBC and 3.2.2.50 is 3 storey non combustible

Reply
Clement
11/29/2022 12:23:31 pm

Corey,

Sadly in the Province of New-Brunswick we are still under the 2015NBC

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    SUBMIT A QUESTION
    Picture
    Why Sponsor?

    ALL-ACCESS

    Picture
    GET ALL OUR TOOLS

    SUBSCRIBE

    Subscribe and learn something new each day:
    I'm Interested In:

    COMMUNITY

    Top April '25 Contributors
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    SEE LEADERBOARD

    YOUR POST

    SUBMIT A QUESTION

    PE EXAM

    Get 100 Days of Free Sample Questions right to you!
    SIGN ME UP!

    FILTERS

    All
    A1171
    ABA
    ADA
    ASCE 7
    ASME A17.1
    ASTM E1354
    Blog Thread
    Daily Discussion
    Design-documents
    EN 12845
    Explosion Protection
    Explosion-protection-prevention
    Fire Detection And Alarm Systems
    Fire Dynamics
    Flammable And Combustible Liquids
    Flammable-combustible-liquids
    FM Global
    Human-behavior
    IBC
    ICC 500
    IEBC
    IFC
    IMC
    IPC
    IRC
    ISO
    Means Of Egress
    NBC
    NFPA 1
    NFPA 10
    NFPA 101
    NFPA 11
    NFPA 110
    NFPA 1142
    NFPA 1221
    NFPA 13
    NFPA 13D
    NFPA 13R
    NFPA 14
    NFPA 15
    NFPA 16
    NFPA 17A
    NFPA 20
    NFPA 2001
    NFPA 214
    NFPA 22
    NFPA 220
    NFPA 24
    NFPA 241
    NFPA 25
    NFPA 291
    NFPA 30
    NFPA 307
    NFPA 30B
    NFPA 31
    NFPA 33
    NFPA 37
    NFPA 400
    NFPA 409
    NFPA 415
    NFPA 45
    NFPA 495
    NFPA 497
    NFPA 5000
    NFPA 502
    NFPA 54
    NFPA 55
    NFPA 654
    NFPA 68
    NFPA 70
    NFPA 701
    NFPA 72
    NFPA 75
    NFPA 770
    NFPA 82
    NFPA 855
    NFPA 90A
    NFPA 92
    NFPA 96
    NICET
    OBC
    OSHA
    Passive Building Systems
    PE Prep Guide
    PE Prep Series
    PE Sample Problems
    Poll
    Smoke Management
    Special Hazard Systems
    UFC 3-600-01
    UFC 4-021-01
    UFC 4-211-01
    UPC
    Updates
    Water Based Fire Suppression
    Weekly Exams


    ARCHIVES

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016


    PE PREP SERIES

    SEE LEADERBOARD

    RSS Feed

Picture
​Home
Our Cause
The Blog
The Forum
PE Exam Prep
The Toolkit

MeyerFire University
​Pricing
Login
​Support
Contact Us
Picture

MeyerFire.com is a startup community built to help fire protection professionals shine.
Our goal is to improve fire protection practices worldwide. We promote the industry by creating helpful tools and resources, and by bringing together industry professionals to share their expertise.

​MeyerFire, LLC is a NICET Recognized Training Provider and International Code Council Preferred Education Provider.

All text, images, and media ​Copyright © 2016-2025 MeyerFire, LLC

We respect your privacy and personal data. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. 
The views, opinions, and information found on this site represent solely the author and do not represent the opinions of any other party, nor does the presented material assume responsibility for its use. Fire protection and life safety systems constitute a critical component for public health and safety and you should consult with a licensed professional for proper design and code adherence.

Discussions are solely for the purpose of peer review and the exchange of ideas. All comments are reviewed. Comments which do not contribute, are not relevant, are spam, or are disrespectful in nature may be removed. Information presented and opinions expressed should not be relied upon as a replacement for consulting services. Some (not all) outbound links on this website, such as Amazon links, are affiliate-based where we receive a small commission for orders placed elsewhere.

  • Blog
  • Forum
  • TOOLKIT
    • ALL TOOLS
    • BUY THE TOOLKIT
  • UNIVERSITY
    • ALL COURSES
    • JOIN THE UNIVERSITY
  • PE Exam
    • PE Forum & Errata
    • PE Store
    • PE Tools
    • PE PREP SERIES
    • PE 100-Day Marathon
  • LOGIN
    • TOOLKIT-ONLY LOGIN
    • UNIVERSITY LOGIN
  • PRICING
    • SOFTWARE & TRAINING
    • STORE
  • OUR CAUSE
    • ABOUT MEYERFIRE
    • JOB OPENINGS
    • BECOME AN INSTRUCTOR
    • HELP/SUPPORT