Sprinkler Req'd Below Wood Stairs in NFPA 13R?

8/31/2023

In the stairway, on the 2nd floor only of 4-story wood-framed condo (NFPA 13R), do we require a sprinkler on the “extended landing” ?

In the attached image Blue is the sprinkler in question, red are the required sprinklers.

The main floor requires coverage because it has two entrances / exits from the stairway. The upper floor has full protection of the entire area. The 3rd floor does not require protection as the 4th floor does not have a extended landing. So this only applies to the 2nd Floor.

Thanks in advance.

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3 Comments

Pete H

8/31/2023 06:48:58 am

I'd protect it, as I see no omission you fit in NFPA 13R section 6.6.9, though you still might be able to do it with one residential sprinkler in the middle of the stairway. A lot of residential heads are listed for 20' x 20' spacing.

Otherwise, it's a combustible floor area you're not protecting. Like maybe if you have one sprinkler and the total excess of uncovered floor area is less than 15 square feet you could offer it as the acceptable shadow area for the compartment (in which case, I'd recommend a plan holds the AHJ's hand and makes sure it clearly hatches the shadow area, calls it out as under 15 square feet, and references the section of 13R about shadow areas), but even that is AHJ's discretion as it's not really a shadow area as it's not an unprotected area due to an wall or partition. ("Yes it is, the wall is too far away, so the shadow area is due to a wall" may not be convincing.)

Anthony

8/31/2023 08:51:20 am

Yes a sprinkler is required under the extended landings. sprinklers also are required in the stair shaft under tred as it is combustible construction.

Note this is not a situation where you can apply A6.6.9.2 as this is for stairs IN the dwelling unit not an egress pathway outside the dwelling unit.

A.6.6.9.2 Sprinklers are not required to be spaced along the
angled portion underneath stair risers in dwelling units. Stairways have a very small fuel load as they are used primarily for egress. Sprinklers spaced along the slope will likely not operate unless they are directly over a fire. Sprinklers installed at the landings on either end of the stair riser will provide the protection desired by this standard.

Alex link

9/5/2023 12:25:09 pm

As Anthony and Pete stated, yes, sprinkler protection is required.

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Sprinkler Req'd Below Wood Stairs in NFPA 13R?

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