Sprinkler Required at Top of Roof Access Shaft?

11/13/2024

Is sprinkler protection required at the top of a roof access shaft?

This would be located in a stairwell that is otherwise protected. We'll say the shaft is 2'x3' in plan view, and 5' from the stair ceiling to the rooftop hatch. This is in a steel structure building, with concrete block stair shaft walls finished with gypsum. A permanently attached ladder is provided.

Thanks!

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4 Comments

Dan Wilder

11/13/2024 07:21:30 am

Technically, this construction would be no different than a skylight so I would omit protection in this case. It could also be loosely aligned with a ceiling pocket (volume, construction, no additional adjacent unprotected pockets), but the depth would not comply.

As to a more real-world application, the issue of damage or injury could be made for personal accessing the roof/ladder (but that may mean making the opening bigger instead of omission of protection) as that could go 2 ways.

In either case, confirming floor coverage from sprinklers in the lower ceiling will be required. Also, the shaft would need to be made of non-combustible construction and not allow access to the adjacent space above the stair ceiling (whatever the interstitial space is taking up that 5').

Glenn Berger

11/13/2024 08:16:14 am

If I am reading you question correctly - You have a roof access hatch located above a ceiling in a stairwell. A ladder is provided to access the roof through the hatch.

No sprinkler(s) would be required above the ceiling since no storage can be placed within this cavity. However if the ceiling is offset (or somewhat incomplete) to allow access to the hatch then sprinkler(s) would be required. A detail would need to be provided to verify the words used in the question.

Pete Howard

11/13/2024 10:33:25 am

I like Dan's skylight equivalent. As well as the relevant points about how a sprinkler can impair use of the hatch.

If you really want brownie points, try to get a concealed sidewall in there through the roof space, but I feel like you should be able to omit protection here based on skylight.

Unfortunately it does not fit a "Ceiling Pocket" equivalent.

Volume does not exceed 1000 cubic feet. But depth does exceed 36 inches. If it was just 36" instead of 5' in depth past the ceiling, that probably would have been a slam dunk.

Can they lower the door of the hatch and just have 2 feet extra ladder past the door?

Patrick Drumm

11/18/2024 01:01:41 pm

I think if you apply the code as written protection is required in the space. Applying the fundamental rule of NFPA #13 being all spaces shall be protected unless specifically excluded. The two closest applicable exclusions are the ceiling pocket and skylight exclusions. With the ceiling pocket, I agree with Pete's comment above that the space does not fit the definition of a "ceiling pocket" due to its depth. I think the skylight exclusion is a little tricky. There is no reference to "skylight" in the NFPA Glossary of Terms. The definition in the Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary as referenced in Section 3.1 is "an opening in a house roof or ship's deck that is covered with translucent or transparent material and that is designed to admit light".

That being said, you may be able to have a discussion with an AHJ and get their approval to exclude coverage as the space is very "similar" to a skylight and would collect heat as such.

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Sprinkler Required at Top of Roof Access Shaft?

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