Sprinklers for Noncombustible Mech. Platform?

7/31/2024

To what extent are sprinklers required for an above-ceiling mechanical platform in noncombustible construction?

See the building section attached. In this case, the platform is nearly the full length of a classroom building.

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17 Comments

Anthony

7/31/2024 07:35:11 am

Sprinklers are definitely required. Is there a way for a human to access the area? If yes, then its occupiable and thus requires sprinkler protection.
8.1.1 (13-2016):
8)*Sprinklers shall not be required to be installed within electrical equipment, mechanical equipment, or air handling units not intended for occupancy.

Do not Interpret the area that houses the equipment as the equipment itself. Sprinklers shall be provided.

Glenn Berger

7/31/2024 08:07:26 am

The fact that a platform is provided would require the installation of sprinklers in the ENTIRE space, if the facility is desired or required to be fully sprinklered.

Todd E Wyatt

7/31/2024 08:10:07 am

Yes, an Automatic Sprinkler System (ASPS) is required here.

The scoping Code (e.g. IBC-2021) identifies where an automatic sprinkler system (ASPS) is required based on the Occupancy Classification(s) (OC) assigned to the building and/or “Specific Building Areas and Hazards”.

IBC-2021
Chapter 9 Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems
Section 903 Automatic Sprinkler Systems
903.2 Where Required
Approved automatic sprinkler systems in new buildings and structures shall be provided in the locations described in Sections 903.2.1 through 903.2.12.

Attics are NOT included as one of the (6) “Exempt Locations” per IBC-2021 903.3.1.1.1 :

IBC-2021
Chapter 9 Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems
Section 903 Automatic Sprinkler Systems
903.3 Installation Requirements
903.3.1 Standards
903.3.1.1 NFPA 13 Sprinkler Systems
903.3.1.1.1 Exempt Locations
Automatic sprinklers shall not be required in the following rooms or areas where such rooms or areas are protected with an approved automatic fire detection system in accordance with Section 907.2 that will respond to visible or invisible particles of combustion. Sprinklers shall not be omitted from a room merely because it is damp, of fire-resistance-rated construction or contains electrical equipment.
1. A room where the application of water, or flame and water, constitutes a serious life or fire hazard.
2. A room or space where sprinklers are considered undesirable because of the nature of the contents, where approved by the fire code official.
3. Generator and transformer rooms separated from the remainder of the building by walls and floor/ceiling or roof/ceiling assemblies having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 hours.
4. Rooms or areas that are of noncombustible construction with wholly noncombustible contents.
5. Fire service access elevator machine rooms and machinery spaces.
6. Machine rooms, machinery spaces, control rooms and control spaces associated with occupant evacuation elevators designed in accordance with Section 3008.

Attics are referenced in the subsection for NFPA 13R Sprinkler Systems …

IBC-2021
Chapter 9 Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems
Section 903 Automatic Sprinkler Systems
903.3 Installation Requirements
903.3.1 Standards
903.3.1.2 NFPA 13R Sprinkler Systems
903.3.1.2.3 Attics

… which is not applicable to this NFPA 13 Sprinkler System for the Group E Education OC.

Dan Wilder

7/31/2024 08:18:48 am

You may be able to utilize a hybrid version of 9.3.14 for sprinkler locations/limitations but that would extend a minimum of 24'. There is definitely a sprinkler requirement due to access, ability to store, and the mechanical equipment.

James Phifer

7/31/2024 08:52:48 am

This is a non-combustible concealed space. Unless the platform is constructed of wood or other combustible materials or if there is fuel fired equipment, sprinklers should not be required.
8.15.1.2.1.1 The space shall be considered a concealed space
even with small openings such as those used as return air for a
plenum.
8.15.1.2.1.2 Small openings with a combined total area of not
more than 20 percent of the ceiling, construction feature, or
plane used to determine the boundaries of the concealed
space shall be permitted where length greater than 4 ft
(1.2 m) shall not have a width greater than 8 in. (200 mm

RayJ link

7/31/2024 09:16:38 am

Ask the authority having jurisdiction. Whether it is the city or an insurance company, they will be the one that will approve the drawings and installation.

Jesse

7/31/2024 09:49:31 am

I can't see a circumstance where protection can be omitted. You're going to have mechanical equipment which is electrical in nature (and maybe combustion fuel trains?) and personnel have the ability to access it.

Jack G

7/31/2024 10:17:46 am

On a mechanical equipment platform there usually is a trail of combustibles left behind by service men plus storage in the way of filters, foam insulation coated wire and more( why would they store that stuff anywhere else).
For that reason alone plus the ones mentioned above, and if combustible fuel equipment or not, you should protect it.

Lawrence

7/31/2024 11:11:27 am

Wow! Same condition right now on job and sprink guy asking same question! Following another response I go for defaulting to requiring the sprinklers and asking AHJ for opinion in writing.

Jack G

7/31/2024 11:53:48 am

Spot on. Good luck Lawrence !

Chad

7/31/2024 02:03:04 pm

Serious question:

Because someone could be working (labor) on the mechanicals....its an occupiable space?

IBC:

OCCUPIABLE SPACE. A room or enclosed space
designed for human occupancy in which individuals congregate
for amusement, educational or similar purposes or in
which occupants are engaged at labor, and which is equipped
with means of egress and light and ventilation facilities meeting
the requirements of this code.

Lawrence Stephens

7/31/2024 03:41:51 pm

that's the other half of my thinking also - fact is it must be occupied intermittently as HVAC gear requires regular maintenance, arguable and quite serious - where does the Christmas decorations, paper products, signage end up - you guessed it. Put in the sprinklers and you're not looking over your shoulder.

Anthony

8/5/2024 09:58:35 am

NFPA 13 makes the distinction between mechanical equipment that has ports for human access and its housing environment.

NFPA 13-8.1.1-2016: Sprinklers shall not be required to be installed within electrical equipment, mechanical equipment, or air handling units not intended for occupancy.

Furthermore, a storage closet has no reasonable expectation of occupancy yet is expected to have sprinkler protection. I'd argue "intention of occupancy" is not the same as ability to be occupied. OccupiABLE meaning here is to have the ability to allow humans in an area not the expectation of regular use.

Robert W Hughes

7/31/2024 03:50:37 pm

James Phifer's interpretation seems correct to me, given the limited details. It is up to the owner to keep stored goods elsewhere, and they ALWAYS want to save money.
Codes are there, adhere to them to omit the protection, or don't and pay the extra associated costs.
As the Sprinkler CONTRACTOR, I of course want every square inch covered 6 ways to Sunday, but who's paying?

7/31/2024 04:29:23 pm

I agree, sprinkler the area. But to what extent? The platform area is open to the entire above ceiling space. Figure A.‍9.3.14.3 does not really reflect this condition.

Mark Harris

8/5/2024 04:33:07 pm

Great discussions and my gut reaction based on construction agree with James about no- combustible space. But see the other arguments. Is there a stair that makes it a floor or does HVAC tech have to get to that unit through an acess panel through the main floor ceiling? I don't know where project is but if you do end up protecting confirm that attic will be over 40 degrees or you need to look at a dry system. If the only reason for sprinklers is the platform that could be an expensive platform when you add the cost of sprinklers in.

Antony Dale link

4/18/2025 07:14:14 am

This provides a great opportunity to work with the community and AHJ on the project. We are currently working on a school with a very similar layout in Texas and through discussions with the AHJ we have agreed on providing coverage to the mezzanine platform only as it was decided that this met the intent of the standard.

Sprinklers for Noncombustible Mech. Platform?

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