Sprinklers Required Under Wall-Mounted Shelf?

8/24/2020

See this link for garage storage units on a project we're working on: https://www.wirecrafters.com/products/storage-lockers/garage-storage/ .

These are intended to be used for an enclosed parking structure in a mid-rise multi-family rental building. As indicated in the photos (and photos from similar manufacturers) there are no sprinklers underneath the cages.

Will sprinkler heads be required?

Would appreciate code verbiage as well. We hope to not have to install sprinklers underneath due to cost reasons.

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5 Comments

Dan Wilder

8/24/2020 09:43:10 am

The website says they are 3' deep so there would be no allowable removal of sprinklers beneath as they exceed the 30" maximum.

Depending on what sprinklers are being used adjacent to this and as long as it's not over 24" wide (if they are customizable), you could use the following sections to omit protection beneath without spacing limitations.
13 - 2016
8.6.5.1.2(c)
8.8.5.1.2(c)
8.9.5.1.4(c)
8.10.6.1.2(c)
8.10.7.1.4(c)

If they are up to 30" wide, you could apply the following:
8.6.5.1.2(b)
8.8.5.1.2(b)
8.9.5.1.4(b)
8.10.6.1.2(b)
8.10.7.1.4(b)

Brian Gerdwagen FPE

8/24/2020 11:34:40 am

You also need to ensure that they have the proper clearance to the sprinklers that are supposed to be protecting the storage. Depending on your type of sprinkler, this is at least 18" below the deflector.

I would say that the second picture on the website is not in compliance because the cage is against the ceiling with a sprinkler in the foreground. 18" can not be maintained between the sprinkler and the combustibles.

James Phifer

8/24/2020 11:40:16 am

I would review figure A.6.5.1.2 and see if that rule applies. If the top of the cage is 18" below the sprinkler deflector, and the cage is less than 48" wide, then no additional sprinkler protection should be required.

Cherie

8/25/2020 04:08:07 pm

I agree with James, but I am adding a number to the code reference. NFPA 13 -16 A 8.6.5.1.2
This does allow continuous obstructions of no greater than 4ft if the bottom of the head is at least 18 inches above the obstruction. I learned this one the hard way a couple of years ago, so I will never forget it!

Franck

8/31/2020 04:33:25 am

Note that the 18'' rule does not apply for storage against walls...
Reference in NFPA 2016: 8.6.6.2:
The 18 in. dimension shall not limit the height of shelving on a wall or shelving against a wall
& 8.6.6.1: Where shelving is installed on a wall and is not directly below sprinklers, the shelves, including storage thereon, shall be permitted to extend above the level of a plane located 18 in. below ceiling sprinkler deflectors.

In addition, NFPA 13 handbook (I recommend it to everyone as you will find useful additional comments and pictures) indicates that the clear space beneath the sprinkler is needed for the spray pattern to fully develop to allow proper wetting of the floor and not the wall. Sprinklers installed near wall-mounted shelves or piled storage against a wall are not intended to be governed by the requirements of 8.6.6.1.

In your case, this would means that if there is storage under your cage, you don't need to provide a sprinkler protection below it and everything is fine.
But if you apply the obstruction rules and provide a sprinkler head below your shelf because there is no storage underneath, it would be like considering that no storage under your shelf is more hazardous than combustible storage... Strange, no?

To be honnest, I would say that the situation is acceptable without sprinkler underneath, because the shelf is against the wall in an open cage.
But this is a personal point of view and the AHJ in your area may have a different one.

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