Standard Response Residential in NFPA 13R?

6/15/2021

Are sprinklers within NFPA 13R required to be quick-response, or can they be standard response residential sprinklers?

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4 Comments

Mike

6/15/2021 08:08:56 am

By their very definition, residential sprinklers are fast response. Check under definitions, 3.6.4.8 Residential Sprinkler. A type of fast-response sprin-kler having a thermal element with an RTI of 50 (meters-seconds)1/2 or less, that has been specifically investigated forits ability to enhance survivability in the room of fire origin,and that is listed for use in the protection of dwelling units.

Peter

6/15/2021 08:25:28 am

You're 100% correct here.

Residential sprinklers are fast response, not quick response. Quick Response sprinklers are specifically listed by a laboratory to be called "Quick Response". Residential sprinklers are specifically listed by a laboratory to be called "Residential". The "Quick Response" listing means that the frame, body, deflector, etc, and the response speed have all been tested to meet the certain criteria to make a sprinkler "quick response". A lot of people get hung up on the bulb size as that's what they're taught. Small Bulb = Quick Response and Big Bulb = Standard Response. While the bulb may be a clue to determining the sensitivity rating, it is not a definitive indicator. As a matter of fact, for certain sprinklers they may have a small bulb and actually be standard response sprinklers (as an example see tyco model TY5137 when using this head for ordinary hazard at spacing >= 16x16)

Bobby

6/15/2021 08:09:27 am

It is my belief that all residential fire sprinklers are made of quick response elements. This is due to the fact that quick response gears towards a faster Response Time Index (RTI) and gears towards wetting the walls to delay the fire from spreading. This is to allow occupants to evacuate. Standard response gears more towards the suppression side and more water is displaced at the base of the fire. Quick Response deals more with life safety, so anytime you have to follow NFPA 101 (Residential, office spaces, dorms) you will find quick response. Standard response is more towards factory's and industrial.

John McDermott

6/15/2021 08:11:32 am

Residential and quick response heads only.

Inside Dwelling Units: 2013 NFPA 13R, 6.2.1.1, Listed residential sprinklers shall be used unless another type is permitted by 6.2.1.3 or 6.2.1.4.
6.2.1.3 Listed quick-response sprinklers shall be permitted to be installed in dwelling units meeting the definition of a compartment, as defined in Section 3.3, where no more than four sprinklers are located in the dwelling unit.

Outside Dwelling Units: 2013 NFPA 13R, 6.2.2.2, Sprinklers outside the dwelling units shall be quick-response, except as allowed by 6.2.2.3 and 6.2.2.4. Those two referenced codes allow residential heads under certain conditions.

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Standard Response Residential in NFPA 13R?

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