Use NFPA 13D or NFPA 13R for Group Home?

4/10/2025

I am preparing an assessment for adding a fire protection sprinkler system to an approximately 9,000 sqft existing single-story building that is a state half-way house for juveniles after being released from detention. Fewer than 16 occupants excluding staff.

The architect has deemed it Group R-3 occupancy (although I wonder if Group R-4 Condition 1 is more appropriate.)

IFC 903.3.1.2 permits NFPA 13R throughout Group R, and this meets the three stated conditions for this section.

Section 903.1.3 allows NFPA 13D in some applications; the list is separated by semicolons and includes R-3 and R-4 condition 1. However, more square feet of this facility is dedicated to non-residential purposes (meeting rooms, classrooms, kitchen, etc.).

This seems counter to the scope of NFPA 13D. Even the IFC commentary mentions the use of 13D, but for one- and two-family dwellings. And I'd prefer an FDC and more than a 10-minute water duration.

I'm a sprinkler guy, and not a building code expert. My gut says NFPA 13R is most appropriate (and I will ask the building code official), but what nuance am I missing here?

Budget-wise NFPA 13D is way more favorable, but it just doesn't seem right. I'd like to know if both NFPA 13D & NFPA 13R are acceptable options for this type of building.

Thanks in advance.

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8 Comments

Pete H

4/10/2025 06:38:48 am

Sounds like you got it right, in my opinion. It sounds like 13R. It has common areas as opposed to a two family dwelling.

That said, you're a sprinkler guy, not a code expert as you say, check the code sheet of the set if there is one and see what they're expecting you to design towards. The architect may have taken exceptions that require a specific type of sprinkler system.

Jesse

4/10/2025 08:08:32 am

Yeah I agree with you. I don't really see 13D as being the most appropriate governing standard.

Casey Milhorn

4/10/2025 08:23:21 am

Also a sprinkler guy here, and not a code hawk like some of these amazing folks on here. BUT, I would agree with Pete. I always tell my designers and estimators, do NOT make this type of call. Check the code review sheet for guidance. If it's not spelled out, then this is the job of the architect/engineer team, not the contractor. Shoot them an RFI. They will play ignorant, or sometimes they just are, and will try and get you to make this call. Do not do it. Be helpful, but don't let them push the liability on to you.
Secondly, from painful experience, I would ask the question if NFPA 101 has been adopted in your area. This can affect the design approach and require protection in areas normally excluded by 13D or 13R, when dealing with group homes. I don't recall all the details, but I do know we were made to go back and add protection in canopeis/overhangs and also in attics (I think there was an option for smoke detection instead, and maybe it went that route?). Good luck!

Art Gould

4/10/2025 10:03:36 am

I would call it 13R or maybe even a full NFPA 13 system but, as a sprinkler designer, that is not my job to make that call.

The responsibility of making that call is 100% up to the registered/licensed architect of record and NOT the lowly sprinkler designer.

About 12 years ago I did a 12,000 sq ft single story motel that I am sure 99% of sprinkler designers would have called a 13R system but it wasn't... it was a full 13 system with a dry system in the attic etc. Something about code, construction type and means of egress.

Sprinkler designers work with standards and not codes.

Jack G

4/10/2025 11:52:17 am

NFPA 13 d was created for 1 and 2 family dwellings and manufactured homes so I would say it doesn’t apply.
In the states I work in this would not be considered an R occupancy but an I-1 occupancy.
The I occupancy gives you a choice of detection or fire sprinklers.
Considering the R occupancy in nj any home over 5 occupants should have a 13r system.
Considering group R:
R-1 is hotels/motels .
R-2 apartment buildings.
R-3 is 1 and 2 family dwellings.
R-4 is residential care facilities. Usually with occupancy of up to 300.
Sprinkler systems in group R can be either quick response or residential type.
If the facility has mental health patients or has correctional facilities institutional sprinklers may be appropriate.
For I facilities the type of system should be 13r.
For R - 4 : facilities more than 5 but not more than 16 occupants excluding staff and reside on a 24 hour basis in a supervised residential environment and receive custodial care . A 13 r system is appropriate.
13 d would apply in 1-2 family dwellings .
13 R would apply in R occupancies.
Also a manual or automatic fire alarm system is required and must activate the occupant notification system as outlined in 907 of the IBC.

4/11/2025 11:37:13 am

Thank you all! That tells me my sprinkler gut is still working, even on the engineering side. I did confirm with the AHJ that 13R was acceptable for this project. I was second-guessing myself and thinking all that underground work that could be avoided with a 13D, but it just seemed wrong. Tnanks Casey for that NFPA 101 reminder; it can be a blind spot for me.

Todd E Wyatt

4/14/2025 03:04:48 am

The determination of the appropriate Occupancy Classification (OC) by the scoping Code (e.g. IBC-2024) will determine the appropriate Automatic Sprinkler System (ASPS) to be used.

The difference between a Group R Residential and a Group I Institutional OC determination (in this situation) is based on IF the occupants are "detained for penal or correctional purposes or in which the liberty of the occupants is restricted."

The term "halfway house" is not defined by the scoping Code (IBC-2024) but this term is included in 308.2 Institutional Group I-1 (see REFERENCES below).

If the AHJ has determined that "13R was acceptable for this project", then the OC has to be Group R - Residential based on 903.3.1.2 NFPA 13R.

I recommend getting this OC determination by the (plan review) AHJ in writing as the (inspecting) AHJ and/or the Fire Marshal may have different opinions.

4/14/2025 03:06:03 am

REFERENCES

IBC-2024
Chapter 3 Occupancy Classification and Use
Section 308 Institutional Group I
308.1 Institutional Group I
Institutional Group I occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, in which care or supervision is provided to persons who are or are incapable of self-preservation without physical assistance or in which persons are detained for penal or correctional purposes or in which the liberty of the occupants is restricted. Institutional occupancies shall be classified as Group I-1, I-2, I-3 or I-4.
308.2 Institutional Group I-1
Institutional Group I-1 occupancy shall include buildings, structures or portions thereof for more than 16 persons, excluding staff, who reside on a 24-hour basis in a supervised environment and receive custodial care. Buildings of Group I-1 shall be classified as one of the occupancy conditions specified in Section 308.2.1 or 308.2.2 and shall comply with Section 420. This group shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
HALFWAY HOUSES

Section 310 Residential Group R
310.1 Residential Group R
Residential Group R includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, for sleeping purposes when not classified as an Institutional Group I or when not regulated by the International Residential Code. Group R occupancies not constructed in accordance with the International Residential Code as permitted by Sections 310.4.1 and 310.4.2 shall comply with Section 420.
310.5 Residential Group R-4
Residential Group R-4 occupancy shall include buildings, structures or portions thereof for more than five but not more than 16 persons, excluding staff, who reside on a 24-hour basis in a supervised residential environment and receive custodial care. Buildings of Group R-4 shall be classified as one of the occupancy conditions specified in Section 310.5.1 or 310.5.2. This group shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
HALFWAY HOUSES

Group R-4 occupancies shall meet the requirements for construction as defined for Group R-3, except as otherwise provided for in this code.

Chapter 9 Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems
Section 903 Automatic Sprinkler Systems
903.2 Where Required
903.2.6 Group I
An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings with a Group I fire area.
Exceptions:
1. An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.2 shall be permitted in Group I-1, Condition 1 facilities.
2. An automatic sprinkler system is not required where Group I-4 day care facilities are at the level of exit discharge and where every room where care is provided has not fewer than one exterior exit door.
3. In buildings where Group I-4 day care is provided on levels other than the level of exit discharge, an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 shall be installed on the entire floor where care is provided, all floors between the level of care and the level of exit discharge, and all floors below the level of exit discharge other than areas classified as an open parking garage.

903.2.8 Group R
An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3 shall be provided throughout all buildings with a Group R fire area.
[F] 903.2.8.1 Group R-3
An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3 shall be permitted in Group R-3 occupancies.
[F] 903.2.8.2 Group R-4, Condition 1
An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3 shall be permitted in Group R-4, Condition 1 occupancies.
[F] 903.2.8.3 Care Facilities
An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3 shall be permitted in care facilities with five or fewer individuals in a single-family dwelling.

903.3 Installation Requirements
903.3.1 Standards
Automatic sprinkler systems shall be designed and installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 unless otherwise permitted by Sections 903.3.1.2 and 903.3.1.3 and other chapters of this code, as applicable.
[F] 903.3.1.1 NFPA 13 Sprinkler Systems
[F] 903.3.1.2 NFPA 13R Sprinkler Systems
Automatic sprinkler systems in Group R occupancies shall be permitted to be installed throughout in accordance with NFPA 13R where the Group R occupancy meets all of the following conditions:
1. Four stories or fewer above grade plane.
2. For other than Group R-2 occupancies, the floor level of the highest story is 30 feet (9144 mm) or less above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.

For Group R-2 occupancies, the roof assembly is less than 45 feet (13 716 mm) above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access. The height of the roof assembly shall be determined by measuring the distance from the lowest required fire vehicle access road surface adjacent to the building to the eave of the highest pitched roof, the intersection of the highest roof to the exterior wall, or the top of the highest parapet, whichever yields the greatest dis

Use NFPA 13D or NFPA 13R for Group Home?

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