Use Sprinklered Travel Distance with NFPA 13R?

6/20/2023

I am in the process of bidding an existing building.

Here is the rundown: the ground level has parking. Above that is a 3-hour horizontal separation between the parking and the first floor. Then there are three stories of apartments above the separation.

I’m looking at this as two separate buildings and am proposing NFPA 13 for the parking and NFPA 13R for the apartments above.

It will also have two dry standpipes on the exterior stairwells.

My question comes to sprinkler protection on the outside exit corridors and the egress travel distance.

NFPA 13R Section 6.6.5 clearly states that the exit corridors are not required to be protected. Life Safety code allows a means of egress travel distance of 250' for a sprinklered building.

If the building is sprinklered per NFPA 13R with the above ommision, can the 250' egress travel distance be used?

Thought/Comments appreciated!

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10 Comments

Pete H

6/20/2023 07:05:33 am

If you're in type v construction, 6.6.5.1 would require protection anyway.

Also, please be advised 6.6.5. changes in 2022 edition to specifically only mean exterior (open) corridors that are not part of a means of egress.

So by 2019 code, yeah, an argument can be made that the code allows an omission for exterior corridors even as a means of egress, but it's the letter of the law and not the spirit of the law as they have altered the letter of the law to stop this in the next available code cycle.

6/20/2023 07:32:27 am

Further on the subject: NFPA 13R 2022 edition also adds 6.6.5.2 which directly says sprinklers shall be provided for exterior corridors and balconies that are part of a means of egress

Danial Bartle

6/20/2023 08:35:09 am

You do not mention what the height will be or if the "penthouse" is an apartment or a mechanical space. NFPA 13R allows a pedestal design with NFPA 13 used for the base but the height of the building cannot exceed 60 feet if you want to use 13R.

Jesse

6/20/2023 09:08:02 am

This is one of those weird questions where it depends on the version of NFPA 13 the AHJ has adopted.

In versions prior to 2022, yes you probably can.

Another consideration is the property insurer. All HPR insurers consider themselves to be an additional AHJ. No one would really call this High-Protected Risk of course, but insurers always default to the most recent edition of NFPA 13 while cities and counties are several cycles behind. It may be an occasion where the city approves plans based on 2019 NFPA 13 and the insurer writes is as hydraulically inadequate.

Dan Wilder

6/20/2023 09:26:03 am

Is the building over 60' tall from the grade plane to even utilize 13R based on the applicable IBC? And verify the floor area increase and other IBC items are being followed to allow 13R?

If so,13R would allow it (depending on edition), but the later intent would suggest against

https://www.meyerfire.com/blog/when-can-i-use-nfpa-13r-part-i

https://nfsa.org/2020/11/17/nfpa-13-vs-nfpa-13r-in-podium-and-mixed-use-construction/

https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/Blogs-Landing-Page/NFPA-Today/Blog-Posts/2021/12/14/Fire-Sprinkler-Considerations-for-Podium-Construction

Kenneth Edwards

6/20/2023 11:24:44 am

We are currently on the 2013 version. Building is 50' tall

Todd E Wyatt

6/20/2023 12:40:22 pm

An automatic sprinkler system (ASPS) meeting NFPA 13R may not be permitted by the scoping Code (e.g. 2021 IBC) if the Group R Residential Occupancy Classification (OC) is more than four stories above grade plane. The "New Penthouse Unit" needs clarification IF it is a "story" or is a "penthouse".

The stories (01-03, 04 or PH?) require clarification as to what their floor-to-floor heights are to verify that "floor level of the highest story is 30 feet (9144 mm) or less above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access."

Lastly the grade plane needs to be determined to verify that "the floor level of the lowest story is 30 feet (9144 mm) or less below the lowest level of fire department vehicle access" and to determine if the "number of stories of Group R occupancies constructed in accordance with Sections 510.2 and 510.4 shall be measured from grade plane."

6/20/2023 01:19:28 pm

After re-reviewing the building section provided, it indicates (1) story of Group S-2 Storage (Parking Garage) + (3) stories of Group R-2 Residential (Apartments) + (1) "New Penthouse Unit" level (Story or PH?).

I should have stated that the "stories (01-04, 05 or PH?) in my initial resopnse.

This may not meet the Conditions 1 (Four stories or fewer above grade plane) of "2021 IBC 903.3.1.2 NFPA 13R Sprinkler Systems" depending where the Grade Plane is determined.

6/20/2023 12:41:50 pm

REFERENCES
2021 IBC

Chapter 2 Definitions
STORY. That portion of a building included between the upper surface of a floor and the upper surface of the floor or roof next above (see "Basement," "Building height," "Grade plane" and "Mezzanine"). A story is measured as the vertical distance from top to top of two successive tiers of beams or finished floor surfaces and, for the topmost story, from the top of the floor finish to the top of the ceiling joists or, where there is not a ceiling, to the top of the roof rafters.

STORY ABOVE GRADE PLANE. Any story having its finished floor surface entirely above grade plane, or in which the finished surface of the floor next above is:
1. More than 6 feet (1829 mm) above grade plane; or
2. More than 12 feet (3658 mm) above the finished ground level at any point.
PENTHOUSE. An enclosed, unoccupied rooftop structure used for sheltering mechanical and electrical equipment, tanks, elevators and related machinery, stairways, and vertical shaft openings.

Chapter 9 Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems
Section 903 Automatic Sprinkler Systems

903.3 Installation Requirements
Automatic sprinkler systems shall be designed and installed in accordance with Sections 903.3.1 through 903.3.8.

903.3.1 Standards
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.

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. The floor level of the highest story is 30 feet (9144 mm) or less above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.
3. The floor level of the lowest story is 30 feet (9144 mm) or less below the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.
4. The number of stories of Group R occupancies constructed in accordance with Sections 510.2 and 510.4 shall be measured from grade plane.
903.3.1.2.1 Balconies and Decks
Sprinkler protection shall be provided for exterior balconies, decks and ground floor patios of dwelling units and sleeping units where either of the following conditions exists:
1. The building is of Type V construction, provided that there is a roof or deck above.
2. Exterior balconies, decks and ground floor patios of dwelling units and sleeping units are constructed in accordance with Section 705.2.3.1, Exception 3.
3. Sidewall sprinklers that are used to protect such areas shall be permitted to be located such that their deflectors are within 1 inch (25 mm) to 6 inches (152 mm) below the structural members and a maximum distance of 14 inches (356 mm) below the deck of the exterior balconies and decks that are constructed of open wood joist construction.
903.3.1.2.2 Corridors and Balconies in the Means of Egress
Sprinkler protection shall be provided in corridors and for balconies in the means of egress where any of the following conditions apply:
1. Corridors with combustible floor or walls.
2. Corridors with an interior change of direction exceeding 45 degrees (0.79 rad).
3. Corridors that are less than 50 percent open to the outside atmosphere at the ends.
4. Open-ended corridors and associated exterior stairways and ramps as specified in Section 1027.6, Exception 3.
5. Egress balconies not complying with Sections 1021.2 and 1021.3.

6/20/2023 12:45:17 pm

Chapter 5 General Building Heights and Areas
Section 510 Special Provisions
510.1 General
The provisions in Sections 510.2 through 510.9 shall permit the use of special conditions that are exempt from, or modify, the specific requirements of this chapter regarding the allowable building heights and areas of buildings based on the occupancy classification and type of construction, provided the special condition complies with the provisions specified in this section for such condition and other applicable requirements of this code. The provisions of Sections 510.2 through 510.8 are to be considered independent and separate from each other.

510.2 Horizontal Building Separation Allowance
A building shall be considered as separate and distinct buildings for the purpose of determining area limitations, continuity of fire walls, limitation of number of stories and type of construction where the following conditions are met:
1. The buildings are separated with a horizontal assembly having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 3 hours. Where vertical offsets are provided as part of a horizontal assembly, the vertical offset and the structure supporting the vertical offset shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 3 hours.
2. The building below, including the horizontal assembly, is of Type IA construction.
3. Shaft, stairway, ramp and escalator enclosures through the horizontal assembly shall have not less than a 2-hour fire-resistance rating with opening protectives in accordance with Section 716.
Exception: Where the enclosure walls below the horizontal assembly have not less than a 3-hour fire-resistance rating with opening protectives in accordance with Section 716, the enclosure walls extending above the horizontal assembly shall be permitted to have a 1-hour fire-resistance rating, provided that the following conditions are met:
1. The building above the horizontal assembly is not required to be of Type I construction.
2. The enclosure connects fewer than four stories.
3. The enclosure opening protectives above the horizontal assembly have a fire protection rating of not less than 1 hour.

4. Interior exit stairways located within the Type IA building are permitted to be of combustible materials where the following requirements are met:
4.1. The building above the Type IA building is of Type III, IV, or V construction.
4.2. The stairway located in the Type IA building is enclosed by 3-hour fire-resistance-rated construction with opening protectives in accordance with Section 716.
5. The building or buildings above the horizontal assembly shall be permitted to have multiple Group A occupancy uses, each with an occupant load of less 300, or Group B, M, R or S occupancies.
6. The building below the horizontal assembly shall be protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, and shall be permitted to be any occupancy allowed by this code except Group H.
7. The maximum building height in feet (mm) shall not exceed the limits set forth in Section 504.3 for the building having the smaller allowable height as measured from the grade plane.
510.4 Parking Beneath Group R
Where a maximum one story above grade plane Group S-2 parking garage, enclosed or open, or combination thereof, of Type I construction or open of Type IV construction, with grade entrance, is provided under a building of Group R, the number of stories to be used in determining the minimum type of construction shall be measured from the floor above such a parking area. The floor assembly between the parking garage and the Group R above shall comply with the type of construction required for the parking garage and shall also provide a fire-resistance rating not less than the mixed occupancy separation required in Section 508.4.

Use Sprinklered Travel Distance with NFPA 13R?

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