What Ceiling Types Require Sprinkler Clearance?

11/7/2019

Clearance around fire sprinklers - NFPA 13 (2016) addresses clearance around sprinklers in 9.3.4.11, A.9.3.4.11, and 9.3.4.11.1. The language is very vague & ambiguous. Could anyone elaborate on this for me?

What type of ceilings needs to have clearance around fire sprinklers when using hard pipe (not flex drops)?

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2 Comments

On the Clock

11/7/2019 11:08:29 am

I'm at work now so I can't elaborate right now, but I think you are confusing the section on pipe clearance with the requirements for the clearance around sprinkler penetrations. You can't find it in 13 because it isn't there - It's an ASCE 7 requirement, which in turn is referenced by the building code. 1" clearance all the way around (someone correct me if I'm wrong; I'm still on my 1st coffee) for suspended ceilings (not GWB ceilings), with some further exceptions.

PETE

11/7/2019 01:16:16 pm

This section describes clearance between sprinklers and structure (beams, trusses, purlins) etc. Maintain 3 inches if you're not hanging from it. This is to cover the scenario in which the building and sprinkler system move independently from each other, to keep the structure from breaking the sprinkler off. It shouldn't really come up. If your sprinkler is that close, you're probably obstructed and hanging from the member.

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