What Height is a Valve Accessible in NFPA 13/14?

2/14/2022

Does the requirement in NFPA 13 that “All valves controlling water supplies for sprinkler systems or portions thereof, including floor control valves, should be accessible to authorized persons during emergencies. Permanent ladders, clamped treads on risers, chain-operated hand wheels, or other accepted means should be provided where necessary” imply there is a maximum height limit for floor control valves or standpipe isolation valves?

I have a couple standpipe projects where I am having trouble squeezing in a standpipe isolation valve down low (in elevation). I haven't found a confirmation in the standard or handbook that identifies a maximum height for accessibility.

Thanks in advance.

Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe

7 Comments

Dan Wilder

2/14/2022 07:45:33 am

There isn't a set height....there may be " above 7' " rule of thumb (because anything below 7' becomes an egress issue).

In your case, putting the valve in the stairwell (exposed) vs outside above the ceiling may meet the requirements, or placing it low just above the ceiling with appropriate signage on the ceiling/wall indicating the valve and its purpose may also meet the intent. Providing a physical means (i.e. ladder) isn't always the solution. I would send it to your AHJ for their approval and reference it on your plans accordingly.

Pages 6-10 provide many different definitions of "Accessible"...none of them reference a height, but many of them reference means of accessing the valve (panels, removeable tiles) itself or things to avoid (permanent structure).

https://www.nfpa.org/~/media/Files/Codes%20and%20standards/Glossary%20of%20terms/glossary_of_terms_2021.ashx

Alex

2/14/2022 08:06:31 am

I agree with Dan above. You will often see isolation valves located above an ACT. If you have a gyp ceiling, you would need to provide an access panel. I would confirm with the AHJ that maintenance or fire personnel can utilize an A frame ladder to reach the valve.

Jesse

2/14/2022 08:07:00 am

You won't find a specification in 13 or 14 above "accessible".

There are numerous areas in the "code" that are intentionally vague. Whereas they're all model codes anyway intended to be amended, this is meant to give the AHJs flexibility in how they interpret and implement these areas outside of the consensus of the technical committee.

So accessible means what it means and doesn't mean what it doesn't mean. My advice is to run your idea(s) by the AHJ and see if they allow it.

Casey Milhorn

2/14/2022 09:02:15 am

Everyone pretty much covered it. I would add that I think it's vague on purpose. it can be a real balancing act to keep valves accessible but also out of harms way (free from mechanical damage, vandalism, etc.). This is a great example of where the standards don't, and shouldn't dictate everything in black and white. We have so many intelligent designers, engineers, and AHJs in this business and there is nothing wrong with them making decisions (together) on their projects.

Franck

2/14/2022 10:08:28 am

As I am not an English spoken language native, I often don't try to find many interpretations to a word and go straight to the point. And NFPA often does the same.
Accessible means that you can access easily to the valve location.
If the valve is operable when you are standing in front of it, it is accessible.
If the valve is located 20 ft high, but there is a fixed permanent ladder to access to it, it is accessible.
Better than understanding the meaning of the word, I often try to understand the meaning of the requirement.
Why should it be accessible ?
Because you may need to access quickly to the valve in an emergency event.
he emergency might be to open the valve that was unduly closed (or following an impairment) or could be to close quickly the valve after a spurious activation of a sprinkler/deluge system or once the fire is controlled and extinguished, to avoid further water damages.
A valve that is located in a false ceiling and where you need to find a ladder and install it before accessing the valve is not readily accessible.

Note that accessible does not mean than anybody can or should manipulate it. It is a good practice to have sectional valve supervised or padlocked. But this is another requirement.

I remember once when I found the sectional valve for the sprinkler system at more than 10 ft along a wall. Because the initial plan was to have a mezzanine that was never installed. Not accessible in that case !

Or the good return of experience from the Smithsonian Institute where they had several activation of sprinkler systems at their museum in Washington and it took them too long to be able to close the correct valve. They were accessible, but the exact location was not known.

So accessible is not the only key element. Knowing the location of the valves is also an important factor. As well as preventing malicious operation of the valves.
So a quite difficult equilibrium to find among all these factors!

Jack G

2/14/2022 02:32:10 pm

Egress height will determine accessibility, I ve found in my 57 years.
What I would try to do is on the SP hose valve side of the combo SP, I would have a floor sized grooved POL, gr elbow at 6-4 center , then a floor control valve, riser manifold , drain to opposite side up above 7-6, to drain riser.
There haven’t been too many new stair towers where that wouldn’t work, and it worked in a good amount of old stair towers too.
Valve and riser manifold vertical. Adjust height of pol, for floor piping height or add standpipe valve to 4-6 tee height for low floors.

Cesar Flores

2/14/2022 07:58:18 pm

In California code it those specified that they have to be at 7-0. All control valve , drain,check valve. Its only on NFPA 13. Nothing on NFPA 14. In the city off LA it those specified it on the installation manual.

Leave a Reply.

Home
Our Cause

The Blog
The Forum

PE Exam Prep
The Toolkit
MeyerFire University

Pricing
Login
Support
Contact Us

MeyerFire.com is a startup community built to help fire protection professionals shine.
Our goal is to improve fire protection practices worldwide. We promote the industry by creating helpful tools and resources, and by bringing together industry professionals to share their expertise.

MeyerFire, LLC is a NICET Recognized Training Provider and International Code Council Preferred Education Provider.
All text, images, and media Copyright © 2016-2024 MeyerFire, LLC

We respect your privacy and personal data. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. The views, opinions, and information found on this site represent solely the author and do not represent the opinions of any other party, nor does the presented material assume responsibility for its use. Fire protection and life safety systems constitute a critical component for public health and safety and you should consult with a licensed professional for proper design and code adherence.

Discussions are solely for the purpose of peer review and the exchange of ideas. All comments are reviewed. Comments which do not contribute, are not relevant, are spam, or are disrespectful in nature may be removed. Information presented and opinions expressed should not be relied upon as a replacement for consulting services. Some (not all) outbound links on this website, such as Amazon links, are affiliate-based where we receive a small commission for orders placed elsewhere.

What Height is a Valve Accessible in NFPA 13/14?

Leave a Reply.

ALL-ACCESS

SUBSCRIBE

COMMUNITY

YOUR POST

PE EXAM

FILTERS

ARCHIVES

PE PREP SERIES