Where Does 50 psi K14 ESFR Criteria Originate?

9/22/2026

For either an FM or NFPA K14 ESFR system from around the mid 1990's, was there a design criterion that existed that allowed a 50psi design in a 40ft building?

I have come across an installation that has this on the block plan with no code reference, and I need to report on its original compliance.

I'm assuming perhaps a 20 ft storage limit and only Commodities I to IV instead of Plastics?

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5 Comments

Chris

9/22/2026 08:18:16 am

(This is intended to be informative, not rude)

You can access NFPA 13 back to the 1991 edition for free through NFPA's website:

https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/nfpa-13-standard-development/13

I believe that the ESFR criteria entered NFPA 13 around 1991 (1989?) so if there was historic criteria that you're interested in, you could start there.

Brian Gerdwagen

9/22/2026 09:07:23 am

Many of the ESFR designs from the 1990's came from testing done in labs, not necessarily NFPA or FM data sheets.

Tire manufacturers had a bunch we used to use into the early 2000's that will not be in the code books from the day. You will need design or shop drawings citing them to be sure. They will not be on the placard.

Jack G

9/22/2026 10:01:38 am

With Chris above, the ESFR has a data sheet you can easily look up referencing the manufacturer and the year. The data sheet should tell the design criteria and ESFR data sheets usually have the NFPA 13 design criteria . Year, and paragraph references.

Brian Gerdwagen

9/22/2026 10:28:13 am

I completely forgot about NFPA 231, 231-C, and 231-D. This is where the designs that were part of the standards live. 13 didn't do High Pile until the consolidation in the 2000's.

Mark Harris

9/22/2026 10:57:28 am

In the 1980's ASCOA had the first K 14 ESFR FM approval quickly followed by GEM. Possible the install for FM account before the design criteria made it into NFPA 13 (and the old 231 storage standards). ASCOA was bought out by Tyco Grinnell in the 1990's but JCI Tyco Tech Services should have access to the old GEM and possible the ASCOA sprinkler data sheet.

As Chris notes the old NFPA documents can be reviewed on line and I think at least the early designs came straight out of the FM approvals and loss prevention data sheet criteria.

There were install issues as far as not following obstruction rules on many early installs. FM Global caught this on field inspections and know systems that original installs had to be modified to meet obstruction rules.

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Where Does 50 psi K14 ESFR Criteria Originate?

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