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Sticking to the Standard – NFPA 13DThe Benefits of Staying Within the Scope
Oregon Fire Sprinkler Coalition
13D…Born of Necessity
America Burning – 1973: Nation Commission on Fire
Prevention and Control
In a letter to the President: “…emphasize built-in fire safety-
measures which can detect and extinguish fire…”
“…believe a continuing federal focus on the fire problem is a necessity”
Source: USFA
13D…Born of Necessity
America Burning – 1973: Nation Commission on Fire
Prevention and Control report:
“Appallingly, the richest and most technologically advanced nation in the world leads all the major industrialized countries in per capita deaths and property loss from fire.”
Source: USFA
13D…Born of Necessity
America Burning – 1973
Brought about: NFIRS - National Fire Incident
Reporting System USFA – US Fire Administration NFA – National Fire Academy
13D…Born of Necessity
America Burning – 1973
Identified a need to: Reduce fire deaths in America Make sprinklers more
affordable Sprinklers at the time were
too costly for residential applications
Research to make sprinklers more aesthetically appealing
NFPA Answers the Call
1973 – NFPA
Based on the commission’s report (America Burning)
Created a committee to:
Develop a standard that would produce a reliable but inexpensive sprinkler system for residential occupancies
NFPA Answers the Call
1973 – NFPA Subcommittee developed five
philosophies for the standard:1. Cost is a major factor2. Life safety is the primary goal3. Design based on survivability
10 minute water supply Audible alarm
4. Material compatible with residential construction techniques
5. Protection areas based on historical data
1978-1980 – Research and Tests
USFA Began performing tests on:
Practicality of a type of residential sprinkler system
Evaluation of sprinkler discharge rates and thermal sensitivity
Full-scale fire testing
Source: NFPA
A New Class of Sprinklers
Residential Sprinklers Developed from a new, researched
understanding of tenability thresholds for: Carbon Monoxide Temperature Oxygen depletion
Test Fire-Without Sprinklers
A concentration of as little as 0.04% (400 parts per million) carbon monoxide in the air can be fatal.
Sources: National Fire Sprinkler Association
0 60 120 180 240 300 360 420
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
Carbon Monoxide
Time (sec.)
PPM
4000
3000
2000
1000
00 60 120 180
Carbon Monoxide
Time (sec.)
PPM
Test Fire-With Sprinklers
Sources: National Fire Sprinkler Association
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
0 60 120 180 240 300 360 420
3” Below Ceiling60” Above Floor36” Above Floor
Temp.
Time (sec.)
Test Fire-Without Sprinklers
Sources: National Fire Sprinkler Association
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
0 60 120 180 240
3” Below Ceiling60” Above Floor36” Above Floor
Temp.
Time (sec.) Sources: National Fire Sprinkler Association
Test Fire-With Sprinklers
Let’s take a quick peek at the three NFPA Fire Sprinkler Standards…
Three Sprinkler Standards Each Serving A Different Purpose
NFPA 13 – Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems
Applies to: Factories Business occupancies Mercantile Care facilities Residential (full protection)
Simply, anywhere that 13D and 13R are not applicable
Three Sprinkler Standards Each Serving A Different Purpose
NFPA 13 – Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems
Purpose - The purpose of this standard shall be to provide a reasonable degree of protection for life and property from fire through standardization of design, installation, and testing requirements for sprinkler systems, including private fire service mains, based on sound engineering principles, test data, and field experience.
Multiple Sprinklers Activating – Full Protection
Three Sprinkler Standards Each Serving A Different Purpose
NFPA 13R – Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Low-Rise Residential Occupancies
Applies to: Hotels / motels Dormitories Multi-family (apartments)
Buildings to be 4 stories, or 60 ft. in height max.
Three Sprinkler Standards Each Serving A Different Purpose
NFPA 13R – Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Low-Rise Residential Occupancies
Purpose - The purpose of this standard shall be to provide a sprinkler system that aids in the detection and control of residential fires and thus provides improved protection against injury, life loss, and property damage
Four Sprinklers Activating – Life / Property Protection
Three Sprinkler Standards Each Serving A Different Purpose
NFPA 13D – Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One – and Two Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes
Applies to: One and Two Family Dwellings Manufactured Homes Townhouses built to IRC
Three Sprinkler Standards Each Serving A Different Purpose
NFPA 13D – Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One – and Two Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes
Purpose - The purpose of this standard shall be to provide a sprinkler system that aids in the detection and control of residential fires and thus provides improved protection against injury and life loss
Two Sprinklers Activating – Survivability
13D – You’ve come along way, baby…or have you?
No, not really…The 13D Standard has kept its focus since the beginning! Committee Statement from the 1975
Report on Comments for the proposed standard: “Cost and practicality of installation were major considerations in development of this standard”
13D has never strayed from those considerations
Becoming Our Own Barrier A reminder that we all have a common goal:
More compliant systems installed in more homes!
We can become our own barrier as code officials: Confusion caused by misapplication of the
standard Even with the best intentions!
Let’s not forget that we are part of a large team… A ‘Let’s not tell them this isn’t required’
philosophy is counterproductive
It just seems crazy to have a system this simple…or does it?
Performance Objective of 13D: Protect the environment in the room of
origin for 10 minutes
Adding requirements, or ‘borrowing’ them from other sprinkler standards can undermine the simplicity of 13D 13D has a proven track record
Adding Requirements That Aren’t in the Standard
13D is not intended to protect property as a primary performance objective
13D is intended to control the environment in a compartment fire for 10 minutes!
Residential Sprinklers A Proven Solution
Firefighter safety: Sprinklers are responsible for an
estimated 65% reduction in firefighter fire ground injuries
Property Loss:
Sprinkler reduce direct property damage per fire by 69%
Source: NFPA
The Failure Myth
If the house burns to the ground, but the sprinklers served to get the occupants out, is it a failure?
The purpose of the system is to save lives.
NFPA 13D A Standard Referenced by Codes
Codes point toward standards
A Standard becomes code when it is referenced by an enabling document, such as a state building code Oregon Fire Code
Based on IFC Oregon Structural Specialty
Code Based on IBC
NFPA 13D A Standard Referenced by Codes
Codes address when sprinklers apply: Access issues Grades Lot characteristics Tradeoffs Ordinances / Statutes
Standards address how the sprinklers apply: Design criteria Sprinkler locations / spacing Materials allowed Connection to water supplies
13D System Types
Stand-Alone Type: A sprinkler system where the aboveground piping serves only fire sprinklers
13D System Types
Multi-Purpose System: A piping system intended to serve both domestic needs in excess of a single fixture and fire protection needs from one common piping system throughout the dwelling unit(s).
13D System Types
Passive Purge (Flow Through): A type of sprinkler system that serves a single toilet in addition to the fire sprinklers.
13D System Types
Network System: A type of multipurpose system utilizing a common piping system supplying domes- tic fixtures and fire sprinklers where each sprinkler is supplied by a minimum of three separate paths
Design Principles
Sprinklers in an easier design scenario
Design approach based on historical data Water supply is only required to accommodate
two sprinklers for a 10 minute duration Even with that approach, 84% of the time, a
single head controls the fire in this type of system
If the largest room can be protected with a single sprinkler, the design can be based on one head flowing
Source: NFPA
Design Principles
Sprinklers in an easier design scenario
Sprinklers are located where loss of life historically occurs: Kitchens Bedrooms Living rooms / Corridors
Source: NFPA
Design Principles
Sprinklers in an easier design scenario
Calculations 13D Offers three calculations methods:
Typical Hydraulic Calculations per NFPA 13 when: Looped Gridded Network
Simplified Calcs When: Straight Run (Stand-alone or
Multipurpose) Prescriptive Method When:
Straight Run (Stand-alone or Multipurpose)
Source: NFPA
Design Principles Design discharge
System needs to deliver .05 gpm over design area, or the listing of the head, whichever is greater
Up to two sprinklers flowing: Sprinklers with greatest
demand 24 ft ceiling maximum 8:12 pitch max, or use heads
listed for pitched ceilings Decorative beams up to 14”
deep (heads in beams, or in pockets)
Municipal Water Supplies
Works with the plumbing supply, not in addition to it: Only 7 PSI required for fire sprinklers
Most domestic systems require 8 PSI (UPC, IPC) 16 GPM could supply a one head sprinkler design.
Most average homes require a minimum of 18 GPM for domestic use (IRC)
Most residential sprinkler systems will flow more, but a ¾” meter (35 GPM) will usually be plenty of water (2 sprinklers x 16 GPM = 32 GPM)
Source: OPSC
Municipal Water Supplies
Upgrading to a 1” meter isn’t the only option! 3/4” meters are a popular option for many Water
Purveyors (35 GPM) A system can sometimes be designed using an existing
5/8” meter (20 GPM) Most average homes require a minimum of 18 GPM
for domestic use
Source: OPSC / IRC
Municipal Water Supplies
An increasing number of Water Purveyors are starting to recognize that sprinklers use less water than the water used from unmetered fire hydrants that would otherwise be needed to suppress a fire in a home
Sprinklers use 90% less water than the fire service would use if sprinklers weren’t installed.
They reduce fire damage by 97% They reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 98%.
Sprinklers also reduce wastewater pollution.
Source: FM Global
Private / Stored Water Supplies
An easy solution for private water supplies (tanks and wells) 10 minute Duration:
A typical scenario: 280 Gallon Tank (28 GPM x 10 Min) 7 minute Duration (Single story under 2000 Sq Ft):
This can be as low as 196 Gallon Tank (28 GPM x 7 Min)
Source: NFPA 13D
Private / Stored Water Supplies
Tanks and pumps not required to be listed
In some scenarios, a tank and pump supply might be more cost effective than a meter upsizing fee and SDC charge
Source: NFPA 13D
System Components and Features
System Alarms Two Alarm scenarios:
Notification provided by NFPA 72 compliant Smoke Alarms, or
Waterflow device and local bell (optional)
OR +
System Components and Features
Residential Sprinkler Heads Performance – Higher wall wetting
Fuel loads are near walls in residential occupancies
Controls the environment Greater coverage areas Faster response Easily applicable design criteria
Design criteria maximizes a smaller water supply
: NFPA
System Components and Features
Residential Sprinkler Heads: Aesthetically Appealing There are many cutting-edge, flush type heads
that blend into the ceiling Some manufacturers offer as many as 300
custom paint colors.
:
System Components and Features
Piping and Materials A variety of common material types
All listed for potable water supplies
CPVC
PEX / Other
Copper
Adding Requirements That Aren’t
In the Standard Geographic, Topographic, or Climatic
considerations are a good reason! Have a demonstrated need?
Municipal code
There is a difference between amending a standard based on a demonstrated need, and misapplying the standard based on even the best intentions
Protection Areas Bathrooms
No sprinkler required if under 55 Sq ft
Spaces having only a toilet or only a sink can each be considered a bathroom
Wall finish not addressed (It is addressed in 13R and 13)
Source: NFPA 13D
Protection Areas Bathrooms
Adjoining bathrooms need adequate separation:
8” Minimum lintel
Openings between compartments do not exceed 8 ft. in width
A single opening, 36” in width, is permitted without 8” lintel
Source: NFPA 13D
Protection Areas Closets
Sprinklers not required in: Clothes closets Linen Closets Pantries
These conditions must be met: 24 Sq ft. max Shortest dimension does not
exceed 3 ft. Walls and ceilings protected
Source: NFPA 13D
Protection Areas Closets Not Accesible from the
Dweling Unit
Sprinklers not required in: Closets in garages Exterior closets Breezeway closets
These conditions must be met: No fuel-fired equipment Electric-powered equipment is
permissible
Source: NFPA 13D
Protection Areas Unheated, Covered Projections
Sometimes called ‘enclosed entries’, ‘mud rooms’, ‘foyers’
Not required if: Unheated Not the only means of egress
Source: NFPA 13D
Protection Areas Garages
Sprinklers not required in: Garages Open, attached porches Carports Similar structures
Source: NFPA 13D
Protection Areas Attics and Other Spaces
Sprinklers not required in: Attics (with or without storage) Penthouse equipment rooms Elevator machine rooms Concealed spaces not intended for
living
Source: NFPA 13D
Protection Areas Attics and Other Spaces
If such spaces contain fuel-fired equipment:
When equipment is above all occupied spaces, no sprinkler required
If equipment is at or below occupied space, provide at least one sprinkler above equipment, or: At the wall separating the space
with the fuel-fired equipment from the occupied space
Source: NFPA 13D
Sprinkler Position and Placement Obstructions to discharge
Light Fixtures / non-continuous obstructions – 36” from center of fixture. Examples include: Light fixtures Ceiling fans
Area of fan blades less than 50%
Sprinkler Position and Placement Obstructions to discharge
Closets / Compartments under 400 cubic feet: Single sprinkler at highest point
without regard to obstructions Includes rooms with
mechanical equipment Examples:
Spaces under stairs Closets large enough to
require a sprinkler Laundry / HVAC closets
Sprinkler Position and Placement Shadow Areas
Shadow areas permitted in the protection area of a sprinkler as long as the cumulative dry areas do not exceed 15 sq. ft.
Pendant Head – Plan View
Sprinkler Position and Placement Shadow Areas
Shadow areas permitted in the protection area of a sprinkler as long as the cumulative dry areas do not exceed 15 sq. ft.
Sidewall Head – Plan View
Testing and Acceptance Hydrostatic Tests
Two-hour test at normal system operating pressure:
Leakage detected by: Drop in pressure gauge, or Visual inspection of piping
System permitted to be tested with plugs or caps installed instead of sprinkler heads No additional test required
after heads installed
Testing and Acceptance Operational Tests
For typical, wet systems, no operational test is addressed if there is no waterflow switch installed If a pump is installed, an
operational flow test is required
Concerned about the water supply? Carry a gauge and valve
assembly that can provide a pressure reading
Testing and Acceptance Pressure Gauges
Only Required when: A pressure tank is installed Dry system installed Any pressure reducing device
is installed
Testing and Acceptance Bucket Tests
What is it? Water is flowed into a bucket to verify adequacy of system (measure volume per minute) Not addressed in the standard Viable option if water supply
cannot be verified Manufacturer requirement for Pex
System Documentation Design Documentation
Documentation shall be available upon request to ensure adequate water supply, listed devices, and adequate sprinkler coverage have been addressed
System Documentation Design Documentation
13D has never required working plans To address AHJ
concerns over the lack of a plan review, the Annex provides a list:
System Documentation Design Documentation
A.4.5 A scaled drawing where required should show the following:
(1) Address (if known)(2) Size and type of domestic line, including length to city connection(3) Water meter size(4) Current static water pressure(5) Interior walls(6) Model, manufacturer, temperature, orifice size, and spacing requirements of sprinklers(7) Type of pipe(8) Hanger spacing requirement per the pipe manufacturer(9) Riser detail(10) Installing contractor information(11) Preliminary hydraulic calculations
System Documentation
“This information listed in the annex is intended to suggest sufficient flexibility in the approval process so that changes on the job site (consistent with the rules of NFPA 13D) can be incorporated into the system without needing to resubmit the plans for additional approvals”
Guidance From the 13D Handbook:
System Maintenance
A Maintenance Friendly System - Requirements
13D Inspection, Testing and Maintenance (ITM) The maintenance requirements are simple:
Walk the sprinklers periodically (no specific time requirement) to look for: Obstructions to discharge (storage, etc) Painted or damaged heads
Annual backflow test, if device is installed (not typically required)
Source: NFPA 13D
System Maintenance
A Maintenance Friendly System - Recommendations
13D Inspection, Testing and Maintenance (ITM) The maintenance recommendations are also simple:
Annual flow test if a waterflow detector and bell are installed (optional devices)
Annual backflow test, if device is installed (backflow device not typically required)
Annual inspection by a qualified contractor
Source: NFPA 13D
Becoming Our Own Barrier A reminder that we all have a common goal:
More compliant systems installed in more homes!
We can become our own barrier as code officials: Confusion caused by misapplication of the
standard Even with the best intentions!
Let’s not forget we are part of a large team…
Conclusion
13D is designed to be an achievable balance between protection and cost
Questions?
Recommended