There was a "slight" code change between the 1996 and 1999 editions of NFPA-13D, paragraph 4-6, exception #4.
It changed from stating, "...not required in attics, crawl spaces, and other concealed spaces that are not used or intended for living purposes or storage"...to ..."not required in attics, crawl spaces, and other concealed spaces that are not used or intended for living purposes". The committee omitted the words "or storage" which makess it seem that they accept that most attics would be used for storage and sprinklers would not be required. They have since changed the wording again in the 2007 edition, par 8.6.5 to state "...and do not contain fuel-fired equipment". Some big homes that we have in Dallas have a standard doorway into the attic which is decked with lighting provided, but it's not conditioned space and no walls or ceilings are provided. It's just open to the roof joists. Per the wording of 13D, we allow sprinklers to be omitted. I don't agree with this position cause I'd like to have sprinklers in every attic, bathroom, closet and dog house, but until changes are made again I will abide with the committee's decisions. rick matsuda, city of dallas -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Steve Leyton Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 2:55 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: 2nd request 13d attic storage But does your attic have a pull-down or fixed stair? All good points Todd, which underscores how subjective this issue really is. If it's a storage "room", I'd consider it part of the dwelling unit. If it's dead space above the ceiling in which the home owner chooses to put stuff, then it quacks like an attic. Steve Leyton Protection Design & Consulting -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Todd Williams - FPDC Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 12:31 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: 2nd request 13d attic storage 13D says that sprinklers in attics may be omitted, provided they are not intended for "living purposes". Does storage in an attic space constitute a living purpose? I'm not sure if it does or not. I would think that a case could be made, considering that 13D is a Life Safety System. (My assumption here is that the access to the space is more on the idea of a pull-down stair as opposed to a carpeted staircase.) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
