Whats all this hubbub about sprinkler piping in electrical rooms. Show me a code section ! Yes its allowed and theres no limitation to entry only, at least from the NEC standpoint, which is to say watch out for local amendments.
The NEC addresses two issues, 1) Dedicated Equipment space above panelboards and switchboards and 2) Liquid drip protection. Heres the code sections, comments in italics; 2008 NEC 110.26 F) Dedicated Equipment Space. (Up to 600V) "All switchboards, panelboards, distribution boards, and motor control centers shall be located in dedicated spaces and protected from damage." Pay attention here, "switchboards, panelboards, distribution boards, and motor control centers". So unless its one of these the dedicated equipment space requirement doesnt apply. Exception: Control equipment that by its very nature or because of other rules of the Code must be adjacent to or within sight of its operating machinery shall be permitted in those locations. (1) Indoor. Indoor installations shall comply with 110.26(F)(1)(a) through (F)(1)(d). (a) Dedicated Electrical Space. The space equal to the width and depth of the equipment and extending from the floor to a height of 1.8 m (6 ft) above the equipment or to the structural ceiling, whichever is lower, shall be dedicated to the electrical installation. No piping, ducts, leak protection apparatus, or other equipment foreign to the electrical installation shall be located in this zone." So nothing other than electrical equipment, cable and raceways is permitted here, period. But pay particular attention to the dimensions; "extending from the floor to a height of 1.8 m (6 ft) above the equipment or to the structural ceiling, whichever is LOWER". Yes thats right the dedicated equipment space isnt unlimited. Exception: Suspended ceilings with removable panels shall be permitted within the 1.8-m (6-ft) zone. Thats important since a suspended ceiling isnt considered a structural ceiling. (b) Foreign Systems. "The area above the dedicated space required by 110.26(F)(1)(a) shall be permitted to contain foreign systems, provided protection is installed to avoid damage to the electrical equipment from condensation, leaks, or breaks in such foreign systems." Again pay attention to the operative phrase.."The area above the dedicated space". The code is addressing foreign equipment ABOVE the dedicated equipment space. This is correct since you cant have foreign systems WITHIN the dedicated equipment space. In other words the space at 6.0000001 feet above the equipment or the structural ceiling WHICHEVER IS LOWER !. So its ok to install piping above electrical equipment so long as its above the dedicated equipment space and provided with a drip tray. (c) Sprinkler Protection. Sprinkler protection shall be permitted for the dedicated space where the piping complies with this section. "The NEC is specific here and the operative term "Sprinkler Protection" means its ok to spray water into the dedicated equipment space, as opposed to saying "sprinkler piping" which is not permitted in the dedicated equipment space. Hope this helps, John Drucker Jr CET Fire Protection Subcode Official Fire/Building/Electrical Inspector Borough of Red Bank, NJ -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Bobby Gillett Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:38 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [SPAM] - RE: Water Filled Pipe in Telecomm Room? - Email has different SMTP TO: and MIME TO: fields in the email addresses In NFPA 70, somewhere. Every electrical inspector I have had will let us enter a room but not exit, with main, branch line, etc. (any piping). I'll try to put my finger on it. Bobby Gillett Sr. Project Manager Key Fire Protection, Inc. (731) 424-0130 office (731) 424-9285 fax (731) 267-4853 cell [email protected] -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Fletcher, Ron Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 8:30 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Water Filled Pipe in Telecomm Room? Where does it say "not exit electrical rooms"? I know about the restricted space limitations and the required clearances. Ron Fletcher Aero Automatic Phoenix -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Bobby Gillett Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 6:25 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Water Filled Pipe in Telecomm Room? I think what is flagging you is the fact the electrical code causes us to enter and not exit electrical rooms and has restrictions on placement of pipe. You might check with the electrical inspector, or whoever would have that jurisdiction ,and see if it applies to the telecomm room as well. Bobby Gillett Sr. Project Manager Key Fire Protection, Inc. (731) 424-0130 office (731) 424-9285 fax (731) 267-4853 cell [email protected] -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Brown, Mike Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 8:16 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Water Filled Pipe in Telecomm Room? Also, I forgot to mention the telecomm room has no ceiling. Mike Brown Project Designer Sunland Fire Protection 1218 Elon Place High Point, NC 27263 Ph. 336.886.7027 Ext. 140 Fax: 336.886.7024 WWW.SUNLANDFIRE.COM -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:14 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Water Filled Pipe in Telecomm Room? Nothing prevents you from running it above the room unless there's some military spec saying you can't. NFPA doesn't prevent it. Are you providing a sprinkler in the room? Craig L. Prahl, CET Fire Protection Specialist Mechanical Department CH2MHILL Lockwood Greene 1500 International Drive PO Box 491, Spartanburg, SC 29304-0491 Direct - 864.599.4102 Fax - 864.599.8439 [email protected] http://www.ch2m.com -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Brown, Mike Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:10 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Water Filled Pipe in Telecomm Room? I working on a design for an existing military barrack... and the FPE is directing us to run our main through a telecomm room? I am trying to find something saying that I can or can't do this? Any thoughts? Thanks in advance. Mike Brown Project Designer Sunland Fire Protection 1218 Elon Place High Point, NC 27263 Ph. 336.886.7027 Ext. 140 Fax: 336.886.7024 WWW.SUNLANDFIRE.COM <http://WWW.SUNLANDFIRE.COM> _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY: This email message is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged and confidential, nor is it, unless specifically stated, intended to be relied upon by any person or persons other than the individual or entity named above and no warranties or representations are made or intended to persons or entities not named above. If the reader is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by telephone, return this message to the address above and delete all copies. Thank you. _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
