Sal, You are forgiven. There are instances where the building/fire code "prescribes" the protection, the best example is the 903.3.1.2 balcony provisions.
But there are others; "404.5 Enclosure of atriums. Atrium spaces shall be separated from adjacent spaces by a 1-hour fire barrier constructed in accordance with Section 706 or a horizontal assembly constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both." "Exceptions: 1.A GLASS WALL FORMING A SMOKE PARTITION WHERE AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS ARE SPACED 6 FEET (1829 mm) or less along both sides of the separation wall, or on the room side only if there is not a walkway on the atrium side, and BETWEEN 4 INCHES AND 12 INCHES (102 MM AND 305 MM) AWAY FROM THE GLASS AND DESIGNED SO THAT THE ENTIRE SURFACE OF THE GLASS IS WET UPON ACTIVATION OF THE SPRINKLER SYSTEM WITHOUT OBSTRUCTION. The glass shall be installed in a gasketed frame so that the framing system deflects without breaking (loading) the glass before the sprinkler system operates." No mention in the exception of NFPA-13 or listing/approval of the sprinklers for this specific application. So technically one could prescriptively standard spray sprinklers spaced every six feet, 12 inches away from and on one side of a floor to ceiling glass wall. 408.3.6 Exit enclosures. One of the required exit enclosures in each building shall be permitted to have glazing installed in doors and interior walls at each landing level providing access to the enclosure, provided that the following conditions are met: 4. The GLAZING SHALL BE PROTECTED ON BOTH SIDES BY AN AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM. The sprinkler system shall be designed to WET COMPLETELY THE ENTIRE SURFACE OF ANY GLAZING AFFECTED BY FIRE WHEN ACTUATED. 5. The glazing shall be in a gasketed frame and installed in such a manner that the framing system will deflect without breaking (loading) the glass before the sprinkler system operates. However there are those that are specific with regards to approvals/listings and NFPA-13. Pay particular attention to provisions that require sprinklers to be provided THROUGHOUT and not just localized protection. 704.12 Opening protection. WINDOWS IN EXTERIOR WALLS REQUIRED TO HAVE PROTECTED OPENINGS in accordance with other sections of this code or determined to be protected in accordance with Section 704.3 or 704.8 shall comply with Section 715.5. Other openings required to be protected with fire door or shutter assemblies in accordance with other sections of this code or determined to be protected in accordance with Section 704.3 or 704.8 shall comply with Section 715.4. Exception: OPENING PROTECTIVES ARE NOT REQUIRED WHERE THE BUILDING IS PROTECTED THROUGHOUT BY AN AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM and the exterior OPENINGS ARE PROTECTED BY AN APPROVED WATER CURTAIN USING AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS APPROVED FOR THAT USE. The sprinklers and the water curtain shall be installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 and shall have an automatic water supply and fire department connection. This is typically where the WS is referenced. Table 704.1 All groups except B & M- Escalator openings connecting four or less stories IN A SPRINKLERED BUILDING. Openings MUST BE PROTECTED BY A DRAFT CURTAIN AND CLOSELY SPACED SPRINKLERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH (2002) NFPA 13. Groups B & M Escalator openings IN A SPRINKLERED BUILDING protected by a DRAFT CURTAIN AND CLOSELY SPACED SPRINKLERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH (2002) NFPA 13. These are just code excerpts, always utilize the code in a holistic manner. Hope that helps, John Drucker, CET Fire Protection Subcode Official Fire/Building/Electrical Inspector Fire Marshals Office Borough of Red Bank, NJ -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Sal Izzo (TECH- 103) Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 4:42 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Window sprinklers Bob: I agree, Bob. My dear friend John Drucker would be disappointed in me for forgetting about the ability of the building code in providing such prescriptive alternatives. My intent was to just make the distinction between a sprinkler actually tested against ASTM E119 and a regular spray sprinkler that is not; that a listed window sprinkler would serve as a direct equivalent as an opening protective, compared to fire rated glazing, where a regular spray sprinkler used for such applications would require some prescriptive requirement assigned by the building code (or NFPA standards), as you mention. I welcome your comment, as it suits the purpose of this forum which is to learn from each other. Believe me, I am not looking to push something I cannot sell!! Best Regards, Salvatore J. Izzo, P.E. SFPE Manager - Reliable Technical Services ________________________________________ From: [email protected] [[email protected]] On Behalf Of Bob Caputo [[email protected]] Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 4:11 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Window sprinklers Sal, I am not challenging your knowledge or expertise, and while I agree that window sprinklers are tested for this specific application, the use of sprinklers in lieu of rated construction materials is really a building code issue where the atrium section permits closely spaced sprinklers in lieu of the rated glass. It doesn't prescribe a specific sprinkler in terms of a listing, nor does it prescribe a deluge water curtain... in fact, it doesn't specify sprinklers on both sides of the glass. So wouldn't the answer to Mr. Thomson's original question simply be that it's up to the requirements of the local AHJ in each case where sprinklers are used in lieu of rated glass? Please know I am not looking to argue - just looking to be clear or to verify that I've misunderstood this code allowance for years. Best regards, Bob Caputo, CFPS, CET 657 Cantara Lane, Vista, CA 92081 -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Sal Izzo (TECH- 103) Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 12:06 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Window sprinklers In answering this question, one must first ask if there is fire resistance rating required to be maintained with this installation. Only listed window sprinklers are tested and listed to provide an actual fire resistance rating for glazing. This is because these sprinklers are tested in accordance with the ASTM E119 standard for fire resistance. If the glazing is located in a fire rated assembly, like a rated corridor wall, the fire resistance must be maintained for the opening protective. Therefore, if sprinklers were to be used for this purpose in lieu of fire rated glazing, the listed window sprinklers must be used. In addition to the testing for the fire rating, the positioning of the sprinklers relative to the glazing is also test specific, as this ensures all areas of the are wetted. This does not apply to regular spray sprinklers. Regards, Salvatore J. Izzo, P.E. SFPE Manager - Reliable Technical Services ________________________________________ From: [email protected] [[email protected]] On Behalf Of Robert Thompson [[email protected]] Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 2:10 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Window sprinklers Do you have to use window sprinklers to protect windows or can standard spray sprinklers be used? Thank you Robert Thompson DAKOTA FIRE PROTECTION 1710 N. 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