In the 1980 edition of 13, there was an issue brought up about the sprinklering of interstitial spaces. The answer to that inquiry has been carried forward at least to the 1999 edition (regulatory edition for health care occupancies). The "intent statement" from NFPA was, Q: Is it the intent of 5-1.1 of NFPA 13 that sprinkler protection of the interstitial space described above be provided to consider the building completely protected by automatic sprinklers? A: The space described is essentially non-combustible with no occupancy and no combustible services [with the possible exception of the cable trays which could be protected in accordance with 5-5.1.3 if necessary] and so could be treated as a non-combustible concealed space. Use of the space for storage or the introduction of combustibles would require provision of sprinklers to maintain classification as completely protected by automatic sprinklers. Issue Edition: 1980 Reference: 3-10.3, 4-1"
Interstitial Spaces are not defined anywhere in the code but there are some near misses. Interstitial is equated with annular. NFPA 301 (deals with Merchant Vessels - equivalent of 101) uses the phrase, "All interstitial spaces (between ceiling and deck above) shall..." but it is not included in the Definitions chapter anythwere. NFPA 96 (Commercial Cooking...) uses the phrase, " ...horizontal duct run in the false ceiling (interstitial) space. ..." but does not include it in the Definitions chapter except as a term when describing Concealed Space". 7-10.19.3 of the 99 Ed of 13 (Regulatory for Health Care) provides a measure of when to install sprinklers above a clean room - "Special Occupancy Hazards". Hope that helps. Tom Tom Scheidel, COO CMS Survey & Enforcement Process and Life Safety Code Scheidel & Associates 817-456-6238 [email protected] www.CMS911.com Person Centered and Quality Driven! --- On Mon, 3/7/11, Brown, Mike <[email protected]> wrote: From: Brown, Mike <[email protected]> Subject: RE: Interstitial Space To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> Date: Monday, March 7, 2011, 12:42 PM I'm working a job now that has an interstitial space and we are not putting heads in the interstitial space. And the architect is still considering the building fully sprinklered. Mike Brown Project Designer Sunland Fire Protection, Inc. 1218 Elon Place High Point, NC 27263 [email protected] Business: 336-886-7027 Ext. #140 Fax: 336-886-7024 -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Martin, Matthew Sent: Monday, March 07, 2011 1:39 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Interstitial Space Can anyone tell me what the NFPA says about the requirements of sprinklers in the interstitial space. What is the definition of " Interstitial Space"? Also where in the NFPA is the term Interstitial Space used. We have an Architect who says that a fully sprinklered building includes sprinklers in all the interstitial spaces. Thanks in advance, Matthew Martin CQC Manager Suffolk Construction Company, Inc. Direct: 323-781-1778 Cell: 949-892-7419 www.suffolkconstruction.com Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail _______________________________________________ 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)
