Yes, it was a joke...and so was the two sprinklers. Reading the code book in "black and white" is something that you can teach anybody...but reading the code and interpreting the "grey" areas takes time, training, and experience.
For this specific situation, just one sprinklers as far from the light fixture as possible or a sidewall sprinkler as suggested by Dewayne for future jobs. However, ask me again tomorrow when I'm not so tired...(another joke). rick -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Bob Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2012 2:27 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: residential obstructions Rick, Hopefully that 6" drop nipple is a joke. I remember, though it is more blurry today than in the past, being a young lad who had to jump up and grab everything in sight just to see if I could do it. To reinforce this memory I have four boys between 8 and 16 years and every one of them wants to see if the can touch, hit, smack, or otherwise reach nearly every target in sight. In an apartment complex environment, that drop nipple wouldn't last the first kid. Two sprinklers in a 5 x 5 entry would be ridiculous overkill. The purpose in to get the occupants out of the building and surely that one sprinkler, though partially obstructed on one side would do the trick. My thoughts, Bob Knight, CET III 208-318-3057 www.firebyknight.com -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Matsuda, Richard Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2012 1:17 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: residential obstructions There is some guidance in the handbook to allow some "shadowing" from partial height walls, ceiling fans, lights, and other architectual featuers...but there is no way to cover every circumstance that will occur in the real world so you really have to use some judgement. Ask the inspector to stand with his back at the door and see when he can and cannot see the sprinkler to determine the actual obstruction....line of sight method. Then look at the area that is obstructed to determine what if anything might be located in this space that might be burning. A 3-foot door will take up at least half of the space so there's really nothing to protect in the obstructed area except the door and walls. At worse, he will ask you to add another sprinkler on the other side of the light fixture...so two sprinklers in the 5 x 5-foot entry. If that seems like an overkill, then it probably is. I vote for one sprinkler on a 6-inch drop nipple to clear the light fixture. :) rick matsuda city of dallas -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of George Church Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2012 1:48 PM To: [email protected] Subject: residential obstructions I'm interested in feedback on a situation which is occurring fairly frequently. The specifics may vary slightly, but the concept is always the same. In this case, I have an entranceway to an apartment. The entranceway is roughly 5' x 5'. The ceiling has a soffit 7' above fin. floor. The main apartment ceiling is 8' above fin. floor. There is a surface mounted light near the center of the entranceway soffit. The light is 4 3/4" deep at the center & is a domed light. The light is 1'-2" wide at the base. I located a recessed pendent residential head within 6" of the edge of the soffit. My head is 1'-10" from the center of the light. The local inspector has stated that I am in violation of 13-R. Technically, he is correct. My head is too close to the light given the difference in depth of the light vs. the depth of my deflector. Now, there isn't enough room in the soffit to locate my head & meet code. My head would be out of the soffit. Rather counter-productive to say the least. In addition, if you look at the domed profile of the light, there really isn't much of an obstruction. This, especially considering the very small space that the head is covering. I ask for two things: 1. Input - as in, is my view valid or am I really missing the big picture? 2. If I am correct, is there any documentation I can show the inspector? ( I have already offered to provide the text from the 13-R handbook. To me, if you read the intent & history of the obstructions rules, this really isn't an issue. It's extremely similar to the 400 cubic foot closet exception. Thank you in advance for any assistance that can be provided. Regards, Michael G. Haley Rowe Sprinkler Systems, Inc. 7993 US Hwy 522 PO Box 407 Middleburg, PA 17842 570-837-7647 570-837-6335 fax [email protected] _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum ----- No virus found in this message. 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