That is absolutely not accurate and there is nothing in any code or standard that ties the basis of sprinkler system design to whether or not a building has standpipes. A careful read of the applicable sections of 14 will reveal that the prescriptives for valving and connection of sprinklers to standpipes are all generic and do not distinguish between a "13" and a "13R".
Your AHJ may want to retrieve the code books he or she has previously thrown away, thinking in error that they already know everything. I would make diplomatic request of this person to cite the applicable language that supposedly backs this up. My opinion only, SML -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Travis Mack Sent: Monday, April 28, 2014 11:16 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Combination standpipe system = NFPA 13??? I have a project that qualifies for NFPA 13R per architectural code study. The project construction type, square foot, etc allows us to follow NFPA 13R per IBC. This is a 4 story building and has manual wet standpipes due to building height. The AHJ is stating that because we have a combination standpipe, it is required to be an NFPA 13 system. Has anyone ever run into this? I have never heard of this requirement. If it is true, an easy fix would be to run a separate sprinkler system riser. I have just never heard of this and have done hundreds of projects at 13R with combination standpipes. The same reviewer is stating that since it is required to be an NFPA 13 system because of the standpipes, we also have to use a minimum 5.6k sprinkler. I KNOW this is wrong, so I truly question the issue above. Any thoughts on this? -- Travis Mack, SET MFP Design, LLC 2508 E Lodgepole Drive Gilbert, AZ 85298 480-505-9271 fax: 866-430-6107 email:[email protected] _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler .org _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org
