NFPA 76 Standard for the Fire Protection of Telecommunications Facilities 2012 
Edition (if applicable)

8.3.3 Penetrations in Fire-Resistance-Rated Construction.
8.3.3.1 Pipes, Conduits, Cables, and Cable Trays.
8.3.3.1.1 Pipes, conduits, cables, and cable trays that penetrate 
fire-resistance-rated construction shall be protected with assemblies tested in 
accordance with ASTM E 814.

8.6.2 Automatic Fire Suppression.
8.6.2.1 General.
8.6.2.1.1* Where provided, automatic fire suppression systems in 
telecommunications facilities shall comply with 8.6.2.1.2 through 8.6.2.5.3.
8.6.2.1.2 Activation of any fire suppression system shall transmit an alarm 
immediately to a constantly attended location.
8.6.2.2 Sprinkler Systems.
8.6.2.2.1* Where provided, sprinkler systems shall be designed and installed in 
accordance with the requirements of NFPA 13, and tested and maintained in 
accordance with the requirements of NFPA 25.
8.6.2.2.2 All piping for dry pipe and pre-action sprinkler systems shall be 
installed with a pitch in accordance with NFPA13 whether or not the piping is 
subjected to freezing conditions.

No mention of single penetration or piping that only supplies the telecom room. 
There are paragraphs that say only building services necessary for the room are 
permitted. But, sprinklers have their own paragraphs and this is not mentioned.

Duane Johnson, PE
Program Manager
Division of the Fire Marshal (Contractor)
Office of Research Services 
National Institutes of Health 
301-496-0487

"Protecting Science - One Sprinkler at a Time"


-----Original Message-----
From: Bob [mailto:[email protected]] 
Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2014 11:55 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: telecom rooms

NEC Article 110.26(F)(1)(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.

Exception:  
(a)     Suspended ceilings with removable panels shall be permitted within
the 1.8-m (6-ft) zone.  

(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.  

(c)      Sprinkler Protection. Sprinkler protection shall be permitted for
the dedicated space where the piping complies with this section.  

(d)      Suspended Ceilings. A dropped, suspended, or similar ceiling that
does not add strength to the building structure shall not be considered a 
structural ceiling. 


Thank You,

Bob Knight, CET III
208-318-3057
www.Firebyknight.com


-----Original Message-----
From: Sprinklerforum [mailto:[email protected]]
On Behalf Of Travis Mack
Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2014 9:51 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: telecom rooms

That is exactly my thoughts as well. This is a 3D model project, so I am clear 
of all panels and everything else.  This no pipe in these rooms is an old hold 
over from decades ago that seems to be stuck in many people's heads.

Travis Mack, SET
MFP Design, LLC
2508 E Lodgepole Drive
Gilbert, AZ 85298
480-505-9271
fax: 866-430-6107
email:[email protected]

On 5/29/2014 8:38 AM, [email protected] wrote:
> I'd tell the engineer to site the code section that prohibits the pipe
passing through. It's ridiculous but I have seen AHJ's interpret the thing 
about "no unnecessary equipment" to mean the pipe can enter but not leave an 
electrical equipment room. I don't think there is any code at all about pipe in 
a telecom room.
> Ron F
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Sprinklerforum
> [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of 
> Jerry Van Kolken
> Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2014 8:29 AM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: RE: telecom rooms
>
> I only have a copy of 08' NEC 110.26, but according to that any elec.
Panels you need to be 6'-0" above, or clear the equipment, unless there is a 
ceiling in the room. I don't know if that applies to telecom panels. The only 
time I've been told I can't run through a telecom room is military projects so 
it might be a UFC requirement.
>
> Jerry Van Kolken
> Millennium Fire Protection
> (760) 722-2722
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Sprinklerforum
> [mailto:[email protected]]
> On Behalf Of Travis Mack
> Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2014 8:18 AM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: telecom rooms
>
> Is there anything in any code/standard that prohibits sprinkler piping
from passing through telecom rooms?  I don't have access to the NEC right now.  
I can't locate anything in NFPA 13 that would prohibit it.
>
> I am on a project where due to phasing, I have to run a branch line
through the telecom room to supply 2 sprinklers on the other side of it for 
this phase.  The engineer says you can't do it. I thought I remember something 
in the NEC saying that sprinkler piping was acceptable to pass through these 
electric and telecom rooms.  I just can't run over panels.
>
> --
> Travis Mack, SET
> MFP Design, LLC
> 2508 E Lodgepole Drive
> Gilbert, AZ 85298
> 480-505-9271
> fax: 866-430-6107
> email:[email protected]
>
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