Steve is playing engineer - perfectly actuate answer but not terribly useful in most applications with regards to the changes to NFPA 13R. :-P
IBC would be the predominate building code (or model) in the US, seeing this forum is mostly US based contractors thus: [F] 903.3.1.2 NFPA 13R sprinkler systems. Automatic sprinkler systems in Groupo R occupancies up to and including four stories in height shall be permitted to be installed throughout in accordance with NFPA 13R. So it doesn't matter what they do with the title, scope or annex of 13R. I suspect there are very few places where you are getting past 4 stories. But even if you use NFPA 5000 you are still stuck at 4 stories until at least 2015 edition comes out. 55.3 Automatic Sprinklers. 55.3.1 General. 55.3.1.1* Each automatic sprinkler system required by another section of this Code shall be in accordance with one of the following: (1) NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems (2) NFPA 13R, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Residential Occupancies up to and Including Four Stories in Height (3) NFPA 13D, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes Even in places with no code the Arch of record is probably required to use some level of good judgment. Many Boards think this is following relevant model codes. Hard to say IBC or NFPA 5000 is not the most widely used model building codes. So even taking Steve's advice, 'But keep in mind that this is all about what your locally adopted code allows' (which again is perfectly accurate), anyone got any way to get to the usefulness of the mentioned changes to 13R? Chris Cahill, PE* Associate Fire Protection Engineer Burns & McDonnell Phone: 952.656.3652 Fax: 952.229.2923 [email protected] www.burnsmcd.com *Registered in: MN Proud to be #14 on FORTUNE's 2014 List of 100 Best Companies to Work For -----Original Message----- From: Sprinklerforum [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Rod DiBona Sent: Monday, July 28, 2014 11:16 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: 6 Story Hotel Great Post Steve. Thank you for the education. Was NOT aware of this. Rod at Rapid -----Original Message----- From: Sprinklerforum [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Steve Leyton Sent: Monday, July 28, 2014 10:00 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: 6 Story Hotel Brian: As I'm sure you know, the standard was titled for many years, "Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Residential Occupancies up to and Including Four Stories in Height", but is now titled, "... in Low-Rise Residential Occupancies". (For whatever it's worth, I voted against this as it's vague and not entirely aligned with existing definitions in code(s) and standard(s). However, in the 2013, Section 1.1 it very clearly states that the standard covers residential occupancies up to 60' (18 m) above grade plane (as defined in the applicable building code). The annex material clarifies that this height is coincidental to the limit for Type V construction, and so is aligned with the code in that regard and implies intent to most closely manage Type V buildings, which are almost always wood framed in R-group occupancies. So literally and as written, if you have a 5- or 6-story building where the height of the highest floor is 60' or less and it's of a construction type other than Type V-A (which the code limits to 4 STORIES), then the answer to your question (surprisingly) is yes, you can use 13R, taking it literally as it's written. But keep in mind that this is all about what your locally adopted code allows, and the code generally tells us when we can and can't use a particular type of sprinkler system. You can't take a 13R for an extra story except in R-2, and you can't take it in lieu of fire resistive construction. And just because 13R leaves itself open to application in buildings of Type III or II construction that may exceed four stories, your code or building official may not. Also remember that if your code doesn't reference the 2013 NFPA sprinkler standards, the older editions are still implicitly limited to four stories. The foregoing is my opinion only and does not necessarily represent the opinion or intent of the NFPA 13D/13R Technical Committee on Residential Sprinkler Systems. Not only that, this is a slippery slope so I also disclaim the email chatter that's sure to follow, the second guessing and the uproar. Steve Leyton Protection Design & Consulting San Diego, CA -----Original Message----- From: Sprinklerforum [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Brian Harris Sent: Monday, July 28, 2014 8:40 AM To: [email protected] Subject: 6 Story Hotel Having a little debate here in the office..... Looking at a 6 story hotel and (1) person wants to use NFPA-13R & (1) says you can't because it's over 4 stories and you must use NFPA-13. Comments welcome .... :) Brian Harris, CET BVS Systems Inc. Sprinkler Division bvssystemsinc.com<http://bvssystemsinc.com/> Phone: 704.896.9989 Fax: 704.896.1935 _______________________________________________ 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 _______________________________________________ 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
