NFPA 13 (2019 edition) states the following in two sections: 9.5.5.4 Closets. In all closets and compartments, including those closets housing mechanical equipment, that are not larger than 400 ft3 (11 m3) in size, a single sprinkler at the highest ceiling level shall be sufficient without regard to obstructions or minimum distance to the wall. 9.5.6 Clearance from Deflector to Storage. 9.5.6.1* Unless the requirements of 9.5.6.2, 9.5.6.3, 9.5.6.4, or 9.5.6.5 are met, the clearance between the deflector and the top of storage or contents of the room shall be 18 in. (450 mm) or greater.
Section 9.5.5.4 states "....a single sprinkler at the highest ceiling level shall be sufficient without regard to obstructions or minimum distance to the wall." Does 9.5.5.4 allow a sprinkler to be less than 18 inches from the storage in a closet? Section 9.5.6.1 does not specifically say that 9.5.5.4 is an exception to the 18 inch storage clearance requirement. However, if the storage less than 18 inches from the deflector is considered an "obstruction", then it would seem that 9.5.5.4 would allow storage that is less than 18 inches from the sprinkler deflector in a closet. Thanks in advance. Pete Dept of VA _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org
