My understanding had always been this was mainly related to shelves and the like as an obstruction since the head is going to basically inundate the closet. I believe it was Mr. Huggins that once reminded us that water isn't like light and you don't have to see the head to get wet, as was a popular method of evaluating obstructions on the enforcement side at the time. FWIW 9.5.6.6.1 is worth a look as it could apply to most closets I can think of as long as the head location was right.
Mike Morey CFPS 3229 * NICET S.E.T. 123677 Project Manager * Fire Protection Group Shambaugh & Son, LP an EMCOR Company 7614 Opportunity Drive * Fort Wayne, IN * 46825 direct 260.487.7824 / cell 260.417.0625 / fax 260.487.7991 email [email protected] -----Original Message----- From: Sprinklerforum <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Larrimer, Peter A (HEFP\19HEF) via Sprinklerforum Sent: Thursday, July 1, 2021 11:36 AM To: [email protected] Cc: Larrimer, Peter A (HEFP\19HEF) <[email protected]> Subject: Closets and Clearance from Deflector to Storage BE ADVISED - This email originated outside EMCOR. NFPA 13 (2019 edition) states the following in two sections: https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://9.5.5.4__;!!FaxH778!PJVUyG8T3MKXlZlgRRf0dwy7i4YdVrTtqX072L0iAQnzaA2NLRb1EVeQUf8clHlv$ 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 https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://9.5.6.2__;!!FaxH778!PJVUyG8T3MKXlZlgRRf0dwy7i4YdVrTtqX072L0iAQnzaA2NLRb1EVeQUWK_S5DY$ , https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://9.5.6.3__;!!FaxH778!PJVUyG8T3MKXlZlgRRf0dwy7i4YdVrTtqX072L0iAQnzaA2NLRb1EVeQUaCDv_qW$ , https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://9.5.6.4__;!!FaxH778!PJVUyG8T3MKXlZlgRRf0dwy7i4YdVrTtqX072L0iAQnzaA2NLRb1EVeQUWJSGby8$ , or https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://9.5.6.5__;!!FaxH778!PJVUyG8T3MKXlZlgRRf0dwy7i4YdVrTtqX072L0iAQnzaA2NLRb1EVeQUYi1bnkN$ 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 https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://9.5.5.4__;!!FaxH778!PJVUyG8T3MKXlZlgRRf0dwy7i4YdVrTtqX072L0iAQnzaA2NLRb1EVeQUf8clHlv$ states "....a single sprinkler at the highest ceiling level shall be sufficient without regard to obstructions or minimum distance to the wall." Does https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://9.5.5.4__;!!FaxH778!PJVUyG8T3MKXlZlgRRf0dwy7i4YdVrTtqX072L0iAQnzaA2NLRb1EVeQUf8clHlv$ allow a sprinkler to be less than 18 inches from the storage in a closet? Section https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://9.5.6.1__;!!FaxH778!PJVUyG8T3MKXlZlgRRf0dwy7i4YdVrTtqX072L0iAQnzaA2NLRb1EVeQURUORag8$ does not specifically say that https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://9.5.5.4__;!!FaxH778!PJVUyG8T3MKXlZlgRRf0dwy7i4YdVrTtqX072L0iAQnzaA2NLRb1EVeQUf8clHlv$ 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 https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://9.5.5.4__;!!FaxH778!PJVUyG8T3MKXlZlgRRf0dwy7i4YdVrTtqX072L0iAQnzaA2NLRb1EVeQUf8clHlv$ 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] https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org__;!!FaxH778!PJVUyG8T3MKXlZlgRRf0dwy7i4YdVrTtqX072L0iAQnzaA2NLRb1EVeQUePq5JbQ$ This message is for the named person's use only. It may contain confidential, proprietary or legally privileged information. No confidentiality or privilege is waived or lost by any mistransmission. If you receive this message in error, please immediately delete it and all copies of it from your system, destroy any hard copies of it and notify the sender. You must not, directly or indirectly, use, disclose, distribute, print, or copy any part of this message if you are not the intended recipient. _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org
