I wouldn’t rule out residential sprinklers completely Todd.

Here is what the NFPA 13 first draft report for 2024 has for a revision for 
adding annex material to the definition of a dwelling unit:

A.3.3.65 Common spaces such as a lounges, group cooking facilities, and group 
bathrooms that are for use by the occupants of building should be considered a 
part of the dwelling unit.

And here is the committee statement:
Committee Statement:
 Residential fire sprinklers are appropriate for these areas. The hazards 
presented in these areas are similar to dwelling units in which residential 
sprinklers can be used to provide protection.

Even with 4.2K sprinklers 15 heads going off at once  is 166gpm minimum which 
is silly. What are the door partitions like? Do they have a lintel at all?


From: Fpdcdesign <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 27, 2023 3:08 PM
To: Discussion list on issues relating to automatic fire sprinklers 
<[email protected]>
Subject: [Sprinklerforum] Too many sprinklers in the bathroom

I am working on a renovation to a college dormitory bathroom. The dorm rooms 
are around the perimeter and the common bathroom is in the central core. The 
college is replacing the existing partial height toilet and shower partitions 
with full height partitions with full height doors. This is in effect creating 
several small room, each requiring a sprinkler. The number of sprinklers in 
this 410 sqft space is increasing from 4 to 15. This will be a hydraulic 
nightmare. The rooms were designed to NFPA 13 Residential and I have not yet 
found a calc sign that included the bathroom. My guess is that the whole system 
would be undersized.

Since this is not in a dwelling unit and is on a common corridor, 9.2.4.1 does 
not apply.

Room design does not work because all of the sprinklers are either in the space 
or the communicating space.

I have to calculate a 1500 sqft area in order to eliminate the sprinklers in 
the stalls and showers.

Per Chapter 12, residential sprinklers can only be used in dwelling units and 
adjacent corridors, so that design is out.

Any thoughts?

Todd G Williams, PE
Fire Protection Design/Consulting
Stonington, CT
860-535-2080<tel:860-535-2080> (ofc)
860-554-7054<tel:860-554-7054>  (fax)
860-608-4559<tel:860-608-4559> (cell)
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