Very good point.  Since this hybrid thingy doesn’t cleanly fall within any of 
the listed exceptions, it should be sprinklered.

Ed

From: Brett Peters <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2025 9:01 AM
To: Discussion list on issues relating to automatic fire sprinklers 
<[email protected]>
Subject: [Sprinklerforum] Re: Nonconventional Egress Stair

I would agree with Rick, if you look at how 8.15.3.2 reads; "In noncombustible 
stair shafts", so with that in mind if you have a stairway that is not a 
vertical shaft then can this section of the code be applied to this stairway? I 
would say no and would refer back to 8.1.1* The requirements for spacing, 
location, and position of sprinklers shall be based on the following 
principles: (1) Sprinklers shall be installed throughout the premises.




Thanks



Brett Peters
General Manager Installation & Design
Proudline Fire Protection Services Ltd.
[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>
780 490 7602 office ext 202
780 490 7605 fax
780 777 0568 cell
780 718 2676 24h
Visit us at www.proudline.ca<http://www.proudline.ca/>

Proudline now offers ULc listed monitoring services, please contact 
[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> for more information


On Thu, Jul 31, 2025 at 7:49 AM Rick Matsuda 
<[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
I didn’t see the diagram when I first replied.
Now that I’ve seen the diagram, it really is an interesting question. You said 
it’s about 170-feet long so there’s about 33-feet between each doorway spread 
over five elevation changes between the floor. The requirement for having a 
sprinkler at top and bottom works well for a straight vertical shaft.

It’s still difficult to get a true picture of what this stairway looks like, 
but as a former AHJ, I would ask you to add four sprinklers, one above each 
doorway opening on the 2nd to 5th floors. I don’t have any code justification 
for asking you to do this other than it’s a “feels good” issue. It’s only four 
additional sprinklers and you already have piping available on each landing.

I don’t know what I would ask you to do if this was a 20-story building…but 
we’ll discuss this if it ever happens.
Rick


On Jul 31, 2025, at 7:48 AM, Ed Kramer 
<[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:

Good question.  Seems to be a hybrid between an exit stair and exit passageway. 
 But 99% of IBC stuff is above my paygrade.
Ed


From: Rick Matsuda <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>>
Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2025 8:54 PM
To: Discussion list on issues relating to automatic fire sprinklers 
<[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>>
Subject: [Sprinklerforum] Re: Nonconventional Egress Stair

Would this be considered an exit hallway?

On Jul 30, 2025, at 8:50 PM, Ed Kramer 
<[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:

Brett, I’ve gone through 8.15.3.2 multiple times and don’t see this.  Please 
give a reference.

Thank you,
Ed


From: Brett Peters <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>>
Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2025 5:33 PM
To: Discussion list on issues relating to automatic fire sprinklers 
<[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>>
Subject: [Sprinklerforum] Re: Nonconventional Egress Stair

NFPA 13 says top, bottom and every floor landing



Thanks



Brett Peters
General Manager Installation & Design
Proudline Fire Protection Services Ltd.
[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>
780 490 7602 office ext 202
780 490 7605 fax
780 777 0568 cell
780 718 2676 24h
Visit us at www.proudline.ca<http://www.proudline.ca/>

Proudline now offers ULc listed monitoring services, please contact 
[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> for more information


On Wed, Jul 30, 2025 at 4:02 PM Ed Kramer 
<[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
We’re working on a multi-story non-high-rise project that has 1 conventional 
stair shaft and 1 that’s not so conventional.  Well, certainly not conventional 
around these parts.  Applicable standard is NFPA 13 (2016).  It just doesn’t 
seem right to sprinkler only the very top and the very bottom (potential 
storage).  The horizontal length of this thing is in the ballpark of 170’.  And 
if that’s not enough, there will be 4 or 5 45° bends located between the stair 
doors.

Thoughts?

Ed Kramer
Bamford Fire

[image005.png]




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