American Fire Sprinkler Association
9696 Skillman., #300 Dallas, Texas 75243
Ph: (214) 349-5965 Fax: (214) 343-8898
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TECHNICAL UPDATE
November 8, 2006
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"We request a determination on non-combustible buildings above the
ceilings whether if sprinklers are required per IBC 903.3.1.1.1.
Number 4. The fire department does not allow smoke detectors above
the ceilings, only sprinklers because of electrical lines that are
not in conduit, and for computation on plastic on round air ducts.
If the space is not 100 percent wholly non-combustible, sprinklers
are required. It looks to me that all non-combustible buildings will
never be wholly non-combustible and under IBC without smoke
detection, sprinklers will always be required. Do you see this
happening across the country?"
We have reviewed the 2002 Edition of NFPA 13 and the 2006
International Building Codes as the applicable standard and code.
Our informal interpretation is that some minor quantities of
combustible materials, such as communication wiring, can be present
in some concealed spaces but should not be viewed as requiring
sprinklers or automatic fire detection system.
Referencing IBC 903.3.1.1 states sprinklers shall be installed
throughout in accordance with NFPA 13 except as provided in section
903.3.1.1.1. This section is exempting additional rooms or areas if
an automatic detection system is installed. The exempt locations
listed in the IBC would normally require sprinklers according to NFPA
13. In other words, the IBC is exempting additional locations from
sprinklers required by NFPA 13 if an automatic fire detection system
is installed. In addition, the intent of 903.3.1.1.1 is not to add
automatic detection devices to rooms or areas exempt from sprinklers
by NFPA 13.
The NFPA 13 handbook explanatory text clarifies above ceiling spaces
in section 8.14.1.1. This states some minor quantities of
combustible materials, such as communication wiring, can be present
in some concealed spaces but should not be viewed as requiring
sprinklers. If bundles of unsheathed computer wiring are installed
above the ceiling or beneath the floor in as manner where fire
propagation in all directions is likely, then the concealed space
should be treated the same as a combustible space, thereby requiring
appropriate sprinkler protection. This example was based a computer
facility were you have a concentrated use of infrastructure type
materials as opposed to the typical minor amount found in every
building. In conclusion, this concealed space should not require
sprinklers or automatic fire detection system.
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Technical Update is prepared by the Technical Services Dept. of the
AFSA: Vice President of Engineering and Technical Services Roland
Huggins, a PE registered in fire protection engineering; Phill Brown,
a NICET IV certified automatic sprinkler technician and NFPA
Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) and Tom Wellen, a degreed
fire protection engineering technologist. This is provided with the
understanding that the AFSA assumes no liability for this opinion or
actions taken on it and they are not to be considered the official
position of the NFPA or its technical committees.
Copyright (c) 2006, American Fire Sprinkler Association. All Rights
Reserved
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