American Fire Sprinkler Association
12750 Merit Dr., Suite 350 * Dallas TX 75251
Ph:(214) 349-5965 Fax:(214) 276-0908
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TECHNICAL UPDATE
May 16, 2007
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"Are sprinklers required under temporary seasonal marketing displays
over 4 ft in width in department stores? Combustible materials
(clothing, furniture, etc...) will be stored under displays such as
canopies and umbrellas."
We have reviewed NFPA 13, 2002 and 2007 editions that you indicated
as the applicable standards. Our informal interpretation is that
sprinklers are not required under obstructions that are not fixed in
place.
Retail locations typically have displays that are assembled on a
seasonal or promotional basis. Sporting goods stores or retail
locations may also have outdoor furniture with umbrellas or even full
size tents or canopies assembled for display. These items can be
well over 4 ft wide and create an obstruction to the sprinkler
discharge. Some fabric materials may be resistant to fire and others
will burn away quickly. The other concern is that when these items
are displayed, more surface area is exposed and may increase the
intensity of the fire. However, these items are moveable and rather
impractical to provide sprinkler protection under the obstructions.
Section 8.5.5.3.2 states, "Sprinklers shall not be required under
obstructions that are not fixed in place such as conference tables."
The handbook commentary indicates that conference tables are likely
to be moved and are not likely to have any significant combustibles
located beneath them. An umbrella with outdoor furniture displayed
under it would not be considered significant combustibles. However,
a seasonal or promotional retail display of plastic items up to 6 to
8 feet with an obstruction over 4 ft wide could create quite a
different impact.
Unfortunately, this becomes a policing event by the local AHJ. A
canopy or obstruction that is fixed in place that creates an
obstruction over 4 ft wide will require sprinklers. In addition, the
retail location may construct temporary structures such as storage
sheds or other structures to display items. Structures that create
an obstruction over 4 ft wide will also require sprinklers. However,
such items can be tolerated when the system is designed as extra
hazard (Group II) for occupancies where shielding of combustibles is
extensive.
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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) 2007, American Fire Sprinkler Association. All
Rights Reserved
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