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
JULY 11, 2007
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"We have a contract to design and install sprinklers in a 4-story
duplex house. We have used NFPA 13D as the applicable code. The AHJ
rejected our design contending that the proper code is NFPA 13R due
to the building being 4 stories. His rationale is that IBC, Table
503, limits R-3 occupancy buildings of Type 5 construction to 3
stories and that paragraph 504.2 allows an increase of 1 story or 20
ft when sprinklered per Section 9033.1.2, which refers to 13R not
13D. Our view is that the IRC is the applicable code and that
Paragraph R101.2 states that the IRC is the appropriate code for
detached 1 & 2 family dwellings. Which code should be applied?"
We have reviewed the 2003 Editions of the International Codes that
you have identified as the applicable Standards. A four story R-3
Occupancy falls under the jurisdiction of the International Building
Code and not the International Residential Code.
NFPA 13D does not set any limitations as to building height nor area
and would allow the protection of a four-story duplex. The ICC codes
on the other hand do not allow this. The Commentary to the IBC
clearly states that exception 1 to 101.2 applies to one- and two-
family dwellings and townhouses that are not more than three stories
above grade and have separate means of egress. These structures are
to comply with the IRC and are not required to comply with the IBC.
Structures that are four stories or more in height are beyond the
scope of the IRC and must comply with the provisions of the IBC.
Complying with the I-Codes will require that a four story one- and
two- family dwelling be protected to the requirements of NFPA 13R.
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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