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
NOVEMBER 25, 2008
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A ceiling cloud obstruction attached to a wall is provided over an
entry door that measures 15 ft by 3 ft 11 in. When the measurement is
taken from the doorjamb, the distance is 4 ft 1 in. where the AHJ is
requiring a sprinkler under the cloud. Do we measure the width of the
obstruction from the wall or the door jamb?
We have reviewed 13, 2007 Edition as the applicable standard. Our
informal interpretation is that when architectural features such as
windows and doors create additional floor area, the distance is
measured to the door or window surface.
This issue was clarified in the 2007 Edition in Section 8.5.3.2.4
where it states, "The distance from the wall to the sprinkler shall be
measured to the wall when sprinklers are spaced near windows and no
additional floor space is created." Since the door jamb creates an
additional floor space, the distance is measured from the side of the
obstruction (ceiling cloud) to the side of the door jamb. Thus an
additional sprinkler is required by Section 8.5.5.3.1 since the
obstruction width is greater than 4 ft. This is supported by the NFPA
13 Handbook text that states, Paragraph 8.5.3.2.4 applies when the
wall is represented by a window. Where the window in the wall is set
back from the inside surface of the wall, the distance is measured to
the wall, and not to the glass surface of the window where no
additional floor area is created by the window. Where additional floor
area is created by the window, the distance is measured to the glass
surface of the window.
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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 ⌐ 2008, American Fire Sprinkler Association. All Rights
Reserved
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