American Fire Sprinkler Association 12750 Merit Dr., Suite 350 * Dallas TX 75251 Ph: (214) 349-5965 Fax: (214) 276-0908
------------------------ TECHNICAL UPDATE APRIL 30, 2009 ------------------------ I have a wood building with a crawl space constructed of TJI’s with OSB decking. I have omitted the sprinklers in the crawl space because it meets all the criteria of 8.15.6. What size should the remote area be for the wet system above it (i.e. 1,500 or 3,000 sf)?” We have reviewed NFPA 13, 2007 Edition as the applicable standard. Our informal interpretation is the remote area is 3,000 sf. The situation you describe is not identified in Section 11.2.3.1.4(4) where this section gives the instances where the remote area increase to 3,000 is not required. Thus, Section 11.2.3.1.4(3) applies which specifically calls out concealed spaces described in Section 8.15.6. As such, the minimum area of sprinkler operation for that portion of the building shall be 3,000 sf. This section also indicates that the design area of 3,000 sf shall be applied only to the sprinkler system or portions of the sprinkler system that are adjacent to the qualifying combustible concealed space. Note also, that when a remote area of 3,000 sf is used, Figure 11.2.3.1.1 allows one to go up the curve to a lesser density. For example, in a light hazard application, the density for a remote area of 3,000 sf is 0.07 gpm. The purpose of the 3,000 sf remote area increase is to compensate for a larger fire that is expected if the unprotected concealed space is involved. ----------------- 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 © 2009, American Fire Sprinkler Association. All Rights Reserved -------------------------- If you’d rather not receive future faxes from AFSA, fax your removal request to Amy Sweeney at Efax (214) 242-3155 or call toll free (888) 839-4830 or send e-mail request to [email protected]. Please include your company name and the specific fax numbers(s) at which you do not wish to receive faxes from us. Our failure to comply with your request may be unlawful. _______________________________________________ Sprinklernotes mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklernotes
