American Fire Sprinkler Association 12750 Merit Dr., Suite 350 Dallas TX 75251
Ph: (214) 349-5965 Fax: (214) 276-0908 --------------------------- TECHNICAL UPDATE AUGUST 6, 2009 --------------------------- "I have an attic space constructed of combination wood truss, pre-fab construction with a 5 in to 12 in pitch. The contractor asked that I design the attic using extended coverage heads. Is this allowed?" We have reviewed NFPA 13, 2007 Edition that you indicated as the applicable standard. Our informal interpretation is that extended coverage sprinklers cannot be used. Extended coverage sprinklers are restricted to specific ceiling types. As identified in 13:8.4.3, the primary allowed ceiling is unobstructed construction consisting of a flat, smooth ceiling with a slope not exceeding 2 in 12. If so listed, they can be used in obstructed construction but only when noncombustible and still horizontal. The most sloped allowed, again when so listed, is 4 in 12 but that also is under a smooth, flat ceiling. With your assembly being combustible, obstructed construction and a slope of 5 in 12, it eliminates the extended coverage option. That leaves standard spray sprinklers per section 8.6 or specially listed attic sprinklers as your two available options. ----------------- 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 Linda Dawson at Efax (214) 242-3155 or call toll free (888) 839-4830 or send e-mail request @ [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
