American Fire Sprinkler Association
12750 Merit Drive, Suite 350 * Dallas, Texas 75251
Ph:(214)349-5965 Fax:(214)276-0908
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TECH TALK
SEPTEMBER 2009
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HORIZONTAL CONCEALED COMBUSTIBLE SPACES
The 2007 Edition of NFPA 13 requires a listed sprinkler in some
horizontal combustible concealed spaces. This is located in Section is
8.15.1.6 where it states, “Sprinklers used in horizontal combustible
concealed spaces (with a slope not exceeding 2 in 12) with combustible
wood truss or wood joist construction having a combustible upper
surface and where the depth of the space is less than 36 in. from deck
to deck or with double wood joist construction with a maximum of 36
in. between the top of the bottom joist and the bottom of the upper
joist shall be listed for such use.” Note that from the above section
that a combustible wood deck as well as ALL the other conditions must
be present to require the listed sprinkler. However, if there are wood
joists with a metal deck, it is obviously still a combustible
concealed space and must be protected but standard spray sprinklers
can be used. It is also worth noting that Section 8.15.1.7 states that
for composite wood joist construction, these listed sprinklers shall
be PERMITTED to be used to provide protection of combustible concealed
spaces described in 8.15.1. This is interesting because PERMITTED
means it’s an OPTION verses a requirement.
The current specially listed sprinklers available for horizontal
combustible concealed applications are Tyco CC1, CC2, and Viking's
COIN sprinklers. Pay very close attention to the manufacturer’s data
sheets. These instructions are very specific for different
applications regarding the type of pipe and the type of construction
for the horizontal combustible space. These instructions were
generated after fire tests conducted in the listing laboratories.
There are requirements for draft curtains, deflector placements,
obstruction rules, blocking within the channel spaces, and the
installation of noncombustible insulation installation between the
joists. The amount of insulation is driven by the type of construction
since solid wood joist has a maximum allowed channel depth whereas
composite wood joist require the channels to be filled.
When these spaces have CPVC piping, the installation manuals from the
manufacturers also indicate the requirement for specially listed
sprinklers for the horizontal concealed combustible spaces. The
BlazeMaster Installation and Specification manual indicates that pipe
and fittings must never be installed in combustible concealed spaces
requiring sprinklers, as referenced in NFPA 13. Then the manual
indicates exceptions such as the use of specially listed sprinkler
heads that have been tested and are listed for use with BlazeMaster
products in combustible concealed spaces requiring sprinklers. When
using BlazeMaster products in these applications, always follow the
sprinkler manufacturers' installation guidelines. The other
manufacturers' literature from Victaulic and Spear's Flameguard CPVC
installation manuals also indicate similar requirements
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TechTalk is prepared by the Technical Services Department of the
American Fire Sprinkler Association: Vice President of Engineering and
Technical Services, Roland Huggins, a PE
registered in fire protection engineering; Phill Brown, a CFPS and a
NICET IV certified automatic sprinkler technician, and Tom Wellen, a
degreed fire protection-engineering technologist. Opinions are
provided with the understanding that AFSA assumes no liability for the
opinions or actions taken on them and they are not to be considered
the official interpretation of the NFPA or that of its technical
committees.
Copyright (c) 2009, American Fire Sprinkler Association, 12750 Merit
Drive, Ste 350, Dallas, TX 75251. Voice (214) 349-5965 ext 124 or
Fax (214) 276-0908. All rights reserved.
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