Balconies as Part of a Dwelling Unit
“Are balconies accessed from dwelling units considered part of the dwelling unit? Would sprinklers on dry pipe systems protecting these balconies be required to meet the 15 second water discharge test?” We have reviewed NFPA 13, 2016 edition as the applicable standard. Our informal interpretation is that the balconies of dwelling units are not part of the dwelling unit and do not have to meet the 15-second water discharge test. Balconies attached to occupancies are addressed as a separate section as 8.15.7 Exterior Projections. A balcony is not included as part of a dwelling unit, although a balcony is attached and accessed similar to a corridor. The definition in Section 3.3.10 Dwelling Unit (for sprinkler system installations) states, “One or more rooms arranged for the use of one or more individuals living together, as in a single housekeeping unit normally having cooking, living, sanitary, and sleeping facilities that include, but are not limited to, hotel rooms, dormitory rooms, apartments, condominiums, sleeping rooms in nursing homes, and similar living units.” This definition focuses on “rooms” for living. We also see in Section 8.15.8 Dwelling Units that it addresses bathrooms as 8.15.8.1 and closets and pantries as 8.15.8.2. Exterior projections are not included as part of the dwelling unit since they are addressed in Section 8.15.7. Location has meaning. With that said, a balcony can be protected by a residential sprinkler. Section 8.4.5.1 says that residential sprinklers shall be permitted in dwelling units and their adjoining corridors, provided they are installed in conformance with their listing. Although a balcony is not referenced, its fuel load is no greater than the corridor (when items like maid carts, etc., are present) and it’s certainly lower than that of the dwelling unit. Section 7.2.3.1.1 states, “For dry pipe systems protecting dwelling unit portions of any occupancy, system size shall be such that initial water is discharged from the system test connection in not more than 15 seconds, starting at the normal air pressure on the system and at the time of fully opened inspection test connection.” This was added to the 2010 edition as an additional life safety issue that applies even to spray sprinklers. The 15-second rule is also part of the listing requirements for residential sprinklers. This references “dwelling unit portions of any occupancy” and could be argued that a balcony is part of or not part of a dwelling unit. Since the balcony is open to the atmosphere, the likelihood of the balcony reaching the condition of flashover or someone becoming trapped by fire is very remote (similar to other portions of the building). As such, the water delivery within 15 seconds is not imperative since sprinkler protection of balconies is provided primarily for property preservation. ------------ Technical Update is prepared by the Technical Services Dept. of the AFSA: Roland Huggins, a PE registered in fire protection engineering, Vice President of Engineering and Technical Services; and Tom Wellen, a PE registered in fire protection engineering and Tom Noble E.T., a Technical Programs Specialist. 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 2017, American Fire Sprinkler Association. All Rights Reserved. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://lists.firesprinkler.org/private.cgi/sprinklernotes-firesprinkler.org/attachments/20170130/8016a8c1/attachment.htm>
