sprinklernotes Combustible Canopies not Accessible from Within Dwelling Units
You asked the following questions: “We have a Construction Type V building that falls under NFPA 13R where there is a large common area in the center and two wings, left and right for residential units. There is a large combustible canopy at the front entrance, a large combustible canopy at the rear entrance, and two small combustible canopies at the end of each wing serving a corridor and not dwelling units, are sprinklers required in these canopies? Does Section 6.6.5.1 apply?” In response to your question, we have reviewed NFPA 13R, 2016 edition as the applicable standard. Our informal interpretation is sprinkler protection is not required. There is a definite distinction between the two different types of exterior construction features. NFPA 13R section 6.6.5.1 states: Where a roof or deck is provided above, sprinklers shall be installed to protect attached exterior balconies, attached exterior decks, and ground floor patios serving dwelling units in buildings of Construction Type V. This requirement was added to the 2013 edition but not because the committee agreed with it, since they had opposed it (with good reasons) for several cycles. It was added because the International Building Code has required it for many years and NFPA 13R needed to correlate with the building code. Its objective is to reduce the potential for fires to extend up the side of the building from balcony to balcony and extend into the attic. As such, it is definitely dependent on the type of construction and applies just to Type V (combustible) construction. Two critical points are clarified by the Automatic Sprinkler System for Residential Occupancies. These are: This rule applies to the exterior or open spaces accessible only from the dwelling unit itself and not a corridor or breezeway that is shared among multiple dwelling units. This section also is explicit in that if there is not a roof or deck above the balcony or porch, no protection is required—a balcony under an eave with a soffit or fascia board would not be mandated to have sprinklers added. Since the entry canopies are serving the entry points of the buildings (no dwelling units), it is not subject to this requirement. The other locations identified in section 6.6.5, despite having ceiling/roofs, do not require protection. In closing, section 6.6.5 would apply to your situation and sprinkler protection is not required in the attached canopies at the multiple locations described in your question.
