sprinklernotes
Sprinkler Protection Requirements for Non-Combustible Exterior Canopies Used for Outside Dining
You asked the following questions: “We have a restaurant with a non-combustible canopy on the outside of the building with tables under the canopy with access from the building. The fire marshal is requiring sprinklers per the 2015 IBC sections 903.2.1, 903.2.1.2, and 903.2.1.7. Are sprinklers required?” In response to your question, we have reviewed NFPA 13, 2013 edition as the applicable standard. Our informal interpretation is that sprinklers will not be required. The AHJ is correct that the fire area or the building must be protected with a fire sprinkler system per section 903.2.1. Additionally, the building code tells us WHEN to protect the area or the building per the applicable NFPA standard, in this case, NFPA 13. NFPA 13 allows the omission of sprinklers in certain areas such as exterior canopies when specific conditions are met. The IBC still classifies buildings with areas where protection is omitted by NFPA 13 as fully protected. The patio cover is constructed of noncombustible construction. It is used only for dining purposes and will contain only tables and chairs. There are no heat sources such as barbeque grills. NFPA Subsection 8.15.7.2 allows for the omission of sprinklers below canopies if they are constructed of limited or non-combustible materials. There is one section that can negate omitting protection. Section 8.15.7.5 will require sprinklers under non-combustible canopies that are more than 2-ft wide if combustible materials are being stored under them. Patio-type furniture will not necessitate the installation of sprinklers. This is addressed in the 2013 edition of NFPA's Automatic Sprinkler Systems Handbook under section 8.15.7.5. It states that the committee has stated that combustibles, such as patio furniture, which may be wood or plastic and including cushions, are not sufficient to justify sprinkler protection. So, if no heat sources such as barbeque grills or heaters are allowed under the patio cover, sprinklers should not be required. When heat sources are present, then sprinklers are required. The commentary states, However, judgment is needed, and sprinklers may be justified where the balcony contains combustible loading, such as patio furniture, AND where barbeque grills are allowed or other ignition sources are present, such as a furnace located off of, and accessed from, the balcony. Thus, if heaters are present with the patio furniture, sprinklers will be required. Such an arrangement is not considered a significant risk for two reasons. One is the fact that individual or isolated sets of tables and chairs are difficult to ignite, thus the restriction of heat sources. The second is that such rooms that are completely open to the exterior are extremely unlikely to reach flashover. Now if the tables and chairs are stacked for storage during the off-season, that presents a significantly different fuel package and sprinkler protection would be required. In conclusion, sprinkler protection is not required beneath the exterior projection.
