sprinklernotes
Sprinklers on Entryways in NFPA 13R
You asked the following questions: “Front entryways have been determined by a local inspector to require sprinklers per code. Are sprinklers required on entryway patios?” In response to your question we have reviewed NFPA 13R, 2016 edition that you indicated as the applicable standard as well as the 2016 edition and the 2018 editions of the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Fire Code (IFC). Our informal interpretation is that sprinklers for entryways are not required. The likely confusion seems to stem from the IBC and the IFC requirement for balconies to be protected in which the state or local code is based. The commentary from this section says balconies, decks, and patios in buildings of Type V construction and used for Group R occupancies are required to have sprinkler protection when there is a roof or deck above. This is in addition to the requirements of NFPA 13R, which primarily addresses the life safety of occupants and not property protection. The intent is to address hazards such as grilling and similar activities. Entryways to dwelling units are not usually exposed to grilling or similar activities. Section 6.6.5 is explicit in NFPA 13R where it states, “Sprinklers shall not be required in any porches, balconies, corridors, carports, porte cocheres, and stairs that are open and attached.” The annex for this section says an example of an open corridor or breezeway is one that is exposed to the outside atmosphere (temperature) and empties to an unenclosed stairway and has no doors attached to it. Another example is an exterior wraparound corridor that is typical in a two- to three-story motel. The 2016 handbook commentary says mandatory sprinkler protection for many of the areas in section 6.6.5 and section 6.6.6 would necessitate the use of dry pipe or antifreeze systems in areas where freezing weather is encountered. Such systems would dramatically impact the cost of the sprinkler systems without correspondingly increasing the life safety offered by the sprinkler system. Very few deadly fires tend to start in these spaces. This concept should extend to all outdoor portions of the building including drive-up areas, breezeways, and porte-cocheres even though they are not mentioned by name in NFPA 13R. Sprinkler protection should not be required for these spaces outside of the building. However, it should be noted that where the spaces described in section 6.6.6 contain fuel-fired equipment, sprinklers are required. Based on the statistics provided in Table A.1.2, the limited number of fatalities caused by fires that start in these areas does not warrant the sprinkler protection being required in these spaces. Owners can require that their design professionals incorporate sprinklers into these areas, if so desired. Note that section 6.6.5.1 was added to the 2013 edition of NFPA 13R and is aligned with the building code requirement by providing new text. It 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. The handbook commentary under this section says that the committee has made a major shift regarding porches, balconies, decks, and ground floor patios serving dwelling units in buildings of Type V construction. Type V construction applies to the entire building, and not just the construction of the balcony. 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. The previous sentence provides a key statement regarding your question. As such, sprinklers are not required in the entryways.
