sprinklernotes
Sprinklers Under Noncombustible Canopies “We are working on a tenant improvement for a restaurant that is planning on adding an outdoor seating/dining area under an existing noncombustible canopy. The seating area is surrounded by a low fence with an opening to allow exiting to the sidewalk and won’t have any storage other than tables and chairs. The canopy extends 7’-10” from the face of the building and has a 10-in. gap between the building and the canopy. The AHJ is requiring us to add sprinklers under the canopy based on the area changing from ‘pedestrian traffic’ to an ‘occupied area,’ referencing the NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, 2016 edition handbook explanatory material for section 8.15.7.2. We don’t think sprinklers are required for this area, based on sections 8.15.7.1 and 8.15.7.2. Are sprinklers required under the canopy in this situation?”
We have reviewed NFPA 13, 2016 edition as the applicable standard. Our informal interpretation is that sprinklers will not be required. The patio cover is constructed of noncombustible construction 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 noncombustible materials. Section 8.15.7.5 will require sprinklers under canopies that have combustible materials being stored under them. Patio-type furniture will not necessitate the installation of sprinklers. This is addressed in the 2016 edition of NFPA's Automatic Sprinkler Systems Handbook under section 8.15.7.5. It states, “… 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.
