Page 1 of 6 Committee Input No. 28-NFPA 13R-2013 [ Global Input ] 6.2.2 Outside Dwelling Units. 6.2.2.1 All sprinklers used outside of the dwelling units shall be in accordance with 6.2.2 7.2 and 7.3. 6.2.2.2 Sprinklers outside the dwelling units shall be quick response, except as allowed by 6.2.2.3 7.3.3.1and 6.2.2.4 7.2.4. 6.2.2.3 Residential sprinklers shall be permitted to be used in garages that are accessible only from and directly connected to a single dwelling unit. (Deleted because it is already covered under 7.3.3 & 7.3.3.1) (Move to New 7.2.4) 6.2.2.4 Residential sprinklers shall be permitted to be used in ordinary hazard areas that meet the following conditions: (1) The area is compartmented into 500 ft2 (46 m2) or less by 30-minute fire-rated construction. (2) The sprinklers are spaced at 130 ft2 (12 m2) per sprinkler. (3) Openings have a lintel at least 8 in. (203 mm) in depth. (4) The total area of openings, excluding any overhead garage doors that open to the exterior, does not exceed 50 ft2 (4.6 m2) for each compartment. (5) Discharge densities are in accordance with NFPA 13 for ordinary hazard. 7.2* Design Criteria Outside Dwelling Unit. 7.2.1 Areas outside the dwelling unit shall comply with Section 7.2. 7.2.2 The design discharge and design area criteria for areas protected by quickresponse sprinklers shall comply with NFPA 13 except as allowed by 7.2.2.1 and 7.2.4 7.2.5. 7.2.2.1 For compartments 500 ft2 (46m2) or less that meet all of the following conditions and are protected with quickresponse sprinklers, the design area shall be permitted to be limited to the number of sprinklers in the compartment but shall not exceed four sprinklers: (1) The area is protected with 30 minute rated construction. (2) The sprinklers are spaced at 225 ft2 (20.9 m2) maximum for light hazard, 130 ft2 (12 m2) maximum for ordinary hazard, or in accordance with their listing. (3) Openings have a lintel depth at least 8 in. (203 mm) in depth. (4) The total area of openings, excluding any overhead doors that open to the exterior, does not exceed 50 ft2 (4.6 m2) for each compartment. (5) Discharge densities are in accordance with NFPA 13. 7.2.3 Where residential sprinklers are used outside the dwelling unit as allowed by 6.2.2, the discharge criteria shall be in accordance with Section 7.1, except as modified by 6.2.2.4(5) 7.2.4 6.2.2.4 (MOVED FROM 6.2.2.4) 7.2.4.Residential sprinklers shall be permitted to be used in ordinary hazard areas that meet the following conditions: (1) The area is compartmented into 500 ft2 (46 m2) or less by 30-minute fire-rated construction. (2) The sprinklers are spaced at 130 ft2 (12 m2) per sprinkler. (3) Openings have a lintel at least 8 in. (203 mm) in depth.
Page 2 of 6 (4) The total area of openings, excluding any overhead garage doors that open to the exterior, does not exceed 50 ft2 (4.6 m2) for each compartment. (5) Discharge densities are in accordance with NFPA 13 for ordinary hazard. 7.2.4 7.2.5 The number of design sprinklers for a corridor or breezeway outside the dwelling unit shall include up to the four most hydraulically demanding adjacent sprinklers. 7.3 Design Criteria Garages. 7.3.1 Garages that are completely separated from the residential portion of the building by fire-resistive construction sufficient to have them considered separate buildings under the local code shall be protected in accordance with NFPA 13. 7.3.2 Garages that are accessible by people from more than one dwelling unit, and are not covered by 7.3.1, shall be considered part of the building and shall be protected in accordance with Section 7.2. 7.3.2.1 Garage doors shall not be considered obstructions and shall be permitted to be ignored for placement and calculation of sprinklers. 7.3.3* Garages that are accessible only from a single dwelling unit shall be considered as part of that dwelling unit. 7.3.3.1 Garages that meet the criteria of 7.3.3 shall be protected in accordance with one of the following: (1) Use of a residential sprinkler in accordance with Section 7.1 (2) Use of an extended coverage sprinkler discharging water not less than its listed flow rate for light hazard (3) Quick-response spray sprinkler at light hazard spacing in accordance with NFPA 13 designed to discharge at 0.05 gpm/ ft2 (2.04 mm/min) density 7.3.3.2 The system demand shall be permitted to be limited to the number of sprinklers in the compartment but shall not exceed four sprinklers. 7.3.3.3 Garage doors shall not be considered obstructions and shall be permitted to be ignored for placement and calculation of sprinklers. Submitter Information Verification Submitter Full Name: [ Not Specified ] Organization: [ Not Specified ] Street Address: City: State: Zip: Submittal Date: Thu Aug 29 08:57:40 EDT 2013 Committee Statement Committee Statement: Response Message: Sections 6.2 and 7.2 provide the installation and discharge criteria for NFPA 13R systems. This topics are often intertwines and the referencing may need to be updated or revised to provide a more clear picture of where sprinklers can be used outside of dwelling units and how the discharge criteria should be handled.
Page 3 of 6 Committee Input No. 33-NFPA 13R-2013 [ Global Input ] Revisions to paragraph A.1.1 and A.7.2 are proposed as follows: 1. Replace the first 4 paragraphs of the 2013 edition of NFPA 13R Annex Note A.1.1 with new text as indicated below. A.1.1 NFPA 13R is appropriate for use as an option to NFPA 13 only in those residential occupancies, as defined in this standard, up to and including four aboveground stories in height, and limited to buildings that are 60 ft (18 m) or less in height above grade plane, which is consistent with limits established by model building codes for buildings of Type V construction. The height of a building above grade plane is determined by model building codes, which base the height on the average height of the highest roof surface above grade plane. For further information on the building height story limits, see model building codes. A building's height is determined in accordance with the applicable building code, which will have its own methods for determining building and story heights. Under the IBC and NFPA 101/5000 Codes, an NFPA 13R sprinkler system is permitted in a residential occupancy where the building is limited to four stories above grade plane (See 2012 NFPA 101 Section 30.3.5.2, 2012 NFPA 5000 Section 25.3.5.3 and 2012 IBC Section 903.3.1.2). Also, IBC and NFPA 5000 limit the height of this residential occupancy to no more than 60 ft (18m) in height above grade plane (See 2012 NFPA 5000 Section 7.5.2 and 2012 IBC Section 504.2). Such buildings sprinklered in accordance with NFPA 13R are permitted to have basement(s) below the grade plane. The model building codes do not consider stories below the grade plane in the determination of a buildings height. It is the intent of this standard that if NFPA13R is appropriate for use, it be applied as described in the following paragraphs. There are model building code provisions, where portions of a structure are above and below a three hour fire rated horizontal assembly, that consider the buildings above and below the three hour fire rated horizontal assembly as separate and distinct buildings (See 2012 NFPA 5000, Section 7.4.3.6.5 and 2012 IBC Section 510.2). In such types of structures (commonly called pedestal/podium design), where the residential occupancy above the three hour fire rated horizontal assembly is considered as a separated building(s) by the applicable building code, NFPA 13R is permitted when the residential building(s) are a maximum of 4 stories above the fire-rated horizontal separation, and such buildings are limited to 60 ft (18 m) or less in height above the grade plane. See Figure A.1.1 for an example of a pedestal/podium type structure. Figure A.1.1 Example of a pedestal/podium type structure (Exhibit 7.4 from Supplement 4 of 2013 Residential Sprinkler System Handbook)
Page 4 of 6 It is recognized that accessory or incidental occupancies, as defined by the applicable building code, related to the operations of the residential occupancy will exist within that residential occupancy. Such accessory or incidental occupancies would be considered ancillary to the predominant or main occupancy (residential) of the building and subject to the provisions of the predominant or main occupancy. For instance see Section 6.1.14.1.3 of the 2012 NFPA 101 and similar provisions in many local building/model building codes (See 2012 NFPA 5000 Sections 6.2.1.3, 6.2.1.4 & 6.2.1.5, and 2012 IBC Sections 508.2 & Section 509). Use of NFPA13R throughout the entire building including related accessory or incidental occupancies such as parking garages/areas, community laundry rooms, clubhouses, exercise facilities, tenant storage spaces, maintenance rooms, storage rooms, leasing offices, lobbies, community gathering spaces, small conference rooms, small gift shops, and so forth would be permitted. Note that for these incidental or accessory occupancies, it is the intent of NFPA 13R to reference the sprinkler discharge (flow and pressure), number of design sprinklers, and position of sprinkler (distance from walls, ceilings, and other sprinklers) requirements of NFPA 13. It is not the intent to apply other rules from NFPA 13, such as sprinkler coverage of combustible concealed spaces, hose stream demand, and water supply duration. See section 7.2 and associated annex. For a building containing multiple occupancies utilizing the separated occupancy provisions in accordance with the applicable building code, residential occupancies are within the scope of NFPA 13R provided the building is not more than 4 stories in height, does not exceeding 60' in height above grade plane, and the residential occupancy is separated from the other occupancies in accordance with the separated occupancy requirements of the applicable building code (For example see 2012 NFPA 5000 Sections 6.2.2.3 & 6.2.4, and 2012 IBC Section 508.4). In such cases, NFPA 13R can be used in the residential occupancies and NFPA 13 is to be used in the other non-residential occupancies in the building. A building containing multiple occupancies utilizing the non-separated occupancy provisions of the applicable building code is not within the scope of NFPA 13R. For such a building, the applicable building code typically requires the use of an NFPA 13 system throughout the building. Residential buildings containing accessory or incidental occupancies as described above are not considered multiple occupancy buildings. Residential occupancies in a building greater than four stories in height, or in a building exceeding 60 ft (18m) in height above the grade plane, are not within the scope of NFPA 13R. A decision to use NFPA 13R in a building containing multiple (mixed) occupancies, as defined in the model building codes and NFPA 101, can inherently impose restrictions on the building, which should be made known at the time of design and construction. Architects, engineers, and code officials are cautioned that the locally adopted statutes, ordinances and codes that require sprinklers for certain occupancies or buildings may also provide certain compensatory building features (commonly called trade-offs ) for the installation of the fire sprinkler system. If such sprinkler trade-offs are given in these adopted statutes, ordinances and codes for only buildings sprinklered throughout in accordance with NFPA 13, then to permit such occupancies or buildings to apply such trade-offs, the occupancies or buildings would be required to be sprinklered in accordance with NFPA 13, not NFPA 13R. (For example see 2012 NFPA 5000 Sections 7.6.2.2, 7.4.3.6.5(4b), and Footnote to Tables 6.2.4.1(a) & (b); and 2012 IBC Sections 504.2, 510.2(6), and Footnotes S and NS to Table 508.4).
Page 5 of 6 Decisions to use passive (fire resistive) construction to provide separation between the residential occupancy having an NFPA 13R sprinkler system and adjacent occupancies will likely not be permitted to have reductions in the required hourly rating which would be permitted to be applied for buildings having an NFPA 13 sprinkler system installed throughout all portions of the building, including residential. In addition, area and height increases above the base (tabular) values defined by the model building codes for the various occupancies would not be applicable for buildings having an NFPA 13R sprinkler system in the residential occupancy portion (s) of the building. These height and area increases are typically limited to buildings having NFPA 13 sprinkler systems installed throughout in accordance with the model building code. In summary, the determination of the applicable sprinkler standard(s) required for the occupancies in a building will be ultimately determined through the locally adopted statutes, ordinances and codes. 2. Revise Annex Note A.7.2 as follows: A.7.2 It is only the intent of NFPA 13R to reference the sprinkler discharge (flow and pressure), number of design sprinklers, and position of sprinklers (distance from walls, ceilings, and other sprinklers) requirements of NFPA 13. Other rules from NFPA 13 such as sprinklering of combustible concealed spaces, hose stream demand, and water supply duration are not intended to be referenced by Section 7.2. It is also the intent of Section 7.2 to apply to those systems or portions of systems that are outside the dwelling unit but have been determined to be considered residential, accessory, or incidental to residential, and within the scope of this standard. (Also see A.1.1.) Submitter Information Verification Submitter Full Name: Matthew Klaus Organization: National Fire Protection Assoc Street Address: City: State: Zip: Submittal Date: Tue Oct 01 08:18:18 EDT 2013 Committee Statement Committee Statement: Response Message: All section/paragraph references to NFPA 101, NFPA 5000 & the IBC in the proposed annex text above are to the 2012 editions of the documents. For the 2015 edition of NFPA 13R Code Cycle, the 2015 editions of NFPA 101, NFPA 5000 and the IBC will be available. Therefore, before publication of the 2016 NFPA 13R, all 2012 code references should be updated to the 2016 editions of these codes. Specific code sections used in the development of this CI are included below. #1) - (See 2012 NFPA 101 Section 30.3.5.2, 2012 NFPA 5000 Section 25.3.5.3 and 2012 IBC Section 903.3.1.2)2012 NFPA 101 Section 30.3.5.2) #2) (See 2012 NFPA 5000 Section 7.5.2 and 2012 IBC Section 504.2) #3) (See 2012 NFPA 5000, Section 7.4.3.6.5 and 2012 IBC Section 510.2) #4) (See 2012 NFPA 5000 Sections 6.2.1.3, 6.2.1.4 & 6.2.1.5, and 2012 IBC Sections 508.2 & Section 509) #5) ( see 2012 NFPA 5000 Sections 6.2.2.3 & 6.2.4, and 2012 IBC Section 508.4)
Page 6 of 6 Committee Input No. 39-NFPA 13R-2013 [ New Section after A.1.2 ] Update Table A.1.2 with more currently available fire loss data. Submitter Information Verification Submitter Full Name: Matthew Klaus Organization: National Fire Protection Assoc Street Address: City: State: Zip: Submittal Date: Tue Oct 01 09:56:32 EDT 2013 Committee Statement Committee Statement: Response Message: This table needs to be updated. NFPA will work with the statistics and data department to update the table. Public Input No. 37-NFPA 13R-2012 [New Section after A.1.2]