Sprinklers in Wood-Frame Construction: What Architects and Engineers Need to Know Presented by: Brian D. Kuhn Jr., P.E. (MA, CA, DC, 6 others), LEED Green Associate Please add relevant logo here Disclaimer: This presentation was developed by a third party and is not funded by WoodWorks or the Softwood Lumber Board.
The Wood Products Council is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems (AIA/CES), Provider #G516. Credit(s) earned on completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-aia members are available upon request. This course is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.
Course Description Sprinklers are the most common form of active fire protection in multi-family and commercial buildings. However, there is a misunderstanding among many building designers that sprinkler code requirements apply differently to wood-frame buildings vs. other types of construction. This presentation will cover code provisions related to the use of sprinklers in wood structures, including when and where they re required, how they work, and a summary of differences between NFPA 13 and NFPA 13R systems. Discussion will include the use of sprinklers in concealed spaces (i.e., floor cavities and attics) and at large roof overhangs, ceiling- vs. side wall-mounted sprinkler heads, and area coverage requirements. The session will end with a look to the future of sprinkler technology, with a focus on the role and effectiveness of sprinklers in wood-frame buildings. Limitations: The content provided in this presentation is generally representative of recent editions of building codes and sprinkler standards. Designersand builders arealways responsible for identifying applicablecodes and standards on a project-byproject basis, including any local amendments and ordinances.
Learning Objectives 1. Discuss code requirements for the use of sprinklers in non-residential and multi-family buildings, highlighting the fact that sprinkler code requirements are independent of structural materials used. 2. Using statistical data, highlight the effectiveness of sprinklers in actual fire events. 3. Review common requirements for the use of sprinklers in applications such as combustible concealed spaces and large roof overhangs. 4. Review the differences between NFPA 13 and NFPA 13R sprinkler systems and look ahead to the future of sprinkler technology as it pertains to successful active fire protection in wood frame structures.
The Statistics Source: NFPA Fire Statistics & Reports 22 March 2017 Sprinkler Protection in Wood-Frame Construction 7
The Statistics Structure fires with sprinklers present: Presence of sprinklers by occupancy: Health care High-rise apartment buildings Manufacturing Passenger terminals Hotels and motels Prisons and jails Dormitories and barracks High-rise office buildings Educational Stores and offices Public assembly Homes 22 March 2017 Sprinkler Protection in Wood-Frame Construction 8
The Statistics Sprinklers operated in of all structure fires large enough to active sprinklers When sprinklers operated, they were effective of the time. When sprinklers fail to operate, reason most often given is: Shutoff of the system before fire began Manual intervention that defeated the system Lack of maintenance Inappropriate system for the type of fire Component damage 22 March 2017 Sprinkler Protection in Wood-Frame Construction 9
When Sprinklers are Required Source: 2012 IBC 22 March 2017 Sprinkler Protection in Wood-Frame Construction 10
When Sprinklers are Required Source: 2012 IBC 22 March 2017 Sprinkler Protection in Wood-Frame Construction 11
When Sprinklers are Required Sprinklers are required based on occupancy type, fire area, and for allowable height and area increases Construction type does not govern whether sprinklers are required 22 March 2017 Sprinkler Protection in Wood-Frame Construction 12
When Sprinklers are Required Source: NFPA 13R Handbook 22 March 2017 Sprinkler Protection in Wood-Frame Construction 13
When Sprinklers are Required 22 March 2017 Sprinkler Protection in Wood-Frame Construction 14
NFPA 13 vs NFPA 13R Life Safety, Property Protection Life Safety ONLY 22 March 2017 Sprinkler Protection in Wood-Frame Construction 16
NFPA 13 vs NFPA 13R Nov/Dec 2016 NFPA Journal article by Robert Solomon: IS THIS A SPRINKLER SUCCESS? Does success for an NFPA 13R sprinkler system mostly mean controlling a fire in a multifamily environment long enough to prevent deaths and injuries? Should success also include preventing significant property damage? Where s the sweet spot, and how we get there? A panel of stakeholders weighs in. 22 March 2017 Sprinkler Protection in Wood-Frame Construction 17
NFPA 13 vs NFPA 13R Exemptions for NFPA 13R: Attics Penthouse equipment rooms Elevator machine rooms Crawl spaces Floor/ceiling spaces Elevator shafts Concealed spaces containing only ventilation equipment Other concealed spaces that are not intended for living purposes or storage and do not contain fuel-fired equipment Source: SGH Project 22 March 2017 Sprinkler Protection in Wood-Frame Construction 18
NFPA 13 vs NFPA 13R Exempted in 13: Bathrooms > 55 sf* Closets and pantries > 24 ft max dimension is 3 ft hotels and motels only Exterior projections: Less than 4 ft wide Of NC or LC construction Less than 2 ft with storage of combustibles below Exterior exit corridors where walls are 50% open and all of NC construction Exempted in 13R: Bathrooms > 55 sf Closets and pantries > 24 sf Open and attached porches, balconies**, corridors, carports, porte cocheres, stairs Source: NFPA 13R, 2016 edition 22 March 2017 Sprinkler Protection in Wood-Frame Construction 19
NFPA 13 vs NFPA 13R Pipe materials CPVC allowed by both standards Beware material compatibility Source: SGH Project 22 March 2017 Sprinkler Protection in Wood-Frame Construction 20
NFPA 13 vs NFPA 13R Source: www.lubrizol.com 22 March 2017 Sprinkler Protection in Wood-Frame Construction 21
NFPA 13 vs NFPA 13R Residential sprinklers allowed in both NFPA 13 and 13R Listed coverage areas can be up to 20 ft x 20 ft (in excess of NFPA 13 prescriptive limits) Source: Tyco literature 22 March 2017 Sprinkler Protection in Wood-Frame Construction 22
NFPA 13 vs NFPA 13R Water discharge NFPA 13R: 0.05 gpm/sf NFPA 13: use table 13R systems smaller pipe sizes, maybe eliminate fire pump Source: NFPA 13, 2013 edition Source: SGH Project 22 March 2017 Sprinkler Protection in Wood-Frame Construction 23
NFPA 13 vs NFPA 13R Water discharge NFPA 13R: 30 mins NFPA 13: use table 13R systems potentially eliminate need for water tank Source: NFPA 13, 2013 edition 22 March 2017 Sprinkler Protection in Wood-Frame Construction 24
Fire Protection for Wood-Framed Buildings Building area / fire walls Limited height Fire-rated separations Tested assemblies Calculated fire-resistance Fireblocking/draftstopping Interior finish Active systems Combustible concealed space sprinklers 22 March 2017 Sprinkler Protection in Wood-Frame Construction 25
Credits 22 March 2017 Sprinkler Protection in Wood-Frame Construction 26
QUESTIONS? This concludes The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems Course Brian D. Kuhn Jr. Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) bdkuhn@sgh.com 22 March 2017 Sprinkler Protection in Wood-Frame Construction 27