Balcony and deck fire sprinklers

[ERIK13]

In a NFPA 13 2013 system with dry heads on balconies and and decks what is the overhang distance that requires a head on the balcony? I have dry sidewall heads with no balcony on the 5th floor only and not on the 6th where the 12" overhang is or on all the floors below .

 

[cdafd]

I think this is from 2013 or 2016 NFPA 13

https://community.nfpa.org/thread/2219

No depth on the overhang specified

 

[cdafd]

This is out of 2015 for 13R systems


903.3.1.2.1 Balconies and decks.
Sprinkler protection shall be provided for exterior balconies, decks and ground floor patios of dwelling units and sleeping units where the building is of Type V construction, provided there is a roof or deck above. Sidewall sprinklers that are used to protect such areas shall be permitted to be located such that their deflectors are within 1 inch (25 mm) to 6 inches (152 mm) below the structural members and a maximum distance of 14 inches (356 mm) below the deck of the exterior balconies and decks that are constructed of open wood joist construction.

 

[cdafd]

Sorry this is a 13r reference

https://community.nfpa.org/thread/2219

 

[cdafd]

Will have to look at the book for a full 13 system ??

Maybe if you are going by straight 13, it is four feet, unless 13 has a balcony provision

 

[cdafd]

nfpa 13 2016

Balconies, such as those on multistory apartment buildings and that are under 4 ft (1.2 m) in width, do not require sprinkler protection. Balconies more than 4 ft (1.2 m) in width are required to be sprinklered, unless the requirements of 8.15.7.1 are met.

 

[ERIK13]

The drawing states nfpa 13 2013 design. It's an eight story wood frame building and I thought 13r was 4 story and under. I'm confused as to why they're on the floor below the overhang and it shows the 1' overhang on the print. The deflector is 1 story below the overhang? Maybe I'm missing something?

 

[cdafd]

the architecht specified it?? Or maybe the ahj has a local requirement for it??

Is this a Building to be built or already built

13r is four stories or less

 

[ERIK13]

It's being built at the moment. We're asking about it but I just wanted to see if I'm missing something. I'm the installer and I wanted to ask because I couldn't find a reason in nfpa 13 2013 for it. Are building codes pushing more towards the international fire code now? For instance the fire hose valves are on the intermediate landing and nfpa 14 2013 says floor landing. So like you said maybe ahj or the architect wanted it. I appreciate the help as always.

 

[cdafd]

Do you want to say what state or even city this is in

So who laid out/ designed the system??

 

[ERIK13]

Langford, B.C. Canada. The design was done by another company and I'm the lone sprinkler fitter for the mechanical company. I'm used to the support of the designer to help with this type of question but it's an outside source.

 

[cdafd]

Ok,

Two items

I cannot speak the Canada Building code and requirements,that is a different animal.

Suggest the best person to ask is the designer. That person should be more than happy to tell you why they are there.

Have a great winter

 

[TravisMack]

Ok. I will attempt to answer a couple of your questions.

1 - Code supercedes standard. So the IBC/IFC states intermediate landing, then put hose valves on intermediate landing. Both NFPA 14 and IBC/IFC also state to follow the direction of the local AHJ with regard to where these go.

2 - If it is a full 13 system, I believe you only have to do combustible decks when the overhang is >48". However, I would need to confirm that. I think the IBC reference is a subsection to 903.3.1.2 which is the 13R reference.

3 - I am an outside design guy and I always answer field questions. Sometimes the answer may be, I don't know, you need to check with your office for company best practice in that instance. However, in my opinion, it is poor for the designer of the system to not help clarify issues.

Travis Mack
MFP Design, LLC

http://www.mfpdesign.com

"Follow" us at

https://www.facebook.com/pages/MFP-Design-LLC/92218417692