Commercial Heads

[jkampana]

I'm working on a hotel system that is NFPA 13R system. Due to the design of walls in between units, we have to place one sidewall in an interior wall to cover each unit. This is pushing us to use an extended coverage head, because of that the design specs of the head are causing the system to have very large pipe sizes.

I was wondering if it were possible for me to use a commercial head in these units rather than a residential head. I need help understanding NFPA 13R 6.7 and 6.8. If I am allowed to use a commercial head in these units, what would be my procedure for calcing a remote area? Do I still calc. up to 4 heads in a compartment? Or does the use of a commercial head push me into different parameters?

 

[stookeyfpe]

If you're hotel is located in a jurisdiction that has adopted the International Fire Code, you are required to install sprinklers that are listed for residential applications or quick-response. So long is selected sprinkler meets either of those requirements, you can use any sprinkler.

 

[skdesigner]

How far does the head have to throw? Viking residential heads have worked well for me in the past when I couldn't find any others to fulfill my specific pressure and flow requirements.

I might add that it doesn't make sense to use commercial heads instead of residential in a 13R dwelling unit (especially now that residential dry heads exist).

NFPA 13R 2007 6.7.7.1.3 Listed quick response (i.e commercial) sprinklers shall be installed in dwelling units meeting the definition of a compartment, as defined in section 4.2, where no more than four sprinklers are located in the dwelling unit. Where quick response sprinklers (including EC) are used, the density area requirement shall be a minimum of 0.1 gpm/sq.ft over the entire dwelling unit.

NFPA 13R 2007 6.8.1.1.1.2 The system shall provide at least the flow required to produce a minmum discharge density of 0.05gpm/sq.ft to the design sprinklers.

Quick response sprinklers will limit you to only four per dwelling unit, and double your density.

Residential sprink will give you 16x20 coverage flowing 22 gpm

http://www.vikinggroupinc.com/databook/sprinklers/residential/013103.pdf

Commercial QREC head will give you 16x20 coverage flowing 32 gpm

http://www.vikinggroupinc.com/databook/sprinklers/standard/sr/excov/030203.pdf

 

[jkampana]

The furthest a head would have to throw is 21'. I will check out the heads you mentioned and see if they are listed for that distance.

 

[chevy4x4trucks]

Viking makes heads that have a 22' throw.

 

[cdafd]

Here is the Viking concealed Sidewall

http://www.vikinggroupinc.com/databook/sprinklers/residential/121609.pdf

 

[SprinklerDesigner2]

jkampana,

From 2002

6.6.7.1 Inside the Dwelling Units.
6.6.7.1.1 Listed residential sprinklers shall be used unless another type is permitted by 6.6.7.1.3 or 6.6.7.1.4.
6.6.7.1.2 Residential sprinklers shall not be used on systems other than wet pipe systems unless specifically listed for use on that particular type of system.
6.6.7.1.3 Listed quick-response sprinklers shall be permitted to be installed in dwelling units meeting the definition of a compartment, as defined in Section 4.1, where no more than four sprinklers are located in the dwelling unit.

Up north we referred to this as the "motel rule".

You could use the VK630 sidewall (throw up to 26') but the density will change to .10 gpm

http://www.vikinggroupinc.com/databook/sprinklers/standard/qr/excov/102905.pdf

Calculated area remains four sprinklers in the compartment.