Condo Renovation - Sprinkler Coverage - NFPA 13

[daaguirre]

Hi,

I'm thinking of adding a full height partition wall to separate the bedroom from the living room in my studio unit. The unit is in a high rise building and I was wondering if the change will require modifications to the fire sprinkler system. Attached is a sketch showing the current location of the sprinkler heads in the unit (in green) and the location of the proposed partition wall (in red).

My concern is that an alcove is created at the entrance to the bedroom (highlighted in yellow), which would be outside the spray pattern from the sprinkler head in the bedroom. I will appreciate if someone can tell me if this is allowed by NFPA 13, or if the sprinkler system will have to be modified to provide coverage in that area.

Thanks in advance.

 

[cdafd]

Are you not showing an additional sprinkler, near the kitchen area?

 

[stookeyfpe]

It depends on the original design of the automatic sprinkler system and the selected sprinkler. Based on the location of the sprinkler above the door header, I'm going to completely speculate and assume the sprinklers were calculated for 16' x 16' or 18' x 18" spacing and also assume the sprinklers are listed for residential extended coverage applications. The erection of the wall may not be a problem. You should check with the building owner to review the automatic sprinkler record drawings and calculations. I'm assuming the ceiling is smooth without pockets, soffits or clouds, and is not sloped.

 

[UFT12]

NFPA 13 allow for shadow areas, however without quantify the size of them. My personal view would be that such a shadow area shouldn’t warrant modifications based on the fact that the yellow marked area seems as a passageway that remains empty and therefore does not introduce considerable hazard.

 

[TravisMack]

Too many variables:

NFPA 13 or 13R design? How far will the sprinklers be from the new wall? If you have to add, will it have significant hydraulic impact to the system?

Remember, these are not like lawn sprinklers. These devices are there to protect life (in the case of NFPA 13R) or life and property in the case of NFPA 13.

Travis Mack, SET, CWBSP, RME-G, CFPS
MFP Design, a Ferguson Enterprise

http://www.mfpdesign.com

 

[EJP-21]

I think shadow areas will not work here because its not protected by a sprinkler coverage anymore.

You need to provide sprinkler protection on the alcove because its not anymore protected due to the new wall.

there should also be sprinkler protection on the kitchen and closet for w/d.

 

[daaguirre]

I was able to access the unit yesterday and do some measurements and take photos. There is an additional fire sprinkler in the kitchen. Yes, the ceiling is flat and smooth with no pockets, soffits or clouds. It is a high rise building, so I assume it was designed per NFPA 13. The washer/dryer closet is existing and should already have a sprinkler.

 

[cdafd]

That looks a little better for a high rise set up