Continue to Site

Eng-Tips is the largest engineering community on the Internet

Intelligent Work Forums for Engineering Professionals

  • Congratulations GregLocock on being selected by the Eng-Tips community for having the most helpful posts in the forums last week. Way to Go!

ESFR Sprinklers and the issue of ceiling batt insulation

Status
Not open for further replies.

SprinklerDesigner2

Mechanical
Nov 30, 2006
1,251
Building is bar joist with 3" batt insulation so it looks like NFPA #13 2013 Edition EXHIBIT 8.11 Sprinkler Positioning Under Roof Insulation found on page 285 of the handbook.

So using a standard upright or pendent sprinkler I can position the deflector up to 13 1/2" below the roof deck assuming we have 3" batt insulation. While the Exhibit shows only an upright sprinkler I have to think this would apply to a pendent as well.

But the building I have has an ESFR system using K16.8 pendent sprinklers where the deflector must be no more than 14" below the ceiling.

I would really like to have that extra 1 1/2" does the batt insulation situation apply to ESFR sprinklers as well?

At first I thought it would apply but the more I think about it it probably doesn't. Darn!

Thoughts or extra knowledge, anyone?

Thanks.
 
Replies continue below

Recommended for you

It seems it applies. Par. 8.5.1.3 says that all requirements in 8.5.2 through 8.5.7 shall apply to all sprinkler types. That would include ESFR. The batt insulation requirement falls under 8.5.4.1.3.2. The commentary also states

The general requirements with which all sprinklers must comply are covered in Section 8.5.\

Further, first sentence in 8.12 (ESFR requirements) states

All requirements of Section 8.5 shall apply except as modified in Section 8.12.
but ESFR requirements do not address anything about insulation or roof deflection etc.

My understanding is that you will need to satisfy both requirements.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Part and Inventory Search

Sponsor