heads in closets

[coarts]

Not that I would ever disagree with a fire marshal, but if NFPA 13 states that sprinklers are required in closets in dwelling units except hotels and motels, why would we be allowed to leave them out of closets in apartments and condos because NFPA 101 says you can. What takes precedence and why does it seem to be a conflict?

 

[stookeyfpe]

I disagree with code officials all the time - and I used to be one!

Hotel rooms, motel rooms, apartments and condos are all dwelling units based on their occupancy classification. The only difference is if the sprinkler system is designed in accordance with NFPA 13 or 13R. I've never interpreted that the building's residential use (accessible to the public like a hotel versus a private dwelling such as an apartment)drove the requirements in Section 8.14.8.1. The requirement, which originated in NFPA 13R and was brought into NFPA 13, is based on the low fire loss history in small rooms and closets and that these rooms have sufficent fire-resistance to contain a fire long of enough so egress can be achieved once the smoke alarm activates.

 

[TravisMack]

I always figured it was the transient nature of occupants in hotels vs condos. Look at your closet at home. It is probably a lot of storage. Then, look at your closet in a hotel. Notice a difference? That is how it was explained to me why we needed heads in closets in apts/condos vs hotel/motel designed per NFPA 13.

Good luck!

Travis Mack
MFP Design, LLC

 

[coarts]

What I am confused about is why does NFPA 101 allow the omission of heads in closets in apartments while NFPA 13 requires them for dwelling units? How do you reconcile the difference?

 

[DonPhillips]

Most codes require 13 but few require 101.

Don Phillips

http://worthingtonengineering.com

 

[cdafd]

You start with the base code the ahj adopted 101, international, ubc what ever

If the base code says no sprinklers than it does not matter what 13 says.