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Help with Fire Sprinkler Design Area

NeilMar

Student
Feb 25, 2025
1
Can anyone let me know if either of these design areas are correct.
 

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  • Quick Trip - Ordinary Hazard 1-36x48 (2).pdf
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EDIT: The areas are not correct. Multiple reasons why but basically start with the basic steps as outlined in NFPA 13 and below.

The drawing on the right is a bit more correct, but i would include the 2nd and 3rd southmost branchlines, starting from the most remote head (plan right). You're proving that you can do 3 heads on one side of the main and 1 on the other. You should also prove that you can do 4 heads on one side of the main. That will probably be more demanding.

Review the hydraulic calculation chapter in NFPA 13. There are diagrams and very thorough explanations.

Most of the remote areas are not symmetrical but they need to follow the basic rules below:

  1. Determine your remote area size. I.E. 1,500sqft, 2,000sqft etc.
  2. Apply any increases (dry system, sloped ceilings etc.) and any decreases (QR reduction) as applicable
  3. Identify the hydraulically most remote head (best guess) and draw the remote area PARALLEL with the branchline, encapsulating all coverage areas that the sprinklers on that branchline cover.
  4. The length of the remote area needs to be: SQRT(Remote Area) * 1.2 (this determines the the minimum number of heads on a branchline that need to be calculated).
  5. Once you have satisfied the length requirement on the most hydraulically demanding branchline, jump to the next branchline on the same cross main.
  6. Include sprinklers on the adjacent branchline starting from the sprinkler CLOSEST to the cross main and within the remote area length.
  7. Repeat steps 5 & 6 until you reach the required remote area size.
Try it out and re-upload your drawing.
 
Last edited:
To be correct, you need to include the sprinklers at the end of the branch lines which are more demanding than that sprinklers closer to the main. The example on the right is more correct.
 
As said above, the calc areas are incorrect. I would recommend you reach out for training through sprinkleracademy.com as neither of those calc areas are close.
 

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