NFPA #13 2007 Changes

[SprinklerDesigner2]

Some interesting tidbits.

I know this (trophy cases) came up a while back and here is what the doctor ordered regarding that.

Section 8.1.1(7)"Furniture, such as portable wardrobe units, cabinets, trophy cases and similar features not intended for occupancy, do not require sprinklers to be installed in them. This type of feature shall be permitted to be attached to the finished struture. This change is tied to a change in section 8.5.3.2.3 that requires the distance from the wall to the sprinkler to be measured to the wall behind furniture, such as: wardrobes, cabinets, and trophy cases."

And then there is this one.

Section 8.15.7 "Porte-cocheres were added to teh title of 8.15.7 and through the subsections. An annex note was added to clarify parking areas. A.8.15.7.2 states that vehicles that are temporarily parked are not considered storage. Areas located at drive-in bank windows or porte-cocheres at motels and hotels normally do not require sprinklers where there is no occopancy above, is entirely constructed of noncombustibnle, or limited combustible materials or fire retardant treated lumber, and is not the only means of egress. However, areas under exterior ceilings where the building is prinklered should be protected to to the occupancy above."

Ah, and finally this one which I dearly love. It is about time.

8.17.4.2.4 "The alarm test connection shal be permitted to be installed in any location on the fire sprinkler system downstream the water flow alarm. Supporting annex material was added as well to clarify that the alarm test connection is not required in the most remote location."

So do what I do, come right off the riser a couple feet or so above the flow switch.

I hope this helps some of you.

 

[SprinklerDesigner2]

Oh, and this one!

8.3.4.3 "Sprinklers with nominal K-Factors of 4.2 shall be permitted to be installed on dry pipe systems where the piping is corrosion resistant or internally galvanized."

Smaller pipe!

A good change IMO it's been allowed in attics for a while and with any small orifice sprinkler it will be limited to light hazard occupancies.

 

[SprinklerDesigner2]

One more. (This is so exciting!)

The best change so far.

12.2 "The requirement for hose stations in all storage occupancies was modified to only require the hose staiton where the AHJ requires the hose station. The change is intended to help building owners that are under pressure to train building occupants to be fire fighters just due to the presence of the stations."

Long overdue!

When the building is on fire people should leave immediately and not be concerned with becoming fire fighters. If a fire extinguisher can't take care of the problem then the problem is to big and people should just get the heck out.

An excellent change!

Ok, the new NFPA #13 just became available but some states, such as where I am in Georgia, adopted the 2002 edition. Can I utilize the 2007 in my disign?

Of course I can.

Found in every NFPA stardard is the equivalency clause and here is the clause from NFPA #13.

"1.5 Equivalency.
Nothing in this standard is intended to prevent the use of systems, methods, or devices of equivalent or superior quality, strength, fire resistance, effectiveness, durability, and safety over those prescribed by this standard. Technical documentation shall be submitted to the authority having jurisdiction to demonstrate equivalency. The system, method, or device shall be approved for the intended purpose by the authority having jurisdiction."

By definition a newer version of NFPA #13 is "equivalent or superior" to the previous so according to NFPA standards we can use it. In fact we should use it.

 

[stookeyfpe]

You can use it with the approval of the AHJ.

And I don't agree that a newer version of any standard or code is equivalent or superior. I personally do not agree with some of the requirements for commodities in section 5.6.2 of the 2002 edition of NFPA 13. I know why the committee did but I don't agree with the concept. As a AHJ, I won't accept it.

 

[SprinklerDesigner2]

Depends on what state you are in I suppose.

Some, like Ohio, has a board of Standards and Appeals and they could, and many times would, overide the local AHJ as long as you had your ducks in a row.

We all have our horror stories I suppose.

 

[LCREP]

The insurance companies can care less what the local/state codes follow, NFPA 13 2007 is the standard to follow the sec u get in your hands! In NJ we still follow the 1999 edition of 13! Great upgrade we did follow the 1994 editrion as of 2 years ago.

The National Fire Sprinkler Assoc just put out all the NFPA 13, 2007 changes, nice overview.

 

[stookeyfpe]

You folks treat NFPA 13 as some form of sanctimonious bible. It is not intended nor was it ever intended to server this function. It is a design standard – nothing more, nothing less. You appear to think that this book is god’s savior. That is not nor will it be its intent. It only applies to the design of an automatic sprinkler system.

Sprinklerdesigner2 opened the door. As a FPE, I am only stating the facts. You cannot use the standard unless it is approved by the AHJ. More importantly, I think NFPA 13 (and a bunch of other NFPA standards) need to be revised to reflect what occurs in the real world. This requires tests, and fire tests are expensive.

I think that some of the provisions in Chapter 5 of NFPA 13 are wrong. I have fire test data from FM Global to substantiate these assumptions. Please do not treat any NFPA or ICC as biblical because they are not. They are written by people and we all make mistakes.

Let us all calm down because we should all be happy.

 

[SprinklerDesigner2]

Everyone lighten up.

I think everyone recognizes NFPA #13 is a minimum standard.

I never referred to NFPA #13 as a Bible but I believe I'm correct on the interpretation of equivalency clause.

 

[LCREP]

In the business world most times you can NOT get anyone to do anything UNLESS they see it in a code book, i.e. NFPA, ICB, OSHA, etc. Everyone has budgets and is looking to save a $$, they do not do nice to do things anymore ONLY things they HAVE to do. Whether you agree with the codes or not it is the only thing we have to get things done. EVERY recommendation I submit as an Insurance safety professional HAS to have a code reference. Sometimes I have to also copy the applicable code and attach it to the recommendation for upper management even to consider it. NOPE fact of life, codes are here to stay, deal with it......LOL

 

[SprinklerDesigner2]

In some states it is the Bible.

Kentucky is a good one that comes to mind.

Kentucky is a "mini/maxi" state where building and fire officials don't have the authority to require anything more then NFPA #13 nor can they accept less.

It is a nice state to do business in because you know what you have to do. NFPA #13 is your Bible.

I remember doing a two story nursing home where the attic was constructed on fire treated lumber with fire treated sheeting and non-combustible shingles. The local fire chief, acting under the local building department, refused to approve the drawings demanding sprinklers in the attic making the comment "if you get it hot enough it will burn".

Having a mess on my hands I contacted the Department of Housing who sent a representative to a meeting with the Chief, the general contractor and myself. The state building official reviewed the architectural plans telling the Chief he didn't have the authority to require sprinklers in the attic whereupon the Chief got huffy saying he wouldn't sign the CO unless sprinklers were installed in the attic.

The official for the Department of Housing informed the Chief if he didn't approve the drawings the Department of Housing would rescind his franchise, approve the drawings and conduct the inspections themselves.

Kentucky is one of my favorite states to do business in while Indiana is one of the worst. In Indiana the fire department is a god and I remember one project where a diesel engine driven fire pump has a fuel tank limited to eight gallons of "stored" fuel inside the building. When the pump is operating the 8 gallon fuel tank is replenished from a buried tank outside. I tried every way to do this job the right way but abstinence prevailed and somewhere in Indiana there is a 1000 gpm diesel engine pump with an 8 gallon tank.

While NFPA #13 is not a bible code and fire officials are not gods either.

 

[JoeWill123]

Does an abbrasive blasting room have to have suppression protection?