NFPA 13R, standpipes and floor control valves

[SprinklerDesigner2]

I have a four story apartment building that is required to be sprinkled per NFPA #13R and be equipped with a standpipe supplied with a booster pump.

I don't want to put in floor control valves and since the building is not a "high rise" I don't think floor control valves are required even though it has a standpipe. What I want to do is come off with a single sprinkler riser in the pump room and "birdcage" the building.

I have looked and can not find where floor control valves are required. Am I missing something?

IBC in Georgia.

Thanks.

 

[SprinklerDesigner2]

From NFPA 5000™ Building Construction and Safety Code™ 2003 Edition

3.3.58.9* High-Rise Building. A building greater than 75 ft (23 m) in height where the building height is measured from the lowest level of fire department vehicle access to the floor of the highest occupiable story.

The fourth floor is around 42' above the lowest level of fire department access. Not a "high rise" by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[TravisMack]

Since you are not using a combo standpipe / system riser, then I don't think you need the individual valves.

Is the pump for your standpipes or your sprinkler system? Since it is not a hi-rise, you should be able to do a manual standpipe system. This should greatly reduce the size of your pump.

 

[cdafd]

May not be required, but it sure would help a lot of people
1. not having to shut down the entire building because someone busted a head,

2. not waiting for all the water to drain from the fourht floor through the 3 rd, 2nd and 1st while waiting for residual pressure to drain to replace the busted head.

3. not haveing to shut down the entire system to work on one head.

4. etc.

have you checked with the locak ahj to see if it is required for some reason such as local admendment/ policy.

 

[SprinklerDesigner2]

TravisMack,

Somehow I knew you would be the first to be on this. Expecting Stookey to weigh in as well as soon as his alarm clock goes off.

I have around 70 static, 55 residual at 1000 gpm which would be enough for a system designed per NFPA 13r so it's the standpipe that's requires the pressure.

Local people are going to expect to see 500 gpm @ 100 psi because that is what they have always seen. But then the local people have always seen 2 1/2" standipes 5' above floor level at the stairwell exits instead of intermediate landings where they are required to be.

Placing standpipes on the intermediate landings presents a problem with placement of floor control valves if I use them. I can do it but it 1)won't look right and 2)will be just 5' above intermediate floor level with everything that is required to be on a floor control valve. I have visions of an upset lady after she catches her cashmire sweater on the handle of my test and drain assembly.

Without a single exception every standpipe I have seen around here has the standpipe on the main levels located adjacent to the stairwell doors instead of penetrating through the intermediate landings as they are supposed to be. I have the attitude just because everybody else has always done it wrong doesn't mean I have to follow their example. I am fully expecting my plans to be rejected the first time through.

There are two required stairwells hence two standpipes. I figured a 750 gpm @ 90 psi pump for the project. My sprinkler pipe is all very small.

What I want to do is have a single sprinkler riser with a single control valve downstream the fire pump. I would like to manifold the standpipe riser in the pump room as well so I can avoid having a shut off valve at the base of each standpipe hidden above the ceiling somewhere. I don't see a problem with having each individual standpipe on having its own control valve at a common manifold.

 

[SprinklerDesigner2]

cdafd,

Normally I would have floor control valves just to facilitate our work (certainly nothing is wrong with this) but the footprint of this building is pretty small. Less then 10,000 sq. ft. per floor with each floor having only 77 sprinklers.

 

[cdafd]

What code is requireing the standpipes???? local admendments?????

 

[stookeyfpe]

Floor control valves are not required because this building is not classified as a high rise. To be classified as a high rise, the building must be more than 75 feet above the lowest level of fire department access.

Also, IFC 903.4.3 specifically limits the requirements for floor control valves to high rise buildings.

With regards to standpipe valves, my firefighters always want them at the intermediate level. Now in LA, that want them in the landing, so it's a local condition. Me, when I used to hump hose and pull ceiling, we always liked the hose valves at the intermediate landing to give ourselves extra room when deploying a 200 foot hose pack.

And SD2, I get more done by 7:00 AM than what you do in a day since your so worried about when I awaken.

 

[SprinklerDesigner2]

Thanks Stookey, it is exactly what I was looking for.

I was just talking about the time zones and seeing as how I am 2 hours ahead...

 

[TravisMack]

With the standpipe, even if they want the 500 gpm @ 100 psi, you can give that. Only a manual wet standpipe is needed. Calculate to the FDC. The fire truck is your pump. You can save the fire pump on this project, unless there is some local requirement that all standpipes be automatic.

There is no need to force the owner to maintain a fire pump if it is not needed. Also, I see a lot of jurisdictions across the country where they want the valves at the floor level, not the intermediate.

Travis

 

[cdafd]

so what makes the standpipe required???

 

[TravisMack]

The top floor is more than 30' above access. That is typically the trigger.

 

[stookeyfpe]

CDA

See IFC 905.3.1.

 

[cdafd]

Thank you Master Stookey, one day I might snatch the pebble from the hand, until than will continue to listen to the master..


I thought there was an exception for a sprinkled building, but see you can just bump to class I only. we do not have buildings over one floor, maybe one day.