Removal of existing upright sprinklers located in non-combustible concealed space above ceiling

[SprinklerDesigner2]

I have a single story shopping mall where the sprinkler contractor installed upright heads throughout the shell space in order to offer a fully sprinkled building.

A tenant moves in and installs suspended ceiling throughout the space and what the sprinkler contractor does is remove the upright sprinkler replacing it with a return bend and pendent sprinkler creating the typical non-sprinkled non-combustible concealed space above ceilings we find in malls all over the country.

Assuming the space is non-combustible and closed off Has anyone run into a similar situation where code or standard required the space to have upright sprinklers?

 

[AZsprink]

Most jurisdictions will not require sprinklers in noncombustible spaces, but I have had several instances, where we were made to keep protection, because AHJ was worried about the low voltage wiring above ceiling, catching fire. I also had a situation where the block walls were insulated with Styrofoam, and it extended above ceiling about 1' and we had to have protection.

 

[SpcFoor]

The only instance where I could see you needing heads above is if they can store things above the ceiling or introduce combutibles some way.

 

[Jondoeiowa]

We have an AHJ here in Iowa that requires the uprights left in place within the mall of his jurisdiction. He has required this for protection of the space during construction and there were issues with seasonal stores taking down ceiling tiles to accommodate their own needs. When we designed the mall we simply put all the heads on a sprig and now if changes are needed, we remove the sprig and put in a 1x½x1 tee allowing the upright to be put back and a return bend to be made.