Requirements for sprinkler systems in new construction

[deltafire]

Even though I have worked in the industry for 12 years and in fire sprinkler design for 6 years I am truly stumped by this one:

We are currently installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in an under construction apartment building that has been declared as an NFPA 13 occupancy because of the size, etc... We have monitered control valves in the building that are open but not currently wired. The general contractor wants to know where it states that in a residential building under construction made with combustible materials (I.E.-Wood) that the control valves must be left open even though they cannot be wired and monitered at this time. The G.C.'s thinking is that if there is a fire in the building during the construction phase that since the control valve is open but not monitered than the system will run all night-possibly causing damage to the building.

Furthermore, the general contractorwants to know exactly where does it state in either NFPA 1, 101 or the Florida Building Code that a new apartment complex made of combustible construction in even required to have a fire sprinkler system ?


I have read much of 1, 101, and the Florida Building Code but haven't had much luck. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Sean Lockyer
Design Manager
Delta Fire Sprinklers
(407)328-3000, ext, 139

 

[SprinklerDesigner2]

Without tampers wired I would assume you can't get a CO which means the building is still under construction.

I've always had the policy the sprnkler system is placed in service until the the alarms are wired and working. What I do is charge the system then shut the control valve leaving pressure on in case a drywaller or someone drives a nail through a pipe.

If something breaks in the middle of the night you don't want to be responsible for the damage.

If the general contractor wants the system on tell him he can do it.

 

[cdafd]

As an inspector I do not normally require the system to be monitored till the final fire alarm inspection. You might call the fire dept or bldg dept to see why the place has to be sprinkled, not an nfpa person.

look at 16.4.3.2 nfpa 1 2003 open to interpretation seems to say you should have protection. and 113.3.2.14 nfpa 1 for the actual requirement to sprinkle an apartment and seems to refer you back to nfpa 101

 

[TravisMack]

I don't know the FBC, but the IBC gives it basically in Chapter 5. There is a table (503 I think) the maximum you can build a building for a given construction. For example, you can do R-2 to 12k sq ft and 3 stories if you have Va construction. You can increase the bldg area by 200% if you put in a system in accordance with NFPA 13. You can increase the height by 1 story if you install a system in accordance with 13R.

So, the way I read that is: You build it 11k sq ft per floor and 3 stories tall, you don't need a sprinkler system. If you want 12,001 sq ft, you are putting in a system per NFPA 13.

There may also be local ordinances that require sprinklers in all structures over xxxx sq ft.

So, look for something like that in the FBC. I assume it is close to the IBC.

 

[stookeyfpe]

The Florida Building Code is the 2003 IBC with amendments. You will need to look in Chapter 9.

Also, how many stories are the buildings and what is the total number of dwellings / building? If you get us that I can find the section number in the model IBC to put you in the ballpark.

And I can't stand GCs who fail to even have an inkling of a understanding of building or fire codes. The building is most likely sprinklered because the IBC requires it and the architect specified it.