Spacing of ESFR sprinklers... did I get something wrong all these years?

[SprinklerDesigner2]

If I interpreted the standard the wrong the error is on the side of the good.

I always interpreted the standard if the building height was exceeded 30'-0" the maximum distance between sprinklers was 10'-0" and that was the end of the story. But if that is correct what is the word "and" doing in here?

8.12.3.1 Maximum Distance Between Sprinklers. The maximum distance between sprinklers shall be in accordance with the following:
(1) Where the storage height is less than or equal to 25 ft (7.6 m) and the ceiling height is less than or equal to 30 ft (9.1 m), the distance between sprinklers shall be limited to not more than 12 ft (3.7 m) between sprinklers as shown in Table 8.12.2.2.1.
(2) Unless the requirements of 8.12.3.1(3) or 8.12.3.1(4) are met, where the storage height exceeds 25 ft (7.6 m) and ceiling height exceeds 30 ft (9.1 m), the distance between sprinklers shall be limited to not more than 10 ft (3 m) between sprinklers.

So I can have spacing up to 12'-0" in a building 35' high as long as the height of storage does not exceed 25'-0"?

I've done a huge number of buildings were the maximum height was 32'-0" and the owner wanted the design for storage to 25'-0" but my maximum spacing was always 10'-0" due to the building height alone.

Reading the standard all these years and this is the first time I've noticed the word "and". Amazing.

 

[skdesigner]

Table 8.12.2.2.1 doesn't make mention of storage height, just ceiling/roof heights. It does seem a bit contradictory, or at the very least unclear. I'd say you've been doing it right by virtue of using the more conservative approach.

 

[TravisMack]

I have always gone by building height as the driving factor. Go above 30' and you get 10' max. Stay under 30' and you get 12' max.

Travis Mack
MFP Design, LLC

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[SprinklerDesigner2]

skdesigner,

And I will continue to be conservative because very seldom does it impact price and when it does it is a small price to pay for a customer being able to store to 28' in a 32' building even if all he asked for in the beginning was 25'. That and all of us know if a customer has a storage building with a clear height of 34' sooner or later his storage will exceed 25'.