Sprinkler required? (NFPA + Sprinklers in "electrical" closets)

[Atari707]

Hello Eng-Tips,

I have a commercial (retail) space that has fire sprinklers installed.

I have an area with a standard 100amp circuit breaker panel, a small security alarm panel (DSC PC1832), and a light switch that I have enclosed to keep customers from disturbing this equipment (Children had a habit of flipping the light switch on/off) :]. So this is now enclosed in approx 4'W x 2'D x 7' H closet. The closet has a door, and the ceiling of this closet does not connect with the ceiling of the outside space.

Assuming combustibles are forbidden to be stored in this room, would NFPA code require me to add s sprinkler inside this area?

If yes, would removing the drywall making up the ceiling of the room change anything in that regard? This would effectively make it a framed & dry-walled partition and the nearest sprinkler would then be able to reach inside the partitioned area.

Thanks,

 

[Atari707]

This is in California by the way, if that matters.

 

[TravisMack]

Sprinkler should be required. Opening the ceiling may lead to more sprinklers being required if there aren't sprinklers in the space above the ceiling.

Travis Mack
MFP Design, LLC

http://www.mfpdesign.com

 

[Atari707]

For what it's worth... I found this:

http://www.nfpa.org/publicColumn.asp?categoryID=&itemID=40181&src=NFPAJournal

"So if rooms containing typical circuit breaker panels and small dry transformers do not require any special fire-resistive enclosures, what about sprinklers in these rooms?

Section 8.15.10.1 of NFPA 13, Installation of Sprinkler Systems, requires sprinklers in all spaces in a building protected with sprinklers, including electrical rooms. [highlight #FCE94F]According to Section 8.15.10.3, however, sprinklers may be eliminated in electrical rooms if the room is dedicated solely to electrical equipment; only dry-type electrical equipment is used; the equipment is installed in a two-hour fire-rated enclosure including protection for penetrations; and no combustible storage is permitted in the room[/highlight]"

 

[cdafd]

Sorry exception would not apply in my jurisdiction

Besides more then likely if you ever have a fire with your luck it will start there

You can contact a fire sprinkler company and have them look at it for any options possible

 

[stookeyfpe]

There are other issues that could be requiring automatic sprinkler protection, including height and area increases. Since you are in CA you should understand that the state has adopted the 2009 International Fire Code with amendments as the State Fire Code. Within the Fire Code is Section 102.7 that states when a difference in the requirements arises between an NFPA standard and the IFC, the IFC requirements take precedence. IFC Section 903.3.1.1.1 specifically states Sprinklers shall not be omitted from any room merely because it is damp, if fire-resistance rated construction or contains electrical equipment.

Sprinkler protection is required. The IFC provision takes precedence over the cited NFPA section.