Sticking to the Standard – NFPA 13D The Benefits of Staying Within the Scope Oregon Fire Sprinkler...

Sticking to the Standard – NFPA 13DThe Benefits of Staying Within the Scope

Oregon Fire Sprinkler Coalition

13D…Born of Necessity

America Burning – 1973: Nation Commission on Fire

Prevention and Control

In a letter to the President: “…emphasize built-in fire safety-

measures which can detect and extinguish fire…”

“…believe a continuing federal focus on the fire problem is a necessity”

Source: USFA


America Burning – 1973: Nation Commission on Fire

Prevention and Control report:

“Appallingly, the richest and most technologically advanced nation in the world leads all the major industrialized countries in per capita deaths and property loss from fire.”

Source: USFA


America Burning – 1973

Brought about: NFIRS - National Fire Incident

Reporting System USFA – US Fire Administration NFA – National Fire Academy


America Burning – 1973

Identified a need to: Reduce fire deaths in America Make sprinklers more

affordable Sprinklers at the time were

too costly for residential applications

Research to make sprinklers more aesthetically appealing

NFPA Answers the Call

1973 – NFPA

Based on the commission’s report (America Burning)

Created a committee to:

Develop a standard that would produce a reliable but inexpensive sprinkler system for residential occupancies

NFPA Answers the Call

1973 – NFPA Subcommittee developed five

philosophies for the standard:1. Cost is a major factor2. Life safety is the primary goal3. Design based on survivability

10 minute water supply Audible alarm

4. Material compatible with residential construction techniques

5. Protection areas based on historical data

1978-1980 – Research and Tests

USFA Began performing tests on:

Practicality of a type of residential sprinkler system

Evaluation of sprinkler discharge rates and thermal sensitivity

Full-scale fire testing

Source: NFPA

A New Class of Sprinklers

Residential Sprinklers Developed from a new, researched

understanding of tenability thresholds for: Carbon Monoxide Temperature Oxygen depletion

Test Fire-Without Sprinklers

A concentration of as little as 0.04% (400 parts per million) carbon monoxide in the air can be fatal.

Sources: National Fire Sprinkler Association

0 60 120 180 240 300 360 420

4000

3000

2000

1000

0

Carbon Monoxide

Time (sec.)

PPM

4000

3000

2000

1000

00 60 120 180

Carbon Monoxide

Time (sec.)

PPM

Test Fire-With Sprinklers


1400

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

0

0 60 120 180 240 300 360 420

3” Below Ceiling60” Above Floor36” Above Floor

Temp.

Time (sec.)

Test Fire-Without Sprinklers


140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

0 60 120 180 240

3” Below Ceiling60” Above Floor36” Above Floor

Temp.

Time (sec.) Sources: National Fire Sprinkler Association

Test Fire-With Sprinklers

Let’s take a quick peek at the three NFPA Fire Sprinkler Standards…

Three Sprinkler Standards Each Serving A Different Purpose

NFPA 13 – Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems

Applies to: Factories Business occupancies Mercantile Care facilities Residential (full protection)

Simply, anywhere that 13D and 13R are not applicable


NFPA 13 – Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems

Purpose - The purpose of this standard shall be to provide a reasonable degree of protection for life and property from fire through standardization of design, installation, and testing requirements for sprinkler systems, including private fire service mains, based on sound engineering principles, test data, and field experience.

Multiple Sprinklers Activating – Full Protection


NFPA 13R – Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Low-Rise Residential Occupancies

Applies to: Hotels / motels Dormitories Multi-family (apartments)

Buildings to be 4 stories, or 60 ft. in height max.


NFPA 13R – Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Low-Rise Residential Occupancies

Purpose - The purpose of this standard shall be to provide a sprinkler system that aids in the detection and control of residential fires and thus provides improved protection against injury, life loss, and property damage

Four Sprinklers Activating – Life / Property Protection


NFPA 13D – Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One – and Two Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes

Applies to: One and Two Family Dwellings Manufactured Homes Townhouses built to IRC


NFPA 13D – Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One – and Two Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes

Purpose - The purpose of this standard shall be to provide a sprinkler system that aids in the detection and control of residential fires and thus provides improved protection against injury and life loss

Two Sprinklers Activating – Survivability

13D – You’ve come along way, baby…or have you?

No, not really…The 13D Standard has kept its focus since the beginning! Committee Statement from the 1975

Report on Comments for the proposed standard: “Cost and practicality of installation were major considerations in development of this standard”

13D has never strayed from those considerations

Becoming Our Own Barrier A reminder that we all have a common goal:

More compliant systems installed in more homes!

We can become our own barrier as code officials: Confusion caused by misapplication of the

standard Even with the best intentions!

Let’s not forget that we are part of a large team… A ‘Let’s not tell them this isn’t required’

philosophy is counterproductive

It just seems crazy to have a system this simple…or does it?

Performance Objective of 13D: Protect the environment in the room of

origin for 10 minutes

Adding requirements, or ‘borrowing’ them from other sprinkler standards can undermine the simplicity of 13D 13D has a proven track record

Adding Requirements That Aren’t in the Standard

13D is not intended to protect property as a primary performance objective

13D is intended to control the environment in a compartment fire for 10 minutes!

Residential Sprinklers A Proven Solution

Firefighter safety: Sprinklers are responsible for an

estimated 65% reduction in firefighter fire ground injuries

Property Loss:

Sprinkler reduce direct property damage per fire by 69%

Source: NFPA

The Failure Myth

If the house burns to the ground, but the sprinklers served to get the occupants out, is it a failure?

The purpose of the system is to save lives.

NFPA 13D A Standard Referenced by Codes

Codes point toward standards

A Standard becomes code when it is referenced by an enabling document, such as a state building code Oregon Fire Code

Based on IFC Oregon Structural Specialty

Code Based on IBC

NFPA 13D A Standard Referenced by Codes

Codes address when sprinklers apply: Access issues Grades Lot characteristics Tradeoffs Ordinances / Statutes

Standards address how the sprinklers apply: Design criteria Sprinkler locations / spacing Materials allowed Connection to water supplies

13D System Types

Stand-Alone Type: A sprinkler system where the aboveground piping serves only fire sprinklers

13D System Types

Multi-Purpose System: A piping system intended to serve both domestic needs in excess of a single fixture and fire protection needs from one common piping system throughout the dwelling unit(s).

13D System Types

Passive Purge (Flow Through): A type of sprinkler system that serves a single toilet in addition to the fire sprinklers.

13D System Types

Network System: A type of multipurpose system utilizing a common piping system supplying domestic fixtures and fire sprinklers where each sprinkler is supplied by a minimum of three separate paths

Design Principles

Sprinklers in an easier design scenario

Design approach based on historical data Water supply is only required to accommodate

two sprinklers for a 10 minute duration Even with that approach, 84% of the time, a

single head controls the fire in this type of system

If the largest room can be protected with a single sprinkler, the design can be based on one head flowing

Source: NFPA

Design Principles


Sprinklers are located where loss of life historically occurs: Kitchens Bedrooms Living rooms / Corridors

Source: NFPA

Design Principles


Calculations 13D Offers three calculations methods:

Typical Hydraulic Calculations per NFPA 13 when: Looped Gridded Network

Simplified Calcs When: Straight Run (Stand-alone or

Multipurpose) Prescriptive Method When:

Straight Run (Stand-alone or Multipurpose)

Source: NFPA

Design Principles Design discharge

System needs to deliver .05 gpm over design area, or the listing of the head, whichever is greater

Up to two sprinklers flowing: Sprinklers with greatest

demand 24 ft ceiling maximum 8:12 pitch max, or use heads

listed for pitched ceilings Decorative beams up to 14”

deep (heads in beams, or in pockets)

Municipal Water Supplies

Works with the plumbing supply, not in addition to it: Only 7 PSI required for fire sprinklers

Most domestic systems require 8 PSI (UPC, IPC) 16 GPM could supply a one head sprinkler design.

Most average homes require a minimum of 18 GPM for domestic use (IRC)

Most residential sprinkler systems will flow more, but a ¾” meter (35 GPM) will usually be plenty of water (2 sprinklers x 16 GPM = 32 GPM)

Source: OPSC


Upgrading to a 1” meter isn’t the only option! 3/4” meters are a popular option for many Water

Purveyors (35 GPM) A system can sometimes be designed using an existing

5/8” meter (20 GPM) Most average homes require a minimum of 18 GPM

for domestic use

Source: OPSC / IRC


An increasing number of Water Purveyors are starting to recognize that sprinklers use less water than the water used from unmetered fire hydrants that would otherwise be needed to suppress a fire in a home

Sprinklers use 90% less water than the fire service would use if sprinklers weren’t installed.

They reduce fire damage by 97% They reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 98%.

Sprinklers also reduce wastewater pollution.

Source: FM Global

Private / Stored Water Supplies

An easy solution for private water supplies (tanks and wells) 10 minute Duration:

A typical scenario: 280 Gallon Tank (28 GPM x 10 Min) 7 minute Duration (Single story under 2000 Sq Ft):

This can be as low as 196 Gallon Tank (28 GPM x 7 Min)

Source: NFPA 13D

Private / Stored Water Supplies

Tanks and pumps not required to be listed

In some scenarios, a tank and pump supply might be more cost effective than a meter upsizing fee and SDC charge

Source: NFPA 13D

System Components and Features

System Alarms Two Alarm scenarios:

Notification provided by NFPA 72 compliant Smoke Alarms, or

Waterflow device and local bell (optional)

OR +


Residential Sprinkler Heads Performance – Higher wall wetting

Fuel loads are near walls in residential occupancies

Controls the environment Greater coverage areas Faster response Easily applicable design criteria

Design criteria maximizes a smaller water supply

: NFPA


Residential Sprinkler Heads: Aesthetically Appealing There are many cutting-edge, flush type heads

that blend into the ceiling Some manufacturers offer as many as 300

custom paint colors.

:


Piping and Materials A variety of common material types

All listed for potable water supplies

CPVC

PEX / Other

Copper

Adding Requirements That Aren’t

In the Standard Geographic, Topographic, or Climatic

considerations are a good reason! Have a demonstrated need?

Municipal code

There is a difference between amending a standard based on a demonstrated need, and misapplying the standard based on even the best intentions

Protection Areas Bathrooms

No sprinkler required if under 55 Sq ft

Spaces having only a toilet or only a sink can each be considered a bathroom

Wall finish not addressed (It is addressed in 13R and 13)

Source: NFPA 13D

Protection Areas Bathrooms

Adjoining bathrooms need adequate separation:

8” Minimum lintel

Openings between compartments do not exceed 8 ft. in width

A single opening, 36” in width, is permitted without 8” lintel

Source: NFPA 13D

Protection Areas Closets

Sprinklers not required in: Clothes closets Linen Closets Pantries

These conditions must be met: 24 Sq ft. max Shortest dimension does not

exceed 3 ft. Walls and ceilings protected

Source: NFPA 13D

Protection Areas Closets Not Accesible from the

Dweling Unit

Sprinklers not required in: Closets in garages Exterior closets Breezeway closets

These conditions must be met: No fuel-fired equipment Electric-powered equipment is

permissible

Source: NFPA 13D

Protection Areas Unheated, Covered Projections

Sometimes called ‘enclosed entries’, ‘mud rooms’, ‘foyers’

Not required if: Unheated Not the only means of egress

Source: NFPA 13D

Protection Areas Garages

Sprinklers not required in: Garages Open, attached porches Carports Similar structures

Source: NFPA 13D

Protection Areas Attics and Other Spaces

Sprinklers not required in: Attics (with or without storage) Penthouse equipment rooms Elevator machine rooms Concealed spaces not intended for

living

Source: NFPA 13D

Protection Areas Attics and Other Spaces

If such spaces contain fuel-fired equipment:

When equipment is above all occupied spaces, no sprinkler required

If equipment is at or below occupied space, provide at least one sprinkler above equipment, or: At the wall separating the space

with the fuel-fired equipment from the occupied space

Source: NFPA 13D

Sprinkler Position and Placement Obstructions to discharge

Light Fixtures / non-continuous obstructions – 36” from center of fixture. Examples include: Light fixtures Ceiling fans

Area of fan blades less than 50%

Sprinkler Position and Placement Obstructions to discharge

Closets / Compartments under 400 cubic feet: Single sprinkler at highest point

without regard to obstructions Includes rooms with

mechanical equipment Examples:

Spaces under stairs Closets large enough to

require a sprinkler Laundry / HVAC closets

Sprinkler Position and Placement Shadow Areas

Shadow areas permitted in the protection area of a sprinkler as long as the cumulative dry areas do not exceed 15 sq. ft.

Pendant Head – Plan View

Sprinkler Position and Placement Shadow Areas

Shadow areas permitted in the protection area of a sprinkler as long as the cumulative dry areas do not exceed 15 sq. ft.

Sidewall Head – Plan View

Testing and Acceptance Hydrostatic Tests

Two-hour test at normal system operating pressure:

Leakage detected by: Drop in pressure gauge, or Visual inspection of piping

System permitted to be tested with plugs or caps installed instead of sprinkler heads No additional test required

after heads installed

Testing and Acceptance Operational Tests

For typical, wet systems, no operational test is addressed if there is no waterflow switch installed If a pump is installed, an

operational flow test is required

Concerned about the water supply? Carry a gauge and valve

assembly that can provide a pressure reading

Testing and Acceptance Pressure Gauges

Only Required when: A pressure tank is installed Dry system installed Any pressure reducing device

is installed

Testing and Acceptance Bucket Tests

What is it? Water is flowed into a bucket to verify adequacy of system (measure volume per minute) Not addressed in the standard Viable option if water supply

cannot be verified Manufacturer requirement for Pex

System Documentation Design Documentation

Documentation shall be available upon request to ensure adequate water supply, listed devices, and adequate sprinkler coverage have been addressed


13D has never required working plans To address AHJ

concerns over the lack of a plan review, the Annex provides a list:


A.4.5 A scaled drawing where required should show the following:

(1) Address (if known)(2) Size and type of domestic line, including length to city connection(3) Water meter size(4) Current static water pressure(5) Interior walls(6) Model, manufacturer, temperature, orifice size, and spacing requirements of sprinklers(7) Type of pipe(8) Hanger spacing requirement per the pipe manufacturer(9) Riser detail(10) Installing contractor information(11) Preliminary hydraulic calculations

System Documentation

“This information listed in the annex is intended to suggest sufficient flexibility in the approval process so that changes on the job site (consistent with the rules of NFPA 13D) can be incorporated into the system without needing to resubmit the plans for additional approvals”

Guidance From the 13D Handbook:

System Maintenance

A Maintenance Friendly System - Requirements

13D Inspection, Testing and Maintenance (ITM) The maintenance requirements are simple:

Walk the sprinklers periodically (no specific time requirement) to look for: Obstructions to discharge (storage, etc) Painted or damaged heads

Annual backflow test, if device is installed (not typically required)

Source: NFPA 13D

System Maintenance

A Maintenance Friendly System - Recommendations

13D Inspection, Testing and Maintenance (ITM) The maintenance recommendations are also simple:

Annual flow test if a waterflow detector and bell are installed (optional devices)

Annual backflow test, if device is installed (backflow device not typically required)

Annual inspection by a qualified contractor

Source: NFPA 13D

Becoming Our Own Barrier A reminder that we all have a common goal:

More compliant systems installed in more homes!

We can become our own barrier as code officials: Confusion caused by misapplication of the

standard Even with the best intentions!

Let’s not forget we are part of a large team…

Conclusion

13D is designed to be an achievable balance between protection and cost

Questions?

Sticking to the Standard – NFPA 13D The Benefits of Staying Within the Scope Oregon Fire Sprinkler...

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