Updates to NFPA 13

What’s New in the 2013 Edition

Kenneth E. Isman, P.E., F.S.F.P.E.For the European Fire Sprinkler Network’s

Fire Sprinkler International ConferenceMay 21, 2014

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Sprinkler System Definition

3.3.18 An integrated network of piping designed in accordance with fire protection engineering standards that includes a water supply source, a water control valve, a water flow alarm, and a drain . . .

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Floor Control8.16.1.5.3 requires a floor control valve, check

valve, main drain, and flow switch for each floor of a building

Exception for buildings where the total area of all floors combined does not exceed:– 4831 m2 (52,000 ft2) for light and ordinary hazard– 3716 m2 (40,000 ft2) for extra hazard and high-

piled storage

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Re-Inserting Used Sprinklers• Once a sprinkler has been removed, it must be

replaced

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Antifreeze• Any new systems will have to use a listed fluid• As of right now, there are no listed fluids

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Soffits

24 inch max

18 inch minimumNo maximum

½ SNo sprinkler required underneath (8.6, 8.8 and 8.10)

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Dry Sprinklers• Need minimum space for the barrel in a

heated space

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Dry Sprinklers

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HVLS Fans

• Criteria added for fans up to 24 ft in diameter– Center the fans

between 4 sprinklers– Keep the fan 36 inches

below the sprinklers– Shut down the fan

within 90 seconds of waterflow

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Encapsulated Storage

• Discharge criteria for palletized and solid piled storage over 15 ft up to 20 ft– Class I – 18.7 mm/min over 186m2

(0.46 gpm per ft2 over 2000 ft2)– Class II – 21.7 mm/min over 186m2

(0.53 gpm per ft2 over 2000 ft2)– Class III and Class IV – 24.5 mm/min over 186m2

(0.6 gpm per ft2 over 2000 ft2)

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Solid Shelves and ESFR Sprinklers• In 2010 and previous editions, ESFR sprinklers

have been prohibited for use to protect solid shelves

• 2013 edition will allow solid shelves with ESFR if in-rack sprinklers are installed below every horizontal barrier or shelf below the ESFR sprinklers

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Open Top Containers• Criteria in the standard does not apply to

protection of open top containers• Open tops collect water, which does not get

down to control the fire• Open top containers can be used at the

bottom tier of storage• Otherwise, protection is outside the scope of

the standard

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Exposed Unexpanded Plastics on Racks

• The criteria in the standard for protection of plastics under 25 ft has never been for exposed plastics

• New rules for standard proposed from old FM rules

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C-Factor for Galvanized Pipe• Use C=100 for all steel pipe in dry-pipe

systems, regardless of whether the pipe is galvanized

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Recycled or Reclaimed Water

• Collected rainwater is okay for sprinkler systems (like using ponds or rivers)

• But recycled and reclaimed water could be a problem

• Need to know what’s in the water– Could be combustible– Could have something that reacts with sprinkler

components or gums up the works

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THANK YOU!