Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024
Automatic sprinkler systems shall be
designed and installed in accordance with Sections 903.3.1 through 903.3.6.
[F]
903.3.1
Standards.
Sprinkler systems shall be designed and installed in accordance with Section
903.3.1.1, unless otherwise permitted by Sections 903.3.1.2 and 903.3.1.3. [F]
903.3.1.1
NFPA 13 sprinkler
systems. Where the provisions of this code require that a building or
portion thereof be equipped throughout with an
automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with this section, sprinklers shall be installed
throughout in accordance with NFPA 13 except as provided in Section
903.3.1.1.1. [F]
903.3.1.1.1
Exempt
locations. Automatic sprinklers shall not be required in the following
rooms or areas where such rooms or areas are protected with an
approved automatic fire detection system in accordance with
Section 907.2 that will respond to visible or invisible particles of
combustion. Sprinklers shall not be omitted from any room merely because it is
damp, of fire-resistance-rated construction or contains electrical equipment.
[F]
1. Any room where the application of
water, or flame and water, constitutes a serious life or fire hazard.
2. Any room or space where sprinklers are
considered undesirable because of the nature of the contents, when
approved by the fire code official.
3. Generator and transformer rooms separated
from the remainder of the building by walls and floor/ceiling or roof/ceiling
assemblies having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2
hours.
4. Rooms or areas that are
of noncombustible construction with wholly noncombustible contents.
5. Fire service access elevator machine rooms
and machinery spaces.
903.3.1.2
NFPA 13R sprinkler
systems.
Automatic sprinkler systems in Group R
occupancies up to and including four stories in height shall be permitted to be
installed throughout in accordance with NFPA 13R. [F]
903.3.1.2.1
Balconies and decks.
Sprinkler protection shall be provided for exterior balconies, decks and ground
floor patios of dwelling
units where the
building is of Type V construction, provided there is a roof or deck above.
Sidewall sprinklers that are used to protect such areas shall be permitted to
be located such that their deflectors are within 1 inch (25 mm) to 6 inches
(152 mm) below the structural members and a maximum distance of 14 inches (356
mm) below the deck of the exterior balconies and decks that are constructed of
open wood joist construction. [F]
903.3.1.3
NFPA 13D sprinkler
systems.
Automatic sprinkler systems installed in one-
and two-family dwellings and townhouses shall
be permitted to be installed throughout in accordance with NFPA 13D.
[F]
903.3.2
Quick-response and residential sprinklers. Where automatic
sprinkler systems are required by this code, quick-response or residential
automatic sprinklers shall be installed in the following areas in accordance
with Section 903.3.1 and their listings: [F]
1. Throughout all spaces within a smoke
compartment containing patient sleeping units in Group I-2 in accordance with
this code.
2.
Dwelling
units, and sleeping units in Group R and I-1
occupancies.
3. Light-hazard
occupancies as defined in NFPA 13.
903.3.3
Obstructed locations.
Automatic sprinklers shall be installed with due regard to obstructions that
will delay activation or obstruct the water distribution pattern. Automatic
sprinklers shall be installed in or under covered kiosks, displays, booths,
concession stands, or equipment that exceeds 4 feet (1219 mm) in width. Not
less than a 3-foot (914 mm) clearance shall be maintained between automatic
sprinklers and the top of piles of combustible fibers. [F]
Exception: Kitchen equipment under exhaust hoods
protected with a fire-extinguishing system in accordance with Section
904.
903.3.4
Actuation.
Automatic sprinkler systems shall be
automatically actuated unless specifically provided for in this code.
[F]
903.3.5
Water
supplies. Water supplies for automatic sprinkler
systems shall comply with this section and the standards referenced in
Section 903.3.1. The potable water supply shall be protected against backflow
in accordance with the requirements of this section and the
International Plumbing Code. [F]
903.3.5.1
Domestic services.
Where the domestic service provides the water supply for the
automatic
sprinkler system, the supply shall be in accordance with this section.
[F]
903.3.5.1.1
Limited area sprinkler
systems. Limited area sprinkler systems serving fewer than 20 sprinklers
on any single connection are permitted to be connected to the domestic service
where a wet automatic standpipe is not available. Limited area sprinkler
systems connected to domestic water supplies shall comply with each of the
following requirements: [F]
1. Valves shall
not be installed between the domestic water riser control valve and the
sprinklers.
Exception: An approved
indicating control valve supervised in the open position in accordance with
Section 903.4.
2. The
domestic service shall be capable of supplying the simultaneous domestic demand
and the sprinkler demand required to be hydraulically calculated by NFPA 13,
NFPA 13R or NFPA 13D.
903.3.5.1.2
Residential combination
services. A single combination water supply shall be allowed provided
that the domestic demand is added to the sprinkler demand as required by NFPA
13R. [F]
903.3.5.2
Secondary water supply. A secondary on-site water supply equal to
the hydraulically calculated sprinkler demand, including the hose stream
requirement, shall be provided for high-rise buildings assigned to Seismic
Design Category C, D, E or F as determined by this code. The secondary water
supply shall have a duration of not less than 30 minutes as determined by the
occupancy hazard classification in accordance with NFPA 13. [F]
Exception: Existing buildings.
903.3.6
Hose threads.
Fire hose threads and fittings used in connection with automatic
sprinkler systems shall be as prescribed by the fire code official.
[F]
