Sticking to the Standard NFPA 13 D The

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

13 D…Born of Necessity § America Burning – 1973: § Nation Commission on Fire Prevention and Control § In a letter to the President: § “…emphasize built-in fire safetymeasures which can detect and extinguish fire…” § “…believe a continuing federal focus on the fire problem is a necessity” Source: USFA

13 D…Born of Necessity § 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

13 D…Born of Necessity § America Burning – 1973 Brought about: § NFIRS - National Fire Incident Reporting System § USFA – US Fire Administration § NFA – National Fire Academy

13 D…Born of Necessity 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 factor 2. Life safety is the primary goal 3. 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 4000 Carbon Monoxide 3000 PPM 2000 A concentration of as little as 0. 04% (400 parts per million) carbon monoxide in the air can be fatal. 1000 0 0 60 120 180 240 Time (sec. ) 300 360 420 Sources: National Fire Sprinkler Association

Test Fire-With Sprinklers 4000 Carbon Monoxide 3000 PPM 2000 1000 0 0 60 Time (sec. ) 120 180 Sources: National Fire Sprinkler Association

Test Fire-Without Sprinklers 1400 3” Below Ceiling 60” Above Floor 36” Above Floor 1200 1000 Temp. 800 600 400 200 0 0 60 120 180 240 Time (sec. ) 300 360 420 Sources: National Fire Sprinkler Association

Test Fire-With Sprinklers 140 3” Below Ceiling 60” Above Floor 36” Above Floor 120 100 Temp. 80 60 40 20 0 0 60 120 Time (sec. ) 180 240 Sources: National Fire Sprinkler Association

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 13 D and 13 R are not applicable

Three Sprinkler Standards Each Serving A Different Purpose § 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

Three Sprinkler Standards Each Serving A Different Purpose § NFPA 13 R – 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.

Three Sprinkler Standards Each Serving A Different Purpose § NFPA 13 R – 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

Three Sprinkler Standards Each Serving A Different Purpose § NFPA 13 D – 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

Three Sprinkler Standards Each Serving A Different Purpose § NFPA 13 D – 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

13 D – You’ve come along way, baby…or have you? § No, not really…The 13 D 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” § 13 D 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 13 D: § 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 13 D § 13 D has a proven track record

Adding Requirements That Aren’t in the Standard § 13 D is not intended to protect property as a primary performance objective § 13 D 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 13 D 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 13 D 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

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

13 D 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).

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

13 D System Types § Network System: A type of multipurpose system utilizing a common piping system supplying domes- tic 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 in an easier design scenario § Sprinklers are located where loss of life historically occurs: § Kitchens § Bedrooms § Living rooms / Corridors Source: NFPA

Design Principles Sprinklers in an easier design scenario § Calculations § 13 D 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

Municipal Water Supplies § 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

Municipal Water Supplies § 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 13 D

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 13 D

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 +

System Components and Features 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

System Components and Features § 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. :

System Components and Features § 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 13 R and 13) Source: NFPA 13 D

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 13 D

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 13 D

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 13 D

Protection Areas § Unheated, Covered Projections Sometimes called ‘enclosed entries’, ‘mud rooms’, ‘foyers’ § Not required if: § Unheated § Not the only means of egress Source: NFPA 13 D

Protection Areas § Garages § Sprinklers not required in: § Garages § Open, attached porches § Carports § Similar structures Source: NFPA 13 D

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 13 D

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 13 D

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

System Documentation § Design Documentation § 13 D has never required working plans § To address AHJ concerns over the lack of a plan review, the Annex provides a list:

System Documentation § Design Documentation 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 Guidance From the 13 D Handbook: “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 13 D) can be incorporated into the system without needing to resubmit the plans for additional approvals”

System Maintenance A Maintenance Friendly System - Requirements § 13 D 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 13 D

System Maintenance A Maintenance Friendly System - Recommendations § 13 D 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 13 D

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

Questions?