INTRODUCTION: Sprinkler protection is a crucial element of fire and life safety in buildings. Sprinkler fire suppression systems must be implemented in accordance with the relevant standards and with suitable coordination with other building services during the course of a project. There shouldn’t be any issues if everything is placed in accordance with the fire protection engineer’s recommendations, one could be led to believe. However, installing sprinklers at each project site presents unique difficulties. To have the installation done successfully, proper monitoring and coordination are necessary. Even with the greatest intentions, there are still instances where sprinklers that have been installed don’t seem to be in the right places. Large mechanical rooms have often been—and presumably will continue to be—one of the key areas of concern. These rooms often have HVAC ducts that are more than 4 feet wide. The majority of the time, there are no sprinklers underneath such massive ducts and sprinkler coverage is only found above them.

Question 1 – Sprinkler Coverage under Equipment - There are HVAC components and ducts that are wider than 4 feet in a mechanical room. The equipment is elevated above the ground, and there are one to four feet between the bottom of these impediments and the ground. Is sprinkler protection necessary under this equipment in accordance with the 2013 edition of NFPA 13?

Question 2 – Dedicated Electrical Space - Except in limited circumstances, the 2019 edition of NFPA 13 mandates sprinkler protection in electrical rooms. Nevertheless, Article 110.26(E)(1)(a) of NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, 2017 edition, clearly says that no pipe or other equipment unrelated to the electrical installation is permitted in the designated electrical space. Is it acceptable to have sprinkler pipework in electrical rooms?

Question 3 – New Single-Family Residence with Indoor Basketball Court and Hockey Rink - Is it necessary to apply another NFPA Standard, such as NFPA 13R or NFPA 13, to the indoor basketball court and indoor hockey rink portions of a proposed new single-family home that also has an indoor basketball court and an indoor ice rink?

Question 4 – Dry System and the Room Design Method - According to the 2019 edition of NFPA 13, quick response sprinklers on a dry system are to be used to safeguard a two-story employee housing occupancy. The doors leading to the apartments don't automatically close. Can a dry-pipe system with living units be calculated using the room design method?

Question 5 - Revamping Pipe Schedule Systems - An existing warehouse with a pipe schedule fire sprinkler system is getting a new full height demising wall built. 60 current branch lines will be split in half by this new wall. This new demising wall necessitates the installation of another sprinkler, increasing the number of sprinklers allowed by the pipe schedule. Given that the demising wall would effectively establish a new fire area, is it permissible to install a sprinkler on the opposite side of the new wall without expanding the pipe size?

Question #6 - Pressure Tank Aboveground Housing Requirement - The pressure tank must be housed in a significant noncombustible housing where it is susceptible to freezing, according to NFPA 22, Section 7.1.9 (Housing), of the 2013 version. Does the pressure tank have to be housed inside a significant noncombustible enclosure in accordance with 7.1.9.1 if it is heated, insulated, and positioned aboveground, or can it be left out in the open?

Question #7 – Hydraulic Calculations for a New Freezer - In an existing warehouse with an installed sprinkler system, a new freezer is being put in. With 34 inch outlets, the current sprinklers are joined to the branch lines. The present 3/4`` sprinklers will be removed from the current outlets, a tee will be installed with a new upright above the freezer, and utilizing the same tee, pipe will be run down to a dry pendant into the freezer. The 2007 edition of NFPA 13 is the applicable standard. Is it possible to merely calculate one level for the hydraulic calculations, or are the uprights and dry pendants that are included within the design area necessary to take into account as well?

Question 8 – Individual or Grouped Obstruction - A facility with light, common, and storage occupancies is being planned with a sprinkler system in line with the 2019 edition of NFPA 13. Sprinklers will be employed in both standard spray and Control Mode Specific Application (CMSA) modes. What is the minimal separation distance between similar objects (pipe conduits, cable trays, refrigerator lines) to be deemed individual obstruction objects for areas using normal spray uprights/pendants and CSMA sprinklers? Is there a distinct suggestion for storage applications versus defending against common and light hazards?

Question 9 – Garage in NFPA 13R - There are a number of garages, each larger than 500 square feet, in a structure that must be safeguarded in accordance with the 2016 version of NFPA 13R. These garages service only particular living units and are not physically attached to the dwelling units. solely residents of one living unit have access to the other garages, which are all accessible from a shared corridor, while one garage is solely accessible from the outside.

Question 10 – Water Storage Tank Sizing - The municipal water supply is connected to a storage tank that provides water to a sprinkler system. It is acknowledged that the tank's capacity must satisfy the system's demand for the necessary amount of time. Is it legal to limit the tank's capacity based on how much water is entering it from the municipal water supply?

Question 11 – Test Header for Fire Pump - Can hose valves be replaced with a ``Storz`` style outlet in a fire pump test header?

Question 12 – ESFR sprinkler protection in obstructed construction - In a structure where construction is being hindered, an ESFR system is being fitted. It is challenging to meet the criteria of the 2013 version of NFPA 13 due to the structural characteristics of the structure and the spacing requirements for the ESFR sprinklers. If separated by solid beams, is it acceptable to have ESFR sprinklers placed at less than 64 square feet and less than 8 feet apart?

COURTESY: Ronald Nfsa Technotes Best of November 2021