Sprinkler System Installation Guide as per NFPA 13

This article is about Sprinkler System Installation Guide as per NFPA 13 and Technical Requirement in commercial buildings, plants and refinery projects related to Plumbing Engineering System as per international codes and standards.

Sprinkler System Installation Guide as per NFPA 13

Sprinkler

1. Only new sprinklers shall be installed (NFPA 13 Para 2.2.1).
2. Listed corrosion-resistant sprinklers shall be installed in locations where chemicals, moisture, or other corrosive vapours sufficient to cause corrosion of such devices exist. (NFPA 13 Para 2-2.5.1)
3. Corrosion resistant coatings shall be applied only by the manufacturer of the sprinkler. (NFPA 13 Para 2-2.5.2)
4. Any damage to the protective coating occuring at the time of installation shall be repaired at once using only the coating of the manufacturer of the sprinkler in the approved manner so that no part of the sprinkler will be exposed after installation has been completed. (NFPA 13 Para 2-2.5.2)
5. Unless applied by the manufacturer, sprinklers shall not be painted, and any sprinklers that have been painted shall be replaced with new listed sprinklers of the same characteristics, including orifice size, thermal response, and water distribution. (NFPA 13 Para 2-2.5.3)
6. Ornamental finishes shall not be applied to sprinklers by anyone other than the sprinkler manufacturer, and only sprinklers listed with such finishes shall be used. (NFPA 13 Para 2-2.5.4)
7. Upright sprinklers shall be installed with the frame arms parallel to the branch line, unless specifically listed for other orientation. (NFPA 13 Para 4.3.1.2)
8. Ordinary temperature rated sprinklers shall be used throughout buildings. See item 9 and 10 of this article for Exception (NFPA 13 Para 4.3.1.3.1).
9. Where maximum ceiling temperatures exceed 100°F (38°C), sprinklers with temperature ratings in accordance with the maximum ceiling temperatures of Table 2.2.4.1ê shall be used
   (NFPA 13 Para 4.3.1.3.1).
10. Table 2.2.4.1-Temperature Rtaings, Classifications, and Color Coding
11. 
12. Intermediate and high-temperature sprinklers shall be permitted to be used throughout ordinary and extra hazard occupancies (NFPA 13 Para 4.3.1.3.1).
13. The following practices shall be observed to provide sprinklers of other than ordinary temperature classification unless other temperatures are determined or unless high-temperature sprinklers are used throughout (see attached Tables 4-3.1.3.2(a) and (b) and Figure 4-3.1.3.21)
    (a) Sprinklers in the high temperature zone shall be of the high temperature classification, and sprinklers in the intermediate temperature zone of the intermediate temperature classification.
    (b) Sprinklers located within 12 in. (305 mm) to one side or 30 in. (762 mm) above an uncovered steam main, heating coil, or radiator shall be of the intermediate temperature classification.
    (c) Sprinklers within 7 ft (2.1 m) of a low-pressure blowoff valve that discharges free in a large room shall be of the high temperature classification.
    (d) Sprinklers under glass or plastic skylights exposed to the direct rays of the sun shall be of the intermediate temperature classification.
    (e) Sprinklers in an unventilated, concealed space, under an uninsulated roof, or in an unventilated attic shall be of the intermediate temperature classification.
    (f) Sprinklers in unventilated show windows having high powered electric lights near the ceiling shall be of the intermediate temperature classification.
    (g) Sprinklers protecting commercial-type cooking equipment and ventilation systems shall be of the high or
    extra high temperature classification as determined by use of a temperature measuring device. (NFPA 14 PARA 4-3- 1.3.2)”
14. One sprinkler shall be installed at the top of shafts.
    Exception 1: Non-combustible or limited-combustible, non accessible vertical duct shafts .
    Exception 2: Non-combustible or limited-combustible, non accessible vertical electrical or mechanical shafts . (NFPA 13 Para 4-13.2.1)
15. Where vertical shafts have combustible surfaces, one sprinkler shall be at each alternate floor level. Where a shaft having combustible surfaces is trapped, an additional sprinkler shall be installed at the top of each trapped section. (NFPA 13 Para 4-13.2.2)
16. Where accessible vertical shafts have non-combustible surfaces, one sprinkler shall be installed near the bottom. (NFPA 13 Para 4.13.2.3)
17. Where vertical openings are not protected by fire rated enclosures, sprinklers shall be placed so as to fully protect the openings. (NFPA 13 Para 4.13.2.4).
18. Sprinklers shall be installed beneath all stairways of combustible construction (NFPA 13 Para 4-13.3.1).
19. In non-combustible stair shafts with non-combustible stairs, sprinklers shall be installed at the top of the shaft and under the first landing above the bottom of the shaft.
    Exception: Sprinklers shall be installed beneath landings or stairways where the area beneath is used for storage. (NFPA 13 Para 4-13.3.2)
20. Sprinklers shall be installed in the stair shaft at each floor landing where two or more doors open from that landing into separate fire divisions (NFPA 13 Para 4-13.3.3).
21. Building service chutes (linen, rubbish, etc.) shall be protected internally by automatic sprinklers. A sprinkler shall be provided above the top service opening of the chute, above the lowest service opening, and above service openings at alternate levels in buildings over two stories in height. The room or area into which the chute discharges shall also be protected by automatic sprinklers. (NFPA 13 Para 4-13.4)
22. Sidewall spray sprinklers shall be installed at the bottom of each elevator hoistway, not more than 2″” (0.61 m) above the floor of the pit.
    Exception: For enclosed noncombustible elevator shafts that do not contain combustible hydraulic fluids, the sprinklers at the bottom of the shaft shall not be required. (NFPA 13 Para 4-13.5.1)
23. Automatic sprinklers in elevator machine rooms or at the tops of hoistways shall be of ordinary or intermediate temperature rating. (NFPA 13 Para 4-13.5.2)
24. Upright or pendent spray sprinklers shall be installed at the top of elevator hoistways.
    Exception: Sprinklers are not required at the tops of non-combustible hoistways of passenger elevators whose car enclosure materials meet the requirements of ASME A17.1, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators (NFPA 13 Para 4.13.5.3).
25. Sprinklers shall be installed under roofs or canopies over areas where combustibles are stored or handled. (NFPA 13 Para 4-13.7.1)
26. Sprinklers shall be installed under the roofs of the ceiling, in spaces under theatre stages either containing combustible materials or constructed of combustible materials, and in all adjacent spaces and dressing rooms, storerooms and workshops. (NFPA 13 Para 4-13.14.1)
27. Sprinkler protection shall be required in electrical equipment rooms. Hoods or shields installed to protect important electrical equipment from sprinkler discharge shall be non combustible. Exception: Sprinklers shall not be required in electrical equipment rooms where all of the following conditions are met:
    a) The room is dedicated to electrical equipment only.
    b) Only dry type electrical equipment is used.
    c) Equipment is installed in a 2 hr fire rated enclosure including protection for penetrations
    d) No combustible storage is permitted to be stored in the room. (NFPA 13 Para 4-13.10)
28. Listed pressure gauges shall be installed in each system riser above and below each alarm check valve or system riser check valve where such devices are present. (NFPA 13 Para 3.1.1)
29. A gridded wet pipe system shall be provided with a relief not less than 1/4″” (6.4 mm) in size set to operate at pressures not greater than 175 psi (12.1 bars)
30. Exception 1: when the maximum system pressure exceeds 165 psi (11.4 bars) the relief valve shall operate at 10 psi (0.7 bars) in excess of the maximum operating pressure.
    Exception 2: Where auxiliary air reservoirs are installed to absorb pressure increase, a relief valve shall not be required. (NFPA 13 Para 3.1.2)
31. All sprinkler systems shall be arranged for flushing. Readily removable fittings shall be provided at the ends of all cross mains. All cross mains shall terminate in 1¼”” (31.8 mm) or larger pipe. All branch lines on gridded systems shall be arranged to facilitate flushing. (NFPA 13 Para 4-13.15).

1-Attachment 1-Table 4-3.1.3.2 (a) Temperature Ratings of Sprinklers Based on Distance from Heat Source

2-Attachment 2-Table 4-3.1.3.2 (b) Ratings of Sprinklers in Specified Locations

3-Attachment 3-Figure 4-3.1.3.2 High temperature and intermediate temperature zones at unit heaters

International Codes and Standard References for Sprinkler System Installation

1- SAES-S-050 — Sprinkler and Standpipe Systems in Building.
2- NFPA 13 –Installation of Sprinkler Systems.

Sprinkler and Standpipe Piping and Fitting Installation