NFPA 13 2013 Edition

Update

Session Agenda
A2012 Code Cycle
NFPA 13 Code Development
Changes to NFPA 13 (NFPA 24)
What Didnt Happen
Next Steps

A2012 Code Cycle

800+ Proposal
500+ Comments
TCC Meeting 12/6/11
NFPA Annual Meeting 2012 (Las Vegas)

Code Development

5 TCs
1 TCC
Staffs Role in Development

Who Does What?

SSI All Installation Related Items

SSD Discharge Criteria
RSS NFPA 13R and 13D
PRI NFPA 2 and NFPA 13 CH 10 (Extracted)
HBS Chapter 9

TCC (Now CC) - Correlation

Changes to NFPA 13, 13D, & 13R - 2013 Edition - 1 Day Seminar

More Training on Changes

Venue Name
Houston, TX
Nashville, TN
Holiday Inn Baltimore Inner
Harbor
Cincinnati, OH
Phoenix, AZ
Atlantic City, NJ
Orlando, FL

Start
Date
9/13/20
12
9/27/20
12
10/19/2
012
10/25/2
012
11/2/20
12
11/30/2
012
12/14/2
012

End
Date
9/13/20
12
9/27/20
12
10/19/2
012
10/25/2
012
11/2/20
12
11/30/2
012
12/14/2
012

Days
TH
TH
F
TH
F
F
F
7

Chapter 3 - Definitions
Control valve

Combined Dry Pipe/Pre Action

Draft Curtain

Cross Main

Dwelling Unit

System Riser

High Volume Low Speed Fan

Clearance to Storage

Continuous Obstruction

General Sprinkler Characteristics

Non-Continuous Obstruction

Open Top Container

Clearance to Ceiling

Four-Way Bracing

Raw Water Source

Hanger

Sprinkler System

Net Vertical Force

Small Room

Seismic Separation Assembly

Antifreeze System
8

Clearance to Storage
3.9.1.6 Clearance to Ceiling. The
distance from the top of storage to
the ceiling above.

Four-Way Brace

Four-Way Brace. A sway brace or sway

brace assembly intended to resist
differential movement of the piping system
in all horizontal directions.

10

3.3.8/A.3.3.8 - Draft Curtain

A continuous material protruding

downward from the ceiling to create a
reservoir for collecting smoke and heat.
Additional information about the size and
installation of draft curtains can be found in
NFPA 204.

11

3.3.18.2 Non-continuous
Obstruction

Continuous Obstruction. An
obstruction located at or below the level of
sprinkler deflectors which affect the
discharge pattern of two or more adjacent
sprinklers
Non-continuous Obstruction. An
obstruction at or below the level of the
sprinkler deflector which affects the
discharge pattern of a single sprinkler.
12

3.3.22 Small Room

A compartment of light hazard

occupancy classification having
unobstructed construction, and a floor area
not exceeding 800 ft2 (74.3 m2).

13

3.4.1 - Antifreeze Sprinkler System

A wet pipe system using automatic

sprinklers that contains a liquid solution to
prevent freezing of the system, intended to
discharge the solution upon sprinkler
operation, followed immediately by water
from a water supply.

14

3.4.1.1 - Premixed Antifreeze

Solution

A mixture of an antifreeze material with

water that is prepared and factory mixed
by the manufacturer with a quality control
procedure in place that ensures that the
antifreeze solution remains homogeneous
and that the concentration is as specified.

15

3.3.23* Sprinkler System

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. The portion of the sprinkler system
above ground is a network of specifically sized
or hydraulically designed piping installed in a
building, structure, or area, generally
overhead, and to which sprinklers are
attached in a systematic pattern. The system
is commonly activated by heat from a fire and
discharges water over the fire area.
16

Nitrogen and Other Gases

Air, nitrogen or other approved gas- Where air

is used to charge, maintain or supervise
sprinkler systems, nitrogen or other approved
gas shall also be permitted to be used.

17

FDC Pressure

The pressure
potential from a fire
department
connection shall not
be considered in
determining rated
pressure per Section
6.1.3.

18

Re-use of Sprinklers

When a sprinkler has been removed for

any reason it shall not be reinstalled.

19

CPVC Compatibility

Nonmetallic pipe and fittings included

in table 6.3.1.1 and table 6.4.1 shall be
listed.

Manufacturers installation
instructions shall include its listing
limitations.

20

CPVC Compatibility

When CPVC pipe is used in

combination systems utilizing steel
pipe, cutting oils and lubricants used
for fabrication of the steel piping shall
be compatible with CPVC materials.

21

CPVC Compatibility

Other construction materials such as

paint, electrical and communication
wiring, thread sealants, gasket
lubricant shall not come in contact
with CPVC unless they have been
evaluated as compatible with CPVC
materials by a testing lab.

22

Escutcheon/Cover Plate Assembly

The use of caulking or glue to seal the

penetration or to affix the components of a
recessed escutcheon or concealed cover
plate shall not be permitted.

23

6.2.6.2.2/6.2.6.2.3
Painting Sprinklers

Where sprinklers have had paint applied by

other than the sprinkler manufacturer, they
shall be replaced with new listed sprinklers of
the same characteristics, including K-factor,
thermal response, and water distribution.
Where cover plates on concealed sprinklers
have been painted by other than the sprinkler
manufacturer, the cover plate shall be
replaced.
24

6.2.9.1
Stock of Spare Sprinklers

A supply of at least six spare sprinklers

shall be maintained on the premises so that
any sprinklers that have operated or been
damaged in any way can be promptly
replaced.

25

6.3.1.1.1 - Above Ground Pipe

Underground pipe shall be permitted to

extend into the building through the slab or
wall not more than 24 inches.

26

Relief Valves at Each Floor

7.1.2.3 A relief valve per Section 7.1.2.1

shall be required downstream of check
valves required by Section 8.17.5.2.2(1).
Each connection from a standpipe that is
part of a combined system to a sprinkler
system shall have an individual control
valve and check valve of the same size as
the connection.
27

6.10 - Signs

28

7.1.1 - Pressure Gauges

An approved pressure gauge conforming to

8.17.3 shall be installed in each system riser.

29

Antifreeze Systems

Premixed Solution
Glycerine 48%
PG 38%
More than 38% PG for ESFR
Manufacturers Certificate
New Solutions

30

10

NEW FPRF DATA

TC TIA

Only Listed Solutions

Listing Must Show It Doesnt Ignite

Public TIA

Ban All Antifreeze

31

What Can Happen

32

Backflow Testing

A means shall be provided to perform a full

forward flow test in accordance with
8.17.4.6

33

11

Sprinklers in Mechanical Equip

Sprinklers shall not be required to be

installed within electrical equipment,
mechanical equipment, or air handling
units.

34

Water Mist Systems

NFPA 13 does not

contemplate Water
Mist Systems. Use
NFPA 750.

35

High Temp Heads Storage

High-temperature sprinklers shall be

permitted to be used throughout ordinary
extra hazard occupancies, storage
occupancies and as allowed in this
standard and other NFPA codes and
standards.

36

12

Attic Sprinkler Temp ratings

Attics should be conditioned or use

intermediate temperature heads.

37

CMSA in O/L Hazard Occupancies

Quick response CMSA sprinklers designed

to meet any criteria in Chapter 12 through
Chapter 20 shall be permitted to protect
light and ordinary hazard occupancies.
Standard response CMSA sprinklers
designed to meet any criteria in Chapter 12
through Chapter 20 shall be permitted to
protect ordinary hazard occupancies.
38

Exposed Barrel Lengths

39

13

Exposed Barrel Lengths

40

Attached Insulation

For insulation that is installed attached

directly to against the ceiling or roof
structure and is installed flat and parallel to
the ceiling or roof structure, the deflector
distance shall be measured to the
underside of the insulation.

41

Small Closets

In all closets and

compartments, including
those closets housing
mechanical equipment,
that are not larger than
400 ft3in size, a single
sprinkler at the highest
ceiling space shall be
sufficient without regard to
obstructions or minimum
distance to the wall.
42

14

Dry Area Concept

Notwithstanding the obstruction rules

provided in Chapter 8, it is not intended or
expected that water will fall on the entire
floor space of the occupancy.

43

Back-to-Back Sidewalls

The maximum width of the lintel or soffit

shall not exceed 16inches.
The maximum width of the lintel or soffit can
exceed 16 inches when a pendent sprinkler is
installed under the lintel or soffit.

44

Sprinkler Spacing <6 Feet

Standard and EC Sprinklers

(1) Baffles are arranged to protect the

actuating elements.
(2) Baffles shall be of solid and rigid material
that will stay in place before and during
sprinkler operation.
(3) Baffles shall be not less than 8 in. long
and 6 in. (152 mm) high.

45

15

Sprinkler Spacing <6 Feet

Standard and EC Sprinklers

(4) The tops of baffles shall extend between

2 in. and 3 in. (51 mm and 76 mm) above
the deflectors of upright sprinklers.
(5) The bottoms of baffles shall extend
downward to a level at least even with the
deflectors of pendent sprinklers.

46

8.3.3.4 Use of Sprinklers

When existing light hazard systems are

converted to use quick-response or
residential sprinklers, all sprinklers in a
compartment shall be changed.
8.3.4.1 Sprinklers shall have a minimum
nominal K-factor of 5.6 unless permitted by
8.3.4.

47

8.4.5.3 - Residential Sprinklers

Where residential sprinklers are installed in

a compartment as defined in 3.3.6, all
sprinklers within the compartment shall be
residential sprinklers.

48

16

Sidewall Obstructions Rule

Obstructions on the wall opposite from the

sidewall sprinkler shall be permitted where
the obstruction is up to 2 ft deep and 2 ft
wide

49

8.5.5.3.1.1
Open Grate Flooring

Open grate flooring over 4 feet in width shall

require sprinkler protection below the
grating.

50

Residential Sidewall Sprinklers

Residential horizontal sidewall sprinkler

deflectors shall be located no more than 6
in. from the wall on which they are
mounted unless listed for greater
distances.

51

17

Insulated Concealed Spaces

2 Inch Air Gap Permitted at Top

Entirely Not Practical

52

Elevator Requirements

Automatic fire sprinklers shall not be

required in elevator machine rooms and
elevator machine machinery spaces,
control spaces or hoistways of traction
elevators where the following are met:

1) The elevator machine room, machinery

space, control room, control space or
hoistway of traction elevator is and spaces
are dedicated to elevator equipment only
53

Elevator Requirements

2) Spaces are protected by smoke

detectors, or other automatic fire
detection, installed in accordance withNFPA
72.
Spaces are separated from the remainder
of the building by walls and floor/ceiling or
roof/ceiling assemblies having a fire
resistive resistance rating of not less than
that specified by the applicable building
code
54

18

Elevator Requirements

4) Spaces are protected by smoke

detectors, or other automatic fire
detection, installed in accordance withNFPA
72.
5) The elevator machinery is not of the
hydraulic type

55

Backflow as Required Control Valve

A listed backflow prevention device shall be

considered a control valve, and an
additional control valve shall not be
required.

56

8.15.3.1 Stairways of
Combustible Construction

Sprinklers shall be installed beneath all

stairways of combustible construction.
8.15.3.1.1 Sprinklers shall be installed at
the top of combustible stair shafts.
8.15.3.1.2* Sprinklers shall be installed
under the landings at each floor level.
8.15.3.1.3 Sprinklers shall be installed
beneath the lowest intermediate landing.
57

19

8.15.9* - Hospital Clothes Closets

Sprinklers shall not be required in clothes

closets of patient sleeping rooms in
hospitals where the area of the closet does
not exceed 6 ft (0.55 m) provided the
distance from the sprinkler in the patient
sleeping room to the back wall of the closet
does not exceed the maximum distance
permitted by 8.5.3.2.

58

8.17.2.5.1
Check Valve for FDC

A listed check valve shall be installed in

each fire department connection and shall
be located in an accessible location.

59

Heat Loss Calculation

Water filled piping shall be permitted to be

installed in areas where the temperature is
less than 40F (4C) when heat loss
calculation performed by a Professional
Engineer are performed to verify that the
system will not freeze

60

20

Heat Tracing

Where used to protect

branch lines, the heat
tracing system shall be
specifically listed for
use on branchlines.
Electric supervision of
the heat tracing system
shall provide positive
confirmation that the
circuit is energized.
61

Concealed Space Calculations

Unless the requirements of Section

11.2.3.1.4(4) are met for buildings having
unsprinklered combustible concealed
spaces, as described in Sections
8.15.1.2 and 8.15.6, the minimum design
area of sprinkler operation for that portion
of the building shall be eight sprinklers
3000 ft2 (279 m2).

62

ESFR and CMSA Applications

ESFR and CMSA

sprinklers meeting
any criteria in
Chapters 12-20
shall be permitted
to protect light and
ordinary hazard
occupancies.

63

21

Pressure Balancing

22.4.2.4.3 Pressure balancing shall be

permitted through the use of a K-factor
developed for branch lines or portions of
systems using the formula in 22.4.2.5.
22.4.2.5 K-factor Formula. K-factors, flow
from an orifice or pressure from an orifice
shall be determined on the basis of the
following formula:

64

Chapter 23
Plans & Calculations
23.2.1.1* Where a water flow test is used for
the purposes of system design, the test shall be
conducted no more than 12 months prior to
working plan submittal unless otherwise
approved by the AHJ.

Water Supply Capacity

23.1.2 Capacity. Water supplies shall be

capable of providing the required flow and
pressure for the remote design area
determined using the procedures in
Chapters 11 through 22.

66

22

K Factor Equation
K =

Q
P

K=Q/(p)0.5

67

Whats Not Happening

Re-use of Sprinklers Heads

Cloud Ceilings
Shadow Areas

Specially Listed
Exposed Expanded Plastics

68

Stay informed about innovation at

NFPA, visit: www.nfpa.org/innovation

23

NFPA 13 2013 Edition

Update

24