Tentative Interim Amendment

NFPA 13

Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems

1999 Edition

Reference: 5-4.6.3 and A-1-4.6

TIA 99-2 (NFPA 13)

Pursuant to Section 5 of the NFPA Regulations Governing Committee Projects, the National Fire
Protection Association has issued the following Tentative Interim Amendment to NFPA 13,
Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, 1999 edition. The TIA was processed by the
Automatic Sprinkler Committee, and was issued by the Standards Council on July 20, 2000 with
an effective date of August 9, 2000.

Tentative Interim Amendment is tentative because it has not been processed through the entire
standards-making procedures. It is interim because it is effective only between editions of the
standard. A TIA automatically becomes a proposal of the proponent for the next edition of the
standard; as such, it then is subject to all of the procedures of the standards-making process.

1. Revise 5-4.6.3 in its entirety including parts 1, 2 and 3 to read as follows:

5-4.6.3 ESFR sprinklers shall be permitted for use in buildings with unobstructed or obstructed
construction. Where depths of the solid structural members (beams, stems, etc.) exceed 12 in.,
ESFR sprinklers shall be installed in each channel formed by the solid structural members.
Minimum sprinkler spacing and area of coverage shall comply with sections 5-11.3.4 and 5-
11.2.3.

2. Add a second paragraph to A-5-4.6.3 to read as follows:

A-5-4.6.3 ESFR sprinklers are not suitable for all types of building construction. Various
ceiling construction features such as those with deep narrow ceiling channels can cause
unacceptable delays with sprinkler activation and obstruct the sprinklers discharge pattern. Where
sprinklers are installed in each channel of obstructed construction there needs to adequate
separation between sprinklers as identified in section 5-11. The limitations of sections 5-11.3.4
and 5-11.2.3 will preclude the use of ESFR sprinklers under narrow deep channels.

3. Add a new definition (c) to paragraph A-1-4.6, Obstructed Construction and a new Figure A-1-
4.6(b) to read as follows (renumber existing sections and figures accordingly):

(c) Concrete Tee Construction. The term concrete tee construction as it is used in this standard
refers to solid concrete members with stems (legs) having a nominal thickness less than the
nominal height. See Figure A-1-4.6 (b) for examples of concrete tee construction.

Figure A-1-4.6(b) Typical concrete tee construction

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NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION