UAE FIRE & LIFE SAFETY CODE OF PRACTICE CHAPTER 9.

FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS

5.12. Sprinkler Thread, Orifice & K-Factor

5.12.1. Standard sprinklers shall have the thread size of not less than ½” (12.7mm) NPT
having nominal orifice size of ½” (12.7mm) with K-factor 5.6 (Metric factor 80).

5.12.2. Extended coverage sprinklers shall have their thread size, orifice size and K-
factor depending upon their approval listing and may vary upon the
manufacturers.

5.12.3. Sprinklers having a K-factor exceeding K-5.6 (80) and having ½ in. (15 mm) NPT
shall not be permitted to install in new sprinkler systems.

5.12.4. Where design density required is greater than 8.1 LPM/Sq.Mtrs (2.1
GPM/Sq.Mtrs) but lesser than 13.9 LPM/ Sq.mtrs (3.7 GPM/Sq.mtrs), the
sprinklers having K-factor 8.0 (Metric factor K-116) shall be used.

5.12.5. If the design density required is greater than 13.9 LPM/ Sq.mtrs (3.7
GPM/Sq.mtrs), the sprinklers having K-factor 11.2 (Metric factor K-161) or higher
shall be used as per the approval listing.

5.13. Sprinkler Zone Limitations

5.13.1. The maximum area of any single sprinkler zone in a floor shall be not more than
the floor area specified in the Table 9.6 given below. The water supply to the
sprinklers supplied by any one sprinkler system riser or combined system riser
shall be not more than the specified maximum floor area.

5.13.2. Where the floor area exceeds the limit as specified in the Table 9.6, an additional
water supply risers shall be proposed for every maximum sprinkler zone in each
floor complete with sprinkler Alarm check Valve (ACV) assembly and riser
isolation valve.

5.13.3. In addition, a floor zone control valve (ZCV) assembly shall be proposed at every
floor where the tapping is taken from the sprinkler riser.

5.13.4. Alarm Check Valves (ACV) and Floor Zone Control Valves (ZCV) shall be located
inside stair enclosure at a higher level than required ‘Headroom’ for the stairs.

5.14. Sprinkler Operating Pressure

5.14.1. The minimum operating pressure of any sprinkler for determining the water
supply requirements shall be not less than 0.5 bar (7 PSI) in the light hazard
occupancy and 1.0 bar (14.5 PSI) in the ordinary hazard occupancies.

5.14.2. The maximum operating pressure in a sprinkler system shall not be more than 12
bar.

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