Tag Archives: NFPA 13

Application and Pitfalls When reviewing a set of contract documents, I often find myself gravitating to the life-safety drawings. These drawings spell out several items which help me in evaluating the overall sprinkler needs for a project. Among the most common items identified are the location and rating of the …

A New Scope for Roofs with Slope Combustible concealed attics have always been a difficult area for the fire sprinkler industry to adequately protect. Adding to this difficulty is the public perception of failure by automatic fire sprinkler systems when a fire burns unchecked through an NFPA 13R, Standard for …

An Answer for Many Problems Including Sloped Ceilings When a localized portion of the rack has a commodity that requires a design basis greater than what the ceiling system can provide, there is an alternate protection scheme within the rack that requires far less water than a ceiling system (even …

Responsibility Does Not Lay With Sprinkler Contractors The fire sprinkler contractor demonstrates their professionalism by reputation, experience, and license. Such a license strictly limits their scope of contract to the design and installation of NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, systems conforming to the local building code. …

Back to Basics Hydraulic calculations completed by hand are a thing of the past. Computer programs can provide you with pages of information at the click of a mouse. However, given the demand for new sprinkler designers, there is a need to return to the basics. Designers, particularly newer designers, …

Using an NFPA 13 Analogy There are very few listed sway brace fittings for CPVC pipe. Listing criteria specified by the CPVC resin manufacturers and recognized by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) define the mechanics required of listed CPVC sway brace fittings and their design. Accordingly, UL listing requires strictly defined features …

Margin of Safety vs. Safety Factors There I was, working hard spotting and connecting dots with a steady hand and focused eye, when my boss came in and announced, “We are doing a water flow test this weekend and I want you to attend. I want you to learn how …

A Look Into Loading’s Effect on Sprinkler Thermal Sensitivity The 2017 edition of the NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, section 5.2.1.1.1 states that any sprinkler that shows signs of “loading detrimental to sprinkler performance” during the annual floor level inspection shall …

Informal Interpretations Help Douse Disagreements The informal interpretations featured in this issue of Sprinkler Age address NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code. AFSA’s informal interpretations are provided to AFSA members by Senior Vice President of Engineering & Technical Services Roland Huggins, P.E. and Senior Manager of Fire Protection Engineering …

Running the Criteria Gauntlet The first time I was presented with someone in need of an estimate to protect a paint booth was many years ago. I looked to others in the office for guidance, but I seemed to mostly get answers that involved “I think,” “I’m pretty sure,” or …