Tag Archives: NFPA 13

Research Continues on Larger Sizes The invent of early suppression fast response (ESFR) sprinkler in the 1980s revolutionized storage fire protection. No longer were rack sprinklers needed to protect high heat release rate commodities stored within tall racks. In addition, the ESFR sprinkler provides adequate protection for a range of …

Getting Products to Market Research and development (R&D) in the fire sprinkler world is a fascinating, frustrating, regulated, fun, rewarding, and slow process. In the fire sprinkler industry we often confuse R&D with good, old-fashioned product engineering. I have had the pleasure to be involved with the R&D process for …

In Part 1 of this article, I discussed the many signs that are required by NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems. I tried to provide some of the reasons and history behind those requirements. In this follow-up article, I will extend the discussion to NFPA 13D, Standard …

The Existing Criteria is Likely Too Conservative In a continuing and extensive effort to develop reliable and effective tools and guidelines for the unique installation of early suppression fast response (ESFR) sprinklers relative to obstructions, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) through its Research Foundation has completed three phases of …

One of the more important functions of your association is to monitor and provide input to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. AFSA has voting seats that represent contractors on all the major standards: NFPA 13, 13R, 14, 20, 25 and 409 just to name a few. Our technical …

What Sprinkler Contractor Owners Need to Know The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is an industry association that exists primarily to represent the interests of open shop fire sprinkler contractor owners. In context, it is important that each sprinkler contractor owner fully understand that the applicable building codes and their …

Part 1: NFPA 13 Requirements The comedian Bill Engvall made the saying “Here is your sign” well known. When Bill said it, it was directed at someone who just said something that was obvious or just plain stupid. One story I remember Bill telling at a comedy show was about a gentleman who was …

Wood Joist Versus Composite Wood Joist NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, allows the omission of sprinkler protection from some combustible, concealed spaces for both wood joist and combustible wood joist construction. (See section 8.15.1.2.) Historically, though, only the composite wood choice had to apply a 3,000 …

Continuing With the Z Dimension That’s right… you read the last paragraph of my previous article in the September/October 2016 issue of Sprinkler Age correctly (see page 44 of that issue, or click here to see the blog post). Sensitivity and discharge are not equal in the eyes of the …

Seeking Solutions in NFPA 25 to Unusual Challenges Inspection, testing and maintenance service providers face many challenges, which we in the “training community” often espouse in articles and live seminars. All too often, we focus on the obvious issues associated with liability, contractual structure and responsibilities to meet requirements of NFPA …