Tag Archives: NFPA 13

Understanding Free Flowing Group A Plastics The most important step in developing a design concept for protecting storage occupancies is to determine the overall storage commodity classification. This is not always an easy task, because of the varying extent of products that are stored and the method in which they …

Understanding the Modifiers There comes a time when many ask, “What does NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, mean by that?” This is especially prevalent with some of the modifiers that affect the commodity classification, the single most important aspect of the design. This came to my …

NFPA 13, 2016 Edition Added Tables Now that the 2016 edition of NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, has been published and shipped, sprinkler contractors, layout technicians, and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) are reviewing the newly added Tables 9.3.5.12.2 (a) through (f ) with respect to the …

Of all the roles the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) has, one of the least appreciated is our role in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards process. The process that NFPA uses is designed to be very egalitarian and to give all the stakeholders in the fire protection community …

Did you ever sign a document without reading the small print? Personally, I have always thought that the small print was designed to keep attorneys well funded, because the only time small print is important is when it is violated. The primary concern about your insurance policy or contract small …

Weighing the Differences For most sprinkler projects the building structure is of sufficient design and capacity to allow hanging of sprinkler components directly to the structure. Structural engineers take into account loads imposed on the structure by the sprinkler system and calculate them into the building design. Safety factors are …

New Criteria in the 2016 Edition of NFPA 13 When using angle iron as a trapeze member, slots in the angle would provide some flexibility during installation. The problem was that criteria were provided for holes for bolts, but there were no criteria for slots. Information for slots in angle …

Changes to the 2016 Edition of NFPA 13 in Two Parts The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is excited to announce its upcoming two-part live webinar event: “Changes from the 2013 Edition of NFPA 13 to the 2016 Edition”. The NFPA 13: Standard for the Installation of Fire Sprinkler Systems 2016 Edition has been released …

What Has Changed and Why I know most jurisdictions are just starting now to enforce the 2013 edition of NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems. However, the 2016 edition is now officially out and will start being applied over the next few years. Thinking about it, in …

Additional Rigid Braces are Required Using 2013 NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, as a reference, I will discuss this common tension-only sway brace misapplication. Many manufacturers of tension-only brace product incorrectly specify the installation of a rod hanger with a rod stiffener to resist upward vertical …