NFPA

13 Updates, 2016 Edition

Expertly Engineering Safety From Fire

1
Agenda
NFPA13
WhichEditionappliestoyourproject
ReviewSignificantChangestoNFPA13,2016
New&UpdatedCommodityClassificationTables
ExposedExpandedGroupAPlastics
CloudCeilings
DropOutCeilingsandCeilingMaterials
MetricConversions
SprinklerProtectedGlazing
Scope
NFPA13,InstallationofSprinklerSystems
Providestheminimumrequirementsfor
thedesignandinstallationofautomaticfire
sprinklersystems

Doesnotidentifywhenasystemisrequired
Localbuildingcodesandinsurance
regulations
 NFPA 13 Updates
2013Editioniscurrentedition

2016EditionisscheduledtobereleasedinAugust.

StandardwentbeforeNFPACommitteeMembership
forapprovalatthe2015NFPAConferenceinChicago
onJune2425,2015.

FivecommitteesresponsibleforNFPA13deliberated
overseveralhundredproposalsandcomments.
Which Edition Applies
FederalAgencies(DOD&VA)
Mostcurrenteditionapplies
Jurisdictionsadopt2012IBC,2012LSC
2010EditionofNFPA13
Jurisdictionsadopt2015IBC,2015LSC
2013EditionofNFPA13applies
CMMS(currently)
2000EditionofLSC(currently)
1999EditionofNFPA13
2012EditionofLSC(eventually)
2010EditionofNFPA13
Globalfront
ApplyNFPA5000,2015Edition
New Commodity Classification Tables
CompleteRevision
Ch.5Annex
Updated
examplesreflect
modernday
storagefacilities
Materialsevolved
fromwood&
metaltoplastics
Exposed Expanded Group A
Plastics in Racks
NewProtectionSchemeinChapter17
NFPA13hashistoricallybeensilent.
Commonintodaysmarketplace
DrivenbyFPRFFindings&ULTesting
Exposed Expanded Group A
Plastics in Racks
NewSection17.2.3.5
Single,double,multiplerowracks
25ft.maxstorageheight
40ft.maxceilingheight
IntermediatetemperatureratedESFRpendentsprinklers,K25.2
12hydraulicallydemandingsprinklerdesignarea
60psimin.operatingpressure
8ft min.islewidth
Solidverticalbarrier,3/8in.plywoodor22gaugesheetmetal,fromface
ofracktofaceofrack,16.5ft intervals
Extend4in.abovefloortomaxstorageheight
Areaofstoragebetweenverticalbarriers&islesshallnotexceed124ft2
Verticalfirebarriershallextendacrossthelongitudinalflue
Commodityshallbepermittedtoextendanominal4in.beyondthe
verticalbarrierattheisle
Cloud Ceilings
NewDefinition(3.3.5.1)
Cloud Ceilings
FPRF&AcademyofFireSprinklerTechnology
NewChapter8DesignCriteria
Sprinklersomittedabovecloudswhere
Combinedareaofopenings<20%ofceilingand
complywithTable8.15.2.4.1.
QRStandardSprayorECpendentorupright
EC,maxspacingof16ft.
Max20ft cloudceilingheight
MaxsprinklerspacingperTables8.6.2.2.1.a&b
Cloudceilings,smoothceilingconstruction
Irregularshapeclouds
Cloud Ceilings
NewTable8.15.2.4.1MaximumSprinkler
ProtectionAreaBasedonCeilingCloudWidth
andOpeningWidth
CeilingCloud Maximum Maximum Maximum
Minimum Area(ft2) Area(ft2) Area(ft2)
Width Opening Opening Opening
Dimension(ft) Width0.5 Width0.75 Width1
in./ft of in./ft of in./ft of
CeilingHeight CeilingHeight CeilingHeight

2<2.5 175 70 NP
2.54 225 120 70
>4 225 150 150
Cloud Ceilings
8.15.15. DropOut Ceilings
Dropoutceilings
Suspendedceilingsystem
Heatsensitivepanels
Fallwhenexposedtoheat
Sprinklerslocatedabovepanels
8.15.15. DropOut Ceilings and
Ceiling Materials
Criteriaexpandedtoincludeceilingmaterials
Membraneproducts
EvaluatedbyULUsingUL723S
Testevaluatesactivationtimeandobstruction
Seamsfailearlyenoughinthefiregrowth
Doesnotaffectthesprinkleractivationor
discharge
Performsimilartodropoutceilings
Metric Conversions
Recognizeseverincreasingglobal
applicationofthestandard
Intentistomakestandardmoreusable
Moreaccuratelyreflectthemetricnominal
pipesizesandmeasurementsusedabroad
3in.pipesconvertsto76.2mm(use75or
80mm?)
Roundingrules,example2,000gallons
convertsto7,570.824liters
SprinklerProtected Glazing
CodeOfficialshavehistoricallypermittedtheiruse
Atriumsandexteriorwalls

PreviouseditionsofNFPA13hasnotprovidedinstallationcriteria
Newprescriptivecriteriain2016Edition
Nottheintenttoapplytoglassatriumenclosuresorpedestrian
walkways,whicharecoveredbycodes

CommitteeStatement Recentactionsinbuildingcodeshave
attemptedtodiminishuseofthesesystems
ByprovidingspecificprovisionsinNFPA13,questionsregarding
thelackofappropriateinstallationrequirementswouldbe
resolved.
SprinklerProtected Glazing
NewSection8.15.26
Wheresprinklersareusedincombinationwithglazingasan
alternativetoarequiredfireratedwallorwindowassembly,the
sprinklerprotectedassemblyshallcomplywiththefollowing:
Sprinklerslistedasspecificapplicationwindowsprinklers(unlessthe
standardspraysprinklersispermittedbybuildingcode)
Wetpipesystem
Glazingshallbeheatstrengthened,tempered,orglassceramic&
fixed
Ifassemblyrequiresprotectiononbothsides,sprinklerbothsidesof
glazing
Limitedtononloadbearingwalls
Nohorizontalmembersinglazingthatwouldinterferewithwater
distributionoverglazing,andnospraypatternobstructions
Watersupplydurationfordesignareashallnotbelessthanrequired
ratingoftheassembly
Summary
Whicheditionappliestoyourproject
Keepabreastofcurrenttrends&criteria
2016hasnewcriteriawhichmaybenefit
yourproject
Takeawaymaintopicsdiscussed,notthe
details
Questions?