Residential sprinkler systems in New York City must be constructed in accordance with the New York Building Code, the New York Fire Code, and any applicable National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. In general, NFPA 13 covers requirements for installing sprinkler systems, but modified versions are available for residential buildings.
- NFPA 13D: Standard for Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Homes and Manufactured Homes
- NFPA 13R: Standard for Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Low-rise Residential Occupancies
NFPA 13D and 13R were developed to meet the unique needs of the residential sector . This article will provide a brief overview of both standards, including the requirements that must be met to use them instead of NFPA 13.
Why Residential Buildings Have Specific Sprinkler Standards
Occupants of commercial buildings are generally aware of their surroundings, which allows them to react quickly in the event of a fire. However, this does not apply to residential environments:
- Occupants who are sleeping may not be able to react in time when there is a fire. By the time they are woken by the heat or smoke, it may be too late.
- Some occupants may not be able to save themselves even if they are awake when the fire occurs. For example, this can affect children, the elderly and individuals with special needs.
In 1973, the NFPA Committee on Automatic Sprinklers created a team to develop a standard that would meet the needs of one- and two-family homes. The result was the first version of the NFPA 13D standard, published in 1975. The project's main goal was to provide a system that would give occupants enough time to ensure their survival, while also being inexpensive. When the concept was expanded to larger residential buildings, the result was NFPA 13R, first published in 1989.
NFPA 13D: Overview and Usage Requirements
The NFPA 13D standard can only be used in one- and two-family residences and manufactured homes. It cannot be used for residential spaces that are part of a larger building, even if they have one or two houses; In these cases, the sprinkler system must be designed in accordance with NFPA 13 or 13R, whichever is applicable to the building in question.
Sprinkler systems constructed in accordance with NFPA 13D are designed to prevent electrical discharges in residential spaces, one of the main hazards associated with fires. To validate the performance of sprinkler systems built to the 13D standard, NFPA performed 60 tests on a two-story dwelling and 16 tests on a mobile home. It is important to note, however, that residential sprinkler systems constructed in accordance with NFPA 13D may not be able to control a fire if the fuel load is above average for a home or if flammable interior finishes are used. NFPA 13D provides the following recommendations for maximizing the effectiveness of sprinkler systems.
- Keep fuel load below 10 pounds per square foot.
- Use interior finishes with a flame spread index lower than 225 in accordance with ASTM E 84.
NFPA 13R: Overview and Usage Requirements
NFPA 13R was developed after lessons learned from NFPA 13D were applied to larger residential buildings. It is important to note that the official publication is for low-rise buildings up to four stories tall, but the New York City Department of Buildings has amended the standard to allow its use in buildings up to six stories tall. Additionally, residential buildings must not exceed 60 feet in height or otherwise the sprinkler system must be designed in accordance with standard NFPA 13.
A sprinkler system constructed in accordance with NFPA 13R is also capable of preventing lightning strikes while controlling fires in residential spaces below a specified fuel load and flame spread rate. It is important to note that NFPA 13R applies not only to homes themselves, but also to common areas of low-rise buildings. Below are some examples of these accessory areas:
- Garages and parking areas.
- Laundries
- Clubs
- Gyms and other exercise facilities
- Storage areas used by tenants outside of individual residences
It is important to note that the normal NFPA 13 standard was also changed after the publication of NFPA 13D and 13R. Residential spaces in buildings covered by NFPA 13 must use sprinklers rated for residential use, such as those specified in NFPA 13D and 13R.
New York City Amendments to NFPA Sprinkler System Standards
NFPA 13, 13D, and 13R do not directly apply to residential buildings in New York. As previously mentioned, the New York City Department of Buildings has introduced changes that are addressed in Appendix Q of the Building Code. These changes also cover other fire protection systems, such as standpipes, fire pumps and fire alarms .
One of the main changes introduced concerns the connections of the New York Fire Department. The code does not require them in buildings covered by NFPA 13D, but they can be added at the owner's discretion. However, if the decision is made to add them, they must meet all Fire Department mandatory connection requirements. On the other hand, at least one connection is mandatory in buildings covered by NFPA 13R.
In buildings covered by NFPA 13D or 13R, the sprinkler system may share the water supply with normal plumbing fixtures as long as two requirements are met:
- The water supply must be equipped with a device to prevent flow into domestic plumbing fixtures when the sprinkler system is operational.
- Closing the main sprinkler control valve should also shut off the domestic water supply.
The code also emphasizes that any sectional control valves located in the piping supplying water to the sprinkler system must be locked in the open position and equipped with a signaling device indicating that they are open.
Conclusion
Fire protection requirements in New York City are among the most demanding in the world, which should come as no surprise given the high concentration of buildings and population. With professional guidance and installation services , homeowners can ensure their sprinkler systems meet all applicable requirements. A substandard residential sprinkler system is not only illegal; it also poses a risk to building occupants.
