612.0 Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems

Where residential sprinkler systems are required in one and two family dwellings or townhouses, the systems shall be installed by an ASSE Series 7000 certified installer in accordance with this section or NFPA 13D. This section shall be considered equivalent to NFPA 13D. Partial residential sprinkler systems shall be permitted to be installed in buildings not required to be equipped with a residential sprinkler system.

This section shall apply to standalone and multipurpose wet-pipe sprinkler systems that do not include the use of antifreeze. A multipurpose fire sprinkler system shall provide potable water to both fire sprinklers and plumbing fixtures. A stand-alone sprinkler system shall be separate and independent from the potable water distribution system.

Sprinklers shall be installed in accordance with Section 612.3.1 through Section 612.3.7.

Sprinklers shall be installed to protect all floor areas of a dwelling unit in one and two family dwellings or townhouses.

Exceptions:

1. Attics, crawl spaces, and normally unoccupied concealed spaces that do not contain fuel-fired appliances do not require sprinklers. In attics, crawl spaces, and normally unoccupied concealed spaces that contain fuel-fired equipment, a sprinkler shall be provided to protect the equipment; however, sprinklers shall not be required in the remainder of the space.
2. Clothes closets, linen closets, and pantries that do not exceed 24 square feet (2.2 m²) in area, with the smallest dimension not exceeding 3 feet (914 mm) and having wall and ceiling surfaces of gypsum board.
3. Bathrooms and toilet rooms that do not exceed 55 square feet (5.1 m²) in area.
4. Detached garages; carports; with no habitable space above; open attached porches; unheated entry areas, such as mud rooms, that are adjacent to an exterior door; and similar areas.
5. Covered unheated projections of the building at entrances/exits provided it is not the only means of egress from the dwelling unit.
6. Ceiling pockets that meet the following requirements:
   
   
   1. The total volume of an unprotected ceiling pocket does not exceed 100 cubic feet (2.83 m³).
   2. The entire floor under the unprotected ceiling pocket is protected by the sprinklers at the lower ceiling elevation.
   3. Each unprotected ceiling pocket is separated from an adjacent unprotected ceiling pocket by not less than a 10 feet (3048 mm) horizontal distance.
   4. The interior finish of the unprotected ceiling pocket is noncombustible material.
   5. Skylights not exceeding 32 square feet (2.97 m²).

Sprinklers shall be listed residential sprinklers and shall be installed in accordance with the sprinkler manufacturer's installation instructions.

Sprinklers shall have a temperature rating of not less than 135°F (57°C) and not more than 170°F (77°C). Sprinklers shall be separated from heat sources in accordance with the sprinkler manufacturer's installation instructions.

Exception: Sprinklers located close to a heat source in accordance with Section 612.3.3.1 shall be intermediate temperature sprinklers.

Sprinklers shall have an intermediate temperature rating of not less than 175°F (79°C) and not more than 225°F (107°C) where installed in the following locations:

1. Directly under skylights, where the sprinkler is exposed to direct sunlight.
2. In attics and concealed spaces located directly beneath a roof.
3. Within the distance to a heat source in accordance with Table 612.3.3.1.

For SI units: 1 inch = 25.4 mm

Notes:

¹   Distances shall be measured in a straight line from the nearest edge of the heat source to the nearest edge of the sprinkler.

²   Sprinklers shall not be located at distances less than the minimum table distance unless the sprinkler listing allows a lesser distance.

The piping system shall be protected in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 3. Where sprinklers are required in areas that are subject to freezing, dry-sidewall or dry-pendent sprinklers extending from a non-freezing area into a freezing area shall be installed. Where fire sprinkler piping cannot be adequately protected against freezing, the system shall be designed and installed in accordance with NFPA 13D.

The area of coverage of a single sprinkler shall be based on the sprinkler listing and the sprinkler manufacturer's installation instructions. The area of coverage of a single sprinkler shall not exceed 400 square feet (37.16 m²).

The water discharge from a sprinkler shall not be blocked by obstructions unless additional sprinklers are installed to protect the obstructed area. Additional sprinklers shall not be required where sprinkler separation from obstructions is in accordance with the requirements of Table 612.3.6, or the minimum distances specified in the sprinkler manufacturer's installation instructions.

SIDEWALL SPRINKLER SIDE OBSTRUCTION
DISTANCE FROM DEFLECTOR TO PLANE AT BOTTOM OF OBSTRUCTION (A) (inches)	MINIMUM DISTANCE TO OBSTRUCTION (B) (feet)
1	11⁄2
3	3
5	4
7	41⁄2
9	6
11	61⁄2
14	7

SIDEWALL SPRINKLER SIDE OBSTRUCTION
DISTANCE FROM DEFLECTOR TO PLANE AT BOTTOM OF OBSTRUCTION (A) (inches)	MINIMUM DISTANCE TO OBSTRUCTION (B) (feet)
1	8
2	10
3	11
4	12
6	13
7	14
9	15
11	16
14	17

For SI units: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm

Pendent sprinklers located within 3 feet (914 mm) of the center of a ceiling fan, surface-mounted ceiling luminaire, or similar object shall be considered to be obstructed and additional sprinklers shall be provided.

Sidewall sprinklers located within 5 feet (1524 mm) of the center of a ceiling fan, surface-mounted ceiling luminaire, or similar object shall be considered to be obstructed and additional sprinklers shall be provided.

Sprinklers shall not be painted, caulked, or modified. A sprinkler that has been painted, caulked, modified, or damaged shall be replaced with a new sprinkler.

Sprinkler piping systems shall be installed in accordance with Section 612.4.1 through Section 612.4.5.

Sprinkler piping shall be installed in accordance with the requirements for water distribution piping. Sprinkler piping shall comply with the material requirements for cold water distribution piping. For multipurpose piping systems, the sprinkler piping shall connect to and be a part of the cold water distribution piping system.

Nonmetallic pipe and tubing, such as CPVC, PEX-AL-PEX, PE-RT, and PEX, shall be certified for residential sprinkler installations and shall have a pressure rating of not less than 130 psi (896 kPa) at 120°F (49°C).

Nonmetallic pipe and tubing systems shall be protected from exposure to the occupied space by a layer of not less than ³⁄₈ of an inch (9.5 mm) thick gypsum wallboard, ¹⁄₂ of an inch (12.7 mm) thick plywood, or other material having a 15 minute fire rating.

Exceptions:

1. Pipe protection shall not be required in areas that are not required to be protected with sprinklers in accordance with Section 612.3.1.
2. Pipe protection shall not be required where exposed piping is permitted by the pipe third party listing.

The solvent cementing of fittings shall be completed and threaded adapters for sprinklers shall be verified as being clear of excess cement prior to the installation of sprinklers on systems assembled with solvent cement.

Shutoff valves shall not be installed in a location where the valve would isolate piping serving one or more sprinklers. Shutoff valves shall only be permitted for the entire water distribution system.

The sprinkler piping beyond the service valve located at the beginning of the water distribution system shall serve only one dwelling unit.

A ¹⁄₂ inch (15 mm) drain for the sprinkler system shall be provided on the system side of the water distribution shutoff valve.

Sprinkler piping systems shall be sized in accordance with Section 612.5.1 through Section 612.5.3.2.2.

The sizing of the sprinkler piping system shall be based on the flow rate and pressure of each sprinkler in accordance with Section 612.5.1.1 and the number of sprinklers in accordance with Section 612.5.1.3.

The minimum flow rate and pressure for each residential sprinkler shall be in accordance with the manufacturer's published data for the specific sprinkler model based on the following:

1. The area of coverage
2. The ceiling configuration
3. The temperature rating
4. Additional conditions specified by the sprinkler manufacturer

The flow rate used for sizing the sprinkler piping system shall be based on the following:

1. The flow rate for a room having only one sprinkler shall be the flow rate required for the sprinkler in accordance with Section 612.5.1.1.
2. The flow rate for a room having two or more sprinklers shall be determined by identifying the sprinkler in the room with the highest required flow rate in accordance with Section 612.5.1.1, and multiplying that flow rate by 2.
3. Where the sprinkler manufacturer specifies different criteria for ceiling configurations that are not smooth, flat, and horizontal the required flow rate for that room shall be in accordance with the sprinkler manufacturer's instructions.
4. The flow rate used for sizing the sprinkler system shall be the flow required by the room with the largest flow rate in accordance with Section 612.5.1.2(1), Section 612.5.1.2(2), and Section 612.5.1.2(3).
5. For the purpose of this section, it shall be permissible to reduce the flow rate for a room by subdividing the space into two or more rooms, where each room is evaluated separately with respect to the required design flow rate. Each room shall be bounded by walls and a ceiling. Openings in walls shall have a lintel not less than 8 inches (203 mm) in depth and each lintel shall form a solid barrier between the ceiling and the top of the opening.

The water supply for a multipurpose or stand alone sprinkler system shall be provided by the public water main, private water main, private well system, or storage tank. The water supply required shall be determined in accordance with Section 612.5.1.2 at a pressure not less than that used in accordance with Section 612.5.3. Where a water supply serves both domestic and fire sprinkler systems, 5 gpm (19 L/min) shall be added to the sprinkler system demand at the point where the systems are connected, to determine the size of common piping and the size of the total water supply requirements where no provision is made to prevent flow into the domestic water system upon operation of a sprinkler.

Where a dwelling unit water supply is from a tank system, a private well system, a pump or a combination of these, the available water pressure shall be based on the minimum pressure control setting of the pump.

The water supply shall have the capacity to provide the required flow rate to the sprinklers for a period of time as follows:

1. Seven minutes for one story dwelling units less than 2000 square feet (185.81 m²) in area. For the purpose of determining the area of the dwelling unit, the area of attached garages and attached open carports, porches, balconies and patios shall not be included.
2. Ten minutes for multi-level dwelling units and one story dwelling units not less than 2000 square feet (185.81 m²) in area. For the purpose of determining the area of the dwelling unit, the area of attached garages and attached open carports, porches, balconies, and patios shall not be included.

    Where a well system, a water supply tank system, a pump, or a combination thereof is used the water supply shall serve both domestic and fire sprinkler systems. A combination of well capacity and tank storage shall be permitted to meet the capacity requirement.

The sprinkler piping shall be sized for the flow rate in accordance with Section 612.5.1. The flow rate required to supply the plumbing fixtures shall not be required to be added to the sprinkler design flow for multipurpose or stand-alone piping systems. The sizing of the water supply to the plumbing fixtures shall be determined in accordance with this chapter. For multipurpose piping systems, the largest pipe size required based on either the sprinkler piping calculations or the water distribution piping calculations shall be installed.

The sprinkler pipe shall be sized using the prescriptive method in Section 612.5.3.2 or by hydraulic calculation in accordance with NFPA 13D. The sprinkler pipe size from the water supply source to a sprinkler shall be not less than ³⁄₄ of an inch (20 mm) in diameter. Threaded adapter fittings at the point where sprinklers are attached to the piping shall be not less than ¹⁄₂ of an inch (15 mm) in diameter.

The sprinkler pipe shall be sized by determining the available pressure to offset friction loss in piping and based on the piping material, diameter and length using the equation in Section 612.5.3.2.1 and the procedure in Section 612.5.3.2.2.

The available system pressure (P_t) for sizing the sprinkler piping shall be determined in accordance with the Equation 612.5.3.2.1.

Pt	=	Pressure used for sizing the system in Table 612.5.3.2(4) through Table 612.5.3.2(9)
Psup	=	Pressure available from the water supply source
PLws	=	Pressure loss in the water service pipe
PLm	=	Pressure loss through the water meter
PLd	=	Pressure loss from devices other than the water meter
PLe	=	Pressure loss associated with changes in elevation
Psp	=	Maximum pressure required by a sprinkler

For SI units: 1 pound-force per square inch = 6.8947 kPa, 1 gallon per minute = 0.06 L/s, 1 inch = 25 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm
* NP - Means not permitted.


For SI units: 1 pound-force per square inch = 6.8947 kPa, 1 gallon per minute = 0.06 L/s, 1 inch = 25 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm


For SI units: 1 pound-force per square inch = 6.8947 kPa, 1 gallon per minute = 0.06 L/s, 1 inch = 25 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm

For SI units: 1 pound-force per square inch = 6.8947 kPa, 1 gallon per minute = 0.06 L/s, 1 inch = 25 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm

The following procedure shall be used to determine the minimum size of the residential sprinkler piping:

Step 1 - Determine P_sup

Obtain the supply pressure available from the water main from the water purveyor, or for an individual source, the available supply pressure shall be in accordance with Section 612.5.2.1. The pressure shall be the flowing pressure available at the flow rate used when applying Table 612.5.3.2(1).

Step 2 - Determine PL_ws

Use Table 612.5.3.2(1) to determine the pressure loss in the water service pipe based on the size of the water service. Where the water service supplies more than one dwelling unit, 5 gpm (0.3 L/s) shall be added to the sprinkler flow rate.

Step 3 - Determine PL_m

Use Table 612.5.3.2(2) to determine the pressure loss from the water meter based on the water meter size.

Step 4 - Determine PL_d

Determine the pressure loss from devices, other than the water meter, installed in the piping system supplying sprinklers such as pressure-reducing valves, backflow preventers, water softeners, or water filters. Device pressure losses shall be based on the device manufacturer's specifications. The flow rate used to determine pressure loss shall be the sprinkler flow rate from Section 612.5.1.2. As an alternative to deducting pressure loss for a device, an automatic bypass valve shall be installed to divert flow around the device when a sprinkler activates.

Step 5 - Determine PL_e

Use Table 612.5.3.2(3) to determine the pressure loss associated with changes in elevation. The elevation used in applying the table shall be the difference between the elevation where the water source pressure was measured and the elevation of the highest sprinkler.

Step 6 - Determine P_sp

Determine the maximum pressure required by an individual sprinkler based on the flow rate from Section 612.5.1.1. The minimum pressure required is specified in the sprinkler manufacturer's published data for the specific sprinkler model based on the selected flow rate.

Step 7 - Calculate P_t

Using Equation 612.5.3.2.1, calculate the available system pressure for sizing the sprinkler piping.

Step 8 - Determine the maximum allowable pipe length

Use Table 612.5.3.2(4) through Table 612.5.3.2(9) to select a material and size for the residential sprinkler piping. The piping material and size shall be acceptable where the developed length of pipe between the inside water service valve and the most remote sprinkler does not exceed the maximum allowable length specified by the applicable table. Interpolation of P_t bctween the tabular values shall be permitted.

    The maximum allowable length of piping in Table 612.5.3.2(4) through Table 612.5.3.2(9) incorporates an adjustment for pipe fittings, and no additional consideration of friction losses associated with pipe fittings shall be required.

For SI units: 1 gallon per minute = 0.06 L/s, 1 pound-force per square inch= 6.8947 kPa, 1 inch = 25 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm

Notes:

¹   Values arc applicable for underground piping materials and are based on polyethylene pipe having an SDR of 11 and a Hazen Williams C Factor of 150.

²   Values include the following length allowances for fittings: 25 percent length increase for actual lengths up to 100 feet (30480 mm) and 15 percent length increase for actual lengths over 100 feet (30480 mm).

³   NP - Means not permitted.

For SI units: 1 gallon per minnte = 0.06 L/s, 1 pound-force per square inch = 6.8947 kPa, 1 inch = 25 mm

Notes:

¹   Table 612.5.3.2(2) establishes conservative values for water meter pressure loss for installations where the water meter loss is unknown. Where the actual water meter pressure loss is known, PL_m shall be the pressure loss as specified by the meter manufacturer.

²   NP - Means not permitted.

TABLE 612.5.3.2(3)
ELEVATION LOSS (PL_e)

ELEVATION (feet)	PRESSURE LOSS (psi)
5	2.2
10	4.4
15	6.5
20	8.7
25	10.9
20	13.0
35	15.2
40	17.4

For SI units: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 pound-force per square inch = 6.8947 kPa

An owner's manual for the fire sprinkler system shall be provided to the owner. A sign or valve tag shall be installed at the main shutoff valve to the water distribution system stating the following: "Warning, the water system for this home supplies fire sprinklers that require certain flow and pressure to fight a fire. Devices that restrict the flow, decrease the pressure, or automatically shut off the water to the fire sprinkler system, such as water softeners, filtration systems, and automatic shutoff valves shall not be added to this system without a review of the fire, sprinkler system by a fire protection specialist. Do not remove this sign."

The inspection and testing of sprinkler systems shall be in accordance with Section 612.7.1 and Section 612.7.2.

The following shall be verified prior to the concealment of any sprinkler system piping:

1. Sprinklers are installed in all areas in accordance with Section 612.3.1
2. Where sprinkler water spray patterns are obstructed by construction features, luminaries or ceiling fans, additional sprinklers are installed in accordance with Section 612.3.6.
3. Sprinklers are the correct temperature rating and are installed at or beyond the required separation distances from heat sources in accordance with Section 612.3.3 and Section 612.3.3.1.
4. The minimum pipe size in accordance with the requirements of Table 612.5.3.2(4) through Table 612.5.3.2(9) or, where the piping system was hydraulically calculated in accordance with Section 612.5.3.1, the size used in the hydraulic calculation.
5. The pipe length does not exceed the length permitted by Table 612.5.3.2(4) through Table 612.5.3.2(9) or, where the piping system was hydraulically calculated in accordance with Section 612.5.3.1, pipe lengths and fittings shall not exceed those used in the hydraulic calculation.
6. Nonmetallic piping that conveys water to sprinklers is certified as having a pressure rating of not less than 130 psi (896 kPa) at 120°F (49°C).
7. Piping is properly supported.
8. The piping system is tested in accordance with Section 609.4.

Upon completion of the residential sprinkler system, the system shall be inspected. The following shall be verified during the final inspection:

1. Sprinklers are not painted, damaged, or otherwise hindered from operation.
2. Where a pump is required to provide water to the system, the pump starts automatically upon system water demand.
3. Pressure reducing valves, water softeners, water filters, or other impairments to water flow that were not part of the original design have not been installed.
4. The sign or valve tag in accordance with Section 612.6 is installed and the owner's manual for the system is present.