The following information is intended primarily for construction design professionals that design with light wood framing. The goal of this document is to assist in designing safe buildings economically, especially when sprinkler systems are required or desired in the design.
The Structural Building Component Association (SBCA) supports making a positive effort to promote universal building installation of sprinklers for all types of construction and structural elements, provided they are cost effective and do not create a competitive advantage for one structural element over another. Installed and functioning sprinkler systems can save lives and reduce property damage. This is a win for everyone: the owner/occupant, firefighters, insurers, and the community in general.
Due to the development of residential sprinkler system standards and components specifically designed to meet residential requirements, a residential sprinkler system can be installed affordably. The inclusion of a sprinkler system can pay for itself through lowered insurance costs, reduced corridor widths, less expensive wall and door assemblies/finishes, the reduction or elimination of exit requirements, and enhanced resale value.
Authoring numerous codes and standards related to fire safety, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is an international non-profit organization advocating fire prevention and safety. The NFPA publishes three separate standards dealing with the installation of sprinklers in buildings. The purpose of the NFPA sprinkler system standards is to fairly evaluate construction practices and materials and define methods to best protect the occupants, the contents, and the structure in the event of fire. NFPA 13 is the over-arching standard for sprinkler system protection. However, in evaluating the methods promoted by this standard, the implementation of these methods in residential construction was seen as cost-prohibitive. The 13D and 13R standards were created to cover very specific classes of residential construction: one- and two-family up to four-story multi-family residential buildings.
The NFPA standards are designed with two specific but not always equal considerations:
The Structural Building Component Association (SBCA) supports making a positive effort to promote universal building installation of sprinklers for all types of construction and structural elements, provided they are cost effective and do not create a competitive advantage for one structural element over another. Installed and functioning sprinkler systems can save lives and reduce property damage. This is a win for everyone: the owner/occupant, firefighters, insurers, and the community in general.
Due to the development of residential sprinkler system standards and components specifically designed to meet residential requirements, a residential sprinkler system can be installed affordably. The inclusion of a sprinkler system can pay for itself through lowered insurance costs, reduced corridor widths, less expensive wall and door assemblies/finishes, the reduction or elimination of exit requirements, and enhanced resale value.
Authoring numerous codes and standards related to fire safety, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is an international non-profit organization advocating fire prevention and safety. The NFPA publishes three separate standards dealing with the installation of sprinklers in buildings. The purpose of the NFPA sprinkler system standards is to fairly evaluate construction practices and materials and define methods to best protect the occupants, the contents, and the structure in the event of fire. NFPA 13 is the over-arching standard for sprinkler system protection. However, in evaluating the methods promoted by this standard, the implementation of these methods in residential construction was seen as cost-prohibitive. The 13D and 13R standards were created to cover very specific classes of residential construction: one- and two-family up to four-story multi-family residential buildings.
The NFPA standards are designed with two specific but not always equal considerations:
- Life protection.
- Property protection (contents and/or structure).
Protection of life is the primary consideration in residential sprinkler system design. Preservation of property is generally dominant in non-residential design.
The information in this document is applicable to the 2010 or 2013 editions of the NFPA standards. It is intended to provide general guidance and does not represent the full complexity of the NFPA standards.
The information in this document is applicable to the 2010 or 2013 editions of the NFPA standards. It is intended to provide general guidance and does not represent the full complexity of the NFPA standards.
This legacy SBCA Research Report represents information and code requirements current as of the publication date shown. However, codes and standards change periodically. The user is encouraged to verify the referenced information is still current and conforms to current code requirements.
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