NFPA 13 question

[Inspector Gadget]

Evening all. I have an interesting permit request that I'm gonna phone a friend to obtain a second opinion.

Please note I am one of them-thar Canooodians, so 'Murrican Code references are irrelevant. I am ONLY concerned with NFPA 13 interp/guidance, here.

Pretty simple situation. Restaurant, with dwelling units overhead. Sprinklered. The client wishes to add a four-legged metal (non-combustible) shelter to an exterior deck, call it ~ 100 ft2 area if that. The structure would be enclosed on two sides to a height of 32". This is going to a permanent structure, three-season use. The walls would be a combustible wooden material. The roof is metallic, designed to close if required (ie: rain/snow). All other code parameters are fine, fyi.

Obviously, this is on the deck, and since we're in the part of Canada that ain't Vancouver Island, stuff freezes. However, the existing system is allegedly a dry system. I haven't verified.

I am of the view that this need not be sprinklered. I'm looking particularly at clause 8.15.7.2 – projections - as its the closest I've got to work with. The language states that projections need not be sprinklered if they are built with non-combustible materials. The two guards on the side are not part of the canopy/pergola are not part of the construction. I consider this sufficiently open to be akin to a projection.

 

[blugosi]

What are the exact dimensions of this canopy? More than 1.2 meters deep?
Which NFPA 13 edition is adopted?

 

[Inspector Gadget]

What are the exact dimensions of this canopy? More than 1.2 meters deep?
Which NFPA 13 edition is adopted?

Footprint of this canopy gizmo is <100ft2. NFPA 13 2013 in force. My only copy of NFPA 13 is the 2016 edition.

 

[blugosi]

Footprint of this canopy gizmo is <100ft2. NFPA 13 2013 in force. My only copy of NFPA 13 is the 2016 edition.

OK, let's go with the 2013 edition.

The article relevant to your situation is 8.15.7 Exterior Projections.

Unless the requirements of 8.15.7.2, 8.15.7.3, or 8.15.7.4 are met, sprinklers shall be installed under exterior projections exceeding 4 ft (1.2 m) in width.

So it is important to look at the width of the projection, not so much the area.

If the canopy width is not more than 4 feet forget it altogether.

However, another relevant reference is 8.15.7.5:
Sprinklers shall be installed under exterior projections greater than 2 ft (0.6 m) wide over areas where combustibles are stored.

Will combustibles be stored under the canopy, or not?

Regarding the dry sprinklers point:
If the existing sprinkler system is for the internal spaces, I suspect that it will be wet type. If there is a dry sprinkler riser, you could connect potentially required sprinklers on that riser, if the hydraulic calcs and discharge time constraints work.

However, small unheated areas can be protected by dry pendent sprinklers extending through the wall from wet sprinkler piping in an adjacent heated area like in the example below.

This figure is from an older NFPA publication. If i am infringing any copyright clauses by attaching it, i apologize and kindly request the administrator to remove it.

 

[steveray]

This is my concern with canopy creep........The hard answer is it is an A2 fire area expansion when you put a roof over it....I do not believe that canopies are supposed to be "projections", but that is me....

 

[blugosi]

This is my concern with canopy creep........The hard answer is it is an A2 fire area expansion when you put a roof over it....I do not believe that canopies are supposed to be "projections", but that is me....

The exact ANNEX wording in the 2013 NFPA 13 edition is " Exterior projections include, but are not limited to, exterior roofs, canopies, porte-cocheres, balconies, decks, or similar projections"

 

[steveray]

The exact ANNEX wording in the 2013 NFPA 13 edition is " Exterior projections include, but are not limited to, exterior roofs, canopies, porte-cocheres, balconies, decks, or similar projections"

And what does NFPA define as a canopy? To me, a canopy is not really intended to shelter a use....Otherwise it's part of the building...

[BG] CANOPY. A permanent structure or architectural projection of rigid construction over which a covering is attached that provides weather protection, identity or decoration. A canopy is permitted to be structurally independent or supported by attachment to a building on one or more sides.

 

[blugosi]

And what does NFPA define as a canopy? To me, a canopy is not really intended to shelter a use....Otherwise it's part of the building...

[BG] CANOPY. A permanent structure or architectural projection of rigid construction over which a covering is attached that provides weather protection, identity or decoration. A canopy is permitted to be structurally independent or supported by attachment to a building on one or more sides.

"Any fixed roof–like structure that is self-supporting in whole or in part, but having no sidewalls or curtains other than valances not exceeding 18 in. (455 mm) in depth."

This is the current NFPA definition. There are differences from the IBC definition you cited.

 

[Inspector Gadget]

So....in the end, the pergola is to be snuggled right up against the existing building, and surrounded on at least one, if not two sides, with a combustible mini-wall.
- NFPA 13's 2016 version allows exemptions for projections, new to the 2016 edition.
- this is not a projection
- we are not yet on the 2016 edition of nfpa 13
- I confirmed a dry system

Hence, we are going to require sprinkler protection.