Quick-response intermediate temperature sprinkler in Attic

[Martin Brown 76]

We are required to install a quick-response intermediate temperature sprinkler over a make-up air unit that will be in the attic of the building. Can this sprinkler be tied into the main water supply (well water) with a back flow preventor or does it need it's own water storage tank and pump? This is the only sprinkler head required in a type VB construction A-2 Assembly building (restaurant) besides the kitchen exhaust hood which will have it's own Ansul system.

 

[TheCommish]

Need more information, can you cite the code chapter, verse, book and edition for the stated requirement?

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

This is posted under Fire Codes. Who is calling for this, the building official or the fire marshal? Is the requirement in the IBC, the IEBC, or the IFC?

 

[TheCommish]

Ct IBC

[F] 903.2.1.2 Group A-2​

Amendment

An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for fire areas containing Group A-2 occupancies and throughout all stories from the Group A-2 occupancy to and including the levels of exit discharge serving that occupancy where one of the following conditions exists:

1. The fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet (464.5 m2).
   Exception: Existing restaurants in existing non-sprinklered buildings that were designated Use Group A-3 under a previous edition of the Connecticut State Building Code that undergo addition, alteration or change of occupancy that results in an increase in the restaurant's fire area, provided the proposed fire area does not exceed 12,000 square feet.
2. The fire area has an occupant load of 300 or more or where the occupant load exceeds 100 or more in the following assembly occupancies:
   1. Dance halls
   2. Discotheques
   3. Nightclubs
   4. Assembly occupancies with festival seating

is the OP building in or out of the required above?

[F] 903.3.1.2 NFPA 13R Sprinkler Systems

Automatic sprinkler systems in Group R occupancies shall be permitted to be installed throughout in accordance with NFPA 13R where the Group R occupancy meets all of the following conditions:

1. Four stories or fewer above grade plane.
2. The floor level of the highest story is 30 feet (9144 mm) or less above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.
3. The floor level of the lowest story is 30 feet (9144 mm) or less below the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.

The OP is in an A-2 use my not be applicable
the below seem to be a subs set from the

Provide by help in private message

IBC 903.3.1.2.3 Attics
Attic protection shall be provided as follows:
1.Attics that are used or intended for living purposes or storage shall be protected by an automatic sprinkler system.
2.Where fuel-fired equipment is installed in an unsprinklered attic, not fewer than one quick-response intermediate temperature sprinkler shall be installed above the equipment.
3.Where located in a building of Type III, Type IV or Type V construction designed in accordance with Section 510.2 or 510.4, attics not required by Item 1 to have sprinklers shall comply with one of the following if the roof assembly is located more than 55 feet (16 764 mm) above the lowest level of required fire department vehicle access.
3.1.Provide automatic sprinkler system protection.
3.2.Construct the attic using noncombustible materials.
3.3.Construct the attic using fire-retardant-treated wood complying with Section 2303.2.
3.4.Fill the attic with noncombustible insulation

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

The Commish:

Noted. This is a Connecticut amendment -- but the Connecticut section 903.2.1.2 addresses when the entire fire area containing an A-2 occupancy has to be sprinklered. The question was specifically asking about a single sprinkler head in an attic, above a make-up air handler. Since the building doesn't appear to be sprinklered (since the question asked about supplying the single sprinkler head from the domestic water service), I assumed (which I know is dangerous) that the fire area doesn't exceed 5,000 square feet and the occupant load doesn't exceed 300 people.

So what we're being asked about is a limited area sprinkler, which is addressed in IBC 903.3.8. But that section doesn't tell us when a limited area sprinkler is required, it just provides guidance on what it is.

This section of the IBC may (or may not) answer the original question:

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

Provide by help in private message

IBC 903.3.1.2.3 Attics
Attic protection shall be provided as follows:
1.Attics that are used or intended for living purposes or storage shall be protected by an automatic sprinkler system.
2.Where fuel-fired equipment is installed in an unsprinklered attic, not fewer than one quick-response intermediate temperature sprinkler shall be installed above the equipment.
3.Where located in a building of Type III, Type IV or Type V construction designed in accordance with Section 510.2 or 510.4, attics not required by Item 1 to have sprinklers shall comply with one of the following if the roof assembly is located more than 55 feet (16 764 mm) above the lowest level of required fire department vehicle access.
3.1.Provide automatic sprinkler system protection.
3.2.Construct the attic using noncombustible materials.
3.3.Construct the attic using fire-retardant-treated wood complying with Section 2303.2.
3.4.Fill the attic with noncombustible insulation

But IBC 903.3.1.2 is NFPA 13R systems. That means 903.3.1.2.3 only applies to attics and equipment in attics protected by 13R systems. Since a 13R system can't be used to protect an A-2 occupancy, I don't think that section can be what's driving the requirement the OP is facing. (Unless the AHJ doesn't know how to read the code.)

 

[IJHumberson]

I'll be very interested to hear from the OP as to what is driving such a requirement - a single sprinkler to protect a make-up air unit in an attic??? Unless it is an area that doesn't get freezing temperatures, it is definitely going to be challenging to achieve and not have a potential of frozen pipe.

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

Unless it is an area that doesn't get freezing temperatures, it is definitely going to be challenging to achieve and not have a potential of frozen pipe.

There is nowhere in Connecticut that doesn't see freezing temperatures during Winter.