jar546
CBO
Question
Is it true that certain areas, such as electrical equipment rooms, closets, bank vaults, or walk-in coolers and freezers, do not require sprinklers?Answer
This is a common misunderstanding. Sprinkler systems are generally required in all spaces within a building, unless explicitly exempted by a specific section in NFPA 13. While there are some newly recognized areas where sprinklers might not be necessary, these exceptions are not widespread and haven't been fully addressed by the technical committee.The foundational principle of NFPA 13, established since its first edition in 1896, is that sprinklers should be installed throughout all areas of a building. The original standard stated “sprinklers to be placed throughout premises” in the section on location and arrangement of sprinklers. This approach was initially driven by insurance considerations to ensure comprehensive risk mitigation. Over time, the enforcement of sprinkler requirements has shifted to building and fire codes rather than insurance mandates.
It's important to note that NFPA 13 is not formatted to specify every single area that must have sprinklers. Instead, it mandates sprinkler coverage throughout the parts of the building that include the protected occupancy, which often means the entire building. There are a few specific and relatively recent exceptions to this rule, which are based on particular conditions outlined in the standard. Nonetheless, even in mixed occupancy buildings where only one occupancy might be sprinklered according to the building code, NFPA 13 should still be applied comprehensively within the protected areas to ensure the building is considered fully sprinklered.
