7.11 Water Based Fire
Antifreeze sprinkler systems shall not be installed in any
new construction or renovation projects.
Extinguishing Systems
Pre-action type sprinkler systems shall not be installed in
any new construction or renovation projects.
General. Automatic sprinklers systems shall be installed
Sprinkler System Design
in accordance with the requirements in NFPA 13, the IBC,
General. Sprinkler systems shall be hydraulically calculated
and the appropriate GSA sprinkler system specification.
in accordance with the requirements in NFPA 13.
Special Requirements. The following requirements
Special Requirements. The following requirements take
take precedence over the requirements in NFPA 13 and
precedence over the requirements in NFPA 13:
the IBC:
Sprinkler systems shall be designed using a minimum
Automatic sprinklers shall be installed throughout all new
system design area of 1,500 sq. ft. and shall not be
construction projects where the building has a sufficient
decreased below this value.
municipal water supply system for the design and
installation of a sprinkler system at the site.
Where floor openings are not classified as atriums, the
sprinklers at the ceiling shall be zoned with the lower
Automatic sprinklers shall be installed throughout the
level if it is enclosed on the upper level (the enclosure is
designated work area for all major renovation projects
effectively creating a high ceiling). Otherwise, sprinklers
where the building has a sufficient municipal water supply
shall be zoned with the upper level.
system for the design and installation of a sprinkler
system at the site.
Sprinkler system control valves shall be located in
accessible spaces. Sprinkler system control valves shall
Where project sites are located in remote/isolated areas
not be located in above ceiling spaces.
having insufficient or nonexistent water supplies in close
proximity, designing the fire sprinkler system in
Seismic Protection. Seismic protection shall be installed
accordance with NFPA 13 can be both impractical and
where required in the IBC.
economically very onerous. See Section "Automatic
Sprinkler Systems for Remote/Isolated Facilities" for
Types of Sprinklers
additional information regarding automatic sprinkler
system requirements.
General. Quick response sprinklers (QRS) shall be
All sprinkler systems shall be wet-pipe sprinkler systems,
installed in all new construction and renovation projects
unless installed in areas subject to freezing.
in accordance with the requirements in NFPA 13.
In areas subject to freezing, install dry-pipe sprinkler
Special Requirements. The following requirements take
systems, dry pendent sprinklers, or provide heat in the
precedence over the requirements in NFPA 13:
space, and/or reroute the sprinkler piping. Heat tape shall
Sprinklers equipped with "O-ring" water seals shall not be
not be used on sprinkler piping.
utilized in any new construction or renovation projects.
224 F A C I L I T I E S S T A N D A R D S
FOR THE
PUBLIC
BUILDINGS
SERVICE
7.11 Water Based Fire Extinguishing Systems
Revised March 2005 PBS-P100
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