Residential fire sprinkler system design, prepared by David An, XT Engineering Ltd.

1. RESIDENTIAL
FIRE SPRINKLER
DESIGN
Presented by: David An
2023-02-17

2. The Codes and
Standards
■ BC Building Code 2018
■ Vancouver Building By-law 2019
■ NFPA 13 (2013)
■ NFPA 13R (2013)
■ NFPA 13D (2013)

3. NFPA 13 – Standard
for the Installation of
Sprinkler Systems
■ provides minimum requirements for the
design and installation of automatic fire
sprinkler systems
■ provides reasonable degree of protection for
life and property
■ covers all aspects of sprinklers not covered
by other standards
■ building considered to be “fully sprinklered
throughout”

4. NFPA 13R – “” “” in
Low-Rise Residential
Occupancies
■ covers design and installation in:
– residential occupancies
– up to and including four stories in
height
– not exceeding 60 ft in height above
grade
■ building considered to be “fully sprinklered
throughout”

5. NFPA 13D – “” “” in
One- and Two-Family
Dwellings and
Manufactured Homes
■ covers design and installation in:
– one- and two-family dwellings
– manufactured homes
■ building not considered to be “fully
sprinklered throughout”

6. Choosing Which
Standard to Use?
■ refer to BCBC 2018 or VBBL 2019
■ for NFPA 13R:
– building of Group C (residential) major
occupancy containing no other major
occupancies
– is not more than 4 storeys in building
height
– building of care occupancy with not
more than 10 occupants that is not more
than 3 storeys in building height

7. Choosing Which
Standard to Use?
■ for NFPA 13D:
– building of residential occupancy
throughout that contains not more than
2 dwelling units
– in a building of care occupancy with not
more than 2 suites of care occupancy
and not more than 5 residents
throughout
■ for all other building occupancies, use NFPA
13
■ typically determined by Architect or Code
Consultant

8. Water Entry
and Sprinkler
Valves
■ floor area on any one
floor to be protected
one sprinkler system
riser shall not exceed
52,000 ft2
■ each dwelling unit shall
have its own sprinkler
system or
■ the control valves shall
be located outside the
dwelling units or in a
common area

9. Underground Pipe Materials
Ductile Iron
(AWWA C104)
PVC
(4” – 12”)
(AWWA C900)
HDPE
(4” – 63”)
(AWWA C906)
Blazemaster CPVC
(3/4” – 3”)
(ASTM F 442)
Pipes to be listed for 150 psi

10. Undergroun
d Pipe
■ depth of cover:
– 30” to prevent
mechanical damage
– 36” under driveways
– 12” below bottom of
foundations
■ Vancouver frost line: 18”
(450 mm)
■ for combined mains, meet
requirements of BCBC /
VBBL

11. Steel
Schedule 40
Min 1” pipe size
(ASTM A 53)
Steel for FP Use
Schedule 10 & 40
Min 1” pipe size
(ASTM A 795)
Copper
Type K, L or M
Min ¾” pipe size
(AWWA C906)
Blazemaster CPVC
Min ¾” pipe size
(ASTM F 442)
Aboveground Pipe Materials
Pipes to be listed for 175 psi

12. Sprinkler Heads
■ SR and QR have the same deflector
■ QR and residential are “fast
response” sprinklers with a thinner
bulb
■ Residential sprinklers have a unique
deflector that:
– produces small and medium
droplets
– produces broader, higher spray
pattern
– prioritizes wall-wetting
– enhances survivability with
limited water supply

13. Sprinkler Coverage and Placement
■ residential sprinkler
coverage area determined
by sprinkler listing
■ minimum distance:
– residential: 8 ft
– standard coverage: 6
ft

14. Sprinkler Omissions – Attics and
Concealed Spaces
■ NFPA 13
– yes, if non-comb,
small, or filled
with non-comb
insulation
■ NFPA 13R
– yes
■ NFPA 13D
– yes

15. Sprinkler Omissions – Bathrooms
■ NFPA 13
– no, required
■ NFPA 13R
– yes, if less than 55
sq.ft
■ NFPA 13D
– yes, if less than 55
sq.ft

16. Sprinkler Omissions – Closets
■ NFPA 13
– no, required
■ NFPA 13R & NFPA 13D
– yes, if less than 24
sq.ft with non-
combustible
surfaces, shortest
dimension does
not exceed 3 ft
– no, if used for
heating, air
conditioning
equipment,
washers, dryers,
or water heaters

17. Sprinkler Omissions – Concealed Spaces
■ NFPA 13
– yes if non-comb.,
filled with non-
comb. insulation
■ NFPA 13R
– yes
■ NFPA 13D
– yes

18. Sprinkler Omissions – Garages
■ NFPA 13
– no, required
■ NFPA 13R
– no, required
■ NFPA 13D
– yes

19. Sprinkler Omissions – Porches
■ NFPA 13
– no, required
■ NFPA 13R
– yes, if roof or
deck is not
provided above
■ NFPA 13D
– yes, if porch is
open attached

20. Fire Department Connection
Omissions
■ NFPA 13
– no, required
■ NFPA 13R
– no, required for
buildings that
exceed 2,000 ft2
or are more than a
single story
■ NFPA 13D
– yes

21. Hydraulic Calculations
NFPA 13 NFPA 13R NFPA 13D
Max Number of
Adjacent Calculated
Residential Sprinklers
4 4 2
Hose Allowance
Required?
Yes; 100 gpm for
Light Hazard
No No
Minimum Residential
Density
0.10 gpm/ft2 0.05 gpm/ft2 0.05 gpm/ft2
Domestic Demand
Required?
Yes; if common
domestic/fire main is
4” or smaller and
domestic demand is
significant
Yes; for common
domestic/fire main
Add plumbing
demand of 5 gpm at
common water
supply connection
serving more than
one dwelling unit

22. BCBC and VBBL Specific
Requirements
■ sprinklers shall not be omitted in any room or closet in the storey immediately
below a roof assembly
– BCBC 2018 3.2.5.12.6)
– VBBL 2019 3.2.5.12.6)
■ sprinklers shall be provided for balconies and decks exceeding 610 mm (2 ft) in
depth measured perpendicular to the exterior wall
– BCBC 2018 3.2.5.12.8)
– VBBL 2019 3.2.5.12.8)

23. VBBL Specific Requirements
■ automatic sprinkler protection shall be provided for all unenclosed balconies,
exterior decks, porches and patios of buildings sprinklered to NFPA 13R or NFPA
13 if:
– the framing or cladding is of combustible construction,
– the depth of balcony, deck, porch, or patio is more than 1200 mm (4 ft)
– the balcony, roof overhang or structure above is more than 300 mm (1 ft)
overlapping the balcony, deck or patio below and is located less than 3 m
(10 ft) above the finished floor of the balcony, deck or patio below.
– VBBL 2019 3.2.5.12.11)
■ sprinklers shall be provided in any storage garage attached to a building of
residential occupancy where a fire separation is not provided between the
storage garage and adjacent floor areas
– VBBL 2019 3.2.5.12.13)

24. QUESTIONS?
COMMENTS?