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11/14/2014 6.
6 Location of Sprinklers | NFPA 13D and NFPA 13R: Automatic Sprinkler…
6.6 Location of Sprinklers
Although this section is titled “Location of Sprinklers,” it includes both

rules for locating sprinklers and allowances for sprinkler omissions.
NFPA 13R allows the omission of sprinklers in many spaces where
fatalities are less likely to occur if a fire were to originate. The basis for
sprinkler omission has been previously described under Section
1.2 and is based on NFPA statistics provided in Table A.1.2 . Even
though sprinklers are omitted from these spaces, the building is still
considered sprinklered throughout as described in Section 4.1 .
FAQ
Are garages required to be sprinklered?
One location not required to be sprinklered that some users of NFPA

13R expect to see in Section 6.6 but does not appear is garages. The
Technical Committee on Residential Sprinkler Systems is of the opinion
that a large number of building occupants can reside in the residential
occupancies addressed by NFPA 13R, and that many of these residential
buildings have garages located next to or underneath the dwelling
units. A fire originating in an unsprinklered garage could quickly get out
of control prior to evacuation of the building’s occupants. Requirements
for garages are addressed inSection 7.3 .
6.6.1
Sprinklers shall be installed in all areas except where omission is permitted by 6.6.2
through 6.6.7.
6.6.2*
Sprinklers shall not be required in bathrooms where the bathroom area does not
exceed 55 ft2 (5.1 m2 ).
Bathrooms that are 55 ft2 (5.1 m2) and smaller in size do not require
sprinkler protection. The measurement is taken around the interior
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perimeter of the bathroom compartment walls and includes the area of

tubs, showers, vanities, etc. However, if the tub, toilet, or shower is in a
separate compartment (as defined by 3.3.2 ), this separate area is not
added to the total area, and the space essentially becomes another
bathroom. There is no limit as to how many unsprinklered bathrooms
can be adjacent to each other, provided they meet the rules of
compartments and size. Prior to the 2007 edition, NFPA 13R contained a
requirement for a 15-minute thermal barrier behind bathroom fixtures.
This is no longer a requirement of NFPA 13R, but it still remains in NFPA
13. In some board and care occupancies, the applicable fire prevention
code may require that all bathrooms be sprinkler protected when an
NFPA 13R system is utilized.
A.6.6.2
A room is still considered a bathroom if it contains just a toilet. Additionally, two
bathrooms can be adjacent to each other and are considered separate rooms, provided
they are enclosed with the required level of construction.
6.6.3
Except where specified in 6.6.4, sprinklers shall not be required in clothes closets, linen
closets, and pantries within dwelling units that meet all of the following conditions:
The area of the space does not exceed 24 ft2 (2.2 m2 ).
The least dimension does not exceed 3 ft (0.91 m).
The walls and ceilings are surfaced with noncombustible or limited-combustible

materials as defined by NFPA 220.
Subsection 6.6.3 addresses small closets used for clothes, linen, or food
and located within dwelling units that also meet certain other criteria. If
the closet contains heat producing equipment such as a dryer, furnace,
heater, or water heater, it is no longer exclusively a clothes closet, linen
closet, or pantry, and therefore requires sprinkler protection per 6.6.4.
The requirement for the walls and ceilings to be surfaced with
noncombustible or limited-combustible materials reflects the concern
that a fire in an unsprinklered closet could enter unsprinklered
concealed spaces. This standard does not specify the type of material
required to meet the requirements of NFPA 220, Standard on Types of
Building Construction. The user will need to verify what materials and
designs meet these requirements. Generally ½ in. (12.7 mm) gypsum

wall board is used and is more than adequate. Closets outside the
dwelling unit that are used for clothes, linen, or food are not exempt
from sprinklers. Generally, it is easy to determine what the closets are
intended to be used for; closets adjacent to kitchens tend to be
pantries, closets in bedrooms are for clothes, and closets in bathrooms
are for linen. Many floor plans have a closet at the entry door which will
be used primarily for coats, shoes, and clothes.
The user must consider closets located under stairs because, even
though they may contain clothes or linens, they will primarily be used
for general storage, and the shape of such closets is usually irregular. In
some board and care occupancies, the applicable fire prevention code
may require that all inhabitable areas including closets be sprinkler
protected when an NFPA 13R system is utilized. The least dimension of
3 ft (0.91 m) is easy to determine when the closet is rectangular.
Irregularly shaped closets may require that the design professional
consult the authority having jurisdiction to determine how the least
dimension should be measured.
6.6.4*
Sprinklers shall be installed in any closet used for heating or air-conditioning
equipment, washers, dryers, or water heaters except as permitted by 6.6.7.
As discussed in the commentary for 6.6.3, when a closet located within

a dwelling unit contains heating and/or air-conditioning equipment, a
water heater, a furnace, a washer or dryer, or any other similar
equipment, sprinklers are required. Even if the closet in question is also
used for clothes or linen storage or is also a pantry, it must be protected
with sprinklers. The requirement from NFPA 13R for limited or
noncombustible wall and ceiling surfacing is therefore not needed in
these sprinkler-protected closets. Subsection 6.6.4 applies to closets
located within the dwelling unit, and also to those located elsewhere in
the building but outside the dwelling unit, provided that the closet is
not located on an exterior balcony or exterior breezeway, as referenced
by 6.6.7. There is no minimum size associated with these closets to
avoid sprinkler protection.
There are many heating/air conditioning units that can be located
within wall voids or cavities with only an access panel to reach the
components of the mechanical unit. This is technically not a closet and
is addressed by 6.6.6. Most closets have doors or readily accessible

access panels which the tenant or maintenance personnel can use to
access and store materials in that space.
A.6.6.4
Closets with washers and dryers, and other heat-producing mechanical equipment, are
not considered clothes closets, linen closets, or pantries and therefore would require
sprinklers.
6.6.5*
Except as provided for in 6.6.5.1, sprinklers shall not be required in any porches,
balconies, corridors, carports, porte cocheres, and stairs that are open and attached.
A.6.6.5
An example of an open corridor, stair, or breezeway is one that is exposed to the
outside atmosphere (temperature). Another example is an exterior wraparound
corridor that is typical in a two- to three-story motel. [See Figure
A.6.6.5(a) through Figure A.6.6.5(e) .]
Since NFPA 13R is concerned primarily with providing life safety by way
of affordable installations, these exterior areas are allowed to remain
unprotected, while still providing an acceptable degree of building
protection. Protection of these spaces requires some sort of system that

is sensitive to freeze protection in many areas. Providing a dry system,
antifreeze system, or listed heat tracing system to protect these
portions of the building can add substantial cost with a limited return in
life safety. It is understood that this standard is used in many areas
where freezing conditions are not an issue. Based on the statistics
provided inTable A.1.2 , the limited number of fatalities caused by
fires that start in these areas does not warrant the sprinkler protection
being required in these spaces. Owners can require that their design
professionals incorporate sprinklers into these areas, if so desired.
The term porte-cochere has been added to the list of exterior areas
that do not require sprinkler protection. The word is synonymous with
carport, but many authorities were not allowing omission of sprinklers
because porte-cocheres were not specifically listed in 6.6.5. There is no
requirement to protect porte-cocheres, even if there is occupiable
building space above. The word “open,” used in 6.6.5, has been a point
of contention since the earliest (1989) edition of NFPA 13R. Beginning
in the 2010 edition, the committee clarified that if one of these spaces
was to be considered open, it was “exposed” to the outside
temperature. This differs from requirements in the building codes, fire
codes, and NFPA 13. NFPA 13 is very clear that a corridor must be 50
percent open to be considered “open” and remain unprotected. However
NFPA 13 is a property protection standard and does not apply in NFPA
13R installations. The model building and fire codes have varying
definitions of what they consider to be open. For the 2013 edition, the
Technical Committee on Residential Sprinkler Systems has made it very
clear that any corridor, stair, breezeway, porch, balcony, carport, or like
structure that allows the temperature of the outside atmosphere to
permeate into that space is considered “open.” The committee has
addedFigure A.6.6.5(a) through Figure A.6.6.5(e) to explicitly
clarify what constitutes an open corridor or breezeway. Even though the
corridor or breezeway might bisect the buildings in multiple directions,
sprinklers are not required.
6.6.5.1
Where a roof or deck is provided above, sprinklers shall be installed to protect attached
exterior balconies, attached exterior decks, and ground floor patios serving dwelling
units in buildings of Construction Type V.
The committee has made a major shift regarding porches, balconies,

decks, and ground floor patios serving dwelling units in buildings of
Type V construction. Type V construction applies to the entire building,
and not just the construction of the balcony. This rule applies to the
exterior or “open” spaces accessible only from the dwelling unit itself,
and not a corridor or breezeway that is shared among multiple dwelling
units. During one of the model building code development process
hearings, there was a major debate about allowing a Type V
construction multifamily residential building protected with an NFPA
13R system to qualify for a one story height increase. Many of the
building code proponents are extremely concerned about property
protection. There is a history of fires starting on exterior open porches
that have traveled up through each unprotected balcony and that
eventually breached the attic, causing a total loss of the building. The
main causes of these fires have generally been discarded cigarettes or
unattended or improperly extinguished cooking grills. The fire codes do
not allow grilling on porches, but this can be difficult to enforce. The
fatality rates from these incidents are very low and are within the
parameters of the scope and purpose of NFPA 13R. However, the
committees that develop the model building codes agreed that, in order
to recognize the height increase for an NFPA 13R system, these porches
would be required to be sprinkler protected.
The NFPA 13R committee has resisted requiring sprinklers on these
porches for several cycles, citing various concerns. The concerns range
from the need for freeze protection to the question of the effectiveness
of dry sidewall sprinklers installed under obstructed construction,
considering exterior factors such as how wind might affect the spray
pattern or response times. However, for the 2013 edition, the
committee acquiesced to correlate with the model building code. Many
sprinkler contractors and fire officials are unaware of the requirements
found in the building code in regards to these porches, decks, patios,
and balconies, often only finding out the details of the requirement from
a building official around the time they attempt to get a certificate of
occupancy. So, this correlation with the building code helps make
sprinkler contractors aware of the requirements on these open areas
before they begin working. This section also is explicit in that if there is
not a roof or deck above the balcony or porch, no protection is required;
a balcony under an eave with a soffit or fascia board would not be
mandated to have sprinklers added.
6.6.5.1.1
Where sidewall sprinklers are installed beneath decks or balconies constructed with
open wood joists, sprinklers shall be permitted to be installed with deflectors not less
than 1 in. (25 mm) or more than 6 in. (152 mm) below the structural members,
provided that the deflector is not more than 14 in. (356 mm) below the underside
surface of the deck.
In conjunction with the requirements of 6.6.5.1, the committee added

some additional guidance on how to install sidewall sprinklers beneath
porches, balconies, decks, or patios constructed with open wood joists.
Sidewall sprinklers are listed for use under smooth, flat horizontal
ceilings of unobstructed construction. Porches, balconies, decks, or
patios constructed with exposed wood joists in freezing environments
would prohibit the use of dry sidewall sprinklers and thus require
expensive dry pipe, antifreeze, or listed heat tracing systems. Using dry
sidewall sprinklers attached to wet piping systems is by far the most
economical approach to protecting these exterior spaces when freezing
is a danger.
The rules of 6.6.5.1.1 mirror those found in one of the model building
codes. The requirement that sprinklers be installed with a deflector
distance within 1 in. (25 mm) to 6 in. (152 mm) below the bottom of
the joist emulates the requirements of standard upright and pendent
sprinklers below obstructed construction found in NFPA 13. Although
this installation is outside of the listing of sidewall sprinklers, it would
provide better protection than omitting sprinklers altogether. The 14 in.
(356 mm) depth required in this paragraph provides a maximum depth
for the entire assembly.
Testing was performed by Tyco Fire Protection Products to evaluate
the effectiveness of sidewall sprinklers installed in these scenarios. The
conclusion, as found in the report Residential Balcony Fire Testing Using
Horizontal Sidewall Sprinklers, was that the sidewall sprinklers provided
adequate protection to prevent the vertical spread of fire on combustible
balconies. It was found that the most significant variable was the fire
location. For fires located in an area where significant heat loss from the
space was possible, the sprinkler had some difficulty with activation.
Overall, the tests showed a measurable benefit to installing sprinklers in
these locations.
6.6.6*
Sprinklers shall not be required in attics, penthouse equipment rooms, elevator

machine rooms, concealed spaces dedicated exclusively to and containing only
dwelling unit ventilation equipment, crawl spaces, floor/ceiling spaces,
noncombustible elevator shafts where the elevator cars comply with ANSI A17.1, Safety
Code for Elevators and Escalators, and other concealed spaces that are not used or
intended for living purposes or storage and do not contain fuel-fired equipment.
Mandatory sprinkler protection of several of the areas in 6.6.6 would

necessitate the use of dry pipe, antifreeze, or listed heat tracing
systems in areas where freezing weather is encountered. Such systems
dramatically increase the total cost of the sprinkler systems without
correspondingly increasing the life safety offered by the sprinkler
system. Very few deadly fires tend to start in these spaces. The
reference to concealed spaces dedicated to dwelling unit ventilation
equipment differs from the requirement for sprinklers in equipment
closets found in 6.6.4, because these spaces are inaccessible by the
occupants or maintenance personnel. These units are generally inset
into the stud or wall cavities, and the only way to gain access to the
space is to remove the entire unit. It is technically not a closet, since
there is no door or access. When access is available to these spaces,
there is a tendency by the maintenance personnel to use that space for
storage of materials such as air filters, touch-up paint, and other
accessories, in which case this section would then not apply. If this
dwelling unit ventilation equipment is fuel fired, then sprinkler
protection is required by 6.6.6.1.
A.6.6.6
Concealed spaces are permitted to have small openings such as grilles for return air
when the space is being used as a plenum. Such small openings do not disqualify the
space from being considered as a concealed space, and sprinklers are still permitted to
be omitted.
6.6.6.1
When fuel-fired equipment is present, at least one quick-response intermediate
temperature sprinkler shall be installed above the equipment.
When fuel-fired equipment is present, sprinkler protection is required.

This equipment could be located in attics, closets, interstitial spaces, or
concealed wall cavities. When the equipment is located within a
concealed space or attic, sprinkler protection is not required throughout

the entire space. The sprinkler is required to be installed over the unit
only. The standard does not give guidance as to the spacing
requirements for this sprinkler; the user should refer to NFPA 13 for
ordinary hazard spacing, based on 6.6.8. If the equipment is located in
an attic, special consideration should also be given to make sure the
temperature in that space can be maintained at 40°F (4°C). If the
equipment is located in a closet within the dwelling unit, the sprinkler
protection of that closet required by 6.6.4 should suffice, and an
additional sprinkler over the equipment should not be
needed. Paragraph 6.2.1.4 permits the use of a quick-response
sprinkler within a mechanical closet within the dwelling unit, which is in
line with the requirement to use a quick-response sprinkler per 6.6.6.1.
The term fuel-fired equipment is intended to refer to any device that
burns solid or liquid fuel in order to create heat. Equipment that burns
gas, oil, wood, or sawdust pellets is considered fuel fired. Electric
heaters or hydraulic heat exchangers are not fuel-fired equipment.
6.6.7
Sprinklers shall not be required in closets (regardless of size) on exterior balconies and
exterior breezeways/corridors, regardless of size, as long as the closet does not have
doors or unprotected penetrations directly into the dwelling unit.
The allowance to omit sprinklers from exterior closets on exterior

balconies first appeared in the 1999 edition. The added exception for
exterior (open) breezeways/corridors was later added in the 2010
edition. This exception does not apply to closets that are found in
interior (non-open) corridors or interior balconies (e.g., sunrooms).
There is no size limitation on the closet, such as is found in 6.6.3. Also,
there is no restriction on what the closet can be used for. It can be
utilized for storage, mechanical equipment, or almost anything else.
There can be no doors or unprotected penetrations connecting these
closets directly with the dwelling unit.
The most common unprotected penetration found in multifamily
occupancies from the exterior closet into the dwelling unit is that of
heating and air-conditioning equipment. The mechanical unit is located
in the closet, and a plenum/duct supplies conditioned air into the
dwelling unit. There is usually a return air grill located in the dwelling
unit, directly connected to the mechanical equipment. Both of these
penetrations would be considered unprotected unless fire dampers are

installed. If the closet is sprinklered, then the dampers are not required
by this standard. Other types of unprotected penetrations generally
would be pipes or wires. These can easily be protected with listed fire
penetration assemblies (such as fire caulk). Whatever the method used
to create a protected penetration, it must have the same fire duration
rating as the wall or ceiling that is being penetrated.
6.6.8
All situations regarding sprinkler location and position that are not directly discussed
in NFPA 13R shall be in accordance with NFPA 13.
Although Section 6.6.8 is new language to NFPA 13R, it has been an

accepted practice for many years. This subsection only applies to
sprinkler location and position. See A.1.1 for further discussion on
what process should be followed when NFPA 13R is silent on certain
subjects.
6.6.9 Interior Stairwells.

As discussed in the commentary for 6.6.8, there has not always been a
lot of guidance on how to protect certain areas in multifamily
occupancies. New subsection 6.6.9 is an attempt by the committee to
address how to protect stairwells. Exterior (open) stairs do not require
protection per 6.6.5. Interior stairs within dwelling units are not as
common as exterior stairs, but they do occur and are addressed.
6.6.9.1
Except as allowed by 6.6.9.2, 6.6.9.3, and 6.6.9.4, sprinklers shall be installed
throughout all interior, enclosed stairwells.
Within dwelling units, sprinklers are to be installed throughout the

entire stairwell, except as allowed by 6.6.9.2. This applies whether or
not the stairwell is of combustible construction. Generally, within the
dwelling unit there will not be doors separating the stairwell from the
dwelling unit, and the sprinklers in the dwelling unit can be spaced to
protect the landings. If this spacing is not possible, additional sprinklers

need to be installed to protect the landings.
6.6.9.2*
Sprinklers shall not be required underneath stair risers in dwelling units where the
walls and ceilings are surfaced with noncombustible or limited-combustible finishes.
Sprinkler protection along the angled ceiling portion of the stairwells is

not required if certain conditions are met. The walls and ceilings need to
be surfaced with noncombustible or limited combustible finishes. This
does not apply to the treads of the stairs themselves. It is assumed that
the landings are protected with sprinklers as required by 6.6.9.1. It is
not the intent that the maximum spacing be measured from the
sprinkler on one landing to the sprinkler on the next.
A.6.6.9.2
Sprinklers are not required to be spaced along the angled portion underneath stair
risers in dwelling units. Stairways have a very small fuel load as they are used primarily
for egress. Sprinklers spaced along the slope will likely not operate unless they are
directly over a fire. Sprinklers installed at the landings on either end of the stair riser
will provide the protection desired by this standard.
6.6.9.3
Closets located underneath stairs shall be protected in accordance with 6.4.6.3.2 ,
6.6.3, 6.6.4, and

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11/14/2014 6.

6 Location of Sprinklers | NFPA 13D and NFPA 13R: Automatic Sprinkler…

6.6 Location of Sprinklers

Although this section is titled “Location of Sprinklers,” it includes both

Are garages required to be sprinklered?

One location not required to be sprinklered that some users of NFPA

perimeter of the bathroom compartment walls and includes the area of

The area of the space does not exceed 24 ft2 (2.2 m2 ).

The least dimension does not exceed 3 ft (0.91 m).

The walls and ceilings are surfaced with noncombustible or limited-combustible

designs meet these requirements. Generally ½ in. (12.7 mm) gypsum

As discussed in the commentary for 6.6.3, when a closet located within

is addressed by 6.6.6. Most closets have doors or readily accessible

protection. Protection of these spaces requires some sort of system that

The committee has made a major shift regarding porches, balconies,

In conjunction with the requirements of 6.6.5.1, the committee added

Sprinklers shall not be required in attics, penthouse equipment rooms, elevator

Mandatory sprinkler protection of several of the areas in 6.6.6 would

When fuel-fired equipment is present, sprinkler protection is required.

concealed space or attic, sprinkler protection is not required throughout

The allowance to omit sprinklers from exterior closets on exterior

penetrations would be considered unprotected unless fire dampers are

Although Section 6.6.8 is new language to NFPA 13R, it has been an

6.6.9 Interior Stairwells.

Within dwelling units, sprinklers are to be installed throughout the

protect the landings. If this spacing is not possible, additional sprinklers

Sprinkler protection along the angled ceiling portion of the stairwells is

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