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A weekly newsletter dealing with codes and other technical issues
February 2, 2015
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Protection of Concealed Spaces with Access Hatches
"An apartment portion of this building is Type V-A construction. The corridors
have a metal-framed dropped ceiling that creates a noncombustible concealed
space.
The AHJ is fine with allowing no sprinkler protection in the space above the
dropped
ceiling, acknowledging that NFPA 13 includes clarification that some minor
amounts
of cabling and other combustibles is acceptable without sprinklers. However,
once
any access panel is installed in the dropped ceiling for access to standpipe
isolation
valves or plumbing valves, the AHJ considers the space accessible for storage.
These access panels are small and certainly do not create allowable storage in
that
space. The AHJ has required noncombustible partitions be added on both sides of
the access panel in the dropped ceiling area and a single head added to cover
that
space. If the partitions were not added, they would require the entire corridor
length to have coverage above the dropped ceiling area. Are sprinklers
required
for this particular situation?"
We have reviewed NFPA 13, 2013 edition as the applicable standard. Our informal
interpretation is that sprinklers would not be required in the concealed spaces
when an access hatch is installed.
It was a common interpretation that if a space was accessible through a door, it
could be used for storage and should be sprinklered. This alleviated the
concern
and worry about enforcing a "no storage" policy, restricting access, and how
well
the enforcement would be carried out. But, if a space was accessible only
through
an access panel, making it difficult to use it for storage, then it was unlikely
to be used for storage and could be left without sprinklers. Sections
8.15.1.2.1
and 8.15.1.2.2 allows noncombustible and limited combustible concealed spaces
with
no combustible loading and limited or no access to be without sprinklers. The
problem
here is that "limited access" is not defined leaving the interpretation to the
AHJ.
A space having access through a door is commonly thought of as readily
accessible,
while one that is accessible only through a panel is thought of as limited
accessible.
Access hatches are not usually used for storage since one would have to use a
ladder
to gain access. There is more of a potential for storage when access for
concealed
spaces is provided with large panels that enter wall cavities from the floor.
Even
that is not considered a likely occurrence. The Sprinkler Systems Handbook does
have some commentary regarding this issue under Section 8.15.1.3 where it can
cause
some confusion. It states, "The intention of 8.15.1.3 is not to require
sprinklers
in a concealed noncombustible space that contains mechanical equipment made of
noncombustible
materials. Nor is the intent to require sprinklers simply because an access
panel
is installed to gain entry to the equipment. The existence of an access panel
to
a concealed space could lead to the space being used for storage or other
purposes.
However, if the size or arrangement of the access is such that the space cannot
or will not be utilized, and the combustibility is limited to combustible
construction,
sprinklers can then be installed according to the requirements for light hazard
occupancy." For such an application as this, it would not normally require
sprinklers
where there is limited access and not permitting occupancy or storage of
combustibles.
However, an access hatch incorporating a ladder such as those provided for
attic
access commonly used in dwellings, such access would permit storage. On the
other
hand, the simple possibility that a person could put some combustible material
in
a concealed space is not intended to trigger installing sprinklers in the
concealed
space. If the intended basis for when protection was required was that
conservative,
the technical committee would require all concealed spaces with an access panel
to be protected. The situation that you describe not only has a very low
probability
for such use but the amount of combustibles would be minimal thus posing little
actual risk. As such, it is not the intent of NFPA 13 to require protection
within
the described concealed space. One last comment is for you to review the
building
code for any local written amendments regarding this issue.
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Technical Update is prepared by the Technical Services Dept. of the AFSA: Vice
President
of Engineering and Technical Services Roland Huggins, a PE registered in fire
protection
engineering; Phill Brown, a NICET IV certified automatic sprinkler technician
and
NFPA Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) and Tom Wellen, a PE registered
in fire protection engineering. This is provided with the understanding that
the
AFSA assumes no liability for this opinion or actions taken on it and they are
not
to be considered the official position of the NFPA or its technical committees.
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