Fire Protection Design Manual - Office of Construction and Facilities ...

6. FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
September-2011
6.1 Sprinkler Systems:
A. Automatic sprinkler systems shall be installed for any of the following:
1. When required to meet the goals or objectives stated in the Introduction to this document
including the following:
a. So that critical operational functions are not interrupted for longer than 24 hours; or
b. So that the loss of real or personal property does not exceed $500,000.00.
2. When required by Section 1 of this document.
B. Installation shall comply with NFPA 13, NFPA 13R, or NFPA 13D as applicable, except as
indicated in 6.1.B through 6.1.R.
1. In NFPA 13 systems, sprinkler protection shall be provided in all spaces including, but
not limited to, elevator machine rooms, walk-in freezers and cold rooms, computer
rooms, telephone switch rooms, radiology and MRI suites, loading docks, electrical
rooms*, plumbing or utility closets, audiometric booths, vaults, paint spray booths, dry
type lint collectors, dust collectors, and generator rooms. Exception: Sprinklers are not
required where specifically exempted by NFPA 13, 13R, and 13D, and as specified in
paragraphs 6.1.B.2 and 6.1.B.3 below:
* Note: While NFPA 13 allows the omission of sprinkler protection in electrical rooms
within buildings under specific conditions, the VA does not permit the use of this
exception. The VA requires sprinkler protection in all electrical rooms except stand
alone buildings dedicated to electrical service where applicable FM data sheets are
followed.
2. Sprinklers are not required in interstitial spaces, except
a. Sprinklers are required in electrical closets, signaling rooms, etc., located within
interstitial spaces, and
b. A single line of sprinklers is required above the tracks of electric track vehicle
systems (ETVS) in interstitial spaces.
3. New audiometric booths installed in a sprinkler protected building shall be protected
with sprinklers since they are occupiable spaces within a sprinkler protected building.
Existing audiometric booths without sprinkler protection may be permitted to be kept in
service without sprinkler protection provided the booths are constructed and listed with a
one-hour fire rating, and are equipped with 45-minute self- or automatic- closing doors.
Note: Field experience has shown that self-closing audiometric booth doors frequently
do not operate properly so that the doors do not close completely. Where it is unlikely
that the doors can be made to operate properly, sprinkler protection should be provided.
4. CPVC piping shall not be used in the VA except that CPVC piping may be used in Type
V (wood construction) residential applications if there are no fire or smoke barriers and
permission is obtained in writing from the Chief Engineer.
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