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

September-2011
J. Install quick response sprinklers (QRS) in all areas, except where specifically prohibited or
noted elsewhere in this document. (e.g., in areas requiring high temperature heads where no
quick response sprinklers are listed, data centers, electrical switchgear rooms, elevator shafts,
or elevator machine rooms) On retrofit projects, replace existing standard response
sprinklers with QRS within the smoke compartments being modified.
Note: It is permissible on a case by case basis to install standard response sprinklers in
spaces within smoke zones that are protected by quick response sprinklers, such as in a main
electrical switch gear room or a data center. (It is generally not permissible to mix standard
and quick response sprinkler heads within a room or corridor). The risk of an accidental
discharge due to physical damage of the sprinkler is lessened with the installation of
standard response sprinklers since they generally have an operating element that is more
massive than the operating element of quick response heads. The advantage gained in
response time by installing quick response sprinklers would not be worth the increased risk
to the electrical equipment and personnel due to possible accidental discharge of a QR
sprinkler. (It is easier to break a quick response glass bulb head by striking it from the side
than it is to break a standard response glass bulb head).
K. Sprinklers to be installed in VA facilities are required to be Factory Mutual (FM) approved
as quick response except as identified below. At the present time, concealed sprinklers are
not permitted to be used for new construction in VA facilities because there are none that
have passed the FM test for quick response (see Exceptions 2 and 3). On retrofit projects,
replace existing standard response sprinklers with QRS within the smoke compartments
being modified.
Exception 1. “Institutional” type sprinklers in accordance with Paragraph (L) below.
Exception 2. Concealed sprinklers that are UL Listed quick response and FM approved
standard response are permitted in clean rooms (e.g., USP 797 designed rooms) provided that
the rooms are not designed under negative pressure (e.g. USP 797 rooms for hazardous drugs
are required to be under negative pressure).
Note: Factory Mutual test requirements are different than Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
(UL) test requirements. One example of this is the test for quick response concealed
sprinklers. At the present time, there are no concealed sprinklers that have passed the FM
test for quick response. Even those that are UL listed quick response concealed sprinklers
have not passed the FM quick response test.
Note: The VA recognizes the need for concealed sprinklers where the surfaces of the rooms
have to be cleanable. However, concealed heads are not permitted by the manufacturers to
be used in a negative pressure room.
Exception 3. In special instances, concealed sprinklers that are UL Listed quick response
and FM approved standard response may be used with the approval of the VHA Central
Office Fire Protection Engineer or the CEOSH Fire Protection Engineer.
Note: Examples of special instances where non-FM approved concealed sprinklers might be
appropriate include closets or audiometric booths with low ceilings.
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