The intent of the standard is to treat the roof as a floor of the building. Roof outlets are required based on the travel
distance limitations in 5.3.2(f).
There is currently a proposal to revise NFPA 14 for the 2006 edition to indicate this more clearly with an exception for
buildings having a roof slope of more than 3" in 12".
01-21-2005 comment from Jean Carter, Architect/Engineer Supervisor, SFM:
Looks like answer to your question depends on distance from standpipe access from at deck to most remote area of roof.
Since building is sprinklered, then if any portion of roof exceeds 250 feet from hose connection, the additional hose
station(s) must be provided.
5
2002 NFPA 13:8.4.5
2002 NFPA 13R:1.1, 6.7
NFPA 13 VS NFPA 13R IN BUILDINGS WITH MULTIPLE OCCUPANCIES
NFPA 13R:A.1.1 has been expanded in the 2002 edition of the code and the new portion is reiterated as follows. Please
note that the left hand vertical bar signifies portion of the text which is new to this edition.
A.1.1 NFPA 13R is appropriate for use as an option to NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of
Sprinkler Systems, only in those residential occupancies, as defined in this standard, up to and including
four stories in height. It is the intent of this standard that if NFPA 13R is appropriate for use, that it be
used throughout the entire building. It is recognized that an occupancy incidental to the operations of
the residential occupancy might exist within that residential occupancy. Such incidental occupancy
would be considered part of the predominant (residential) occupancy and subject to the provisions of the
predominant (residential) occupancy by 6.1.14.2 of NFPA 101
®
, Life Safety Code
®
, and similar
provisions in many local building and fire codes. Use of NFPA 13R throughout the entire building in
this case is allowed.
Where buildings are greater than four stories in height, or where buildings are of mixed use where
residential is not the predominant occupancy, residential portions of such buildings should be protected
with residential or quick-response sprinklers in accordance with 8.4.5 of NFPA 13. Other portions of
such buildings should be protected in accordance with NFPA 13. Where buildings of mixed use can be
totally separated so that the residential portion is considered a separate building under the local code,
NFPA 13R can be used in the residential portion, while NFPA 13 is used in the rest of the building.
Therefore, based on the information presented in Annex A of NFPA 13R, this office makes the following determinations:
For multiple occupancy buildings containing a residential occupancy, the designer must investigate the sprinkler system
requirements for all occupancies in the building. The designer must consult the applicable NFPA 101 occupancy chapters
and core chapters.
1. If any
of the non-residential occupancies are required by code to be sprinklered, then the entire building shall be
protected in accordance with NFPA 13, regardless of the physical location of the residential occupancy within the
building.
A. Example A: 3-story building, 15,000 sq. ft. per floor. First floor is mercantile, open to the public. Second and third
floors are apartments – residential occupancies. Regarding the mercantile occupancy, NFPA 101:36.3.5.1(3)
requires mercantile occupancies exceeding 12,000 sq. ft. to be sprinklered. Therefore, a NFPA 13 sprinkler
system for the entire building is required. Residential occupancies within the building may be designed per NFPA
13:8.4.5.
B. Example B: 3-story building, 9,000 sq. ft. per floor. First floor is mercantile, open to the public. Second and third
floors are apartments – residential occupancies. However, one of the required exit stairs from the second and
third floors discharges into a protected exit passageway - a rated corridor, at the first floor. Also, this same exit
passageway is one of the required exits for the mercantile occupancy. Therefore, both occupancies have to
share a portion of their required exiting design, which meets the definition of a mixed occupancy.