#387 – Extended Coverage Sprinkler Spacing Part 2:
Obstructions
blog.qrfs.com/387-extended-coverage-sprinkler-spacing-part-2-obstructions
June 22, 2021
In fire protection, sprinkler spacing is critical. Learn the rules for
extended coverage sprinklers and obstructions.
Extended coverage sprinklers protect more area than standard spray sprinklers. This is
useful in many applications, but it changes how they must be spaced out from other
sprinklers, walls, and obstructions in the room.
NFPA 13: Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems has rules for how fire
sprinklers should be arranged in a room and outlines how much space the sprinklers
cover and how far the sprinklers are from walls and other sprinklers. Getting sprinkler
spacing and coverage right is fundamental and a core part of fire sprinkler system design
and hydraulic calculations.
Check out our previous blogs for more information on hydraulic calculations for sprinkler
systems and the process of sprinkler system design.
In the first part of this series, we looked at the basics of how extended coverage
sprinklers should be spaced in a room, ensuring sprinklers aren’t too close to one another
nor too far apart.
In this blog, we take a deeper dive into the rules for extended coverage sprinkler spacing
and placement. Namely, we’re looking at obstructions. It would be easy to place
sprinklers in an empty room with a perfectly smooth ceiling. But real buildings have joists,
beams, storage racks, light fixtures, and more.
Below is a summary of the rules for navigating these obstacles using extended coverage
sprinklers.
The basics of obstructions
Fire sprinklers need to develop an adequate spray pattern of water when they activate.
Only by delivering the prescribed volume of water to their coverage area can fire
sprinklers cool and wet surfaces to prevent the spread of a fire.
When obstructions are present, sprinklers must be arranged so they can throw water
under and around the blockage. The 2019 edition of NFPA 13 says:
11.2.5.1.1 Sprinklers shall be located so as to minimize obstructions to discharge as
defined in 11.2.5.2 and 11.2.5.3, or additional sprinklers shall be provided to ensure
adequate coverage of the hazard.
1/9
Before we get into specific design requirements for obstructions, we should define the
term. According to NFPA 13, an obstruction is any object or structure “at or below the
level of sprinkler deflectors that affects the discharge pattern of a sprinkler (3.3.133).”
An obstruction is considered “continuous” if it affects two or more adjacent sprinklers. If it
only affects one sprinkler, it is “noncontinuous.”
Obstructions and extended coverage sprinklers—the “four times
rule”
Spacing fire sprinklers to avoid obstructions is all about leaving enough space. Sufficient
distance between the sprinkler deflector and the obstruction allows the proper spray
pattern to develop. For most obstructions, sprinkler designers turn to a couple of different
versions of a pretty handy rule.
The “four times rule” for pendent and upright extended coverage
sprinklers
The “four times rule” for the distance between obstructions and extended coverage
sprinklers is a modified version of the “three times rule” for standard spray sprinklers. It
applies to blockages that are no more than 18 inches below the sprinkler deflector:
11.2.5.2.1.3 Unless the requirements of 11.2.5.2.1.4 through 11.2.5.2.1.8 are met,
sprinklers shall be positioned away from obstructions a minimum distance of four
times the maximum dimension of the obstruction (e.g., truss webs and chords, pipe,
columns, and fixtures) in accordance with Figure 11.2.5.2.1.3(a) and Figure
11.2.5.2.1.3(b).
It’s easier to understand what “The maximum dimension of the obstruction” means with
an example. Say an obstruction to a fire sprinkler is a circular light fixture suspended from
the ceiling. If the light fixture has a diameter of 6 inches and a thickness of 4 inches, the
maximum dimension is 6 inches. The deflector of the extended coverage sprinkler
therefore must be at least 24 inches (6 x 4 = 24) from this light fixture.
As is often the case with fire protection rules, there are a few caveats:
For horizontally oriented obstructions like truss cords, the maximum distance
required is 36 inches.
For vertical obstructions like columns, use the second-largest dimension instead of
the height of the obstruction.
This set of diagrams from NFPA 13 clarifies the meaning of the four times rule:
2/9
Figure 11.2.5.2.1.3(a) demonstrates that when the obstruction is vertical, you should use the
second-largest dimension, not the height. Figure 11.2.5.2.1.3(b) demonstrates both the
selection of the largest dimension of a non-vertical obstruction and points out that the sprinkler
deflector shouldn’t be placed any further than 36 inches from the obstruction.
NFPA 13 also lists a few situations when designers do not have to follow the four-times
rule:
Flanking the obstruction—The rule doesn’t apply if a designer flanks the
obstruction with sprinklers, as long as the distance from the sprinkler deflector to the
centerline of the sprinkler is less than half the allowable distance between sprinklers
(2.5.2.1.4).
Halfway between narrow obstructions (2.5.2.1.5).
Directly above narrow obstructions—the rule isn’t needed if you place a sprinkler
directly above the centerline of a beam, truss, or bar joist, as long as the obstruction
is not wider than 8 inches and the sprinkler is at least 6 inches from the obstruction
(2.5.2.1.6)
Ignoring sprinkler system piping—Designers do not need to consider sprinkler
system piping less than 3 inches in diameter (2.5.2.1.7).
Ignoring ceiling fans—You do not need to consider the blades of a ceiling fans as
obstructions if their diameter is less than 60 inches and they are at least 50% open.
The fan housing should be considered, however (2.5.2.1.9).
If a designer chooses to (or must) follow more strict rules for horizontal and vertical
offsets.
The “four-times rule” for extended coverage sidewall sprinklers
3/9
Arranging sidewall sprinklers when obstructions are present can be more difficult. Unlike
upright and pendent sprinklers, sidewall sprinklers cannot be placed exactly where they
are needed in the room—they are limited to the walls.
Nonetheless, the rules for spacing extended coverage sidewall sprinklers relative to
obstructions are not too complicated. In fact, extended coverage sidewall sprinklers also
use the four-times rule (11.3.6.2.1.3).
For sidewall sprinklers, the rule applies if the obstruction is within 18 inches below the
sprinkler deflector. It says that the maximum distance from the sprinkler deflector to the
obstruction is the smaller of four times the largest dimension of the obstruction or 36
inches.
As before:
For vertical obstructions like columns, the second-largest dimension is used.
Sprinkler system piping less than 3 inches in diameter can be ignored
Ceiling fans less than 60″ in diameter can be ignored if their plan view is at least
50% open.
Ceiling fan blades, if they are 50% open from a plan view and less than 60 inches in total
diameter, are not considered obstructions.
Horizontal and vertical spacing rules
For obstructions to upright and pendent extended coverage sprinklers, chapter 11 of
NFPA 13 first directs the reader to the four-times rule and a rule for placing sprinklers
under large obstructions.
4/9
But there is an alternative to measuring the linear distance from the sprinkler deflector to
the obstruction. Instead, you may determine the horizontal and vertical offset needed
for the sprinkler to throw water around the obstruction.
Employing these rules exempts designers from using the four-times rule. Additionally,
designers must follow these rules when an obstruction is solid and continuous.
Offset sprinkler spacing for upright and pendent extended coverage
sprinklers
Table 11.2.5.1.2 (reproduced below) allows the user to determine how high above the
bottom of the obstruction to place a sprinkler based on the horizontal distance between
the sprinkler and the obstruction. Figure 11.2.5.1.2(a) helps clarify this implementation.
For upright and pendent EC sprinklers, Table 11.2.5.1.2 tells what vertical distance B from the
deflector to the bottom of the obstruction is allowed. This is based on the horizontal distance A
from the deflector to the bottom of the obstruction. Basically, a sprinkler needs to be nearer to
the bottom of an obstruction the closer it is to it. Image source: NFPA 13
A variation of these rules applies to obstructions against the wall. It requires the designer
to do some algebra, but the sprinkler spacing only applies if the obstruction is greater
than 30 inches in width. Sprinkler spacing must satisfy this equation:
From Figure 11.2.5.1(b)
A >= (D – 8 in.) + B, where
A is the horizontal distance between the sprinkler deflector the obstruction
B is the vertical distance between the deflector and the bottom of the obstruction
D is the dimension of the obstruction
5/9
Figure 11.2.5.1(b) below provides some clarity on this rule. Remember, if the obstruction
is less than 30 inches wide, you can ignore it and space the sprinkler from the wall
beyond. This rule also applies to sidewall sprinklers (11.3.6.1.4).
When the obstruction is against the wall, you must place the sprinkler so that it satisfies the formula in
this figure. However, if the obstruction is less than 30 inches wide, you can ignore the rule. Image
source: NFPA 13
Offset and the 8-foot rule for sidewall extended coverage sprinklers
6/9
Similar offset rules may apply or can be employed with sidewall sprinklers. Designers are
free to choose to use the 8-foot rule and the offset rules instead of the four-times rule
(11.3.6.2.1.4). But there are also two situations when they must use the offset rules and
the 8-foot rule.
First, if the obstruction is more than 18 inches below the deflector of the sprinkler,
you should not use the four-times rule. Instead (11.3.6.1.2), a design must ensure that
sprinklers are at least 8 feet from light fixtures or other similar obstructions and comply
with the offset rules given in Table 11.3.6.1.3 and illustrated in Figure 11.3.1.6.3.
Similar to upright and pendent sprinklers, sidewall sprinklers have offset rules to help them
avoid obstructions. The closer an obstruction is to a sidewall sprinkler, the nearer to the bottom
of the obstruction the sprinkler must be placed. Image source: NFPA 13
Second, designers must use the 8-foot rule and the vertical and horizontal spacing
rules if the obstruction is solid and continuous.
A different set of offset values should be employed when the obstruction projects from the
same wall as the sidewall sprinkler (11.3.6.1.4).
However, these calculations aren’t necessary if the projecting obstruction is less than 4
feet wide. In that case, a designer could flank the obstruction with sprinklers, provided
that the centerline of the obstruction is within ½ the allowable distance between sprinklers
from each deflector.
Large obstructions and extended coverage sprinkler spacing
The four-times rule, the various offset rules, and the other rules we’ve discussed so far
have all been for obstructions that are comparatively small and relatively close to the
sprinkler deflectors. But what about sprinkler spacing for very large obstructions that
might be located further away?
Chapter 11 of NFPA 13 has—you guessed it—special rules for these scenarios. When an
obstruction is more than 4 feet wide, extended coverage sprinklers cannot be arranged
to throw water around the obstacle, no matter how far down the obstruction is. Flanking
7/9
the obstruction will not solve the problem either. Instead, sprinklers must be installed
underneath the obstruction (11.2.5.3.2). This applies to sidewall sprinklers, as well
(11.3.6.3.2).
The only exception to this mandate is when obstructions do not exceed 4 feet and are
lower than 18 inches from the sprinkler deflector. In this case, an adequate spray
pattern will develop without placing sprinklers beneath the obstruction (11.2.5.3.2,
11.3.6.3).
Unfortunately, it’s possible for adjacent sprinklers to wet and cool sprinklers installed
under obstructions, especially if the obstruction has open grating or is a round duct. And
this spray may cool those lower sprinklers and delay activation.
To ensure the lower sprinklers operate as intended, the heads installed under open
grating or round ducts should have the same kind of water shield (baffle) typically found
on intermediate-level in-rack sprinklers (11.2.5.3.4-5).
Sometimes, fire sprinklers must be installed under obstructions. When these obstructions are open
grating decks (such as those found in warehouses) or round ducting, you need to use fire sprinklers
similar to intermediate-level in-rack sprinklers. That is, they must be equipped with a water shield, like
this Viking sprinkler, to protect them from the cooling spray of nearby sprinklers. Image source: Viking
Proper extended coverage sprinkler spacing avoids obstructions
8/9
Sprinklers must spray water over an adequate coverage area to control a fire. And this
must happen whether a room is completely empty or full of water-blocking obstacles.
In this article, we’ve explained how NFPA 13 directs sprinkler system designers to space
extended coverage fire sprinklers when obstructions are present. Note that extended
coverage sprinklers throw water more horizontally, so they need more clearance to get
around obstructions.
Turn to QRFS for your sprinkler installation needs. We stock a full line of commercial fire
sprinklers—standard spray and extended coverage—from companies like Tyco, Victaulic,
and Viking.
9/9
