NFPA 13-13R Sprinkler Information Guide - City of Edmonds Fire Marshal OfficeCity of Edmonds Fire Marshal's Office
NFPA 13 AND 13R FIRE SPRINKLER
INFORMATION GUIDE
U1 6W4
This document provides fire sprinkler designers, installers, plan reviewers, inspectors, and
building owners with important information regarding the requirements for fire sprinkler systems
within the City of Edmonds. It is intended to provide consistency between all parties during plan
design, submittal, review, installation, inspecting and testing of new and existing fire sprinkler
systems.
6*019ID
The information contained within this document details some of the Edmonds Community and
Development Code (ECDC) amendments to the International Fire Code. It also may contain some
of the provisions found in the International Fire Code, NFPA Standards, Washington
Administrative Code, and the Revised Code of Washington. This document also outlines
recommendations not contained in codes or standards. Nothing in this document shall prevent
the fire code official from modifying these requirements as necessary, based on circumstances,
to provide an acceptable level of protection. This document is a summary of requirements found
in various codes, standards and laws. It is not a complete list of permit or code requirements and
should not be used as a substitute for applicable laws and regulations. It is the responsibility of
the design and installation professional to ensure all codes, laws and regulations are followed.
DESIGN AND INSTALLATION
1. Fire sprinkler submittals for new buildings, buildings undergoing a change of use, or buildings
undergoing major modifications, shall include an NFPA Owner's Certificate indicating the use
of the building, including the materials within the building and the maximum height of any
storage. (2019 NFPA 13, 4.2)
2. When a building is required to be equipped with a fire sprinkler system, the system shall
provide protection throughout the structure or as approved by the fire code official. Partial area
automatic sprinkler systems are prohibited, except where approved by the fire code official.
(ECDC 19.25.035)
3. Hydraulically designed systems should be calculated to provide a 10 percent safety margin
and shall require a system demand of 20 psi residual pressure.
SOUTH COUNTY FIRE
12425 Meridian Avenue South, Everett, WA 98208 (425) 551-1264 I Prevention@SouthSnoFire.org
SERVING THE CITIES OF • BRIER • EDMONDS • LYNNWOOD • MILL CREEK • MOUNTLAKE TERRACE
4. Hydraulic calculations shall include all underground piping from the point of connection to the
public water supply. (2019 NFPA 13, 27.2.1.6)
5. All drains (low point, auxiliary, test, main, etc.) should be plumbed to the exterior of the
building.
6. All valves (control, drain, etc.) should be readily accessible and reachable without the use of
a ladder.
Exception: valves in a pit or underground, and/or as approved by the fire code official.
7. Floor control valves should be located at the point of connection to the riser on each floor and
shall be provided with the following: Flow switch, check valve, main drain, pressure relief
valve, pressure gauge, and tamper switch.
8. Flexible sprinkler piping should not be used in pipe -schedule systems unless specifically listed
for such use.
9. The use of heat tape on fire sprinkler systems is allowed in accordance with NFPA 13 and
must be monitored by the fire alarm system as a trouble signal. (2019 NFPA 13 16.4)
10. Any sprinkler component, device, piping, etc. that is no longer in service or not being used
shall be removed. This includes excessive branch line arm -over piping supplying a sprinkler
head. (2019 NFPA 13, 29.2.2)
11. Exposed insulation located above sprinkler heads shall be supported by a minimum 24"x24"
non-combustible wire mesh. (ECDC 19.25.035)
12. All plans and calculations shall be stamped with a valid Washington State certificate seal
identifying the appropriate level of competency. (WAC 212-80-018)
NFPA 13 AND 13R SYSTEMS
1. Existing sprinkler deficiencies, including piping without adequate seismic bracing, hangers,
painted heads, inadequate sprinkler coverage, etc. shall be corrected whenever the sprinkler
system is modified. The area of these upgrades shall be throughout the area of sprinkler
modification. (ECDC 19.25.035 A.8)
2. Sprinkler protection for R1 and R2 shall be provided to all exterior balconies, decks, exterior
egress paths, and ground floor patios provided there is a roof or deck above. Sidewall
sprinklers that are used to protect such areas shall be permitted to be located such that their
deflectors are with 1 inch to 6 inches below the structural members and a maximum distance
of 14 inches below the deck of the exterior balconies and decks that are constructed of open
wood joist construction. (ECDC 19.25.035 A.9)
3. Sprinkler protection shall be extended to combustible attic(s) of R1 and R2 occupancies
greater than three floors in height. (ECDC 19.25.035 A.10)
City of Edmonds Fire Marshal's Office — NFPA 13 and 13R Sprinkler Guide Page 2 of 4
4. All "M", "S" and "H" Occupancy (as defined by the IBC) canopies and overhangs that exceed
4 feet in width shall be provided with fire sprinklers regardless of construction type. (ECDC
19.25.035 A.11)
SPRINKLER RISER ROOMS
1. Sprinkler riser rooms for NFPA 13 and 13R systems shall be located on an outside wall at
grade or as approved by the fire code official. (ECDC 19.25.035.B.1)
2. The riser room shall contain all sprinkler control valves, backflow assembly (unless prohibited
by the water purveyor), fire pump, if provided, and the fire alarm control panel(s). No other
uses or utilities, including storage, shall be allowed in the riser room. (ECDC 19.25.035.B.2)
3. Riser rooms shall be of a size that will allow a minimum of 36-inch clearance along the front
of all risers and equipment and a minimum of at least 18 inches on the three remaining sides
of all sprinkler risers, pumps and appurtenances. (ECDC 19.25.035.B.3)
4. Major building remodels or square footage increases may elicit the need to construct an
exterior accessible riser room, if not previously existing, as approved by the fire code official.
(ECDC 19.25.035.B.4)
5. An all-weather RED placard with 2-inch white lettering reading "FIRE SPRINKLER CONTROL
ROOM" shall be permanently affixed to the EXTERIOR of the riser room door at a height of
72 inches, or at a location approved by the fire code official. (ECDC 19.25.035.B.5)
6. An all-weather red placard with 2-inch white lettering reading "NO STORAGE" shall be
permanently affixed to the EXTERIOR of the riser room directly below the "FIRE SPRINKLER
CONTROL ROOM" sign. (ECDC 19.25.035.B.6)
7. An all-weather RED placard with 2-inch white lettering reading "NO STORAGE ALLOWED"
shall be permanently affixed to at least one INTERIOR wall of the riser room in a readily visible
location. (ECDC 19.25.035.B.7)
8. A Knox brand box shall be installed on the exterior of the riser room door and at the main
entrance to all buildings in accordance with the South County Fire Knox Guide. The box shall
be installed at a height of 60-72 inches. Boxes are available at www.knoxbox.com. (ECDC
19.25.035.B.8)
9. Riser rooms shall be provided with map(s) showing what areas of the building are covered by
the system(s). These map(s) shall indicate the building layout, location of all sprinkler zones,
standpipe outlets, control valves, water -flow alarm devices, and remote drains. All maps shall
be legible, easily understood, laminated, and permanently attached to the wall in the riser
room. (ECDC 19.25.035.B.9)
City of Edmonds Fire Marshal's Office — NFPA 13 and 13R Sprinkler Guide Page 3 of 4
TESTING & MAINTENANCE
1. Testing of fire sprinkler systems, fire pumps, standpipes, suppression systems, and
associated components/equipment shall be in accordance with the appropriate NFPA
standard.
2. Service providers hired by the building owner are responsible for electronically submitting
completed annual confidence test reports of sprinkler systems, fire pumps, suppression
systems, and standpipes to the appropriate fire prevention offices' online reporting system
within 14 days of the completed inspection.
Revised 06-10-2024
City of Edmonds Fire Marshal's Office — NFPA 13 and 13R Sprinkler Guide Page 4 of 4