PARTIAL SPRINKLER SYSTEMS <br />NFPA 13 requires installation of sprinklers through- <br />out the building. However, in some situations the <br />code or standard requiring sprinklers calls for pro- <br />tecting only a portion of the building. In these <br />cases, exterior signage should indicate the portion <br />of the building covered. A good location for this <br />sign would be at the fire department connection <br />(see the section Marking, page 47). <br />Residential sprinkler systems installed under <br />NFPA 13D and 13R primarily protect lives rather <br />than property. Since property protection is second- <br />ary, large and significant areas may not have sprin- <br />kler protection (unsprinklered). One- and two-family <br />houses protected by NFPA 13D systems are readily <br />recognized as having this partial, life-safety type of <br />protection. <br />Apartments and condominiums with NFPA 13R <br />systems may not be easy to identify. These sys- <br />tems are allowed in buildings four stories or less in <br />height. However, some buildings that are consid- <br />ered four stories in height by building codes may <br />still contain additional levels such as lofts, and <br />basements which may be partially below grade. <br />Several sides of these buildings may have six occu- <br />pied levels above grade and still be considered four <br />stories in height (Figure 3.6). The large unsprin- <br />klered areas can adversely impact firefighter safety <br />and consequently the tactics employed. Fire depart <br />- <br />ment ground ladders may not reach the top occu- <br />pied stories, and some apartment units may not be <br />reached by the available access for aerial ladders. <br />Exterior signage near the fire department connec- <br />tion can alert the fire department to this. <br />i <br />f <br />Considerations - Partial Sprinkler Systems <br />■ NFPA 13 systems: Provide sign near fire <br />department connection showing portion <br />protected. <br />■ NFPA 13R systems: Provide sign near fire <br />department connection indicating the sys- <br />tem only covers life hazard areas. <br />32 OSHA <br />Occupational safety and 148 <br />Health Adndnistratlon <br />(Fig. 3.6) This building has six occupied levels from this <br />view. However, it is classified as a four-story building by <br />the code that was in effect during its construction. As <br />such, an NFPA 13R residential sprinkler system (with no <br />sprinklers in the combustible attic or in the flooriceiling <br />assemblies) protects it. <br />