BCAB #1308 - Protection of Combustible Sprinkler Pipe, Sentence 3.2.5.14.(3)

June 17, 1993

BCAB #1308   

Re: Protection of Combustible Sprinkler Pipe, Sentence 3.2.5.14.(3)

Project Description

The project in question is a four storey wood frame apartment building designed under Article 3.2.2.36. of the 1992 B.C. Building Code. The building will be sprinklered in accordance with Sentence 3.2.5.13.(2) and NFPA 13R.

Sentence 3.2.5.14.(3) requires combustible sprinkler piping to be "... separated from the area served ... and from any other fire compartment by ceilings, walls, or soffits ...".

Appellant's Position

The appellant contends that the plastic sprinkler pipe does not have to be separated from the attic space, but only from the rooms below.

Building Official's Position

The building official maintains that the attic is, by definition, a fire compartment. Therefore, the plastic sprinkler pipe must be separated from the attic by one of the materials listed in Sentence 3.2.5.14.(3) such as gypsum board.

Appeal Board Decision #1308

It is the determination of the Board that the combustible sprinkler pipe is not required to be separated from the attic space. The attic space was not considered to be a fire compartment because it is not enclosed by a fire separation with a required fire resistance rating (there is no fire resistance rating from the attic side to the fire compartments below). The fire rated ceiling membrane is intended to separate the adjacent suites from each other and not from the attic space.

George R. Humphrey, Chair