Fire sprinklers are essential for your business. Not only do these fire safety products protect your business and the people within it, but they are likely required by law. It’s not just essential to have a fire sprinkler suppression system in place, but you also must have these items placed in the right location in your building. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has guidelines that help you know where these vital safety features must be located.
Where Should Sprinklers be Installed?
The exact location of fire sprinklers in your commercial building will vary from location to location. Where your fire sprinkler suppression system should be installed depends on the type of business you operate and the degree and type of fire hazards in your building. In general, fire sprinkler heads must be high and not obstructed by any beams, soffits, or other building construction elements.
Factors to Consider
When it’s time to install fire sprinklers in your building, the following factors must be considered by the fire safety product installation team:
- Room Size: When adding fire sprinklers to your room, the installation team must consider how large a room it is. The square footage is one of the determining factors as to where sprinklers must be installed.
- Flammable Materials: Your sprinkler installation professional will also consider whether there are flammable materials in the room and where they’re located before installing fire sprinklers.
- What is Located in the Room: Another consideration is what items are in the room. Should a fire occur, the fire sprinklers must be located in a place where they can reach the items. Certain things in the room will also help determine what type of fire sprinkler suppression system is installed.
- Other Fire Safety Systems in Place: An additional factor to consider is whether other fire safety systems within the room can work alongside the fire sprinklers to extinguish any fires.
The hazard level, sprinkler head coverage area, and maximum distance between sprinkler heads that laws and regulations allow must also be considered. Here’s a look at these items per NFPA guidance to determine proper fire sprinkler head locations:
- Light Hazard: Coverage area of 130-200 square feet per sprinkler head; 15-foot distance maximum between sprinkler heads
- Ordinary Hazard 1 and 2: Coverage area of 130 square feet per sprinkler head; 15-foot distance maximum between sprinklers
- Extra Hazard 1 and 2: Coverage area of 90-130 square feet per sprinkler head, based on certain factors; 12-foot distance maximum between each sprinkler head
Ensure Your Commercial Property is Fire Safe
Don’t risk your building being unsafe in the case of a fire. Ensure your fire sprinkler suppression system is correct and in good working order. Total Fire Protection can help!
Contact Total Fire Protection today for your fire sprinkler suppression system needs!
