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 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.