Offset sprinkler spacing for upright and pendent

extended coverage sprinklers

Table 11.2.5.1.2 (reproduced below) allows the user to determine how
high above the bottom of the obstruction to place a sprinkler based on
the horizontal distance between the sprinkler and the obstruction.
Figure 11.2.5.1.2(a) helps clarify this implementation.

Fo
r upright and pendent EC sprinklers, Table 11.2.5.1.2 tells what vertical
distance B from the deflector to the bottom of the obstruction is
allowed. This is based on the horizontal distance A from the deflector to
the bottom of the obstruction. Basically, a sprinkler needs to be nearer to
the bottom of an obstruction the closer it is to it. Image source: NFPA 13
A variation of these rules applies to obstructions against the wall. It
requires the designer to do some algebra, but the sprinkler spacing only
applies if the obstruction is greater than 30 inches in width. Sprinkler
spacing must satisfy this equation:

From Figure 11.2.5.1(b)

A >= (D – 8 in.) + B, where

A is the horizontal distance between the sprinkler deflector the obstruction

B is the vertical distance between the deflector and the bottom of the obstruction

D is the dimension of the obstruction

Figure 11.2.5.1(b) below provides some clarity on this rule. Remember, if

the obstruction is less than 30 inches wide, you can ignore it and space
the sprinkler from the wall beyond. This rule also applies to sidewall
sprinklers (11.3.6.1.4).
When the obstruction is against the wall, you must place the sprinkler so
that it satisfies the formula in this figure. However, if the obstruction is
less than 30 inches wide, you can ignore the rule. Image source: NFPA 13
Offset and the 8-foot rule for sidewall extended
coverage sprinklers
Similar offset rules may apply or can be employed with sidewall
sprinklers. Designers are free to choose to use the 8-foot rule and the
offset rules instead of the four-times rule (11.3.6.2.1.4). But there are
also two situations when they must use the offset rules and the 8-foot
rule.

First, if the obstruction is more than 18 inches below the deflector of

the sprinkler, you should not use the four-times rule. Instead
(11.3.6.1.2), a design must ensure that sprinklers are at least 8 feet from
light fixtures or other similar obstructions and comply with the offset
rules given in Table 11.3.6.1.3 and illustrated in Figure 11.3.1.6.3.

Si
milar to upright and pendent sprinklers, sidewall sprinklers have offset
rules to help them avoid obstructions. The closer an obstruction is to a
sidewall sprinkler, the nearer to the bottom of the obstruction the
sprinkler must be placed. Image source: NFPA 13
Second, designers must use the 8-foot rule and the vertical and
horizontal spacing rules if the obstruction is solid and continuous.

A different set of offset values should be employed when the obstruction

projects from the same wall as the sidewall sprinkler (11.3.6.1.4).
However, these calculations aren’t necessary if the projecting obstruction
is less than 4 feet wide. In that case, a designer could flank the
obstruction with sprinklers, provided that the centerline of the
obstruction is within ½ the allowable distance between sprinklers from
each deflector.

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.