Fire Sprinkler Distance Rules

By Victoria Smoothens

Every state has different laws governing the positioning of fire sprinklers, but all states
must follow certain federal laws. Federal law states that fire sprinklers must be
positioned and located to provide satisfactory performance in terms of activation time
and distribution. Sprinklers can have different clearance requirements from structural
members and ceilings if they are specifically tested to show that their ability to sense,
control and suppress a fire is not impaired.

Maximum Protection Area Per Sprinkler

Sprinklers cannot exceed the maximum protection area per sprinkler. According to the
National Fire Protection Associations Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems
2010 Edition, the specific formula for determining the protection area of coverage per
sprinkler -- where A1 is the protection area -- is A1 = S x L. S is defined as whichever is
larger: either twice the distance between sprinkler to sprinkler or between sprinkler and
a wall or obstruction, upstream and downstream. L is defined as whichever is larger: the
perpendicular distance to the sprinkler on the adjacent branch line, or the perpendicular
distance between the sprinkler and a wall or obstruction.
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Maximum and Minimum Sprinkler Distance

Section 8.5.2.2.2 states that the maximum sprinkler coverage area shall not exceed 400
square feet. The standard also states that the maximum distance between sprinklers is
based on the centerline distance between adjacent sprinklers and shall be measured
along the slope of the ceiling. Sprinkler distance to a wall cannot exceed one-half of the
maximum distance between sprinklers. The distance from the wall to the sprinkler is
measured perpendicular to the wall behind furniture. The minimum distance between
sprinklers should prevent operating sprinklers from wetting adjacent sprinklers and
prevent sprinkler skipping.

Sprinkler Distance from Heating Ducts and Unit

Heaters
Sprinklers of ordinary and intermediate temperature must be located more than 2 feet, 6
inches above a heating duct and uncovered steam main, and more than 1 foot to the
side and below. Sprinklers of an ordinary temperature located adjacent to a heating duct
discharging air less than 100 degrees F do not have to be separated according to these
rules. High-temperature sprinklers must be located in a seven-foot radius cylinder
extending seven feet above and 2 feet below a unit heater with horizontal discharge.
Sprinkler Distance from Other Heat Sources
Section 8.3.2.5 states that sprinklers located within 12 inches to one side or 30 inches
above an uncovered radiator, steam main or heating coil are classified as intermediate-
temperature. Sprinklers within 7 feet of a low-pressure blowoff valve discharging free in
a large room are classified as high-temperature. Table 8.3.2.5(c) shows that ordinary-
temperature sprinklers must be located at least 36 inches from the side of an open or
recessed fireplace; 60 inches from the front of a recessed fireplace; 42 inches from a
coal or wood-burning stove; 18 inches from a kitchen range, wall oven, hot air flue or
uninsulated heat duct; 12 inches from an uninsulated hot water pipe; 24 inches from the
side of a ceiling or wall-mounted hot air diffuser; 36 inches from the front of a wall-
mounted hot air diffusers; 6 inches from a hot water heater or furnace; 6 inches from a
light fixture from 0 W to 250 W and 12 inches from a light fixture from 250 W to 499 W.
These measurements are generally less for intermediate-temperature sprinklers.
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Sprinkler Head Spacing and

Location
***WARNING: Fire suppression systems, including sprinklers, MUST be
designed by a Professional Engineer. The information contained in this article
is general in nature and is to be used as a GUIDELINE for architects. You must
have a Professional Engineer design a sprinkler system to address your
specific situation and to meet the codes applicable in your jurisdiction. The
information in the article is based on NFPA 13.

Sprinkler Head Location

There are two main criteria for the location of sprinkler heads. First, sprinklers must be
located so they are within the hot-gas layer that develops near the ceiling during a fire
because activation occurs when the sprinkler head reaches a certain temperature.
Second, they must be located so that the water that is discharged from the sprinkler is
not disrupted or affected by construction elements such as beams, trusses, or soffits.
The diagram at left shows the water distribution for standard pendant and upright
sprinkler fixtures. It is useful to understand how objects within this distribution area can
alter the throw and disrupt the ability of the sprinkler to extinguish a fire.

This is a general depiction of sprinkler throw and should not be used to determine
sprinkler spacing. Refer to the manufacturer data for specific throw data. Please note,
that the throw of a sprinkler should not be used for sprinkler spacing - local codes
determine spacing requirements.

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Sprinkler Head Spacing

The table below shows sprinkler spacing requirements based on NFPA 13. This table
shall be used only as a tool for architects. Actual design of a sprinkler system MUST be
done by a Professional Engineer for each project.
 MAXIMUM
SQUARE SPACING
FOOT PER BETWEEN
OCCUPANCY HAZARD HEAD SPRINKLERS

Light Hazard 130-200 SF per 15 ft

(Office, Educational, Religious, Institutional, head
Hospitals, Restaurants, Clubs, Theaters, etc.) (based on
obstructions and
flow calcs)

Ordinary Hazard 130 SF per head 15 ft

(Mills, Manufacturing, Processing, Machine Shops,
Repair Garages, Post Offices, Bakeries, Wood
Machining and Assembly, Auto Parking, etc.)

Extra Hazard 90-130 SF per 12 ft

(Plastic Processing, Chemical Spraying, Metal head
Extruding, Printing, Varnishing, Painting, etc.) (based on
obstructions and
flow calcs)

Maximum Distance from Wall: half (1/2) of the maximum distance between sprinkler
heads.

Minimum Distance Between Sprinklers: typically 6'-0".

Distance from Ceiling: minimum 1", maximum 12" for unobstructed construction. The
minimum 1" is typical; however, concealed, recessed, and flush sprinklers may be
mounted less than 1" from the ceiling and shall be installed based on their listing.