Nfpa 13 Definitions

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Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)

Back 1

The organization, office, or individual responsible for approving:
- Equipment, materials, an installation, or a procedure
(May be the state, county, or city – the people who are in charge)

Front 2

Listed

Back 2

Equipment, materials, or services included in a list published by an organization that
- is acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction and
- is concerned with evaluation of products or services
- maintains periodic inspection of production of listed
o equipment
o materials, or
o periodic evaluation of services
and whose listing states that either the equipment, material, or service
- meets appropriate designated standards, or
- has been tested and found suitable for a specified purpose

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Shall

Back 3

Indicates mandatory requirement

Front 4

Should

Back 4

Indicates a recommendation or that which is advised but not required

Front 5

Automatic Sprinkler

Back 5

A fire suppression or control device
- that operates automatically when its heat-activated element is heated to its thermal rating or above
- allowing water to discharge over a specified area
(Everything is mechanically driven in the fire sprinkler world)

Front 6

Bathroom

Back 6

Within a dwelling unit, any room or compartment
- a lavatory dedicated to personal hygiene, or
- a water closet, or
- bathing capability such as a shower or tub, or
- any combination of facilities thereof

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Compartment

Back 7

A space completely enclosed by walls and a ceiling.
The compartment enclosure is permitted to have openings to an adjoining space if
- the openings have a minimum lintel depth of 8 in from the ceiling
(If it didn’t have a lintel, it wouldn’t be a compartment, it’d be part of the larger compartment that it is attached to – we care about lintels because of heat flow and water deflection)

Front 8

Dwelling Unit

Back 8

One or more rooms arranged for the use of one or more individuals living together
- as in a single housekeeping unit normally having facilities of
o cooking
o living
o sanitary, and
o sleeping
For the purposes of this standard, dwelling unit includes
- hotel rooms
- dormitory rooms
- apartments
- condominiums
- sleeping rooms in nursing homes
- and similar living units

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3.3.12 High-Piled Storage

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- solid-piled
- palletized
- rack storage
- bin box, and
- self storage
- in excess of 12 ft in height

Front 10

Hydraulically Designed System

Back 10

A calculated sprinkler system in which
- pipe sizes are selected on a pressure loss basis
o to provide a prescribed water density in gallons per minute per ft²
- or a prescribed minimum discharge pressure or flow sprinkler
o distributed w/ a reasonable degree of uniformity over a specified area
(Almost everything today is hydraulically designed)

Front 11

Limited-Combustible Material

Back 11

A building contruction material that
- does not comply with the definition of non-combustible materials that,
o in the form in which it is used,
o as a potential heat value not exceeding 3500 Btu per lb
o see NFPA 359, Standard Test Method for Potential Heat of Building Materials
- and complies with either of the following:
o (a) Materials having a structural base of
§ noncombustible material,
§ with a surfacing not exceeding a thickness of 1/8 in
§ that has a flame spread rating not greater than 50
o (b) Materials, in the form and thickness used, other than as described in (a), having neither
§ a flame spread rating grater than 25
§ nor evidence of continued progressive combustion and
§ of such composition that surfaces that would be exposed by cutting through the material on any plane would have neither
· a flame spread rating greater than 25
· nor evidence of continued progressive combustion
- Materials subject to increase in combustibility or flame spread rating beyond the limits herein
o shall be considered combustible,
o established through the effects of
§ age,
§ moisture, or
§ other atmospheric conditions

Front 12

Noncombustible Material

Back 12

A material that, in the form in which it is used and under the conditions anticipated, will not, when subjected to fire or heat
- ignite, burn, support combustion, or release flammable vapors
Materials that are reported as passing ASTM E 136, Standard Test Method for Behavior of Materials in a Vertical Tube Furnace at 750°C, shall be considered noncombustible materials.

Front 13

Pipe Schedule System

Back 13

A sprinkler system in which
- the pipe sizing is selected from a schedule that is determined by the occupancy classification
- and in which a given number of sprinklers are allowed to be supplied from specific sizes of pipe
(Based on the number of heads)

Front 14

Small Rooms

Back 14

Very Important!
A room of light hazard occupancy classification
- having unobstructed construction (smooth ceiling) and
- floor areas not exceeding 800 ft²
- that are enclosed by walls and a ceiling
Openings to the adjoining space are permitted
- if the minimum lintel depth is 8 in from the ceiling.

Front 15

Antifreeze Sprinkler System

Back 15

A wet pipe sprinkler system employing automatic sprinklers that
- are attached to a piping system
- that contains an antifreeze solution and
- that are connected to a water supply
The antifreeze solution is discharged, followed by water, immediately upon operation of sprinklers opened by heat from a fire

Front 16

Deluge Sprinkler System

Back 16

A sprinkler system employing open sprinklers
- that are attached to a piping system
- that is connected to a water supply through a valve
- that is opened by the operation of a detection system installed in the same areas as the sprinklers
When this valve opens,
- water flows into the piping system
- and discharges from all sprinklers attached thereto
(Where all of the sprinklers are open, so when water enters the pipes, all of the sprinklers go off at once; water is held back by valves that go off with different types of sensors, including a spark setting off a sensor, or heat detectors or smoke detectors; used in aircraft hangars)

Front 17

Dry Pipe Sprinkler System

Back 17

A sprinkler system employing automatic sprinklers
- that are attached to a piping system containing air or nitrogen under pressure
o the release of which (as from the opening of a sprinkler) permits the water pressure to open a valve known as a dry pipe valve
- and the water then flows into the piping system and out the opened sprinklers
(For freezing cold areas, such as a building that is not heated or outdoors sprinklers)

Front 18

Gridded Sprinkler System

Back 18

A sprinkler system in which
- parallel cross-mains are connected by multiple branch lines
An operating sprinkler
- will receive water from both ends of its branch line
- while other branch lines help transfer water between cross-mains
(Lots of lines next to each other and mains at both ends)

Front 19

Looped Sprinkler System

Back 19

A sprinkler system in which
- multiple cross-mains are tied together so as to provide more than one path for water to flow to an operating sprinkler, and
- branch lines are not tied together

Front 20

Preaction Sprinkler System

Back 20

A sprinkler system employing automatic sprinklers
- that are attached to a piping system
- that contains air that might or might not be under pressure
- with a supplemental detection system installed in the same areas as the sprinklers
(A system that preactivates by sensing a fire and then sends water to the head before the head activates; like a dry pipe system, it has no water in it)

Front 21

Deluge Sprinkler System

Back 21

A sprinkler system employing open sprinklers
- that are attached to a piping system
- that is connected to a water supply through a valve
- that is opened by the operation of a detection system installed in the same areas as the sprinklers
When this valve opens,
- water flows into the piping system
- and discharges from all sprinklers attached thereto
(Where all of the sprinklers are open, so when water enters the pipes, all of the sprinklers go off at once; water is held back by valves that go off with different types of sensors, including a spark setting off a sensor, or heat detectors or smoke detectors; used in aircraft hangars)

Front 22

Dry Pipe Sprinkler System

Back 22

A sprinkler system employing automatic sprinklers
- that are attached to a piping system containing air or nitrogen under pressure
o the release of which (as from the opening of a sprinkler) permits the water pressure to open a valve known as a dry pipe valve
- and the water then flows into the piping system and out the opened sprinklers
(For freezing cold areas, such as a building that is not heated or outdoors sprinklers)

Front 23

Gridded Sprinkler System

Back 23

A sprinkler system in which
- parallel cross-mains are connected by multiple branch lines
An operating sprinkler
- will receive water from both ends of its branch line
- while other branch lines help transfer water between cross-mains
(Lots of lines next to each other and mains at both ends)

Front 24

Looped Sprinkler System

Back 24

A sprinkler system in which
- multiple cross-mains are tied together so as to provide more than one path for water to flow to an operating sprinkler, and
- branch lines are not tied together

Front 25

Preaction Sprinkler System

Back 25

A sprinkler system employing automatic sprinklers
- that are attached to a piping system
- that contains air that might or might not be under pressure
- with a supplemental detection system installed in the same areas as the sprinklers
(A system that preactivates by sensing a fire and then sends water to the head before the head activates; like a dry pipe system, it has no water in it)

Front 26

Wet Pipe Sprinkler System

Back 26

A sprinkler system employing automatic sprinklers
- attached to a piping system
- containing water and
- connected to a water supply so that
- water discharges immediately from sprinklers opened by heat from a fire
(Most common by far)

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Branch Lines

Back 27

The pipes in which the sprinklers are placed, either directly or through risers

Front 28

Cross Mains

Back 28

The pipes supplying the branch lines, either directly or through risers

Front 29

Feed Mains

Back 29

The pipes supplying cross mains, either directly or through risers

Front 30

Flexible Listed Pipe Coupling

Back 30

A listed coupling or fitting that allows
- axial displacement
- rotation, and
- at least 1 degree of angular movement of the pipe without inducing harm on the pipe
For pipe diameters of 8 in. and larger, the angular movement
- shall be permitted to be less than 1 degree
- but not less than 0.5 degree

Front 31

Risers

Back 31

The vertical supply pipes in a sprinkler system

Front 32

Early Suppression Fast-Response (ESFR) Sprinkler

Back 32

A type of fast-response sprinkler
- that meets the criteria of 3.6.1(a)(1) and
- is listed for its capability to provide fire suppression of specific high-challenge fire hazards.
(Very common sprinkler in warehouses, puts out a lot of water, is very costly)

Front 33

Extended Coverage Sprinkler

Back 33

A type of spray sprinkler with maximum coverage areas as specified in Sections 8.8 and 8.9 of this standard
(Takes more pressure)

Front 34

Quick-Response Early Suppression (QRES) Sprinkler

Back 34

A type of quick-response sprinkler that
- meets the criteria of 3.6.1(a)(1) and
- complies with the extended protection areas defined in Chapter 8

Front 35

Quick-Response Extended Coverage Sprinkler

Back 35

A type of quick-response sprinkler that
- meets the criteria of 3.6.1(a)(1) and
- complies with the extended protection areas defined in Chapter 8

Front 36

Quick-Response (QR) Sprinkler

Back 36

A type of spray sprinkler that
- meets the criteria of 3.6.1(a)(1) and
- is listed as a quick-response sprinkler for its intended use
(Every light hazard room must have QR sprinklers)

Front 37

Residential Sprinkler

Back 37

A type of fast-response sprinkler that
- meets the criteria of 3.6.1(a)(1)
- has been specifically investigated for its ability to enhance survivability in the room of fire origin and
- is listed for use in the protection of dwelling units
(Has a different spray pattern than other sprinkler heads)

Front 38

Standard Spray Sprinkler

Back 38

A spray sprinkler with maximum coverage areas as specified in Sections 8.6 and 8.7 of this standard

Front 39

Concealed Sprinkler

Back 39

A recessed sprinkler with cover plates

Front 40

Flush Sprinkler

Back 40

A sprinkler in which all or part of the body, including the shank thread, is mounted above the lower plane of the ceiling

Front 41

Pendent Sprinkler

Back 41

A sprinkler designed to be installed in such a way that the water stream is directed downward against the deflector

Front 42

Recessed Sprinkler

Back 42

A sprinkler in which all or part of the body, other than the shank thread, is mounted within a recessed housing
(Recessed are always pendent)

Front 43

Sidewall Sprinkler

Back 43

A sprinkler having special deflectors that
- are designed to discharge most of the water away from the nearby wall
- in a pattern resembling one-quarter of a sphere,
- with a small portion of the discharge directed at the wall behind the sprinkler

Front 44

Upright Sprinklers

Back 44

A sprinkler designed to be installed in such a way that the water spray is directed upwards against the deflector.

Front 45

Dry Sprinkler

Back 45

A sprinkler secured in an extension nipple that has a seal at the inlet end to prevent water from entering the nipple until the sprinkler operates

Front 46

Obstructed Construction

Back 46

Panel construction and other construction where beams, trusses, or other members
- impede heat flow or water distribution in a manner
- that materially affects the ability of sprinklers to control or suppress a fire

Front 47

Unobstructed Construction

Back 47

Construction where beams, trusses, or other members do not impede heat flow or water distribution in a manner that that materially affects the ability of sprinklers to control or suppress a fire.
Unobstructed construction
- has horizontal structural members
o that are not solid
o where the openings are at least 70% of the cross-section area, and
o the depth of the member does not exceed the least dimension of the openings
or all construction types where the spacing of structural members exceeds 7.5 ft on center

Front 48

Encapsulation

Back 48

A method of packaging
- consisting of a plastic sheet completely enclosing the sides and top of a pallet load containing
o a combustible commodity or
o a combustible package or
o a group of combustible commodities or
o a group of combustible packages
Combustible commodities also are to be considered encapsulated that are
- individually wrapped in plastic sheeting and
- stored exposed in a pallet load
Not covered under this definition are
- Totally noncombustible commodities
- on wood pallets
- enclosed only by a plastic sheet as described
- Branding (i.e., stretch-wrapping around the sides only of a pallet load)
The term encapsulated does not apply
- where there are holes or voids in the plastic or waterproof cover on the top of the carton that exceed more than half of the area of the cover
- to plastic-enclosed products or packages inside a large, nonplastic, enclosed container

Front 49

Supervision

Back 49

A visual and audible alarm signal
- given at the central safety station
- to indicate when the system is in operation
- or when a condition that would impair the satisfactory operation of the system exists
Supervisory alarms shall give a distinct indication for each individual system component that is monitored.