SPRINKLER LOCATION REQUIREMENTS 13-71

9-2- 13 Noncombustible Stairways- Noncombustible or limited-combustible, nonaccessi­

9.3.3. 1 . 1

9-2- 13-1 Sprinklers shall not be required at the bottom of ble vertical duct shafts shall not require sprinkler protection.
stairwells complying with the provisions of9.3.4.2.3.1. 9.3.3.1.2 Noncombustible or limited-combustible, nonaccessi­

9.2. 1 3.2 Sprinklers shall not be required for exterior stair

ble vertical electrical or mechanical shafts shall not require
towers complying with the provisions of 9.3.4.2.4. sprinkler protection.
9.3.3.2* Shafts with Combustible Surfaces.
9.2. 14 Elevator Hoistways and Machine Rooms. Sprinklers
shall not be required in locations complying with 9.3.6.3, 9.3.3.2. 1 Where vertical shafts have combustible surfaces, one
9.3.6.6, or 9.3.6.7.2. sprinkler shall be installed at each alternate floor level.
9.2. 1 5 Duct Protection. Sprinklers shall not be required in 9.3.3.2.2 Where a shaft having combustible surfaces is trap­
vertical duct risers complying with 9.3.9.1.2. ped, an additional sprinkler shall be installed at the top of each
9.2. 1 6 Open-Grid Ceilings. Sprinklers shall not be required
trapped section.
below open grid ceiling installations complying with 9.3.10. 9.3.3.3 Accessible Shafts with Noncombustible Surfaces.

9.2. 1 7 Drop-Out Ceilings. Sprinklers shall not be required

Where accessible vertical shafts have noncombustible surfaces,
below drop-out ceilings complying with 9.3.11. one sprinkler shall be installed near the bottom.
9.3.4 Stairways.
9.2. 1 8 Skylights. Sprinklers shall not be required in skylights
complying with 9.3.16. 9.3.4. 1 Combustible Construction. Sprinklers shall be instal­
9.3 Special Situations.
led beneath all stairways of combustible construction.
9.3.4. 1 . 1 Sprinklers shall be installed at the top of combustible
9.3.1 Heat-Producing Devices with Composite Wood Joist
Construction. Where heat-producing devices such as furnaces stair shafts to protect the entire footprint of the shaft.
or process equipment are located in the joist channels above a 9.3.4. 1 .2* Sprinklers shall be installed under the landings at
ceiling attached directly to the underside of composite wood each floor level.
joist construction that would not otherwise require sprinkler 9.3.4. 1.3 Sprinklers shall be installed beneath the lowest inter­
protection of the spaces, the joist channel containing the heat­ mediate landing.
producing devices shall be sprinklered by installing sprinklers
in each joist channel, on each side, adjacent to the heat­ 9.3.4.2 Noncombustible Construction.
producing device. 9.3.4.2.1 In noncombustible stair shafts having noncombusti­
� 9.3.2 Special Sprinklers for Horizontal Combustible ble stairs with noncombustible or limited-combustible finishes,
Concealed Spaces. Unless the requirements of 9.2.1.19 are sprinklers shall be installed at the top of the shaft to protect the
met, sprinklers used in horizontal combustible concealed entire footprint of the shaft and under the first accessible land­
spaces (with a slope not exceeding 2 in 12) with wood truss, ing above the bottom of the shaft.
wood joist construction, or bar joist construction having a 9.3.4.2.2 Where noncombustible stair shafts are divided by
combustible upper surface and where the depth of the space is walls or doors, sprinklers shall be provided on each side of the
less than 36 in. (900 mm) from deck to deck, from deck to ceil­ separation.
ing, or with double wood joist construction with a maximum of
36 in. (900 mm) between the top of the bottom joist and the 9.3.4.2.3 Sprinklers shall be installed beneath landings or
bottom of the upperjoist shall be listed for such use. stairways where the area beneath is used for storage.
� 9.3.2. 1 Sprinklers specifically listed to provide protection of
9.3.4.2.3 . 1 * Sprinklers shall be permitted to be omitted from
combustible concealed spaces described in 9.3.2 shall be the bottom of the stairwell when the space under the stairs at
permitted to be used in accordance with 9.4.1.2 where the the bottom is blocked off so that storage cannot occur.
space is less than 12 in. (300 mm) from deck to deck or deck to
ceiling 9.3.4.2.4 Sprinklers shall be permitted to be omitted from

9.3.2.2 Sprinklers specifically listed to provide protection of

exterior stair towers when the exterior walls of the stair tower
combustible concealed spaces described in 9.3.2 shall be are at least 50 percent open and when the stair tower is entirely
permitted to be used in accordance with 9.4.1.2 throughout the of noncombustible construction.
area when a portion of the area exceeds a depth of 36 in. 9.3.4.3* Stairs Serving Two or More Areas. When stairs have

•
(900 mm). openings to each side of a fire wall(s), sprinklers shall be instal­
N 9.3.2.3 Sprinklers specifically listed to provide protection of
led in the stair shaft at each floor landing with multiple open­
combustible concealed spaces described in 9.3.2 shall be ings.
permitted to be used in accordance with 9.4.1.2 to protect 9.3.5':' Vertical Openings.
composite wood joist construction. 9.3.5. 1 * General. Unless the requirements of 9.3.5.4 are met,
9.3.3 Vertical Shafts. where moving stairways, staircases, or similar floor openings are
9.3.3.1 General. Unless the requirements of 9.3.3.1.1 or
unenclosed and where sprinkler protection is serving as the
9.3.3.1.2 are met, one sprinkler shall be installed at the top of alternative to enclosure of the vertical opening, the floor open­
shafts. ings involved shall be protected by closely spaced sprinklers in
combination with draft curtains in accordance with 9.3.5.2 and
9.3.5.3.
Shaded text = Revisions. .0. = Text deletions and figure/table revisions. • = Section deletions. N = New material. 2022 Edition