Fire Sprinkler Hazard Classification

Fire sprinklers fall into mainly three types of "hazards" Light, Ordinary 1 or 2, and Extra 1 or 2.

As the hazard rises the area one sprinkler head covers decreases along with the distance between sprinklers.

*Light hazard maximum spacing is 7ft-6inch off of a wall and 15ft between fire sprinklers with a coverage area of 220 sqft per head.

*Ordinary hazard maximum spacing off of a wall is limited to the area of coverage L x W and 15ft between fire sprinklers with a coverage area of 130 sqft per head.

*Extra hazard maximum spacing of 12 ft between fire sprinklers with a coverage area that can be limited to 90 sqft per head.

*These numbers are basic 101 other rules, situations, circumstances, or Authorities can adjust these basic rules. Speak to your Fire Sprinkler contractor for more information.

Examples:

Light: Animal Shelter, churches, schools, Libraries (except large stack rooms), offices including data processing, Restaurant "seating area, not the kitchen"

Ordinary: Auto Showroom, Bakeries, Electronic plant, Restaurant service areas, Porte-cochere, Mechanical rooms, Barns/stables, Dry Cleaners, Loading Docks, Office Storage Rooms, Labs or Rooms Designated at Lab, Machine Shop, Post Office, Repair garage, Stages

Extra: Aircraft hangers, Die casting, Combustible hydraulic fluid use area, Printing (using inks having a flash point below 100F), sawmills, Upholstering w plastic foams, flammable liquids spraying, Manufactured home/modular building assemblies, plastics manufacturing, solvent cleaning, car stackers or car lift systems.

To save on construction costs, it is important to be mindful of how you label your workspace. For instance, if you have a computer in your office, it is better to refer to it as "Professor X Office" rather than "Lab." This is because labeling an area as a lab can double the cost of fire sprinklers. To avoid this, it is best to speak to your fire protection contractor and ensure that your workspace meets the specific requirements for a lab.

If you plan on using 3D printing at home or in an old office or warehouse, it is important to consider fire and life safety protection. This type of activity is considered a "change in hazard," and therefore requires special precautions. Be sure to speak to your fire protection contractor to ensure that your workspace meets all necessary safety requirements.