The NFPA Standard for Industrial Sprinkler Systems

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provides guidelines for fire protection sprinkler systems. NFPA 13 is the governing standard for automatic sprinkler system design and installation and other parameters for industrial sprinkler systems.

NFPA 13

• Industrial sprinkler systems require scheduled testing and maintenance.

  NFPA 13 is the "Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems," which discusses recommendations and minimum requirements for designs and installations of automatic fire sprinkler systems, as well as exposure protection sprinkler systems. NFPA 13 gets into many and varied details, including sprinkler system layouts, specific sprinkler head designs, coverage and purposes, alarm systems, scheduled maintenance, testing, and much more.

Beyond NFPA 13

• Various NFPA standards beyond NFPA 13 relate to industrial sprinkler systems.

  Because industrial fire protection systems are critically important to overall safety of people and property, many other standards and codes may apply to industrial sprinkler systems. For example, other NFPA standards may apply with regard to such things as sprinkler system controls, pumping systems, storage tanks and water additives.

Considerations

• Industrial fire protection systems are governed by various codes and standards.

  As is true with most standards, codes, regulations and the like, NFPA standards may refer to other applicable references, which also may have impact in influencing and controlling fire protection programs, including industrial sprinkler systems. It is crucial that all applicable governing documentation be taken into account when planning, designing, installing, controlling, testing and otherwise operating and maintaining such systems.