NFPA 13 Installation of Sprinkler Systems

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“

“Meet the DBI Pros” Meet the DBI Pros” Summit

Summit

October 12, 2007

WELCOME TO THE AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER

‘SUMMIT’ PRESENTED BY THE

SAN FRANCISCO FIRE

DEPARTMENT

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NFPA 13-Installation of Sprinkler

Systems:

Transition from 1999 to 2002

Editions

By: Gerald Zari and Jon Corbett

“

MEET

THE DBI PROS” THE DBI PROS”

THE SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT

PRESENTS

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Reorganization of the NFPA 13

Standard:

•

NFPA 13, 2002 Complies with the NFPA Manual of Style: – First Chapter is “Administration”

– Second Chapter is “Reference Publications” (previously Chapter 13) – Third Chapter is “Definitions”

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The “Administration” Chapter provides general

guidance for the following aspects of Sprinkler

Systems:

– Scope: Minimal design & installation of systems.

– Purpose: Reasonable degree of protection

– Application: Water Supplies, sprinklers, piping, fittings

and Materials used

– Retroactivity Clause: The AHJ can apply this standard

to existing systems where there is an “unacceptable

degree of risk”

– Equivalency: Allows the AHJ to accept alternate

approaches, based on engineering judgment, that

meets the intent of the standard

– New Technology: Accepts the use of newly developed

sprinkler, fittings, etc…within their listings

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Referenced Publications:

–

Updated to the most current, applicable

_{Updated to the most current, applicable}

Standards

–

_{Directs user to other standards for}

design of sprinkler systems not

addressed in NFPA 13

New Definitions:

–

_{Bathrooms in Dwelling units}

–

_{Ceilings: Flat, Horizontal, and Sloped}

–

_{Materials: Non-Combustible and Limited}

Combustible; consistent with NFPA 220

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Chapter 4:

Owners Certificate (4.3)

• A new form with information provided by the

A new form with information provided by the

Owner or an Authorized Agent

• States intended use of building, materials

States intended use of building, materials

within and storage heights

• Provides a preliminary building plan for

Provides a preliminary building plan for

design of the sprinkler system

• If applicable, special information about the

If applicable, special information about the

water supply and Microbiologically

influenced corrosion (MIC)

• SFFD may require this form on the approved

SFFD may require this form on the approved

plans

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Chapter 6 (1999 Chpt.3):

System Components and

Hardware

• Specially listed products (6.1.1.1)

Specially listed products (6.1.1.1)

–

Installation must conform to all

_{Installation must conform to all}

conditions required by the listing, this

information is found in the product

literature and installation instructions

–

_{Examples: WS sprinklers, extended}

coverage, flex heads and residential

sprinklers

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Chapter 7 (1999 Chpt.4):

System requirements

• Gauges are now required above and

Gauges are now required above and

below check valves in a Riser, i.e.

both sides

• Freezing conditions: areas where

Freezing conditions: areas where

Temperatures are below 40 degrees

Fahrenheit

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Chapter 8 (1999 Chpt.5):

Installation Requirements

• Sprinkler thermal sensitivity (8.3.3)

Sprinkler thermal sensitivity (8.3.3)

–

Per 8.3.3.3, where Quick Response (QR)

_{Per 8.3.3.3, where Quick Response (QR)}

sprinklers are installed, all sprinklers in that

room/compartment are required to be QR

ordinary temperature-rated (135-170

00

F)

–

_{The exception is a circumstance that requires a}

higher temperature sprinkler, e.g. a heat

source like a Fire Place Stove or skylight, then

use of Standard sprinklers is permitted

–

Does

_Does

NOT

apply to Residential Sprinklers

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Chapter 8, continued:

• Sidewall Spray Sprinklers (8.4.2):

Sidewall Spray Sprinklers (8.4.2):

–

Light Hazard: Allows installation of sidewall

_{Light Hazard: Allows installation of sidewall}

sprinklers in smooth, horizontal or sloped

ceilings

–

Deflector Orientation (8.7.4.2.2):

_{Deflector Orientation (8.7.4.2.2):}

•

In sloped ceilings: locate sprinkler in highest point In sloped ceilings: locate sprinkler in highest point of slope with deflector parallel to slope

of slope with deflector parallel to slope

–

Definitions:

_Definitions:

•

Smooth Ceiling: a continuous ceiling free of Smooth Ceiling: a continuous ceiling free of significant irregularities

significant irregularities

•

Horizontal Ceiling: 2:12 slope or less (10Horizontal Ceiling: 2:12 slope or less (10oo))

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Chapter 8, continued:

• Skylights and Similar (Small) Ceiling

Skylights and Similar (Small) Ceiling

Pockets (8.5.7):

–

_{Omission of Sprinklers allowed in openings}

if:

1.

1. Opening does not exceed 32 ft

Opening does not exceed 32 ft

2 2

ANDAND

2.

2. Edges of openings are horizontally separated

Edges of openings are horizontally separated

by 10-feet or more to other openings

Max 32 ft2 Max 32 ft2 10 feet or more 4’-0 8’-0 2’-0 16’-0 Example:

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Chapter 8, continued:

• Ceiling Pockets (8.6.7)

Ceiling Pockets (8.6.7)

–

Sprinklers required except where ALL of the

_{Sprinklers required except where ALL of the}

conditions listed below are met:

1.

Volume (cubic feet) is 1000 ftVolume (cubic feet) is 1000 ft33 or less or less

2.

Maximum of 36-inch deepMaximum of 36-inch deep

3.

Entire floor area below has sprinkler coverageEntire floor area below has sprinkler coverage

4.

Adjacent openings are horizontally located 10-feet Adjacent openings are horizontally located 10-feet or more away from any other pockets

or more away from any other pockets

5.

Construction is limited/non-combustibleConstruction is limited/non-combustible

6.

Skylights allowed to be plastic if 32 ftSkylights allowed to be plastic if 32 ft22 or less or less

7.

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Chapter 9 (1999 Chpt.6):

Hangers, Bracing , and

Restraint of System Piping

• Fasteners in Concrete (9.1.3)

Fasteners in Concrete (9.1.3)

–

Installed in the Horizontal position unless

_{Installed in the Horizontal position unless}

one of the following conditions is met:

• Used in concrete with gravel/crushed stone

Used in concrete with gravel/crushed stone

for supporting up to 4-inch pipe

• Alternated with hangers connected to

Alternated with hangers connected to

structural members or sides of concrete

beams for 5-inch or larger pipe

• Spacing is 10-feet or less for 4-inch and

Spacing is 10-feet or less for 4-inch and

larger pipe

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Chapter 9, continued.

• Unsupported Ends of Branch Lines (BL) and

Unsupported Ends of Branch Lines (BL) and

Armovers with static/flow pressures

exceeding 100 psi (9.2.3.4.3 and 9.2.3.5.2):

–

Steel Pipe requires a hanger and vertical restraint

_{Steel Pipe requires a hanger and vertical restraint}

within 12-inches of the BL and armover end

–

Copper Tube requires a hanger and vertical

_{Copper Tube requires a hanger and vertical}

restraint within 6-inches of the BL and armover

end

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Chapter 9, Continued.

• Risers (9.3.5.5)

Risers (9.3.5.5)

–

4-way braces required for risers more

_{4-way braces required for risers more}

than 3-feet in length.

–

4-way braces not required where riser

_{4-way braces not required where riser}

penetrates intermediate floors of a

multistory building where clearances

required by 9.3.4 are not exceeded.

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A QUICK COMPARISON OF

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REQUIREMENT NFPA 13 NFPA 13R NFPA 13D SPRINKLERS THRU-OUT ALL AREAS/ALL OCCUP. X

SPRINKLERS IN ‘R’ OCCUPANCIES UP TO 4

STORIES X X

SPRINKLERS IN ‘R-3’- 1 & 2 FAMILY DWELLINGS X X X

EXTRA STORY 2007 CBC TBL 503 X NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED MORE AREA 2007 CBC TBL 503 X NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED

CLOSETS:*

HOTEL/MOTEL CLOSETS 24 sq. ft. or less N/A HOTEL/MOTEL CLOSETS greater than 24 sq. ft. X X N/A CLOTHES/LINEN CLOSETS/PANTRIES

(non-hotel/motel) 24 sq. ft. or less

X CLOTHES/LINEN CLOSETS/PANTRIES

(non-hotel/motel) Greater than 24 sq. ft.

X X X

BATHROOMS:**

BATHROOMS 55 sq. ft. or less

BATHROOMS greater than 55 sq. ft. X X X

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DESIGN:

NFPA 13 NFPA 13R NFPA 13D RESIDENTIAL @ 0.1GPM/sq. ft. (or listed flow

>0.1 gpm, res. Sprinkler)

X RES. OCC. USE QUICK RESP./ CALC. 1500 sq. ft. X

RES. OCC. USE RES. SPRKLRS/ CALC. 4 HEADS X X RES. OCC. USE RES. SPRKLRS/ CALC. 2 HEADS

& 1HEAD CALC.

X NO HOSE ALLOWANCE REQUIRED (must

include domestic use)

X X RES. OCC. ADD 100 GPM HOSE ALLOWANCE X

MUST USE LISTED RESIDENTIAL

SPRINKLERS QR or RES. X X MINIMUM DENSITY 0.05GPM/sq. ft. (listed

sprinkler flow)

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MISCELLANEOUS AREAS:

NFPA 13 NFPA 13R NFPA 13D

GARAGES (requires 250gpmhosedemand) X Refer to NFPA 13 Refer to NFPA 13 ATTICS/CRAWL SPACES/CONCEALED SPACES-NOT

INTENDED FOR STORAGE OR LIVING PURPOSES

X

*The least dimension not exceeding 3’.

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4.02 Fire Department Connection Omission

•

In the past, it was the Fire Department's position to allow the

omission of a Fire Department Connection in buildings with fewer than 20 sprinkler heads per floor. This was allowed by N.F.P.A. 13, as it left the decision up to the Authority Having Jurisdiction.

However, due to Standard changes, the 2002 edition of N.F.P.A. 13 (8.16.2.2) no longer allows the omission of an FDC except in the following circumstances:

•

Exception 1. Buildings located in remote areas that are inaccessible for fire department support.

•

Exception 2. Large-capacity deluge systems exceeding the pumping capacity of the fire department.

•

Exception 3. Single-story buildings not exceeding 2,000 sq. ft. in area.

•

Two additional exceptions for the requirement for FDC's are found in the 2001C.B.C. , Section 904. The first pertains to combination

domestic/fire services. When approved by the Fire Department, the FDC may be omitted in these systems. The second exception applies to Group I Occupancies housed in existing single family dwellings

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4.04 Color Coding of Existing Standpipes

•

Reference: 2007C.B.C. Section 905.4.2

•

It is the Bureau of Fire Prevention's policy that all standpipe systems with multiple risers be interconnected at their base. However, existing systems that were approved and installed without such

interconnection may have their use continued if such standpipe

system is provided with an approved color code. Color code markers shall be of a permanent material at least one inch wide surrounding the flange of the standpipe inlet. All outlets supplied by this inlet shall be equipped with similar marking.

•

If the standpipe is exposed, the pipe directly above the outlet handle shall be marked with a color band at least one inch wide which is the same color as installed at the inlet which supplies such outlet. If the standpipe is enclosed by construction, such markings shall be

located on the wall directly behind the standpipe outlet. This marking may be a 3 inch color disk or 3 inch square area and shall be the same color as the inlet which supplies such outlet.

•

The Bureau of Fire Prevention will accept five colors which must be florescent: hospital white, royal blue, canary yellow, fire engine red, and bright orange.

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4.05 Protection of Standpipe Inlets

• Reference: 2007C.F.C. Section 912, 2003 NFPA 14

Section 12.9

• THE SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT'S

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROTECTION OF

STANDPIPE INLET THREADS ARE:

• 1. Hose connections for standpipes shall be

equipped with an approved plastic or metal plug

which may be removed and reused.

• 2. The use of cast iron caps which are not threaded

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4.06 Design Criteria for Fire Department Connections and Standpipe Outlet Valves

• Reference: 2003 N.F.P.A. 14

• Fire Department connections shall be located not less than 18 inches nor more than 48 inches above the level of the adjoining ground (NFPA

14 sec. 6.3.6).

• Each standpipe shall be equipped with approved outlet valves which discharge horizontally. They shall be located not less than three feet nor more than five feet above the floor. NFPA 14 sec. 7.3.1

• The recommended height is 42 inches from the finished floor to the center line of the valve.) It shall be placed to provide a minimum

clearance of six inches on all sides of the handle and 12 inches on all sides of the threaded outlet. All measurements are to be taken from the finished surface to the handle or outlet

• Connections and outlets shall be placed so that doors or walls do not interfere with the use of the outlet valve.

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4.08 Design Criteria for Installation of Underground Piping for Fire Sprinkler Service

Reference: 2007 C.B.C. Sec. 903

NFPA 24, 2002 edition, section 10.4.3, requires that the depth of cover for fire service main pipe be not less than 30 inches or one foot below the frost line for the locality. Where frost is not a factor, the 30 inch depth of cover is required to protect the pipe from mechanical damage.

The San Francisco Water Department supplies domestic water meters for all fire services of two-inch and smaller, including combination

fire/domestic services. These meters require that the pipe be installed less than the 30 inches required by N.F.P.A. 24.

Due to the practical difficulty of compliance with this standard, all two-inch and smaller fire services, including combination services, shall be allowed to be installed following the criteria listed below which will prevent mechanical damage:

1. All installation of piping shall comply with San Francisco Plumbing Code section 609.1 which requires a minimum depth of cover of 12 inches below finished grade.

2. A minimum four inches of concrete shall cover the area above the pipe. The four inch concrete installation shall extend a minimum of 12 inches horizontally on both sides of the pipe.

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4.09 Removal of Class II Standpipe Hose

Cabinets in Sprinkler-Retrofitted Buildings

Section 901.8 of the 2007 C.F.C. requires written Fire

Marshal approval in order to remove existing fire

appliances. In order to speed the permit process,

buildings subject to the San Francisco High-rise

Sprinkler Ordinance will be permitted to remove Class II

Standpipe hose cabinets on individual floors after they

have been fully sprinklered. The applicant shall state his

or her intention to remove the hose cabinets on the

approved sprinkler plans.

• Buildings not subject to the ordinance will continue to

require written Fire Marshal approval in order to remove

any fire appliance. These written requests will be

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4.10 Testing of Fixed Extinguishing Systems (Standpipes and PRV's)

•

Reference: C.A.C. Title 19, Chapter 5

•

Title 19, California Administrative Code , includes regulations for Automatic Extinguishing Systems. Chapter 5 contains the criteria and time frames for maintenance and service inspections for all fixed automatic extinguishing systems.

•

Sections 904.2(i) and (j) permit the local Fire Department to require

notification prior to any service inspection and also to be sent a report of the results.

•

The San Francisco Fire Department shall be notified at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to any servicing of a system. Also, a report of the results of any service inspection shall be forwarded to the San Francisco Fire Department at:

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4.10 Testing of Fixed Extinguishing Systems (Standpipes and PRV's) - continued

• Pressure Reducing Valves-Certification Of

• Section 904.4(c)(3) and (d)(3)-Service Regulations for Class III and

Combined Standpipe Hose Outlets state that "Each Hose Valve Outlet shall be inspected in a manner that will indicate the valves are fully operable."

• The primary function of a PRV type hose outlet is to reduce pressures under both flow and no-flow conditions. The only way this pressure

reducing feature can be tested and certified as operational is to flow test the valve.

• All PRV type hose outlets shall be flow tested for certification. The following test results and information shall be submitted to the Fire Department for review: valve type or model, valve pressure setting,

reduced static pressure, outlet residual pressure flowing 500 g.p.m. for the first standpipe and 250 for each additional standpipe with the pump

running at its rated capacity.

• PRV hose valves shall be certified as per the design criteria at the time of their installation.

• Hose valve design criteria for new installations require outlet pressures of 100 to 125 psi residual pressure flowing 250 g.p.m. and 75-100 psi residual pressure when flowing 500 g.p.m. from the roof manifold of the

hydraulically remote standpipe and 250 g.p.m. for each additional standpipe. Maximum static pressure must not exceed 150 psi.

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4.20 Design of Fire Pump Suction Piping and Fire

Pump Location

•

Reference: NFPA 20-2003, Section 5.2.4

•

Design of the fire pump suction pipe must be approved by the Fire Department. As required by NFPA 20, fire pump suction piping from the city main and fire water storage tank to the fire pump suction flange shall be designed and installed to avoid air pockets. For this reason, the location of the fire pump will also be reviewed and approved by the Fire Department before the Site Permit is approved and issued.

•

For new building installations, air pockets in the fire pump suction piping is not allowed. Providing an automatic release valve for the air pockets instead of avoiding air pockets is not acceptable.

•

For existing buildings, design of the fire pump suction piping must avoid air pockets. If it is impossible to do so, the Fire

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•

4.23 Combination Fire Services4.23 Combination Fire Services

•

Reference: 2007C.B.C. , Sections 903.3.1.5.2, NFPA 13-2002,

NFPA 13R-2002

•

A. Combination fire service will be permitted only when the A. Combination fire service will be permitted only when the

combined sprinkler system and domestic water demand through combined sprinkler system and domestic water demand through the meter will not exceed the manufacturers' listed maximum, the meter will not exceed the manufacturers' listed maximum, intermittent delivery rate. The following guidelines will be used intermittent delivery rate. The following guidelines will be used to comply with this policy:

to comply with this policy:

•

SPRINKLER SYSTEM DESIGN CRITERIA

•

Sprinkler systems supplied by the combination fire service must Sprinkler systems supplied by the combination fire service must be hydraulically designed in accordance with

be hydraulically designed in accordance with NFPANFPA 13D, 13R 13D, 13R and/or 13 as required by the

and/or 13 as required by the C.B.C.C.B.C. , the Department of , the Department of Building Inspection, and the Fire Department.

Building Inspection, and the Fire Department.

•

The domestic water demand must be included in the sprinkler The domestic water demand must be included in the sprinkler flow at the domestic water system point of connection to the flow at the domestic water system point of connection to the combination fire service line. Domestic water demand shall be combination fire service line. Domestic water demand shall be at least 5 gpm per unit for two dwelling units or less. For three at least 5 gpm per unit for two dwelling units or less. For three or more dwelling units, the domestic demand shall be as

or more dwelling units, the domestic demand shall be as estimated using the Tables in

estimated using the Tables in NFPANFPA 13R. 13R.

– The maximum delivery rates for combination fire service _{The maximum delivery rates for combination fire service} are:

are:

1 inch service = 50 gpm

1 1/2-inch service = 100 gpm 2 inch service = 160 gpm

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The meter friction losses to be used in the

hydraulic calculations are:

– B. Combination Fire Service Pipe

– For all sizes, the service line must be copper

(Type K with brazed joints) from the meter to

the sprinkler connection to minimize problems

of tuberculation.

Service size\flow

25 gpm 50 gpm 75 gpm 100 gpm 150 gpm 160 gpm

1 inch 5 psi 9 psi

1.5 inch 1 psi 3 psi 7 psi 12 psi

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• 4.24 FDC Requirement for Low-Rise Buildings

4.24 FDC Requirement for Low-Rise Buildings

• Reference: NFPA 13 NFPA 14

• The San Francisco Fire Department may require

The San Francisco Fire Department may require

more than one FDC in a low-rise building when:

• 1) The building fronts on more than one public

1) The building fronts on more than one public

way.

• 2) It has significant floor area where firefighter

2) It has significant floor area where firefighter

response to the seat of the fire may be delayed.

• 3) The adjacent streets or public way

3) The adjacent streets or public way

characteristics may hinder firefighting operations.

–

_{4) Deemed necessary for any other reason}

by the Fire Department.

– FDC locations to be approved by Fire

Department.

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Some 2007 CBC new

requirements:

• 1. All buildings with a R-1 (hotels) and R-2

1. All buildings with a R-1 (hotels) and R-2

(apartments) fire area must be sprinklered

throughout. Sec. 903.2.7

• 2. All valves controlling the water supply

2. All valves controlling the water supply

for automatic sprinkler system must be

electrically supervised. Sec. 903.4

• 3. Alarm, supervisory, and trouble

3. Alarm, supervisory, and trouble

signals……

and automatically transmitted to an

approved central station, remote

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• 4. Systems with 20 or more sprinklers

4. Systems with 20 or more sprinklers

must be

supervised and monitored by

a central

station or equivalent. Sec.

903.4

• 5. All Group ‘A’ occupancies shall be

5. All Group ‘A’ occupancies shall be

sprinklered throughout and all the floors

between the ‘A’ occupancy and the

level of

(34)

SEISMIC BRACING REQUIREMENTSCBC 2007 and NFPA 13-2007SEISMIC BRACING REQUIREMENTSCBC 2007 and NFPA 13-2007 CBC Sec. 1613.1

CBC Sec. 1613.1

• Design of sprinkler supports and attachments shall be in _{Design of sprinkler supports and attachments shall be in}

accordance with ASCE-7 (American Society of Civil Engineers).

• Some exceptions are allowed based on specific criteria._{Some exceptions are allowed based on specific criteria.}

• ASCE Sec. 11.4_{ASCE Sec. 11.4}

Seismic Ground Motion Values (S

Seismic Ground Motion Values (SDS or DS or SSD1D1), Occupancy Category ), Occupancy Category values determined by a California registered Engineer.

values determined by a California registered Engineer.

• ASCE Sec. 13.6.8.2 and 13.6.8.3_{ASCE Sec. 13.6.8.2 and 13.6.8.3}

Seismic design requirements based on Occupancy Category

Occupancy Category ‘C’ is based on NFPA 13-2007

Occupancy Category ‘D’, ‘E’, and ‘F’ are required to comply with ASCE 7

• Most buildings in San Francisco appear to fall into the D to F Occupancy _{Most buildings in San Francisco appear to fall into the D to F Occupancy}

Categories.

• Categories D to F: ASCE Section 13.6.8.3_{Categories D to F: ASCE Section 13.6.8.3}