In NFPA 13, “Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems”, reference is made to other NFPA standards which contain additional sprinkler design criteria. These criteria apply to industrial occupancies with high fire loads, including warehouses with high piled storage, and industrial occupancies intended for the use, manufacture or storage of highly flammable materials. Therefore, while only NFPA 13 is called up directly by Sentence 3.2.5.13.(1), the additional criteria in the other NFPA standards are included automatically.
In some NFPA standards, certain aspects of sprinkler protection are dependent on the fire-resistance rating of the vertical structural members. In these cases, the sprinkler system design options can be affected by the fire-resistance rating of these elements. For example, in buildings used for the storage of rubber tires, sprinklers directed at the sides of a column are required if the column does not have the required fire-resistance rating.
Other NFPA standards may require that certain occupancies be sprinklered in conformance with NFPA 13, as in the case of some garages. These requirements do not supersede the requirements in the Building Code. An occupancy is required to be sprinklered only when this is specified in the Building Code, but when it is so required, it must be sprinklered in conformance with NFPA 13 and its referenced standards.
Additionally, while Part 4 contains seismic force provisions that apply to the design of sprinklers, NFPA 13 contains other structural requirements for sprinklers that are also required to be met.