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Fire sprinkler provisions have been in building codes for decades. Automatic fire sprinkler systems greatly improve survival rates and decrease the risk of financial loss by limiting the spread of flames. A well-designed automatic sprinkler system is critical to the overall safety of a residential building.
A common misconception among designers and property owners is that the NFPA 13 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems determines which buildings must have automatic sprinkler systems.
Actually, NFPA 13 identifies the criteria for these fire suppression systems. A state’s building code identifies when they’re required.
In Minnesota, the state building code establishes the requirements for automatic sprinkler systems in residential buildings. That said, it’s important to review the requirements from all applicable codes in your jurisdiction when determining the minimum fire safety requirements in a building. A good rule of thumb is to adhere to whichever code is more restrictive.
Where Fire Sprinkler Systems Are Code Required
Here's a breakdown of which residential building types trigger the requirement:
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Townhouses with 3 or more units: Each unit counts as its own building and needs its own sprinkler system. Attached garages need a dry head sprinkler. Attached combustible patios or decks over 40 square feet need a dry head sprinkler for every 20 linear feet of shared wall, or interior sprinklers that act as a water curtain.
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Multiunit resort buildings: Required if the resort has sleeping accommodations near a lake, stream, or recreational area like a ski hill or hunting grounds, and the building exceeds 9,250 square feet.
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Bed and breakfasts: Required with 6 or more guest rooms.
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Boarding houses (transient and non-transient): Required for more than 10 occupants.
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Congregate living facilities (transient and non-transient): Required for more than 16 occupants.
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Hotels and motels: Required.
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Apartment buildings: Required.
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Convents, monasteries, dormitories, fraternities, sororities, and timeshares: Required if the building exceeds 4,500 square feet.
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Care facilities over 4,500 square feet: Required. This includes child and adult day care centers, supervised living facilities, residential hospice facilities, adult and child foster care homes, senior housing facilities and nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.
The only buildings exempt from having fire sprinkler systems are those containing one or two separate single-family dwelling units (however, a separate licensing agency may require them).
Monitoring Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems
Fire protection system monitoring is just as important as the systems themselves. Timely detection is key to saving lives and preventing costly property damage and injuries.
While the entire system is required to be thoroughly inspected, tested, and maintained annually (once per year with a minimum of 9 months, maximum 15 months), some components need to be tested semiannually (twice per year with a minimum of 4 months, maximum of 8 months) by an approved servicing company in accordance with Chapter 14 of NFPA 72 (see Tables 14.3.1 and 14.4.5).
Work with fire alarm monitoring professionals to ensure your fire protection and life safety systems are up to code and working as they should.
Fire alarm monitoring helps ensure that no alarms go unheard. To find out more about sprinkler requirements or discuss monitoring services for fire systems, call us at 763-441-2290 or visit our contact us page.
