Can I install fire sprinklers myself?

No. As required by the State of California Business and Professions Code and the Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB) only a C-16 Fire Protection Contractor may install fire sprinklers.

What is a fire sprinkler retrofit?

Retrofitting is the process of adding a new or updated fire protection system (sprinklers, fire alarm, suppression) to an existing building. Reasons for retrofits vary with the most common being renovations and outdated systems.

How many sprinkler heads do I need for a residential fire?

Essentially, sprinklers only need to cover rooms of a certain size that are considered living areas. Standard sprinklers cover a 12′ x 12′ area and extended coverage sprinklers cover a 20′ x 20′ area, and each head must be placed at least 8′ apart; thus, many rooms will only need one or two sprinkler heads.

Can PEX be used for fire sprinklers?

Why PEX? NFPA 13D-approved for use in multipurpose and standalone fire sprinkler systems, PEX has been shown to be an effective alternative to CPVC and copper pipe due to its easy installation and durability. Both characteristics allow contractors and builders to meet tight production schedules.

Is NFPA 13 retroactive?

Newer editions of the NFPA 13 are not retroactive in most cases, which means you are not required to upgrade existing installations that were compliant at the time of installation. If any specific requirement is retroactive, it is state clearly in the current version of NFPA 13.

What is considered a high rise in Los Angeles?

Definition: * A high—rise building is a building of any type of construction having floors (as measured from the top of the floor surface) used for human occupancy located more than 75 feet above the lowest floor level having building access.

How effective are home fire sprinklers?

Sprinklers in Reported Home Fires They were effective at controlling the fire in 97 percent of the fires in which they operated. Taken together, sprinklers operated effectively in 92 percent of the fires large enough to trigger them. In 89 percent of the home fires with operating sprinklers, only one operated.

How many square feet does a fire sprinkler head cover?

New fire codes allow a single sprinkler head to protect up to 200 square feet, depending on the design of the fire sprinkler, flammability of the building and the materials within it. The NFPA delineates spacing requirements based on the material hazards, plumbing, and piping systems of the specific construction.

Can plastic pipe be used for the installation of fire sprinklers?

Certain CPVC plastic pipe and fitting systems listed to system standard UL 1821 can be used to supply water to fire sprinklers for low-rise residential occupancies according to installation standard NFPA 13R and to supply light hazard occupancies according to NFPA 13.

Does sprinkler system add value to home?

A sprinkler system indirectly increases a home’s market value by enhancing the home’s overall curb appeal. Since attractive landscaping requires sufficient watering, an automatic sprinkler system ensures the protection of your investment.

What is the difference between NFPA 13 and NFPA 13R?

In other words, NFPA 13R requirements provide for a level of protection that allows occupants to escape a building in the event of a fire. Conversely, NFPA 13 provides protection to not only get people out to safety, but also to control or extinguish the fire – saving the building and its contents.