Combustible sprinkler piping, blazemaster, orange pipe

[Darren Zettler]

Looking for information on whether ‘blazemaster’ orange sprinkler pipe must be enclosed or otherwise protected or concealed. Seems to be a lot of conflicting information out there.

Building inspector says needs protection, contractor says it doesn’t. Have looked at the technical manual and it has provisions for both.

I don’t have a copy of ULC/ORD 199 to read but it seems to be a key document of approving without drywall etc.

 

Any help would be appreciated.

[Charles Turpin]

Darren

OBC states to cove unless 3.2.5.14 (5) is meet

according to Blazemaster

Exposed Installation- General (UL & C-UL)
In accordance with the UL and C-UL Listings, BlazeMaster pipe and fittings
may be installed without protection (exposed), subject to the following
additional limitations:
Note: NFPA standards permit the omission of automatic sprinklers in areas
such as small closets and bathrooms. Where sprinklers are not required,
and when approved by the authority having jurisdiction, it is acceptable
to install BlazeMaster products exposed in these areas.
Note: Where piping is required to be mounted directly to the ceiling/wall,
the use of listed hangers for thermoplastic sprinkler piping mounted directly
to the ceiling/wall is permitted. The resulting clearance between
the pipe and the ceiling/wall as a function of using the listed hanger is
acceptable.

Page 8          Link to full document  –       https://www.tyco-fire.com/TFP_common/BlazeMasterGuideIH_1900.pdf

Read Page 10 an more for the installation

The exposed installation is more involved

The one question is this a NFPA 13 , 13D or 13R install can change the requirements

Charles

[John Wilson]

Contractor and/or manufacture won’t trump the OBC. As Charles quoted  “Where sprinklers are not required, and when approved by the authority having jurisdiction, it is acceptable to install BlazeMaster products exposed in these areas.”  But before you even get to the OBC 3.2.5.14.(5)  that he mentioned, 3.2.5.14.(1) ‘Combustible sprinkler piping shall be used only for wet systems in residential occupancies and other light hazard occupancies.’ must be satisfied.  There are many factors in play to determine if it needs to be protected:

New construction or existing building?

Does it meet that 3.2.5.14.(1) clause?

If it’s new, what’s the OBC building classification (3.2.2.x.) ?

Are they installing sprinklers as an Alternative Measure to something or are they installing because it is required to be sprinklered?

Building Inspector is likely considering many more factors than the contractor.

[Author]

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