The HTRC

The Homeowners & Trades Resource Center

Brought to you by:

You are here: Home / Common Sense Building / BS4D: The Fire Sprinklers & Air Barrier conundrum

BS4D: The Fire Sprinklers & Air Barrier conundrum

Ahh the dreaded question, just how does one comply with the codes when they conflict with each other? In this case how does one install fire sprinklers, while keeping them in conditioned space so they don’t freeze while ensuring that insulation stays in continuous contact with the air-barrier? Well what happens in most cases is you sweet talk the inspectors to allow something like this…

bad-sprinkler-install

Or like this

bad-sprinkler-install2

or wow, even something like this

bad-sprinkler-install3

Shoot if you are lucky you can even get if approved as an approved practice as all three of these pictures came from one inspection departments how to manual… Yeah there needs to be a better way right?

A better method:

Ok skipping over the issues with the insulation, this is how it should be done. Now the insulation is still in direct contact with the air barriers (the OSB in the case of the sprinkler line area and also the drywall)

good-sprinkler-air-barrier-design

A closer look…

good-sprinkler-design-air-barrier-2

Another method used in the rest of the house…

another-sprinkler-air-barrier-best-practice

Ahhh but how about the differing heights of insulation? Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get a shot up in the attic, but hopefully they used the proper amount above the OSB and allowed it to overlap the other layers so that the proper levels were maintained throughout.

 

Related posts:

Warning; this book may shock you or possibly start a fire
BS4D: Envelope Leakage Testing 101
Green Building Principles & Common Sense
Getting the details right: Door & window openings (interior)
Common Sense Building: The Cool Roof Concept
Common Sense Building: Making Sense of Radiant Heat (FAQ)
Common Sense Building: Don’t just jump on the bandwagon
Energy Efficiency vs. Conservation – what is the real issue?
  Tweet    
  
   

Filed Under: Common Sense Building, Fire Safety Tagged With: BS4D November 1, 2013 By SLS

Comments

  1. EnergyVanguard says

    November 2, 2013 at 05:40

    Nice post, Sean. I’ve been meaning to write about this issue, and now I have an article with much better photos than I have to refer people to.

    • SLS Construction says

      November 3, 2013 at 08:48

      Many thanks Allison & I guess it does help when you live in an area that does require them, though they only require it for houses 3 stories & above instead of all houses.

  2. Kent Mitchell says

    March 18, 2014 at 14:27

    Those are some great ideas! we haven’t seen them migrate to our area yet… won’t be long now! Thanks Sean!

    • SLS Construction says

      March 19, 2014 at 03:59

      My pleasure Kent & I can offer you some hope (assuming you are not pro fire sprinkler) – I was at a meeting last night with a gentleman from NAHB’s code committee & they are still actively working on blocking this measure & have done quite well – at least 60% of jurisdictions have stripped this provision from the code.
      As mentioned above only buildings three stories & up are required to have it here instead of every single one. Many states as they consider adopting / upgrading the energy & building codes will strip out the fire sprinkler provisions all together & only allow those communities that have already mandated them to continue to do so while still allowing homeowners to choose every where else. (i.e. the no mandate, but still allow language)

  3. Kent Mitchell says

    August 4, 2020 at 19:08

    Those are some great ideas! we haven’t seen them migrate to our area yet… won’t be long now! Thanks Sean!

    • SLS Construction says

      August 4, 2020 at 19:08

      My pleasure Kent & I can offer you some hope (assuming you are not pro fire sprinkler) – I was at a meeting last night with a gentleman from NAHB’s code committee & they are still actively working on blocking this measure & have done quite well – at least 60% of jurisdictions have stripped this provision from the code.
      As mentioned above only buildings three stories & up are required to have it here instead of every single one. Many states as they consider adopting / upgrading the energy & building codes will strip out the fire sprinkler provisions all together & only allow those communities that have already mandated them to continue to do so while still allowing homeowners to choose every where else. (i.e. the no mandate, but still allow language)

  4. EnergyVanguard says

    August 4, 2020 at 19:08

    Nice post, Sean. I’ve been meaning to write about this issue, and now I have an article with much better photos than I have to refer people to.

    • SLS Construction says

      August 4, 2020 at 19:17

      Many thanks Allison & I guess it does help when you live in an area that does require them, though they only require it for houses 3 stories & above instead of all houses.

Featured Posts
25 ways to keep your cool during a heat wave & beyond

25 ways to keep your cool during a heat wave & beyond

Welcome to the dog days of summer with what appears to be a bumper crop of “Excessive Heat Warnings” this year. In just this last week, I got to enjoy ...

Read More

Early Summer Home Maintenance Checklist for June

Early Summer Home Maintenance Checklist for June

Ahhh June, the gateway to the start of summer vacations, some great BBQ’s, spending time with the family, and probably working on a to-do list that is a mile long. ...

Read More

Hitting the Road: RV’s, Gas Mileage, & Assorted Tips

Hitting the Road: RV’s, Gas Mileage, & Assorted Tips

As the Star Trek transporter still has not been invented, many vacationing families & others start looking to RV’s due to their many benefits. Can one say no TSA checks, ...

Read More

FAQ: Do I need to change my HVAC filter monthly?

FAQ: Do I need to change my HVAC filter monthly?

If you follow our Monthly Maintenance Program, the first item we have listed is "Change out your HVAC filter." This has brought up a few questions, namely: Do I need ...

Read More

Getting ready for Spring: Your deck & grill

Hopefully, this last snow storm was it for spring (really?) meaning most of us can start getting ready to grill and get back to enjoying the great outdoors. Needless to ...

Read More

FAQ: Ceiling fan direction - summer & winter

One of the biggest questions out there is which direction should my fan be running and how can I tell. You look at the switch and realize it isn't any ...

Read More

Subscribe

Get new posts by email:

Random Glossary term

  • Zone

    Ahh the dreaded question, just how does one comply with the codes when they conflict with each other? In this case how does one install fire sprinklers, while keeping them in conditioned space so they don’t freeze while ensuring that insulation stays in continuous contact with the air-barrier? Well what happens in most cases is you sweet […]

The HTRC - Copyright © 2006–2022 by TheHTRC.com & SLS Construction & Building Solutions LLC http://SLS-Construction.com