INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS 13–95

8.15.21 Dry Pipe Underground.

Main ceiling 8.15.21.1 Where necessary to place pipe that will be under air
pressure underground, the pipe shall be protected against
Reducing elbow corrosion.
8.15.21.2 Unprotected cast-iron or ductile-iron pipe shall be
permitted where joined with a gasketed joint listed for air ser-
4 in. (100 mm)
vice underground.
maximum length 8.15.22* System Subdivision. Where individual floor/zone
control valves are not provided, a flanged joint or mechanical
coupling shall be used at the riser at each floor for connec-
tions to piping serving floor areas in excess of 5000 ft2
Suspended
ceiling
(465 m2).
8.15.23 Spaces Above Ceilings.
8.15.23.1 Where spaces have ceilings that are lower than the
rest of the area, the space above this lower ceiling shall be
sprinklered unless it complies with the rules of 8.15.1.2 for
FIGURE 8.15.20.4.2 Nipple and Reducing Elbow Supplying allowable unsprinklered concealed spaces.
Sprinkler Below Ceiling.
8.15.23.2 Where the space above a drop ceiling is sprin-
klered, the sprinkler system shall conform to the rules of
11.1.2 and Section 12.3.
Max. height ?? 8.15.23.3* Where there is a noncombustible space above a
Main ceiling
noncombustible or limited-combustible drop ceiling that is
sprinklered because it is open to an adjacent sprinklered
space on only one side and where there is no possibility for
storage above the drop ceiling, the sprinkler system shall be
Nipple
[4 in. (100 mm) permitted to extend only as far into the space as 0.6 times the
maximum length] square root of the design area of the sprinkler system in the
Drop adjacent space.
nipple Branch line
8.15.23.3.1 The sprinkler system shall extend at least 24 ft
(7.2 m) into the space above the ceiling.

Reducer Suspended 8.15.24 Cloud Ceilings.

ceiling
8.15.24.1* Sprinklers shall be permitted to be omitted above
cloud ceilings where both of the following apply:
Ceiling plate
(1)*The openings around the cloud and the maximum sprin-
kler protection area meet the requirements of
FIGURE 8.15.20.4.3 Sprinklers in Concealed Space and Be- 8.15.1.2.1.2 and Table 8.15.24.1
low Ceiling. (2) The requirements of 8.15.24.2 are met.
8.15.24.2 When sprinklers are omitted from above a cloud
8.15.20.5 Revamping of Hydraulic Design Systems. ceiling in accordance with 8.15.24.1, the requirements of this
section shall apply.
8.15.20.5.1 When hydraulically designed systems are re-
vamped, any existing bushing shall be removed and a nipple
not exceeding 4 in. (100 mm) in length shall be permitted to
be installed in the branch line fitting. Table 8.15.24.1 Maximum Sprinkler Protection Area Based
8.15.20.5.2* Calculations shall be provided to verify that the on Ceiling Cloud Width and Opening Width
system design flow rate will be achieved.
Maximum Maximum Maximum
8.15.20.5.3 When it is necessary to pipe two new ceiling sprin- Ceiling Area (ft2) — Area (ft2) — Area (ft2) —
klers from an existing outlet in an overhead system, any bush- Cloud — Opening Opening Opening
ings shall be removed and the use of a nipple not exceeding Minimum Width Width Width
4 in. (100 mm) in length and of the same pipe thread size as Width ≤0.5 in./ft ≤0.75 in./ft ≤1 in./ft
the existing outlet shall be permitted, provided that a hydrau- Dimension of Ceiling of Ceiling of Ceiling
lic calculation verifies that the design flow rate will be (ft) Height Height Height
achieved.
8.15.20.5.4 Where an armover is attached to connect to a 2–<2.5 175 70 NP
sprinkler, the use of pipe nipples less than 1 in. (25 mm) in 2.5–4 225 120 70
diameter shall not be permitted where seismic design is re- >4 225 150 150
quired on the system.

2016 Edition