NFPA organized the Life Safety Sprinkler System Challenge Workshop, which was held in December 2015, to look at the low probability, high consequence fires that sometimes happen in multifamily dwellings where the sprinkler system did not control the fire and extensive property damage occurred. Specifically, sprinkler systems designed using NFPA 13D, Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes and NFPA 13R, Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Low-Rise Residential Occupancies continue to achieve their life safety goal, yet in some cases residents are displaced from their home, loss of contents and the structure is significant and stakeholders are left to ask “how is this a success?” As we gain more experience with life safety sprinkler systems such as NFPA 13D and NFPA 13R, the sample of fires and fire experience that results in substantial damage will be measurable. With 40 years of experience with NFPA 13D and 26 years of experience with NFPA 13R, the use and performance of these standards along with the expected outcomes is assessable. Taking time to understand that performance is necessary. This two day workshop included a diverse group of stakeholders who gathered to look at this experience, identify ways in which it can be improved upon, and discussed other provisions that can be used by designers, contractors, authorities having jurisdiction and the developers.
Read the final report from this workshop. (PDF, 5 MB)