Preservation Note 20

Sprinkler Systems :Design Guidelines for

Historic Buildings

Special Construction

March 1991

Revised August-99

Fire Suppression - 13900

Sprinkler Systems: Design Guidelines for Historic Buildings

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General:

To the maximum extent possible, design sprinkler installations to be
reversible.

Install carefully to avoid damage to architectural and historic features
and spaces.

Comply with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards,
specifically NFPA 13, Standard for the installation of Sprinkler
Systems.

Conceal Piping:

Conceal piping to significant spaces such as lobbies, corridors, and
executive suites by routing pipes through adjoining office space. Use
these pipes to feed sidewall heads in the significant spaces. Do not
install suspended ceilings to conceal overhead piping.

Use this rule of thumb for all restoration zones identified in the
building\'s Historic Structure Report (HSR). Check the HSR chapter
entitled Recommendations for Maintenance, Restoration, and Alteration
(usually chapter 9) for building-specific design guidelines. HSR\'s have
been completed for most historic buildings in GSA\'s National Capital
Region inventory. A list of completed HSR\'s and copies of each Historic
Structure Reports are available in the GSA-NCR Technical Resources
Library, 7th and D Streets, SW, Washington, DC (202) 708-6278.

In contiguous significant spaces where no alternative route for
concealing piping exists, install pipes in the space of lesser
importance. Conceal piping in gypsum board enclosures of the minimum
size needed to allow access for maintenance.

Do not channel masonry walls to conceal piping. This alternative is
costly and destructive.

For exposed pipes, specify copper piping of minimum diameter needed to
achieve required pressure. Align the piping with building elements, such
as cornices or beams, or place pipes on deep cornices, ledges, or other
projections where possible to minimize its appearance. Paint pipes prior
to placement to match adjoining finishes.

Specify Sprinkler Heads Having the Least Physical & Visual Impact on
Historic Materials & Design

Specify the smallest available pendant or sidewall sprinkler head with
the minimum possible projection from the wall or ceiling..

Recessed heads are not generally recommended because of the danger that
they will become painted shut. Semi-recessed heads, despite the
advantage of projecting less into the space than pendant heads, are not
recommended for installation in plaster ceilings. The holes created to
accommodate these heads give ceilings a pockmarked appearance.

As a rule, use sidewall heads in significant spaces with plaster walls.
Use pendant heads in spaces that have both flat plaster ceilings and
ornamental wall finishes (such as wood paneling or stone).

Preserve ornamental walls and ceilings and avoid penetrating ornamental
finishes.

Where unavoidably penetrating ornamental ceilings, distribute heads
symmetrically and take advantage of decoration patterns to disguise
heads. Camouflage heads in rosettes and other repeating motifs. Omit
escutcheon plates.

For exposed pipe installations and installations involving penetration
of ornamental ceilings, specify glass bulb pendant heads. Glass bulb
heads have the following advantages for these installations:

Omission of escutcheon plates will not violate their UL listing.

They are the smallest available head for this type of installation.

The entire head, excluding the the small heat-sensitive glass bulb
activator, can be custom coated to match any finish. this coating must
be done by the manufacturer(you supply the paint). For information on
custom matching, refer to Preservation Notebookks No.2 \"Reproducing
Historic Paint Colors\" and No.11 \"Identifing Historic Paint Colors.\"

Match heads and escutcheons to the dominant original metal in the area
of the building where sprinkers are to be installed. Alternatively,
custom color heads and escutcheons to match background surface of the
wall or ceiling in which they will be installed

New technology in fire suppression systems promise to provide
alternative methods for use in historic structures. Mist suppression
systems are newly available. water misting creates a fog of fine water
droplets rather than a flow of water to extinguish the fire, avoiding
saturation of an area. the system uses flexible tubinf and smaller
components which are less obtrusive in ornamental spaces. The 1/4\"
tubing is flexible and can be contoured to fit in difficult spaces.

The hardware and installation of mist suppression system can cost
30%-50% more than a sprinkler system. It can reduce costs if water
supply to a sprinkler system is an issue. The mist suppression system
uses pressurized canisters to supply the mist and needs far less water
than sprinklers.

Currently, three manufacturers supply mist suppression systems:
Baumac/Reliable, Grinenell, and Kidde Fenwal. Design of these systems
requires highly specialized knowledge of mist suppression systems.