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Section 23.7 Pipe Schedules

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TAble 23.7.2.2.1 Light Hazard Pipe Schedules

St Copp

1 in. (25 mm) 2 sprinklers 1 in. (25 mm) 2 sprinklers

11⁄4 in. (32 mm) 3 sprinklers 11⁄4 in. (32 mm) 3 sprinklers
11⁄2 in. (40 mm) 5 sprinklers 11⁄2 in. (40 mm) 5 sprinklers
2 in. (50 mm) 10 sprinklers 2 in. (50 mm) 12 sprinklers
21⁄2 in. (65 mm) 30 sprinklers 21⁄2 in. (65 mm) 40 sprinklers
3 in. (80 mm) 60 sprinklers 3 in. (80 mm) 65 sprinklers
31⁄2 in. (90 mm) 100 sprinklers 31⁄2 in. (90 mm) 115 sprinklers
4 in. (100 mm) See Section 8.2 4 in. (100 mm) See Section 8.2

2 in. 2 in. 2 in. 1¹⁄₂ in. 1¹⁄₂ in. 1¹⁄₂ in. 1¹⁄₄ in. 1¹⁄₄ in. 1 in. 1 in.
50 mm 50 mm 50 mm 40 mm 40 mm 40 mm 32 mm 32 mm 25 mm 25 mm

Figure 23.7.2.3(a) Arrangement of Branch Lines

Supplying Sprinklers Above and Below Ceiling.

Upright sprinkler in
concealed space

Reducer

Ceiling

Upright sprinkler Plate

Nipple,
diameter

Tee
≥3

Figure 23.7.2.3( ) Sprinkler on Riser Nipple from

Branch Line in Lower Fire Area.

23.7.2.4 Unless the requirements of 23.7.2.5 are met, pipe sizing up to and including 2½ in.
(65 mm) shall be as shown in Table 23.7.2.4 utilizing the greatest number of sprinklers to be
found on any two adjacent levels.

23.7.2.5 Branch lines and cross mains supplying sprinklers installed entirely above or entirely
below ceilings shall be sized in accordance with Table 23.7.2.2.1.
A fire either above or below a ceiling in a light hazard occupancy will normally be contained in that
area by operating sprinklers (see 23.7.2.5). In light hazard pipe schedule systems, NFPA 13 permits more

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Section 23.7 Pipe Schedules

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The probability of a fire involving the areas both above and below a ceiling in a light hazard occupancy
and opening in excess of 50 sprinklers is extremely remote. When sizing piping for systems with more than
50 sprinklers, the pipe diameter is increased to 3 in. (76 mm) to reduce friction loss (see 23.7.2.6).

23.7.3 Schedule for Ordinary Hazard Occupancies.

23.7.3.1 Unless permitted by 23.7.3.2 or 23.7.3.3, branch lines shall not exceed eight sprin-
klers on either side of a cross main.
23.7.3.2 Where more than eight sprinklers on a branch line are necessary, lines shall be
permitted to be increased to nine sprinklers by making the two end lengths 1 in. (25 mm) and
1¼ in. (32 mm), respectively, and the sizes thereafter standard.
23.7.3.3 Ten sprinklers shall be permitted to be placed on a branch line, making the two end
lengths 1 in. (25 mm) and 1¼ in. (32 mm), respectively, and feeding the tenth sprinkler by a
2½ in. (65 mm) pipe.
23.7.3.4 Pipe sizes shall be in accordance with Table 23.7.3.4.

TAble 23.7.3.4 Ordinary Hazard Pipe Schedule

St Copp

1 in. (25 mm) 2 sprinklers 1 in. (25 mm) 2 sprinklers

11⁄4 in. (32 mm) 3 sprinklers 11⁄4 in. (32 mm) 3 sprinklers
11⁄2 in. (40 mm) 5 sprinklers 11⁄2 in. (40 mm) 5 sprinklers
2 in. (50 mm) 10 sprinklers 2 in. (50 mm) 12 sprinklers
21⁄2 in. (65 mm) 20 sprinklers 21⁄2 in. (65 mm) 25 sprinklers
3 in. (80 mm) 40 sprinklers 3 in. (80 mm) 45 sprinklers
31⁄2 in. (90 mm) 65 sprinklers 31⁄2 in. (90 mm) 75 sprinklers
4 in. (100 mm) 100 sprinklers 4 in. (100 mm) 115 sprinklers
5 in. (125 mm) 160 sprinklers 5 in. (125 mm) 180 sprinklers
6 in. (150 mm) 275 sprinklers 6 in. (150 mm) 300 sprinklers
8 in. (200 mm) See Section 8.2 8 in. (200 mm) See Section 8.2

23.7.3.5 Where the distance between sprinklers on the branch line exceeds 12 ft (3.7 m) or the
distance between the branch lines exceeds 12 ft (3.7 m), the number of sprinklers for a given
pipe size shall be in accordance with Table 23.7.3.5.

TAble 23.7.3.5 Number of Sprinklers — Greater Than 12 ft (3.7 m) Separations

St Copp

21⁄2 in. (65 mm) 15 sprinklers 21⁄2 in. (65 mm) 20 sprinklers

3 in. (80 mm) 30 sprinklers 3 in. (80 mm) 35 sprinklers
31⁄2 in. (90 mm) 60 sprinklers 31⁄2 in. (90 mm) 65 sprinklers

Note: For other pipe and tube sizes, see Table 22.5.3.4.

The requirement of 23.7.3.5 recognizes the increased friction loss when either the distance between sprin-
klers on branch lines or the distance between branch lines exceeds 12 ft (3.7 m). The requirement also
recognizes that the sprinkler’s area of coverage must reach or overlap any adjacent sprinkler’s area of cov-
erage, so that a uniform water discharge and density are achieved. Increasing the pipe sizing as required
reduces pressure losses due to friction and results in a greater amount of pressure at the sprinkler. The
higher pressure increases sprinkler discharge and improves water distribution.

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TAble A.23.7.4 Extra Hazard Pipe Schedule

St Copp
S z [ n. (mm)] N m of Sp nk s S z [ n. (mm)] N m of Sp nk s

1 (25) 1 1 (25) 1
11⁄4 (32) 2 11⁄4 (32) 2
11⁄2 (40) 5 11⁄2 (40) 5
2 (50) 8 2 (50) 8
21⁄2 (65) 15 21⁄2 (65) 20
3 (80) 27 3 (80) 30
31⁄2 (90) 40 31⁄2 (90) 45
4 (100) 55 4 (100) 65
5 (125) 90 5 (125) 100
6 (150) 150 6 (150) 170

For SI units, 1 in. = 25.4 mm.

HISTORICAL NOTE
A set of pipe schedule design tables and flow values for extra tect facilities with fire hazards that are likely to operate a large
hazard occupancies were provided in NFPA 13 until 1991. Since number of sprinklers led to a restriction on the pipe schedule
then, concern about pipe schedule systems intended to pro- method for extra hazard occupancies.

Because many existing pipe schedule systems are currently in place, the selection table for extra hazard
occupancies has been retained in Annex A and appears as Table A.23.7.4.

References Cited in Commentary

National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471.

NFPA 11, Standard for Low-, Medium-, and High-Expansion Foam, 2015 edition.
NFPA 13D, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufac-
tured Homes, 2016 edition.
NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems, 2013 edition.
NFPA 15, Standard for Water Spray Fixed Systems for Fire Protection, 2012 edition.
NFPA 16, Standard for the Installation of Foam-Water Sprinkler and Foam-Water Spray Systems, 2015 edition.
NFPA 22, Standard for Water Tanks for Private Fire Protection, 2013 edition.
NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems,
2014 edition.
NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, 2015 edition.
NFPA 80A, Recommended Practice for Protection of Buildings from Exterior Fire Exposures, 2012 edition.
NFPA 170, Standard for Fire Safety and Emergency Symbols, 2015 edition.
NFPA 291, Recommended Practice for Fire Flow Testing and Marking of Hydrants, 2016 edition.

American Fire Sprinkler Association, 9696 Skillman Street, Suite 300, Dallas, TX 75243-8264.
“Water Velocity: Its Impact on the Accuracy of Hydraulic Calculations,” 1996 (available at www.
sprinklernet.org).

National Fire Sprinkler Association, P.O. Box 1000, Patterson, NY 12563.

“Detection, Treatment and Prevention of Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion in Water-Based Fire Pro-
tection Systems,” June 1998.

Automatic Sprinkler Systems Handbook 2016