INSTALLATION OF SPRINKLER SYSTEMS - PRC.12.1.1.0 - Installation guidance

Oct 24, 2026

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Property Risk Consulting Guidelines from AXA XL Risk Consulting provide clarification and revised protection positions for sprinkler installations referenced against NFPA 13. The guideline emphasizes understanding differences from NFPA committee consensus documents, expanding reliability expectations for business-critical properties, and using defined terms to apply protection correctly. It covers installation-related considerations such as quick response avoidance for fast-spreading fire scenarios, storage array classification, and practical impacts from pile stability and shelving configuration on sprinkler control performance.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages27

Reading Time1 h 8 min

AccessFree to download

INTRODUCTION

APPLICATION OF DEFINED TERMS

CLASSIFICATION OF OCCUPANCIES AND COMMODITIES

Property Risk Consulting Guidelines A Publication of AXA XL Risk Consulting PRC.12.1.1.0 INSTALLATION OF SPRINKLER SYSTEMS INTRODUCTION National Fire Protection Association ( NFPA) documents describe a level of fire protection agreed on by persons representing a variety of interests working in a volunteer consensus-based committee. The guidance in these documents typically does not reflect unique conditions or special considerations , such as system performance under adverse conditions. Nor does NFPA guidance reflect the increased system reliability that AXA XL Risk Consulting recommends for high-valued business-critical properties. AXA XL Risk Consulting and its predecessors have been a member of this committee since its inception in 1896 and are aware where additional guidance for high value property of business resilience is warranted. This PRC Guideline takes a position on provisions of NFPA 13 that AXA XL Risk Consulting believes require clarification or changed protection. To understand these positions , this document should be read in conjunction with the associated NFPA documents. The provisions of NFPA documents are not repeated. Also protect storage occupancies covered by NFPA 13 in accordance with PRC.10 series documents. Some general storage protection requirements are also covered in NFPA 1. The use of FM Global Data Sheets is an acceptable option except as outlined herein. While NFPA 13 generally does not apply to facilities and equipment prior to the effective date of the version, it is AXA XL Risk Consulting position that in many cases new technology , testing, research, and/or real-world performance statistics provide data indicating prior versions may not provide acceptable protection. AXA XL Risk Consulting typically defaults to the most current version of a standard for analysis. This is especially true if revisions in a newer standard have the potential to reduce risk or loss due to improved protection recommendations. APPLICATION OF DEFINED TERMS Quick Response (QR) Sprinkler Do not use quick response sprinklers to protect areas where there is a potential for a fast-spreading fire (i.e. oil spray, flammable liquids, or lint dust) due to the possibility that too many sprinklers will operate, reducing the effectiveness of the protection system. Closed VS Open Array Consider a storage array to be an open array unless the arrangement is as described for the closed array fire tests described in NFPA 13, i.e. , 6 in. (150 mm) or less longitudinal flues and no transverse flues, and the arrangement is consistently maintained throughout the warehouse. The differences only apply in limited circumstances. 100 Constitution Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut 06103 Copyright􀂔 2023 , AXA XL Risk Consulting Global Asset Protection Services, LLC, AXA Matrix Risk Consultants S.A. and their affiliates (“AXA XL Risk Consulting”) provide loss prevention and risk assessment reports and other risk consulting services, as requested. In this respect, our property loss prevention publications, services, and surveys do not address life safety or third party liability issues. This document shall not be construed as indicating the existence or availability under any policy of coverage for any particular type of loss or damage. The provision of any service does not imply that every possible hazard has been identified at a facility or that no other hazards exist. AXA XL Risk Consulting does not assume, and shall have no liability for the control, correction, continuation or modification of any existing conditions or operations. We specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that compliance with any advice or recommendation in any document or other communication will make a facility or operation safe or healthful, or put it in compliance with any standard, code, law, rule or regulation. Save where expressly agreed in writing, AXA XL Risk Consulting and its related and affiliated companies disclaim all li

FAQs

What is the purpose of this AXA XL sprinkler guideline?

It clarifies or changes provisions of NFPA 13 that AXA XL Risk Consulting believes require updated protection guidance. It should be read alongside the associated NFPA documents without repeating their provisions.

When should quick response (QR) sprinklers be avoided?

Quick response sprinklers should not be used where there is potential for a fast-spreading fire such as oil spray, flammable liquids, or lint dust, because too many sprinklers may operate and reduce system effectiveness.

How does the guideline define an open versus closed storage array?

A storage array is treated as open unless it matches closed-array fire test arrangement described in NFPA 13: six inches (150 mm) or less longitudinal flues, no transverse flues, and that arrangement maintained throughout the warehouse.

Oct 24, 2026

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