24 C.F.R. § 3280.214

Current through September 30, 2024

Section 3280.214 - [Effective 3/17/2025] Fire sprinkler system requirements

(a)General.

(1) Fire sprinkler systems are not required by this subpart; however, when a manufacturer installs a fire sprinkler system as an optional feature selected by the consumer or to meet State or local laws and regulations, this section establishes the requirements for the installation of a fire sprinkler system in a manufactured home.

(2) This section applies to both stand-alone and multipurpose fire sprinkler systems that do not include the use of antifreeze.

(3) A back-flow preventer is not required to separate a stand-alone sprinkler system from the water distribution system.

(b)Design. The design of the fire sprinkler system itself shall be in accordance with NFPA 13D (incorporated by reference, see § 3280.4 ) or a design which is deemed to be equivalent to the design method used in NFPA 13D.

(c)Sprinkler location. Sprinklers must be installed to protect all areas inside the manufactured home except:

(1) Attics and normally unoccupied concealed spaces;

(2) Closets not exceeding 24 square feet in area, with the smallest dimension not greater than three feet and having at least one base layer of minimum 5/16 inch thick gypsum board on wall and ceiling surfaces;

(3) Bathrooms not more than 55 square feet in area;

(4) Garages, carports, open attached porches and similar structures; and

(5) Closets or alcoves containing heat-producing appliance, regardless of size if the closet or alcove complies with § 3280.203(b)(3) .

(d)Sprinklers. Sprinklers shall be new, listed residential sprinklers and shall be installed in accordance with the sprinkler manufacturer's installation instructions.

(e)Temperature rating and separation from heat sources. Sprinklers are to have a temperature rating and be separated from heat sources as follows:

(1) Sprinklers separated from heat sources as required by the sprinkler manufacturer's installation instructions are to a have a temperature rating of no less than 135 °F (57 °C) and not more than 170 °F (77 °C).

(2) Sprinklers located within the distance to a heat source as specified in table 7.5.5.3 of NFPA 13D (incorporated by reference, see § 3280.4 ) are to have an intermediate temperature rating not less than 175 °F (79 °C) and not more than 225 °F (107 °C) when installed in the following locations:

(i) Attics;

(ii) Concealed spaces located directly beneath a roof; and

(iii) Directly under skylights where the sprinkler is exposed to direct sunlight.

(f)Freezing areas. Piping must be protected from freezing as required by § 3280.603(b)(4) . Where sprinklers are required in areas subject to freezing, dry-sidewall or dry-pendent sprinklers extending from nonfreezing area into a freezing area, must be installed.

(g)Sprinkler area of coverage. The area of coverage of a single sprinkler shall not exceed 400 square feet and shall be based on the sprinkler listing and the sprinkler manufacturer's installation instructions. Sprinkler discharge shall not be blocked by obstructions unless additional sprinklers are installed to protect the obstructed area. Sprinkler separation from obstructions shall comply with the minimum distances specified in the sprinkler manufacturer's instructions. Pendent sprinklers within 3 feet of the center of a ceiling fan, surface-mounted ceiling light or other similar object shall be considered to be obstructed and additional sprinklers shall be installed, except that in all closets 50 square feet or less in size, one sprinkler shall be sufficient. Sidewall sprinklers within 5 feet of the center of a ceiling fan, surface-mounted ceiling light or other similar object shall be considered to be obstructed and additional sprinklers shall be installed.

(h)Sprinkler installation on systems assembled with solvent cement. The solvent cementing of threaded adapter fittings shall be completed and threaded adapters for sprinklers shall be verified as being clear of excess cement prior to the installation of sprinklers on systems assembled with solvent cement.

(i)Painting, caulking or modifying sprinklers is prohibited. Painted, caulked, modified, or damaged sprinklers shall be replaced.

(j)Sprinkler piping support. Sprinkler piping shall be supported in accordance with § 3280.608 . Sprinkler piping must comply with all requirements for cold-water distribution piping. For multipurpose piping systems, the sprinkler piping shall connect to and be part of the cold-water distribution piping system. Nonmetallic pipe and tubing, such as CPVC and PEX, shall be listed for use in residential fire sprinkler systems. Nonmetallic pipe and tubing systems shall be protected from exposure to the living space by a layer of not less than 5/16 inch thick gypsum wallboard, 1/2 inch thick plywood, or other material having a 15 minute fire rating. Pipe protection shall not be required where exposed piping is permitted by the pipe listing and in areas that do not require protection with sprinklers as specified in paragraph (c) of this section.

(k)Shutoff valves. Shutoff valves shall not be installed in any location where the valve would isolate piping serving one or more sprinklers, except for shutoff valves installed for the entire water distribution system.

(l)Means of drainage. A means to drain the sprinkler system shall be provided on the system side of the water supply inlet.

(m)Minimum flow rate. The sprinkler system must provide at least the flow rate required to produce a minimum discharge density of 0.05 gpm/ft² from each sprinkler and be determined by using the sprinkler manufacturer's published data for the specific sprinkler model based on the area of coverage, ceiling configuration, temperature rating and any other conditions specified by the sprinkler manufacturer.

(n)Design flow rate. The design flow rate for the sprinkler system shall be based on the following:

(1) The design flow rate for a room having only one sprinkler shall be the flow rate required for that sprinkler, as determined by paragraph (m) of this section.

(2) The design flow rate for a room having two or more sprinklers shall be determined by identifying the sprinkler in that room with the highest required flow rate, based on paragraph (m) of this section, and multiplying that flow rate by two.

(3) Where the sprinkler manufacturer's instructions specify different criteria for ceiling configurations that are not smooth, flat and horizontal, the required design flow rate for the room shall comply with the sprinkler manufacturer's instructions.

(4) The design flow rate for the sprinkler system shall be the flow required by the room with the largest flow rate, based on paragraph (n)(1), (2), or (3) of this section.

(5) For the purposes of this section, it shall be permissible to reduce the design flow rate for a room by subdividing the space into two or more rooms, where each room is evaluated separately with respect to the required design flow rate. Walls and a ceiling shall bound each room. Openings in walls shall have a lintel (header) not less than 8 inches in depth and each lintel shall form a solid barrier between the ceiling and the top of the opening.

(o)Pipe sizing and minimum required supply pressure.

(1) The piping to sprinklers shall be sized for the flow required by paragraph (n) of this section. The flow rate required to supply the plumbing fixtures shall not be required to be added to the sprinkler design flow rate. The minimum pipe size from the water supply inlet to any sprinkler shall be 3/4 inch diameter. Threaded adapter fittings at the point where sprinklers are attached to the piping shall be a minimum of 1/2 inch diameter.

(2) Piping shall be sized by determining the Available Pressure to offset friction loss in piping and identifying a piping material, diameter and length in accordance with the following:

(i)Minimum supply pressure required. The following equation shall be used to determine the required supply pressure at the fire sprinkler system supply inlet.

Equation 1 to Paragraph (o)(2)(i):

PSUP = PT+PLE+PSP

Where:

PSUP = Pressure required at the fire sprinkler system supply inlet. (Note: This is the pressure which is entered on the Fire Sprinkler System Certificate under "Minimum Water Supply Required.")

PT = Pressure loss in the fire sprinkler system piping.

PLE = Pressure loss from elevation change. (Note: Normally 4.4 psi for single story houses and 8.7 psi for two story houses).

PSP = Maximum pressure required by a sprinkler.

(ii) [Reserved]

(3) Determination of PSUP shall be in accordance with the following procedure:

(i)Step 1. Determine PT. For the specific design in question determine the distance (developed length) from the fire sprinkler system supply inlet to the most remote sprinkler. Refer to tables 8.4.10.2(d) through (i) of NFPA 13D (incorporated by reference, see § 3280.4 ) and select the correct table for the fire sprinkler system pipe material and pipe size used. Using the system design flow rate from paragraph (n) of this section find the "Allowable length of pipe" column, which is closest to, but not less than, the developed length for the design in question. The "Available Pressure" in the column heading is PT. (Note: Interpolation between "Allowable length of pipe" (developed length) and "Available Pressure" (PT) is permitted. Example: Using table 8.4.10.2(d) of NFPA 13D, Sprinkler Flow Rate = 16 gpm, developed length = 70 feet, Available Pressure (PT) = 17.5 psi.)

(ii)Step 2. Determine PLE. Refer to table 8.4.10.2.(c) of NFPA 13D. The elevation used in applying the table shall be the difference between the highest sprinkler and the fire sprinkler system supply inlet. Interpolation is permitted. (Note: If the highest sprinkler is lower than the fire sprinkler system supply inlet then subtract this value in equation 1 to paragraph (o)(2)(i), instead of adding it.)

(iii)Step 3. Determine PSP. Determine the maximum pressure required by any individual sprinkler based on the flow rate for each sprinkler as set forth in paragraph (n) of this section. The required pressure is provided in the data provided by the sprinkler manufacturer for the specific model based on the selected flow rate.

(p)Testing. The fire sprinkler system piping shall be subject to the same test as the water distribution system in § 3280.612(a) . For multipurpose fire sprinkler systems, it shall be permitted to test the fire sprinkler system piping simultaneously with the domestic water distribution system.

(q)Fire Sprinkler System Certificate. The manufacturer must permanently affix a Fire Sprinkler System Certificate adjacent to the data plate. The manufacturer must specify on the Fire Sprinkler System Certificate the minimum required pressure in pounds per square inch (psi) and flow rate in gallons per minute (gpm) for the water supply system. The Fire Sprinkler System Certificate is to include all the statements and required information arranged in substantially the same layout as shown in the following example.

Example 1 to Paragraph (q)-Example Certificate

Fire Sprinkler System Certificate

Note:

This label contains important information about the fire sprinkler system installed in this home. Please do not remove, alter, or cover this label.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Name of Manufacturer:

Manufactured Home Serial Number:

The residential fire sprinkler system installed in this dwelling unit is in compliance with 24 CFR part 3280.214 Fire Sprinkler System Requirements. The manufactured home installer must ensure that water supply testing is completed by a fire protection technician, as required below at the home site.

Warning: When necessary, replace components only with identical components or those determined to have equivalent performance characteristics with respect to flows and pressures.

Minimum Water Supply Required

Warning: For this system to operate properly, the following minimum supply of water must be available at the point of connection to the residential fire sprinkler system (to be completed by the home manufacturer):

gpm (gallons per minute) at not less than___

psi (pounds per square inch)

The water supply shall have the capacity to provide the above required design flow rate for the sprinklers for a period of time as follows:

1. Seven minutes for manufactured homes one story in height and less than 2,000 square feet in area.

2. Ten minutes for manufactured homes two or more stories in height or equal to or greater than 2,000 square feet in area.

Where a water supply tank, a well system or a combination thereof is used, any combination of tank storage or well system shall be permitted to meet the capacity requirement.

An installer shall ensure that a fire protection technician completes and signs this Fire Sprinkler System Certificate and shall maintain a copy of the test report from the onsite testing in accordance with the home manufacturer's instructions and that the above listed required minimum water supply is available.

Company and/or Individual Name of Fire Protection Technician:

______________________________________________

License/Certification Number of Technician:

______________________________________________

Address of Technician:

______________________________________________

Date Water Supply Tested:

______________________________________________

Warning: This structure contains a residential fire sprinkler system. Do not alter or make additions to the water supply without first contacting the home manufacturer or a fire protection technician. Any control valve(s) on the water supply to the residential fire sprinkler system must be in the full, open position for the system to operate properly. If the valves must be closed temporarily to service the sprinkler, verify that they are left fully open and secured when service is complete.

(r)Sign or valve tag. A sign or valve tag shall be installed at the fire sprinkler system supply inlet stating the following:

Warning, the water supply system supplies fire sprinklers that require specific flows and pressures to fight a fire. Devices that restrict the flow or decrease the pressure or automatically shut off the water to the fire sprinkler system, such as water filtration systems, water softeners and automatic shutoff valves, shall not be added to this system during installation without HUD approval. Later actions that may impact the water supply system should not be completed without first contacting the home manufacturer or a fire protection technician. Please do not remove this sign.

(s)Component instructions. If the manufacturer of a fire sprinkler system component used in a system provides written instructions and procedures for the operation, maintenance, periodic testing, and/or repair of the component, a copy of the instructions and procedures shall be left in each home for the consumer.

(t)Manufacturer's installation instructions for fire sprinkler systems. Manufacturer's installation instructions must provide the following:

(1)Specific instructions for the inspection and testing of the fire sprinkler system during the installation of the home. Testing requirements are to be consistent with § 3280.612(a) .

(2)Required statement. If this manufactured home contains a fire sprinkler system, an installer shall ensure a fire protection technician tests the water supply at the site and completes the Fire Safety System Certificate and that the test reports the minimum conditions described on the Fire Sprinkler System Certificate in the home (located next to the data plate).

24 C.F.R. §3280.214

89 FR 75745, 3/17/2025