Sonia Machen, Case # 89161.; The question is answered in three parts. If the roof over the described terrace is less than four feet in width, the answer is “no,” sprinklers are not required in order to provide full coverage as required in NFPA 13, ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES
Division of State Fire Marshal

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Department of Financial Services, Division of State Fire Marshal, has issued a Declaratory Statement on April 27, 2007, in RE: Petition for Declaratory Statement, Sonia Machen, Case # 89161.

The Declaratory Statement offers an interpretation of the Florida Fire Prevention Code and Life Safety Code, and the petitioner is the local enforcing agency. First question is whether fire sprinklers are required on terraces, enclosed on three sides, located in high rise apartment buildings. The question is answered in three parts. If the roof over the described terrace is less than four feet in width, the answer is “no,” sprinklers are not required in order to provide full coverage as required in NFPA 13, Section 4.1. If the roof over the described terrace is greater than four feet, and combustible materials of a permanent nature are stored or handled in the area, the answer is “yes.” If the roof over the described terrace is greater than four feet in width, sprinklers may be required, at the option of the Fire Marshal, where the overhand is of combustible or limited combustible construction. The second question is whether the answer to the first question would differ if living space existed above the terrace. The answer is “no.”

A copy of the Declaratory Statement may be obtained by contacting: Lesley Mendelson, Assistant General Counsel, 200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0340 or by e-mailing your request to [e-mail].