This standard specifies requirements and gives recommendations for the design, installation and maintenance of fixed residential fire sprinkler systems in buildings, or part of buildings, which contains typical residential occupancies.
Areas within buildings that contains hazard other than those which typically would be found in a residential occupancy are not covered by this standard.
Typical residential areas are:
- private homes (one and two family dwellings, row houses, vacation homes etc.);
- apartments, flats;
- manufactured homes.
Dwelling units and the escape routes from those areas for building types such as:
- care institutions (nursing homes, hospitals etc.);
- in hotels, motels etc.;
- student housing, dormitories;
- asylum centres.
The requirements and recommendations of this standard are also applicable to any addition, extension, repair or other modification to the residential sprinkler system.
It covers provision of water supplies, components to be used, installation and testing of the system, maintenance, and the extension of existing systems, and identifies construction details of buildings which are the minimum necessary for satisfactory performance of residential sprinkler systems complying with this standard.
The standard is not intended to restrict new technologies or alternative arrangements, provided that an equivalent level of safety is assured by a third party.
Forms of secure accommodations such as correctional or rehabilitation facilities are not covered by this standard.
This standard is intended for use by those concerned with purchasing, designing, installing, testing, inspecting, approving, operating and maintaining automatic residential sprinkler systems, in order that such equipment will function as intended throughout its life.
This standard is intended only for fixed residential fire sprinkler systems in buildings on land, and it is a basic assumption that this standard is for the use of companies employing personnel competent in the field of application with which it deals. Only trained and experienced personnel should undertake the design, installation and maintenance of residential sprinkler systems. Similarly, competent technicians should be used in the inspection and testing of the system.
This standard does not necessarily cover all legislative requirements. National requirements regarding residential occupancies are mandatory.