Fire Sprinkler • Sep 08, 2026

Decision Tree for Determining Ceiling-Only Design Criteria

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Decision Tree for Determining Ceiling-Only Design Criteria

In the Rack Storage – Ceiling-Only Option video, we discussed the NFPA 13 requirements for protecting storage using only ceiling sprinklers. A decision tree was introduced to help designers quickly identify the correct table in a few simple steps, speeding up the design process and reducing the likelihood of errors.

Sprinkler Type CMDA Commodity Class I-IV Group A Single or Double Row Storage Height ≤ 12 ft: Table 4.3.1.7.4 12 < Storage Height ≤ 15 ft: Table 21.4.1.2.1(a) 15 < Storage Height ≤ 18 ft: Table 21.4.1.2.1(b) 18 < Storage Height ≤ 20 ft: Table 21.4.1.2.1(c) 20 < Storage Height ≤ 22 ft: Table 21.4.1.2.1(d) 22 < Storage Height ≤ 25 ft: Table 21.4.1.2.1(e) Multiple Row (Rack Depth ≤ 16 ft) AND (Aisle Width ≥ 8 ft) Storage Height ≤ 12 ft: Table 4.3.1.7.4 12 < Storage Height ≤ 15 ft: Table 21.4.1.3.1(a) 15 < Storage Height ≤ 18 ft: Table 21.4.1.3.1(b) 18 < Storage Height ≤ 20 ft: Table 21.4.1.3.1(c) 20 < Storage Height ≤ 22 ft: Table 21.4.1.3.1(d) 22 < Storage Height ≤ 25 ft: Table 21.4.1.3.1(e) (Rack Depth > 16 ft) OR (Aisle Width < 8 ft) Storage Height ≤ 12 ft: Table 4.3.1.7.4 12 < Storage Height ≤ 15 ft: Table 21.4.1.4.1 Cartoned (Encapsulated or Nonencapsulated) Storage Height ≤ 5 ft: Table 4.3.1.7.4 5 < Storage Height ≤ 25 ft: Table 21.5.1.1 Exposed Nonexpanded Storage Height ≤ 5 ft: Table 4.3.1.7.4 5 < Storage Height ≤ 10 ft: Table 21.5.2 CMSA Commodity Class I-IV: Table 22.4 Group A: Table 22.5 ESFR: Table 23.3.1
Tags: NFPA 13 Fire Sprinkler Ceiling Only Sprinklers Rack Storage Storage Design CMDA CMSA ESFR

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Hesam Tavoosi
Hesam Tavoosi
FPE, CFPS, CWBSP, CSITMS, Approved NFPA Instructor
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