Related Standards
Automatic Sprinkler Systems
Automatic sprinkler systems are one of the most common and effective types of fire protection systems used in workplaces, especially in warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and large commercial buildings.
Sprinkler Systems
These systems are designed to detect heat from a fire and automatically release water to suppress or extinguish the flames, helping to prevent the fire from spreading and giving workers time to evacuate safely.
OSHA regulates these systems under 29 CFR 1910.159 – Automatic Sprinkler Systems (See dropdown below). This standard outlines the requirements for system design, installation, inspection, maintenance, and employee protection. It ensures that systems operate properly and provide adequate fire suppression when needed.
Important Note: Although both fixed extinguishing systems and sprinkler systems serve to suppress fires, OSHA standard 1910.160 specifically does not apply to automatic sprinkler systems. Instead, sprinkler systems are regulated separately under 1910.159.
- Example: A worker in a warehouse accidentally knocks over a pallet of flammable materials, which ignites due to a nearby heat source. The automatic sprinkler system detects the rising heat and activates immediately, releasing water to control the fire before it can spread. This system falls under OSHA’s 1910.159 requirements, which ensure the sprinklers are regularly tested and maintained to perform effectively during such emergencies.
OSHA 1910.160 does not apply to automatic sprinkler systems, which are regulated separately under 29 CFR 1910.159 - Automatic Sprinkler Systems.
- Example: A warehouse used for storing large quantities of combustible packaging materials installs an automatic wet pipe sprinkler system as part of its fire protection plan. Because this is an automatic sprinkler system designed to activate when heat from a fire is detected, it is regulated under 29 CFR 1910.159.
- 1910.159(a) Scope and application.
- 1910.159(a)(1) The requirements of this section apply to all automatic sprinkler systems installed to meet a particular OSHA standard.
- 1910.159(a)(2) For automatic sprinkler systems used to meet OSHA requirements and installed prior to the effective date of this standard, compliance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) or the National Board of Fire Underwriters (NBFU) standard in effect at the time of the system's installation will be acceptable as compliance with this section.
- 1910.159(b) Exemptions. Automatic sprinkler systems installed in workplaces, but not required by OSHA, are exempt from the requirements of this section.
- 1910.159(c) General requirements -
- 1910.159(c)(1) Design.
- 1910.159(c)(1)(i) All automatic sprinkler designs used to comply with this standard shall provide the necessary discharge patterns, densities, and water flow characteristics for complete coverage in a particular workplace or zoned subdivision of the workplace.
- 1910.159(c)(1)(ii) The employer shall assure that only approved equipment and devices are used in the design and installation of automatic sprinkler systems used to comply with this standard.
- 1910.159(c)(2) Maintenance. The employer shall properly maintain an automatic sprinkler system installed to comply with this section. The employer shall assure that a main drain flow test is performed on each system annually. The inspector's test valve shall be opened at least every two years to assure that the sprinkler system operates properly.
- 1910.159(c)(3) Acceptance tests. The employer shall conduct proper acceptance tests on sprinkler systems installed for employee protection after January 1, 1981, and record the dates of such tests. Proper acceptance tests include the following:
- 1910.159(c)(3)(i) Flushing of underground connections;
- 1910.159(c)(3)(ii) Hydrostatic tests of piping in system;
- 1910.159(c)(3)(iii) Air tests in dry-pipe systems;
- 1910.159(c)(3)(iv) Dry-pipe valve operation; and
- 1910.159(c)(3)(v) Test of drainage facilities.
- 1910.159(c)(4) Water supplies. The employer shall assure that every automatic sprinkler system is provided with at least one automatic water supply capable of providing design water flow for at least 30 minutes. An auxiliary water supply or equivalent protection shall be provided when the automatic water supply is out of service, except for systems of 20 or fewer sprinklers.
- 1910.159(c)(5) Hose connections for fire fighting use. The employer may attach hose connections for fire fighting use to wet pipe sprinkler systems provided that the water supply satisfies the combined design demand for sprinklers and standpipes.
- 1910.159(c)(6) Protection of piping. The employer shall assure that automatic sprinkler system piping is protected against freezing and exterior surface corrosion.
- 1910.159(c)(7) Drainage. The employer shall assure that all dry sprinkler pipes and fittings are installed so that the system may be totally drained.
- 1910.159(c)(8) Sprinklers.
- 1910.159(c)(8)(i) The employer shall assure that only approved sprinklers are used on systems.
- 1910.159(c)(8)(ii) The employer may not use older style sprinklers to replace standard sprinklers without a complete engineering review of the altered part of the system.
- 1910.159(c)(8)(iii) The employer shall assure that sprinklers are protected from mechanical damage.
- 1910.159(c)(9) Sprinkler alarms. On all sprinkler systems having more than twenty (20) sprinklers, the employer shall assure that a local waterflow alarm is provided which sounds an audible signal on the premises upon water flow through the system equal to the flow from a single sprinkler.
- 1910.159(c)(10) Sprinkler spacing. The employer shall assure that sprinklers are spaced to provide a maximum protection area per sprinkler, a minimum of interference to the discharge pattern by building or structural members or building contents and suitable sensitivity to possible fire hazards. The minimum vertical clearance between sprinklers and material below shall be 18 inches (45.7 cm).
- 1910.159(c)(11) Hydraulically designed systems. The employer shall assure that hydraulically designed automatic sprinkler systems or portions thereof are identified and that the location, number of sprinklers in the hydraulically designed section, and the basis of the design is indicated. Central records may be used in lieu of signs at sprinkler valves provided the records are available for inspection and copying by the Assistant Secretary.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
3-3. A fire extinguishing system is an engineered set of components that work together to _____.
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