March’s Newsletter topic analyzes Deficiency #1 of the Sprinkler Assembly Standard: Sprinkler head assembly is encased or obstructed by an item or object that is within 18 inches of the sprinkler head.
This is a LIFE-THREATENING deficiency and (for those that get scored REAC inspections) rack up points fast when you have fire sprinklers in obscure places like Unit bedroom closets! Remember, 30 points lost in the Unit inspectable area…you will receive a score of 59.
Why 18 inches?
Where are the 18 inches measured from?
From the deflector (aka spreader) toward where the spray pattern will be. There are basically 4 different types of fire sprinkler heads:
These show the direction that water will flow:
Which one of these should be a deficiency?
Are There Any Exceptions to the 18-inch Rule?
Yes, there are 2:
- Features within the built environment.
Primarily to help older properties that were built prior to the 18-inch rule, HUD states:
However, the inspector needs to determine if you made an alteration (for example, changing out an old light fixture to a new one…and the new one obstructs the sprinkler head).
- Sprinkler guards (aka cages)
Other Resources
HUD has videos and PDFs at this site on how to appeal and how to close out H&S deficiencies.
NSPIRE Toolkit
**Remember, if you will be appealing something,
your “defect mitigation in 24 hours” is that you are appealing…not that you fixed it!**
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