Residential Building Inspector B1Building Planning and Life SafetyHard
A residential building inspector is reviewing plans for a new single-family dwelling that includes a permanently installed automatic fire sprinkler system. What is the minimum required duration of water supply for this system?
- A20 minutes
- B5 minutes
- C10 minutes
- D30 minutes
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 10 minutes
IRC P2904.4.1 (Water Supply Duration) states that the minimum water supply duration for automatic fire sprinkler systems shall be 10 minutes for systems serving dwellings with a single dwelling unit. This ensures adequate time for fire suppression until emergency services can arrive.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This duration exceeds the minimum but is not the minimum required.
- B. This duration is insufficient for the required fire suppression.
- D. This duration exceeds the minimum but is not the minimum required.
Sprinkler Water Supply Duration
The minimum time an automatic fire sprinkler system must be able to supply water at the required pressure and flow rate.
- Ensures effective fire suppression.
- Varies based on occupancy and system type.
- Critical for life safety.
Memory trick: For a dwelling's sprinkler, 10 minutes of flow, keeps the fire from making the house glow.