NFPA 13, 1999-edition and 2002 edition, allow for the use of Early Suppression Fast Response (ESFR) sprinklers in light and ordinary hazard occupancies, however, prepare to show that the light or ordinary hazard occupancy does not create a situation which the ESFR protection will not provide adequate coverage.

In a recent example, a speculative warehouse was provided with an ESFR sprinkler system. When the tenant applied for construction plans to be approved, an area called a "Drive Thru" appeared on the plans. The local Authority Having Jurisdiction interpreted the drive thru to mean parking of delivery vehicles overnight and the possibility of shelf storage in a staging area. This scenario may mean shielding of ESFR sprinklers caused by the truck and possibly by the shelved storage.

The solution may require removal of the ESFR protection in the area designated as the "drive thru" and installation of a control mode sprinkler protection scheme. This may also require installation of a draft curtain between the ESFR protection area and the standard spray sprinkler area.

It is the owner/tenant's responsibility to properly communicate the intended usage of the building and be prepared to show how their use of the building will not fall outside of the guidelines established for ESFR sprinkler protection, otherwise, they need to be prepared to convert the ESFR protection scheme to a control mode standard spray sprinkler design.