Code Changes: Major changes are on the way for many states including Indiana. The new International Building Code and International Fire Code are well on their way to being adopted with amendments. The new code encourages the use of fire sprinklers more than the previous code. In general, you will be required to provide fire sprinklers in a fire area that exceeds 12,000 square feet (F-1, M, and S-1).

If you have a 5,000 square foot fire area, classified as an A-2 Occupancy (food & drink establishments, bars, taverns and restaurants), you will be required to include fire sprinklers in your construction plans. Contact the ICBO (International Conference of Building Officials) for a complete set of codebooks for Indiana and Indiana proposed amendments. Their local office is located at the Northeast Resource Center, 335 Ridgepoint Drive, Carmel, IN 46032. Their Telephone Number is 317.706.1677 and their FAX Number is 317.706.1667.

Bigger Dry Pipe Systems: A change requested from NFPA-13 2002 Edition will have a provision where the volume of a system may exceed 750 gallons when the dry system is calculated for the Water Delivery Time and it meets the 60-second rule. The authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) will be permitted, by referencing NFPA-13 2002, to accept a dry pipe system based on the Water Delivery Time Calculations provided by the designer, in lieu of actually performing a discharge test.