Bathrooms: Do you put a sprinkler in the bathroom or not? The new rules for NFPA 13 2002 edition may have you adding a sprinkler. Shower and bathtub enclosures are to be added to the total area of the bathroom when determining whether the less than 55 square foot exception may be taken or not. Previously, NFPA 13R edition allowed you to exclude a full height, noncombustible or limited combustible shower and bathtub enclosure.

Pressure Gauges: New for NFPA 13 2002 is the requirement to include pressure gauge above and below each alarm check valve or system riser check valve where such devices are present. For example, a system calling for the use of "shot gun" risers (which includes a single wafer check valve) would require a pressure gauge above and below the check valve. It is normal for pressure above the check valve to read a higher pressure (trapped above the check valve) than the gauge below. The gauges are used as base lines for future inspections and main drain testing.

Combustible Attic Spaces: New fire tests for sprinklers in combustible attic spaces have provided results which have "startled" some engineers and authorities having jurisdiction. Because of these tests, new and more demanding requirements are present in NFPA 13 2002 edition for combustible concealed spaces. See Table 8.6.2.2.1(a) Unoccupied attics having combustible wood joist or wood truss construction with members less than 3 feet on center with slopes having a pitch of 4 inches in 12 or greater. Protection area per sprinkler is reduced to 120 sf per sprinkler and depending on the spacing between lines and sprinklers you may calculate 7 psi minimum or 20 psi minimum. The 20 psi pressure requirement would make a big difference in attic pipe sizes and water demand.