What are the requirements for fire sprinklers in Quebec?

Fire sprinkler systems in Quebec are governed by the Quebec Construction Code, Chapter I – Building, which sets out which buildings require a system, and by NFPA 13 for design, installation, and testing:

Requirements:

• Requirements depend on the occupancy group, building height, and building area (Construction Code, Ch. I, art. 3.2.2.20 to 3.2.2.88)
• Cascade effect: if a storey or floor area must be fully sprinklered, all storeys below it must also be sprinklered (art. 3.2.2.18)
• Design standard: NFPA 13 as a general rule; the Code also permits NFPA 13R, for residential occupancies up to 4 storeys, and NFPA 13D, for one- and two-family dwellings, in the cases it sets out (art. 3.2.5.12)

Types of systems:

• Wet pipe system: Most common — water under pressure in the pipes at all times
• Dry pipe system: For unheated areas (parking, warehouse). Pipes under air pressure, water arrives after activation
• Pre-action system: automatic sprinklers attached to piping that contains air (under pressure or not), with a supplemental detection system installed in the same areas as the sprinklers (NFPA 13, 3.3.216.9). The standard provides three types (8.3.2.1): single interlock (water enters the piping on operation of detection devices only), non-interlock (on operation of detection devices or sprinklers), and double interlock (on operation of detection devices and sprinklers)

Installation requirements:

• Pipe materials: NFPA 13 does not impose a single material. Pipe or tube must meet one of the standards in Table 7.3.1.1 (steel: ASTM A795, A53, A135; copper: ASTM B75, B88, B251; CPVC: ASTM F442; brass: ASTM B43; stainless steel: ASTM A312) or be a listed product (7.3.3). CPVC must also be listed for sprinkler service (7.3.2.1). The required wall thickness depends on the joining method: Schedule 10 for welded or roll-grooved steel up to 5 in. (16.3.2); Schedule 30 (8 in. and larger) or Schedule 40 (less than 8 in.) for threaded steel (16.3.3)
• Spacing and coverage: set by NFPA 13 according to the hazard classification. For standard spray sprinklers (pendent/upright) in ordinary hazard, the standard limits the protected area per sprinkler to 12.1 m² (130 ft²) and spacing to 4.6 m (15 ft). In light hazard the limit is higher: 20.9 m² (225 ft²), with the same 4.6 m spacing, and never more than 225 ft² in any case

Installation must be carried out by a company holding the RBQ contractor licence covering automatic water-based fire extinguishing systems and fire protection standpipes (subclass 13.3, Contractor – Fire extinguishing systems) and, for work reserved for master pipe mechanics, subclass 15.5; workers must hold a CCQ competency certificate. The CMMTQ is not a certification authority: for subclasses 13.3 and 13.4, membership in the Corporation is voluntary and those subclasses are not exclusive to it.