Sprinkler systems: Code review in high-rise buildings use

Automatic sprinkler systems are considered as one of the most important facilities for providing building fire safety. Even old high-rise buildings are required to upgrade the fire safety provisions. Four standards on installing sprinkler systems in high-rise commercial buildings are briefly reviewed and compared. They are the British Standard 5306, the National Fire Protection Association Standard NFPA-13, the Australian Standard 2118.1 and the Codes of China. Key areas are discussed by comparing their suitabilities for local use. Designs following the four standards for a typical old high-rise building (i.e. those built before 1972) will be worked out to illustrate the differences in using the four methods.