Don’t be Baffled by Baffles
Don’t be Baffled by Baffles
By John Swanson, Codes & Standards Specialist, NFSA
There are several circumstances where NFPA 13 refers to baffles, draft curtains, barriers or partitions. Are they the same thing, or are they different? These terms aren’t always defined in the standard. For that reason, this blog will try to clarify what the similarities and differences are between these terms in NFPA 13.
What is a Baffle?
Since NFPA 13 doesn’t define “baffle,” we first need to know what it is and how to apply it to NFPA 13. Section 3.1 of the 2022 edition of NFPA 13 says, when a term is not defined in the standard, we should use Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition as its ordinarily accepted meaning. Merriam-Webster defines a baffle as a “device (such as a plate, wall or screen) to deflect, check, or regulate flow or passage (as of a fluid, light, or sound).”
NFPA 13 and Baffles
There are several circumstances where NFPA 13 refers to the term baffles and specifically allows their use. Section 10.2.5.4.2 when relating to distance between sprinklers, specifically allows baffles when they meet certain criteria spelled out in this section. The intent behind this section is to require sprinklers to be sufficiently spaced so one sprinkler doesn’t inadvertently prevent another sprinkler in close proximity from activating. The fire protection industry refers to this as cold soldering. NFPA 13 requires standard-spray sprinklers to be spaced not less than 6 feet on center from other sprinklers.
Since baffles are not defined in NFPA 13, Section 10.2.5.4.2 specifically outlines what criteria baffles need to meet to be acceptable for use. According to Section 10.2.5.4.2, Baffles must meet the following:
- Arranged to protect the actuating elements of the sprinklers
- Shall be made of solid and rigid material that will stay in place before and during sprinkler operation.
- Must not be less than 8 inches long and 6 inches high.
- The top of a baffle must extend between 2 inches and 3 inches above the deflectors of upright sprinklers.
- The bottoms of baffles must extend downward to a level at least even with the deflectors of pendent sprinklers.
You will also find baffles addressed in Section 14.2.9.4.2. Chapter 14 in NFPA 13 addresses installation criteria for early suppression-fast response, or ESFR, sprinklers. This is a new section in the 2022 edition of NFPA 13. Before the 2022 edition, baffles were not permitted to separate ESFR sprinklers. Based on the new section in the 2022 edition of NFPA 13, baffles may now be used in buildings protected with ESFR sprinklers when they meet the conditions listed above.
Is it a Baffle or Not?
It’s also important to clarify what a baffle is not. There are situations in NFPA 13 when the standard requires a draft curtain, barrier or partition. NFPA 13 outlines a “draft curtain, barrier or partition” as one of three options in Section 19.1.2 to protect a space from an adjoining area. It’s important to clarify that a draft curtain, barrier or partition may meet the requirements of a baffle (see Section 10.2.5.4.2), but a baffle may not always meet the requirements of a draft curtain, barrier or partition.
If you look closely at the image above, a draft curtain is provided to protect the escalator opening in accordance with the IBC. In this example, the draft curtain may also meet the requirements of a baffle, assuming all the conditions in Section 10.2.5.4.2 are met.
On the other hand, the image above shows an example of an installation that meets the requirements of a baffle (Section 10.2.5.4.2) but will not meet the requirements of a draft curtain, barrier or partition in accordance with Section 19.1.2.
Differing Goals, Objectives, and Purposes
It’s important to keep in mind that Sections 10.2.5.4.2 and 19.1.2 have differing objectives and purpose. The intent of Section 10.2.5.4.2 is to regulate the distance between sprinklers with the intent to prevent cold soldering. The intent of Section 19.1.2 is to prevent the transfer of heat through conduction, convection or radiation from one portion of a building to another to not over-tax the sprinkler system in the building. It’s possible for a high-piled storage area, for example, containing large amounts of combustibles (fuel load) to overwhelm a sprinkler system in an adjoining space that may not have been designed for storage applications.
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More about the author
John Swanson currently serves as NFSA’s Codes and Standards Specialist. In this role he provides training and education and represents NFSA on codes and standards technical committees. He currently serves as a Principal member of the NFPA 72 – National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code Technical Committee and is a past member of the International Building Code (IBC) Fire Safety Committee and International Fire Code (IFC) Interpretation Committee. From 2013-2017, John served as a fire service representative appointed by Minnesota Governor, Mark Dayton to the Minnesota Board of Architecture and Engineering.
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