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.