Sprinkler Protection for Parking Structures

Since the late 1920s, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has acknowledged the fire hazards associated with parking structures, but evolving automobile materials and fuels have significantly increased these risks. In the mid-20th century, vehicles were primarily made of steel, posing minimal fire threats. However, since the 1980s, the widespread use of plastics, such as polypropylene and polyvinylchloride (PVC) and alternative fuels like lithium-ion batteries and hydrogen fuel cells have drastically heightened fire hazards. These materials burn hotter, faster, and with more intensity. Lithium-ion batteries present unique dangers due to "thermal runaway," while hydrogen fuel cells risk explosive fires due to gas leaks.

Parking structures themselves have changed as well. Many now incorporate car stackers and automated parking systems, leading to increased fire risk due to fuel density and obstruction of sprinkler spray. The NFPA has evolved its standards in response, reclassifying parking structures in NFPA 13 from Ordinary Hazard Group 1 to Ordinary Hazard Group 2 and in some cases Extra Hazard Group 2, reflecting the increased fire risk. The result is higher design density requirements leaving many older parking structures incapable of protecting the new hazard. As automobile technologies and materials evolve, it is critical to reassess existing sprinkler systems and potentially retrofit systems into unprotected structures to meet the new fire protection demands.

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