Any Issue Installing a Curtain Rod Over A Sprinkler?

729 Views 4 Replies 3 Participants Last post by Old Thomas, Apr 21, 2020

JCCO85

Discussion Starter · Apr 21, 2020

I'm looking to install a curtain rod "over" a sprinkler. It's a loft with exposed sprinklers, ventilation, etc. The rod will run over the sprinkler (about a half inch), and the curtains will be decorative in nature and remain permanently open. The rod will be run above the window frame, a few inches above the sprinkler head. Any issues you foresee with this? Code violation or otherwise?

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bfrabel

· #2 · Apr 21, 2020

Well, in a fire, the curtains could prevent the spread of water in a way in which it was designed, therefore a fire inspector might have an issue with it.

With this being said, that looks like a really stupid place for a sprinkler head.

Is this a brand new property? If so, maybe you could call the fire inspector and ask him to come look at it and give you some suggestions. It's possible that he/she could get the sprinkler crew to come back and move it so that you could install curtains.

Or you could talk to your land lord to see if they might be willing to pay to have it moved, since it was obviously installed stupidly and it isn't your fault.

Good luck!

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JCCO85

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 21, 2020

I appreciate the input. It's a an upscale 5 story condo building, built in the mid 2000s. All of the sprinkler heads throughout the condo have been installed like that, but I don't know why. When we purchased it I thought maybe it was due to being directly next to a restaurant that they would be installed in such a way. If we did want it removed, would it be a plumber I contact?

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bfrabel

· #4 · Apr 21, 2020 (Edited)

JCCO85 said:
I appreciate the input. It's a an upscale 5 story condo building, built in the mid 2000s. All of the sprinkler heads throughout the condo have been installed like that, but I don't know why. When we purchased it I thought maybe it was due to being directly next to a restaurant that they would be installed in such a way. If we did want it removed, would it be a plumber I contact?

No. You would need a company that specializes in fire sprinklers. Whoever comes out will need to be able to get into the sprinkler room, put the alarm system in test mode, and most likely drain the entire system in order to make the change.

Your best bet would be to talk to the building owner/land lord to find out who they already use to take care of that sprinkler system. Usually there are tags/stickers/paperwork in the sprinkler room somewhere that would have this info.

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Old Thomas

· #5 · Apr 21, 2020 (Edited)

That is a quick response pendant head so it sprays out and down, in an umbrella shaped pattern. If the curtains are not closed it will be ok. That sprinkler head is over the window for a reason. For example, if the building is close to a property line fire rated windows could be required. Having a small fire rated window with wire glass is not desirable, so an alternative is a regular window with a sprinkler head over it. A place where I see it often is airport terminals. With airplanes outside, fire rated windows are required. Alternatively, they use large regular windows with sprinkler heads over them. Not saying you live at the airport, but there are various provisions in codes where sprinklers over windows and sometimes doors are required, typically instead of something less desirable. As long as the sprinkler can provide a water curtain over the window opening, it meets the intent of the code. It was not cheap to install, so if it was not required it would not be there. Do not move or remove that head and do not hang anything from the head or piping.

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Any Issue Installing a Curtain Rod Over A Sprinkler?

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