Given: A nonsprinklered commercial Type II-B building has a fire flow requirement of 7,000 gpm. If a sprinkler system is installed throughout the building, the new required fire flow is at least ___ gpm. (Assume that the new required fire flow is sufficient to meet the requirements of the sprinkler system.)
Correct Answer: A
IFC Section 903.3.5 and Appendix B (Fire-Flow Requirements) allow a reduction in fire flow when sprinklers are installed. For a Type II-B building (noncombustible, unprotected), the base fire flow (7,000 gpm) reflects a large, unsprinklered structure (e.g., per Table B105.1(2)). With full sprinkler protection, IFC B105.2 permits a reduction to as low as 25% of the original flow or the sprinkler demand (whichever is greater), typically
1,500 gpm for commercial buildings per NFPA 13 standards, assuming adequate water supply. Options B, C, and D exceed this minimum without justification. Thus, A is correct.
