Construction Supervisor License Practice Exam 2026 – All-in-One Study Guide for Exam Success!

In ordinary hazard occupancies, the required spacing between automatic sprinklers is generally set at 10 feet. This guideline is established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards for fire protection systems. The intention behind this specific spacing requirement is to ensure that each sprinkler can effectively cover its designated area and that the water is distributed efficiently to suppress potential fires.

This spacing allows for an adequate overlap of coverage between the sprinklers; if the spacing were too wide, there could be gaps in the area where the sprinklers are unable to reach, which may significantly increase the risk of fire spreading undetected. The 10-foot distance strikes a balance between optimizing coverage and ensuring that the system operates effectively within the design parameters for ordinary hazards, which typically include areas like warehouses, mercantile operations, and certain industrial locations where the potential for ignitable materials exists.

Other distances, such as 5, 8, or 12 feet, would either be insufficient for proper coverage or exceed the limits necessary for effective suppression, leading to an inefficient system which could compromise safety.