Private garages with reduced fire-rating walls per Table R302.1(2) Note a must have sprinklers
2025 RCNYS §R317.5 Garage sprinklers (when wall designed per Note a)Description
Where the architect uses the reduced fire-rated separation between the garage and the dwelling per Table R302.1(2) Note a (which trades fire-rating for a sprinkler system), the garage itself must be sprinklered with residential or quick-response sprinklers at 0.05 gpm/ft² density on the P2904 system. Garage doors are NOT considered obstructions for sprinkler placement.
Why this exists
This is the trade architects make when the garage-dwelling separation wall would otherwise be expensive to build (e.g. unusual geometry, exposed structure). Sprinklering the garage is generally cheaper than a high-rated wall — but it requires a P2904 system in the first place, so the value only shows up when the rest of the dwelling is already sprinklered.
Measurements
| Property | Operator | Value | Unit | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
density | exact | 0.05 | gpm/sqft | Sprinkler design density |
Categories
Applies to
- Jurisdiction: New York State
Source
Solver enforcement
Browsable only — the solver does not currently enforce this directive (no spec-level data to check against). This entry exists so the architect personas can cite it in conversation and the user can read what the rule says.
Related directives
- Garage / dwelling fire separation · IRC R302.6
- Habitable space minimum ceiling height · IRC R305.1
- Egress window net opening dimensions · IRC R310.2
- Stair riser, tread, and headroom · IRC R311.7
- Smoke alarms required throughout dwelling · IRC R314
Last reviewed 2026-05-15.