If a sidewall sprinkler is placed 4 ft from an obstruction, is this allowed?

• A. Yes, as long as there is 4 ft clearance
• B. No, it must be at least 6 ft
• C. No, it must be at least 5 ft
• D. Yes, if the obstruction is noncombustible

Answer: (C)

Clearance between a sidewall sprinkler and nearby obstructions is required to prevent shielding the spray pattern. Sidewall sprinklers project discharge along the wall, and if an obstruction is too close, it can block or redirect the spray, creating uncovered areas under the sprinkler.

Minimum distance to obstructions is five feet. If something is only four feet away, it does not meet the requirement, so the installation would not be allowed as specified. To stay compliant, either move the obstruction farther away, relocate the sprinkler, or use a different sprinkler arrangement that maintains proper coverage around the obstruction.