What is the minimum distance between sprinklers, not less than?

• A. Not less than 6 ft.
• B. Not less than 8 ft.
• C. Not less than 12 ft.
• D. Not less than 10 ft.

Answer: (B)

In NFPA 13R for low-rise residential systems, sprinklers must be spaced to provide effective, evenly distributed coverage without crowding. The required separation between sprinklers is eight feet or more. This minimum distance helps ensure that each head can develop its intended spray pattern without overlapping too densely with a neighboring head, which could waste water, create unnecessary saturation, or leave gaps in coverage. It also supports reliable heat detection and activation by preventing patterns from constantly interfering with one another and aligns with the typical layout used to balance coverage with cost.