A minimum of how many inches shall be maintained between the sprinkler deflector and the top of a tier of storage?

The requirement to maintain a minimum distance between the sprinkler deflector and the top of a tier of storage is crucial for the effective operation of a sprinkler system. By specifying a distance of 6 inches, the regulations ensure that water can effectively reach the intended areas during a fire event. This distance allows adequate coverage of the materials and helps prevent obstruction of the water spray by the stored items.

If the sprinkler deflector is too close to the storage, the effectiveness of the sprinkler system could be compromised, as the water may not disperse properly or reach the materials that need to be protected. This is particularly important in environments where storage heights and arrangements can vary significantly, as adequate spacing helps ensure that the system operates correctly regardless of how items are stored.

Maintaining this minimum distance is a safety measure designed to optimize the performance of fire protection systems in order to reduce the risk of fire damage effectively.