Portland enforces the Oregon Structural and Residential Specialty Codes for sprinkler design, requiring NFPA-13 systems in most multifamily and large commercial buildings and NFPA-13D in many newer townhomes.
Sprinkler requirements in Portland flow from the Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC) and Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC), with PF&R as the local enforcing agency. New apartment buildings of three stories or more, hotels, and most R-occupancies must be fully sprinklered to NFPA-13 or NFPA-13R standards. Townhomes and certain attached single-family units often need NFPA-13D systems. Detached one- and two-family homes are not generally required to have sprinklers, although Oregon allows builders to install 13D systems and earn density or design bonuses. PF&R inspects systems annually and during major remodels.
Disabled or defective sprinklers in required occupancies can trigger PF&R correction notices, civil penalties, and a stop-occupancy order until repairs and inspections are complete.
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See how Portland's fire sprinkler requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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