When Are Sprinklers Mandatory Under the Turkish Fire Regulation (BYKHY)?

In Turkiye, whether a building must have an automatic sprinkler system is determined by Article 96(2) of the Regulation on Fire Protection of Buildings (BYKHY). The article lists five sub-paragraphs (a–e) with clear thresholds; if a building falls under any one of them, the system is mandatory. This article sets out the sub-paragraphs in the regulation's own wording, explains how they relate to the high-rise definition and shows which standard governs the design (Article 96(5): TS EN 12845).

How BYKHY Determines the Sprinkler Requirement

BYKHY lists the sprinkler requirement in Article 96(2). The sub-paragraphs are independent: if a building falls under any one of them, an automatic sprinkler system is mandatory. The criteria used are:

• Structure height: 30.50 m (non-residential buildings, 96(2)(a)), 51.50 m (residential, 96(2)(b)), 21.50 m (facilities with beds, 96(2)(ç)). The thresholds are defined by structure height, not building height.
• Occupancy: enclosed car parks, accommodation (hotels, dormitories, guest houses, hostels), multi-storey stores and shopping, commercial and entertainment venues, buildings where readily ignitable and flammable materials are produced or kept.
• Area or capacity: 600 m² or more than 10 cars taken in by lift (enclosed car parks), 100 rooms or 200 beds (accommodation), 2000 m² (multi-storey stores etc.), 1000 m² (readily ignitable materials).
• Hazard class: decides how the system is designed, not whether it is required; sprinklers are positioned taking into account the hazard class of the area and the coverage of the sprinkler (Article 96(5)).

The table below gives the sub-paragraphs in the regulation's wording.

Article 96(2): Where Sprinklers Are Mandatory

Reading it by occupancy

Spaces that may be, or must be, left unsprinklered

Article 96(3): sprinklers need not be installed in wet rooms containing no combustible material and not used to store combustible material, in fire stair shafts containing no combustible material and separated by fire-resisting elements, in lift shafts, and in spaces protected by gas, dry powder, water spray or similar automatic extinguishing systems. Article 96(4): sprinklers are not installed in spaces containing materials that expand with water or react with it in a way that can make the fire grow.

The High-Rise Definition: 21.50 m and 30.50 m

BYKHY measures height with two distinct concepts:

• Building height (Article 4/h): the distance from the point at which the building takes its datum to the eaves level, or the height set in the zoning plan and in the Regulation.
• Structure height (Article 4/bbb): the total height of all storeys built, including basements, mezzanines and attic rooms.

Under Article 4/ccc a high-rise building is one with a building height above 21.50 m, structure height above 30.50 m. This definition is not a direct sprinkler trigger: the height thresholds of Article 96(2) are defined by structure height and differ by occupancy (non-residential 30.50 m, residential 51.50 m, facilities with beds 21.50 m). For example, a residential building with a structure height of 40 m may be high-rise, but since it does not exceed the 96(2)(b) threshold of 51.50 m there is no building-wide sprinkler requirement; an office building of the same structure height must be sprinklered under 96(2)(a). High-rise status does directly trigger other provisions, for example fire hose cabinets are mandatory in high-rise buildings (Article 94(1)(b)(1)).

Shopping Centres, Hotels and Storage: The Prominent Occupancies

Shopping centres and multi-storey stores: sprinklers are mandatory in multi-storey stores, shopping, commercial and entertainment venues with a total area above 2000 m² (Article 96(2)(d)). The presence of an atrium additionally triggers smoke control requirements.

Hotels, dormitories, guest houses and hostels: sprinklers are mandatory once a multi-storey building has more than 100 sleeping rooms or more than 200 beds, and in all facilities with beds whose structure height exceeds 21.50 m (Article 96(2)(ç)). Smaller accommodation buildings below these thresholds are not covered by 96(2)(ç); above a structure height of 30.50 m, 96(2)(a) applies in addition.

Storage and industrial buildings: Article 96(2) has no general area threshold. Sprinklers are mandatory in buildings with a total area above 1000 m² where readily ignitable and flammable materials are produced or kept (96(2)(e)) and in buildings with a structure height above 30.50 m (96(2)(a)). In warehouses outside these sub-paragraphs sprinklers are a risk and insurance decision rather than a regulatory requirement; high-bay rack storage and plastics or combustible commodities usually tip that decision towards sprinklers.

Design Standard: TS EN 12845 (Article 96(5))

BYKHY does not leave the sprinkler design standard open. Article 96(5) states that sprinkler system design shall be carried out to TS EN 12845. The same paragraph requires sprinklers to be positioned taking into account the hazard class of the area and the coverage of the sprinkler, and allows one standard sprinkler to protect at most 21 m² in Low Hazard and Ordinary Hazard Group 1 areas. Article 96(1) requires system components to comply with TS EN 12259.

• TS EN 12845 — the design standard named by the regulation; density in mm/min, area of operation in m², bar and L/min units.
• NFPA 13 — the US standard; density/area method, gpm/ft² and psi units. It is not defined as an alternative in BYKHY; where an insurer or investor requires it, it may be applied as an additional layer provided the minimum requirements of the regulation are met.

The option in Article 5(2) to use internationally recognised standards applies only to matters not covered by Turkish or European Standards; because sprinkler design is covered by TS EN 12845, that option does not change the design standard. Mixing the criteria of two standards on one project — sizing sprinklers to EN 12845 and the pump to NFPA — leads to inconsistency in water supply duration and flow definitions. Where NFPA 13 is required as an additional condition, the design is built to TS EN 12845 and the NFPA 13 check is carried out on top of it.

What Applies When Sprinklers Are Not Required?

Where sprinklers are not mandatory, other systems are assessed under their own provisions; for example, automatic fire detection is mandatory in buildings whose structure height or total enclosed area exceeds the values in Annex 7 (Article 75(3)), and fire hose cabinets are mandatory in high-rise buildings and in manufacturing, workshop, warehouse, accommodation, healthcare, assembly and education buildings with a total enclosed floor area above 1000 m² (Article 94(1)(b)(1)). Typical complementary measures:

• Fire detection and alarm systems
• Fire hose cabinets and a hydrant system
• Portable fire extinguishers
• Smoke control and pressurisation where necessary
• Clean agent suppression in spaces such as server rooms and archives

Even where sprinklers are not mandatory, a designer may propose them voluntarily where the risk is high; this improves life safety and can have a favourable effect on insurance premiums.

Field Practice: A Designer's Checklist

• Measure the height precisely: calculate the structure height (Article 4/bbb) and compare it with the Article 96(2) thresholds (30.50 / 51.50 / 21.50 m); calculate the building height (Article 4/h) separately for high-rise status.
• Establish the occupancy class correctly: in mixed-use buildings the most onerous class governs.
• Check the area and capacity thresholds: enclosed car park 600 m² (or more than 10 cars by lift), multi-storey stores etc. 2000 m², readily ignitable materials 1000 m², accommodation 100 rooms / 200 beds.
• Assess compartmentation separately: the area thresholds of Article 96(2) are defined on total area; Article 96(2) contains no exemption by which compartmentation removes them.
• Fix the standard: design to TS EN 12845 (Article 96(5)); use NFPA 13 only as an additional (insurer or investor) requirement, provided the minimum requirements of the regulation are met.
• Confirm the authority's view: on projects close to a threshold, obtain the fire brigade or permitting authority's interpretation early.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is BYKHY and how does it determine the sprinkler requirement?

BYKHY is the abbreviation of the Turkish Regulation on Fire Protection of Buildings, which sets the minimum rules for protecting all types of structure against fire in Turkiye. The automatic sprinkler requirement is listed in five sub-paragraphs (a–e) of Article 96(2): structure height 30.50 m for non-residential buildings, 51.50 m for residential buildings, 600 m² or more than 10 cars taken in by lift for enclosed car parks, 100 rooms / 200 beds for accommodation and structure height 21.50 m for all facilities with beds, 2000 m² for multi-storey stores, shopping, commercial and entertainment venues, and 1000 m² for buildings where readily ignitable and flammable materials are produced or kept. If a building falls under any one of them, the system is mandatory.

At what height do sprinklers become mandatory under BYKHY?

The height thresholds in Article 96(2) are defined by structure height: sprinklers are mandatory in all non-residential buildings with a structure height above 30.50 m (96(2)(a)), in residential buildings with a structure height above 51.50 m (96(2)(b)) and in all facilities with beds whose structure height exceeds 21.50 m (96(2)(ç)). The high-rise definition (Article 4/ccc: building height 21.50 m, structure height 30.50 m) is not in itself a sprinkler trigger; a residential building whose structure height does not exceed 51.50 m does not fall under 96(2)(b) even if it is high-rise.

Which buildings require sprinkler protection?

Under Article 96(2): (a) all buildings other than residential with a structure height above 30.50 m; (b) residential buildings with a structure height above 51.50 m; (c) enclosed car parks with a total area above 600 m² and enclosed car parks where more than 10 cars are taken in by lift; (ç) hotels, dormitories, guest houses and hostels in a multi-storey building with more than 100 sleeping rooms or more than 200 beds, and all facilities with beds with a structure height above 21.50 m; (d) multi-storey stores, shopping, commercial and entertainment venues with a total area above 2000 m²; (e) buildings with a total area above 1000 m² in which readily ignitable and flammable materials are produced or kept.

What is the high-rise definition under BYKHY?

Under Article 4/ccc a high-rise building is one with a building height above 21.50 m, structure height above 30.50 m. Building height (Article 4/h) is the distance from the point at which the building takes its datum to the eaves level, or the height set in the zoning plan and the Regulation; structure height (Article 4/bbb) is the total height of all storeys built, including basements, mezzanines and attic rooms. High-rise status directly triggers provisions such as fire hose cabinets (Article 94(1)(b)(1)); the sprinkler requirement follows the thresholds of Article 96(2).

Are sprinklers mandatory in shopping centres?

Yes, in multi-storey stores, shopping, commercial and entertainment venues with a total area above 2000 m² automatic sprinklers are mandatory (Article 96(2)(d)). Even below that threshold, commercial buildings with a structure height above 30.50 m fall under 96(2)(a), and enclosed car parks with a total area above 600 m² fall under 96(2)(c).

Are sprinklers mandatory in residential buildings?

In residential buildings sprinklers are mandatory once the structure height exceeds 51.50 m (Article 96(2)(b)). Residential buildings below that value, even if they are high-rise, do not trigger a building-wide sprinkler requirement under Article 96(2). If the building has an enclosed car park with a total area above 600 m², or one where more than 10 cars are taken in by lift, the car park must be sprinklered (Article 96(2)(c) and 60(1)).

When are sprinklers required in storage and industrial buildings?

Article 96(2) has no general area threshold for industry or storage. Sprinklers are mandatory in buildings with a total area above 1000 m² where readily ignitable and flammable materials are produced or kept (96(2)(e)) and in buildings with a structure height above 30.50 m (96(2)(a)). Sprinklers are not installed in spaces containing materials that expand or react with water in a way that can make the fire grow (96(4)). In warehouses outside these sub-paragraphs, sprinklers are a risk decision driven by storage height, commodity and insurer requirements.

Which standard does BYKHY require for sprinkler design?

Article 96(5) states that sprinkler system design shall be carried out to TS EN 12845. Under the same paragraph, in Low Hazard and Ordinary Hazard Group 1 areas one standard sprinkler may protect at most 21 m², and Article 96(1) requires system components to comply with TS EN 12259. NFPA 13 is not defined as an alternative in the regulation; where an insurer or investor requires it, it may be applied as an additional layer provided the minimum requirements of the regulation are met. The option in Article 5(2) to use international standards applies only to matters not covered by Turkish or European Standards.

Are sprinklers mandatory in hotels and dormitories?

Automatic sprinklers are mandatory in hotels, dormitories, guest houses and hostels in a multi-storey building with more than 100 sleeping rooms or more than 200 beds, and in all facilities with beds whose structure height exceeds 21.50 m (Article 96(2)(ç)). Smaller accommodation buildings below these thresholds are not covered by 96(2)(ç); if the structure height exceeds 30.50 m, 96(2)(a) applies in addition.

What is required instead when sprinklers are not mandatory?

Where sprinklers are not required, other systems are assessed under their own provisions: for example, automatic fire detection is mandatory in buildings whose structure height or total enclosed area exceeds the values in Annex 7 (Article 75(3)), and fire hose cabinets are mandatory in high-rise buildings and in manufacturing, workshop, warehouse, accommodation, healthcare, assembly and education buildings with a total enclosed floor area above 1000 m² (Article 94(1)(b)(1)). In particular spaces such as server rooms and archives, clean agent suppression is preferred over water. Even where not mandatory, a designer may propose sprinklers voluntarily where risk is high, which can also affect insurance premiums favourably.

Are the thresholds in this article legally binding?

The thresholds in this article are taken from the current consolidated text of BYKHY Article 96(2); what is binding, however, is the regulation text in force as published in the Official Gazette and the interpretation of the authority having jurisdiction. As the regulation can change, always check the current official text and consult a fire safety specialist where necessary.

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