Which statement best describes backup water sources in NFPA 13E?

Which statement best describes backup water sources in NFPA 13E?

• A. Backup water sources must be maintained only in facilities with more than 1,000 occupants.
• B. Backup water sources are optional in most facilities.
• C. The standard requires backup water sources if the primary supply is compromised.
• D. Backup water sources are not addressed by NFPA 13E.

Answer: (C)

Backup water sources are about ensuring a sprinkler system keeps receiving water even if the primary supply is interrupted. NFPA 13E requires that for existing occupancies there be a backup water source available when the main supply is compromised. This redundancy helps maintain the necessary flow and pressure to the system during a fire, rather than risking a loss of water because the primary source fails or becomes unavailable. It isn’t limited to facilities above a certain occupancy or treated as optional; the standard expects reliable water supply and supports alternate sources such as on‑site storage tanks with pumps or a secondary connection to a separate water main. NFPA 13E does address backup water sources, so statements claiming it isn’t addressed or that it’s optional don’t fit.