EN 14972-2:2026

• Abstract:

  This document specifies the evaluation of the fire performance of water mist systems for shopping areas, adjacent storage areas. This document is only applicable for horizontal, solid, flat ceilings with heights of 2,6 m and above.; This document does not cover storage with movable shelves or shelves.

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 28-Jul-2026
• ICS: 13.220.20 - Fire protection
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 191 - Fixed firefighting systems
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 191/WG 10 - Water mist systems
• Current Stage: 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
• Start Date: 29-Jul-2026
• Due Date: 17-Aug-2026
• Completion Date: 29-Jul-2026
• Ref Project: SIST EN 14972-2:2026 - Fixed firefighting systems - Water mist systems - Part 2: Test protocol for shopping areas for automatic nozzle systems

• Refers: EN 13698-1:2003 - Pallet production specification - Part 1: Construction specification for 800 mm x 1200 mm flat wooden pallets
• Effective Date: 12-Aug-2026
• Refers: EN 12259-1:1999 + A1:2001 - Fixed firefighting systems - Components for sprinkler and water spray systems - Part 1: Sprinklers
• Effective Date: 12-Aug-2026
• Refers: EN 14972-1:2020+A1:2025 - Fixed firefighting systems - Water mist systems - Part 1: Design, installation, inspection and maintenance
• Effective Date: 05-Aug-2026
• Referred By: EN 17450-2:2024 - Fixed firefighting systems - Water mist systems - Part 2: Product characteristics and test methods for nozzles
• Effective Date: 05-Aug-2026
• Referred By: EN 14972-1:2020 - Fixed firefighting systems - Water mist systems - Part 1: Design, installation, inspection and maintenance
• Effective Date: 05-Aug-2026

Overview

EN 14972-2:2026 is a European standard published by CEN that defines the test protocol for water mist systems with automatic nozzles in shopping areas and adjacent storage spaces. The standard is dedicated to fixed firefighting systems, specifically focusing on water mist technologies and their ability to control and suppress fire scenarios typical for retail environments. EN 14972-2 is applicable where there are horizontal, solid, flat ceilings at heights of 2.6 meters or above. Movable storage, such as racks or shelves, do not fall within its scope.

As shopping areas pose unique fire risks due to a combination of merchandise, storage configurations, and public occupancy, this standard supports both manufacturers and end users in evaluating and verifying fire suppression performance for these critical applications.

Key Topics

• Fire performance evaluation: Test methods and acceptance criteria for water mist systems in shopping and adjacent storage areas.
• Scope limitations: Applies only to installations under solid, flat, horizontal ceilings of at least 2.6 meters height; excludes movable racks and shelves.
• Test arrangements: Specification for both rack storage (ST5/ST6) and block storage (ST1) setups using defined fuel packages (cardboard boxes with polystyrene cups) under controlled conditions.
• Automatic nozzle systems: Only automatic, ceiling-mounted nozzle arrangements are tested according to detailed spacing and layout requirements.
• Reference performance comparison: Fire performance of water mist systems is referenced against conventional automatic sprinkler systems according to harmonized methods.
• Instrumentation and measurement: Includes the use of thermocouples, pressure sensors, and time logging to evaluate temperature, pressure, and event sequence during the tests.
• Test environment: Criteria for appropriate test hall dimensions, ventilation, and climate control to ensure repeatable and reliable test results.

Applications

EN 14972-2:2026 is vital for stakeholders involved in the design, installation, and approval of fire protection systems for shopping centers, retail stores, supermarkets, and attached storage areas. Practical implementation of this standard offers several key benefits:

• Regulatory compliance: Ensures fire protection installations meet recognized European performance benchmarks, facilitating approvals and certification.
• Risk mitigation: Helps owners and operators select water mist systems proven effective for real-world shopping area fire risks, protecting property and occupants.
• System validation: Provides manufacturers and system integrators with clear test protocols to verify product suitability and performance prior to market entry.
• Harmonization: Aligns testing requirements across Europe, supporting market access for suppliers and standardized acceptance by authorities.
• Quality assurance: Maintains a high level of safety by incorporating robust, repeatable testing procedures referenced against established sprinkler system benchmarks.

Shopping areas, adjacent storage rooms, archives, libraries, and other similar environments can utilize this standard for reliable evaluation and validation of water mist fire suppression technologies.

Related Standards

For comprehensive fire safety and system evaluation, the following related standards are typically referenced alongside EN 14972-2:

• EN 14972-1:2020 - Fixed firefighting systems - Water mist systems - Part 1: Design, installation, inspection, and maintenance
• EN 12845 - Fixed firefighting systems - Automatic sprinkler systems - Design, installation, and maintenance
• EN ISO/IEC 17025 – General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories

Additional parts of EN 14972 series address protocols for offices, hotels, garages, machinery, cable tunnels, kitchens, and more, further supporting industry-specific fire protection needs.

By adhering to EN 14972-2:2026, organizations foster safer retail environments, support effective system selection, and contribute to a harmonized approach to fire safety in European shopping areas.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-oktober-2026
Vgrajeni gasilni sistemi - Sistemi s pršečo vodo - 2. del: Protokol preskušanja
sistemov s samodejnimi šobami za nakupovalne prostore
Fixed firefighting systems - Water mist systems - Part 2: Test protocol for shopping areas
for automatic nozzle systems
Ortsfeste Brandbekämpfungsanlagen - Wassernebelsysteme - Teil 2: Prüfprotokoll für
Einkaufsbereiche für automatische Düsensysteme
Installations fixes de lutte contre l'incendie - Systèmes à brouillard d'eau - Partie 2 :
Protocole d'essai des systèmes à buses automatiques pour zones commerciales
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 14972-2:2026
ICS:
13.220.10 Gašenje požara Fire-fighting
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 14972-2
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
July 2026
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 13.220.20
English Version
Fixed firefighting systems - Water mist systems - Part 2:
Test protocol for shopping areas for automatic nozzle
systems
Installations fixes de lutte contre l'incendie - Systèmes Ortsfeste Brandbekämpfungsanlagen -
à brouillard d'eau - Partie 2 : Protocole d'essai des Wassernebelsysteme - Teil 2: Prüfprotokoll für
systèmes à buses automatiques pour zones Einkaufsbereiche für automatische Düsensysteme
commerciales
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 15 June 2026.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 14972-2:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 General requirements . 5
4.1 General. 5
4.2 Requirements . 6
5 Fuel packages . 6
5.1 General. 6
5.2 Cardboard boxes and plastic cups . 7
5.3 Storage configuration shelf storage . 8
5.3.1 General. 8
5.3.2 Metal shelves . 10
5.4 Storage configuration block storage . 11
5.5 Ignition source . 12
6 Test arrangement . 12
6.1 Reference sprinkler requirements . 12
6.1.1 General. 12
6.1.2 Reference sprinkler tests . 13
6.2 Water mist system requirements . 13
6.3 Sprinkler and automatic nozzle grid . 13
7 Test equipment requirements . 19
8 Instrumentation requirements . 20
8.1 General. 20
8.2 Temperature. 20
8.3 Pressure . 20
8.4 Time . 20
9 Testing criteria . 21
9.1 General. 21
9.2 Fire tests . 21
9.3 Evaluation of test results . 22
10 Test report . 24

European foreword
This document (EN 14972-2:2026) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 191 “Fixed
firefighting systems”, the secretariat of which is held by BSI.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by January 2027, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by January 2027.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
EN 14972, Fixed firefighting systems — Water mist systems, consists of the following parts:
— Part 1: Design, installation, inspection and maintenance;
— Part 2: Test protocol for shopping areas for automatic nozzle systems;
— Part 3: Test protocol for office, school class rooms and hotel for automatic nozzle systems;
— Part 4: Test protocol for non-storage occupancies for automatic nozzle systems;
— Part 5: Test protocol for car garages for automatic nozzle systems;
— Part 6: Test protocol for false floors and false ceilings for automatic nozzle systems;
— Part 7: Test protocol for commercial low hazard occupancies for automatic nozzle systems;
— Part 8: Test protocol for machinery in enclosures exceeding 260 m for open nozzle systems;
— Part 9: Test protocol for machinery in enclosures not exceeding 260 m for open nozzle systems;
— Part 10: Test protocol for atrium protection with sidewall nozzles for open nozzle systems;
— Part 11: Test protocol for cable tunnels for open nozzle systems;
— Part 12: Test protocol for commercial deep fat cooking fryers for manually activated open nozzle
systems;
— Part 13: Test protocol for wet benches and other similar processing equipment for open nozzle systems;
— Part 14: Test protocol for combustion turbines in enclosures exceeding 260 m for open nozzle systems;
— Part 15: Test protocol for combustion turbines in enclosures not exceeding 260 m for open nozzle
systems;
— Part 16: Test protocol for industrial oil cookers for open nozzle systems.
— Part 17: Test protocol for residential occupancies for automatic nozzle systems.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North
Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United
Kingdom.
1 Scope
This document specifies the evaluation of the fire performance of water mist systems for shopping areas,
adjacent storage areas. This document is only applicable for horizontal, solid, flat ceilings with heights of
2,6 m and above.
This document does not cover storage with movable shelves or shelves.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 12259-1, Fixed firefighting systems — Components for sprinkler and water spray systems — Part 1:
Sprinklers
EN 13698-1, Pallet production specification - Part 1: Construction specification for 800 mm x 1200 mm flat
wooden pallets
EN 14972-1:2020+A1:2025, Fixed firefighting systems — Water mist systems — Part 1: Design,
installation, inspection and maintenance
EN ISO/IEC 17025, General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories
(ISO/IEC 17025)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 14972-1 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp/
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
4 General requirements
4.1 General
The following areas are considered to be covered by the fuel package described in this document:
— sales areas;
— storage areas adjacent to sales areas;
— archives;
— libraries;
— technical areas;
— similar.
4.2 Requirements
4.2.1 Up to a maximum of 5 nozzles used in the fire tests shall be kept for later verification.
4.2.2 The water mist system, operating without manual intervention, shall successfully complete all
described performance fire tests.
4.2.3 The fire load shall be taken from the conditioning area according to 5.1 and arranged into the test
area just before conducting the test.
4.2.4 The water flow shall be shut-off 10 min after the activation of the first automatic nozzle in the fire
test. Any remaining fire shall be manually extinguished and the fire damage shall be recorded.
4.2.5 Prior to the testing, a layout of the water mist system to be tested shall be submitted for test
preparation purposes. This layout shall include any components required for the testing as well as the
full dimensioning (e.g. length of pipes, distances of automatic nozzles).
4.2.6 System components, component locations, operating conditions and test enclosure details shall
remain unaltered throughout all of the fire tests for a given application.
4.2.7 All fire tests shall be conducted using the manufacturer instructions in regard to automatic nozzle
placement, spray flux, and operating pressure. Sprays shall not be intermittent.
4.2.8 The test protocol is only applicable to ceiling mounted automatic nozzles.
4.2.9 The water supply shall be capable of supplying a flow rate and pressure at the minimum operating
pressure and flow rate as specified by the manufacturer. These parameters shall be met based on the
actual layout of the pipework installation as used in the test scenario.
4.2.10 The tests with the water mist system shall be conducted at maximum ceiling height, maximum
spacing and minimum discharge conditions regarding water flow and pressure as specified by the
manufacturer for this application. The system shall be installed to achieve the maximum allowed time
delay of water pressure build up of the system.
4.2.11 The tests shall be carried out in accordance with EN ISO/IEC 17025.
5 Fuel packages
5.1 General
The reference testing with a prescribed sprinkler system serves to indicate the baseline performance at
each different test facility and set-up. Within one test series, all fuel packages shall be identical.
The test assembly to be provided for the tests shall comply with the following specifications and figures.
The fire loads provided for the tests shall have humidity content as obtained by storage indoors at
(20 ± 5) °C for 2 weeks.
In case of storing fire loads in conditioned environment at a temperature of (23 ± 2) °C and a relative
humidity of (50 ± 5) % conditioning time may be reduced to minimum of 48 h.
The storing conditions shall be the same for all fire loads used during all tests.
Prior to the tests, the weight of the boxes including their contents will be checked (randomly 5 boxes per
test).
5.2 Cardboard boxes and plastic cups
The cardboard boxes to be used shall meet the following requirements:
a) Cardboard box:
1) Material: simple corrugated cardboard;
2) Dimensions:
— Small boxes: (600 × 400 × 300) mm (length × width × height);
— Large boxes: (600 × 400 × 500) mm (length × width × height);
3) Total weight including cups:
— Small boxes: ∼3,5 kg;
— Large boxes: ~4,5 kg;
4) Underliners (corrugated cardboard) divided into 5 levels:
— 18 cups per level, cups secured against shifting by dividers and underliners made of
corrugated cardboard;
— Boxes are sealed with adhesive type and marked in the direction of the stacks;
b) Content in box:
1) Type: Plastic cups;
2) Material: Unexpanded polystyrene, transparent;
3) Unit weight: 28,2 g;
4) Number per Box:
— Large boxes: 90 items, total weight of cups approximately 2,5 kg;
— Small boxes: 54 items, total weight of cups approximately 1,5 kg;
5) Storage with cup bottom turned up (see Figure 1a).
Packing of the cups is shown in Figure 1. Figure 2 shows the cardboard box.
a) Side view b) Top view
Key
1 cardboard box (large)
2 underliner
3 plastic cup
NOTE 18 cups per level. 54 cups per box (small). 90 cups per box (large).
Figure 1 — Storage of cups in cardboard box

a) Closed cardboard box b) Open cardboard box with
...