What is the primary purpose of NFPA 13?

The primary purpose of NFPA 13 is to provide guidelines for the design and installation of sprinkler systems. This standard is crucial in ensuring that these systems are effective in controlling or extinguishing fires, thereby enhancing safety within buildings. NFPA 13 outlines the necessary criteria for sprinkler system design, including system layout, spacing, water supply requirements, and installation practices, which are essential for maintaining a reliable firefighting infrastructure.

In contrast, the other options focus on areas outside the scope of NFPA 13. Establishing building codes for construction is typically covered by local building codes or other NFPA standards, but not NFPA 13 specifically. The formulation of safety regulations for electrical systems falls under different NFPA standards such as NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code. Lastly, while NFPA provides standards for various fire protection systems, including fire alarm systems, the enforcement of their installation standards would be addressed by other specific standards such as NFPA 72, not NFPA 13. Thus, the focus of NFPA 13 is distinctly on sprinkler systems.