Background

1. Sprinkler Protection of Non-Storage Occupancies with High Ceiling Clearance20 May, 2014Peter Thomas

2. Background • Architectural designs create real fire protection challenges to fire engineers. “The Taller” seems to be “The Better” • Sprinkler performance and effectiveness in buildings with high roofs and non-storage occupancies such as atria, convention centers, casinos, auditoriums, theaters, exposition halls and others, is not well understood.

3. Introduction – Current Situation Convention Center Ceiling Height of 18 m What is sprinkler protection based on current installation standards?

4. Introduction – Current Situation • EN 12845 (OH 4) 5.0 mm/min 360 sq m • NFPA 13 (OH 2) 8.1 mm/min 139 sqm 6.1 mm/min 372 sqm • FMDS 3-26 (HC 3) 20.0 mm/min 280 sq m • China GB 50084 (OH 1) 6.0 mm/min 160 sqm • Australia AS 2118.1 (High Hazard- Process) 12 mm/min 360 sq m • Singapore CP52 Not Allowed

5. Test Plan

6. Test Fuel and Fuel Array Arrangement

7. Sprinkler System

8. Full Scale Fire Test 1 • Fuel Arrangement: Group A Plastics • Ceiling height: 12 m • Fuel Height: 1.63 m • Clearance to ceiling: 10.4 m • Arrangement of fuel package: 8 by 2, solid pile • Ignition Location: Under 1 sprinkler • Density: 15 mm/min • Sprinklers: K115, RTI 105 (m-s)1/2 Standard Response, Pendent • Spacing: 3.0 m x 3.0 m

9. Full Scale Fire Test 1

10. Full Scale Fire Test 1

11. Full Scale Fire Test 1

12. Full Scale Fire Test 2 • Fuel Arrangement: Group A Plastics • Ceiling Height: 16 m • Fuel Height: 1.63 / 1.13 m • Clearance to ceiling: 14.4 m • Arrangement of fuel package: 8 by 2, solid pile • Ignition Location: Under 1 sprinkler • Density: 20 mm/min • Sprinklers: K115, RTI 35 (m-s)1/2 Quick Response, Pendent • Spacing: 3.0 m x 3.0 m

13. Full Scale Fire Test 2

14. Full Scale Fire Test 2

15. Full Scale Fire Test 2

16. Full Scale Fire Test 3 • Fuel Arrangement: Group A Plastics • Ceiling Height: 16 m • Fuel Height: 1.63 / 1.13 m • Clearance to ceiling: 14.4 m • Arrangement of fuel package: 8 by 2, solid pile • Ignition Location: Under 1 sprinkler • Density: 23 mm/min • Sprinklers: K161, RTI 138 (m-s)1/2 Standard Response, Pendent • Spacing: 3.0 m x 3.0 m

17. Full Scale Fire Test 3

18. Full Scale Fire Test 3

19. Full Scale Fire Test 4 • Fuel Arrangement: Group A Plastics • Ceiling Height: 18 m • Fuel Height: 1.63 m • Clearance to ceiling: 16.4 m • Arrangement of Fuel Package: 6 by 2, solid pile • Ignition Location: Under 1 sprinkler • Density: 40 mm/min • Sprinklers: K363, RTI 130 (m-s)1/2 Standard Response, Pendent • Spacing: 3.0 m x 3.0 m

20. Full Scale Fire Test 4

21. Full Scale Fire Test 4

22. Full Scale Fire Test 5 • Fuel Arrangement: Group A Plastics • Ceiling Height: 18 m • Fuel Height: 1.63 • Clearance to Ceiling: 16.4 m • Arrangement of Fuel package: 6 by 2, solid pile • Ignition Location: Between 4 sprinklers • Density: 40 mm/min • Sprinklers: K363, RTI 130 (m-s)1/2 Standard Response, Pendent • Spacing: 3.0 m x 3.0 m

23. Full Scale Fire Test 5

24. Full Scale Fire Test 5

25. Test Summary • Effectiveness of sprinkler to control depends on delivered density • Under 12 m ceiling, K 115 sprinkler at 15 mm/min. did not control the fire. • Under 16 m ceiling, K115 sprinkler at 20mm/min. did not control the fire. A K160 sprinkler marginally controlled the fire at 23 mm/min. • Under 18 m ceiling, K363 sprinkler at 40 mm/min. generates significantly larger drops and effectively controlled the fire.

26. Conclusion • EN 12845 (OH 4) 5.0 mm/min 360 sq m • NFPA 13 (OH 2) 8.1 mm/min 139 sqm 6.1 mm/min 372 sqm • FMDS 3-26 (HC 3) 20.0 mm/min 280 sq m • China GB 50084 (OH 1) 6.0 mm/min 160 sqm Change – 40 mm/min 160 sq m with K360 sprinklers • Australia (AS 2118.1) (High Hazard- Process) 12 mm/min 360 sq m • Singapore CP52 Not Allowed over 13 m Proposed change - 12 mm/min 360 sq m with K160 sprinklers