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Research Affecting the Design and Use of Water-Based Fire Suppression Systems

Research Affecting the Design and Use of Water-Based Fire Suppression Systems. Russell P. Fleming, P.E. IFSA Technical Director. Research Affecting NFPA 13. The 2007 edition of NFPA 13 – Installation of Sprinkler Systems was near completion at the time of the IFSA conference in Lisbon

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Research Affecting the Design and Use of Water-Based Fire Suppression Systems

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  1. Research Affecting the Design and Use of Water-Based Fire Suppression Systems Russell P. Fleming, P.E. IFSA Technical Director

  2. Research Affecting NFPA 13 • The 2007 edition of NFPA 13 – Installation of Sprinkler Systems was near completion at the time of the IFSA conference in Lisbon • Several important proposed changes were subsequently delayed pending additional research • The 2010 edition is now being prepared and will include the results of recent test programs

  3. Research Affecting NFPA 13-2010 • Protection of record storage in racks • Protection of compact file storage • Protection of a high-piled compact file storage array using ESFR sprinklers • Protection of rubber tires • Influence of HVLV (high volume low velocity) fans

  4. Compact Storage

  5. Compact Storage Definitions • Compact Storage. Storage on solid shelves not exceeding 36 in. (0.9 m) in total depth, arranged as part of a compact storage module, with no more than 30 in. (0.76 m) between shelves vertically and with no internal vertical flue spaces other than those between individual shelving sections. • Compact Storage Module. A type of shelving unit consisting of compact storage whereby the units move to allow for storage to be pushed together creating a storage unit with no flues or minimal spaces between units. Aisles are created by moving the shelving unit. Compact storage modules may be manual or electric in operation.

  6. Bench Scale Testing Tightly packed files

  7. Bench Scale Testing Loosely packed files

  8. Bench Scale Results

  9. Bench Scale Results

  10. Conclusions • Porosity affects the burning rate of the commodity • Use of steel barriers was effective in slowing the propagation of the fire • Ceiling sprinklers had no effect on the fire, although they did cool the ceiling; therefore, an increase in ceiling density would be ineffective

  11. Proposed NFPA 13 Compact Storage Criteria

  12. High Bay Compact Record Storage

  13. High Bay Compact Record Storage • Ceiling only sprinkler protection • paper products (files, magazines, books etc) – Class III commodity • corrugated containers either closed or open top, to include corrugated totes, with no more than 5% plastics stored • mobile (or fixed)shelving units greater than 12 ft (3.7 m) and up to 34 ft (10.4 m) high and up to 30 shelving units (storage tiers) high. • Use of K-25.2@40psi (Km-360@2.8 bar)

  14. High Bay Compact Record Storage

  15. Protection of Rubber Tires • Chapter 18 of NFPA 13 • Two research-based proposals accepted, one dealing with control mode sprinkler protection and one with ESFR sprinkler protection • Recognizes widespread storage of tires in laced configuration for higher tire density and higher storage (current standard does not address storage over 25 ft (7.6 m) in a 30 ft (9 m) building and does not address ESFR sprinklers for on-tread configurations) (Current storage practice typically 7.6 m laced in 12 m building or 9 m storage laced in a 12 m building)

  16. Rubber Tire Configurations On side On tread Laced

  17. Tests Sponsored by French Rubber Manufacturers Association

  18. Rubber Tire Test Results

  19. Rubber Tire Test Results

  20. Table 18.4(a) Control Mode • New criteria added: • Open portable rack storage, laced • Over 12 to 20 ft (3.7 to 6.1 m) • High temperature sprinklers only • 0.60 gpm/ft2 (25 mm/min) over 5000 ft2 (465 m2) area of application and 0.90 gpm/ft2 (37 mm/min) over 3000 ft2 (279 m2) area of application • Note 5 added to state: Use of K-16.8 (Km-240) control mode spray sprinklers only. Maximum clearance can be increased to 14 ft (4.25 m) with this protection.

  21. Table 18.4(d) ESFR • New criteria added: • On tread or laced, in open portable steel racks • Up to 25 ft (7.6 m) storage • Maximum building height 40 ft (12.2 m) • K-25.2 (Km-360) ESFR pendent sprinklers • 12 sprinkler design area • 40 psi (2.8 bar) minimum operating pressure • Minimum water supply duration 1 hour • 250 gpm (946 lpm) hose allowance

  22. Table 18.4(d) ESFR • New criteria added: • Laced tires in open portable steel racks • Up to 30 ft (9.1 m) storage • Maximum building height 40 ft (12.2 m) • K-25.2 (Km-360) ESFR pendent sprinklers • 12 sprinkler design area • 75 psi (5.2 bar) minimum operating pressure • Minimum water supply duration 1 hour • 250 gpm (946 lpm) hose allowance

  23. High Volume Low Velocity Fans

  24. High Volume Low Velocity Fans • 3 full-scale wet pipe system tests sponsored by GAPS at UL • Test 1 - SR 286oF K-11.2 (141oC Km-120) spray sprinklers protecting 15 ft (4.6 m) high palletized Group A plastics ; a 24-ft (7.3 m) diameter ceiling fan was positioned with its outer edge over the ignition point, arranged to push air downward at a 50% power setting, and set to shut off at first sprinkler operation • Test 2 – baseline without fan – SR K-5.6 (Km-80) spray sprinklers protecting 12 ft palletized Class II commodity. • Test 3- same as Test 2 except a fan pushing air downward at a 50% power setting, again arranged to shut off at first sprinkler operation.

  25. High Volume Low Velocity Fans • Test 1 - first sprinkler operated 3:26 after ignition, compared to normal first-sprinkler activation in this type of test of between 47 and 90 sec; 73 ceiling sprinklers operated; test terminated after 8 min. • Test 2 - 21 ceiling sprinklers opened between 1:14 and 3:30 after ignition; fire had not reached the end of the storage array when it was terminated after 30 minutes • Test 3 - 26 ceiling sprinklers operated between 1:57 and 3:51, but the fire did reach the end of the array. • The test series suggested that a fire in a high hazard commodity can overtax a control mode fire sprinkler system even at half power and even when power to the fan is shut off at the time of first sprinkler operation

  26. Rack Storage of Boats Fire Protection Research Foundation (FPRF) project is being organized

  27. 6-Sided Portable Storage Containers New annex wording proposed: “A.3.9.1 Six sided Portable Storage Container. Combustible or noncombustible enclosed storage unit with varying dimensions ranging from small portable rental storage units to large freight containers. The Technical Committee on Sprinkler System Discharge is unaware if fire tests, and no design guidance is furnished.”

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