Transcript Document

Research Affecting the Design
and Use of Water-Based
Fire Suppression Systems
Russell P. Fleming, P.E.
IFSA Technical Director
Research Affecting NFPA 13
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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
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
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Compact Storage
Compact Storage Definitions
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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.
Bench Scale Testing
Tightly packed files
Bench Scale Testing
Loosely packed files
Peak Heat Release Rate (kW)
Bench Scale Results
45
40
35
Uniformly
distributed
30
25
Nonuniform
distribution
20
15
10
5
0
0
5
10
15
20
25
Porosity (% open)
30
35
Peak Heat Release Rate (kW)
Bench Scale Results
18
16
14
12
Uniformly
distributed
10
8
6
4
2
0
40
35
30
25
3
Bulk Density [lb/ft ]
20
Conclusions
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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
Proposed NFPA 13 Compact Storage Criteria
Proposed for 2010 Proposed in 2007
Max. Height
2.4 m (8 ft)
2.4 m (8 ft)
Products
Class III; max. 250 ft2 modules
Class III; plastics limited to 5 %
Sprinklers
QR upright or pendent at standard
light hazard spacing
QR at 3m x 3 m (10 ft x 10 ft)
spacing
Clearance
Min. 0.46 m (18 in.)
Min. 0.46 m (18 in.)
Spacers
Between
Units
No spacers or flues required
Solid 24 gauge (0.51 mm) metal
barriers required longitudinally at
max. 9 m2 (90 ft2) and every 3rd
carriage and max. 1.2 m (4 ft)
transversely
Min. 100 mm ( 3 in.)
or use of higher (12.3 mm/min =
0.3 gpm/sq ft) density
or barriers at 100 ft2
Min. Density
4 mm/min (0.1 gpm/ft2) for LH
8.2 mm/min(0.2 gpm/ft2)
High Bay Compact Record Storage
High Bay Compact Record Storage
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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 ([email protected] bar)
High Bay Compact Record Storage
Protection of Rubber Tires
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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)
Rubber Tire Configurations
On side
On tread
Laced
Tests Sponsored by French Rubber
Manufacturers Association
Rubber Tire Test Results
Storage type
On-tread
On-tread
Laced
Storage height
7.45 m
5.95 m
5.95 m
Ceiling height
10.5 m
10.5 m
10.5 m
Clearance
2.75 m
4.25 m
4.25 m
Sprinkler type
K-25.2
(Km-360)
ESFR
K-16.8
(Km-240)
Spray
K-16.8
(Km-240)
Spray
Temp. rating
74oC
141oC
141oC
1.8 bar
1.8 bar
Min. pressure or density 2.8 bar
67 mm/min
36 mm/min 36 mm/min
No. sprinklers opened
2
20
Test result
Suppression Control
18
Control
Rubber Tire Test Results
Storage type
On-tread
Laced and
On-tread
Laced
Storage height
7.45 m
7.45 m
8.75 m
Ceiling height
8.5 m
12 m
12 m
Clearance
2.75 m
4.25 m
2.95 m
Sprinkler type
K-25.2
(Km-360)
ESFR
K-25.2
(Km-360)
ESFR
K-25.2
(Km-360)
ESFR
Temp. rating
74oC
74oC
74oC
2.8 bar
5.2 bar
67 mm/min
67 mm/min
91 mm/min
No. sprinklers opened
2
1
1
Test result
Suppression
Suppression
Suppression
Min. pressure or density 2.8 bar
Table 18.4(a) Control Mode
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New criteria added:
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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 (Km240) control mode spray sprinklers only.
Maximum clearance can be increased to 14
ft (4.25 m) with this protection.
Table 18.4(d) ESFR
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New criteria added:
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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
Table 18.4(d) ESFR
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New criteria added:
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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
High Volume Low Velocity Fans
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.
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
Rack Storage of Boats
Fire Protection Research Foundation
(FPRF) project is being organized
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.”