Research Affecting the Design and Use of WaterBased Fire Suppression Systems

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

• Russell P. Fleming, P.E.
• IFSA Technical Director

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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

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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
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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.

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Bench Scale Testing
Tightly packed files
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Bench Scale Testing
Loosely packed files
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Bench Scale Results
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Bench Scale Results
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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

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Proposed NFPA 13 Compact Storage Criteria
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High Bay Compact Record Storage
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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_at_40psi (Km-360_at_2.8 bar)

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High Bay Compact Record Storage
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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)

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Rubber Tire Configurations

• On side
• On tread
• Laced

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Tests Sponsored by French Rubber Manufacturers
Association
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Rubber Tire Test Results
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Rubber Tire Test Results
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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.

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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

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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

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High Volume Low Velocity Fans
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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.

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High Volume Low Velocity Fans

• Test 1 - first sprinkler operated 326 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
  114 and 330 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
  157 and 351, 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

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