2017 nfpa conference & expo compact …/media/a1aef71783164be2b8e6d2295598dd24.pdftest # 3 in...

COMPACT MOBILE STORAGE

A REVIEW OF THE FIRE HAZARD

AND RECENT RESEARCH

Presented by:

Joe Church – Spacesaver Corporation

John G. O’Neill, PE, FSFPE – GHD Inc.

Thomas W. Gardner, PE, FSFPE – GHD Inc.

2017 NFPA CONFERENCE & EXPO

OUTLINECOMPACT MOBILE STORAGE

Overview of Mobile “Office” Systems

NFPA Code Concerns& Fire History

Full Scale Test & Prior Research Review

NFPA 13 Codified “Office” Systems

OVERVIEW

COMPACT MOBILE SHELVING

OVERVIEW


WASTED SPACEConventional static

shelving requires

fixed aisles that

waste space

INCREASE REVENUECompact mobile shelving systems

eliminate all but one movable

aisle, in most cases saving 50%

of your floor space.

DOUBLE CAPACITYCompact mobile shelving

allows you to double the

storage capacity of the

existing space.

APPLICATIONS


• COMPACT MOBILE SHELVING

OPTIONSCOMPACT MOBILE SHELVING

MODES OF OPERATIONS

MANUAL MECHANICAL-ASSIST POWERED

All Steel construction of uprights, shelving and carriages

FIRE PARKCOMPACT MOBILE SHELVING

• Improves ventilation of the system contents.

• Allows for easy viewing between carriages in the event a fire alarm is triggered.

• Allows heat to rise and activate sprinklersystems sooner in the event of a fire.

• Allows for sprinkler system access to materials during a fire.

Carriages are positioned so that equal spacing exists (up to 18’) between all ranges

CODE CHALLENGES & QUESTIONS

FIRE PROTECTION

• No Major Fire Issues identified – “not broken, but was confusing”

• Researched across US Installed Base; No Identified issues• National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) V5.0 – no indication of loss

• FM Global Loss Prevention Data sheets – indicated no loss history specific to compact shelving

• Industry Review / survey – indicated no loss

• Confusing/ No definition in pre-2008 NFPA 13 Code

• NFPA Code Technical Committee/ NFPA Research Foundation• Generated NFPA Research Committee Involvement - 2007

FURTHER RESEARCHFIRE PROTECTION

REQUESTED - 2007

• Fire Risk not well understood• Ability to save space by manipulating aisles MAY create impact on

protection schemes; Target expanding full scale test understand• Impacts on Fire

• Limited Spread due to Oxygen Flow

• Limits water flow/ penetration

• Increases density in area of fire load

• Technical Committee; Further Research Required to understand• Review past Tests

• Develop Test for NFPA Research Foundation• Full Scale Fire tests of this magnitude exceeded 100k/ series

• Options/ applications are many; how do we address?

PAST RESEARCH REVIEWFULL SCALE TESTING

Full Scale Fire Testing of Mobile Compact Shelving Systems with Sprinklers Sponsored by US General Services Administration (GSA) and US National Archives & Records Administration (NARA) Conducted in 1970’s thru 1990’s

• FMRC; 1978; Full scale fire tests for GSA

• UL; 1989; Full scale fire tests for NARA

• UL; 1996; Full scale fire tests for NARA

Fire Test Results Used To Develop Protection Of Us Federal Agency Archives Records –More Rigorous Protection Criteria Than NFPA 13

PROVIDED VERY USEFUL INFORMATION ON FIRE GROWTH IN THESE TYPES OF STORAGE SYSTEMS


Full Scale Fire Testing of Mobile Compact Shelving Systems

National Fire Protection Research Foundation (NFPRF) Small and Full Scale Fire Tests Conducted at UL & Sponsored by Spacesaver and others –2007 & 2008

Background Fire Test Results Used To Develop Current NFPA 13 – 20.6 Aimed At Mobile Compact Storage Protected By NFPA 13 - Light Hazard


Factory Mutual Research Corporation; 1978; Full Scale Fire Tests for GSA*

Three full scale fire tests:35’ x 20’-6” Mobile Compact Storage Array

One 27” Access Aisle

Remaining Storage Carriages (36” wide) Placed Adjacent to Each Other with No Flue Spaces

Nominal 8’ High Storage

Commodity: Paper Files, Books in Corrugated Document Boxes & In Test 3 Approximately 10% Polystyrene Cases with Computer Tapes

High Temperature (286˚F) Standard Response Sprinklers

0.30 gpm with 10 x 10 ft spacing (GSA Criteria for Records Storage)

* “Fire Tests in Mobile Storage Systems for Archival Storage”, Factory Mutual Research, #J.I. 3A3N4,RR, June 1974


Factory Mutual Research Corporation; 1978; Full Scale Fire Tests for GSA

TEST RESULTS OVERVIEW:

TEST 1 – Ignition at Base of Storage at Face of Open Aisle

Three Sprinklers Operated: 17 min (1st Two); 19 min (3rd)

Max Ceiling Temp 400˚F

Successful Control

TEST 2 – Ignition at Base of Storage in the Center of Closed Array

Four Sprinklers Operated: 90 min

Max Ceiling Temp 800˚F

Successful Control


Factory Mutual Research Corporation; 1978; Full Scale Fire Tests for GSA

TEST RESULTS OVERVIEW (cont):

TEST 3 – Ignition at Base of Storage in the Center of Closed Array

Four Sprinklers Operated: 48,78, 121 & 125 min

Max Ceiling Temp 1200˚F (Single point just before AS activation)

Successful Control (Limited to Storage Array);

However, Extent of Damage to Files Was Unacceptable for Archival Storage

Based on Test Results, GSA Allowed Use of Mobile Compact Shelving Storage for General Files Storage, But Not for “Archives” (one of a kind documents)


• Renewed Interest In Mobile Compact Storage Systems Prompted By Planning For New National Archives II

• Archives II Program Required

• ¾ Million cu ft For Archival Records Storage

• House Federal Archival Records In A Secure, Environmentally And Fire Safe Protected Structure

• Nara Criteria - Limit Fire Damage To 300 cu ft Or Less

• Pure Volume Made Conventional Fixed Storage Arrays Not Feasible


ARCHIVES II FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEERING ANALYSIS – 1989

• FMRC 1977 Fire Tests Revealed Very Slow Growing Fire Involving Excessive Files Before 1st Sprinklers Operated (Standard Response 286°F)

• FMRC Test 3: First Sprinkler Operated At 48 Min, Fire Had Already Jumped The Access Aisle To Involve Another Carriage

• Newer Technology Quick Response Sprinklers Would Be Expected To Operate When The Fire Reached About Half The Heat Release Rate As Standard Response Sprinklers


ARCHIVES II FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEERING ANALYSIS – 1989

• Employ Newer Technology Electric Motor Drive Carriage System That Shift Units To A Uniform Space Between Carriages Upon Activation Of Fire Alarm Initiation Device (Smoke Detector) “Fire Park” Developed By Spacesaver

• Employ Periodic Longitudinal Barriers In The Arrays For Mechanical Assist (Manual Shift) Storage

Conclusion: Improvements Could Achieve The Rigorous NARA 300 cu ftFire Damage Limit


FULL SCALE FIRE TESTS AT UL – 1989

• Storage Systems And Commodities & Point Of Ignition Match The FMRC Test # 3 In 1977

• Quick Response (RTI 50) 165°F Sprinklers Spaced 10 X 10 Ft

• Nara Criteria 0.30 gpm/sf Density

• Simulated 2 Ft Deep Coffered Ceiling (Ceiling Pockets) Concrete Structure Planned For New Archives II



• Test 1: Simulated Electric Motor Driven With Fire Park Feature With Nominal 5-in Space Between Adjacent Carriages

• Three Sprinklers Operated At 1 ½ Min, Just Under 3 Min And Just Over 3 ½ Min

• Limited Damage To A Portion Of The Center Two Stacks Opposite The Point Of Ignition (Less Than 50 Cu Ft Files Damage)



• Test Simulated Mechanical Assist- One Fixed Aisle And Carriages Positioned Next To Each Other With No Flue Space

• Longitudinal Barrier At Every Other Carriage

• Two Sprinklers Operated At Just Under 14 Min, and Second At 90 Minutes

Limited Damage To A Portion Of The Center Two Stacks Opposite The Point Of Ignition (Less Than 100 Cu Ft Files Damage)


FULL SCALE FIRE TESTS AT UL – 1996 - Phase 2

• Storage Systems And Commodities & Point Of Ignition Match The FMRC Test # 3 In 1977 & 1990 UL Tests, Except One Tier Higher

• Quick Response (RTI 50) 165°F Sprinklers Spaced 10 X 10 Ft

• Simulate Fire Park Feature Adopted For Archives II


FULL SCALE FIRE TESTS AT UL – 1996 - Phase 2

• Test 1: Four Sprinklers Operated

• Damage Limited To Center Units Opposite Point Of Ignition

• Test 2 – Density Reduced From 0.30 To 0.20 Gpm/Sf

• Plastics (Computer Tapes In Polystyrene Containers Consisted Of 5% Of Files

• Four Sprinklers Operated

• Damage Limited To Center Units Opposite Point Of Ignition


NFPRF Small and Full Scale Fire Tests Conducted at UL in 2007 & 2008

• Objective To Determine The Feasibility Of Sprinkler Systems Designed For Light Hazard Commonly Found In Offices, Library Reading Rooms To Protect Mobile Compact Shelving Systems

• Not Intended To Address Archival Records Required To Meet Us Federal Agency (NARA) Rigorous Protection Standards

Compact Mobile Compact Shelving System Fire Testing Project – The National Fire Protection Research Foundation by Schirmer Engineering Corporation April 2008



• Field Surveys Of Typical Mobile Shelving File Storage In Office Type Settings

• Small Scale Calorimeter Testing Determined That 70% Filled Shelving With Files Presented The Most Challenging Fire Loading



• Eight Shelf Unit (8 Ft) High Mobile Compact Storage With One Access Aisle And Storage Units, Carriages Positioned Adjacent To Each Other (No Flue Spaces)

• Ceiling Level Ordinary Temperature Rated, QR Sprinklers Spaced 15 X 15 Ft With Density Of 0.10 gpm/sf (Flow Controlled To Each Operating Sprinkler Limited Flow For 0.10 Density)



• Two Full Scale Tests Completed

• As With Previous Fire Tests Of Mobile Compact Shelving Systems The Fire Development Was Slowed (Compared To More Open Shelving) By The Steel Compartmented Construction Of These Types Of Shelving Systems

• Vertical Barriers Were Found To Help Limit The Spread Along With The Cooling Action Of The Overhead Sprinkler Systems Designed For Light Hazard

• Results And Test Data Served The NFPA 13 Technical Committees To Develop NFPA 13 - 20.6.

BEFORE THE RESEARCH

CODE NFPA 13

2002 Edition

• No mention of Compact Mobile Storage

• Various solutions/approaches in local jurisdictions

2007 Edition

• Chapter 21 Special Occupancy Requirements

• Section 21.36 extracted from NFPA 909 Code for the Protection of Cultural Resource Properties Museums, Libraries, and Places of Worship

BEFORE THE RESEARCH

CODE NFPA 13

2007 Edition

• Design shall recognize fuel loads are large and fire growth significantly

different

• Suppression system, storage system, compartmentalization designed to

limit fire damage per facility's fire safety objectives

• Storage in existing area: Existing detection and suppression modified to

accommodate increased fire loading

AFTER THE RESEARCH

CODE NFPA 13

2010 Edition – Chapter 20 “Special Designs of Storage

Protection”

• Chapter 20 covers special sprinkler system designs for storage protection.

These storage configurations do not fit neatly into the protection criteria

detailed in Chapters 12 through 19. The designs are the result of specific

research and test data that have been provided to support the specific

protection requirements for the unique storage arrangement.

• Section 20.1: Requirements of Chapter 12 apply, unless modified by

this chapter.

AFTER THE RESEARCH

CODE NFPA 13

2010 Edition

• Section 3.9.1.7 Compact Storage (defined)

• Section 3.9.1.8 Compact Storage Module (defined)

• Section 20.6 Compact Storage of Commodities Consisting of Paper Files,

Magazines, Books, and Similar Documents in Folders and Miscellaneous

Supplies with No More Than 5 Percent Plastics up to 8 ft (2.44 m) High

• Section 20.7 Protection of High Bay Records Storage

AFTER THE RESEARCH

CODE NFPA 13

2010 Edition – Section 20.6

• Light Hazard

• Top of storage module: => 18 in. below sprinkler

• Modules: <= 8 ft high

• Commodities: Paper files, magazines, books, & similar documents in

folders & miscellaneous supplies with <= 5 percent plastics

• Sprinklers: Ordinary temperature, quick response, standard spray

upright or pendent

CODE NFPA 13

Section 20.6 (continued)

Size of module: 250 ft2 (23.2

m2)

>= 28 in. (0.7 m) aisle to adjacent storage unit

Storage Unit

28” min

7’-11” ¼

28” min.

13’-10’

2010 EDITION

CODE NFPA 13


Storage module: minimum

solid steel 24 gauge metal

longitudinal barriers installed

every third carriage

Storage Unit

28” min

7’-11” ¼

28” min.

13’-10’

2010 EDITION

CODE NFPA 13


Solid 24 gauge metal

transverse barriers

<= 4 ft (1.2 m) apart

Storage Unit

28” min

7’-11” ¼

28” min.

13’-10’

2010 EDITION

CODE NFPA 13

Module Size = Length of carriage X Width (including aisle)

Module Size = 7’-11¼” X 13’-10”

Module Size =

207.5 sq.ft.

Storage Unit

28” min

7’-11” ¼

28” min.

13’-10’

2010 EDITION

AFTER THE RESEARCH

CODE NFPA 13

2010 Edition – Section 20.7

• Section 20.7.1 Mobile High Bay Records Storage (NOT COMMON)

• Ceiling-only sprinkler protection

• Paper files, magazines, books, & similar paper documents in

corrugated containers (closed or open tops) including corrugated totes

• <= 5 percent plastics

• Mobile shelving > 12 ft (3.7 m) up to 34 ft (10.4 m) & <= 30 shelving

units (tiers) high

• Shelving structure meets all of the requirements of 20.7.3.

2010 EDITION

CODE NFPA 13


• Section 20.7.2 Fixed High Bay Record Storage

• Storage permitted to be fixed when compliant with Section 20.7.1 &

20.7.3

• Section 20.7.3

• Wet pipe sprinkler system

• Nominal K-25.2 (360) ESFR sprinklers

• Minimum operating pressure: 40 psi (2.8 bar)

Summary – NFPA 13CODE NFPA 13

• Commercial Compact Storage• Chapter 20 (Special Sprinkler Designs for Storage Protection)

• 20.6 use light hazard (limited commodity, size, barriers, etc)

• 20.7 Highbay Storage; special product/ protection scheme

• Section 20.1 NFPA-13

• Section 20.1: Requirements of Chapter 12 apply, unless modified by

this chapter.

• NO History of Fire Loss

• Research is available but specific to an application

CEUs: To receive CEUs for this session, scan yourbadge at the back of the room before leaving

Evaluation: Complete a session evaluation on the mobile app. (Search app store for ‘NFPA 2017 C&E.’)

Handouts: Handouts will be available via the mobile app and at nfpa.org/conference

Recordings: Audio recordings of all sessions will be available free of charge via NFPA Xchange.

2017 NFPA CONFERENCE & EXPO