protection of exposed expanded plastics stored in racks
TRANSCRIPT
Protection of Exposed Expanded Plastics Stored in Racks Steven Wolin, P.E. Code Consultants, Inc.
Sprinkler Research Prioritization
• #1 priority in storage and #2 priority overall:
– Protection of Expanded Group A Plastics in Rack Storage
NFPA 13
• Figure 17.1.2.1
Fire Protection Research Foundation Project Team
Sponsors
• IKEA
• Viking Sprinkler
• Reliable Sprinkler
• Tyco Fire and Building Products
• XL Insurance
• Property Insurance Research Group
• Procter & Gamble
• Target
• Aon Insurance
Technical Panel • Ken Linder, Swiss Re • Rich Pehrson, Rep. International
Fire Marshals Association • Jason Huczek, Southwest Research
Institute • John Denhardt, Strickland Fire
Protection • Steve Wolin, Code Consultants, Inc. • Matt Klaus, NFPA Staff Liaison
Project Contractor
• Underwriters Laboratories
www.nfpa.org/foundation Reports
Suppression Applications
New NFPA 13 - 2013 ed. - Chapter 21
• Alternative Sprinkler System Designs for Storage
• Requires series of large scale fire tests – High clear/low clear
– Ignition location relative to sprinklers
• Number of sprinklers used in the design must based on the worst-case result obtained in the full-scale fire test series increased by a minimum of 50% – Minimum of 12 sprinklers for standard coverage
– 768 sf minimum operating area
New NFPA 13 - 2013 ed. - Chapter 21
• Criteria (Section A21.2) – Number of operated sprinklers
– No sustained combustion at the outer edges of the target arrays
– no sustained combustion at the far end of the main test array
– no sprinklers should operate at the outer edges of the installed sprinkler system
– 1000°F (538°C) maximum 1 minute average steel temperature measured above the fire
Approach
• Ceiling only protection
• Vertical barriers to slow horizontal fire spread
• 8 ft aisles
• Large orifice, intermediate temperature sprinklers
• Considered enhanced in-rack sprinkler system
Test 1
• 40 ft ceiling with 20 ft storage (high clearance)
• K22.4 intermediate temperature – Would allow the use of k25.2
– 10 ft spacing; 14 inch below deck
• Nominal 50 psi discharge pressure
• Double-row racks, 32 ft long
• Metal vertical barriers at every 16 ft
• Ignited between 2 sprinklers
Test 1
Test 1: Setup
Test 1: Video
Test 1: Damage
Test 1: Sprinkler Activation (12)
© 2012 Fire Protection Research Foundation
Test 2
• 40 ft ceiling with 20 ft storage (high clearance)
• K25.2 intermediate temperature
– 10 ft spacing; 14 inch below deck
• Nominal 60 psi operating pressure
• Double-row racks, 32 ft long
• Metal vertical barriers at every 16 ft
• Ignited between 2 sprinklers
Test 2
Test 2: Setup
Test 2: Video
Test 2: Damage
Test 2: Damage
Test 2: Sprinkler Activation (6)
© 2012 Fire Protection Research Foundation
Test 3
• 40 ft ceiling with 35 ft storage (low clearance)
• K25.2 intermediate temperature
– 10 ft spacing; 14 inch below deck
• Nominal 60 psi discharge pressure
• Double-row racks, 56 ft long
• Metal vertical barriers at every 16 ft
• Ignited between 2 sprinklers
Test 3
Test 3: Setup
Test 3: Video
Test 3: Damage
Test 3: Damage - Target
Test 3: Sprinkler Activation (10)
© 2012 Fire Protection Research Foundation
Test 5
• 45 ft ceiling with 40 ft storage (low clearance)
• K25.2 intermediate temperature
– 10 ft spacing; 14 inch below deck
• Nominal 60 psi discharge pressure
• Double-row racks, 56 ft long
• Plywood vertical barriers at every 24 ft
• Ignited under 1 sprinkler
Test 5
Test 5: Setup
Test 5: Setup
Test 5: Video
Test 5: Damage
Test 5: Damage - Target
Test 5: Sprinkler Activation (18)
© 2012 Fire Protection Research Foundation
Test 6
• 40 ft ceiling with 30 ft storage
• K25.2 intermediate temperature
– 10 ft spacing; 14 inch below deck
• Nominal 60 psi discharge pressure
• Double-row racks, 56 ft long
• Plywood vertical barriers at every 16 ft
• Ignited under 1 sprinkler
Test 6
Test 6: Setup
Test 6: Video
Test 6: Damage
Test 6: Damage - Target
Test 6: Sprinkler Activation (6/11)
© 2012 Fire Protection Research Foundation
Summary
• Vertical barriers were effective in slowing fire spread
• Limiting factor is fire spread across aisles
• Maximum steel angle temperature at ceiling: 164°F