“ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “

ESFR

Sprinkler Systems

Paul Kennedy

“ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “ “ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “

Evolution of Sprinkler Systems

1870’s Perforated Pipes followed by tar coated perforated pipes

1890’s Temperature Activated Fusible Link Sprinkler with toothed deflector

1920’s Glass Bulb with toothed deflector (Grinnell)

1950’s Development of the ‘Standard’ [or] ‘Spray’ Sprinkler

1970’s In-Rack Sprinkler Protection Introduced

1980’s Development of ESFR Sprinkler by FM for Storage Hazards

“ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “ “ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “

Development ESFR Sprinkler Systems

Residential Sprinkler Research

Project

Large Drop Sprinkler Research

Project

What is required to eliminate In-Rack Sprinkler Protection without increasing the risk to property / life ?

Fast Response Sprinkler

Larger Drops with Higher Kinetic

Energy

ESFR

Early Suppression Fast Response

“ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “ “ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “

Fire Control versus Fire Suppression

Up to the introduction of ESFR Sprinklers, Sprinkler Systems were designed to Control a Fire by limiting it’s size by distribution of water so as to decrease the heat release rate and pre-wet adjacent combustibles, while controlling ceiling gas temperatures to avoid structural damage [NFPA 3.3.11].

Fire Suppression refers to sharply reducing the heat release rate of a fire and preventing its regrowth by means of direct and sufficient application of water through the fire plume to the burning fuel surface [NFPA 3.3.12].

“ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “ “ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “

Comparison of Control & Suppression

“ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “ “ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “

Design Codes and Standards for ESFR

NFPA 13 FM Data Sheet 8-9

LPC Rules Incorporating BS EN 12845

[ TB 209 ]

“ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “ “ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “

New FM Terminology

Old Terminology

CMDA – Control Mode Density Area

CMSA – Control Mode Specific Application

SM – Suppression Mode

ESFR – Early Suppression Fast Response

New Terminology

Storage Sprinkler

Non – Storage Sprinkler

Special Protection

Old Terminology

CMDA – Control Mode Density Area

CMSA – Control Mode Specific Application

SM – Suppression Mode

ESFR – Early Suppression Fast Response

“ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “ “ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “

Choosing the Correct Storage Scheme Determine the highest applicable Commodity Hazard… [FM Data Sheet 8-1]

• Class 1 (Metal Products, Glass Products in corrugated cartons)

• Class 2 (Class 1 products in wooden boxes or small cartons in larger corrugated cartons)

• Class 3 (Paper Products, Leather Products, Wood Products, Textiles)

• Class 4 (Class 1, 2 or 3 with 15% by weight of expanded or unexpanded plastic)

• Cartoned Unexpanded Plastic (High-density Plastic)

• Cartoned Expanded Plastic (Low-density Plastic)

• Uncartoned Unexpanded Plastic • Uncartoned Expanded Plastic

Establish the storage type…

• Solid Piled • Palletized • Shelving • Bin-Box • Open Frame Racks

Apply the appropriate Protection Table in Data Sheet 8 – 9

“ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “ “ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “

Protection Tables Data Sheet 8 - 9

Solid-Piled, Palletized, Shelf, or

Bin-Box Storage Arrangement

Open-Frame Rack Storage

Arrangements

Class 1, 2 and 3 Table 2 Table 7

Class 4 and Cartoned Unexpanded Plastic Table 3 Table 8

Cartoned Expanded Plastic Table 4 Table 9

Uncartoned Unexpanded Plastic Table 5 Table 10

Uncartoned Expanded Plastic Table 6 Table 11

Storage Type

Commodity

10 Protection Tables available in Data Sheet 8 – 9

Commodity Hazard

“ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “ “ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “

Protection Table Data Sheet 8 - 9

Green Areas represent those options for which a reduced hose stream allowance of 950 L / min. and a reduced duration of 1 hour is allowed.

“ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “ “ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “

Comparison Storage to Control Mode Commodity Hazard : Class 3 Storage Type : Open Frame Rack Storage Ceiling Height : 13.5 meters Storage Height : 12.0 meters

Solid-Piled, Palletized, Shelf, or

Bin-Box Storage Arrangement

Open-Frame Rack Storage

Arrangements

Class 1, 2 and 3 Table 2 Table 7

Class 4 and Cartoned Unexpanded Plastic Table 3 Table 8

Cartoned Expanded Plastic Table 4 Table 9

Uncartoned Unexpanded Plastic Table 5 Table 10

Uncartoned Expanded Plastic Table 6 Table 11

Storage Type

Commodity

“ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “ “ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “

Comparison Storage to Control Mode Commodity Hazard : Class 3 Storage Type : Open Frame Rack Storage Ceiling Height : 13.5 meters Storage Height : 12.0 meters

Cei

ling

Hei

ght

= 1

3.5

m

Sto

rage

Hei

ght

= 1

2.0

m

K320 Description Roof &

Rack Storage

K320

Ceiling Area (m2) 186.0

Ceiling Density (L /min. / m2) 12.2

No. In-Rack Sprinklers Operating 10.0

Min. Flow In-Rack (L / min. / Sprinkler) 114.0

No. Sprinklers 12

Sprinkler Head Pressure (bar) 3.5

Hose Allowance (L / min.) 1,900 950

Duration (min.) 120 60

Water Storage Volume (m3) 765 585

“ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “ “ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “

Limitations to Storage Sprinkler

The use of solid shelving (i.e., plywood shelves) > 6.0m2 within storage racks is not allowable, without additional in-rack sprinklers. A minimum of 36” [920mm] must be maintained between the top of storage and the ESFR sprinkler head. Flue spaces between storage pallet loads within storage racks must be maintained. The storage of flammable/combustible liquids is generally not allowed. Certain foam containing products such as unboxed (exposed) furniture within storage racks. Roof vents are generally not allowed unless certain restrictions are met.

“ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “ “ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “

Impact of Obstructions to Storage ESFR systems are very intolerant of obstructions, which may be caused by steel roof supports (trusses), light fixtures, and ductwork. It is critical that no objects between the top of storage and the ceiling-level sprinklers interfere with the sprinkler’s proper discharge pattern. NFPA 8.12.5.3.2

“ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “ “ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “

Inspection, Testing & Maintenance

NFPA 25 FM Data Sheet 2-81 LPC Rules Incorporating BS EN 12845

[ TB 203 ]

“ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “ “ O U R S Y S T E M S D E T E C T, A L E R T, C O N T R O L, E X T I N G U I S H “

THANK YOU