The hot topic of AFFFs and PFOS. Where is the requirement stating foam must be used for fire protection for a diesel generator inside a building?
We're looking to eliminate the need for foam instead of replacing it with "fluorine" free foam. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
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I am designing the sprinklers for a building with unusual seismic criteria (it's designed to be seismically resilient and "floats" on seismic isolators).
The structural drawings note that design should be in accordance with ASCE 7-16 equation 13.3-4: Fp = ai ap Wp Ax / (Rp / Ip) I see from NFPA 13 (2022) appendix E that the simplified method is based on ASCE 7-16 equation 13.3-1. Do you think the NFPA 13 simplified bracing method can still be applied/adapted to this alternate equation (without hiring a structural engineer)? Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe Can a company who is licensed in the installation of fire sprinkler systems perform the acceptance testing of the system or does that company need to be licensed to perform testing and inspections?
Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe Can ESFR K-Factors be different within the same area, just at different roof elevations? The roof elevations here are dictating different design requirements. We have multiple ESFR sprinkler systems throughout a new building. The building has two different roof elevations, 38'-4" for the majority of the building, 43'-4" on remainder. We're under NFPA 13-2019 Edition.
The Contractor is wanting to use K-16.8 pendents at 52 psi at the low roof. K-25.2 at 40 psi at the high roof. One sprinkler system will cover the area where the roof steps, with two design areas (high/low roof). The outer thirds of the building separating the roof elevations will have full height concrete tilt-up walls. The center third only has a large open girder truss, with nothing stopping heat from traveling between the low and high roof. Section 7.2.2.6 says ESFR K-factor shall be selected for appropriate hazard. Sections 20.6.2.6 & 23.6.2 indicate ESFR shall be based on building height (amongst other things). Section 23.1.2 for Draft curtains, only reference the adjacent system with standard response sprinklers, not ESFR with different K factors. Section 27.2.4.9.2 says K-factors can't be mixed "for the purpose of minimizing sprinkler over discharge" (consolidated), which is not the case in this scenario. The Roof elevations are dictating the different design requirements. The K-25.2 sprinklers could be used throughout, but the low roof would only require 25 psi and the high roof 40 psi. However, there is a large cost savings going with the K-16.8 sprinkler for the majority of the building, along with additional storage allowance of exposed nonexpanded plastics. My thinking says that there should be some kind of draft stop at the girder truss/roof step to collect the heat, separating the two K-factor/roof elevations, but I am not finding a code reference that dictates it. Any input will help. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe NFPA 20 is pretty clear on the orientation of the eccentric reducer on the suction (upstream) side of a fire pump.
But the diagrams seem to suggest that the diagonal slope (not the flat side) of the eccentric reducer is always on the bottom. Is this true even when the supply is being fed from above? For instance, we often have a stub into a fire pump room from the floor, then a vertical backflow preventer, then the feed comes vertically-down and to the fire pump. Which way is correct for the eccentric reducer when the feed is from above? Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe I have an old existing 3 story building with a basement that is being converted into an apartment building. It used to be a small paint factory.
The architect is calling for a NFPA 13R system, which is understandable since it has all the qualifications for 13R. However, about 90% of the building is exposed 2x12 construction sitting on 10x14 wood beams. The only areas designated to get ceilings are the bathrooms and some kitchen soffits. That leaves most of the building having obstructed combustible construction, which creates a whole series of problems. First, I cannot find any residential sprinklers listed for installation below this type of construction. A smooth, flat or sloped ceiling is required for all of them. The AHJ is using the 2019 version of 13R, and Section 6.2.1.3 allows the use of QR sprinklers in dwelling units, but only if there are no more than four sprinklers in the dwelling unit. All of the dwelling units require more than four sprinklers, so it seems to be that I cannot use 13R at all? Could someone please tell me if I am interpreting and applying these code sections correctly? Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe Can an elevator hoistway connecting two adjacent stories be considered a "convenience opening" and avoid a fire resistance rating altogether based on NFPA 5000?
Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe Does a standalone mass notification system (MNS) require a smoke detector in front of the panel for a drug reduction facility?
The facility is 2,100 sqft and houses a minimum of 11 persons. Basically a drug testing and counseling facility. No Fire Alarm required for the building; being governed by UFC 3-600-01 for the US Air Force. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe We have a low-rise building with a manual wet standpipe and a sprinkler system. One combination riser is 6-inch and the other is 4-inch. Standpipes will be Class I.
The calculated sprinkler demand is 195 gpm (Light Hazard). My total manual wet standpipe system demand will be 750 gpm (500 gpm first riser + 250 gpm second riser). Does my fire pump need to accommodate the 750 gpm of the manual standpipe system, since they're interconnected? I know the fire department will handle the standpipe demand, but does the flow rating for the fire pump need to accommodate 750 gpm? I've searched but haven't found specific code references in NFPA 13 or 20 to address this sizing. Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe Shoutout to another great month of collaboration here on the Forum. Here's our Top Contributors for June:
We have a airplane hangar that is over the 2,000 sqft threshold for a residential hangar, which makes it a Group III Hangar.
I'm having a hard time determining what fire suppression system would be necessary - would it be an NFPA 13 system? It's not really clear in NFPA 409. Thanks for any help. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe When should a red tag be issued for exterior rust on a sprinkler system?
The rust has heavy flaking especially around the weld-o-lets. NFPA 25 leaves a vague interpretation and I just need something a little more concrete to make sure we are covering ourselves. Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe |
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