This question would be good for the seismic bracing experts in the group: NFPA 13 and ASCE/SEI 7 address the Component Response Modification Factor (Rp) as a ductility of the system. It comes into play when determining the seismic design force using the ASCE/SEI 7 method (not the simplified method used in NFPA 13).
NFPA 13 states several times that this factor (Rp) is 4.5 for steel systems (NFPA 13-2016 A.9.3.5.9.1 and E.3). The only mention of plastic pipe systems is in Annex E.3 where it states an Rp value of 4.5 for "high-or limited-deformability piping with joints made by threading, bonding, compression couplings, or grooved couplings", and an Rp value of 1.5 for "low-deformability piping such as cast iron and non-ductile plastics". Is a Response Modification Factor of 1.5 suitable for CPVC pipe? Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit a Question | Subscribe
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NFPA 13 (2016 Section 7.1.2 or 2019 Section 30.3.1) requires a relief valve on all wet pipe systems. The only exemption is where air reservoirs are installed to absorb pressure increases, then a relief valve isn't required.
This seems straightforward but I don't recall seeing independent relief valves on the far majority of the wet pipe systems I've come across. How is this requirement typically met from a design standpoint? Am I missing something or looking in the wrong place? Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit a Question | Subscribe If you have an open ceiling (both corridor and adjacent rooms), with a lot of ductwork and plumbing hugging the deck that may cause issues for sprinkler discharge, can you consider it obstructed construction and move the upright sprinkler 22" down from the deck to help avoid the obstructions? (Per NFPA 8.6.4.1.2)
No ceiling tile, ordinary hazard, not large beams either. Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit a Question | Subscribe Is there ever a requirement to have additional valves on either side of a fire sprinkler backflow preventer assembly (which includes two vales already)?
My understanding is that if the center backflow body needs to be replaced, it can be replaced by closing the valves that are part of the assembly, removing the center body, and replacing it with the same model center body as the original backflow preventer. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe this still retains the listing of the backflow preventer. Had a review comment for a project in Illinois that an additional OS&Y valve is required on either side of the backflow preventer, which is in addition to the ones provided with the backflow preventer assembly (Illinois Plumbing Code IPC 890.1130 g 2). To me this doesn't provide any benefit to the system, but only introduce additional repair/failure points and provides two more possible locations where the system could be put out of service. Have you ever seen this before? Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit a Question | Subscribe If a light hazard room is 13 feet x 13 feet, and a k5.6 pendent sprinkler is located seven feet from two of the walls, what is the sprinkler area used for hydraulic calculations?
In short, to determine the minimum flow from a sprinkler in multiplying the area by the required density, is the actual area of the room used (13'-0" x 13'-0" = 169 sqft) or is it computed the same as the maximum area of coverage for a sprinkler by doubling the furthest distance from adjacent walls [(7'-0" x 2) x (7'-0" x 2) = 196 sqft)]? For a room like this with a K5.6 sprinkler k-factor, it would make a difference between delivering 19.6 gpm to a room (0.1 gpm/sqft x 196 sqft) and 16.9 gpm to a room (0.1 gpm/sqft x 169 sqft). Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit a Question | Subscribe The other day there was a good discussion on pipe that can run within the open-webbing of steel joists.
Is there a good rule of thumb or any references to determine how long a pipe can be to fit within the joists? I'm wondering if there's some tool or resource that says for 16" joists that has 2" web spaced at 4 feet, I can use only a 10.5 foot pipe length. It may not exist, just curious if it does already in some fashion. Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit a Question | Subscribe Concerning fire flow, you mentioned that the IFC is based on the ISO Method, how close are they and can you provide any more background on that?
If a building meets IFC, would you expect it score very well under an ISO evaluation? Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit a Question | Subscribe NFPA 13 requires closely spaced sprinklers with a draft curtain around unenclosed moving stairways, staircases, or similar unenclosed floor openings which are not large (20 feet or more across and 1000 sqft or greater), as an alternative to the enclosure of the vertical opening (NFPA 13 8.15.4.1 in 2016 and 9.3.5.1 in 2019).
This seems to jive with NFPA 101, but where does it come into play with the International Building Code? As a sprinkler designer I want to be cognizant of situations where closely spaced sprinklers and draft curtains are necessary, but would they only surface as an AHJ-approved code alternative by IBC 104.11 (Alternative materials, design and methods)? Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit a Question | Subscribe For a flight simulator inside a larger building, what sprinkler density do you feel would be appropriate for this hazard?
The simulator will be its own contained unit, so the top will likely shield water spray from sprinklers above and prevent water penetration to the inside, much like a vehicle fire would in a parking garage. NFPA 13 does not address simulators, nor does UFC 3-600-01 or FM Data Sheets (as far as I can tell). In my opinion the closest hazard I can gather would be vehicles in a parking garage which carry an Ordinary Hazard Group 1 designation under NFPA 13 (2016) 5.3.1 and A.5.3.1. Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss this | Submit a Question | Subscribe A dry manual standpipe is being routed as a retrofit on the outside of a building. The dry standpipe will have short runs on top of the existing flat roof based on the layout and existing systems within the building.
What is the most prudent way to protect this pipe? I'm concerned about direct exposure to the sun and rain. At a minimum we will have a couple coats of epoxy paint over primer, but I suspect that even the paint will wear down and required new coats at some point in the future. Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss this | Submit a Question | Subscribe Still in the design phase for a new dry pipe fire sprinkler system retrofit into an existing attic space. Due to the existing arrangement of the building it may be significantly easier to route a portion of the system exposed to the outside.
My only concern with doing so, along with ensuring that the exterior of the exposed pipe is well protected, would be the potential difference in temperature between a cooler outside and a potentially much warmer attic. Would condensation not build-up when the cooler outside cools the pipe as it enters the warmer attic? I may be overthinking this, but how best could I address potential condensation concerns in a scenario like this? Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Submit a Question | Subscribe What do you recommend as the best route when routing fire sprinkler branch pipe for projects with open-web joists?
Advantages (to me) to routing within joists can be higher ceiling elevations, potentially avoiding conflicts with ducts or other systems, and potentially allowing higher clearances below the pipe for vehicles or moving equipment. Disadvantages (to me) seem to include the difficulty of getting the pipe up and into the joist (depending upon the length of the pipe and the opening size in joists), potentially mis-aligning joists that can't allow a straight run, and potentially running into solid girders if all of the structure isn't open-webbed. What are your thoughts? Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Submit a Question | Subscribe A basic question from a non-ITM guy: is the hydrostatic 200 psi or 50 psi over working pressure test simply achieved by hooking up a mobile pump to the system and gauging for pressure loss and visual leakage?
I have not witnessed one of these myself, and wondered if a system design usually would incorporate an extra small outlet for this test or if it's just connected to a main end-cap or something similar. Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Submit a Question | Subscribe I was needing a little help validating the methodology for fire flow requirements in my city. They do not allow you to verify fire flow per a fire hydrant flow test.
Our city always uses hydraulic calculations (a hydraulic model) to determine acceptable flow in an area. However, in their hydraulic model they always assume that the water usage that day is 19,000,000 million gallons which was established by taking the highest usage in the history of our community of all time, which occurred in 2012 when we had 30 plus days of 100 degree weather of 18M gallons and adding a 1 Million to that. Our average daily usage in our community is around 10 to 11 million gallons per day. Anyway, the local engineers say that methodology is consistent with the International Fire code. What are your thoughts? I would love to understand what the IFC requires. Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Submit a Question | Subscribe Residential single-family dwelling is getting an NFPA 13D sprinkler system with a pump and water storage tank.
Is the test line required to be routed to the exterior, or can it be run back to the water storage tank? I've seen it both ways but don't see an applicable code section. Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Submit a Question | Subscribe Does anyone have experience with a mamava (mobile lactation room/pod) being placed in a commercial business occupancy?
The square footage is approximately 50 sqft. It is composed of only Class A rated materials (flame spread index). From a practical perspective it does not make sense to me to drop a sprinkler in. However, I'm hard-pressed finding an exemption from code (NFPA 13 or 101) to not sprinkler the space since it's inhabitable and not a bathroom or closet (which I know they are exceptions for sprinklering based on size). Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Submit a Question | Subscribe We have an AHJ that is requiring a sprinkler be located in a grease exhaust duct - but I'm finding it difficult to see where this would be required (reviewed NFPA 96 and 13).
The duct serves a Type I kitchen hood, has an Ansul suppression system, and then has a roughly 45 foot run to exhaust to the outside. We haven't come across a requirement for a duct run like this before, is it required? Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Submit a Question | Subscribe A garage within a small commercial building has radiant heat only. Since radiant heaters do not warm the air but rather only any physical object that is in the direct path of heat transfer, I've never relied upon them for maintaining correct temperature around a fire sprinkler system.
Have you used radiant heat to maintain temperature in a wet system? NFPA 13 (2016 Edition) 8.16.4.1.1 calls for temperature reliably maintained at or above 40 degrees F (4 deg C) for a wet system, which I would not believe would be the case for radiant heat. Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Submit a Question | Subscribe Where can I find information on how much flow each type of fire department connection can handle (siamese, 4" Storz, or 5" Storz)? Is this provided in a standard, or manufacturers data?
Also, does just about every fire department have the ability to connect to Storz? I've heard from many departments that the FDC type depends on the flow of the building, which leads me to believe that many departments can connect to any type of FDC. Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Submit a Question | Subscribe I work for an engineering consultant and we often do work directly with university and healthcare clients that expect an estimate as part of the deliverable package.
I typically track square footage costs whenever I receive them (on past projects), but even that is rare. I've since transitioned to using RS Means unit cost pricing and adjusting for location and historical cost increases. For others doing cost estimation, have you found relative accuracy using RS Means? Are there other estimating providers that are better suited for cost estimating in our industry? Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Submit a Question | Subscribe Does anyone have successful experience with routing a fire sprinkler drain and/or inspector's test to a mop sink?
I have a client that has a 12" deep mop sink in a janitor's closet which the contractor is asking to as the discharge for an inspector's test. I suspect that with the pressures on the system (~120 psi) and a typical 1/2" orifice, that the flow will be roughly 60 gpm (=5.6 x sqrt (120)). We are recommending a 4" plumbing standpipe to accept the inspector's test if a drain riser can't be routed to the exterior separately. What are your thoughts? Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Submit a Question | Subscribe We traditionally have specified closed wye-delta transition starters for electric fire pumps on our projects. The fire pumps typically consist of horizontal split-case electric pumps between 500 and 1,500 gpm.
In the past, we've felt that the closed wye-delta starter offered a good balance of cost (less than soft-start but more than open delta wye) against the impact it has on backup generator sizing (helps generators size more than an open-wye delta but not as much as soft start). Is soft-start still significantly more expensive than delta-wye closed transition starters? I am hearing that the cost of soft-starters may have come down significantly and we try to be open-minded to what the industry is offering if we're in the wrong. Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Submit a Question | Subscribe For hydraulic safety factors (such as in fire sprinkler systems), determining whether a 5 psi safety factor is met in a design is easy. The Available Pressure must be greater than Required Pressure + 5 PSI.
However, for percentage safety factors such as 5% or 10%, is the percentage calculated based on the Required Pressure or Available Pressure? As an example, if we have a system that requires 80 psi and the available city pressure of 88 psi, a 10% safety factor on the required pressure would be 80 psi x 10% = 8 psi safety required. In this case the minimum is met. However, a 10% safety factor on the available pressure is 88 psi x 10% = 8.8 psi safety required. In this case, the safety factor is not met. This is an extreme example, but I'm curious what others would use when looking at determining safety factors. Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Submit a Question | Subscribe A laundry room for a hotel contains large commercial dryers. These dryers appear to have internal fire suppression systems that require a 3/4-inch water hookup with a flexible hose.
Based just on the 3/4-inch threaded hookup and flexible hose, I would presume this connection should be by domestic water, but I wanted to ask if anyone provides connections like these from the fire sprinkler system? Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Submit a Question | Subscribe I'm working on an 1880's masonry four story historic building that currently has no fire sprinkler system. We're looking to retrofit a fire sprinkler system and we're looking into any and all ideas for concealing the pipe but keeping the historic charm.
This building itself has concrete beams with 'tin' ceilings in-between. We're considering building down false beams, furring out entire walls, and potentially soffits to help conceal pipe. For those who have complete sprinkler retrofit designs for historic buildings, what tips or methods have you used to make your projects successful? Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Submit a Question | Subscribe |
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