The worst expected symptoms for humans when concentration of carbon monoxide reaches 1600 parts per million is which of the following: a. no adverse effects for up to 8 hours of exposure b. dizziness after 45 minutes of exposure c. nausea, headache, and dizziness after 20 minutes of exposure d. unconsciousness and danger of death after 10-15 minutes of exposure Solution | Posted 09/16/19
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I had always thought that couplings didn't need to be calculated under NFPA 13, but I'm reviewing a set of calculations which show 1-foot of schedule 40 equivalent for each coupling. This is for a 4-inch main with roll-groove couplings. Any ideas?
Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit Your Question | Subscribe Does anyone else know of other one-piece stainless steel risers besides those made by AMES?
At my company we seem to be experiencing issues with some that are not made in America. Besides AMES, I'm not sure who else makes them. For the sprinkler installers out there, do you prefer installing these components rather than a traditional riser stub out from the ground into the building? Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit Your Question | Subscribe There's a varying degree of specifications out there - but I've never really seen it openly discussed or defended.
Some organizations (such as military, many healthcare clients) require schedule 40 for pipe 1 through 2 inches in diameter. Some engineers hardly compile specifications and place no requirements on the pipe thickness. Some projects only allow schedule 40 or even schedule 80. If you're an engineer, what is your basis for recommending different pipe thicknesses for different clients? Is corrosion the only reason why the thicker pipe diameter is specified for your clients? Would be really interested in understanding the reasoning (one way or another) for specifying different pipe thicknesses on suppression systems. Thanks in advance. Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit Your Question | Subscribe A theater has aisles serving its main seating area. One of the aisles has a stair 49 inches wide, with a wall and handrail on one side and fixed seating on the other. If the handrail has a center-line of 4 inches from the wall, what is the effective width of the stair? a. 35.5 in. b. 41.5 in. c. 43 in. d. 45 in. Solution | Posted 09/11/19
I've used a very low-tier PDF editor and viewer and I'm interested in finding a better solution for viewing, marking up, and measuring basics like distance, perimeters, and areas. There's got to be better software options out there. I've heard of Bluebeam, Adobe and I've used Drawboard on my tablet.
What PDF editor & viewer would you recommend (free and paid) that works well in the design industry? Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit Your Question | Subscribe A new building is to have a wet pipe fire sprinkler system connected to an existing city main. Which of the following tests is not required by NFPA 13 for the fire sprinkler system or underground service? a. flushing test b. hydrostatic test c. main drain test d. water delivery test Solution | Posted 09/10/19
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In-Rack Sprinkler System Control Valve Arrangement:
Concerning the valve arrangement shown in Figure 7.8.2.8.4 (NFPA 13 - 2016): (One preaction valve is used for both ceiling and in-rack sprinklers protecting the same area) In-Rack Sprinkler System Control Valves section in NFPA 13 requires that separate indicating control valves and drains shall be provided and arranged so that ceiling and in-rack sprinkler systems can be controlled independently. Assuming separate detection systems for ceiling sprinkler systems and in-rack sprinkler systems: Is the separate check valve in the Figure 7.8.2.8.4 for ceiling & in-rack required for a single interlock preaction system? Could it be removed? Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit Your Question | Subscribe A continuous membrane with a fire protection rating constructed to limit the spread of fire is which of the following? a. smoke partition b. fire compartment c. fire barrier d. proscenium wall Solution | Posted 09/09/19
Many two-inlet (2 x 2-1/2") fire department connections I'm familiar with and commonly have a single-clapper, where the clapper will swing and cover the inside of the inlet on the side of the FDC not being used to prevent flow out of the other inlet.
Is there any advantage to having a double clapper? One disadvantage I see is that you can't forward-flow test the backflow preventer out the FDC if there are clappers for each inlet. Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit Your Question | Subscribe How does AutoSPRINK compare with HydraList for stocklisting? I know many local fabricators are familiar with the HydraList files and I've used the program for years now, but I've also heard good things about AutoSPRINK - just wanted to know how the two compare from users on the stocklisting side of things.
Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit Your Question | Subscribe A new-construction high-rise is being installed. Where a vertical trash chute has openings into a room on each floor, which of the following is not required? a. The room must not be greater than 400 square feet (37 square meters) b. The chute can be no greater than 24 square feet (2.2 square meters) c. The room may only be used for storage d. The room must have automatic sprinklers Solution | Posted 09/05/19
Does the proximity to a residence and the number of windows make a difference in which system is used (NFPA 13 vs 13R vs 13D)?
What are those requirements that make it change? Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit Your Question | Subscribe Thank you to all forum contributors for August. We're continually seeing an uptick in interest and expertise, and I appreciate your willingness to encourage growth in our industry with your contributions! Here's the top commenters for August:
I'm looking for basic to intermediate online training for means of egress and passive fire protection topics for myself and my team.
Any tips for finding quality continuing education in this arena? We work mostly with the IBC, but occasionally with NFPA 101 as well. Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit Your Question | Subscribe A four-story low-rise senior retirement living facility is being designed without the need for health support services. Which of the following areas, which each serve the entire floor level, does not require a minimum of one-hour fire resistance rating? a. A 300 sqft laundry room b. A 50 sqft trash room c. A 100 sqft storage room d. All of the above Solution | Posted 09/03/19
The Leaderboard lists the top total scores for the most recent three weekly exams for PE Prep Series participants. See the entire scoreboard here. Want to join in? It's not too late - the PE Prep Series is the ultimate PE Prep tool. It's a series of 1-hour, 10-question simulated PE Exams offered weekly with solutions immediately following each exam. Learn more here. Every week of the series is retroactive so you can still test yourself with past week exams
A dormitory has residential rooms which house two students. There is a traditional sleeping area approximately 12 ft x 12 ft, and a hallway with a bathroom and closet in-between the sleeping area and the main corridor.
Separating the sleeping area and the unit hallway is an opening about the size of a door opening (but with no door). This project is still in design. How shallow would the header on this opening need to be (distance from the ceiling), in order to avoid requiring a smoke detector in the sleeping area and the hallway? Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit Your Question | Subscribe For those that do freelance design, what avenues would you recommend to get professional liability insurance? I would think there'd be some insurers that understand our industry more than others, which could be a better starting point than googling insurance brokers.
I'm in the same boat for healthcare too - do you go with the open marketplace or are there any trade groups that offer group plans (like an NFSA or AFSA)? Just looking for starting points to make sure I vet all avenues. Thanks in advance for any input. Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit Your Question | Subscribe Annual inspection of wet barrel hydrants must include all of the following except: a. verify marking of hydrant b. verify outlet thread condition c. verify access to hydrant d. verify cracks in hydrant barrel Solution | Posted 08/30/19
Does anyone have good resources (articles, design guidance) for fire suppression systems protecting new marijuana grow facilities?
Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit Your Question | Subscribe When there's a cloud ceiling that requires sprinklers above and below, how does that play out in the hydraulic calculations? NFPA 13 23.4.4.5 implies that we should only include the upright heads at the ceiling and exclude the pendants in the floating clouds from the remote area calculations. Do you think that's the right call?
Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit Your Question | Subscribe Consider the following fire hydrant flow tests conducted at the same elevation: Test A: 75 psi Static, 60 psi Residual at 1,200 gpm Test B: 65 psi Static, 60 psi Residual at 1,800 gpm Test C: 70 psi Static, 45 psi Residual at 1,200 gpm Which of the following is true? a. Test A would provide better pressure than Test B for a 1,500 sqft Light Hazard sprinkler system. b. Test A would provide better pressure than Test B for a 3,000 sqft ESFR sprinkler system. c. Test B would always provide better pressure than Test C for any type fire sprinkler system. d. Both a and c. Solution | Posted 08/28/19
Our project has a proposed layout includes convenience stairs next to a corridor that serves restrooms, utility spaces, and doors to large open office areas. It's a B-occupancy subject to NFPA 101 requirements.
As a side note, the International Building Code (2018) makes it clear that two-story openings are permitted in occupancies other than I-2 and I-3 when they meet certain limitations, per section 712.1.9. One of the limitations it that is it not open to a corridor, but that's in Group I or R occupancies only. Group I and R occupancies require special treatment for corridors. NFPA 101 has similar provisions for Convenience Openings (Section 8.6.9). One of the requirements is that "such openings shall be separated from corridors", per section 8.6.9.1(3). If corridors in a building are not required to be separated (such as for an open-office B occupancy), does this requirement still apply, or is this section saying that we have to have rated corridors whenever we have convenience stair openings? 8.6.9 Convenience Openings. 8.6.9.1 Where permitted by Chapters 11 through 43, unenclosed vertical openings not concealed within the building construction shall be permitted as follows: (1) Such openings shall connect not more than two adjacent stories (one floor pierced only). (2) Such openings shall be separated from unprotected vertical openings serving other floors by a barrier complying with 8.6.5. (3)* Such openings shall be separated from corridors. (4)* In other than approved, existing convenience openings, such openings shall be separated from other fire or smoke compartments on the same floor. (5) In new construction, the convenience opening shall be separated from the corridor referenced in 8.6.9.1(3) by a smoke partition, unless Chapters 11 through 43 require the corridor to have a fire resistance rating. (6)* Such openings shall not serve as a required means of egress. Posted anonymously for discussion. Discuss This | Submit Your Question | Subscribe |
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