Very good points Joe. Not having been involved with real life empirical
testing, I was not able to address the important issues you brought up. It
is apparent that an EH-1 density did not work nor did the ESFR. That is
extremely interesting. These candles would of course be stored or racked
for shipment or inventory and could result in the same sort of scenario you
describe. What do you think that Mr. Phelan should require as the AHJ?
Thank You
Rahe Loftin, P.E.
Region 7 - GSA
Office - 817-978-7299
Fax - 817-978-8644
Cell - 817-371-3102
"Joe Hankins"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED] To
ast.net> [email protected]
Sent by: cc
sprinklerforum-bo
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject
er.org Re: Classification of Wax Candle
Manufacturing
05/04/2007 09:58
AM
Please respond to
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
resprinkler.org
Flash point adresses only the relative ease of ignition of a flammable
liquid, not what happens after it is ignited. It's what happens after
ignition that affects the sprinkler design. If you were talking about
wax, and only wax, what you say is true. But if you have any other
ordinary combustibles that can be ignited it can melt the wax, forming
a small puddle that is readily ignited, , then it's an entirely
different story. Heat feedback takes over and you have a flammable
liquid pool fire firethat grows exponentially. .
It's very similar to what happens with polyurethane, except polyurethane
has a higher melting point.
Two of the more spectacular fire test failures I saw at FM were wax
candles in cardboard cartons. One had a 0.30 density, the other was
protected with ESFRs. The end results in both were similar: an
uncontrolled fire.
Joe
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>Scott,
>I am not sure that EH-2 would be prudent. The wax would not be heated
>anywhere near its flashpoint as this would inhibit the manufacturing
>operation. The flashpoint of paraffin is close to its autoignition
>temperature. Paraffin is not as onerous as one would be led to believe.
A
>glance at the MSDS for paraffin reveals that its melting point is 47 C to
>65 C and its flashpoint is 199 C closed cup and 235 C open cup.
>Autoignition temperature is 245 C. As you can see there is quite a bit of
>difference between the melting temperature and the flashpoint temperature.
>If the tenant space is heating this paraffin to its flashpoint, they are
>using way more energy than necessary and the result will not be useful to
>them.
>
>I suggest that Mr. Phelan download an MSDS or procure one from the tenant
>for the wax they are using. As an aside, bees wax and paraffin are quite
>different. Bees wax has a melting point of 145 C, a flashpoint of 470 C
>and an autoignition temperature of 520 C and does not produce soot when it
>burns.
>
>Thank You
>
>Rahe Loftin, P.E.
>Region 7 - GSA
>Office - 817-978-7299
>Fax - 817-978-8644
>Cell - 817-371-3102
>
>
>
>
>
> "Scott Mitchell"
> <[EMAIL PROTECTED] To
> o.com> [email protected]
> Sent by: cc
> sprinklerforum-bo
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject
> er.org Re: Classification of Wax Candle
> Manufacturing
>
> 05/03/2007 09:27
> PM
>
>
> Please respond to
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> resprinkler.org
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Regarding the manufacturing portion - if the wax is heated to a
temperature
>at or above its flashpoint AND it is not a closed process (open vats or
>something), then EH-II would be prudent.
>
> J. Scott Mitchell, P.E.
>
>David Phelan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Greetings ...
>
>Could anyone offer some ideas on the Occupancy Classification for a 3,000
>tenant space in a sub-divided industrial building where the tenant takes
>blocks of parrafin wax and after heating, coloring, processing, and such
>makes finished candles for mail order shipment.
>
>The design professional is indicating that this is an OH-2 and is choosing
>.2 gpm/ft over 1500 for his design curve. This limits the storage height
to
>5 feet which will be a matter for later enforcement ..... Using the
>appendix the commodity classification makes it a Group A plastic, but if
>they went occupancy classification since its under 12 foot storage wouldnt
>this be closed to an Extra 1 class?
>
>Any thoughts or experiences to relate ?
>
>Dave P.
>An AHJ in NJ
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