This whole thread highlights once more the need for someone to answer these sorts of questions prior to the project going out to bid - but most all reading this know that. This thread REALLY highlights a situation where the average person (MEs included) would ASSUME sprinklers are required below these clouds, but in reality - if they're more than 18" below the ceiling heads - additional protection MAY not be required by NFPA 13-'02 section 8.5.5.
More specifically, 8.5.5.3 would allow the omission of sprinklers below clouds located more than 18" beneath the ceiling heads - even if the clouds were 3' x 3' and spaced 6" apart throughout the room. Something about this situation doesn't sit right with me. If this situation (or Chuck's) ever came to litigation and no protection was provided below the clouds, wouldn't the lawyers point to 8.5.1.2? This section states "Sprinklers shall be positioned... consistent with the overall objectives of this standard..." This statement seems just vague enough to cause trouble for those only looking at 8.5.5.3. As an "engineer of record" I will certainly use that section (8.5.1.2) as justification for providing sprinklers below clouds that may not need them by 8.5.5.3. At least until full scale testing and loss history teaches us something different. Mark A. Sornsin, PE Fire Protection Engineer Ulteig Engineers, Inc. Fargo, ND 701.280.8591 [EMAIL PROTECTED] -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Matthew J. Willis Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2007 7:55 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Ceiling Clouds throughout Band / Choir Room Maybe I am missing something..??? Anyone consider 8.5.5? R/ Matt Matthew J. Willis Living Water Fire Protection, LLC. 1160 McKenzie Rd. PO Box 877 Cantonment, FL. 32533 850-937-1850 Voice 850-937-1852 Facsimile [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
