Scot hit the nail pretty squarely on (3) and (4). Basements are very different from upper floors and more challenging for firefighters in that there isn't any way for combustion byproduct to vent, except shafts or other transitional spaces in the buildings. Including and especially stair shafts. Anecdotally, I have heard from firefighters and BC's that visibility is worse, and general conditions more dangerous in basements than elevated fire floors. Hence the conservative requirement for water supply in basements.
Steve Leyton Protection Design & Consulting -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Reza Esmaeili Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 9:09 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Standpipe System Requirements Logic As per NFPA 1 Section 13.2.2.2 & also NFPA 5000 Section 55.4.1: New buildings shall be equipped with a Class I standpipe system installed in accordance with NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems, where any of the following conditions exist: (1) The building is more than three stories above grade. (2) The building is more than 50 ft (15 m) above grade and contains intermediate stories or balconies. (3) The building is more than one story below grade. (4) The building is more than 20 ft (6100 mm) below grade. I would like to know the logic for such requirements, in my opinion, the logics for each item is as below: (1) The building is more than three stories above grade. MY LOGIC: "It is difficult for fire fighters to pull hose to floors above grade more than three stories as it will become heavy weight when water is flowing, that's the logic for three stories limit in NFPA 1 and NFPA 500 also 30 ft. limit in IBC section 905.3.1. (2) The building is more than 50 ft (15 m) above grade and contains intermediate stories or balconies. MY LOGIC: As the building has balconies, so fire fighters can stand there & tolerate to pull longer hose & that's the logic for 50 ft. limit. (3) The building is more than one story below grade. I Don't know why one story limit, why not three stories below grade? (4) The building is more than 20 ft (6100 mm) below grade. I Don't know why! Thanks for sharing your valuable knowledge & experiences in advance. Reza --------------------------------- Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. _______________________________________________ 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) _______________________________________________ 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)
