SFPE Research foundation is doing research on this. You can contact
Kathleen Almand at [EMAIL PROTECTED] for more information on the issue and
test. As I recall there is justifiable concern but not definitive. As an
AHJ you don't have a strong leg to say no as it's not addresses in Code
specifically. However, you can work off IFC 102.8 and 102.7 to require
testing or a standard that shows this is compliant, which doesn't exist.
The other angle with ESFR is the obstructions. You can't meet the rules
because of the fan blades never mind the blowing air problem.
>From the testing by GE Gap Services:
Test 1 was conducted on 15 ft (4.6 m) high palletized storage of a Group A
plastic commodity (see Figure 1) positioned so that the iginition was
located between four ceiling sprinklers with the movable ceiling located 25
ft (7.6 m) above the floor (see Figures 2 and 3). The sprinklers were 286°F
(141°C) rated, K-11.2 with a standard response operating link, on a 8 ft x
10 ft (2.44 m x 3.05 m) spacing. The sprinklers were arranged to operate at
a flowing pressure of 18.4 psi upon activation creating a density of 0.60
gpm/ft² (24.42 L/min/m²). Ignition was accomplished while the fan was moving
air in the downward direction at the fifty percent (50%) power setting. The
first sprinkler operated at three minutes twenty-six seconds (3:26) after
ignition and the fan power was shut off and the fan was allowed to coast to
as stop. A total of seventy-three (73) ceiling sprinkler operated between
3:26 and 7:35 (see Figure 4). The test was terminated eight minutes after
ignition. The posttest observation and analysis of the test array indicates
that the fire spread to the extremities of the test array (see Figure 5).
The second and third tests were conducted on 12 ft (3.7 m) high palletized
storage of a Class II commodity (see Figure 1) positioned so that the
iginition was located between four ceiling sprinklers with the movable
ceiling located 22 ft (6.7 m) above the floor (see Figures 6 and 7). The
sprinklers were 155°F (68°C) rating, K-5.6 with a standard response
operating link, on a 10 ft x 12 ft (3.05 m x 3.7 m) spacing. The sprinklers
were arranged to operate at a flowing pressure of 18.4 psi upon activation
creating a density of 0.20 gpm/ft² (8.14 L/min/m²).
Test No. 2 was a baseline test and the fan was not used. Ignition was
accomplished and the first sprinkler operated at one minute fourteen seconds
(1:14) after ignition. A total of twenty-one (21) ceiling sprinkler operated
between 1:14 and 3:40 (see Figure 8). The test was terminated thirty minutes
after ignition. The posttest observation and analysis of the test array
indicates that the fire did not spread to the extremities of the test array
(see Figure 9).
Test No. 3 had the fan in operation. Ignition was accomplished while the fan
was moving air in the downward direction at the fifty percent (50%) power
setting. The first sprinkler operated at one minute fifty-seven seconds
(1:57) after ignition and the fan power was secured at that time. A total of
twenty-six (26) ceiling sprinkler operated between 1:57 and 3:51 (see Figure
10). The test was terminated thirty minutes after ignition. The post test
observation and analysis of the test array indicates that the fire spread to
the extremities of the test array (see Figure 11).
High Volume/Low Speed Fans and Sprinkler Discharge
Based on some exploratory testing by GE Gap Services, the Foundation has
been asked to develop a project to explore the effects of these fans, common
in industrial occupancies, on sprinkler discharge. A planning meeting is
scheduled for January 15 at the Foundations headquarters in Quincy. For
more information on the outcome of this meeting and project plans, contact
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Chris Cahill, P.E.
Fire Protection Engineer
Sentry Fire Protection, Inc.
763-658-4483
763-658-4921 fax
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Mail: P.O. Box 69
Waverly, MN 55390
Location: 4439 Hwy 12 SW
Waverly, MN 55390
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2008 1:14 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: High Volume Ceiling Fans & Warehousing
Dave:
Here are some links. I think it unlikely that you are the "only guy..."
That cliche is used so often it is a dog that just won't hunt.
http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files//PDF/Research/Research_Plan.PDF
Here is one you mentioned:
http://www.nfpa.org/publicJournalDetail.asp?categoryID=1584&itemID=38656&src
=NFPAJournal
Yours,
Bruce V.
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Dave Phelan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Good evening all,
>
> Im looking for some field experiences or even fire losses / saves where
> sprinkler protected warehousing also contains ceiling fans known as HV/LS
or
> high-volume / low speed. These fans can span 24 feet in diameter and
> produce downdrafts of +300,000 cubic feet / minute.
>
> I was inspecting an ESFR system in a high pile warehouse and noticed the
> fans and took an interest in them for their potential impact on sprinkler
> operation or performance. I've done some phone calls back and forth with
> the manufacturer and sales people, even an engineer or two. So far there
is
> just two sides of the story:
>
> I see this large downward airflow as being a potential delay or impairment
> to initial head operation and therefore an AHJ problem. The other side
sees
> this as not a problem because they have mustered an NFPA 'approval' since
> they allegedly do not violate the obstruction rules. There also is an
> article in this months NFPA journal on these fans and some preliminary
> testing.
>
> Naturally the manufacturer is quick to point out these fans are installed
> 'everywhere' and Im the only guy raising his concerns .... so since they
are
> everywhere I'd like to hear about other people's experiences with them.
>
> Thanks group.
>
> Dave P.
> An AHJ in NJ
>
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