Chris:

Just out of curiosity, I took some calcs I did on various buildings to see
the differences.  These were not AF systems, but just a couple I had on my
computer.  I used a density of 1.07 and a viscosity of 190 cps (based on 50%
propylene glycol at -20F).

The pressure swings ranged from 40-100 psi compared to HW calcs.  I will
admit that it was quite an eye-opener.  I would be interested in hearing
what others of you may find as well.  You can find viscosities for PG at
http://www.lyondell.com/lyondell/techlit/techlit/2514.pdf  The temps to use
can be found in NFPA 13, 2007 A10.5.1. 

Again, there are variables that would come into play.  How do you deal with
solutions that are in heated areas, compared to unheated areas, when the
program (HydraCalc) only allows you to input a single density and viscosity?
What is the clearance time of the AF solution?  Should we not allow QR
reductions for AF solutions?

Anyway, just stuff to ponder on a Friday.

Thanks for all of the help to everyone.  This has been a unique learning
experience.

-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Chris Cahill
Sent: Friday, September 19, 2008 2:05 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: viscosities

Well slow down there partner.  Isn't the code as it stands today about right
on for what we know?  Travis points out a big surprise, to me anyway.  What,
he had a 100 psi difference in the demands pressure.  That ain't fly... in
these part.  Even if DW is academically more pure what does it matter if HW
is 90 or 110 psi differences.  That is still significant.  And we know HW is
based on a certain density of liquid and temperature.  -30 and anti-freeze
ain't it.  DW is a fairly easy tool today.  Sure in 1950 perhaps it was a
bit more cumbersome thus the development of HW and the '60 where it entered
the code.    

The 40 gallons was the annex section on a should keep them below for
maintenance reasons.  Who cares where it comes from really it's a made up
code number at this point.  Like 52,000 sq.ft. or 12" down.  Nothing magical
just a made up limit based on judgment.  And we know judgment is loosely
defined in our field. 

Seems to me until there is testing that actually shows what is happening at
-30 and how fast the anti-freeze clears given testing volumes in the path of
travel we should leave it as is.  If you want to go big (over the arbitrary
40 gallons) here's the penalty.  It's just like the 500 and 750 gallon
limits to dry system.  None of us are old enough to recall if these are
tested number but I bet they are nice round places to cut some things off
based on judgment.       

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 Roland
Huggins
Sent: Friday, September 19, 2008 2:09 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: viscosities

I have also challenged using 40 gal as the trigger point.  The
substantiation said that value was piked because it was where special
calculation were required (remember this was for changing the 07 where there
were NO other calculations thus that was BS).  The old 40 gal was a trigger
for ECONOMICAL considerations between AF and dry pipe which was no longer
valid so deleted.  We need to see at what point it takes too long before the
AF is discharged and we are getting just water out in making the decision on
what size requires the DW.  40 gal is just too bloody small.

We shall see.  Any one smell tar in the air?

Roland


On Sep 19, 2008, at 11:43 AM, Travis Mack, SET wrote:

>
> I think that I will just use this diagram in the future until there is 
> more clarification on the issue from NFPA 13 officials.  This will 
> really impact those of you in the northern part of the country with 
> respect to AF systems40 gallons. The viscosities get way out of hand 
> real quick at those lower temps.

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