Joe, I have briefly followed this topic so I am not up to date on all of the threads. A majority of the hops that the US uses are grown and stored in the Yakima Valley, I have designed numerous systems in hops storage warehouses. After hops are processed they are bailed in burlap bags approx. 7'x2'x2' and floor stacked to 20'. Our client uses FM Global for their insurance, fortunately FM came up with the design criteria, up until last year they classified it as a Class III with a density of .21/2600, last year they changed the density to a .30/2600. All of the systems are single interlocked pre-action, the hops industry is very anti water damage, they would almost rather see their buildings burn down than have accidental water. Based on last years prices a 12,500 sq. ft building contained about 15-20 million in product. Hops are like hay, certain species will spontaneous ignite if bailed green.
Just thought I would share a little Jim Johnston, P.E. Fire Protection Engineer Inland Fire Protection, Inc 1100 Ahtanum Road Yakima, WA 98903 Phone 509-248-4471 Fax 509-248-1180 [email protected] -----Original Message----- From: Joe Burtell [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 12:47 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Barley It's for making beer, good idea, so I don't think it's used for a solid fuel. Even at a class IV it's misc. storage and only .20/1500. I can't wait for the install to start so I can check the job site every day at 4 to make sure things are going fine ;) -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 1:21 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Barley Barley can be mixed with pea coal and used as a solid fuel for heating or cooking. It is considered a combustible solid with flash points ranging from 400-500F. Once it's processed and packaged for shipping it has a low moisture content of around 12% by weight. So it will burn, and once the packaging is breached it becomes a free flowing commodity. The PE bags are for moisture control, the material is temperature and humidity sensitive while in storage. Too high of either or both and it will spoil and promote insect growth within the bags. 70 degrees or less is the limit for room temperatures, lower is preferred. Per NFPA 13, Barley in cartons is Class III (Table A.5.6.3, 2007-NFPA 13). The assumption being that the carton can absorb water. With the plastic packaging you don't have that advantage and when heated the plastic bags may open, spilling the contents. Craig L. Prahl, CET Fire Protection Specialist Mechanical Department CH2MHILL Lockwood Greene 1500 International Drive PO Box 491, Spartanburg, SC 29304-0491 Direct - 864.599.4102 Fax - 864.599.8439 [email protected] http://www.ch2m.com -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Thom McMahon Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 2:12 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Barley Might want to talk to James @ TYCO and see if he's ever done a burn on this type of product and container. (Bag) If not who knows maybe he'd like to do one. I know he's always up for burning new stuff. Thom McMahon, SET Firetech, Inc. 2560 Copper Ridge Dr P.O. Box 882136 Steamboat Springs, CO 80488 Tel: 970-879-7952 Fax: 970-879-7926 -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Joe Burtell Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 10:07 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Barley The bags are made of Polyethylene and Polypropylene, the bags weigh 10 lbs. and the overall weight is 2500 lbs. It does not meet 5.6.3.4.1 (3) so I would say it is still a class III. Any thoughts? Best regards, Joe Burtell, SET, CFPS _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
