Bob: I agree, Bob. My dear friend John Drucker would be disappointed in me for forgetting about the ability of the building code in providing such prescriptive alternatives. My intent was to just make the distinction between a sprinkler actually tested against ASTM E119 and a regular spray sprinkler that is not; that a listed window sprinkler would serve as a direct equivalent as an opening protective, compared to fire rated glazing, where a regular spray sprinkler used for such applications would require some prescriptive requirement assigned by the building code (or NFPA standards), as you mention. I welcome your comment, as it suits the purpose of this forum which is to learn from each other. Believe me, I am not looking to push something I cannot sell!!
Best Regards, Salvatore J. Izzo, P.E. SFPE Manager - Reliable Technical Services ________________________________________ From: [email protected] [[email protected]] On Behalf Of Bob Caputo [[email protected]] Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 4:11 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Window sprinklers Sal, I am not challenging your knowledge or expertise, and while I agree that window sprinklers are tested for this specific application, the use of sprinklers in lieu of rated construction materials is really a building code issue where the atrium section permits closely spaced sprinklers in lieu of the rated glass. It doesn't prescribe a specific sprinkler in terms of a listing, nor does it prescribe a deluge water curtain... in fact, it doesn't specify sprinklers on both sides of the glass. So wouldn't the answer to Mr. Thomson's original question simply be that it's up to the requirements of the local AHJ in each case where sprinklers are used in lieu of rated glass? Please know I am not looking to argue - just looking to be clear or to verify that I've misunderstood this code allowance for years. Best regards, Bob Caputo, CFPS, CET 657 Cantara Lane, Vista, CA 92081 -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Sal Izzo (TECH- 103) Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 12:06 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Window sprinklers In answering this question, one must first ask if there is fire resistance rating required to be maintained with this installation. Only listed window sprinklers are tested and listed to provide an actual fire resistance rating for glazing. This is because these sprinklers are tested in accordance with the ASTM E119 standard for fire resistance. If the glazing is located in a fire rated assembly, like a rated corridor wall, the fire resistance must be maintained for the opening protective. Therefore, if sprinklers were to be used for this purpose in lieu of fire rated glazing, the listed window sprinklers must be used. In addition to the testing for the fire rating, the positioning of the sprinklers relative to the glazing is also test specific, as this ensures all areas of the are wetted. This does not apply to regular spray sprinklers. Regards, Salvatore J. Izzo, P.E. SFPE Manager - Reliable Technical Services ________________________________________ From: [email protected] [[email protected]] On Behalf Of Robert Thompson [[email protected]] Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 2:10 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Window sprinklers Do you have to use window sprinklers to protect windows or can standard spray sprinklers be used? Thank you Robert Thompson DAKOTA FIRE PROTECTION 1710 N. Washington Street Grand Forks ND 58206-5327 Phone # (701) 772-8820 Fax # (701) 772-7932 Email [email protected] _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.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 [email protected] http://fireball.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 [email protected] http://fireball.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 [email protected] http://fireball.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)
