To all, It appears that most sprinkler contractors like to gamble their lives away. Working with rack storage of boat requires working with end user and AHJ using detailed protection concepts. Most of the alternate fire extinguishing systems suggested such as CAF, High Ex Foam and Vortex systems as per the system's manufacturer who all state that their systems are not designed to protect rack storage of boats with fuel. So you have to find a system that the system manufacturer will support using to protect the boat storage. In trying to protect one of these buildings we tried all of the alternative systems and when asked to support the use of these systems in this type of storage in writing all manufacturers stated that they have not tested the system with this type of storage and would not know how to develop a design to address the multiple hazards that boat rack storage presents. Also we must protect the rack structure since most of these buildings are support structurally by the racks. This is not the type of building that is protected to the minimum level of protection.
This is similar to "Pod" type storage and is not addressed by NFPA 13 or NFPA 303. Suggest that you discuss you E&O insurance coverage with your broker before you start one of these boat rack storage buildings. Some insurance policies require the insured to follow industry standard practice in order to insure conerage. A wealthy old time sprinkler contractor was asked how de he get so wealthy? He answered " A good contractor knows when to walk away from a project." This might be one of these times when it is better to walk away. And we have not started to address the requirements of the IBC yet. Regards, Jim Davidson Davidson Associates Fire Protection * Medical Gas * Code Consulting 302-994-9500 Fax:302-234-1781 -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2010 2:31 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: boat storage Biggest issue with HEF is that you'd have to have a way to contain the foam within the space. Since most of these structures are open, the HEF would just float out of the building. Honestly of all the options Vortex might be one of the best choices, it doesn't require containment like gaseous systems, environmentally friendly, uses small quantities of water (minimize collapse potential). But it really needs some testing to be proven. Has good application for flammables and combustibles, not sure about how it would react against plastics but based on the mechanics and chemistry of the system, it would seem to have potential. Craig L. Prahl, CET Fire Protection Specialist Mechanical Department CH2MHILL Lockwood Greene 1500 International Drive 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 Matt Grise Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2010 2:12 PM To: '[email protected]' Subject: RE: boat storage My understanding of boat rack fires (not a huge volume of knowledge) is that they can be successfully controlled/suppressed by systems that are designed to handle an equivalent storage of group a plastics...but that the racks generally collapse because the boats fill with water. Even when boats are wrapped or covered, the covers burn off quickly enough, and it only takes one boat-load(ha ha) of water to bring a hot rack down. (bob kaputo and james lake hit on this topic at the conference last year) I liked the idea of a vortex system. I saw a pretty cool presentation about those this week. They hardly use any water and don't have trouble with obstructions. A high-expansion foam system would probably do the trick too... if you don't mind a huge-normous up front cost of installation. And yes, in my professional opinion, "huge-normous" is a legitimate description of the cost. Matt Grisé PE*, LEED AP Sales Engineer Alliance Fire Protection *Licensed in KS & MO 913.888.0647 ph 913.888.0618 f 913.927.0222 cell www. AFPsprink.com -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Thom McMahon Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2010 12:54 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: boat storage It would be less risky to just go ahead and post all of your credit cards, with verifier #'s plus your driver's Lic. and Social #'s here on the forum. Your potential loss would be far less, and at least you'd be helping someone. If Scott is offering to help design this thing, take him up on it. I'd love to know what you all would end up doing. Now there would be some fodder for the forum. 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 _______________________________________________ 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)
