Let's think about this. This is a LH occupancy. Obstructions less than 4' wide in open areas and less than 30" wide against walls. You'll be putting heads inside of the obstruction, or it will be filled with non-comb insul. So what is the fuel load of a two foot wide strip of plywood?
I really don't see this as an issue, because A) if they are 3' deep in a 4' crawl space, they are almost in contact with the dirt. This in no way effects the fire, but in a 12" high space what ssp/ssu head is going to do anything but spot protection? You could use Coin or CC-1/CC-2 type heads, but they would be outside their listing. B)What is the purpose of a 13 system? To contain and control a fire. Extinguish? A nice bonus if it happens, but not what we are out there to achieve. Yet we seem to keep trying to make sure there is nothing un-sprinklered, yet that is all but impossible in a wood building. Hence the 3000 SF design area when you have concealed comb spaces. Could a fire burn at the bottom of these boxes? Yes. Does that present a serious threat to the ability of the system to contain it to the crawl space? I don't think so. 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 A.P.Silva Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2010 1:35 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Beam obstructions NFPA 13 (2002) 8.6.5.1.2(2), for obstructions not exceeding 4 feet width. You don't think that will apply? Tony -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Richard Carr Sent: May 27, 2010 1:25 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Beam obstructions I would be concerned with NOT protecting the area under the 2' wide plywood , can't think of any exception that would allow you to not have protection , and because of the 3' depth you will have to have heads under the enclose. My 2 cents worth. Richard Carr, SET Design Manager Associated Sprinkler Co., LLC 336.373.3901 ext 217 [email protected] -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of A.P.Silva Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2010 2:47 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Beam obstructions I have a crawlspace that has to be sprinklered. I need to get exact measurements, but for now I'm guessing it is about 4 feet high. The plywood ceiling of the crawlspace tight to the bottom of main floor joists is smooth & flat. The problem is the crawlspace has "utilidors", enclosed heated spaces for running ducts, piping etc. Generally, these utilidors, encased with plywood, are 2 feet wide (horizontal) and about 3 feet high (vertical)and run everywhere in the crawlspace, with no set pattern. Think of the utilidors as wood beams coming down from the ceiling. I will have sprinklers inside the udilidors if they are not filled up with ducts or piping. My question is there is about a foot of space below the utilidors. My opinion is it should be okay if I space the heads on both sides of the obstruction complying with 13(2007) section 8.6.5.1.2 (2) and not provide additional heads below the obstruction. Any dissenting thoughts? Tony _______________________________________________ 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) This email and any attached files are confidential and intended solely for the intended recipient(s). If you are not the named recipient you should not read, distribute, copy or alter this email. Any views or opinions expressed in this email are those of the author and do not represent those of the company. Warning: Although precautions have been taken to make sure no viruses are present in this email, the company cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage that arise from the use of this email or attachments. _______________________________________________ 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)
