They can follow it using adopted codes, though. NFPA 13, 2007 edition, 1.5 "Nothing in this standard is intended to prevent the use of systems, methods, or devices of equivalent or superior quality, strength, fire resistance, effectiveness, durability, and safety over those prescribed by this standard. Technical documentation shall be submitted to the authority having jurisdiction to demonstrate equivalency. The system, method, or device shall be approved for the intended purpose by the authority having jurisdiction."
Boom, submit the FM design regulations under the equivalency clause. I think that most fire marshal's would be hard pressed to ignore or claim that FM didn't do their due diligence and research on their methods. This way you only have to submit one layout and satisfy the FM requirements, and those of the AHJ. Benjamin Young On Wed, Feb 23, 2011 at 11:33 AM, <[email protected]> wrote: > When there is no code reference to a subject I agree that the AHJ's in most > cases will defer to a recognized industry standard. BUT, when they have a > CODE, adopted by their jurisdiction which gives a clear direction, good luck > swaying someone to go a different route. We all know how it works but a > local govt official, is in most cases going to stick to the book he's been > told to follow. > > Craig L. Prahl, CET > Fire Protection > CH2MHILL > Lockwood Greene > 1500 International Drive > Spartanburg, SC 29304-0491 > Direct - 864.599.4102 > Fax - 864.599.8439 > CH2MHILL Extension 74102 > [email protected] > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] [mailto: > [email protected]] On Behalf Of Thom > Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 10:51 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: RE: System Area Size > > Actually I think this could make a difference even before (or if) adoption > by NFPA. > Remember that "AHJ" includes insurance underwriters like FM, and often a > "Local" AHJ (Fire Marshal) will defer to FM, due to their vast experience. > This could especially be the case if the TC has recommended approval of > these larger areas. > > Making it into the Standards and code, isn't the only way we apply design > information. For years if NFPA didn't cover some situation but FM did, > no-one worried about whether it was "Code" or "Adopted". We simply used the > best available information. > > I wouldn't be surprised to see these larger design areas before 2013. > > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of > [email protected] > Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 8:36 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: RE: System Area Size > > While it's nice that FM has made these concessions, what difference does it > really make? Until the adopted Codes and Standards accept or make any > changes, we got what we got to work with. > > Craig L. Prahl, CET > Fire Protection > CH2MHILL > Lockwood Greene > 1500 International Drive > Spartanburg, SC 29304-0491 > Direct - 864.599.4102 > Fax - 864.599.8439 > CH2MHILL Extension 74102 > [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)
