I also meant to add sprinklers for structural fire protection need to be 
carefully considered.  One little shaft maybe not a big deal.  You need to 
compare the differences.  Everything working correctly as designed, sprinklers 
are better IMHO.  But traditional structural protection is present when the 
sprinklers are off for whatever reason.  And we all know sprinklers get turned 
off for both legitimate reasons plus the ooops, and deliberate malicious acts.  
No one turns off spray on protection, yes they might chip away at a small 
portion to hang something for example.  I for one have never been completely 
comfortable with sprinkler alternatives to rated components, including window 
sprinklers.  Now I'm talking about when a building requires sprinklers and 
ratings.  I'm all for trading off all the structural requirements for 
sprinklers as we do in many small and low buildings.     

Chris Cahill, PE*
Senior Fire Protection Engineer, Aviation & Facilities Group
Burns & McDonnell
8201 Norman Center Drive
Bloomington, MN 55437
Phone:  952.656.3652
Fax:  952.229.2923
[email protected]
www.burnsmcd.com

Proud to be one of FORTUNE's 100 Best Companies to Work For
*Registered in: MN





-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] 
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Matt Grise
Sent: Wednesday, February 29, 2012 8:18 AM
To: '[email protected]'
Subject: old-style sprinkler applications?

NFPA 13 2007 8.15.15.3 allows old style sprinklers "where construction features 
or other special conditions require unique water distribution."

Has anyone come across such a situation?

For example:
I have a building where there is some structural steel passing through a 
non-combustible, non-accessible, mechanical shaft (that was previously 
un-sprinklered). For whatever reason, they feel like it will be extremely 
difficult to get fire-proofing onto the steel, so the architect suggested using 
old-style sprinklers to protect the roof structure and steel below (since they 
spray up and down). It was my understanding that standard spray sprinklers are 
used now specifically because they work better at protecting the structure 
above them (and better at attacking the fire), but I wanted to double check. 
Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Matt Grisé PE*, LEED AP
Sales Engineer
Alliance Fire Protection
130 w 9th Ave.
North Kansas City, MO 64116

*Licensed in KS & MO

913.888.0647 ph
913.888.0618 f
913.927.0222 cell
www. AFPsprink.com

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