I think no way is a little strong.  If it's kept wet on the bottom side it will 
not fail.  i.e. Window sprinklers are two hours more because they stopped the 
test.  Data at that point was flat temperatures.  Would have lasted longer.   
Pony wall was because they did get some failing or at least fear of failing  
when the fire was pushed up right against the glass (see next paragraph) and 
break occurred before the sprinkler operated?  We also know once sprinklers 
operate the plume temperature go way down even when not putting out the fire.  
Now how are you going to keep it wet is a fair question.  Especially the points 
between 4 sprinklers.   

But here's another interesting caveat.  I believe all the rated testing is from 
a fire below.  Wonder what the glass will do with the fire on top?  I think 
it's hard to argue the spot right under the fire is going to get wet.  But 
again other forms of construction aren't tested from above so it might not be 
fair to test this one. 

Would I put my PE on the line? Probably not, especially for an architect.  Not 
to slam them but I'm not going that far out for others just for a unique 
design.  Looks cool <> my PE.   But that's a risk tolerance question, not a 
physics question.  I bet though you will find a lot more PE's than AHJ's that 
would put their name on it even though the AHJ has limited or no liability.  
And I bet none of either group are on this forum.  

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 
[email protected]
Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2012 4:13 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: glass block floor - 1hr rating

That may be the case but there's no way to substantiate such an equivalency.  
But hey if someone likes sticking their neck on the chopping block, so be it.

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 Brad Casterline
Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2012 5:04 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: glass block floor - 1hr rating

I am aware of a similar situation where the AHJ accepted the use of Old
Style Heads (spray 40% up/60% down) AND bump the occupancy classification
from Light Hazard to Ordinary Hazard Group I.

-----Original Message-----
From: Dewayne Martinez [mailto:[email protected]] 
Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2012 3:48 PM
To: SprinklerFORUM
Subject: glass block floor - 1hr rating

Have a building where the architect wants to install a glass block floor
in lieu of an atrium opening but the floor needs to have a 1 hr rating.
Is there anywhere in the IBC/IFC/NFPA code that allows sprinkler
protection to provide the 1hr rating?

Thanks,

 

Dewayne Martinez

Design Build Fire Protection

262-784-7900 (w)

262-784-8401 (f)

414-349-0468 (cell)

 

 

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