I think many people make the inference that one may substitute one hour of fire resistance for sprinklers. I think that this practice comes from the fire separations table (Chapter 5, right?) between occupancies, where they allow one-hour less rating for certain occupancy separations when the building is sprinklered in accordance with NFPA 13 (is that 9.3.3.1.1.1.1.1.1.1?) But I don't think that there is a direct statement allowing for a substitution in all cases.
It should be recognized that the above is my opinion as a member of the NFPA, and has not been processed as a formal interpretation in accordance with the NFPA Regulations Governing Committee Projects and should therefore not be considered, nor relied upon, as the official position of the the NFPA, nor any of their technical committees. Sincerely, Cecil Bilbo Academy of Fire Sprinkler Technology Champaign, IL 217.607.0325 www.sprinkleracademy.com [email protected] OUR STUDENTS SAVE LIVES!! > From: [email protected] > To: [email protected] > Subject: RE: glass block floor - 1hr rating > Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:51:56 -0500 > > There is a section in IBC that, given materials with no fire resistive > ratings what so ever, just by sprinklering the building gives them a one > hour resistance--- that may be something one could hang their hat on, But, > there can no area or height increases taken ALSO. (increased travel dist. is > still ok). > > -----Original Message----- > From: Cahill, Christopher [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2012 4:41 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: RE: glass block floor - 1hr rating > > 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) > > > > > > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: > <http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/private/sprinklerforum/attachment > s/20120412/eecaefc5/attachment.html> > _______________________________________________ > Sprinklerforum mailing list > [email protected] > http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum > > _______________________________________________ > Sprinklerforum mailing list > [email protected] > http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum > _______________________________________________ > Sprinklerforum mailing list > [email protected] > http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum > _______________________________________________ > Sprinklerforum mailing list > [email protected] > http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum > > _______________________________________________ > Sprinklerforum mailing list > [email protected] > http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... 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