There is a zone control...

But it was necessary to use a ladder to get to valve. It was easier to
shut off the two electrical pumps that fed water through 3" nozzle...

After closing the valves attempts were made to restart the pumps which
generated repeated fire alarms. So they decided to shut the off until they
were able fill the piping with the Jockey pump.

I did not mention that the smoke detection system in the tower went out of
action as well..

That's is the real life fox..

Concealed Spaces:  There are various degrees of concealment.  Spaces above
gypsum ceilings are concealed. Spaces above removable panels are not very
much concealed.  I agree that the cost is high, so maybe it warrants
inspection once in 3 of 5 years.

Dan


-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Matt Grise
Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 3:27 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: NFPA 25 - inspection above suspended ceiling

Why was the entire tower out of service? It would be a good idea to have
some sort of zone control to allow for at least a partial shutdown.

If inspectors are required to check some concealed spaces, they
conceivably make themselves responsible for all piping in all concealed
spaces. That would create an impossible job for the inspector.

Matt Grisé PE*, LEED AP, NICET II
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

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Dan Arbel
Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 5:31 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: NFPA 25 - inspection above suspended ceiling

Dear Forum members,

I had a case of quick coupling failure in a  27 floors office tower.

The bolt holding the 3" coupling endured prolong corrosion (looks like
several years, that consumed 90% of the bolt section area.

There was no water dripping, just egress of a very small amount of water
from the joint that was enough to cause the failure, but not enough to be
detected "as a spreading wet stain on the ceiling elements.

It is possible to raise the ceiling element and observe the corrosion on
the coupling, but the maintenance contactors do not actually observe the
piping above the suspended ceiling.

Referring to NFPA 25,  Items 5.2.2.3:  Pipe and fittings installed in
concealed spaces such as above suspended ceilings shall not require
inspection.

A.5.2.2.3 Examples include some floor/ceiling or roof/ceiling assemblies,
areas under theater stages, pipe chases and other inaccessible areas.

It is stated elsewhere in the standard and the responsibility of the owner
is to afford accessibility.  So, non-accessible areas cannot be inspected.


However, if the interpretation of the standard calls for total exemption
for inspection in areas above suspended spaces,  it means that as far as
I'm concerned the most hazardous spaces are inspection free.

In this particular case, the water supply for the tower was completely out
of action for 90 mins.  The electrical supply was on.  That means that the
flooding water could have started a fire in any lower floor with
catastrophic consequences.

I would appreciate any response.

Dan



www.riskmanage.com

M: +972 (052) 6611337
T: +972 (04) 8243337
F: +972 (04) 8243278
Mail: [email protected]
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