Funny, my 1987 Edition 5-2.3.1 states: "Gridded dry-pipe systems shall not be installed."
David Autry Meininger Fire Protection Inc. 2521 W L St. Suite No.4 Lincoln, Ne 68522 Voice (402) 466-2616 Fax (402) 466-2617 [email protected] -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Daniel Wilder Sent: Monday, June 11, 2012 10:04 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: dry grid prohibition http://dbase.firesprinkler.org:591/online_archives/tech_interps/FMPro?-db=in formal-interps.fp5&-format=record_detail.htm&-lay=form&-recid=12629921&-find all= You asked the following question "What year did NFPA ban the use of gridded dry pipe systems?" In response to your question, we have reviewed the 1989 and the 1991 Edition of NFPA 13 as the applicable standards. Our informal interpretation is that the 1991 Edition of NFPA 13 was the first edition to ban the use of a gridded dry pipe system. The 1989 NFPA 13, Subsection 5-2.3.1 "Volume Limitations" discusses gridded systems. Exception to 5-2.3.1 talks about the ability to exceed the maximum system volume of 750 gallons for non-gridded systems. I did not have a copy of the 1989 Handbook available but the 1987 Handbook had a commentary on Subsection 5-2.3.1 "Volume Limitations". The commentary to "Volume Limitations" discusses the problem of excessive delays in water delivery for gridded dry systems. The next NFPA 13 Edition following 1989 is the 1991. Under Subsection 3-2.3.1 "Volume Limitations" is Subsection 3-2.3.2 that states, "Gridded dry pipe systems shall not be installed." This is the first occurrence in NFPA 13 for the ban on gridded dry pipe systems. The commentary in the 1991 Handbook state that in more the 90 percent of the installations of gridded dry pipe systems, the times for delivering water to the inspector's test connection were excessive. The commentary further state that in some cases it took as long as 10 minutes for the water to be delivered to the inspectors test. In conclusion, NFPA 13 up to the 1991 Edition allowed gridded dry pipe systems. The 1991 Edition banned the use of gridded dry pipe systems Dan -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of George Church Sent: Monday, June 11, 2012 7:56 AM To: [email protected] Subject: dry grid prohibition Would anyone know when dry grids were taken out of NFPA 13? My recollection is mid 1980's, but don't have a copy to check. We've encountered a dry-pipe system installed circa 1999, purported to be in accordance with NFPA 13- 1994 according to the signature of a NICET Level IV, complete with little NICET symbol that looks like a seal....oh well. But each of the four wings is protected by a small gridded system. Can someone say whether or not dry grids were permitted in the 1994 edition of 13? George L. Church, Jr., CET Rowe Sprinkler Systems, Inc. PO Box 407, Middleburg, PA 17842 877-324-ROWE 570-837-6335 fax [email protected] _______________________________________________ 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
