Hello Todd,

I also found no protection criteria for bulk storage of various commodities 
other than FM Global's Datasheet 8-27, which applies strictly to piles of wood 
chips.  Furthermore, the design density and area spelled out in that datasheet 
are the same, regardless of the storage height. (0.20/3000 to 0.2/5000, 
depending on type of system and temperature rating of the heads).

I am not convinced that a fire involving the materials stored at the facility 
in question would progress in the manner as in a pile of wood chips.

Thank you for your input.

David

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] 
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Todd - Work
Sent: Tuesday, October 01, 2013 3:13 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Sprinkler protection criteria for bulk storage piles

I am the one who posted the original question. In my situation, I have a 20 ft 
pile of mixed household recycling including cardboard boxes, plastic and glass 
bottles and metal cans. Based on a similar pile at this location, I called it a 
Class IV commodity. Construction debris is a little different. Not sure where 
that would fall.  The only reference I could find for "pile" storage is in FM 
Global standards for wood chips. They have a moderate density over a large 
area. 

Keep in mind that in these type of situations, the goal may be to contain the 
fire and send an alarm. Extinguishing would be by the fire department and 
probably take a long time to get everything finally out.

It would be nice to consult the EoR, but there very likely isn't one.

Todd G Williams, PE
Fire Protection Design/Consulting
Stonington, CT
www.fpdc.com

On Sep 30, 2013, at 7:56 PM, David Bitton <[email protected]> wrote:

> I am looking at a recycling facility for construction debris that has large
> indoor piles for wood, asphalt shingles, etc.  Storage height is to 25 ft.
> The existing sprinkler system was designed based on the storage requirements
> for solid-piled/palletized storage of Class III Commodities outlined in NFPA
> 13.  I believe that such storage falls outside the scope of this chapter.
> However, I am unable to find any guidance elsewhere to address this storage.
> 
> 
> 
> Does anyone have any additional thoughts about the protection of such piles?
> 
> 
> 
> David Bitton, ing.
> 
> Quest Loss Control Services Inc.
> 
> Les services de prévention des sinistres Quest inc.
> 
> 5100, rue de la Savane, bureau 200
> 
> Montréal, QC H4P 1T8
> 
> (514) 341-4545
> 
> www.questlosscontrol.com
> 
> 
> 
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