Actually, if you want to get technical, FM Global IS an AHJ. So is the engineer of record, if there is one. It's just that in most cases, the government authority is the AHJ whom you must satisfy first.
Mark A. Sornsin, P.E. | Karges-Faulconbridge, Inc. | Fire Protection Engineer | Fargo, ND | direct: 701.552.9905 | mobile: 701.371.5759 | http://www.kfiengineers.com -----Original Message----- From: Sprinklerforum [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Monday, November 10, 2014 5:11 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: FM Global requirements If your contract requires you to meet both I would double check everything you do against the FM Global data sheets. We have come across some differences that are, let's say counterintuitive. For instance FM no longer seems to recognize concrete twin tee construction like NFPA does. FM limits the deflector distance to 22" max and doesn't allow 1" below the bottom of the tee like NFPA. Also the FM hazard classifications can result in some unusual area densities, like a parking garage at .30/1000. Recently we had to do two submittals, one to the AHJ using NFPA and one to FM with their requirements. It really gets interesting when a core and shell job done to NFPA becomes a FM Global property for TI. FM will write a review letter that lists deficiencies in the core and shell based on their base requirements. We are just finishing a job where FM even recommended moving the existing riser locations requiring new underground lead-ins. As Craig said most of FM's requirements are negotiable, they are not an AHJ. Ron F -----Original Message----- From: Sprinklerforum [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Todd - Work Sent: Monday, November 10, 2014 3:16 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: FM Global requirements What Craig said, but FM typically does not recognize QR sprinkler reductions. Todd G Williams, PE Fire Protection Design/Consulting Stonington, CT www.fpdc.com 860-535-2080 (ofc) > On Nov 10, 2014, at 11:40 AM, <[email protected]> <[email protected]> > wrote: > > One thing that needs to be understood is that FM is not an AHJ, they make > recommendations not requirements. > > FM should provide a letter or review of the project and provide > recommendations to the owner. Then the owner takes those recommendations and > tells you as the contractor which ones they want to consider. It's not a > blanket set of requirements. You should not have to determine which Data > Sheets to follow and which not and to what extent. > > I have had some clients that negotiate everything with the FM rep., others > take all the recommendations at 100% so your results may vary. > > Also I have found that FM opinions and directions vary depending on which > office and which individuals you deal with. > > This is not a slam or criticism of any of the FM people I've dealt with over > the years. Just an observation. > > So you need to let the owner know there may be changes but he needs to get > with the FM rep, receive FM's recommendations and then the owner directs > which ones he wants you to employ. > > Craig L. Prahl > Fire Protection Group Lead > CH2MHILL > Lockwood Greene > 1500 International Drive > Spartanburg, SC 29303 > Direct - 864.599.4102 > Fax - 864.599.8439 > CH2MHILL Extension 74102 > [email protected] > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Sprinklerforum > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of > Dewayne Martinez > Sent: Monday, November 10, 2014 11:27 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: FM Global requirements > > I have a project that may be switching to FM global requirements. I haven’t > worked with FM for a while so what are the main differences between NFPA 13 > and FM? The plans have already been approved by the AHJ so the owner is > looking for any potential cost impact. I know that the products used should > be FM approved. I did take a reduced design area for my light hazard areas. > > Thanks, > > > > Dewayne > _______________________________________________ > Sprinklerforum mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkl > er.org _______________________________________________ > Sprinklerforum mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkl > er.org _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org ______________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the Symantec Email Security.cloud service. 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