I would opine, and have had concurrence for years, that PC, PE, PFTE, as well as bisphenol-A free and phthalate-free plastics as used to make water bottles, and their polypropylene caps are NOT expanded plastics. Getting someone to change their mind, can be harder than the technology and science sometimes. If this forum does what it could do, you should get about 5-20 opinions on this matter from fire professionals. Take the median answer. Present that median answer it to your AHJ as scientifically based risk-assessed justification.[1]
Fortunately for you, there is not much art involved in this judgment you pose, exept for the part where you ask the AHJ, "Can you prove to me, as it is YOUR duty, where my safety plan is wrong? " Get the MSDS from the bottling company for the plastic used in making the bottles. Then compare to 2012 IFC Section 3203.7.1 [2] where only two plastics are listed as expanded (PS and PU). This is not as definitive a proof for me as the Forum quorom, but together they should make a better offer to your AHJ. Lastly, I don't think expanded plastics has the structural strength to withstand static pressures created by solid-piled storage of shrink wrapped packages of water bottles...let alone withstand the abuse these bottles get in dynamic transport. If you need a letter from a PE signing off on the statement that your plastics are non-expanded, I know someone who will be happy to do this for free, if you just send me the MSDS for the plastics and indicate the owner's name and the owner's intention to use this plastic product. [1]. Tetlock, P., Gardner, M., "Superforecasting: The Art and Science of Forecasting", Sept 2015 [2]. http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/ifc/2012/icod_ifc_2012_32_sec003.htm Scot Deal Excelsior Risk/Fire Engineering _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org
