If it is a simple NFPA 16 type foam-water system, expansion is a non-issue. AR-AFFF or AFFF are not intended to expand to fill a space, their expansion is very minimal as they are intended to blanket.
Would you worry about someone drowning in the room if it were water-only sprinklers? If ALL the sprinklers were to go off, will the room hold the discharge until it filled to the ceiling or even a few feet? I doubt it’s that water tight nor could sustain the pressure. Dealing with as many hazardous installations and various occupancies as I do, I don’t see any unique or real safety issue here. Is there an engineer providing the design information or are you being tasked with all of that and they have only dictated a number of heads? Craig L. Prahl Fire Protection Group Lead/SME CH2M 200 Verdae Blvd. Greenville, SC 29607 Direct - 864.920.7540 Fax - 864.920.7129 CH2MHILL Extension 77540 [email protected] From: Sprinklerforum [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2017 9:22 AM To: Sprinklerforum <[email protected]> Subject: Re: Life Safety in Foam Systems [EXTERNAL] 1. New soffits 2. Trying to find out type of foam. 3. Trying to get occupancy details. 4. True, but I am concerned about the expansion. Todd G Williams, PE Fire Protection Design/Consulting Stonington, CT 860-535-2080 (ofc) 860-553-3553 (fax) 860-608-4559 (cell) On Sep 26, 2017 at 9:14 AM, <Craig/GVL Prahl<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: 1. Why are they asking for 7 heads in a 300 sq. ft. room? Does this include sub-level heads below obstructions? 2. Are you providing high expansion foam, only HEF will “fill a room”. 3. Foam-water systems are typically provided to protect areas subject to pool fires. The idea is to create a foam blanket at the floor level over the spill. 4. Foam-water systems are typically either 94% or 97% water with regards to what comes out of the sprinklers. Craig L. Prahl Fire Protection Group Lead/SME CH2M 200 Verdae Blvd. Greenville, SC 29607 Direct - 864.920.7540 Fax - 864.920.7129 CH2MHILL Extension 77540 [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> From: Sprinklerforum [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2017 8:27 AM To: Sprinkler Forum <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Subject: Life Safety in Foam Systems [EXTERNAL] Since I couldn't find the Foam Forum, I figured I would ask this here. I have been asked to design a modification to an existing foam system inside a building. I am still trying to get details on occupancy, design, etc. There is no one in the room on a regular basis, but there is occasionally. My concern (at this point) is that they are asking for 7 sprinklers (closed) in a 300 sqft room. Are there any life safety concerns with this? I wouldn't want to see someone get trapped in a room filling up with foam. Todd G Williams, PE Fire Protection Design/Consulting Stonington, CT 860-535-2080<tel:860-535-2080> (ofc) 860-553-3553<tel:860-553-3553> (fax) 860-608-4559<tel:860-608-4559> (cell) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected]<mailto:[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
