Tone and inflection gets lost in emails. I see what you were saying Peter. You were quoting the commentary, not affirming it. I found the comment on page 296. I agree that the lack of protection is worthy of a comment as stated. Regardless, the standard acknowledges several places where sprinkler coverage is not required when it is not practical. I don't see a practical solution for piping that would have to be fixed in place while the commodity moves. The reasonable degree of protection for life and property would have to come from the ceiling system. I am sure there is a situation that exists somewhere that would make me agree that protection could be provided but I don't think that it should always be a requirement. I would point that AHJ to the word "fixed" and try to have a reasonable discussion.
Nick Maneen, SET c 704.791.7789 From: Sprinklerforum [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Larrimer, Peter A Sent: Tuesday, December 12, 2017 9:40 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] RE: Protection under bleachers in a Gymnasium Nick, I think you are disagreeing with the "AHJ" who provided the "Ask the AHJ" response in the Handbook? I am not sure what the answer is, but if I had movable bleachers that reached say 20 -30 feet out, providing one sprinkler at the "fixed" location not only would be unlikely to throw that far, but the heat would not necessarily get to the sprinkler when the bleachers were in use away from the fixed location. I am inclined to agree with you that sprinklers would not be practical in this case. Thanks From: Sprinklerforum [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Nick Maneen Sent: Tuesday, December 12, 2017 9:14 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [EXTERNAL] RE: Protection under bleachers in a Gymnasium I disagree with your conclusion. I agree that if the bleachers are fixed in place there needs to be protection underneath. However, where the bleachers are moveable, protection underneath is not practical. If one could somehow orient the sprinkler under the fixed portion so that the spray would reach the moveable portion, a reasonable effort to do so should be made. Remember the purpose of most sprinkler protection is to control the fire, not completely extinguish and smother. So in this case I believe that the word "fixed" is the key word in 8.5.5.3.1. The same logic applies to elevator cars. Nick Maneen, SET c 704.791.7789 From: Sprinklerforum [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Larrimer, Peter A Sent: Tuesday, December 12, 2017 8:56 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Protection under bleachers in a Gymnasium I was doing some research and found this "Ask the AHJ" statement in the 2016 Sprinkler Handbook. Should an authority having jurisdiction reject or comment on a proposed fire sprinkler system for a gymnasium where there is no fire sprinkler protection shown under the bleachers? Yes. Although bleachers are typically moveable, they are a permanent part of the space and need to have protection underneath per 8.5.5.3.1 where they are more than 4 ft (1.2 m) wide from the wall when extended. This is similar in nature to an overhead door obstruction mentioned in this section. My question is how do you properly provide sprinkler protection under a set of moveable bleachers? Thanks Peter A. Larrimer, P.E. Fire Protection Operations Manager Office of Occupational Safety, Health, and GEMS Programs (10NA8) Veterans Health Administration Department of Veterans Affairs Office/Mobile: (412) 999-1321
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