The horizontal mullions create a horizontal barrier to the water run-down of the window sprinklers. So the architect is probably figuring that if they have window sprinklers located up high near the top of the frame and those wet the glass down to the mullion and then they have another row of window sprinklers covering the area between the mullion down to the bottom of the frame, they've got it all covered. It sounds logical to those not familiar with how these things work.
But it won't work and doesn't meet the listing of the sprinklers. Sorry but the architect either has to change the glazing and get rid of the mullion or get rid of the glazing altogether. There is not a sprinkler fix for this. Is this glazing part of a fire rated assembly? Craig Prahl | Jacobs | Group Lead/SME – Fire Protection | 864.676.5252 | [email protected] | www.jacobs.com 1041 East Butler Road Greenville, South Carolina 29606 -----Original Message----- From: Sprinklerforum <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Joe Burtell via Sprinklerforum Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2020 10:26 AM To: å... .... <[email protected]> Cc: Joe Burtell <[email protected]>; [email protected] Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: Window Sprinklers Here is how I see it. All manufacturers prohibit horizontal mullions. My guess is they failed testing when horizontal millions were present. The building code requires the windows to be protected with listed sprinklers. Even if I did put the additional window sprinkler below the horizontal million, it is now void of it's listing which the building code and NFPA required to be listed for such use. The last part is the liability as a small contractor. The architect does not want to spend the money to put in the proper glass. Best regards, *Joe Burtell, SET, CFPS* [image: Burtell Fire_Small] Phone | Fax | Mobile| Text *406-204-4653 <++1-406-204-4653>* 116 N. 11th Street | Billings, MT 59101 Email: [email protected] Web Site: https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.burtellfire.com__;!!B5cixuoO7ltTeg!QBoeZobDW-FXntlm2JDcpNp9-92LO1mrBBpJIm9eSul_7MB-0h4743FfdmDw4yrlHA$ *“**The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.**”* *NOTICE:* The information contained in this e-mail transmission is intended only for use of the individual or entity named above. 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On Tue, Aug 25, 2020 at 8:15 AM å... .... <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Your situation is not fully described for me to make a higher-quality > response. > I have however, seen instances where 1). horizontal mullions and yes, 2). > inappropriate orientation and location of window sprinklers causes the > downfalling water to > in the case of the first, jet off the plane of the window pane, > leaving lower sections starkly unwetted. > in the case of the second, water boucing off the pane and leaving the > primary window pane underprotected and sections below the horizontal > mullion direly so. > > Having said that... the words of Peter Drucker come to mind "nothing is > so useless as to do something that is not needed." > Depending upon where the windows are located: > A. is the chance of a fire higher than required to demand the window > sprinklers in the first place? > This is not a trivial question. It is for this very reason we > do not install sprinkles in some bathrooms and some closets... > The answer requires good judgment, which is mannah from > heaven, job justification and exercise of the brain from the mundane > black-&-white Code regurgitation. > B. Are there window sprinklers on both sides of the window barrier, > which could rationalize not installing window sprinklers when combined > with reasoning in A. > > Consideration from different angles: > Forest-for-the trees... as well as > the devil-is-in-the-details... > > Good luck, and thanks for sharing your situation Joe! > Scot Deal > Excelsior Risk & Fire Engineering > gms: + 420 606 872 129 > > > > _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org__;!!B5cixuoO7ltTeg!QBoeZobDW-FXntlm2JDcpNp9-92LO1mrBBpJIm9eSul_7MB-0h4743FfdmATC1VHow$ ________________________________ NOTICE - This communication may contain confidential and privileged information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. 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