AMERICAN FIRE SPRINKLER ASSOCIATION
9696 Skillman, Suite 300 Dallas, Texas 75243
Ph: (214) 349-5965 Fax: (214) 343-8898
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TECH TALK
JANUARY 2007
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AFSA MOVING OFFICES - FEBRUARY 15-16, 2007
AFSA is moving their offices and will be closed for business on
Thursday, February 15 and Friday, February 16, 2007. AFSA will
resume business on Monday, February 19th. Please watch for future
announcements.
NFPA 13 - USING BAFFLES
As directed by 13:8.5.3.4, we are required to maintain a minimum
distance between sprinklers in order to avoid an operating sprinkler
from wetting an adjacent sprinkler (cold-soldering) and causing
skipping within the remote area. So lets say you have an ESFR system
and due to a structural or mechanical issue you have two sprinklers
that are only 6 ft apart. What do you do? Most immediately say
install a baffle and keep on going. This presents a problem. The
use of baffles to account for less than the minimum separation is
addressed in 13:8.6.3.4.2 and 8.8.3.4.2. These two sections cover
standard pendent and upright sprinklers and extended coverage pendent
and upright sprinklers. Thus, baffles can be used be used ONLY for
these types of sprinklers. The moral of the story is that LOCATION
HAS MEANING.
DRY PENDENT SPRINKLERS AND DROP NIPPLES
The question has arisen on whether dry pendent sprinklers can be
installed on a sprinkler drop nipple. In a dry pipe system, this is
an easy no since water would collect in the drop nipple and be
subject to freezing. Even in an area that is not subject to freezing
there is concern about scale and sediment settling on the top of the
dry type sprinkler. This is pointed out for dry pipe systems in A.
7.2.2 (2). The allowance in 7.2.2(3) for return bends does not apply
either since the sprinkler must also be in the heated area. In a wet
system, such as where one is dropping down to protect a small cooler
or freezer, it gets a little ambiguous. There is nothing in NFPA 13
on it except the general requirement to apply the listing
requirements. This takes us to the manufacturer's installation
sheets. These sheets limit dry pendent sprinkler to be installed
only in a tee. One even states not to be connected to a coupling in
a drop nipple. This does not mean you can't use it. It just means
you install it in the through side of the tee. Despite 8.15.2.5.3.2
saying auxiliary drains are not for drops supplying dry pendent
sprinklers, dealing with the water for a sprinkler penetrating a
freezer could be messy. As such, a tee provides a drain for the drop
and meets the protrusion into the fitting requirement (i.e. a tee).
Obviously, the minimum required barrel length to avoid freezing is
measured to the point of connection.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR CENTER FOR LIFE SAFETY EDUCATION AND AFSA
UPCOMING SEMINARS VIRTUAL SEMINAR
10 COMMON DESIGN MISTAKES & HOW TO AVOID THEM
February 28, 2007
12:00 PM Eastern
11:00 AM Central
10:00 AM Mountain
9:00 AM Pacific
Earn: 0.15 CEU's / 1.5 CPD's.
Event ID: 12438
To Register:
By Phone: 800-775-7654, please have your credit card information ready.
By Fax: 800-676-0734 Fax completed form with Credit Card information.
Online: www.krm.com/clse
2007 AFSA DESIGN SCHOOLS
Beginning System Planning School
January 29-February 9, 2007 Sold Out!
February 19-March 2, 2007 Sold Out!
April 30-May 11, 2007 Sold Out!
June 18-29, 2007
August 6-17, 2007
October 8-19, 2007
November 5-16, 2007
December 3-14, 2007
Registration Prices:
Member $1200
Non-Member $1700
2007 Intermediate Design School
March 26-30, 2007 Enroll Early
Registration Prices:
Member $ 800
Non-Member $ 1000
SEMINARS/CONVENTIONS
OSU Fire Sprinkler Inspection Training & Certificate Program
February 8-10,2007
March 26-28,2007
April 30-May 2,2007
Stillwater, Oklahoma
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TechTalk is prepared by the Technical Services Department of the
American Fire Sprinkler Association: Vice President of Engineering
and Technical Services, Roland Huggins, a PE registered in fire
protection engineering; Phill Brown, a CFPS and a NICET IV certified
automatic sprinkler technician, and Tom Wellen, a degreed fire
protection-engineering technologist. Opinions are provided with the
understanding that AFSA assumes no liability for the opinions or
actions taken on them and they are not to be considered the official
interpretation of the NFPA or that of its technical committees.
Copyright (c) 2007, American Fire Sprinkler Association, 9696
Skillman St., Suite 300, Dallas, TX 75243. Voice (214) 349-5965 ext
124 or Fax (214) 343-8898. All rights reserved.
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