American Fire Sprinkler Association
12750 Merit Dr., Suite 350 Dallas TX 75251
Ph: (214) 349-5965 Fax: (214) 276-0908
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TECHNICAL UPDATE
AUGUST 13, 2008
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We have a building with an unheated attic space of approximately 3,900
square feet. The project specifications are requiring a wet fire
protection system with the piping to be insulated and heat traced to
prevent freezing. Is it the intent of Section 8.16.4.1 to allow this
method of freeze protection for an entire system in lieu of a dry type
system? Would sprinkler heads be protected from freezing by heat
tracing branch line piping?"
We have reviewed the 2007 edition of NFPA 13 as the applicable
standard. Our informal interpretation is that heat tracing is
permitted in lieu of a dry pipe system but heat trace products are not
yet available for branch line applications.
A manufacturer has reported that there is no heat tracing cable
available with a listing for branch lines since the testing procedures
have not yet been developed or defined by FM or UL. UL has been
contacted and they confirmed that there is not yet a test standard and
that a significant amount of work must be completed on the ANSI
standard before testing can begin. A time estimated completion date
has not yet been identified.
The heat tracing will affect the sprinklers thus the testing standard
will have to address this issue. The concern is that the tracing wire
may overheat the branch line and activate the sprinkler. The current
UL listing is for use on piping between the system control valve and
the system branch lines, but does not include the branch lines. Thus a
dry pipe or antifreeze system should be installed for attic space
unless the space is heated above 40 degrees F where a wet pipe system
could be installed.
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Technical Update is prepared by the Technical Services Dept. of the
AFSA: Vice President of Engineering and Technical Services Roland
Huggins, a PE registered in fire protection engineering; Phill Brown,
a NICET IV certified automatic sprinkler technician and NFPA Certified
Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) and Tom Wellen, a degreed fire
protection engineering technologist. This is provided with the
understanding that the AFSA assumes no liability for this opinion or
actions taken on it and they are not to be considered the official
position of the NFPA or its technical committees.
Copyright (c) 2008, American Fire Sprinkler Association. All Rights
Reserved
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