American Fire Sprinkler Association
12750 Merit Drive * Suite 350 * Dallas, Texas 75251
Ph: (214) 349-5965 Fax: (214) 276-0908
----------------------
TECH TALK
SEPTEMBER 2008
----------------------
IMPROVING THE STANDARDS
NFPA13
The NFPA 13 ROC meetings are taking place. The bad news is that the
committee is still enamored with the Darcy-Weisbach equation for
antifreeze systems. The additional friction loss created by cold
antifreeze solution needs to be addressed but it should have been kept
simple. They also decided not to require a fixed discharged point for
the forward flow requirement on backflow preventer so it still says
just provide a means. Some items that were modified are check valves
within a dry pipe system, a greatly expanded use of relieve valves
(one aspect will likely impact the use of expansion chambers), and air
venting to help with corrosion. Watch for a future summary on the
changes from the ROC meetings.
NFPA 25
The proposal window for NFPA 25 was reopened. A new proposal closing
date is set for December 8, 2008 and the final date for the ROP
Meeting is February 27, 2009. The reason it was delayed is that NFPA
13 and NFPA 20 are in cycle and the changes to these standards need to
be picked-up by NFPA 25.
NFPA 25 INSPECTION - SHELVES AGAINST THE WALL
Sprinkler clearances are verified during NFPA 25 inspections. Are
shelves against a wall a problem when the items or storage on the
shelves are within 18 in. of the sprinkler deflector? The answer is
"no" when the sprinkler is not located directly above the shelf.
Section 5.2.1.2 in NFPA 25, 2008 Edition indicates that the minimum
clearance required by the installation standard, which is likely NFPA
13, shall be maintained below all sprinklers. Stock, furnishings, or
equipment closer to the sprinkler than the clearance rules allow shall
be corrected. Obstructions less than 18 in. below the sprinkler has
greater impact than obstructions located further away. For standard
spray and upright sprinklers, the clearance between the deflector and
the top of storage shall be 18 inches or greater. The clearance is
required to allow the initial development of the discharge pattern
such that the sprinklers protect (adequately wet) the floor area that
it covers. NFPA 13, 2007 Edition does specifically address shelves
against walls in annex material. Section A.8.6.6 states, "The 18 in.
dimension is not intended to limit the height of shelving on a wall or
shelving against a wall in accordance with 8.6.6. Where shelving is
installed on a wall and is not directly below sprinklers, the shelves,
including storage thereon, can extend above the level of a plane
located 18 in. below ceiling sprinkler deflectors. Shelving, and any
storage thereon, directly below the sprinklers cannot extend above a
plane located 18 in. below ceiling sprinkler deflector."
---------------------
AFSA Convention & Exhibition
October 15-19, 2008
Washington, DC
On-site registration
Member $700
Non Member $925
AFSA Virtual Seminar
Step-by-Step Approach to Seismic Bracing
October 30, 2008
To Register: Event ID: 14089
12:00 PM EDT
11:00 AM CDT
10:00 PM MDT
9:00 AM PDT
Earn: 0.15 CEU's/1.5 CPD's.
Member: $ 90 per connection
Non Member: $130 per connection
U Certificate: $ 40 per listener to receive CEU Certificate.
If any listeners at your site need CEU/CPD credit, the processing fee
is an additional $40 per person. Enter each person's full name and e-
mail address you are purchasing CEU/CPD credits for including yourself
to receive Certificate.
To Register:
Online: www.krm.com/afsa
By Phone: 800-775-7654, please have your credit card information ready.
By Fax: 800-676-0734. Fax completed form with Credit Card
information.
By Mail: KRM Information Services Inc. PO Box 1187 Eau Claire, WI
54702-1187 (Payment must accompany registration)
Future AFSA Virtual Seminar
December 18, 2008
2008 AFSA DESIGN SCHOOLS
Beginning System Planning School
November 3-14, 2008.
Registration Prices:
Member $1100
Non-Member $1600
NOTE: Enrollment open only to AFSA Contractor Members until 6 weeks
prior to each class.
---------------------
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) 2008, American Fire Sprinkler Association, 12750 Merit
Drive, Ste 350, Dallas, TX 75251. Voice (214) 349-5965 ext 124 or Fax
(214) 276-0908. All rights reserved.
---------------------
If you'd rather not receive future faxes from AFSA, fax your removal
request to (888) 839-4830 or e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Please include your company name and the specific fax numbers(s) at
which you do not wish to receive faxes from us. Our failure to comply
with your request may be unlawful.
_______________________________________________
Sprinklernotes mailing list
[email protected]
http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklernotes
