American Fire Sprinkler Association 12750 Merit Dr., Suite 350 * Dallas TX 75251 Ph: (214) 349-5965 Fax: (214) 276-0908
----------------- TECHNICAL UPDATE JULY 9, 2009 ----------------- “What is the classification of occupancy hazard for a hydraulic elevator machine room? What is the classification of occupancy hazard for the bottom of a hydraulic elevator hoist way with combustible hydraulic fluid?” We have reviewed NFPA 13, 1999 Edition that you identified as the applicable standard. Our informal interpretation is the hydraulic elevator equipment use areas are an ordinary hazard occupancy classification. The amount of fluid, operating pressure of the hydraulic unit, and that the elevator equipment is confined within a room or elevator shaft. The hazard of hydraulic elevators is not similar to high- pressure hydraulic equipment used in manufacturing, industrial processes, and aircraft simulators in larger open areas where these occupancy hazards are indicated as Extra Hazard (Group I) for combustible hydraulic use areas. The intent of the standard is that the Extra Hazard (Group I) Occupancy class does not apply to elevators since the systems are smaller and have less pressure where the atomized fluid flaming fire is not a likely hazard. This was confirmed with NFPA staff. However, it seems like one could argue that the bottom of the shaft could be Light Hazard since the fuel loading is less than an office area. The predominate hazard is accumulated trash that falls down into the pit combined with a minor amount of hydraulic fluid (rather than a burning pool). Ordinary hazard versus Light Hazard is irrelevant since it is a small area with a sprinkler at 7 psi with an area of 8 ft X 8 ft provides a density of Ordinary Hazard (Group 2). As with all ambiguous issues, discussion with the AHJ beforehand is a good idea. ---------------- 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 © 2009, American Fire Sprinkler Association. All Rights Reserved -------------------------- If you’d rather not receive future faxes from AFSA, fax your removal request to Amy Sweeney at Efax (214) 242-3155 or call toll free (888) 839-4830 or send e-mail request @ [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
