American Fire Sprinkler Association 12750 Merit Drive, Suite 350 * Dallas, Texas 75251
Ph:(214) 349-5965 Fax:(214) 276-0908 --------------- TECH TALK DECEMBER 2009 --------------- TEST CONNECTIONS FOR ANTIFREEZE SYSTEMS LARGER THAN 150 GALLONS A new requirement was added in the 2010 Edition of NFPA 13 to provide connections for every 100 gal when the system capacity is larger than 150 gal as indicated by Section 7.6.3.7. This was needed to correlate with the NFPA 25 requirement that was added in the 2008 Edition. Section 5.3.4.3 of NFPA 25 states, “The antifreeze solution shall be tested at its most remote portion and where it interfaces with the wet- pipe system. When antifreeze systems have a capacity larger than 150 gal, tests at one additional point for every 100 gal shall be made. If the test results indicated an incorrect freeze point at any point in the system, the system shall be drained.” The change was needed in NFPA 13 to provide the test connections during the installation of the system. TEMPERATURE RATINGS The 2010 Edition of NFPA 13 now allows intermediate-temperature sprinklers to be used throughout buildings in section 8.3.2.1. The 2010 Edition of the Sprinkler Systems Handbook commentary indicates that traditionally, ordinary-temperature sprinklers have been required throughout a building unless the requirements of 8.3.2 required intermediate- or high-temperature sprinklers to be used. However, many buildings are built without suspended ceilings, resulting in a mix of ordinary with the intermediate-temperature-rated sprinklers needed around heating diffusers and other heat-producing areas. Since the response time of quick-response intermediate-temperature sprinklers is not that different from ordinary-temperature standard- response sprinklers, the standard now groups ordinary- and intermediate-temperature sprinklers together and allows intermediate- temperature sprinklers throughout the building, reducing the need for multiple types of sprinklers. DIFFUSERS DISCHARGING LESS THAN 100 DEGREES F A new section was added in the 2010 Edition of NFPA 13 where sprinklers no longer have to be separated from HVAC ducts for ordinary temperature rated sprinklers when the diffuser discharge is less than 100 degrees F. The new section is located under 8.3.2.5(9) and it states, “Ordinary-temperature sprinklers located adjacent to a heating duct that discharges are that is less than 100 degrees F are not required to be separated in accordance with Table 8.3.2.5(a).” There are many HVAC systems that function with lower temperature airflows and the requirements of Table 8.3.2.5(a) would not apply. ----------------------------------- 2010 AFSA DESIGN SCHOOLS Beginning System Planning School February 22-March 5, 2010 April 19-30, 2010 July 12-23, 2010 October 11-22, 2010 Registration Prices: Special Member $880 Non-Member $1600 NOTE: Enrollment open only to AFSA Contractor Members until 6 weeks prior to each class 2010 System Layout School for Residential I & 2 Family Dwellings School March 22-26, 2010 June 21-25, 2010 August 23-27, 2010 Registration Prices: Special Member $600 Non-Member $1150 AFSA/OSU Fire Sprinkler Inspection Training & Certificate Program Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK January 14-16, 2010 March 22-24, 2010 Registration Price: Member $945 -------------------------- 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) 2009, 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://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklernotes
