protection of exposed expanded plastics stored in racks

Protection of Exposed Expanded Plastics Stored in Racks Steven Wolin, P.E. Code Consultants, Inc.

Sprinkler Research Prioritization

• #1 priority in storage and #2 priority overall:

– Protection of Expanded Group A Plastics in Rack Storage

NFPA 13

• Figure 17.1.2.1

Fire Protection Research Foundation Project Team

Sponsors

• IKEA

• Viking Sprinkler

• Reliable Sprinkler

• Tyco Fire and Building Products

• XL Insurance

• Property Insurance Research Group

• Procter & Gamble

• Target

• Aon Insurance

Technical Panel • Ken Linder, Swiss Re • Rich Pehrson, Rep. International

Fire Marshals Association • Jason Huczek, Southwest Research

Institute • John Denhardt, Strickland Fire

Protection • Steve Wolin, Code Consultants, Inc. • Matt Klaus, NFPA Staff Liaison

Project Contractor

• Underwriters Laboratories

www.nfpa.org/foundation Reports

Suppression Applications

New NFPA 13 - 2013 ed. - Chapter 21

• Alternative Sprinkler System Designs for Storage

• Requires series of large scale fire tests – High clear/low clear

– Ignition location relative to sprinklers

• Number of sprinklers used in the design must based on the worst-case result obtained in the full-scale fire test series increased by a minimum of 50% – Minimum of 12 sprinklers for standard coverage

– 768 sf minimum operating area

New NFPA 13 - 2013 ed. - Chapter 21

• Criteria (Section A21.2) – Number of operated sprinklers

– No sustained combustion at the outer edges of the target arrays

– no sustained combustion at the far end of the main test array

– no sprinklers should operate at the outer edges of the installed sprinkler system

– 1000°F (538°C) maximum 1 minute average steel temperature measured above the fire

Approach

• Ceiling only protection

• Vertical barriers to slow horizontal fire spread

• 8 ft aisles

• Large orifice, intermediate temperature sprinklers

• Considered enhanced in-rack sprinkler system

Test 1

• 40 ft ceiling with 20 ft storage (high clearance)

• K22.4 intermediate temperature – Would allow the use of k25.2

– 10 ft spacing; 14 inch below deck

• Nominal 50 psi discharge pressure

• Double-row racks, 32 ft long

• Metal vertical barriers at every 16 ft

• Ignited between 2 sprinklers

Test 1

Test 1: Setup

Test 1: Video

Test 1: Damage

Test 1: Sprinkler Activation (12)

© 2012 Fire Protection Research Foundation

Test 2

• 40 ft ceiling with 20 ft storage (high clearance)

• K25.2 intermediate temperature

– 10 ft spacing; 14 inch below deck

• Nominal 60 psi operating pressure

• Double-row racks, 32 ft long

• Metal vertical barriers at every 16 ft

• Ignited between 2 sprinklers

Test 2

Test 2: Setup

Test 2: Video

Test 2: Damage

Test 2: Damage

Test 2: Sprinkler Activation (6)

© 2012 Fire Protection Research Foundation

Test 3

• 40 ft ceiling with 35 ft storage (low clearance)

• K25.2 intermediate temperature

– 10 ft spacing; 14 inch below deck

• Nominal 60 psi discharge pressure

• Double-row racks, 56 ft long

• Metal vertical barriers at every 16 ft

• Ignited between 2 sprinklers

Test 3

Test 3: Setup

Test 3: Video

Test 3: Damage

Test 3: Damage - Target

Test 3: Sprinkler Activation (10)

© 2012 Fire Protection Research Foundation

Test 5

• 45 ft ceiling with 40 ft storage (low clearance)

• K25.2 intermediate temperature

– 10 ft spacing; 14 inch below deck

• Nominal 60 psi discharge pressure

• Double-row racks, 56 ft long

• Plywood vertical barriers at every 24 ft

• Ignited under 1 sprinkler

Test 5

Test 5: Setup

Test 5: Setup

Test 5: Video

Test 5: Damage

Test 5: Damage - Target

Test 5: Sprinkler Activation (18)

© 2012 Fire Protection Research Foundation

Test 6

• 40 ft ceiling with 30 ft storage

• K25.2 intermediate temperature

– 10 ft spacing; 14 inch below deck

• Nominal 60 psi discharge pressure

• Double-row racks, 56 ft long

• Plywood vertical barriers at every 16 ft

• Ignited under 1 sprinkler

Test 6

Test 6: Setup

Test 6: Video

Test 6: Damage

Test 6: Damage - Target

Test 6: Sprinkler Activation (6/11)

© 2012 Fire Protection Research Foundation

Summary

• Vertical barriers were effective in slowing fire spread

• Limiting factor is fire spread across aisles

• Maximum steel angle temperature at ceiling: 164°F