FPRF Sprinkler Protection Criteria for Consumer Fireworks Storage in Retail Facilities

Garner Palenske, P.E.

AON FPE Vice President | US Western Region

Fire Protection Engineering

Fire Protection Engineering

Overview

This study had two primary objectives: To conduct/oversee a field survey of the

configurations of fireworks storage in retail facilities to develop a design basis for hazard assessment

To develop a research plan with associated preliminary cost estimate to evaluate required sprinkler design criteria for consumer fireworks storage in these facilities

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Fire Protection Engineering

Field Survey Locations

Phantom Fireworks – Pahrump, NV

TNT Fireworks– Londonderry, NH

Atlas Fireworks– Londonderry, NH

Phantom Fireworks– Londonderry, NH

Sparks Fly Fireworks– Chichester, NH

Big Daddy’s Fireworks– Lenoir City, TN

Fireworks Supermarket– Lenoir City, TN

Fireworks Supermarket– Bristol, TN

Phantom Fireworks– Holland, OH

Phantom Fireworks– Fayette, OH

Motor City Fireworks– Monroe, MI

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Field Survey Findings – Retail Areas

Similar to Grocery Stores– Layout– Product distribution– Organization

Displayed in Original Packaging Removal of Damaged Products

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Fire Protection Engineering

Field Survey Findings – Retail Areas

Fuse Covers / Protective Packaging Shelving Sizes & Types Varied

– Gondolas (up to 5 shelves)– Pallets– Single level bins

Storage Heights & Lengths Varied– Most shelving ≤ 72 inches tall– All shelving ≤ 32 feet long

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Fire Protection Engineering

Field Survey Findings – Retail Areas

Product Quantity – Greatest to Least: Cakes Mine / Shell Devices Assortments Aerial Shell Kits Roman Candles Fountains Sparklers / Dipped Sticks Other (Sky / Bottle Rockets, Missiles,

Helicopters, Firecrackers, Wheels) Novelties

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Fire Protection Engineering

Field Survey Findings – Storage Areas

Storage Protection– Sprinkler System– Building Separation

DOT Approved Packaging Shelving Sizes & Types Varied

– Predominant Method: Solid Pile– Rack Storage in Five Stores

Storage Heights Varied– 120 Inches for Solid Pile– 166 Inches for Racks

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Fire Protection Engineering

Proposed Testing Concept – Reduced Scale Testing

Use Calorimeter Testing Address Fireworks Characteristics

– Energy release from fire– Deflagration potential– Spark spray– Launching projectiles

Determine Worst Case Products– Baseline for full scale testing

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Fire Protection Engineering

Proposed Testing Concept – Full Scale Testing

Storage Configurations– Rack storage array– Palletized array

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Retail Configurations– Shelf storage arrays– Palletized arrays– Influence of projectiles– Influence of spark spray

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Proposed Fire Test Parameters

Fire Tests Shelf Storage Palletized Comments

Test Room Size( sq ft) 3,000-5,000 3,000-5,000Size of Typical

Retail StoreStorage Type Shelf (Gondola) Palletized Open Array

Commodity Type Consumer Fireworks Consumer Fireworks

Nominal Storage Height (ft) 6 6

Nominal Ceiling Height (ft) 12-17 12-17

Nominal Clearance (ft) 6-11 6-11

Array length(ft) 32 21 UL 199

Aisle Width (in) 48 N/A

Longitudinal Flue (in) N/A 12Longitudinal/Transverse Divider

Longitudinal at24 inches

NA UL 199

Ignition LocationBetween 2 Sprinklers

(Centered)Between 2 Sprinklers

(Centered)

Igniter Details2 Half Igniters - 3" by 3"Each with 4 oz Gasoline

2 Half Igniters - 3" by 3"Each with 4 oz Gasoline

Sprinkler Type/Temperature Rating (oF)

CMDA 165 CMDA 165

Sprinkler Orientation Pendent Pendent

Sprinkler Response Quick Response Quick Response

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Test Concept Summary

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Description of Test Product Type Number of Tests

Mock Building Construction of 3,000-5,000 ft2 mock building To be used in all full scale tests

Calorimeter –Fuel Package Tests

Samples from categories defined by NFPA 1124, Appendix C

12 - One from each category plus three more

Full scale retail tests (described in Table 1)

Highest heat-release rate products, plus worst case projectile launching products

6 - gondola array,2 - palletized array

Full scale storage tests Highest heat-release rate products in DOT approved packaging

1 - rack storage, 1 - palletized array

Fire Protection Engineering

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Questions?