200F sprinkler for office?

[DavidCR]

I´ve been asked if a 200°F (97°C) is ok to be used in an office building. In this case, ceiling temp will never reach to 38°C. So, in our city (San Jose, Costa Rica) for offices mostly "ordinary" red bulb sprinklers are used.

In this building all sprinklers are 200°C (97°C) intermediate green bulbs. I´m not sure if the sprinklers are quick, standard or fast response. I´d like to know if there is a NFPA req. problem on the temp rating.

Following the code, NFPA 13 states the lower temp ratings, for a given max ceiling temp. but does not say about upper limits.

So I´d appreciate if you could give some criteria on this case and if somebody has a reference to read on the matter on selection of temp ratings.

 

[cdafd]

sorry not in the office but there are a couple of section in nfpa 13 that dictate the temp that can be used.

200 degrees F is considered an intermediate head 175-225

http://www.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes/AboutTheCodes.asp?DocNum=13&cookie_test=1

table 6.2.5.1 and 8.3.2.1

 

[DavidCR]

Yes, sorry I was only looking to chapter 6 and not aware that 8.3 changed from my 2004 printed edition.

Checking the current edition, it include ordinary and intermediate for general use on buildings. In the previous version only ordinary was mentioned in this paragraph.

So it looks that there is no problem to use intermediate temp for general use on offices. Am I missing something?.

 

[cdafd]

does it meet the edition that it was designed to??

 

[DavidCR]

Good question. I´ve been asked my opinion, so I´m doing my preliminary homework. Next week will have a meeting to see the matter in detail.

Do you know when the change appeared in 8.3.2.1?. I only have the 2010 and 2004 editions to compare.

I understand that they decided to use intermediate temp bulbs as a "safety factor" to prevent false activation of sprinklers, so my thinking goes if that is a possibility that the new 8.3.2.1. allows, or if this is a bad design.

Does the code table 6.2.5.1 intention is to use the lower rating to give a better protection?. I know that the temp rating may affect the expected number of sprinklers to open, but I don´t know if for general buildings as per the the new 8.3.2.1 it is not an important issue.

 

[chevy4x4trucks]

What's the proximity of the head to a diffuser? We have installed 200 degree heads in office spaces because of one incident where a head 12" from a diffuser activated.

 

[DavidCR]

Sorry if don´t catch the idea. Do you mean a vent or heating diffuser?, We don´t have heating in this case. Please clarify.

 

[cdafd]

DavidCR

do you mind stating what you do for a living, it may help in answering the question

thanks

 

[chevy4x4trucks]

A heating diffuser.

 

[pipesnpumps]

The change occurred in the 2010 edition. The 2007 edition 8.3.2.1 states that ordinary temp sprinklers shall be used throughout.. (unless 8.3.2.X req'ts are met, for which intermediate is allowed only where the ceiling temp is >100F).

The 2010 edition 8.3.2.1 states that "ordinary- and intermediate-temperature sprinklers shall be used.."

The explanatory language in the 13 handbook states the purpose of the change was to allow a single sprinkler type to be used throughout (quick response intermediate) to avoid having to mix types because of heating diffusers and heat-producing areas.. The justification for the change is that "response time of quick response intermediate temperature rated sprinklers is not that different than ordinary temperature standard response sprinklers." I am inferring from the write-up that allowing intermediate temp throughout simplifies things while providing equivalent protection.

I'm not sure why the explanatory (blue) text mentions standard response; that must be an error, because light hazard requires quick response elements only in new buildings (8.3.3.1)

So bottom line, if the governing code is 2007 (most likely) the intermediate temps are not allowed unless one of the 8.3.2.X req'ts are met.. Also be sure not to mix standard and quick response types in the same areas; to avoid skipping.

If 2002 is governing code I can look that up also. This write-up covers 2007 and 2010 only.

 

[DavidCR]

Thanks for the input "pipesnpumps". I have 2004 and previous editions.

For chevy4x4. My first language is not English so just wanted to be sure on the terms. Our company, is buying a building that is under construction, the people in charge of the technical aspects of the contract has made me the question, I was courious on this matter.

I´m a mechanical engineer, with some studies on fire protection, CFPS. I work for a government facility of power generation and telecommunications in Costa Rica. Deal with some design on fire protection for power plants (yard mains, hydrants, deluge systems, foam systems, testing, follow up of technical aspects of contracts of power plants,...). I´m not strong on sprinklers for "normal" buildings, most of my jobs are based on NFPA850/851. Here in my country we are based on NFPA but also have to deal with local construction codes, and insurance and fire authorities rules that are some different from US´s.

 

[cdafd]

Thanks for the info