Blown-In Insulation Value Engineering

[RemoteControlFF]

Does anyone have any experience using blown-in insulation to fill concealed combustible construction as opposed to sprinkling them?

I have a space that is totally dead above a built in closet, no wire runs, no ducts, no pipe, just a wood framed void.

The area is 2'-0 x 1'6 x 3'-0(h) and I have about 30 identical spaces in the building. If I sprinkle them, it'll be an expensive head (TYCO CC1 per the Blazemaster listing)and fitter time getting it in there, but I'm not sure what the cost per cubic foot would be to fill it - or even if that sort of volume is possible (I don't think I’ve seen the stuff piled 3' high before).

Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[stookeyfpe]

My big concern is combustibility of the insulating material. As long as the material has a heat release release rate < 1000 BTU/Sq.Ft., in accordance with Section 8.14.1.2.12 and a flame spread rating of 25 or less (see Section 8.14.1.2.10), I would not have an issue with the use of a blown in insulation.

 

[cdafd]

So what flavor nfpa 13 system are you doing??

nfpa 13
nfpa 13d
nfpa 13r


and what type of business???

 

[cdafd]

Also, have you looked at all the other what use to be exceptions???? for concealed spaces.

 

[RemoteControlFF]

It is an NFPA 13 system for a Nursing Home retrofit, so we have to deal with the concealed spaces one way or another.

Stookey -- Thanks for the cite re: heat release and flame spread. I get the feeling that this idea will get shot down simply because it is outside the norm but it has been interesting working out the logistics and seeing if it would be cost effective.

"we're a sprinkler contractor not an insulation contractor!!" is what I'm sure I will hear from some folks

 

[cdafd]

did you look at 8.14.1.2.9 nfpa 13 2002?

 

[RemoteControlFF]

My understanding is that the AHJs in our area are not allowing for this exemption (8.14.1.2.9) in nursing homes at this time - our company has already had to go back to one location and install protection in a similar scenario because the inspector "didn't like" that it was un-sprinkled.

If it were me, I'd fight the decision, but all of these nursing homes are in the special situation (my understanding) of losing their federal funding if they are not in compliance by the end of the year...