Cold Storage Fire Testing

[AdamMurray]

I am wondering if anyone is aware of fire testing for preaction systems protecting cold storage freezers with no in rack sprinkler protection. I am hoping to find information for building heights above 40 feet.

There seems to be lots of testing for building heights of 40 feet or less, but I am having a hard time finding information for anything higher.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[stookeyfpe]

Your question cannot be answered without additional information. Specifically:

1) What are the stored commodities?
2) How are the commodities packaged?
3) Single, double or multi-row racks?
4) What is the ceiling/roof height?

NFPA 13, 2002 edition, Chapter 12 offers design criteria for storage over 25 feet. I do not see how you will avoid in-rack sprinklers.

 

[AdamMurray]

stookeyfpe

Thank you for your response. As for storage commodity and rack type....I am not to concerned about this, am just looking for fire tests for buildings over 40 feet in height with rack storage and double interlocked preaction systems.

I am aware of the NFPA requirements, however there are several fire tests by FM, UL, etc. which do show that Class 2 commodities can be protected in buildings with ceilings heights of 40 feet or less with no in rack sprinklers. Of course all of this is subject to AHJ approval where this does not meet the prescriptive requirements of the code, but does satisfy the intent.

Thanks again for the reply, hope to hear from others as well.

Adam

 

[stookeyfpe]

I am aware of a particular FM fire test that evaluated the use of large drop sprinklers with a preaction detection system. The fire test involved a 40 foot building with double row racks to 36 feet for storage of Class II commodities. The test revealed that 28 sprinklers operated. The only tests over 40 feet for ESFR used wet-pipe protection - pre-action or dry pipe were not evaluated.

Recently FM rescinded its approval of large drop sprinklers because of test reproducibility issues at there new fire test laboratory. As a result FM no longer recognizes this test as a valid means of fire protection.

In reviewing FM data sheet 8-9 I found that once you get above 40 feet, FM will require one row of in-rack sprinklers for Class I-IV commodities unless K 25.2 sprinklers are specified. However, this is limited to wet pipe systems.

I also reviewed FM Data Sheet 8-29 which addressess sprinkler protection for refrigerated storage. I found no criteria allowing ESFR for pre-action systems.

I am aware of a system manufactured by Tyco that essentially uses a antifreeze delivery system for ESFR. Its listed for use in refrigerated storage areas to temperatures to -20F.

 

[TravisMack]

I believe the Tyco system has been pulled from the market as they had problems with it leaking all of the time. I don't know all of the details.

 

[alpo0]

VIKING has approved (FM, UL and ULC) system for cold storage what you look for:

http://www.vikingcorp.com/databook/...e&Location=Freezer Storage&Dir=freezerstorage