ESFR and Rubber Tire storage

[SpcFoor]

In chapter 18 of the 2007 edition of NFPA it states that you need to have column protection if the columns are not fireproofed. 1 sidewall if storage not over 15ft and two if up to 25ft. In 18.2.4 it states that the requirements of 18.2.1 are not required if an ESFR system is installed and approved. Am I reading that correctly. If I design an approved ESFR system I would not have to have column protection correct. The building in question is a tire distributor building 35'0" in height storage up to 25'0" tires on side in protable racks with open grating approx. 128,000 sq. ft. so requiring 4 systems.

 

[cdafd]

That is what the book says

Are the esfr's listed for what you are trying to do???

 

[SpcFoor]

Yes. I am going to use the Tyco k-25 esfr head.

 

[b1ueshift]

It makes sense not to require column protection as the design goal of ESFR is to stop the fire dead rather than just slow it down.

FM Global have done a lot of full scale tests. If the sprinkler is listed for your particular hazard, you can be confident that the sprinklers will put the fire out really quickly.