Exhausts fan in warehouse.

[PRinspector]

Ok, I have search NFPA 13 and I cannot come up with anything except appendix C6. We are building 2 warehouse aprox 60,000 sq/ft each. They are putting two giant exhausts fan they will control Louvers on the side of the building. These fans will be used to help with climate control by removing hot air out of the warehouse(?). Now, here is my question; will I want this fans control (open/close) with the activation of the fire alarm? Anything specific that I should know?

PS. I know that NFPA13 requires to be capable of manual exhaust operations.

Thanks in advance any help is appreciated.

Lou

 

[NightME]

Since the louvers on the side of the building I can assume that they are not being used as smoke vents? Are these louvers located near the ground level or top of the wall? The fire alarm system should be listed for the louver system as well as the motors for the dampers. I suspect that this would significantly drive the costs up. Is there a reason why you want the louvers to open on fire alarm activation?

 

[cdafd]

Don't think they are required to shut down

 

[cdafd]

Is this area designed to any high piled stock requirements??

 

[PRinspector]

Guys, thanks for the replies,

The louver are going to be near the top of the wall. The warehouse is designed as high piled stock, at this time I'm not really sure if I want the fan/louver on or off during alarm activation. I'm still trying to research what will be the best option before, I meet with the GC later this week. Anyone know if FM has any information about this topic?

Regards

 

[cdafd]

Do you know which fire code and edition this project is designed to?? Or FM. Design??

So ESFR heads or not??

Any smoke vents or smoke removal system,, or not ??



If not part of a smoke removal system, I do not think shut down is required.

From IFC:

910.4.6 Interlocks. On combination comfort air-handling/smoke removal systems or independent comfort air-handling systems, fans shall be controlled to shut down in accordance with the approved smoke control sequence.

 

[PRinspector]

NO ESFR, plans does not shows any smoke removal system. Building is to comply with NFPA 13, 2013 ed and NFPA 101 2012 ed.

Regards
Lou

 

[cdafd]

Cannot speak to 101

Last shot. Is there a fire protection engineer involved??

If so consult , if not maybe want should be consulted for a review of the entire project

 

[Sdpaddler50]

FM 2-0.

 

[PRinspector]

CDAFD,
I was going to tell the GC to ask the FPE for his/her opinion. I bet the will say is mechanical stuff (we get a lot of that in here). I just want to educate myself a little more in this subject. I know they need to be capable of manual exhaust operations, but other than that nothing else.

SDpaddler50,

I will look in FM 2-0 to see if I can dig-up some information

AGAIN THANKS

 

[PRinspector]

SD50
Any idea as to where I can find FM2-0 a serch in the web did not produce any place where I could read this document.

regards

Lou

 

[cdafd]

PR

There are alot of variables to your question.

is it just a plain old warehouse

is it a high piled warehouse

what kind of sprinkler protecetion is used

are there fans just for comfort

are there fasn as part of a true smoke removal system

are the heat vents for smoke removal

What building or fire code or FM desig is used

Just to list a few of the variables


To me if the fnas are there just for comfort, most of the time they do not need to shut down.

Just like all the overhead doors in a warehouse and say they were all open at the time of the fire, they do not need to shut

 

[Sdpaddler50]

CDA, you are making comments about an area that you are not familiar with.

PR- google, FM Global, then Data Sheets. Register for the free, public version, and you will have access to all of them. There are specific criteria for exhaust vents, air flow velocities, protection criteria, etc.

 

[cdafd]

Ok,
Be glad to learn where I am wrong

 

[cdafd]

Anyone find anything in FM 2-0??

Seems like only talks about ceiling level


2.2.1.7.2 Exhaust Openings at Ceiling Level
Arrange openings at ceiling level, such as exhaust and ridge vents, to close automatically upon early fire detection (prior to first sprinkler operation). If this is not possible, do one of the following:

 

[PRinspector]

CDA, here are some of the answers to your questions.

There are a lot of variables to your question.

is it just a plain old warehouse? No, New build.

is it a high piled warehouse? Yes

what kind of sprinkler protection is used? Standards heads wet system. The pitch was to grade for ESFR Heads(?)

are there fans just for comfort? The say they are but the specs ask for the fire alarm to control them.

are there fans as part of a true smoke removal system? Don't know exactly yet, but if the specs shows action from FA I inclining to think so.(??)

are the heat vents for smoke removal? See above.

What building or fire code or FM design is used. NFPA 101 2010, NFPA 13 2013

Just to list a few of the variables

regards

 

[cdafd]

PR


For your particular job, talk to the FPE and ask all your questions.