Hi Rack Storage Sprinkler Coverage Alternatives?

[ContractorDave]

Project: Government Warehouse / records storage. 75 x 150'.
18'h x 20" (10" back to back with no flue) solid shelving; 50'l x 6' centers with 42" isles. Currently there is a large dry system that will be converted to a wet. Gridded 6" with 2" lines, 3/4" ELO? spaced approximately 7' x 10'. Code calls for in rack or intermediate level sprinklers but the client uses a manlift to access and distibute files and it barely fits down the isles as is. Adding sprinkler piping is not a good option. We have looked at hi-pressure mist (ala Marriots Hi-Fog) but it's pretty pricey. Any suggestions for low pressure mist alternatives or something else?

Regards
Dave

 

[stookeyfpe]

Is the stored commodity paper records, microfiche or microfilm? Secondly, is this shelf storage?

Also, I already sense an issue in that NFPA 13 offers no guidance for shelf storage above 15 feet, meaning you are now seeking an engineered solution.

 

[FFP1]

Lower the overall storage height to the height which is adequately protected by the ceiling system with no IRAS.

The customer might need to expand the footprint of the storage arrangement, reduce the volume of records maintained in this storage area or maybe relocate some of the files to a different facility.........but this is probably the best & most economical solution.

 

[ContractorDave]

stookeyfpe, Paper records and shelving. As for an engineered solution, I'm not quite sure what you mean? Could you elucidate?

FPP1, if they have to rent or build another building to accomodate reduced storage volume, I'm not so sure how ecenomical that would be. We live in the Northwest Territories of Canada where a double wide trailer will go for a quarter million and infrastructure is terribly expensive because we have to blast rock to set foundations and install streets and utilities, etc. ad nauseum.

 

[stookeyfpe]

Lightecho:

The requirements in Chapter 12 of NFPA 13 state that the requirements for shelf storage are only applicable to storage to a height of 15-0. Your storage condition is 18-0, which is outside the design limits of NFPA 13. In your case, you need to see if FM or GE GAP offers any guidance.

In thinking about this some more, an 18-0 shelf is tall. Is there a walkway between the shelves?

 

[ContractorDave]

Stookey

42" isles... enough for the scissor man-lift. Not enough really for additional sprinkler piping. Might have to look at eliminating the scissor lift option and install scaffolding at an intermediate level with sprinklers below?

Thx for your thoughts