large stack room?? 1

[TravisMack]

What is a large stack room? What is a small stack room? These are in reference to NFPA 13 for libraries.

I have a public library with a reading area, surrounded by "stacks". The stacks are no more than 4-5' high.

I picture a large stack room as my old college library. 3 stories of "stacks". I would figure your basic county library with a 9' ceiling to not fall into the "large stack" rooms of NFPA 13.

What say y'all??

Travis Mack
MFP Design, LLC

 

[stookeyfpe]

I love the phrase "large" and "small." It's so beneficial in making an interpretation. That is engineering sarcism.

Let me tell you a story. In Austin, the original library for the University of Texas (the same tower Charles Whitman used to kill 14 Austinites) has stacks that start at the floor and terminate at the ceiling - until you look above the ceiling and below the floor. The stacks are the structural element supporting the building. Its pretty innovative engineering but how do you protect it?

Answer: Protect the steel, at whatever the cost (another story).

If I was dealing with such a design I would want a volume of water that could be reasonably discharged as fast as possible onto the stacks for pre-wetting and cooling the ceiling fire gases. I would also be worrying about sprinkler clearances. I would consider light hazard as acceptable but would want QR links to ensure an early water application. Books in shelves are compacted paper so the burning rate should be slow due to the paper being compressed. Paper has a heat release rate of 8K Btu/Lb., which should be controlled by a light hazard classification.

One might think OH1 but I would start worrying that the 36 inch clearances required for the extended coverage sprinklers (which is dependant on the selected sprinklers) will not be respected by the librarians.

Call me if you want to discuss this further.

Did I help? You've really been beneficial in helping my publications look good.

 

[TravisMack]

That was a lot of help.

Glad I can help with the diagrams for the publication. I think this is a fair trade

T

Travis Mack
MFP Design, LLC