Material Recycling Center - Tipping Area - Extra Hazard 2 or Solid Pile Storage?

[dssprdesigner]

Hi,

We are working on a design-build project for an existing recycling facility that has a tipping area with a ceiling height of 39'-0". The existing sprinkler system in-place which is rotted out was designed as solid-pile plastics to 5'-0" max storage height (0.2GPM/sq.ft over 1950sq.ft). The new sprinkler system will be a dry system.

Should the tipping area be designed for an Extra Hazard Group II occupancy (plastics processing) or as solid-pile storage of Group A Plastics? The product is driven into the area in trucks, dumped, and then moved with a front-end loader to a conveyor system for processing. The product is transient and on average for majority of the year is contained to less than 5'-0" high. However, during processing equipment breakdowns and holidays the product can be piled up to 10'-0".

If it is considered solid-pile the building height exceeds the limits of NFPA 13 max building height of 35'-0" for conventional sprinklers. CMSA and ESFR sprinklers are not an option as the new system is a dry system.

Any input into this would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[LCREP]

Extra haz Grp 2 as noted below.... Shielding of combustibles.

HOWEVER we had one of these facilities in our run area and would go to it often. The only way to put the fire out was to pull the garbage out and hose it down. The fire is so deep seated the water does not get to what is burning. The first fire we had at the site we poured 1000's of GPM on the fire and was on site for many hours. It was not until we pulled it apart we could put it out. After that we did not bother to put water on the fire until they started pulling the garbage out for us.

The sprinkler is really just protecting the building structure from metal failure.

Extra Hazard (Group 2). Extra hazard (Group 2) occu- pancies shall be defined as occupancies or portions of other occupancies with moderate to substantial amounts of flam- mable or combustible liquids or occupancies where shielding of combustibles is extensive.

 

[TravisMack]

As usual, LCREP is correct. These are definitely control type systems. The extinguishment is by responding FD. Those fires are often nasty and can burn for long periods.

Travis Mack
MFP Design, LLC

http://www.mfpdesign.com

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[LCREP]

As usual, LCREP is correct. These are definitely control type systems. The extinguishment is by responding FD. Those fires are often nasty and can burn for long periods.


Thanks Travis

 

[dssprdesigner]

Thanks for the input.

We weren't comfortable with the original classification of OH2 for the area.

EH2 it is.