NFPA 13, Ch. 17 Protection of plastic commodities

[mich04]

Can somebody help me here…I’m trying to find the design requirements for double-row rack storage, of Group A Plastics,exposed,expanded. The building has a sloped ceiling (2 in 12 slope) with 35 ft to the highest point. Storage height varies from 16ft to 25 ft max. None of the tables/figures from NFPA 13 Ch.17 applies here. Is there something else in the code that will allow combination of different requirements so that I can apply it to this case?
Thanks!

 

[firepe]

Exposed expanded plastics is very dificult to protect, even with ESFR. You combination of 35-ft high roof deck, and 25-ft. max storage height is almost a loser.

It appears that you could make K25 ESFR work using a 12-hds@60-psi design. This design is for exposed expanded plastics up to 25-ft high in up to a 40-ft building.

See Tyco Data Sheet TFP312 for details.

You could also make K14 ESFR work using 12-hds@100-psi, if a "false ceiling" were installed at 30-ft.

 

[firepe]

I stand corrected, the K25 design is for SOLID PILE storage ONLY, not racks.

 

[TravisMack]

I believe that NFPA 13 states that exposed expanded plastics is outside the scope of the standard. You may want to look at the revised FM criteria to see if they have anything that would work in your situation.

Travis Mack
MFP Design, LLC

http://www.mfpdesign.com

 

[stookeyfpe]

You'll need to look at FMDS 8-9 for guidance. Because you are using an FM design, I would also require compliance with the FM installation requirements in DS 2-2.

With all the latest revisions to these two data sheets and your commodity, I would spend some quality time ensuring you understand all of the new requirements.

 

[mich04]

Thanks everybody!