Sprinklers in Temporary Displays

[acb324]

I have been asked whether or not a temporary display at a museum will require sprinkler protection under NFPA 13. I was unable to find an exception due to the fact that the display is temporary. It is basically a wood frame tent with tarp material stretched over it (approx 20'x60') that is inside of a sprinklered space. As I see it, this is an obstruction to the sprinkler discharge reaching the floor. Not to mention the delay in sprinkler activation, or the combustibility of the structure.

I have recommended either leaving the top open such that the existing sprinklers in the space can cover, or extending some heads into the display, but the ultimate question is:

NFPA defines temporary as something that is in place for less than 180 days. Is there an exception for sprinklering such a temporary installation if it would be present for less than 180 days?

 

[Sdpaddler50]

acb, if you have a heavy grade plastic tarp material, then absolutely it is an obstruction. On the other hand, if its a very light weight material, that will rapidly burn away, then its not. For example, in my area we have the motion picture film studios (TV and movies). All of the major studios have various sets and other work areas within their sound stages. In many cases they will use a very light weight, cloth, muslin material as a lid. Its more of a dust cover. It would rapidly burn out in the event of a fire in the space, and allow the sprinklers above to penetrate. Just throwing that out there in case it applies to your situation.

 

[acb324]

Thanks Sdpaddler! It is certainly much heavier than a muslin and I am also concerned because it is synthetic.

Any thoughts on the temporary part? I thought I had read something to that effect before, but I can't for the life of me find it anywhere... Not to mention, I don't feel comfortable with such a large portion of the room being obstructed for up to 6 months. However, I don't want to be accused of over designing if there is some NFPA exception that covers this situation.

 

[cdafd]

Request 50 per cent opening??

Are you the ahj? If so what fire code are you under

Which Nfpa are you getting the 180 out if??

 

[acb324]

Design consultant. NFPA 13 is adopted.

180 days is from NFPA 5000 definition of temporary. NFPA 5000 is not adopted here, but it does clarify that NFPA 13 is intended to cover such membrane structures. I am recommending open top or sprinklers within at this point.

 

[Sdpaddler50]

abc, i think your approach is the same one I would take. I cant tell you how many times a particular situation would be "temporary" and you go back 3 years lator and nothing has changed.

 

[cdafd]

I guess yes technically it should have sprinklers under the obstruction

But what will happen if a fire starts??? Will the heads activate, before the structure fails??

Also, this being a place of assembly hopefully the material is fire retardant [tt][/tt]

 

[cdafd]

But it does talk about that a studio has limited people in it, not like a museum could have a good crowd not familair with the building

from nfpa 140

A.4.11.1.3.1

A.4.11.1.3.1 Paragraphs 4.11.1.3.1 and 4.11.1.3.2 recognize motion picture and television industry practices that require sets to change constantly and that sets are “temporary” construction not subject to building codes or standards. Solid ceilings that obstruct the stage sprinklers are “flown” (moved) in or out to permit special shooting angles or lighting requirements, often on a scene-by-scene basis. With temporary walls and ceilings, it would be impractical to install a sprinkler system in a constantly changing structure. Therefore, one or more of the following mitigation techniques should be used to compensate for the areas shielded from sprinkler spray by solid or hard ceilings or platforms:


(1)Approved and listed heat detectors or smoke detectors can be installed beneath such solid or hard ceilings in excess of 600 ft2 (55.7 m2) in area and platforms in excess of 600 ft2 (55.7 m2) in area and 3 ft (0.9 m) in height. Detectors should be connected to an approved and listed central, proprietary, or remote station service or to a local alarm that will provide an audible signal (i.e., a bell or horn) at a constantly attended location. The detector system, including the alarm panel, is defined as a portable system because it is intended to be reinstalled when platforms or sets are changed. The detectors that are secured to standard outlet boxes and the listed fire alarm panels can be temporarily supported by sets, platforms, or pedestals. Spacing of detectors should be per manufacturers' requirements.

(2)The ceiling can be positioned to allow for the operation of the building's automatic fire sprinkler system after videotaping, filming, or broadcasting of programs has been completed for the day.

(3)A fire watch should be provided when the set is not in use.

(4)No combustible materials should be stored under any platforms. Consideration should be given to secure such covered areas with screen wire or other materials that will permit visual inspection and emergency access.

(5)Approved/listed fire retardants can be applied beneath combustible platforms.

(6)Approved/listed fire retardants can be applied to scenery, props, framework and deck of combustible platforms, and the hard ceilings of combustible sets.







5.11 Fire Protection.

5.11.1* Building areas used as production locations shall be designed, constructed, and maintained to protect the occupants not intimate with the initial fire development for the time needed to evacuate, relocate, or defend in place.



5.11.2 Where an automatic sprinkler system is provided for compliance with 5.11.1, the automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, unless otherwise provided in 5.11.4 or 5.11.5.



5.11.3 In any production location building protected by an existing automatic sprinkler system, where solid- or hard-ceiling sets or platforms are introduced and create an obstruction to sprinkler discharge, the provisions of 5.11.4 or 5.11.5 shall be met.



5.11.4* The requirements of NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, prohibiting obstructions to sprinkler discharge shall not be applicable if approved mitigation is employed.



5.11.5* The requirements of NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, prohibiting obstructions to sprinkler discharge shall not be applicable if the building sprinkler system meets the design criteria for Extra Hazard, Group 2.



5.11.6 Automatic sprinkler systems, where provided, shall be maintained in accordance with NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems.



5.11.7 Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided as required by the AHJ.

 

[acb324]

That is a GREAT reference. Thanks cdafd!!

 

[cdafd]

So is material fire retardant

 

[cdafd]

Sorry got to Nfpa 140 from chapter 21 of Nfpa 13, I think it was maybe 21.20

 

[acb324]

I have also asked about the material. I have only received photographs so far which appear to be a plastic or nylon type material, but I certainly cannot evaluate the material let alone the fire treatment/characteristics from a photo. I can't imagine the material wasn't carefully considered for this type of thing, but I have seen scarier oversights before!

 

[Sdpaddler50]

A fire retardent plastic material is an oxymoron. I realize some have various retardents etc to reduce the flame/smoke spread etc. However, once it catches fire, it can be off to the races in the right configuration. I believe the fire codes are way too liberal in allowing flammable plastic materials in buildings. The ASTM, horizontal tunnel test is worthless. The NFPA and FM, vertical corner test is much more representative of real life. Some of our worst fires have occurred in warehouses (cold storage for example) with this stuff.

The fire protection community needs to do a better job hitting the important stuff. We have fire inspectors writing up people because a head is x inches too far away from a wall in a light haz office occupancy, and the same inspector goes down to the warehouse with rack storage of expanded plastics to 30 ft high with a .20 density and everything is copasetic. Answer - more training and every major FD should have an FPE on staff training and mentoring the inspectors. Sorry I high jacked this thread with my rant. I am getting of my soap box now. Fire away.

 

[acb324]

Agreed on all counts! No worries I did something similar recently on another thread with a rant about the city of Chicago code... unreal. But yeah as far as the material goes a photograph doesn't say much. We will see how things progress.

 

[ContractorDave]

Here is a fun one. I know of a bar that had a small covered wagon in the entrance. This was in the day when people smoked in the bars. I wish I would have kept a picture of it. The fire marshal made them drop a sprinkler head into it. Awesome.

Regards
D

A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be
Thomas Paine

http://www.ykfireprevention.ca