Storage System Design

[MechEng2007]

Good Morning,

I am working on a storage building that has rack storage and we are using FM Design Guidelines. The client stores a Class I commodity on a wood pallet. These pallets are on a rack system that has 20' aisles and on each side of the aisle a 40' deep rack is loaded by a forklift that drives in it. Storage height to top of product is 20'. I am using open-frame rack storage design criteria.

My questions is this:
Does FM limit the depth of the open-frame (drive-in) racks? If so, I cannot seem to locate it.

Thanks,

J

 

[chicopee]

What's the reason for not using NFPA code?

 

[skdesigner]

8-9 doesn't appear to limit depth, so much as it uses depth to classify the racks into single row, double row and multiple row. The ceiling protection-only tables don't call out rack depth as a variable, so I presume it would only affect you if you were using in-rack sprinklers.

 

[stookeyfpe]

My understanding is that FM no longer considers a rack as either single-, double-, or multi-row as it relates to the required fire protection. This makes some sense to me in that the sprinkler design should limit the fire growth and spread to the tiers of origin within the vertical plane of storage based on FM's fire testing experience.

Three concerns I have with your question:

1) Which FM LPDS (Loss Prevention Data Sheet) are you using?
2) To Chickopee's question, why isn't NFPA 13 being reviewed? Your AHJ may not accept FM LPDS if this facility is in North America and North of the Rio Grande River.
3) Who concluded that the commodity is Class I?

 

[LCREP]

Any plastic pallets and or the potential to be used? The use of a plastic pallet will raise the commodity classification. What about idle wood pallet storage? Once you get above 6 feet your requirements for idle pallet storage maybe higher than the class 1 commodity rack storage.

I start looking real close on a class I commodity design. It does not take too much other stuff in the building to push up the fire loading.

So what are they storing, and what kind of box and pallet are they using?

 

[MechEng2007]

Thanks for the input.

I classified it as a Class I because the FM tables I am using do not differentiate between a Class I, II, or III. We started with NPFA 13 and within that standard I am working with a Class III.

There are some areas with idle wood pallets and some plastic pallets, but that portion of the building is ESFR. The area with drive-in racks is not heated so we have limited design options. In-rack sprinklers is not something we want to go to (yet) for this client so that is why we are looking into FM designs. The NFPA 13 options require in-rack sprinklers due to the rack depth.

This is in North America and the climate here does get below freezing for a couple months of the year. I am not sure if the AHJ would accept a FM system... Also, whatever is decided upon we have to get water delivery times that meet code (FM or NFPA 13) so I do have some work in front of me.

Anybody have any experience with a Quell system?

J

 

[cdafd]

Interesting, first heard about it

http://www.tyco-fire.com/quell/QuellBrochure.pdf

If double interlock, what kind of detection were you thinking about, to release the valve ??

 

[cdafd]

I am guessing there has been some testing done??


When a sprinkler is activated, water is discharged on a delay to allow time for one or more other sprinklers to be thermally activated by the fire, ensuring sufficient water volume and cooling is applied to control it before it can spread. Developed by Tyco Fire & Building Products, this system should only be installed by licensed contractors.

http://stellarfoodforthought.net/en...ing_wp_cron=1399133461.4509088993072509765625

 

[LCREP]

Only k14 & 16.8 are good for idle plastic pallets see NFPA 13 2013 ed. Also if class III commodity on plastic pallets can make it Grp A plastic. Have you looked at dry pendent ESFR if you can heat the space above it maybe an easy option.

The quell is a double interlocked preaction system. So you have the addition cost of fire detection and all the headache of maintenance. Require a lot of water so I
Hope you have a strong water supply.
[pre][pre][/pre][/pre]

 

[LCREP]

I don't know if Tyco still does it but before you can use the Quell system you have to go to their school in the certified. Tyco did a lot of work on the system including full-scale testing so I'm confident it will work. They have very specific requirements that must be followed hence the requirement that the installer be certified by Tyco.

My comment regarding the ESFR sprinkler system may be costly also. Considering they are dry pendant and only good for 10 years and then would have to be tested and/or replaced. Considering the high failure rate of being dry pendant sprinkler this may not be cost-effective in the long run, but it is an option.

 

[cdafd]

is this a new or existing building?