Warehouse ESFR Question

[Sheridan10655]

I am looking at a warehouse facility in Georgia, it now has K-14 ESFR with a 40'-0" Deck height, Storage is in racks max 20'-0" storage height, I will need to change the sprinklers to K-17 ESFR I know this much, my question is since the building has the K-14 heads now can we install the K-17 heads on the systems that only cover the rack areas? This is a 700K sq ft facility so to change them all will be costly. All other stored materials are at 12"-0" Thanks for responses.

 

[SprinklerDesigner2]

I think it would be fine to change the heads only over the areas of the rack storage.

 

[MGXFP]

I have done similar, just be aware you will need to extend installation of the K17's 15' or 30' away horizontally from the footprint of the racks into the lower hazard area.

Of course some calculations should prove the K17's operate as intended.

 

[Sheridan10655]

Thanks all for the good information helps a lot!