Warehouse Storage, High Piled Storage, Sprinkler System

[NJ1]

I recently did a sprinkler inspection at a warehouse with over a thousand heads. The warehouse is divided into three tenant spaces.

The warehouse is about 35-40 feet of height and the storage is about 25-30 feet height. (in cases less than 18" height from deflector)
Everything is stored in racks with no open grading.

There is (8)8" risers in the warehouse but everything is 1/2" standard heads schedule pipe systems.
One tenant is all wood furniture
One tenant is some sort of plastic paper
One tenant is Chinese dry food but only store to 15 feet in boxes

In my opinion for the tenant with furniture and tenant with plastic papers the systems are not adequate for the classification and commodity of use.
Anybody?

 

[pipesnpumps]

Did everything appear to be in good working order? I read on an Internet board somewhere that inspectors shouldn't make comments about conformance to NFPA 13... only the NFPA 25 issues should be commented on.

It would take alot more info than you gave to evaluate the adequacy of the sprinklers.

Real world knowledge doesn't fall out of the sky on a parachute, but rather is gained in small increments during moments of panic or curiosity.

 

[chevy4x4trucks]

Chances are the systems are not adequate, especially if you are talking rack storage of plastics. The system would have to be hydraulically calculated to determine if it is capable of meeting the density required for their storage arrangement.

You should make a note of this to the customer and then if they are interested provide them with a quote to upgrade their system.

 

[NJ1]

pipesnpumps

You could vouch for all my comments when I speak about what you just said. It is not the intent of NFPA 25 to identify installation flaws, design flaws, system analysis, etc.
As I always recommend people you must write a separate letter about these issues or make a separate comment on reports.
I just happened to write separate letter. I just dont see how these systems being pipe schedule can meet the use of classification.

 

[SprinklerDesigner2]

"I just don't see how these systems being pipe schedule can meet the use of classification."

Perhaps it did when it was originally installed in 1936. How are you to know, how is anyone to know?

 

[cdafd]

Not enough info

But does not sound good

Sounds like you have solid shelves which is not good

 

[pipesnpumps]

Try searching eBay for a copy of NFPA 13 the 1936 version. Was plastic even invented then? I think bakelite was invented in the 1910's.



Real world knowledge doesn't fall out of the sky on a parachute, but rather is gained in small increments during moments of panic or curiosity.

 

[NJ1]

lol. lol. lol.
You guys are really fun to chat with. I am so confident that these systems do not meet today's classification and use. I just figure I can use some help since systems analysis and design is not my bread and butter of such trade.
I will try to post pictures by Saturday. How is that.

 

[stookeyfpe]

Wet-pipe or dry-pipe?
Flat or sloped roof? You asked, I am questioning the design.

If I was in your position, I would decide to reg tag it and state the stored commodities are beyond the original design.

Prove to me that an LH/OH pipe schedule sprinkler system will work. It won't.

 

[FFP1]

Recommend a proper engineering analysis be conducted by a qualified engineer (or fire protection contractor with experience in this type of evaluation).

There are so many variables which need to be evaluated/considered to properly determine the adequacy of the fire protection systems at this facility.

I will state the sprinkler systems you have described more than likely will not provide adequate protection for the given storage arrangements...........the building was probably designed to protect a completely different storage arrangement than you currently have at this facility.

 

[TravisMack]

I would be that your densities are greater than 0.20 at the roof and possibly greater than 0.34 gpm / sq ft depending on commodities, in-rack sprinklers, temp rating of heads, etc... As such, the k-factor needs to be a minimum of K8 unless the density is >0.34, then it needs to be at least 11.2k per current standards. That is just a basic start. As others have said, you need a complete analysis of this system to determine those things.

Travis Mack
MFP Design, LLC

http://www.mfpdesign.com

 

[NJ1]

Thanks guys. I decided to bring a FPE to do systems analysis at this point. I am almost positive the system is not adequate at all.