Sprinkler Protection of Non-Storage Occupancies with High Ceiling Clearance 20 May, 2014 Peter Thomas

Background Architectural designs create real fire protection challenges to fire engineers. “The Taller” seems to be “The Better” Sprinkler performance and effectiveness in buildings with high roofs and non-storage occupancies such as atria, convention centers, casinos, auditoriums, theaters, exposition halls and others, is not well understood.

Introduction – Current Situation Convention Center Ceiling Height of 18 m What is sprinkler protection based on current installation standards?

Introduction – Current Situation EN 12845 (OH 4) 5.0 mm/min 360 sq m NFPA 13 (OH 2) 8.1 mm/min 139 sq m 6.1 mm/min 372 sq m FMDS 3-26 (HC 3) 20.0 mm/min 280 sq m China GB 50084 (OH 1) 6.0 mm/min 160 sq m Australia AS 2118.1 (High Hazard- Process) 12 mm/min 360 sq m Singapore CP52 Not Allowed

Needs further research 2017年4月8日星期六 Test Summary from FM Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 Test 4 Exploratory Test 5 EC 25 Commodity (as per NFPA) Class II Group A Plastic Fuel Height 2.26 1.73 Ceiling 15.4 15.9 16.6 Deflector 15.2 15.7 16.4 Arrangement 8X8,solid, 2 tiers 2X8, solid, 1 tier density 12 mm/min 6 mm/min 18 mm/min. K-factor K115, RTI 140 K 80, RTI 140 K 160, RTI 28 K 360, RTI 28 Spacing 3.0 X 3.0 6.1 X 6.1 Conclusion Passed 15 heads operating Skipping Adequate 17 heads operating Failed 26 heads operating 16 heads operating 1 head operating No skipping Needs further research

Test Plan

Test Fuel and Fuel Array Arrangement

Sprinkler System

Full Scale Fire Test 1 Fuel Arrangement: Group A Plastics Ceiling height: 12 m Fuel Height: 1.63 m Clearance to ceiling: 10.4 m Arrangement of fuel package: 8 by 2, solid pile Ignition Location: Under 1 sprinkler Density: 15 mm/min Sprinklers: K115, RTI 105 (m-s)1/2 Standard Response, Pendent Spacing: 3.0 m x 3.0 m

Full Scale Fire Test 1

Full Scale Fire Test 1

Full Scale Fire Test 1

Full Scale Fire Test 2 Fuel Arrangement: Group A Plastics Ceiling Height: 16 m Fuel Height: 1.63 / 1.13 m Clearance to ceiling: 14.4 m Arrangement of fuel package: 8 by 2, solid pile Ignition Location: Under 1 sprinkler Density: 20 mm/min Sprinklers: K115, RTI 35 (m-s)1/2 Quick Response, Pendent Spacing: 3.0 m x 3.0 m

Full Scale Fire Test 2

Full Scale Fire Test 2

Full Scale Fire Test 2

Full Scale Fire Test 3 Fuel Arrangement: Group A Plastics Ceiling Height: 16 m Fuel Height: 1.63 / 1.13 m Clearance to ceiling: 14.4 m Arrangement of fuel package: 8 by 2, solid pile Ignition Location: Under 1 sprinkler Density: 23 mm/min Sprinklers: K161, RTI 138 (m-s)1/2 Standard Response, Pendent Spacing: 3.0 m x 3.0 m

Full Scale Fire Test 3

Full Scale Fire Test 3

Full Scale Fire Test 4 Fuel Arrangement: Group A Plastics Ceiling Height: 18 m Fuel Height: 1.63 m Clearance to ceiling: 16.4 m Arrangement of Fuel Package: 6 by 2, solid pile Ignition Location: Under 1 sprinkler Density: 40 mm/min Sprinklers: K363, RTI 130 (m-s)1/2 Standard Response, Pendent Spacing: 3.0 m x 3.0 m

Full Scale Fire Test 4

Full Scale Fire Test 4

Full Scale Fire Test 5 Fuel Arrangement: Group A Plastics Ceiling Height: 18 m Fuel Height: 1.63 Clearance to Ceiling: 16.4 m Arrangement of Fuel package: 6 by 2, solid pile Ignition Location: Between 4 sprinklers Density: 40 mm/min Sprinklers: K363, RTI 130 (m-s)1/2 Standard Response, Pendent Spacing: 3.0 m x 3.0 m

Full Scale Fire Test 5

Full Scale Fire Test 5

Test Summary Effectiveness of sprinkler to control depends on delivered density Under 12 m ceiling, K 115 sprinkler at 15 mm/min. did not control the fire. Under 16 m ceiling, K115 sprinkler at 20mm/min. did not control the fire. A K160 sprinkler marginally controlled the fire at 23 mm/min. Under 18 m ceiling, K363 sprinkler at 40 mm/min. generates significantly larger drops and effectively controlled the fire.

Conclusion EN 12845 (OH 4) NFPA 13 (OH 2) FMDS 3-26 (HC 3) 5.0 mm/min 360 sq m NFPA 13 (OH 2) 8.1 mm/min 139 sq m 6.1 mm/min 372 sq m FMDS 3-26 (HC 3) 20.0 mm/min 280 sq m China GB 50084 (OH 1) 6.0 mm/min 160 sq m Change – 40 mm/min 160 sq m with K360 sprinklers Australia (AS 2118.1) (High Hazard- Process) 12 mm/min 360 sq m Singapore CP52 Not Allowed over 13 m Proposed change - 12 mm/min 360 sq m with K160 sprinklers