Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology Slide 1 / / Henrik Bygbjerg / Sprinkler Protection of Wooden Stairwells Sprinkler Protection of Wooden Stairwells Fire brigade Henrik Bygbjerg, M.Sc., Head of Research and Development at DBI 7th International Fire Sprinkler Conference June 2008 in Copenhagen

Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology Slide 2 / / Henrik Bygbjerg / Sprinkler Protection of Wooden Stairwells Sprinkler Protection of Wooden Stairwells When renovation of old buildings 3 methods exists –Replacement of wooden stairwell with stairwell class R 30 A2-s1,d0 [BS-building element 30] i.e. steel or concrete stairwell –Protection of wooden stairwell with covering class K 2 30 A2-s1,d0 [30 minutes Fire protection system] i.e. 15 mm fire gypsum board –Sprinkler protection of stair case

Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology Slide 3 / / Henrik Bygbjerg / Sprinkler Protection of Wooden Stairwells Danish sprinkler regulation - historic Sprinkler protection of wooden stairwell was allowed in buildings with up to 4 stories Water amount calculated for release of all the sprinklers in the staircase Alarm to the fire brigade by usage of Pressostat Valves at building supply is to be installed

Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology Slide 4 / / Henrik Bygbjerg / Sprinkler Protection of Wooden Stairwells Test programe Laboratory test conducted in DBI laboratory –Staircase with 2.5 stories Full scale test conducted in an existing building with 5 stories located in Copenhagen Both test series was carried out for 4 different tests consisting of 2 fires in 2 boundary conditions: –Arson fire (fire in a child carrier) –Standard fire (wood crib) –Doors and windows to the staircase closed –Front door and top window to the staircase open

Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology Slide 5 / / Henrik Bygbjerg / Sprinkler Protection of Wooden Stairwells Existing building for test in Copenhagen 5 stories height 6 sprinklers 15 thermo couples 2 pressure gates

Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology Slide 6 / / Henrik Bygbjerg / Sprinkler Protection of Wooden Stairwells Standard fire (wood crib) – door and window open Video

Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology Slide 7 / / Henrik Bygbjerg / Sprinkler Protection of Wooden Stairwells Arson fire (child carrier) – door and window open See the Video at:

Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology Slide 8 / / Henrik Bygbjerg / Sprinkler Protection of Wooden Stairwells Results The sprinkler system controlled all of the 4 fires The sprinkler system extinguished 3 of the fires Not all sprinklers in the staircase released DBI retningslinie 251 chapter 1100 revised

Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology Slide 9 / / Henrik Bygbjerg / Sprinkler Protection of Wooden Stairwells Results - temperatures

Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology Slide 10 / / Henrik Bygbjerg / Sprinkler Protection of Wooden Stairwells Results - temperatures

Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology Slide 11 / / Henrik Bygbjerg / Sprinkler Protection of Wooden Stairwells Future Sprinkling of wooden staircase allowed in building with top floor level < 22.0 m over ground level Release of 4 sprinkler should be used for water supply Flow switch for transmitting alarm to the fire brigade Valves at building supply shall not be installed

Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology Slide 12 / / Henrik Bygbjerg / Sprinkler Protection of Wooden Stairwells Further information Report (in danish) and video on DBI’s web page: The test were conducted in coordination with