Storage Protection Using Horizontal Barriers and Large K-Factor, Extended Coverage In-Rack Sprinklers

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1 Storage Protection Using Horizontal Barriers and Large K-Factor, Extended Coverage In-Rack Sprinklers Michael Billstroem Director of International Technical Services The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc.

2 As an Industry, we have spent the last 30 years trying to eliminate in-rack sprinklers. Are they coming back? Current Trends & Developments: Higher buildings using Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS). More exposed plastic storage Lower water demands by using horizontal in-rack barriers. Using N252 EC as in-rack sprinklers.

3 Why is Storage Different?

4 NFPA Fire Protection Research Foundation work forms the basis of our new approach. Initial Project to improve on methods of storing EEP and allowing for retrofit. Save water.

5 Performance Based Design Equivalency NFPA Nothing in this standard is intended to prevent the use of systems, methods or devices of equivalent or superior quality, strength, fire resistance, effectiveness, durability, and safety over those prescribed by this standard. NFPA Technical documentation shall be submitted to the AHJ to demonstrate equivalency NFPA The system, method, or device shall be approved for the intended purpose by the AHJ. New Technology NFPA Nothing in this standard shall be intended to restrict new technologies or alternate arrangements, provided the level of safety prescribed by this standard is not lowered.

6 NFPA Group A Plastics & Rubber Choose appropriate path

7 Testing carried out at Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Standard fuel package for EEP tests using polystyrene meat trays.

8 Test Parameters. Commodity: Exposed, Expanded Class A Plastics Ceiling Height:12.2m Storage Height: 10.7m Horizontal Barrier: 10mm Plywood at 6.1m (as per FM 8-9 and NFPA 13) Ceiling Sprinklers: K=16.8 ESFR Sprinklers bar In-rack sprinklers: N252EC K=360 Extended Coverage Pendent Sprinklers bar

9 Reliable Model N252-EC Extended Coverage Pendent Sprinkler K=360 UL Listed, FM approved as a ceiling application sprinkler 100 C version was used for all testing The Model N252 EC Pendent Sprinkler is a component of the N-Rack-EC Fire Protection System Patent Pending

10 100mm clearance above commodity 50mm deflector distance below beam 1200mm aisle width Target Array Spray 2.07bar

11 Installation Method. N252-EC Sprinklers Centred in Longitudinal Flue and Centred Between Rack Uprights = 2,515mm on centre.

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15 The horizontal barrier was left open at the rack uprights and no sprinklers are installed in the transverse flue or at the face of the racks.

16 Exposed Expanded Class A Plastics Fire Test.

17 Results. Opened one (1) sprinkler at the 1 minute/2 seconds 3.4bar and 450 lpm Opened two (2) sprinklers in the 49 seconds and 52 seconds 2.07bar and 522 lpm each or 1044 lpm total

18 After N-252 EC with Horizontal Barrier

19 Ceiling Proposed Design Temp(C) Bar LPM/spr No. of sprs. calculated System Demand in LPM K-16.8 ESFR ,405+ In-Rack N-252 EC Pendent ,567+ For comparison: Actual water demands will be higher based upon hydraulic calculations. The in-rack sprinkler demand would not be added to the ceiling demand because of the horizontal barrier. The total system demand would be the ceiling demand at 5,405+ LPM

20 Existing Ceiling Sprinkler Design (FM) for Exposed Expanded Plastics stored in Open Racks with 12.2m Ceiling and 10.7m storage. Proposed K-16.8 ESFR & N252 In Rack Bar LPM/spr No. of sprs. calculated Hose Stream in LPM System Demand in LPM ,405+ FM DS 8-9 K-25 ESFR Pendent ,893 18,473+ For comparison: Actual water demands will be higher based upon hydraulic calculations. Also note current 8-9 system has 2 hour water demand. On this basis total water saving would be +/- 1,875,000 litres

21 Proposed Design (NFPA ) for Exposed Expanded Plastics stored in Open Racks with 12.2m Ceiling and 10.7m storage using Vertical Barriers at 5m Intervals. Proposed K-16.8 ESFR & N252 In Rack Bar LPM/spr No. of sprs. calculated Hose Stream in LPM System Demand in LPM ,405+ NFPA 13 K-25 ESFR Pendent ,016+ For comparison: Actual water demands will be higher based upon hydraulic calculations. On this basis total water saving would be +/- 396,660 litres

22 After K25 ESFR with Vertical Barrier

23 After N-252 EC with Horizontal Barrier

24 Second Phase of Testing Cartoned Unexpanded, Group A Plastics Primary Goals: To reduce the number of in-rack sprinklers when compared to standard in-rack schemes and to reduce water demands. To have a significant reduction of water demand for buildings up to 14.63m (48 ) high that can currently be protected by ceiling-only sprinklers. Protect buildings higher than 14.63m (48 ) with low water demands. Retrofit existing facilities, where the storage commodities or methods of storage have changed, without changing the existing sprinklers and/or increasing water flows or pressures.

25 Objective: Test 2 with Cartoned Unexpanded Plastics By using a horizontal barrier at 9.1m, the total water demand and pressure would be lower than existing ceiling-only sprinkler designs. Protect buildings higher than with one level of in-rack sprinklers. Test 2 Ceiling Height 14.63m Storage Height Horizontal Barrier Ignition Point 13.11m on double row racks 1 at the 9.1m level At upright- face (aisle) Ceiling Sprinklers N 252 EC 100 C 18.2m2 and 2.07bar In-Rack Sprinklers Ceiling Spr. Operated N 252 EC 100 C 2.07bar 3.01 minutes In-Rack Spr. Operated :59 Peak Steel Temp Ceil. 67 C

26 After N-252 EC with Horizontal Barrier

27 Proposed Design for Cartoned Unexpanded Plastics Stored in Racks up to and potentially over 14.63m with Horizontal Barriers at the 9.1m level Ceiling Bar LPM/spr No. of sprs. calculated System Demand in LPM N-252 EC 18.2m²/spr ,132+ The ceiling sprinkler design is based upon NFPA 13 and FM Global requirements for 9.1m high ceilings and ceiling-only sprinkler protection. In-Rack N-252 EC Pendent ,566+ For comparison: Actual water demands will be higher based upon hydraulic calculations. The in-rack sprinkler demand would not be added to the ceiling demand because of the horizontal barrier. The total system demand would be the ceiling demand at 3,132+ LPM

28 N-Rack-EC System Vs. Current Approved Systems Current UL Listings / FM Approvals for 13.7m High Buildings-Class 4/Group A Plastics K22/K m² Proposed Design - N m² Sprinkler demand UL 6,435+ lpm / 7,237+ lpm 3,132+ lpm FM 7,177+ lpm / 8,088+ lpm Hose stream demand 946 lpm 946 lpm Total demand 7,381+ lpm / 8,183+ lpm 4,078+ lpm FM 8,123+ lpm / 9,034+ lpm Current UL Listings for 14.63m High Buildings-Class 4/Group A Plastics K22/K m² Proposed Design - N m² Sprinkler demand 7,544 lpm / 8,093 lpm 3,132+ lpm Hose stream demand 946 lpm 946 lpm Total demand 8,490+ lpm / 9,039+ lpm 4,078+ lpm

29 Potential Benefits Up to 18.3m high buildings with 16.7m Storage using a single row of in-rack sprinklers? Future Protection for 48 + High Buildings- Class 4/Group A Plastics K22/K 25 ESFR Proposed Design - N m² Sprinkler demand NA 3,132+ lpm Hose stream demand NA 946 lpm Total demand NA 4,078+ lpm

30 ASRS - The Future of Storage Protection Tests 3, 4, & m/36.4m 18.3m/27.3m 12.2m/18.2m 6.1m/9.1m

31 Objective: Test 3 with Cartoned Unexpanded Plastics By using multiple horizontal barriers at 6.1m intervals, high bay buildings may be protected with fewer in-rack sprinklers. No face sprinklers and no sprinklers in transverse flues. Barrier open at transverse flue. Test 3 Ceiling Height 14.63m Storage Height Horizontal Barrier Ignition Point Ceiling Sprinklers In-Rack Sprinklers 13.11m on double row racks 2 6.1m level & 12.2m level Offset in Transverse Flue N 252 EC 18.2m2 and 0 bar N 252 EC 100 C 2.07bar Ceiling Spr. Operated In-Rack Spr. Operated in 6.1m level. 1 st in 12.2m Peak Steel Temp Ceil. 232 C

32 Testing with a Continuous Barrier Across the Uprights Tests 1, 2, & 3 Tests 4 & 5

33 Test 4 with Cartoned Unexpanded Plastics Objective: By using multiple continuous horizontal barriers at 6.1m intervals, high bay buildings may be protected with fewer in-rack sprinklers. No face sprinklers and no sprinklers in transverse flues. Fires may be contained and suppressed between barriers. Test 4 Ceiling Height 14.63m Storage Height Horizontal Barrier Ignition Point Ceiling Sprinklers In-Rack Sprinklers Ceiling Spr. Operated 13.11m on double row racks 2 6.1m level & 12.2m level Offset in Transverse Flue N 252 EC 18.2m2 and 0 bar N 252 EC 100 C 2.07bar None In-Rack Spr. Operated 4 in 6.1m level only Peak Steel Temp Ceil. 28 C

34 Test 5 with Cartoned Unexpanded Plastics Objective: By using multiple continuous horizontal barriers at 9.1m intervals, high bay buildings may be protected with fewer in-rack sprinklers. No face sprinklers and no sprinklers in transverse flues. Fires may be contained and suppressed between barriers. Test 5 Ceiling Height 14.63m Storage Height Horizontal Barrier Ignition Point Ceiling Sprinklers In-Rack Sprinklers Ceiling Spr. Operated 13.11m on double row racks 1 9.1m level Offset in Transverse Flue N 252 EC 18.2m2 and 0 bar N 252 EC 100 C 2.07bar None In-Rack Spr. Operated 3 in 9.1m level only Peak Steel Temp Ceil. 28 C

35 Fixed Camera at 9.1m Barrier Level

36 In Conclusion: For storage of Exposed Expanded Class A Plastics in double row, open framed racks: By installing a horizontal barrier at the 6.1m level with the Model N252 EC Pendent, used as in-rack sprinklers, buildings up to 12.2m high will have significantly lower water demands than using ceiling-only sprinkler protection.

37 For storage of Cartoned Unexpanded Plastics in double row, open framed racks: By installing a horizontal barrier at the 9.1m level with the Model N252 EC Pendent, used as in-rack sprinklers, buildings up to 14.63m high will have lower water demands than using ceiling-only sprinkler protection. Retrofit applications where storage commodities or methods of storage have changed, adding a horizontal barrier or barriers with the Model N252 EC Pendent, used as in-rack sprinklers, may eliminate changing ceiling sprinklers or water supplies.

38 For storage of Cartoned Unexpanded Plastics in double row, open framed racks: By installing continuous horizontal barriers at 6.1m to 9.1m levels with the Model N252 EC Pendent, used as in-rack sprinklers, buildings over 14.63m high may be protected while reducing the number of sprinklers required by current in-rack schemes. Fires may be contained and suppressed between barriers. Retrofit applications of high bay buildings where storage commodities or methods of storage have changed, adding continuous horizontal barriers with the Model N252 EC Pendent, used as in-rack sprinklers, may eliminate changing ceiling sprinklers or water supplies while greatly reducing the quantity of in-rack sprinklers.

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