SPRINKLER TECHNOLOGY:

Transcription

1 SPRINKLER TECHNOLOGY: CURRENT STATE OF THE ART AND GLIMPSE INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL James Golinveaux Senior Fellow Tyco Fire Protection Products

2 First known patent for automatic suppression system to Mr. Ambrose Godfrey, an English chemist for: Cask of water containing a chamber filled with gunpowder Ignited by fire using fuses Intended to be strategically placed within buildings At least one success

3 First known patent for automatic suppression piping system to Mr. John Carey of England for: Perforated piping Supplied from elevated water tank Valve on tank is opened by dropping of weights when rope across ceiling is burned

4 Perforated pipe systems in the U.S.

5 Perforated pipe systems in the U.S.

6 Performance of perforated piping Advantages: First widely used fire suppression systems Distributed approximately.05 gpm/ft 2 (2 mm/min) over floor area NOTE: 2 mm/min = 2 L/min/m 2 Disadvantages: Water not concentrated where needed, resulting in excessive water damage over large floor areas not involved in the fire High potential for corrosion, since open piping accumulated rust and scale that clogged orifices

7 Automatic suppression system patents in the United States 1872 Phillip Pratt revolving perforated pipe arms, activated by cord burn-through 1872 John Souther steam dispensed through brass perforated pipes 1873 J.C. Meehan Fuse-activated steam system

8 Early automatic sprinklers Credit sometimes given to Major A. Stewart Harrison of the First London Volunteers who in 1864 developed a 75 mm diameter sphere with 1.6 mm holes spaced 3 to 19 mm apart, with fusible solder activation Never patented or marketed

9 Early automatic sprinklers Credit for the first practical automatic sprinkler to Henry Parmelee of New Haven, Connecticut, who patented his first sprinkler in 1874, and protected his own piano factory with a later model In 1875 he created a sprinkler that used a brass cap soldered over a water distributor

10 Parmelee Sprinkler

11 Early automatic sprinklers Grinnell patented a sprinkler in 1882 that used a plate orifice instead of perforations or slots Soldered levers held a valve against the orifice in the plate The diaphragm action of the orifice plate allowed an increase in water pressure to seal the orifice tighter against leakage

12 Early automatic sprinklers Over 450 patents on automatic sprinklers in the United States between 1872 and 1914, mainly using solder

13 First glass bulb sprinkler

14 Major Sprinkler Innovations 1935 Duraspeed sprinkler for faster response Cycling valve On-off sprinkler Bimetallic disc Wax motor On off Sprinklers

15 Major Sprinkler Innovations 1955 Spray sprinkler available to replace conventional sprinkler, allowing larger protection areas Upright Pendent Spray Sprinklers Upright Pendent Ceiling Floor Ceiling Old Style/Conventional Sprinklers Floor

16 Standard Spray vs. Conventional

17 Major Sprinkler Innovations Extended coverage sprinkler Quick response sprinkler Residential (domestic) sprinkler Large drop sprinkler ESFR sprinkler Residential ESFR

18 What is water mist? NFPA 750 (2010) Definition Water Mist. A water spray for which the Dv99 for the flow-weighted cumulative volumetric distribution of water droplets, is less than 1000 microns at the minimum design operating pressure of the water mist nozzle 18

19 19 Residential Sprinklers LFII

20 20 Residential Sprinklers LFII

21 How did we get here? For Control Mode Density Area (CMDA) sprinklers the Standard Spray K5.6 (K80) and K8.0 (K115) pendent and upright automatic sprinklers were the only CMDA K factors for storage until

22 CMDA (continued) In 1992 Tyco (Central Sprinkler) introduced the first CMDA K11.2 (K160) pendent and upright automatic sprinklers approved for Storage formerly known as the ELO

23 CMDA (continued) K14.0 (K200) K16.8 (K240) K25.2 EC Upright (K360) K25.2 EC Pendent (K360) The K14 (200), K16.8 (K240) and K25.2EC (K360EC) CMDA automatic sprinklers 23

24 Control Mode Specific Application (CMSA) K11.2 (K160) K16.8 (K240) K19.6 (K280) K25.2 (K360) K25.2EC (K360EC) CMSA automatic sprinklers 24

25 Suppression Mode (ESFR) K14.0 (K200) K14.0 (K200) K16.8 (K240) K16.8 (K240) K22.4 (K320) K25.2 (K360) Suppression Mode automatic sprinklers 25

26 K25 ESFR 26

27 Higher Faster - Further How high can we go? Ceiling Only? 27

28 2 8

29 Where In-Racks Become Mandatory Based on Type of Sprinkler and Storage or Ceiling Height NFPA 13 Chapter Commodity Storage Height Building Height CMDA CMSA ESFR Class IV >22 ft (6.7 m) NA x Class I - III >25 ft (7.6 m) NA x 16 Class I - IV >35 ft (10.6) >40 ft (12.1 m) x Class I - IV >40 ft (12.1 m) >45 ft (13.7 m) x 17 Group A plastic commodities in cartons, encapsulated or nonencapsulated Group A plastic Cartoned Unexpanded Group A plastic Cartoned Unexpanded Group A plastic Exposed Unexpanded 20 ft (6.1 m) >25 ft (7.6 m) x >20 ft (6.1 m) NA x >35 ft (10.6) >40 ft (12.1 m) x >40 ft (12.1 m) >45 ft (13.7 m) x >35 ft (10.6) >40 ft (12.1 m) x 29

30 The Challenge Currently NFPA 13 and FM 8-9 limit Ceiling Only protection for some commodities to 45 ft (13.7m). UL Specific Application Sprinklers (Reliable K22 and Tyco K25 ESFR) extend Ceiling Only protection for some commodities to 48 ft (14.6m). K14 (200) ESFR have been limited to 35 ft (10.6m) ceilings from it s original 40 ft (12m) application. When installing in-rack sprinklers, most vertical spacing's are limited to 10 ft (3m) to 12 ft (3.7m) requiring many levels of in-rack sprinklers. At what height is Control Mode not enough for local fire department capability? There are 17 different sprinklers in CMDA, CMSA and ESFR categories to select from for storage applications. 30

31 Skipping - Description of Full Scale Fire Test 3 Fuel Arrangement: FMRC Group A Plastics Fuel Height: 1.73 m Clearance to ceiling: 15.9 m Arrangement: 2 by 8, solid pile, 1 tier Density: 12 mm/min Sprinklers: K115, RTI 140 (m-s) 1/2 Standard Response element, Upright Spacing: 3.0 m x 3.0 m 31

32 Skipping Plan View of Sprinkler Operation Test 3 32

33 What is the Big Deal? FM Global and NFPA have made Significant Changes for Storage in 2011 and 2012 FM has eliminated all names of storage sprinklers such as ESFR, CMSA and CMDA, NFPA still uses the names to differentiate the rules FM has banned K5.6 (K80) and K8.0 (K115) from ceiling protection of storage, NFPA restricts the use but not a ban FM has banned 286 degree (high temperature) sprinklers from wet systems FM has eliminated density and area from design considerations, NFPA still highly dependent on density curves FM has eliminated storage height from design consideration of ceiling only protection, storage height and clearance a significant design consideration in NFPA FM and NFPA now recognize ceiling only designs with as few as 6 sprinklers in the hydraulic demand. 33

34 K5.6 Spray 7 psi (0.5 bar) to 100 psi (7 bar) 34

35 K25EC Droplet Size 7 psi (0.5 bar) to 100 psi (7 bar) 35

36 Droplets Ability to Penetrate the Fire Plume 22 MPH (45 KPH) 36

37 Small Drops are Carried Back to Ceiling - May Skip or Prevent Adjacent Sprinklers from Opening Skipping 22 MPH (45 KPH) 37

38 K8.0 (115).33 gpm/ft 2 / 3000 sq ft (13.44 / 279)

39 EC-25

40 CMDA - Pressure is not the Issue PRESSURE (PSI) K5.6 K8.0 K11.0 K K25 EC DENSITY (100 SQ FT) 40

41 4 1 Expanded Exposed Plastic

42 Activated Sprinklers RSP 7 vs. K11.2 (160) RSP 7 Operated Sprinklers 29 sprinklers K8.0 (115) Sprinkler Demand Operated Sprinklers Only 4 K11.2 (160) Sprinkler Demand K8.0 (115) K11.2 (160) 1740 GPM (6587 L/min) 240 GPM 908 L/min)

43 EC-25 Pendent In-Rack (Reliable) Performance Based Protection FSC7JY

44 EC-25 Pendent (Reliable) Performance Based Protection

45 EC-25 Pendent (Reliable) Performance Based Protection N252 EC Sprinklers Centered in Longitudinal Flue and Centered Between Rack Uprights = 8-3 on center.

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

47 EC-25 Pendent (Reliable) Performance Based Protection

48 ESFR- Dry-Type K14 (200) & K17 (240) Ambient Temperature of Discharge End of Sprinkler Exposure Length of Sprinkler inches (mm) in Heated Area Temperature of Heated Area 40 F (4 C) 40 F (4 C) 0 30 F ( 1 C) 0 20 F ( 7 C) 4 (100) 10 F ( 12 C) 8 (200) 0 F ( 18 C) 12 (305) 10 F ( 23 C) 14 (355) 20 F ( 29 C) 14 (255) 30 F ( 34 C) 16 (405) 40 F ( 40 C) 18 (455) 50 F ( 46 C) 20 (510) 60 F ( 51 C) 20 (510) Do not attempt to add additional insulation around the barrel in the heated area as a method to minimize condensation. This will reduce the calculated Exposure Length. 48

49 Quell 49

50 UL Specific Application Listing K22 & K25 ESFR Provide ceiling-only protection up to and including: 48 ft (14.6 m) Ceiling 43 ft (13.1 m) Storage Eliminates need for in-rack sprinklers for storage arrangements beyond NFPA 13 Lower pressure provides flexibility when sizing system piping when compared to other listed sprinklers 10-Year Limited Warranty 5 0

51 5 1 ESFR Obstructed

52 Specific Application Sprinklers Attic Sprinklers Window Sprinklers Combustible Concealed Sprinklers Institutional Sprinklers Hallway Sprinklers 52

53 New Challenges

54 Outside the scope of NFPA 13 Table A.5.6 Examples of Commodities Not Addressed by Classifications in Section 5.6 Ammunition Components Bulk primers and powder Batteries Lithium and other similar exotic metals Lithium ion and other rechargeable batteries that contain combustible electrolyte Boat Storage Stored on racks Boxes, Crates Empty, wood slatted* Carpet Rolls Combustible Metals unless specifically identified otherwise Compressed or Liquefied Flammable Gases (i.e., filled propane cylinders) unless specifically identified otherwise Explosives Blasting primers and similar items Fertilizers (nitrates) Fireworks Consumer and display Flammable and CombustibleLiquids unless specifically identified otherwise Liquids that contain greater than 20% alcohol Hanging Garments, Bulk Storage Lighters (butane) Loose in large containers (Level 3 aerosol) Storage Container Large container storage of household goods

55 Lightweight Construction New Construction will not burn Fire Safe Home

56 Lithium Battery Storage FPRF Report A total of thirteen tests were conducted. Ignition was achieved using an external fire. The key findings reported by FM Global included: The fire growth characteristics for the Li-ion batteries and the FM Global standard commodities that were evaluated exhibited similar fire development leading to the estimated time of first sprinkler operation. Commodity containing densely packed Li-ion batteries and minimal plastics (i.e., cylindrical and polymer cells) exhibited a delay in the battery involvement. For the Li-ion batteries used in this project, significant involvement was observed within five minutes after ignition. Commodity containing a significant quantity of loosely packed plastics (i.e., CUP and power tool packs) exhibited a rapid increase in the released energy due to plastics involvement early in the fire development. Battery involvement was not observable due to the contribution from the plastics.

57 Lithium Battery Storage FPRF Report The CUP commodity exhibited a fire hazard leading to initial sprinkler operation that was similar or greater than the Li-ion battery products tested. Therefore, the CUP commodity was chosen as a suitable surrogate for Li-ion batteries in a bulk packed rack storage test scenario, provided the fire protection system suppresses the fire prior to the time of significant Li-ion battery involvement. Without full-scale sprinklered testing experience with Li-ion batteries, protection system performance must preclude Li-ion battery involvement..

58 Lithium Battery Storage FPRF Report The second test series evaluated the level of protection provided by ceiling level only sprinklers. Two large-scale fire sprinkler tests were conducted with CUP commodity and were based on the reduced commodity testing approach data. Full-scale tests were conducted with CUP commodity due to the costs associated with purchasing Li-ion cells and/or battery packs. In both large-scale fire tests, the CUP commodity cartons were breached by the fire before initial sprinkler operation, resulting in persistent, deep seated flames beyond the predicted time of battery involvement. At this time, the adequacy of ceiling level sprinkler protection cannot be established without repeating the large-scale fire sprinkler tests using bulk packed Li-ion cells and/or battery packs

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60 Car Stackers 2016 Edition of NFPA 13 A Extra hazard (Group 2) occupancies include occupancies having uses and conditions similar to the following: (9) Car stackers and car lift systems with 2 cars stacked vertically

61 Boat Storage

62 Boat Storage Facilities First facilities 1960s. Southeast U.S. 25 ft. boats loaded by standard fork lifts 3 to 4 tiers of storage 1990s 40 ft. boats Specialty forklifts, stacker cranes Today 8-10 tiers of storage Boats of ft. in length Even more exotic designs 62

63 Retail Fireworks Sprinkler Tests Prior testing has been relatively limited with only two known programs conducted Battelle Tests, January 2000 Report Impetus- Ohio River Fireworks store in Scottown, Ohio on July 3, 1996 Client - Ohio Department of Commerce/Fireworks Fire Suppression Task Force Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), 2009 Report Impetus document performance in typical retail sales display scenarios with and without fire mitigation techniques, support for NFPA 1124 Client American Fireworks Standards Laboratory 63

64 Approximate Configuration 7700 cfm exhaust ( attained) 12 ft 22 ft 36x80 Door 45 ft 155 F, K=5.5 Standard 165 F, K=25 ESFR 64

65 Battelle Tests, Observations Showroom of 1,000 ft², single door opening, 11-8 ceiling Sprinklers short time frames first sprinkler operated at 5 seconds all 10 sprinklers operated within 35 seconds Projectile behavior of fireworks common to all tests Smoke/temperature untenable conditions (6 ft smoke layer height, 200 F) developed rapidly in some tests ESFR sprinklers, best control on temperatures (majority of test below 200 F) 7,700 cfm smoke evacuation system was ineffective Very limited fuel package arrangements three 12 feet long gondolas shelve volume utilization only percent majority of the room was empty floor space 65

66 SwRI, Test Configuration 66

67 SwRI, Observations Slow to develop fires Test 6, first sprinkler, 2 minutes 45 seconds after ignition In four of five tests first sprinkler operation at min. Either two or four sprinklers operated in each test Burning Product on the two lowest gondola shells generally continued to burn for the duration of the test due to shielding of the water spray by the shelving units Test 9, without mesh caging around aerials lots of fireworks were injected into the aisle aerial devices were launched outside of the immediate fire area Very limited fuel package arrangements 16 feet long gondolas shelve volume utilization only percent majority of the room was empty floor space 67

68 Summary and Key Points Battelle tests Relatively small space Potential fast hazard development indicated No flame breaks, no fuse covers Fuel density compared to retail environment ESFR sprinklers??? SwRI Tests Fuse covers showed effectiveness Containment bins effective for aerials Flame breaks useful to limit spread Tall ceiling, hazard of room environment unknown Fuel density compared to retail environment Standard response CMDA sprinklers??? 68

69 Field Survey Findings Retail Areas Similar to Grocery Stores Layout Product distribution Organization Displayed in Original Packaging Removal of Damaged Products 6 969

70 Field Survey Findings Retail Areas Fuse Covers / Protective Packaging Shelving Sizes & Types Varied Gondolas (up to 5 shelves) Pallets Single level bins Storage Heights & Lengths Varied Most shelving 72 inches tall All shelving 32 feet long 7 070

71 Field Survey Findings Storage Areas Storage Protection Sprinkler System Building Separation DOT Approved Packaging Shelving Sizes & Types Varied Predominant Method: Solid Pile Rack Storage in Five Stores Storage Heights Varied 120 Inches for Solid Pile 166 Inches for Racks 7 171

72 Proposed Testing Concept Full Scale Testing Retail Configurations Shelf storage arrays Palletized arrays Influence of projectiles Influence of spark spray Storage Configurations Rack storage array Palletized array 7 272

73 Household Storage Pods

74 Thank You