UL Listings & FM Approvals Their Impact on Fire Sprinkler System Performance/Design

Transcription

1 UL Listings & FM Approvals Their Impact on Fire Sprinkler System Performance/Design Presented by Center for Life Safety Education July 18, 2006 Featuring Speakers Kerry M. Bell, P.E. - Underwriters Laboratories George E. Laverick - Underwriters Laboratories Roger Allard - FM Approvals Thomas G. McCarty - FM Approvals Weston Baker - FM Global 1 1

2 UL Listing Process The Impact on Fire Sprinkler System Performance/Design Kerry M. Bell, P.E. & George E. Laverick 2 2

3 Underwriters Laboratories Speakers Kerry M. Bell, P.E. Kerry Bell is a principal engineer at Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) specializing in fire sprinkler and pump equipment. Since 1976, he has been involved in UL s testing and certification activities related to a variety of fire suppression products including fire sprinkler system equipment, portable fire extinguishers and special hazard extinguishing systems. He has authored several technical papers related to these products and has also contributed time as a speaker for numerous seminars and events sponsored by organizations such as NFPA, SFPE and industry associations. Bell earned a B.S. degree in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology and an MBA degree from Northern Illinois University. He is a registered professional engineer and a member of the NFPA, ASTM International and SFPE, and is vice chairman of UL s Fire Council. George E. Laverick George E. Laverick is a principal engineer with Underwriters Laboratories Inc. He has been employed by UL since 1973 in the Fire Suppression area and has worked in various capacities, including the preparation of test programs and requirements for new waterbased fire suppression safety related products for performance and safety. Laverick has been responsible for certification of fire sprinkler system related suppression devices, including valves and fittings and participated in the planning and development of requirements for devices that resulted in new standards for evaluation of these fire suppression devices in the categories of residential sprinklers, ESFR sprinklers, and water mist nozzles. He has represented UL on various NFPA Committees since 1984 and is a member of the International Society of Fire Protection Engineers and the International organization for Standards. He earned an A.A.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology and a B.S. in Mechanical Technology from Purdue University. 3 3

4 Outline of Presentation General Overview of UL Listing Process Detail for Sprinklers Product Qualification Product Surveillance Publication of Listing Product Installation Feedback on Use of Listed Products Field Report Program Sprinkler Field Sample Testing Anti-counterfeiting program Standards Development & Research Summary 4 4

5 Key Elements of UL Listing Qualification -- UL undertakes an investigation to determine that the product complies with the applicable requirements which are typically described in a UL Standard. Surveillance -- UL field representatives regularly visit the manufacturing facilities to inspect product, production procedures/records and select samples for additional performance testing at UL. 5 5

6 UL by the Numbers in employees 58 laboratory testing locations 125 inspection centers 97 countries with UL customers 102,305 product evaluations 552,377 surveillance visits 19 billion UL marks appearing on products 125--average number of UL certified products in a home 6 6

7 Listing Process Detail Qualification of Sprinklers Sprinkler Standards UL199 - Standard for Automatic Sprinklers for Fire Protection Service UL Standard for Residential Sprinklers for Fire Protection Services UL Early-Suppression Fast Response Sprinklers 7 7

8 Listing Process Detail Qualification of Sprinklers(Cont.) UL Listed sprinklers are evaluated to specific performance requirements designed to provide fire control or suppression. Physical Strength and Leakage Tests Operation Tests Exposure and Corrosion Tests Water Flow and Distribution Tests Fire Tests 8 8

9 Listing Process Detail Qualification of Sprinklers(Cont.) Physical Strength and Leakage Tests Load on heat responsive element Strength of heat responsive element Glass bulb thermal shock Strength of frame Impact resistance Rough usage 9 Flow Endurance Leakage Hydrostatic Strength Dry sprinkler air tightness 30-day leakage Water hammer Vacuum 9

10 Listing Process Detail Qualification of Sprinklers(Cont.) Operation Tests Operating Temperature (Bath) Sensitivity Oven and/or Room Heat Operation Lodgment 10 10

11 Listing Process Detail Qualification of Sprinklers(Cont.) Exposure and Corrosion Tests High temperature Vibration Freezing 10-day corrosion 30-day corrosion 90-day moist air Temperature cycling Hydrocarbon exposure Antifreeze exposure Dry sprinkler deposit loading Dezincification Stress-corrosion of copper alloy parts. Stress-corrosion of stainless steel parts

12 Listing Process Detail Qualification of Sprinklers(Cont.) Water Flow and Distribution Tests Calibration (K-factor determination) 10-pan (Standard Coverage Spray) 16-pan (Standard Coverage Spray) Horizontal Distribution (Standard Coverage Sidewall) Horizontal Distribution (Conventional/Old Style) 12 Vertical and Horizontal Distribution (EC) Horizontal Distribution (ECOH) Horizontal and Vertical Distribution (Residential) Actual Delivered Density (Storage and ESFR Sprinklers) 12

13 Listing Process Detail Qualification of Sprinklers(Cont.) Fire Tests Water Impingement 350 lb. Wood Crib (Standard Spray) EC Light Hazard (33 lb.wood Crib) Residential (Simulated Furniture Package) ECOH (350 lb. Crib & Storage Arrays) Storage (Storage Arrays) ESFR (ADD/Storage Arrays) 13 13

14 Listing Process Detail Surveillance of Sprinklers Objective of Surveillance Program Periodic auditing of the manufacturing facility provides assurance that products having the UL Listing Mark comply with the applicable requirements on an on-going basis

15 Listing Process Detail Surveillance of Sprinklers(Cont.) General Surveillance Information Surveillance visits conducted by local UL field representatives. Visits are conducted at a frequency of no less that once per quarter. For sprinklers, the visits are more frequent than quarterly if production at the manufacturing facility is at a high level

16 Listing Process Detail Surveillance of Sprinklers(Cont.) Field Representative Duties Conduct detailed examination of products in production. Review records of production testing, inspection, calibration, material specifications, etc. Verify that production inspection and testing is conducted as required for Listing. Select and forward samples to UL for ongoing countercheck testing. Take immediate action if non-compliance issues are identified

17 Listing Process Detail Surveillance of Sprinklers(Cont.) Production and Periodic Testing Each sprinkler produced is tested for leakage Each sprinkler incorporating a glass bulb heat responsive element is tested to ensure that the integrity of the glass bulb is maintained after the sprinkler is fully assembled Other critical type tests are conducted at the manufacturing facilities on a regular basis Samples sent to UL on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis are subjected to critical tests to determine compliance on an ongoing basis 17 17

18 Listing Process Detail Publication of Listing Listing Verification Fire Protection Equipment Directory 2006 edition available in both print and on CD-Rom UL Online Certifications Directory All UL Directories are available on the Internet at UL s Web site

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24 Product Installation UL Listed fire suppression equipment is intended to be installed in accordance with: Nationally recognized installation standards such as those published by NFPA The manufacturer s installation instructions 24 24

25 Product Installation (Cont.) Why are Manufacturer s Instructions Important? For certain products, the installation standard may not include all the limitations related to the proper use of the product. In some cases, none of the detailed installation criteria for a product is included in the NFPA Standard

26 Product Installation (Cont.) Example of Installation Criteria Partially Addressed in Installation Standard NFPA 13 references that extended coverage pendent or upright sprinklers are to be spaced not less than 8 ft between sprinklers. However, the manufacturer s instructions may specify a minimum distance between sprinklers of 10 ft. which is based upon testing and the Listing criteria

27 Product Installation (Cont.) Examples of Installation and Use Requirements Not Addressed Installation Standard Attic sprinklers Combustible concealed space sprinklers Certain storage sprinklers not addressed in NFPA

28 Feedback on Use Field Report Program A critical element of a third party certification program is the availability of a mechanism to consider input and feedback from the field regarding the performance and use of listed products

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32 Feedback on Use (cont.) Examples of Field Feedback Leading to Revisions to UL Standards O-ring Seals in Sprinklers No Longer Permitted -- Due to concerns regarding sticking to the mating surface, seal degradation and close clearances between operating parts, UL no longer authorizes use of O-rings as a water seal in sprinklers. Dry Sprinklers New deposit loading test was implemented to simulate conditions observed in samples sent to UL from the field

33 Feedback on Use (cont.) Field Sprinkler Testing Program Periodic sample testing of field installed sprinklers is referenced in NFPA 25 Most sprinklers tested are at least 40 years old, and some are more than 80 years old Approximately 95% of tested sprinklers have operated as intended 33 33

34 Feedback on Use (cont.) UL s Anti-counterfeiting Program Invests about $2 million annually in anticounterfeiting activities and education Has close working relationships with key government officials around the globe Has trained more than 200 Customs officials in key U.S. ports Handles about 1,500 inquires annually from Customs officials Additional information on

35 Standards Development and Research The development of appropriate and comprehensive requirements is an important element of the Listing process UL publishes over 800 standards UL s test facilities provide extensive capabilities to conduct internally as well as externally sponsored research that can be valuable in establishing the basis for revisions to UL s standards 35 35

36 Standards Development and Research (cont.) Sources of Revisions to Standards Feedback from authorities having jurisdiction, manufacturers, users and others Experience in conducting product testing New product technology Revisions to nationally recognized installation standards and codes 36 36

37 Levels of Published UL Requirements ANSI/UL Standards (>50% of total UL standards) Standard subject to voting by a balanced Standards Technical Panel (STP). UL has one vote in STP. UL Standards - Standard developed by process whereby input is sought from broad spectrum of constituents. Final requirements determined by UL. UL Outlines of Investigation Requirements based upon a single or a few product investigations

38 Summary Manufacturers make a significant investment in time and resources to earn the authorization to apply the UL mark to their product UL Listing program for fire suppression is comprehensive and products are subjected to extensive testing and auditing to determine compliance with the applicable requirements. On an on-going basis, UL is receptive to receiving input related to enhancing our certification program and requirements 38 38

39 Questions For Underwriters Laboratories? Contact Kerry Bell OR Contact George Laverick

40 FM Approvals Their Impact on Fire Sprinkler System Performance/Design Tom McCarty and Roger Allard, FM Approvals Wes Baker, FM Global 40 40

41 Factory Mutual Speakers Thomas G. McCarty Thomas G. McCarty is loss prevention coordinator for FM Approvals in Norwood, Mass. He has over 30 years of practicing property loss prevention, including experience as: field engineer with FM Engineering Association, metallurgical test engineer in Factory Mutual Research Corporation, department manager for Field Application Data Sheets, group manager/field engineering Chicago operations, operations chief inspector of boilers and pressure vessels, and industry leader, staff engineering responsible for telecommunications occupancies and ecommerce risk assessments. Roger Allard Roger L. Allard is Assistant Vice president and principal engineer at FM Approvals. Allard joined FM Approvals in 1974 as a mechanical engineer in the Hydraulics Section and held the positions of senior engineer, assistant manager, and group manager before assuming his present position as principal engineer in He received a bachelor s degree in Aerospace Engineering from Boston University and an MBA from Bryant College. He is a registered professional engineer, and a member of the Rhode Island Society of Professional Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Weston Baker Wes Baker, a Senior Engineering Specialist at FM Global, has been with FM Global for over 20 years. He is primarily responsible for many of FM Global's property loss prevention data sheets related to sprinkler systems and storage protection

42 1897 Approved Electrical Fittings Published by Factory Mutual Inspection Department (now FM Approvals)

43 FM Approvals Mission Statement FM Approvals approves and certifies products and services with unique focus on: Objectively testing property loss prevention products and services and certifying those that meet rigorous loss prevention standards; Encouraging the development and use of Approved products and services that improve and advance property loss prevention practices

44 Woburn, MA Testing Facility The evolution of product testing Kerosene lamps Electrical fittings Automatic sprinklers Fire hoses/nozzles 44 44

45 Everett, MA Testing Facility The evolution of product testing s Combustible dusts Watchman s clocks Fire resistive construction materials Standard time-temp curve 45 45

46 Everett, MA Testing Facility The evolution of product testing s FM gas cock system FM flammable vapor indicator 46 46

47 Norwood, MA Test Facility The evolution of product testing s, 50s, 60s Factory Mutual Research Corp. formed Standard spray sprinkler Density/area design Class 1 metal deck Rack storages to 30 ft. Rubber tire storage Rolled paper storage 47 47

48 W. Glocester, RI Test Center Hydraulics 1992 Test Center

49 W. Glocester, RI Test Center The evolution of product testing s, 80s, 90s In-Rack sprinklers Clean agents Plastic storages FMRC/ Harvard room test Residential sprinkler testing Early Suppression Fast Response (ESFR) FM4910 plastics 49 49

50 Research Campus Former Test Center (Now a Warehouse) Natural Hazards Lab Fire Technology Lab Hydraulics Lab Electrical Lab 50 50

51 The evolution of product testing...now, and tomorrow Research Campus Turbine simulation 60 ceiling height storages Noncombustible hydraulic fluids FM4910 plastic wall panels Water mist systems Natural hazard resistant materials 51 51

52 What Makes Us Different? Access to Research With a staff of 51, including 25 PhD s, FM Global directs its efforts into the following areas of science and engineering: Fire and Hazards Protection Risk, Reliability and Failure Prevention Structural Hazards and Response Management of State-of-the Art Test Facilities 52 52

53 Our Approach Understand the hazard Apply science to the problem Develop engineering solutions Partner with manufacturers whose products meet our rigorous testing requirements Sharing knowledge 53 53

54 Sharing Knowledge Visits with individual jurisdictions Participate in 116 committees in NFPA, ISO, ANSI, IEC, ISA, ASME, NEMA, etc

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56 FM Approvals Offices Norwood, MA W. Glocester, RI Windsor, UK Beijing, China Singapore 56 56

57 What do we do? 57 57

58 Product Areas As a testing and certification organization, focus is on products or services relating to property loss prevention in the following three areas: Fire Protection Electrical Equipment Building Materials 58 58

59 Fire Protection Products The kinds of products tested... automatic sprinklers fire pumps, drivers and controllers pipes, couplings, valves, hoses and nozzles water based and non water based extinguishing systems 59 59

60 Fire Products Collector Test 60 60

61 Dormitory Test Series Room Contents 61 61

62 Dormitory Test Series Room Contents 62 62

63 Dormitory Test Series Without Sprinklers 5:25 After Ignition 63 63

64 Dormitory Test Series Post Test without Sprinklers 64 64

65 Dormitory Fire Test With Sprinklers 1:42 After Ignition - Sprinkler Operation 65 65

66 Dormitory Fire Test Post Test with Sprinklers 66 66

67 Dormitory Fire Test Post Test with Sprinklers 67 67

68 Wet Bench Semiconductor Free burn With water applied 68 68

69 Turbine Simulation Pool fire 69 69

70 Turbine Simulation Pool with Vertically Spreading Fire 70 70

71 Turbine Simulation Surprise! 71 71

72 Electrical Equipment The kinds of products tested... electrical equipment for use in hazardous locations various detectors and sensors (smoke, heat, combustible gases, spot type, wire type, aspiration type) combustion safeguard devices 72 72

73 Building Materials The kinds of products tested... Roofing components Walls and building insulation materials Plastic pallets Materials used in the semiconductor industry Hydraulic fluids 73 73

74 E108 Test 74 74

75 Accreditations OSHA as a Nationally Recognized Testing Lab (NRTL) Standards Council of Canada (SCC) electrical (fire protection and materials in process) European Union - as a Notified Body to the ATEX directive - as a Notified Body to Construction Product Directives (in process) International Accreditation Service, Inc. IAS U. S. Coast Guard Most states, cities, counties, and countries 75 75

76 Recognizing FM Approved Products 76 76

77 Key Points Read the Approval Guide Listing and manufacturer s cut sheets associated with any FM Approved product. With regard to installation rules associated with FM Approved / listed products: In some instances there may be differences between NFPA standards and FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets. There are reasons for those differences

78 To obtain a copy of Approval Standards or the FM Approval Guide, please visit: For additional information, please contact: weston.baker@fmglobal.com thomas.mccarty@fmglobal.com roger.allard@fmglobal.com 78 78