MEETING MINUTES TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON CULTURAL RESOURCES OCTOBER 12-13, 2010 THE HENRY A. WALLACE CENTRE AT THE FDR PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND HOME Hyde Park, New York MEMBERS PRESENT Deborah Freeland, Chair William Jackson, Secretary Ray Allshouse, Principal Michael Coull, Principal Laura Doyle, Principal Robert Fisher, Principal Russell Fleming, Principal Cindy Greczek, Principal Nicolas Jordan, Principal Wolfgang Kippes, Principal Nancy Lev-Alexander, Principal Don Moeller, Principal Wayne Moore, Principal Kevin Morin, Principal Thomas Norton, Principal Sheila Palmer, Principal Steven Peterson, Principal Milosh Puchovsky, Principal Steven Rocklin, Principal John Watts, Principal Robert Wilson, Principal Shane Clary, Alternate Joseph Dafin, Alternate Marilyn Kaplan, Alternate Danny McDaniel, Alternate Gregory Harrington, Staff Liaison ORGANISATION Arthur J Gallagher & Co National Library of Scotland City of Shoreline, Washington Heritage Fire and Safety Ltd. U.S. General Services Administration FM Global National Fire Sprinkler Association Colonial Williamsburg Foundation National Trust Schloss Schoenbrunn US Library of Congress The Fire Consultants, Inc. Rep. California State Historical Building Safety Hughes Associates Code Consultants, Inc. Automatic Fire Alarm Association, Inc. Chubb & Son Insurance Company US Department of the Interior Worcester Polytechnic Institute New York State Department of State Fire Safety Institute National Gallery of Art Automatic Fire Alarm Association, Inc. US General Services Administration Preservation Architecture Colonial Williamsburg Foundation National Fire Protection Association GUESTS Donna Baumgaertner David Fuller Joe Mazzeo National Park Service FM Global National Park Service 1
Todd Neitzel Daniel Nichols Ray Nichols Bill Steenberg Henry Van Brookhousen National Park Service Roosevelt Fire District Roosevelt Fire District Roosevelt Fire District National Park Service MEMBERS NOT PRESENT Nicholas Artim, Principal Fire-Safety Network Eileen Brady, Principal Washington State University Steve Carter, Principal Fire Suppression Systems Association John Chartier, Principal National Association of State Fire Marshals Wilbur Faulk, Principal Pepperdine University George Krabbe, Principal Halon Alternatives Research Corporation Fred Leber, Principal Leber/Rubes Incorporated J. Wilson, Principal Smithsonian Institution Raymond Andrews (Alt. to S. Rocklin) New York State Department of State Cheryl Domnitch, (Alt. to Wayne Moore) Hughes Associates Daniel Hubert,(Alt. to Steve Carter) Fire Suppression Systems Association Michael Kilby, (Alt. to J. A. Wilson) Smithsonian Institution Richard Luongo, (Alt. to S. Palmer) Chubb & Son Insurance Company Ross Merrill (Alt. to R. Wilson) National Gallery of Art Susan Peckham (Alt. to N. Lev-Alexander) US Library of Congress Martin Reiss (Voting Alt. to RJA Rep.) The RJA Group, Inc. Peter Thomas (Alt. to R. Fleming) Tyco Fire Suppression & Building Products Rep. National Fire Sprinkler Association Stewart Kidd (nonvoting) Loss Prevention Consultancy, Ltd. Stefano Marsella, (nonvoting) Italian National Fire Department Luca Nassi, (nonvoting) Italian National Fire Department Stephen Bush (Member Emeritus) Charles Zimmerman, (Member Emeritus) 1. CALL TO ORDER/WELCOME Debbie Freeland called the meeting to order at 0900. She welcomed the committee to Hyde Park and thanked Steve Rocklin for his work organising the venue and special thanks to Russ Fleming and the National Fire Sprinkler Association for sponsoring the committee dinner at the Culinary Institute of America. Debbie introduced Darian Rivera, special events coordinator for the FDR site, who welcomed the committee to the centre and gave some background to the facilities. 2
2. SELF INTRODUCTIONS OF MEMBERS AND GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Steve Rocklin introduced the guests from the Park Service and Hyde Park Fire Department and gave some background information on the site and the events that were planned during the meeting. Guests Debbie also welcomed the guests who would be speaking to the Committee; Daniel and Ray Nichols of the Hyde Park Fire Department would be speaking about the fire in the FDR home. David Fuller of FM Global would be speaking about FM s study into corrosion issues. Attendance Fred Leber could not attend as he is at home celebrating birth of a grandson. Andy Wilson had hoped to attend but was involved in a last minute project at the Smithsonian. George Krabbe was making a good recovery and Ross Merril was now at home under nursing care. 3. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES OF 15-16 TH JUNE 2010 IN SANTA FE. Shane Clary asked that under section 5 Staff Liaison Report the last sentence of the first paragraph The value of the NFPA annual technical meeting is being considered be struck from the minutes as this was not under consideration by NFPA. With these amendments the minutes were approved. 4. CHAIR S REPORT Membership Debbie Freeland welcomed new members; Mike Coull reappointed to committee following a change of employment to Heritage Fire and Safety Ltd. John Chartier, Rhode Island State Fire Marshal replaces John Blaschik, representing National Association of State Fire Marshals. Bob Barnes is no longer with RJA, Mickey Reiss has applied to move from voting alternate to principal and his application is pending. Bob has moved to Hughes Associates Chicago and has reapplied, but we are currently at our maximum membership for special experts. There are several other applications pending, both for changes in appointment classification of principal/alternate, and for a couple new alternate positions. 3
The committee is full with a good hold list and we are at the maximum membership in classes of special expert and user. Debbie explained that we can assign people not currently on the committee to task groups as this is a good way to keep them involved and contributing until openings become available. 5. STAFF LIAISON S REPORT Greg Harrington stated that NFPA would be transferring e-committee pages to a public website so that everything would be available to the public, although there would still be some areas only accessible to committee members. 6. REVIEW SCHEDULE FOR FUTURE COMMITTEE MEETINGS 1 Spring 2011 (NFPA 909 ROP) - Vienna. Conference on Wednesday 22 nd June and meeting dates June 23-25 to be hosted by Wolfgang Kippes at Schoenbrunn. Wolfgang indicated that the weekend of the 26 th June was the start of the summer holiday season and therefore if members were thinking of having a holiday in Austria they should do so before the meeting rather than after. Hotel accommodation information will be sent out by Wolfgang. 2 Fall 2011 (NFPA 909 Pre-ROC) - San Francisco 5-6 th October or preceding week. Shane Clary hoped to hold the meeting at the Oakland Museum of Californian History. He will check availability and provide information on suitable dates and lists of hotel accommodation. 3 March/April 2012 (NFPA 909 ROC) - Smithsonian Institution, host Andy Wilson/Michael Kilby. 4 Fall 2102 (NFPA 914 Pre-ROP) - Nancy Lev Alexander suggested meeting in Culpepper Virginia at The Packard Campus of the Audio Visual Conservation Centre part of the Library of Congress. 5 July/August 2013 (NFPA 914 ROP) - Mike Coull suggested Chester in England as a good example of a historic town centre. Options for hosting future meetings sought from committee members. 7. NFPA 909 Danny McDaniel circulated a paper outlining the areas where revisions are proposed for the revision of NFPA 909. Nancy Lev Alexander wished to put together text for a matrix on damage to collections, visual inspections etc., which would be informed by extinguisher tests and form part of an appendix. This would be a useful tool for small cultural institutions. Additional material is needed in the annex for automatic sprinkler systems, dry pipe systems and guidance on inspection regime like 5-year internal inspection and choice of materials. There are issues about compatibility of materials where Laboratories approve 4
individual components but not the combined system. The user needs guidance on the issues in order to make an informed decision. The annex needs to highlight the compatibility issues in the use of CPVC, especially issues around contact with cables and other materials where plasticisers can migrate on to CPVC and cause stress cracking. The electrical industry is not aware of these issues so there can be problems where work is carried out after the installation of the sprinkler system. Wayne Moore suggested that the text of the code needs to mandate that compatibility issues are checked. This should also extend to issues of workmanship and the need for proof of training. Quality control in the use of CPVC is critical and this needs to be emphasised within the code. It was agreed that a sub-group that includes Russ Fleming, Bob Fischer, Wayne Moore, Milosh Puchovsky, Bill Jackson, Robert Wilson, and Danny McDaniel should work on text for sprinkler issues and come back to the committee with proposals. Russ Fleming volunteered to prepare a draft of new annex material to summarize system performance considerations for automatic sprinklers by type and by materials used (e.g., stainless steel, CPVC, copper, galvanized steel, Schedule 40, Schedule 10, and Designer Schedule 40). The issues of antifreeze, the TIA that was issued to this edition of the document on sections 9.12.19, 9.12.26.1, and A.9.12.26.1, corrosion and compatibility issues of CPVC would all need to be covered in the revision. For corrosion issues Danny indicated that we should follow the lead of the NFPA 13 committee sub-group. 8. COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG CORROSION ISSUES Danny McDaniel gave the committee an update on the issues Colonial Williamsburg was having with the sprinkler system in their Collection and Conservation facility. See Santa Fe item 14 minutes for the background to the issues. Research and testing was continuing with Victaulic gaskets, system water and inhibitor being sent to an independent testing house and to Victaulic for immersion tests. Victaulic confirmed that there is an issue with both the hardness and elasticity of the gaskets tested; however, the independent testing laboratory reported that while the gaskets were about 75% softer than Victaulic s manufacturing specifications, the gaskets were still within the normal hardness range for the EDPM material. The independent laboratory also reported it could not test the elasticity of the gaskets because of minor damage noted around the edges of the gaskets, probably caused during installation of the pipe fittings. Danny said he believed the corrosion inhibitor changes the surface tension of the water which allows the water to pass the gasket and screwed joints. Metallurgical tests on the pipe has shown that there is no internal corrosion of the pipe work but the PH of 10+ on the outside affects the painted finish of the pipe and there are fears that contamination 5
could migrate on to the collections. Part of the system is also CPVC and there could be compatibility issues but as yet not confirmed. Tests were continuing and these will be made available to the committee. 9. NFPA 914 Steve Peterson informed the committee that the 914 task group had conferred by conference calls over the last week and agreed that they should continue looking at monumental iconic structures and historic districts. They felt that case studies were an important means of demonstrating how the code could be applied and illustrating particular issues. They did feel that it would be valuable if these case studies could be added to/updated electronically on a website. The scoping was not yet completed and they would have to come back to the committee. 10. PROTECTING OUR HERITAGE Following the agreed action from the Santa Fe meeting, Wayne Moore distributed a paper prepared by Cheryl Domnitch with a document search list and suggestions for moving the project forward. It was agreed that the NFPA 914 task group would review and come back to the committee later in this meeting. 11. NFPA 13 AND 25 CORROSION ISSUES Russ Fleming reported that our committee s comments had been rejected by the NFPA 13 committee for 2010 edition, however, they did leave it open for the Cultural Resources Committee to take forward, in our documents, requirements that went beyond the minimum requirements in NFPA 13. NFPA 25 cycle (Annual 2013) is a year behind NFPA 13 (Annual 2012). 12. NFPA ANTIFREEZE TIA Russ Fleming informed the committee that following a recent residential fire incident involving a sprinkler system that contained a high concentration antifreeze solution, NFPA had initiated a project with the Fire Protection Research Foundation and a set of tests were also conducted by Underwriters Laboratories. Russ gave a presentation of the findings from the tests showing that pressure and droplet size also had an influence on the flammability of the mix. Other factors also influenced the outcome like mixing on site which was too crude and led to concentrations that were unacceptable. 6
The key findings were; Antifreeze solutions with concentrations of propylene glycol exceeding 40% and concentrations of glycerine exceeding 50% have the potential to ignite when discharged through automatic sprinklers. Both the 40% propylene glycol and 50% glycerine solutions demonstrated similar performance to that of water alone for fire control throughout the series of tests. Based on the results of the research, antifreeze solutions of propylene glycol exceeding 40% and glycerine exceeding 50% are not appropriate for use in residential fire sprinkler systems. Consideration should be given to reducing the acceptable concentrations of these antifreeze solutions by an appropriate safety factor. Based on the Research Foundation report, the NFPA Standards Council issued a TIA to ban the use of antifreeze in sprinkler systems in new residential construction. Although the ban only affects residential properties, the findings obviously affect all occupancies and again emphasises the need for quality control over contractors to ensure that the correct concentration and mix are achieved for non domestic properties. Steve Peterson indicated that in Alaska the use of antifreeze was obviously necessary so the full ramifications on how the Park Service would deal with protection of some of their properties would need to be thought through. 13. NFPA 914 REVISION Steve Peterson reported that they had decided to limit security to arson, vandalism and terrorism. Arson and vandalism are relatively easy to deal with but terrorism is more significant to National Monuments. There is a need to look at the issues and definitions of monumental and iconic. Jack Watts and Marilyn Kaplan were working on issues related to the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington so hopefully this would help to inform the group. For historic districts, Mike Coull had provided a great deal of information on Chester. The task group had still to decide whether historic districts should form part of NFPA 914 or should be covered within a separate document. Corrosion etc. issues would also be dealt with as appendix material. 14. FDR HOME FIRE PRESENTATION - DAN NICHOLS, ROOSEVELT FIRE DISTRICT Debbie Freeland thanked Steve Rocklin for setting up the meeting at the FDR site and welcomed Ray and Dan Nichols who were going to give a presentation on the 1982 fire. Debbie also welcomed Donna Baumgaertner of the National Park Service who will also be talking about the post fire issues. 7
Issues On the evening of 23 rd January 1982 the first line equipment of the Hyde Park Fire Department had been called to another fire in Staatsburg. An automatic alarm called the Hyde Park Fire Department to the Roosevelt mansion and the responding crew found that there was a fire in the attic of the building which was difficult to access. Priority was given to vent the fire and let the roof burn off to prevent the fire moving down through the building. To complicate matters there was a sealed off room in the attic and the water supply failed requiring a relay to be set up. The temperature that night was 8 F so ice forming from fire fighting water was an added hazard both for structural loadings and for hazardous conditions for those carrying out fire fighting and salvage operations. Fire fighters used to have salvage systems but do not have these today; salvage equipment on site is critical to a success salvage operation, as is preplanning with the fire department. In particular it is vital to build relationships between crews and site staff, which should include training and drills. The blaze was tackled by two engines and a truck with a total of 35 men. At the time of the fire a rewiring contract was ongoing. The contractor had found a maze of old wiring, including telephone cable used to wire electrical sockets. The supervisor had left the site at 1330 and operatives left at 1500. There was no fire detection in the attic and old cabling heated up starting a fire in the attic void. Luckily some staff lived on site and started the salvage operation ensuring that very few objects were lost to the fire. o An electrical outlet had been noticed as being hot so system should have been isolated. This highlights the need for good briefing and supervision. o Fire water system failed due to cross connections with 1880 s system this lost 30 to 40 minutes in running relay of hoses to get an adequate water supply. Lessons Learned o Need for combined training o Salvage equipment on site o Need for an up to date good quality fire detection system o Remove sources of ignition toasters etc o Build relationship with fire service personnel o Communication/education/training and drills o Sprinklers but this would be icing on cake - get sources of ignition reduced as a first priority Donna Bomgaertner explained that the fire raised awareness in Congress of the need for a programme of fire safety resulting in hiring of staff in the Park Service to develop a fire management system for the National Parks. Funding was provided in 2000 for a national 8
education and training programme. In particular the need to check that contractors are competent and have adequate supervision and oversight. Volunteer fire departments can have frequent changes in personnel so ongoing liaison and cooperation is vital. 15. PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER AGENT TASK GROUP Nancy Lev Alexander gave the committee an update on the fire extinguisher project. She was going to speak at a New York Chapter meeting of the Alliance for Response in New York City and hoped to get some feedback from conservators. The Hughes report had set the test protocols but the next stage of the project would require over $300K of funding and would need resources to manage the process. Colonial Williamsburg Conservation Department is interested in assisting with the project but concerned that it could not commit the staff resources to manage it (See item 9 of Santa Fe minutes). For the testing the crux of the issues was what collection types were most vulnerable and agreeing what to test. The test protocols had to be repeatable and would need the input of a conservation scientist. Was damage visible or would it need detailed x-ray analysis, what level should this go to? There was a need to tie this down and get further input from conservation professionals. Can we open this up to a wider audience other than the Williamsburg conservators; ask if others are willing to assist? NFPA can set up conference calls and NFPA Foundation will help chase funding. 16. PRESENTATION ON CORROSION ISSUES DAVID FULLER FM GLOBAL ENGINEERING FM Global has 175 years experience in property the insurance industry and has a major interest in avoiding the issues surrounding corrosion in sprinkler systems. The truths a. Steel is not compatible with water b. Corrosion occurs in all sprinkler systems c. There is a finite life to all sprinkler systems d. Galvanised pipe is not corrosion proof FM Global experience e. MIC is a significant factor in less than 20% of cases f. Trapped air/water is leading cause g. Thin wall pipe and welded seams are aggravating factors h. Chemical treatments often do more harm than good. Weld seams are not the same metallurgy of the main pipe and a small difference can cause dissimilar metal cell corrosion this can be exacerbated if in the lower area where water and oxygen available. FM recommends having at top half of pipe. One 9
of the fundamental problems is in dead end branch lines where water and air is trapped. What can be done to deal with this issue? o Get trapped air/water out o Reduce the amount of fresh water introduced into the system o Where problems are suspected inspect internally. o Test water and pipe for the presence of MIC. FM Corrosion research project o Starting in 2011. o 2 to 3 year project o Clean slate approach o Scientific techniques and data will be used o Looking at o Various` materials o Corrosion prevention o Environmental affects o Corrosion treatments NATIONAL LIBRARY OF SCOTLAND CORROSION ISSUES Bill Jackson informed the committee of the latest developments of the corrosion issues in the National Library of Scotland sprinkler system in George IV Bridge building. The system was installed between 1994 and 1999 and was intended to be a combined sprinkler and heating system. The consultants involved were commissioned to ensure that the system delivered clean water due to conservation concerns and that the materials used were compatible. The system never functioned as designed and was found to contain materials that were not compatible with 316 stainless steel. Corrosion resulted and many components had to be replaced. We have now found greasy brown growths at the crimped stainless steel joints. Investigation of this has found that when the water was circulated for the heating it dispersed the corrosion products and these lodged within the joints setting up crevice corrosion cells. We are currently carrying out a comprehensive survey to ascertain the full extent of the problems. 17. EU ACTIVITIES UPDATE- MIKE COULL IFE special interest group would shortly publish fire safety guidance on small and medium sized churches. Following on from last meeting update the group was looking at intumescent coatings on doors and historic fabric. The IFE held a meeting at the National Library of Scotland where Lubrizol gave a presentation on the use of CPVC in sprinkler systems. The meeting was to help raise awareness of the issues associated with using CPVC. Notes of the meeting will be distributed to the committee. 10
18. AOB COST C17 although there were still informal groups liaising there was nothing formal so it is likely that the momentum generated by the COST process could be lost. PROTECTING OUR HERITAGE Further to the discussion yesterday it was felt by the NFPA 914 task group that we should explore further the possibility of updating and publishing Protecting our Heritage. Wayne Moore will ask Cheryl Domnitch if she would consider leading the group. Danny McDaniel suggested that American Association of Museums AAM may consider being a sponsor. There are some committees in AAM, registrars, security, curators and small museum committees that would be interested in the project. Danny does not see it being an NFPA document but could be an AAM document published electronically so easy to get out and to update. The question needs to be asked who owns the current document, if NFPA then could seek their co-sponsorship and get their logo on the cover. Nick Jordan felt the National Trust may be interested in participating. On further discussion it was felt that the process should be kept as simple as possible. Danny McDaniel proposed that if the Museum Association Security Committee (MASC) would take it on as a new differently named document then there would be no interface with any other organisation to interfere with the process. The committee asked Danny to explore this option with the MASC. COMMITTEE SECRETARY Debbie Freeland informed the committee that Bill Jackson had tendered his resignation from the committee secretary s post and would be taking early retirement from the National Library in Spring 2011. In recognition of the 16 years served as secretary she presented him with a clock. Bill thanked Debbie and the committee members; he had thoroughly enjoyed his tenure as secretary and had been privileged to have been involved with the work of the committee for almost 20 years. Debbie was also pleased to announce that another Scot, Mike Coull had agreed to take over as secretary. 19. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1600 on the 13 th October 2010. Minutes prepared by William Jackson, Secretary 11