The Worldwide Use of Fire Sprinklers Russell P. Fleming, P.E. President, National Fire Sprinkler Association (USA) Managing Director, International Fire Sprinkler Association
United States Fire Sprinkler Experience Sprinklers 96.2-96.5% Effective Sources: NFPA 1897-1969 and New York Fire Patrol 1969-1979
Reasons for Unsatisfactory Sprinkler System Performance (NFPA Statistics) Closed Valves (1.1-1.9 %) Partial Protection (0.2-0.3%) Inadequate Water Supply (0.1-0.4%) Faulty Construction (0.2%) Other Preventable (0.1-1.2%) Explosion (0.2-0.5%) External Exposure (0.1%) Other Nonpreventable or Unknown (0.4%)
Australian and New Zealand Fire Sprinkler Experience 1886-1968 Sprinklers 99.8% Effective Source: Marryatt, AFPA
Fire Sprinkler System Capability U.S. General Services Administration for Federal Fire Service Act of 1992 An automatic sprinkler system is expected to: 1. Prevent flashover in the room of fire origin 2. Limit the fire size to no more than 1 MW, and 3. Prevent flames from leaving the room of origin
Fire Sprinkler System Capability U.S. General Services Administration for Federal Fire Service Act of 1992 An automatic sprinkler system is expected to: 1. Prevent flashover in the room of fire origin 2. Limit the fire size to no more than 1 MW, and 3. Prevent flames from leaving the room of origin Other than preventing the fire in the first place, there is no other fire protection measure that can do this.
Growth in Annual Sprinkler Usage in the United States and Canada 1975-2000 4 3.5 3 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0 4 2.9 2.6 2.2 1.4 1 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 Growth of Sprinkler Market Based on 1975 = 1
. Fire Death Comparisons Fire Death Rates per Million Population 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 77 79 81 83 85 87 89 91 93 95 97 99 Canada U.S. U.K. Japan Sweden
Fire Sprinkler Results (1989-1998 NFPA Data) Average reduction of civilian fire deaths in specific occupancies: Manufacturing 60% Stores and offices 74% Health care 75% Hotels and motels 91% Average reduction of property loss in specific occupancies: Stores and offices 53% Manufacturing 60% Health care 66% Public assembly 70%
Fire Sprinkler Results Because U.S. fire statistics only capture sprinkler usage in fires reported to fire departments, actual usage of sprinklers (and therefore reduction in losses) is estimated to be greater In general, fire data shows ability of sprinklers to reduce fire deaths and property loss by at least one-half to two-thirds Data indicates ability of sprinklers to reduce fire deaths in residential occupancies at least 74%
International Fire Sprinkler Association "to promote and enhance the business of manufacturing and installing fire sprinkler, water spray and water mist systems and devices in all buildings, from homes to high-rise, worldwide, with the highest degree of competence and professionalism, for the purpose of saving lives and protecting property.
IFSA Vision The International Fire Sprinkler Association will be the worldwide center for information on automatic water-based fire suppression systems and the leader in advancing the widespread use of such systems.
IFSA Vision Achieved Through 1. Development of National and Regional Organizations to Promote Proper Use of Fire Sprinklers 2. Development of Information Systems to Protect Product Integrity and Industry Identity 3. Delivery of Training and Education 4. Enhancement of Codes, Standards and Legislation
IFSA Goal 1 Development of National and Regional Organizations Goal: To foster the development of national and regional organizations whose activities would increase the use of competently installed automatic water-based fire suppression systems for the purpose of saving lives and protecting property.
Support of National and Regional Organizations National Fire Sprinkler Network (UK) Residential Sprinkler Association (UK) Sprinklerfrämjandet (Sweden) European Fire Sprinkler Network Including country managers for Netherlands, France and Germany SP Technical Research Institute (Sweden) British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Assn (UK) ABSpk (Brazil) AMRACI (Mexico)
IFSA Goal 2 Development of Information Systems to Protect Product Integrity and Industry Identity Goal: To pursue such efforts and relationships that promote the widespread distribution of accurate industry information while protecting the separate and distinct identity of the automatic water-based fire suppression systems industry.
Protecting Product Integrity To protect the excellent record of fire sprinkler system performance, we must be on guard against: Counterfeit products Noncertified products
Sprinkler Usage by Continent World Market 1994 = 39.5 million North America South America Europe Asia Africa
Sprinkler Usage by Continent World Market 2013 = 141.9 million North America South America Europe Asia Africa
U.S. vs. China Sprinkler Usage (estimated in millions) 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 China U.S.
Product Integrity Concerns Use of counterfeit or non-certified products in a fire protection system can compromise the safety and protection afforded by the system. To ensure that fire sprinkler systems will continue their record of high performance, component products should be certified by a reputable, independent certification organization. Users should confirm that the product is authorized to have the certification mark, since counterfeiting is a large and growing problem within the global marketplace. 22
Product Certification Laboratory certifications indicate product quality But be aware of the possibility of counterfeit certifications
Sprinkler Performance Requirements Categories of performance requirements intended to investigate the ability of sprinklers to provide fire control or suppression. Physical Strength and Leakage Tests Operation Tests Exposure and Corrosion Tests Water Flow and Distribution Tests Fire Tests 24
Sprinkler Performance Requirements Dozens of individual tests are conducted to ensure that fire sprinklers will properly operate when needed: Load on heat responsive element Strength of heat responsive element Glass bulb thermal shock Hydrocarbon exposure Antifreeze exposure Dry sprinkler deposit loading Dezincification Stress-corrosion of copper alloy and stainless steel parts Strength of frame Impact resistance Rough usage Operating Temperature (Bath) determine temperature rating Sensitivity Oven / Room Heat to measure thermal sensitivity Operation Lodgment to ensure all operating parts clear Flow Endurance Leakage Hydrostatic Strength Dry sprinkler air tightness 30-day leakage Water hammer Vacuum High temperature Vibration Freezing 10-day corrosion 30-day corrosion 90-day moist air Temperature cycling
Sprinkler Performance Requirements 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 40% to 60% of water directed downward) Vertical and Horizontal Distribution (EC - Extended Coverage for Light Hazard Occupancies) Horizontal Distribution (ECOH - Extended Coverage for Ordinary Hazard Occupancies) Horizontal and Vertical Distribution (Residential) Actual Delivered Density (Storage and ESFR Early Suppression Fast Response Sprinklers) 26
Sprinkler Performance Requirements Fire Tests Water Impingement Residential Simulated Furniture Package EC Light Hazard 15 kg (33 lb.) Wood Crib Standard Spray Large 159 kg (350 lb.) Wood Crib ECOH Large Wood Crib & Storage Test Arrays Storage Fire Tests Involving Stored Commodities 27
Dangers of Counterfeit and Non-Certified Sprinklers Sprinkler sample was exposed to 800 C (1470 F) for 3 minutes. Sample started melting within 60 seconds. Deflector (steel), cap (brass) and loading screw (steel). Frame
Identifying Non-Certified Products Is the price of the product substantially lower than the price for the same product from other sources? Is the source of the product authorized by the manufacturer to supply their product? If a counterfeit is suspected, compare to a known authentic version to identify any differences in construction and marking. Many counterfeit products have an aesthetically pleasing finish (plating or coating) that conceals the use of inferior materials. Search for public notices issued by certification organizations or others regarding counterfeit products. If there is the slightest concern regarding the authenticity of a product, contact the manufacturer or the certifying organization. To determine if a product is certified, look for the authorized certification mark on the product.
IFSA Goal 3 Delivery of Training and Education Goal: To deliver programs of training and education that further the efforts of the organization.
Delivery of Training and Education Since its founding in 1999, IFSA has supported training about fire sprinkler systems on six continents IFSA was the primary host of international fire sprinkler conferences in Prague in 2002, Berlin in 2004, Lisbon in 2006, Copenhagen in 2008, and Panama in 2014
IFSA Goal 4 Enhancement of Codes, Standards and Legislation Goal: To work with international organizations in the enhancement of codes, standards and legislation while serving as a resource for parallel local and national efforts.
Codes, Standards and Legislation IFSA and the organizations it supports regularly work to increase requirements for sprinklers in hotels, care facilities, road tunnels, and other high risk occupancies IFSA maintains liaison with various technical committees that deal with sprinkler system equipment quality and promotes the use of hydraulic calculations IFSA has testified about the effectiveness of fire sprinkler systems before legislative groups in several parts of the world, including Brazil
Thank You fleming@sprinklerworld.org sprinklerworld.org