Challenges of Fire Protection Upgrades in Existing Libraries Campus Fire Safety Forum November 6, 2013
Presentation Overview Code Requirements Goals of Fire Protection Systems Life Safety Property Protection Questions and decisions to made when planning Design Basis for Protection Challenges During Design and Installation 2
Code Requirements Libraries are assembly occupancies New/Existing Assembly Occupancy: NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, 2012 edition Group A-3: International Building Code (IBC) 2012 edition 3
Code Requirements (cont) Fire Sprinklers IBC (Group A-3) Larger than 12,000 sq. ft. More than 300 persons Located above/below level of exit discharge NFPA 101 Location and type of construction (New/Existing) More than 300 persons (New) Fire Alarm IBC (Group A-3) More than 300 persons NFPA 101 More than 300 persons (New) 4
Unique Feature of Libraries Campus Centers and Gather Spaces Some of the oldest buildings on campus Ever changing layout in recent years as we move away from books 5
Unique Feature of Libraries (cont) Hours of operation Specific environmental requirements for both occupants and books Quite Specific temperatures and humidity Low levels of dust 6
Goals of Fire Protection Systems Life Safety to Building Occupants Property Protection for books Property Protection for collections and artifacts 7
Early Planning of FP System Upgrades Requires patient outlook on the process rarely can this be done correctly on short schedule Gather Stakeholders Library Staff, Facilities Management, FPE Develop goals for the proposed system upgrades Develop timetable for design and installation process Start educating key library staff about the proposed fire protection upgrades 8
Planning: Library Infrastructure Develop a list of questions that need to be answered to be able to start the design Do library stacks need to be modified to accept fire protection systems Inventory of materials and risks Library Goals are 75% Capacity to allow for new material Do the books need to shift Can t just move one book, need to move them all to keep order Can be very expensive 9
Planning: Fire Protection Systems What types of fire protection is desired Early warning smoke detection Fire Sprinkler protection Wet, Dry or preaction? Clean Agent Fire Suppression Systems 10
Planning: Fire Protection Systems Prepare Table to Summarize Pro s and Con s Impact on books and collections Installation Challenges Maintenance Challenges Required storage/mechanical spaces Cost Reliability False activation 11
Fire Protection Pro s vs. Con s Fire Protection System Advantages Disadvantages Wet-Pipe Sprinkler System Preaction Sprinkler System Water Mist System Inert Gas Clean Agent System Highly reliable. Easy to maintain and install. Reduces likelihood of false activation, as sprinkler piping is not filled water. Uses less water than traditional sprinkler system. Clean agent will cause minimal damage to contents. Uses water as extinguishing agent. Inadvertent discharge more likely than with a preaction system. Less reliable than traditional wetpipe sprinkler system due to added layer of detection. Requires additional maintenance compared with traditional wet-pipe sprinkler system. Added cost associated with this type of system. Additional costs and reduced reliability associated with doubleinterlock system vs. single interlock system. Higher likelihood for corrosion. Requires separate fire pumps and utility services within a one hour rated enclosure. Specific application must be linked to formal fire test. Floor space required for agent storage cylinders. Need for pressure relief venting. Difficulty maintaining agent concentration. 12
Planning: Access During Construction How is library used? How do you retrieve books in area of construction? Off Line for duration Allow Paging of Books via library staff Clean up each work day to allow public access How to decide? Library usage statistics Committee of Library Staff and Faculty Faculty proposed for future studies 13
Planning: Construction Logistics Construction Work Schedule Normal Hours Off-Hours (Premium Time) 14
Planning: Construction Logistics (cont) Work Plan and lay down areas? 15
Planning: Construction Logistics (cont) Noise Resonates through the building Limit noise to select hours each day Limit noise to select areas Limit noise and limit productivity 16
Planning: Construction Logistics (cont) Protection of materials Physical Protection Dust Protection Protection from Water 17
Planning: Construction Logistics (cont) Protection of materials Physical Protection Dust Protection Water Protection 18
Planning: Construction Logistics (cont) Protection of materials Physical Protection Dust Protection Water Protection 19
Questions 20
Case Study A 14 Story high rise Library Heavy use lowest 3 stories Limited use top 11 stories 21
Case Study A - Schedule 2 separate projects Phase 1 Lowest Levels FP System Infrastructure Phase 2 Upper Floors Use of building during construction Phase 1: Closed lowest levels Phase 2: Closed floors during construction 22
Case Study A Sprinkler Protection Wet pipe sprinkler system Zoned per floor Each aisle treated as separate room Interface of stacks and concrete construction 23
Case Study A Sprinkler Protection 24
Case Study A Material Access Construction on each floor for 10 working days Testing was completed prior to moving to next floor. Books were available to library staff once a day. Library at 90% of book capacity 25
Case Study A Construction Limitations All stacks wrapped in multiple layers of poly Inspected by library staff Noise allowed between 6am and 8:15am Hammer drills for hangers Core drills Moving pipe through building 26
Case Study A Construction Limitations Investigated quieter methods Power driven fasteners 27
Case Study B 7 Story 4 above grade 3 below grade 200,000 sq. ft. Heavily Used Facility 28
Case Study B - Schedule 7 year plan Year 1: Fire Doors Years 2-3: Fire Alarm, E-lights and Exit signs Years 4-7: Fire Sprinklers Always open and available Overnight work during summer Clean up each day 29
Case Study B Sprinkler Protection Wet pipe sprinkler system Multiple zones per floor Each aisle treated as separate room Keep pipe and sprinkler high as possible Sprinkler guards Avoid light fixtures 30
Case Study B Protection Scheme Fire Alarm Fire Sprinkler 31
Case Study B Protection Scheme Sprinkler Detail 32
Case Study B Material Access Construction Limited to portion of building each phase Testing completed at end of each phase Books were available to general public at all times Library at 100% of book capacity 33
Case Study B Construction Limitations All stacks wrapped in multiple layers of poly Inspected by library staff No issues with noise all work off hours Public Library Visual fire alarm notification each aisle per ADA More fire alarm wiring More fire alarm power supplies requiring more space 34
Case Study B Construction Limitations Many fire alarm strobes Changing stack heights Consider open (as shown) Consider filled with books Communication between Contractor and University 35
Case Study C Historic Building 5 Story 3 above grade 2 below grade 90,000 sq. ft. Light Private Use Public Special Collections Library Stacks Employee only 36
Case Study C - Schedule 2 Years Planning 10 month Construction Fire Code and Architectural Upgrades Building Offline Construction site 37
Case Study C Sprinkler Protection Wet pipe sprinkler system Multiple zones per floor Protect each aisle and level of tiered stacks Utilize fire pump 38
Case Study C Material Access Library staff and faculty determine books to remain available Move to offsite storage facility All others are encapsulated in plywood Limited access Library at 120% of book capacity 39
Case Study C Construction Limitations All stacks wrapped in poly and plywood Temperature and humidity continuously monitored No issues with noise all work off hours Security for protection of materials 40
Case Study C Special Collections Dispersed throughout inventory Library not willing to locate in dedicated area and protect with fire suppression system 41
Case Study C Special Collections Two major concerns of library Sprinklers close to materials: Will the sprinkler discharge physically damage the books? Building Fire Pump not on emergency power Will the sprinkler system work if normal power is lost 42
Case Study C Library Concerns Will the sprinkler discharge physically damage the books? Limited published information available Time frame did not permit testing What would testing yield for book failure Do we need to relocate books away from sprinklers Would impact extent of available storage 43
Case Study C Sprinkler Discharge Developed comparative study to assist staff in determining level of risk Box most fragile items 30-80 psi Domestic Water Garden Hose, Shower Head, Faucet, Lawn Sprinkler, Kitchen Sink Spray Hose 118 psi Fire Sprinkler Worst Case Proposed Fire Sprinkler 1,000-2,500 psi Pressure Washer 44
Case Study C Fire Pump Risk based concern Emergency power is not required for fire pump Performed hydraulic calculations Incorporated minor piping changes into design Demonstrate that without fire pump sprinkler system would satisfy code 45
Summary Goals of Fire Protection Systems Decisions to made during planning Design Basis for Protection Challenges During Design and Installation 46
Thank you! Joe Watson, P.E. Hughes Associates, Inc 117 Metro Center Blvd, Ste 1002 Warwick, RI 02886 401-736-8992 jwatson@haifire.com