ESFR Sprinklers the Perfect Solution to Warehousing - Updated

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ESFR Sprinklers – The Perfect Solution To Warehouse Fire Protection? (Updated)

July 11th, 2012 Print This Post

Explore with us in this extended and updated article the do’s and don’ts of ESFR sprinkler systems. We added a sectionon the changes of the most recent 2010 edition of FM 8-9 by FM Global, and a FAQ on the instances where in-rack sprinklers arerequired when the building is equipped with an ESFR system.

(updates to the original article are shown in italics)

Additional information on sprinkler application issues can be found in the article Sprinkler Protection Simplified .

ESFR (Early Suppression, Fast Response) sprinkler systems, have been rightfully touted as one of the best solutions and bestinvestments in warehouse storage. But are ESFR systems an all-inclusive solution to warehouse protection? Is it the “miracle cure”to all warehousing problems?

Not exactly. There’s a gamut of problems that may arise from a business owner unknowingly moving into a building equipped withan ESFR system. Let’s discuss these potential pitfalls in more detail by giving some specific examples.

Background – History

In the 1980s, early suppression, fast response (ESFR) sprinkler systems were developed as an alternative to in-rack systems. Theywere designed to actually suppress or extinguish the fire, while conventional sprinklers can only control fires, therefore eliminatingthe need for extinguishment by firefighters.

R Sprinklers The Perfect Solution To Warehousing - Updated | Klausb... http://www.klausbruckner.com/blog/esfr-sprinklers-the-perfect-sol

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3) They are provided with either wire mesh siding or large uniform openings along the bottom perimeter of each container, such that all water that enters the container will leave the container at the same flowrate and discharge evenly into the flue spaces. For this option to apply, storage within the container cannot be water absorbent nor be capable of blocking any of the container holes, or 4) The storage racks are equipped with flat or domed-shaped fixed-in-place lids that are provided directlyabove the open-top containers and will prevent water from entering the open-top container, as well asdistribute water equally into all f lue spaces (this only applies for pallet loads that are f ixed-in-placewithin a rack structure).

Question: Once an ESFR system is installed, can any business move in and store however they want?

Answer:

No. For example, with one exception (NFPA 13, Table 15.4.1), ESFR systems cannot be applied to storage of exposed (uncartoned) expanded Group A Plastics. Also each type of ESFR head can protect a different set of commodities. For example, K-25 ESFR cannot protect cartoned expanded plastics (such as products that have >25% by volume of foam

packaging in a cardboard box). Additionally most furniture warehouses run into difficulties in protecting products withan ESFR system, because of their rack storage of exposed expanded plastics. Exposed expanded include products suchas mattresses, pillows, synthetic foam packaging (non-starch based), etc. For building owners or in warehouses, wherethe types of storage fluctuates, the best return for your ESFR dollar is the K-17 ESFR head, which protects a largevariety of products, but still requires comparatively low water pressures.

Question: Are there instances where in-rack sprinklers are required, even when the building is equipped with an ESFR system?

Answer:

Yes. There are many instances where in-rack sprinklers are required with an ESFR system. For example in cases whereexposed expanded Group A Plastics (e.g. mattresses) on racks are proposed, the protection of these products areoutside the scope of NFPA 13. FM Global does require in-racks for protection of these products in most cases evenwith an ESFR* system at the ceiling. Additionally close attention must be paid to the ESFR tables in NFPA 13,especially Tables 16.2.3.1, 16.3.3.1, 17.2.3.1, 17.3.3.1 and for ceilings greater than 40 feet. Many of the ESFR optionsin that table require in-rack sprinklers.

* NOTE: FM Global no longer uses the term “ESFR” however ESFR sprinklers are viewed as simply K-16.8, K-25.2,etc. sprinklers when applying protection tables in Data Sheet 8-9. Therefore if a business owner is moving into abuilding that is equipped with an ESFR, and exposed expanded Group A Plastics is planned for rack storage, theK-Factor of the head will be used to determine whether in-racks are required.

Question: Are sprinkler systems required below catwalks if the overhead system is ESFR?

Answer:

In the past FM Global Data Sheets were used as alternative means of protection/criteria to NFPA 13. This wasacceptable to most jurisdictions. The previous editions of FM Global Data sheet 2-2 did not require sprinklers belowcatwalks if the catwalk system was greater than 70% open and no more than 10 feet wide. This allowance was specificto ESFR systems. However, with the release of the new FM Global Data Sheets 8-9, the term “ESFR” has beencompletely eliminated. The new requirements for sprinklers below walkways have been modified to a more genericrequirement that applies to all types of sprinkler systems. See FM Global 2-0 for the allowances for locations wheresprinklers need not be installed below walkways. In all cases, sprinklers are required below open grids if the open grid depth is greater than 1/2 inch. In other words, FM 2-0, Section 2.2.1.4.3 Exceptions 1-3 apply to open grids if the grid is1/4 – 1/2 inch deep. Therefore in most cases since walkways are approximately 3/4 – 1 inch deep, sprinklers will berequired below walkways.

Question: What are common misunderstandings seen in application of ESFR’s?

Answer:

Some of the critical pieces of information that is often miscommunicated between business owners, realtors, and firedepartments will often result in the incorrect application of ESFR systems. Let’s list some of them:

Commodity: To business owners, the commodity is the product that they are selling (i.e. the valuable goods). To the firedepartment and what is needed to determine protection, a commodity is what can burn in the warehouse. This includes,

product (i.e. the valuable goods), the packaging (foam/expanded plastics, etc.) and the pallet (plastic versus standard wood, etc.).

Clearance: To business owners and realtors, clearance defines how high they can physically store. Clearances aretypically are considered the distance from the floor to bottom of roof structures such as trusses, etc. To the firedepartments and code users, clearances are short for “ sprinkler clearances” usually termed to describe the distance


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between the top of the storage to the sprinkler deflector.

Ceiling Heights: To business owners and realtors ceiling heights are again used to define how high they can physicallystore. Therefore they consider this measurement distance below the roof trusses and in most cases at lowest point of theroof (if sloped). For the fire department, ceiling heights, when determining types and designs of sprinkler protection, isgiven by the measurement from floor to the bottom of the roof deck at the highest point. Incorrect selection of ESFR types and pressures can result from these types of misunderstandings.

Conclusion

While ESFR systems may solve many of the more challenging problems in warehouse protection against fires, ensuring that thecorrect type of ESFR is used involves full understanding of the commodity and methods of storage in the warehouse. Carefulconsideration must also be given on the long-term use and range of flexibility expected by the owner of the building.

Full communication between the fire department and business owner is necessary to ensure the terminologies used by each side isunderstood by the other party, as that can result in the incorrect ESFR types and/or pressures.

A final consideration as to whether additional ESFR heads should be required below catwalks merits additional testing.

Disclaimer: The content presented is f or general information purposes only and does not constitute advice. Readers should not act upon this article’s content or information without first seeking appropriate professional advice.

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