CURRENT STATE OF THE ART AND GLIMPSE INTO

THE CRYSTAL BALL

SPRINKLER TECHNOLOGY:

James GolinveauxSenior Fellow – Tyco Fire Protection

Products

First known patent for automatic suppression system - 1723

to Mr. Ambrose Godfrey, an English chemist for:

Cask of water containing a chamber filled with gunpowder

Ignited by fire using fuses

Intended to be strategically placed within buildings

At least one success

First known patent for automatic suppression piping system - 1806

to Mr. John Carey of England for:

Perforated piping Supplied from

elevated water tank Valve on tank is

opened by dropping of weights when rope across ceiling is burned

Perforated pipe systems in the U.S.

Perforated pipe systems in the U.S.

Advantages:• First widely used fire suppression systems• Distributed approximately .05 gpm/ft2 (2 mm/min)

over floor area

• NOTE: 2 mm/min = 2 L/min/m2

Disadvantages:• Water not concentrated where needed, resulting in

excessive water damage over large floor areas not involved in the fire

• High potential for corrosion, since open piping accumulated rust and scale that clogged orifices

Performance of perforated piping

Automatic suppression system patents in the United States

1872 – Phillip Pratt –revolving perforated pipe arms, activated by cord burn-through

1872 – John Souther –steam dispensed through brass perforated pipes

1873 – J.C. Meehan –Fuse-activated steam system

Early automatic sprinklers Credit sometimes given to

Major A. Stewart Harrison of the First London Volunteers who in 1864 developed a 75 mm diameter sphere with 1.6 mm holes spaced 3 to 19 mm apart, with fusible solder activation

Never patented or marketed

Early automatic sprinklers Credit for the first practical

automatic sprinkler to Henry Parmelee of New Haven, Connecticut, who patented his first sprinkler in 1874, and protected his own piano factory with a later model

In 1875 he created a sprinkler that used a brass cap soldered over a water distributor

Parmelee Sprinkler 1874

10

Early automatic sprinklers Grinnell patented a sprinkler in

1882 that used a plate orifice instead of perforations or slots

Soldered levers held a valve against the orifice in the plate

The diaphragm action of the orifice plate allowed an increase in water pressure to seal the orifice tighter against leakage

Early automatic sprinklers Over 450 patents on automatic sprinklers in

the United States between 1872 and 1914, mainly using solder

First glass bulb sprinkler - 1922

Major Sprinkler Innovations

1935 – “Duraspeed” sprinkler for faster response1967 - Cycling valve1972 - On-off sprinkler

• Bimetallic disc• Wax motor

On‐off Sprinklers

Spray Sprinklers

Ceiling

Floor

Ceiling

Floor

Old Style/Conventional Sprinklers

Upright

Upright

Pendent

Pendent

Major Sprinkler Innovations

1955 – Spray sprinkler available to replace conventional sprinkler, allowing larger protection areas 

Standard Spray vs. Conventional

Major Sprinkler Innovations

1972 - Extended coverage sprinkler1974 - Quick response sprinkler1981 - Residential (domestic) sprinkler1981 - Large drop sprinkler1988 - ESFR sprinkler

Residential

ESFR

What is water mist?

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NFPA 750 (2010) Definition3.3.19 Water Mist. A water spray for which the Dv99 for the flow-weighted cumulative volumetric distribution of water droplets, is less than 1000 microns at the minimum design operating pressure of the water mist nozzle

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Residential Sprinklers LFII

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Residential Sprinklers LFII

How did we get here?

• For Control Mode Density Area (CMDA) sprinklers the Standard Spray K5.6 (K80) and K8.0 (K115) pendent and upright automatic sprinklers were the only CMDA K factors for storage until 1992.

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CMDA (continued)

• In 1992 Tyco (Central Sprinkler) introduced the first CMDA K11.2 (K160) pendent and upright automatic sprinklers approved for Storage ‐formerly known as the ELO‐231

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CMDA (continued)

• The K14 (200), K16.8 (K240) and K25.2EC (K360EC) CMDA automatic sprinklers

K25.2 EC Upright  (K360)

K16.8 (K240)

K25.2 EC Pendent (K360)

K14.0 (K200)

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Control Mode Specific Application (CMSA)

CMSA automatic sprinklers

K11.2 (K160)

K16.8 (K240)

K19.6 (K280)

K25.2 (K360)

K25.2EC (K360EC)

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Suppression Mode (ESFR)

Suppression Mode automatic sprinklers

K14.0 (K200)

K16.8 (K240)

K22.4 (K320)

K25.2 (K360)

K16.8 (K240)

K14.0 (K200)

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K25 ESFR

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27

Higher – Faster - Further

How high can we go? – Ceiling Only?

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Where In-Racks Become Mandatory Based on Type of Sprinkler and Storage or Ceiling Height – NFPA 13

Chapter Commodity Storage Height Building Height CMDA CMSA ESFR

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Class IV >22 ft (6.7 m) NA x

Class I - III >25 ft (7.6 m) NA x

Class I - IV >35 ft (10.6) >40 ft (12.1 m) x

Class I - IV >40 ft (12.1 m) >45 ft (13.7 m) x

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Group A plastic commodities in cartons, encapsulated or

nonencapsulated

20 ft (6.1 m) >25 ft (7.6 m) x

>20 ft (6.1 m) NA x

Group A plastic Cartoned Unexpanded >35 ft (10.6) >40 ft (12.1 m) x

Group A plastic Cartoned Unexpanded >40 ft (12.1 m) >45 ft (13.7 m) x

Group A plastic Exposed Unexpanded >35 ft (10.6) >40 ft (12.1 m) x

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Currently NFPA 13 and FM 8-9 limit Ceiling Only protection for some commodities to 45 ft (13.7m).UL Specific Application Sprinklers (Reliable K22 and Tyco K25 ESFR) extend Ceiling Only protection for some commodities to 48 ft (14.6m).K14 (200) ESFR have been limited to 35 ft (10.6m) ceilings from it’s original 40 ft (12m) application.When installing in-rack sprinklers, most vertical spacing's are limited to 10 ft (3m) to 12 ft (3.7m) – requiring many levels of in-rack sprinklers.At what height is Control Mode not enough for local fire department capability?There are 17 different sprinklers in CMDA, CMSA and ESFR categories to select from for storage applications.

The Challenge

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Skipping - Description of Full Scale Fire Test 3

Fuel Arrangement: FMRC Group A PlasticsFuel Height: 1.73 mClearance to ceiling: 15.9 mArrangement: 2 by 8, solid pile, 1 tierDensity: 12 mm/minSprinklers: K115, RTI 140 (m-s)1/2 Standard Response element, UprightSpacing: 3.0 m x 3.0 m

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Skipping ‐ Plan View of Sprinkler Operation – Test 3

What is the Big Deal?

FM Global and NFPA have made Significant Changes for Storage in 2011 and 2012

• FM has eliminated all names of storage sprinklers such as ESFR, CMSA and CMDA, NFPA still uses the names to differentiate the rules

• FM has banned K5.6 (K80) and K8.0 (K115) from ceiling protection of storage, NFPA restricts the use but not a ban

• FM has banned 286 degree (high temperature) sprinklers from wet systems

• FM has eliminated density and area from design considerations, NFPA still highly dependent on density curves

• FM has eliminated storage height from design consideration of ceiling only protection, storage height and clearance a significant design consideration in NFPA

• FM and NFPA now recognize ceiling only designs with as few as 6 sprinklers in the hydraulic demand.

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K5.6 Spray 7 psi (0.5 bar) to 100 psi (7 bar)

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K25EC Droplet Size 7 psi (0.5 bar) to 100 psi (7 bar)

35

22 M

PH(45 KP

H)

Droplets Ability to Penetrate the Fire Plume

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Small Drops are Carried Back to Ceiling - May Skipor Prevent Adjacent Sprinklers from Opening

22 M

PH(45 KP

H)

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Skipping

K8.0 (115) .33 gpm/ft2 / 3000 sq ft (13.44 / 279)

EC-25

CMDA - Pressure is not the Issue

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0.05.0

10.015.020.025.030.035.040.045.050.055.060.065.070.075.080.085.090.095.0

100.0

0.45 0.5 0.55 0.6 0.65 0.7 0.8

PR

ES

SU

RE

(PS

I)

DENSITY (100 SQ FT)

K5.6

K8.0

K11.0

K17-231

K25 EC

Expanded Exposed Plastic

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Sprinkler Demand

Sprinkler Demand

K8.0 (115) K11.2 (160)

1740 GPM (6587 L/min)

240 GPM 908 L/min)

RSP 7 Operated Sprinklers29 sprinklers K8.0 (115)

Operated SprinklersOnly 4 K11.2 (160)

Activated Sprinklers RSP 7 vs. K11.2 (160)

FSC7JY

EC-25 Pendent In-Rack (Reliable) Performance Based Protection

EC-25 Pendent (Reliable) Performance Based Protection

N252 EC Sprinklers Centered in Longitudinal Flue and Centered Between Rack Uprights = 8’ -3” on center.

EC-25 Pendent (Reliable) Performance Based Protection

Testing with a Continuous Barrier Across the Uprights

Tests 1, 2, & 3 Tests 4 & 5

EC-25 Pendent (Reliable) Performance Based Protection

ESFR- Dry-Type – K14 (200) & K17 (240)

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Ambient Temperature ofDischarge End of 

Sprinkler

Exposure Length of Sprinkler 

inches (mm) in Heated Area

Temperature of Heated Area  40˚F 

(4˚C)

40˚F (4˚C) 030˚F (‐1˚C) 020˚F (‐7˚C) 4 (100)10˚F (‐12˚C) 8 (200)0˚F (‐18˚C) 12 (305)‐10˚F (‐23˚C) 14 (355)‐20˚F (‐29˚C) 14 (255)‐30˚F (‐34˚C) 16 (405)‐40˚F (‐40˚C) 18 (455)‐50˚F (‐46˚C) 20 (510)‐60˚F (‐51˚C) 20 (510)

Do not attempt to add additional insulation around the barrel in the heated area as a method to minimize condensation. This will reduce the calculated “Exposure Length”.

Quell

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UL Specific Application Listing – K22 & K25 ESFR

Provide ceiling-only protection up to and including:

• 48 ft (14.6 m) Ceiling• 43 ft (13.1 m) Storage

Eliminates need for in-rack sprinklers for storage arrangements beyond NFPA 13Lower pressure provides flexibility when sizing system piping when compared to other listed sprinklers10-Year Limited Warranty

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ESFR Obstructed

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Attic SprinklersWindow SprinklersCombustible Concealed SprinklersInstitutional SprinklersHallway Sprinklers

Specific Application Sprinklers

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New Challenges

Outside the scope of NFPA 13

Ammunition Components. ‐ Bulk primers and powder

Batteries. ‐ Lithium and other similar exotic metals ‐ Lithium‐ion and other rechargeable batteries that contain combustible electrolyte 

Boat Storage . ‐ Stored on racks 

Boxes, Crates . ‐ Empty, wood slatted*

Carpet Rolls

Combustible Metals — unless specifically identified otherwise

Compressed or Liquefied Flammable Gases (i.e., filled propane cylinders) — unless specifically identified otherwise

Explosives. ‐ Blasting primers and similar items

Fertilizers (nitrates)

Fireworks. ‐ Consumer and display

Flammable and CombustibleLiquids — unless specifically identified otherwise. ‐ Liquids that contain greater than 20% alcohol

Hanging Garments, Bulk Storage

Lighters (butane) . ‐ Loose in large containers (Level 3 aerosol)

Storage Container . ‐ Large container storage of household goods 

Table A.5.6 Examples of Commodities Not Addressed by Classifications in Section 5.6

New Construction will not burn

Fire Safe Home

Lightweight Construction

Lithium Battery Storage – FPRF Report

A total of thirteen tests were conducted. Ignition was achieved using an external fire. The key findings reported by FM Global included:• The fire growth characteristics for the Li-ion batteries and the FM Global standard commodities that were evaluated exhibited similar fire development leading to the estimated time of first sprinkler operation.Commodity containing densely packed Li-ion batteries and minimal plastics (i.e.,cylindrical and polymer cells) exhibited a delay in the battery involvement. For the Li-ionbatteries used in this project, significant involvement was observed within fiveminutes after ignition.• Commodity containing a significant quantity of loosely packed plastics (i.e., CUP andpower tool packs) exhibited a rapid increase in the released energy due to plasticsinvolvement early in the fire development. Battery involvement was not observable dueto the contribution from the plastics.•

Lithium Battery Storage – FPRF Report• The CUP commodity exhibited a fire hazard leading to initial sprinkler operation that

was similar or greater than the Li-ion battery products tested. Therefore, the CUP commodity was chosen as a suitable surrogate for Li-ion batteries in a bulk packed rack storage test scenario, provided the fire protection system suppresses the fire prior to the time of significant Li-ion battery involvement.

• Without full-scale sprinklered testing experience with Li-ion batteries, protection system performance must preclude Li-ion battery involvement.

.

Lithium Battery Storage – FPRF Report

The second test series evaluated the level of protection provided by ceiling level only sprinklers.

Two large-scale fire sprinkler tests were conducted with CUP commodity and were based on the reduced commodity testing approach data. Full-scale tests were conducted with CUP commodity due to the costs associated with purchasing Li-ion cells and/or battery packs.

In both large-scale fire tests, the CUP commodity cartons were breached by the fire before initial sprinkler operation, resulting in persistent, deep seated flames beyond the predicted time of battery involvement. At this time, the adequacy of ceiling level sprinkler protection cannot be established without repeating the large-scale fire sprinkler tests using bulk packed Li-ion cells and/or battery packs

Car Stackers 2016 Edition of NFPA 13A.5.4.2Extra hazard (Group 2) occupancies include occupancies having uses and conditions similar to the following: (9) Car stackers and car lift systems with 2 cars stacked vertically

Boat Storage

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Boat Storage Facilities

First facilities – 1960s. Southeast U.S.• 25 ft. boats loaded by standard fork lifts• 3 to 4 tiers of storage

1990s • 40 ft. boats• Specialty forklifts, • stacker cranes

Today• 8-10 tiers of storage• Boats of 50 -70 ft. in length• Even more exotic designs

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Retail Fireworks Sprinkler Tests

Prior testing has been relatively limited with only two known programs conducted

Battelle Tests, January 2000 Report• Impetus- Ohio River Fireworks store in Scottown,

Ohio on July 3, 1996 • Client - Ohio Department of Commerce/Fireworks

Fire Suppression Task Force

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), 2009 Report

• Impetus – document performance in typical retail sales display scenarios with and without fire mitigation techniques, support for NFPA 1124

• Client – American Fireworks Standards Laboratory

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Approximate Configuration

22 ft

45 ft

12 ft

7700 cfm exhaust (4400 -6700 attained)

36x80” Door

155˚F, K=5.5 Standard

165 ˚F, K=25 ESFR

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Battelle Tests, ObservationsShowroom of 1,000 ft², single door opening, 11’-8” ceiling Sprinklers short time frames

• first sprinkler operated at 5 seconds • all 10 sprinklers operated within 35 seconds

Projectile behavior of fireworks common to all tests Smoke/temperature untenable conditions (6 ft smoke layer height, 200˚F) developed rapidly in some tests ESFR sprinklers, best control on temperatures (majority of test below 200˚F)

7,700 cfm smoke evacuation system was ineffective Very limited fuel package arrangements

• three 12 feet long gondolas • shelve volume utilization only 25-50 percent • majority of the room was empty floor space

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SwRI, Test Configuration

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SwRI, ObservationsSlow to develop firesTest 6, first sprinkler, 2 minutes 45 seconds after ignition In four of five tests first sprinkler operation at 13-21 min.Either two or four sprinklers operated in each test Burning Product on the two lowest gondola shells

• generally continued to burn for the duration of the test • due to shielding of the water spray by the shelving units

Test 9, without mesh caging around aerials • “lots of fireworks were injected into the aisle”• “aerial devices were launched outside of the immediate fire area”

Very limited fuel package arrangements • 16 feet long gondolas • shelve volume utilization only 25-50 percent • majority of the room was empty floor space

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Summary and Key Points

Battelle tests• Relatively small space• Potential fast hazard development indicated • No flame breaks, no fuse covers• Fuel density compared to retail environment• ESFR sprinklers ???

SwRI Tests• Fuse covers showed effectiveness• Containment bins effective for aerials• Flame breaks useful to limit spread• Tall ceiling, hazard of room environment unknown• Fuel density compared to retail environment• Standard response CMDA sprinklers ???

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Field Survey Findings – Retail Areas

Similar to Grocery Stores• Layout• Product distribution• Organization

Displayed in Original PackagingRemoval of Damaged Products

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Field Survey Findings – Retail Areas

Fuse Covers / Protective PackagingShelving Sizes & Types Varied

• Gondolas (up to 5 shelves)• Pallets• Single level bins

Storage Heights & Lengths Varied• Most shelving ≤ 72 inches tall• All shelving ≤ 32 feet long

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Field Survey Findings – Storage Areas

Storage Protection• Sprinkler System• Building Separation

DOT Approved PackagingShelving Sizes & Types Varied

• Predominant Method: Solid Pile• Rack Storage in Five Stores

Storage Heights Varied• 120 Inches for Solid Pile• 166 Inches for Racks

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Proposed Testing Concept – Full Scale Testing

Storage Configurations• Rack storage array• Palletized array

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Retail Configurations• Shelf storage arrays• Palletized arrays• Influence of projectiles• Influence of spark spray

Household Storage Pods

Thank You