We're on the same page. 2000 IBC 904.2 Para 2. reads;
"Automatic fire extinguishing systems shall not be considered alternatives for the purposes of exceptions or reductions permitted by other requirements of this code" An automatic sprinkler system that is provided on the basis of and/or to attain an exception or a reduction, i.e height and area increase, corridor fire resistance reduction, means of egress travel distance, etc. must be done so in accordance with the building code that provided the exception or reduction. Often 903.3.1.1.1 is cited to exempt specific locations from sprinkler protection. Condition 2. of this section requires the approval of the building official (fire subcode official in New Jersey). The commentary specifically notes "It is not the intent of condition 2 to omit sprinklers solely due to potential water damage. It should also be noted that a desire not to sprinkler a certain area, such as a computer room or operating room, does not fall within the limitations of the exception unless there is something unique about the space that would result in water being incompatible". Interesting how this sort of situation involves "critical" "high value" equipment thats stuck in some coat closet without proper ventilation, fire rated construction and or mission critical fire protection. I have a number of "day trader" operations like this. Each one is fully sprinklered with FM-200 total flooding systems NFPA-2001 compliant systems. In each case redundant server equipment is ready to go should the primary server fail regardless of a sprinkler related incident. The sprinkler stays. Protect the mission. John Drucker Fire Protection Subcode Official (AHJ) New Jersey -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Chris Cahill Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2007 4:25 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Server Closet And these same nit wits don't care about sinks and toilets, severe weather, roof leaks, electrical issues, floods and all the other possible causes of damage. When I ask if they considered all the other possible sources of damage or interruption with fire or sprinklers being among the least probable they usually put it in the new context and drop the issue. Or at least stop pushing to spend the owner's money (vs. theirs) and compromise on a concealer and high temp. Bigger rooms with high value critical infrastructure for a mutli-million business then maybe DIPA. But these are usually multiple redundant remote systems and thus any one site is not important and they accept the risk all 3 (or more) won't have problems at the same time. I'm not sure what John Drucker means about IFC 904.2. But be careful about substituting alternate agents for sprinklers. 904.2 ('00 ed.) last sentence may mean if the sprinklers are not in the room (closet) it is an unsprinklered building. The only exceptions are in 903.3.1.1.1 and I don't see server rooms covered. At least the way I read it alternate agents are not sprinklers. Chris Cahill, P.E. Fire Protection Engineer Sentry Fire Protection, Inc. 763-658-4483 763-658-4921 fax Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Mail: P.O. Box 69 Waverly, MN 55390 Location: 4439 Hwy 12 SW Waverly, MN 55390 -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2007 2:22 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Server Closet The dry sidewall might appease them if all they were worried about was an intermittent drip. What I hear more often is the fear of someone busting the head and millions of gallons of water dumping into the closet resulting in numerous IT personnel drownings and electronic equipment getting wet and ruined. Craig L. Prahl, CET Fire Protection Group Mechanical Department CH2MHILL Lockwood Greene 1500 International Drive PO Box 491, Spartanburg, SC 29304-0491 Direct - 864.599.4102 Fax - 864.599.8439 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.lg.com -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Tom Duross Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2007 3:15 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Server Closet Thanks. One of my thoughts to offer them was a dry type sidewall. I can get it set about 10" below the steel deck and still hide the pipe above the corridor drop ceiling. Maybe in a 360 degree rating? It would keep the water (wata) out of the room. Tom Dual Interlock Pre-Action? For one head in a closet? YIPERS! DIPA?? In my best Sherman: "Gee Mr. Peabody, what's that?" Tom Sounds like they're concerned with water damage and not mission continuity. I would recommend a DIPA system. Either way, it seems like a lot of effort for one sprinkler. Inergen would likely require pressure relief venting. Ray Schmid I was wondering if I could get recommendations of advice to give a client. Their IT guy is bugging them about a head we put in a server closet. It's just a 6' w x 3' deep closet with their rack and a little ductless ac unit. No raised floor, liebert or big ups equipment and certainly not sealed. I offered high temp head but they're scared about water (wata). Should I suggest total flooding inergen? Low temp rate of rise heat detector? I have to have an exhaust system installed with inergen, right? I think they'd have to enclose the closet to keep in the gas. Thanks, Tom Duross Go Red Sox _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
