I don't think you have to wait until the coolers are converted to "miscellaneous storage boxes" - I would argue there are many materials NORMALLY stored in these coolers and freezers that warrant sprinkler protection: butter is one example. But the other less combustible material found in a cooler can burn, too. And when the fire starts on the inside, it could quickly spread to the cooler's insulating material, resulting in a severe fire challenge.
Mark A. Sornsin, PE Fire Protection Engineer Ulteig Engineers, Inc. Fargo, ND 701.280.8591 [EMAIL PROTECTED] -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 10:00 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Sprinkler heads in coolers/freezers Ladies/Gentlemen: I can recall the early to mid-60's my father talking about sprinklers in freezers/coolers - he was on the daywork desk at Grinnell OF THE PACIFIC (Los Angeles). Sprinklers activating in these 'boxes' were not an uncommon "emergency" call. Someone came up with the idea to put 212 F. sprinklers in the freezers/coolers - and the emergency calls eventually tapered off. I know of no reference in NFPA-13 that addresses the temperature ratings of sprinklers in walk-in feezers/coolers. People/Clients still ask me 'why in the world' would you put sprinklers in walk-in coolers/freezers (or, for that matter, swimming pool areas) - my response is an inspection I did in a hotel restaurant several years ago that was no longer in business. Inside the (rather large) coolers and freezers, I found several rolls of (rolled up) carpets. And, yes, there were sprinklers in the boxes. When not in service, these areas make great storage rooms! I believe the sprinkler activation issue in freezers/coolers is that the cooling equipment can malfunction and overheat - with no fire in the box - but the temperature can rise in these insulated "rooms" and trigger the 165 F. sprinklers. I have designed, and specified, 200 F. (Q.R.) sprinklers for these applications for a number of years. Regards to all... Jerry D. Watts, SFPE* ACCENT FIRE ENGINEERING INT'L. Ltd. Santa Fe/Albuquerque San Diego, CA Seattle, WA Phoenix, AZ e: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (800) 503.1961 web: www.accentfire.com *Society of Fire Protection Engineers and Rio Grande Chapter (NM) Chapter/SFPE ************** Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001) _______________________________________________ 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)
