To all: It is not NFPA 13 that defines the term "fully sprinklered" but the building code. The building code requires full sprinkler protection in a building and gas suppressions systems are not equal to the requirement for full sprinkler protection. In fact the building code official can require a sprinkler system be installed even if the area is protected by a gas extinguishing system. Be very careful because areas that NFPA 13 will permit alternative type suppression systems the building code will not. You need to address this issue with the design professional and the building code official.
Regards Jim Jim Davidson Davidson Associates Fire Protection * Medical Gas * Code Consulting 302-994-9500 Fax:302-234-1781 -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ben Young Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 4:01 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Gas systems replacing sprinklers Check with the fire marshal and see if they will accept a backup agent supply instead of sprinkler protection. Some jurisdictions will allow this. Its costly, to have double the agent and the necessary piping, but if the customer has an aversion to water like they've got rabies, it may well be worth the cost to them. On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 3:49 PM, George Church <[email protected]> wrote: > Or gas with spkr (PA?) backup using higher temp heads, or use concealed to > protect against mechanical injury if that's a concern in that environ. > > glc > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of > [email protected] > Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 1:49 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: RE: Gas systems replacing sprinklers > > If the facility is required to be "sprinklered throughout" as a Code > requirement, the AHJ would have to approve the removal of a sprinkler > system > and substitution of a gaseous system. There's nothing in NFPA that gives > unconditional permission to just change things. Plus functionality of the > systems are completely different so it's hard to compare the two and say > that gas is an equal substitute to automatic sprinklers. > > In A.21.26.1.1 dealing with Cleanrooms, NFPA 13 states, "Gaseous fire > suppression systems are not substitutes for automatic > sprinkler protection. The large number of air changes in cleanrooms can > cause dilution or stratification of the gaseous agent." > > That's about all the verbiage you'll get in 13 concerning the gas systems. > > Unless there's some real serious concerns over sprinklers you might suggest > going preaction instead of gas. > > Craig L. Prahl, CET > Fire Protection Specialist > 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.ch2m.com > > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of > [email protected] > Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 1:35 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Gas systems replacing sprinklers > > > Does anyone know if NFPA specifically states that a gas fire suppression > system can replace a fire sprinkler in a room, or rooms? I scanned and > searched and the only section it addresses that issue is in marine systems > 25.1.5, partial systems. Section 1.5 possibly covers it but convincing a > fire marshall of that could be a bit tough. Thanks. > > Aaron Johnson > Northwest Consulting, Inc. > > > > _______________________________________________ > Sprinklerforum mailing list > [email protected] > http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum > > For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] > > To Unsubscribe, send an email > to:[email protected]<to%[email protected]> > (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) > _______________________________________________ > Sprinklerforum mailing list > [email protected] > http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum > > For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] > > To Unsubscribe, send an email > to:[email protected]<to%[email protected]> > (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) > > _______________________________________________ > Sprinklerforum mailing list > [email protected] > http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum > > For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] > > To Unsubscribe, send an email > to:[email protected]<to%[email protected]> > (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) > -- Benjamin Young Sprinkler Designer Rowe Sprinkler Systems, Inc. [email protected] _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
