Every conversation I've had in this area goes like this. OK did you consider roof leaks, wind damage, toilet flooding, IT tech spilling coffee, roof drain leak, smoke from a fire in another part of the building and every other conceivable threat to the computer. If so and the sprinkler is the last issue then clean agent is right for you otherwise you are probably better served by making your computer system more redundant. Have yet to have a clean agent put in. Now don't get me wrong there are good places for these just not these small rooms when overlooking the big picture.
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, February 11, 2010 11:11 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Gas systems replacing sprinklers My apologies for re-visiting this subject but I have been off of here for a while. This was a general question. Not associated with one building type or room size. It was brought to my attention by the sales person that the fire marshals are making the contractors put in sprinklers with the gas systems based on the following code; NFPA 13 2007 4.1 Level of Protection. A building, where protected by an automatic sprinkler system installation, shall be provided with sprinklers in all areas except where specific sections of this standard permit the omission of sprinklers. An argument could be based on the following, but it still does not specifically allow the omission of "water based sprinklers" NFPA 13 2007 1.5 Equivalency. Nothing in this standard is intended to prevent the use of systems, methods, or devices of equivalent or superior quality, strength, fire resistance, effectiveness, durability, and safety over those prescribed by this standard. Technical documentation shall be submitted to the authority having jurisdiction to demonstrate equivalency. The system, method, or device shall be approved for the intended purpose by the authority having jurisdiction. 1.6 New Technology. 1.6.1 Nothing in this standard shall be intended to restrict Nothing in this standard shall be intended to restrict new technologies or alternate arrangements, provided the level of safety prescribed by this standard is not lowered. The Novec 1230 systems from Viking are basically designed for a single room. I have multiple projects around the country that I can use this system on, small computer rooms around 12'x12'. The higher temp sprinkler in the room would act as a backup to the system, but that defeats the purpose of the gas system to eliminate the chance of a sprinkler accidentally going off in a room, I know that the odds are very slim, but tell that to building owners who see them going off all the time in the movies. I guess what it will come down to is a ruling from each individual fire Marshall. Thanks for the help! Aaron Johnson Northwest Consulting, Inc. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: Thu, Feb 11, 2010 7:25 am Subject: RE: Gas systems replacing sprinklers Didn't we just visit this question or is my e-mail system doing something funky? Aaron, the consensus from the last time we discussed this was that the building ode is what governs whether you can make the substitution or not along with pproval by the AHJ. NFPA has no preference. You need to know if the architect took some of the allowances for area increases r egress or other things that were based on the building being fully prinklered before attempting to omit sprinklers from any area. raig L. Prahl, CET ire Protection Specialist echanical Department H2MHILL ockwood Greene 500 International Drive O Box 491, Spartanburg, SC 29304-0491 irect - 864.599.4102 ax - 864.599.8439 [email protected] ttp://www.ch2m.com ----Original Message----- rom: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] n Behalf Of Michael J. Ricks ent: Thursday, February 11, 2010 9:38 AM o: [email protected] ubject: Gas systems replacing sprinklers Does anyone know if NFPA specifically states that a gas fire suppression system an replace a fire sprinkler in a room, or rooms? I scanned and searched and the nly section it addresses that issue is in marine systems 25.1.5, partial ystems. Section 1.5 possibly covers it but convincing a fire marshal of that ould be a bit tough. Thanks. aron Johnson orthwest Consulting, Inc. Aaron: NFPA 13 2002 edition A.8.1.1 states: "This standard contemplates full sprinkler rotection for all areas..Other NFPA standard that mandate sprinkler nstallation might not require sprinklers in certain areas. The requirements of his standard should be used insofar as they are applicable. he AHJ should be consulted in each case. A building is considered sprinklered hroughout when protected in accordance with the requirements of this standard." It seems to me that you need to request a modification based on alternative aterials and methods (see IFC 104.8 and 104.9). In short, you will need to how the AHJ why there are practical difficulties involved in providing prinklers in the area in question and show him that the proposed system rovides an equivalent level of protection. If I were presenting it I would be eady to offer a minimum design area to 3000 sq. ft. and maybe a rated enclosure round the unsprinklered area. I think most AHJ's would go for that. Michael Ricks Katco Fire Sprinkler Design P.O. 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