Remember the building code is the document that tells you when and where systems are required. If a jurisdiction is using NFPA 101 as their building code then of course that would govern the decision. But if you are under the ICC, UFC, SBC codes or similar, they take precedence on what you can and cannot do as far as omitting sprinklers.
Typically unless you're dealing with a special hazard type of situation, water based sprinklers have an excellant track record of performace. Craig Prahl ________________________________________ From: [email protected] [[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ing. Donato Pirro [[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, February 11, 2010 3:54 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Gas systems replacing sprinklers Aaron, check NFPA 101-09 section 9.7.3 (Other Automatic Extinguishing Equipment). I believe the intent is to permit an automatic extinguishing system other than water sprinklers to substitute for a NFPA 13 sprinkler system ONLY where automatic sprinklers are not able to control a such fire (an example could be the protection of water reactive chemicals). Where an automatic sprinkler system is capable of controlling the fuel that will burn, the automatic sprinkler system must be present. Also please note that clean agent systems relay on a fixed quantity of gas to extinguish the fire. If doors are left open so as to dilute gas concentration, there is no back-up for extinguishing the fire. That is why the automatic sprinkler system is needed in all rooms where a code requires protection throughout. D.Pirro -----Mensaje original----- De: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] En nombre de Rod DiBona Enviado el: Martes, 09 de Febrero de 2010 05:50 p.m. Para: [email protected] Asunto: RE: Gas systems replacing sprinklers Thanks Joe. Good info. I never considered that the ability to take the increases would be jeopardized when the clean agent is approved as an alternative... Rod Rapid Fire -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Joe Burtell Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 3:33 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Gas systems replacing sprinklers Here is what our local fire marshal got back from the ICC Subject: IFC 904.2 question Hi Scott, I have a question for you. Section 904.2 states that "Automatic fire-extinguishing systems shall not be considered alternatives for the purposes of exceptions or reductions allowed by other requirements of this code." Does this mean that if I have a building that is fully protected with sprinklers but one room in the building contains an alternate (clean agent) system for protection of computers instead of sprinklers, no exceptions or reductions in code are allowed for whole building? Or does it only apply to a situation where the designer wants to install an alternate system throughout the entire building instead of sprinklers? Thanks for any help you can provide. Mike Mike Both answers are correct. If you have a building sprinklered throughout in accordance with NFPA 13, and sprinklers are removed from a room that is not exempted by Section 903.3.1.1.1, then you technically cannot take advantage of all of the credits allowed by the IBC and IFC. If a building requires automatic sprinklers but the designer chooses a clean agent system, these same credits cannot be taken. Alternative fire extinguishing systems have a limited amount of agent and are generally designed for a single application onto a particular hazard versus automatic sprinklers which can protect a variety of hazards for a given occupancy hazard and generally has a greater amount of agent (e.g., water) that is available. Scott Stookey Senior Technical Staff - Product Development International Code Council (ICC) 807 Sweetwater River Drive Austin, Texas 78748-2238 Office: 1-888-422-7233 (ICC-SAFE) X 3473 (FIRE) Cellular: 512-716-9595 [email protected] www.iccsafe.org _______________________________________________ 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) _______________________________________________ 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)
