Rolling Aisle File Storage presents a severe fire load for the sprinkler system
to suppress. There were studies conducted by:
1. Fire Protection Study, Mobile Compact Shelving Fire Tests, “Archives
II”, Gage-Babcock & Associates, Dated June 1990.
2. Full Scale Fire Tests of Sprinklered Mobile Shelving Units for
National Library of Canada, Gage-Babcock & Associates, Dated May 1992.
3. Full-Scale Fire Tests and the Development of Design Criteria for
Sprinkler Protection of Mobile Shelving Units, G.D. Lougheed, J.R. Mawhinney,
and J. O’Neill, Fire Technology, First Quarter 1994, Volume 30, Number 1,
pp.’s. 98 - 133.
Fire testing involving archival records stored in mobile compact shelving
indicated that sprinklers were not able to prevent extensive damage to records.
An analysis of those fire tests indicated that standard 212F temperature
rated sprinklers did not operate until the fire was well underway, particularly
in the lower levels of the units. Once the sprinklers operated, the water
spray could not effectively reach and control the fire. The close proximity of
the rows of stack units combined with typical unit depth prevented the water
discharge from the overhead sprinklers from wetting the records and containers
stored in the units, and to effectively control and extinguish the fire.
Additional fire testing for the General Services Administration (GSA) entitled
“Archives II” has verified that quick-response (QR) sprinklers along with
enhancements in the operation and construction features in the stack units
greatly limited the fire damage to archival records as compared to previous
methods of fire protection. The concept included a modification of the
controls for electric motor-driven unit, whereby in the early stages of a fire
following activation of a smoke detector, the rows automatically shift to a
uniform 4 to 5 inches spacing between each adjacent row in a stack area. The
verification fire tests indicated that with QR sprinklers effective fire
control was achieved with damage primarily limited to two rows exposed to the
incipient fire.
The first concept is not necessarily limited to electric motor-driven stack
systems. This concept can be applied to mechanical assist systems when based on
having at all times a minimum 6-inch space between the mechanical shelving
units. This will necessitate the removal of one, or more as required, moving
shelf storage unit on each side of the fixed center shelf unit and the
installation of a “bumper” to maintain a minimum 6-inch space between the
shelving units at all times.
It was clear from the results of Archives II, Test No. 2 that close proximity
of the adjacent rows of stacks presented the same problems for effective fire
control as in the Factory Mutual (FM) tests conducted on 1978 on Rolling Aisle
Storage Arrangements. The benefit of the QR sprinkler over the standard
sprinklers was evident in that the fire did not “jump” or spread across the
access aisle before or after sprinkler activation. In the previous FM tests,
the fire spread across the access aisle before the first standard sprinkler
actuated.
Since the sprinkler spray did not reach the fire burning below in the lower
levels of the stack units, simply increasing the water flow rate from the
sprinklers would not likely result in better extinguishment.
The sprinkler system used in the Archives II test was designed to provide a
water flow rate of 30 gpm/sprinkler. This resulted in an average system design
density of 0.30 gpm/ft2. It is important to recognize that use of the Archives
II recommendations necessitates verification that the existing sprinkler system
can deliver the design densities used in the tests of vertical stacks.
The hydraulic calculations should be based on a design density of 0.30 gpm over
the hydraulically remote 3,000-sq. ft. using QR sprinkler heads.
In addition to the sprinkler system modifications the storage shelving
arrangement will need to be modified as follows:
1. One or more of the rolling shelving unit(s) will need to be removed on
either side of the center non-moveable shelving section. This applies to all of
the shelving units arrays.
2. Provide a mechanical means to maintain at all times a minimum 6-inch
space between each shelving unit.
3. The compartment containing the rolling aisle storage shall be cut off
from the remainder of the facility with two hour fire rated barrier (ceiling,
floor and walls), with openings protected by 1½ hour, Class B, fire rated
protective devices..
This is not just a sprinkler contractor solution.
Hope this helps.
Have a fire safe day!
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 Matthew J. Willis
Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2011 2:46 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Rolling medical file storage
I am surprised it is not a deluge....
If they were put in since last inspection, Yes code violation. (4.1.6)
If built that way, No. (1.1.2)
R/
Matt
Matthew J. Willis, CET
Automatic Fire Sprinklers
Norred Fire Systems L.L.C.
318-387-1134 Voice
318-816-1087 Mobile
318-387-1163 Facsimile
[email protected]
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: [email protected] [mailto:sprinklerforum-
> >[email protected]] On Behalf Of Gregg Key
> >Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2011 1:27 PM
> >To: [email protected]
> >Subject: Rolling medical file storage
> >
> >It has been a while since I have been on and I think this has been
> >discussed
> >before but cant find it in the archives so here I go.
> >
> >Doing a NFPA 25 inspection and find a medical storage room with rolling
> >files that are within 8" of the sprinklers. Sprinklers spaced 12x12. This
> >system has 8 rolling files and only room for 1 to be open at a time so no
> >way to get adequate coverage. Was told it was installed like this from
> >beginning and was accepted. What sayest the Sprinkler forumites? code
> >violation or not? How would you address it? BTW this is at a State
> >facility.
> >Thanks
> >
> >C.Gregg Key, SET
> >Key Fire Protection Services,Inc
> >Project Manager
> >(O) 706-790-3473
> >(C) 706-220-8821
> >
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> >13:34:00
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