Roland, Most of the rolling aisle file storage areas that I have reviewed are approximately 8,000 sq. ft. in area, usually on the first floor on in a basement area. The racks are approximately 8 ft tall and approximately 20 to 30 ft in length without solid steel transverse barriers. This type of storage is not considered as a "light hazard" occupancy based on fuel load. It is usually considered as an Ord Group II or Extra hazard area within a light hazard occupancy. This type of storage should be protected based on the fuel load present not the general hazard class of the facility.
You need to remember that when this type of file storage burns someone is going to pay for the loss of the files and the resulting loss of income for the institution. And the contractor referring to NFPA 13 with the referenced testing done by the GSA available and not refuted by NFPA 13 could leave the sprinkler contractor hanging, especially if the contractor does not look at the details of the shelving units being used, and the configuration of the storage modules. Regards 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 Roland Huggins Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2011 4:01 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Rolling medical file storage Allow a slight modification to my statement. I Guess one could say we are limiting the loss of records by restricting the size of the module to no more than 250 SF. That wasn't what drove this criteria or even entered the discussion but it is an unintended consequence. Roland On Jan 20, 2011, at 12:42 PM, Roland Huggins wrote: > We are mixing apples and oranges. The below focused on protecting > the building while avoiding excessive loss of records. Recent tests > that led to changes in 13 identified that even presenting a heavier > fuel load, a light hazard classification was acceptable because it > took so long to generate enough heat to activate the sprinkler (50 > minutes or so was a common outcome). This does not minimize loss > of records but provides adequate protection for the building. > > Roland > > On Jan 20, 2011, at 12:18 PM, Jim Davidson wrote: > >> 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 >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> 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) >>>> >>>> No virus found in this incoming message. >>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com >>>> Version: 9.0.872 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3375 - Release Date: >>>> 01/19/11 >>>> 13:34:00 >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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) _______________________________________________ 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)
