I think the problem is in the word "concealed". In my opinion, it should not be used, and dropped alltogether. Requiring all "obstructed" spaces having combustible construction to be sprinklered would convey the intent and reduce (I hope) the confusions.
Sometime back there was a building that had a combustible crawlspace, which required a 3000 sq.ft. design as the crawlspace was not being sprinklered. When this required a fire pump, the EOR and Fire Marshall made a ruling in writing that the 3000 sf design was not required as the crawlspace was open to the outside and was NOT a "concealed" space. So figure that one out. I think there may have been similar problems, as NFPA qualified the concealed space "even with small openings" not too long ago. So drop "concealed" and substitute it with another, such as "obstructed". By the way, the word "concealed" also creates confusion in the installation of CPVC piping. Tony ----- Original Message ----- From: Sprinkler Academy - C Bilbo <[email protected]> Date: Tuesday, March 29, 2011 8:25 pm Subject: RE: concealed space definition To: FORUM <[email protected]> > > Why Todd, I am so glad you asked..... > > The task group knew that we would need to differentiate between > concealed and non-concealed spaces in way that 8.15 just doesn't > do. Step one? Define Concealed... > > Here is our task group's best effort (and it pulls from other > NFPA definitions as suggested earlier): > > 3.3.6 Concealed Spaces > 3.3.6.1* Concealed Space. An area of or space within a > building that is not accessible for storage purposes and is not > normally occupied by people but could be entered occasionally > for brief periods. The space shall be considered a concealed > space even with small openings as defined in 3.3.6.2. > A.3.3.6.1 The concealed space most commonly referred to in > this context is the space above a ceiling. This definition > should not be limited to these spaces. Concealed spaces > can be found inside buildings between rooms and between ceilings > and floors. They can also be found outside buildings in > eaves and overhangs. > > > We will see if this makes it through the ROC, because the > Committee said they LOVED our work but couldn't accept it > without real world fire tests behind it. So we will be > back in October with more data. > > And for Ron, we did NOT talk about sloped ceilings just > yet. Although the Academy students drew a "sloped > acoustical panel" arrangement like the one Steve Leyton had > referred. > > > It should be recognized that the above is my opinion as a member > of the NFPA, and has not been processed as a formal > interpretation in accordance with the NFPA Regulations Governing > Committee Projects and should therefore not be considered, nor > relied upon, as the official position of the the NFPA, nor any > of their technical committees. > > Sincerely, > > > Cecil Bilbo > Academy of Fire Sprinkler Technology > Champaign, IL > 217.607.0325 > www.sprinkleracademy.com > [email protected] > > OUR STUDENTS SAVE LIVES!! > > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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:Sprinklerforum- > [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)
