30 HP max for Lim Service Controllers

Just keep repeating
"we're replacing a failed component with same as a maintenance item."
You're under NFPA 25, Not NFPA 20 for design intent, IMHO.


George L.  Church, Jr., CET  
Rowe Sprinkler Systems, Inc.
PO Box 407, Middleburg, PA 17842
877-324-ROWE       570-837-6335 fax
[email protected]



-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] 
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Steve Leyton
Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 11:15 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: NFPA 14 65 to 100 psi Pressure

I'm on the road and not able to cite the exact section in NFPA 20, but it's in 
there John.  It's not a special circumstance, just the lower horsepower rating 
that allows it.

Steve Leyton
Protection Design & Consulting 

321 <[email protected]> wrote:

>This is really getting silly now... the AHJ has finally responded by 
>asking for justification for using a Limited Service controller with 
>understanding that this property has had a limited service 
>controller/30 HP pump set up for 30 years. "Is a Stadard Sevice" 
>controller not available?" he asks. "What is the special circumstance 
>that requires the use of a Limited Service controller? is another 
>question we must respond to. He has moved away from the PSI issue 
>entirely and we think this BS is his way of poking one last stick in the wheel 
>to impede the process.
>
>Stay tuned...
>
> John W. Farabee
>
>
>
>
>
>________________________________
>From: Steve Leyton <[email protected]>
>To: [email protected]
>Sent: Tue, November 15, 2011 11:47:00 AM
>Subject: RE: NFPA 14 65 to 100 psi Pressure
>
>Sorry I'm late to the discussion - West Coast time and all that.
>
>There are several issues at work here.  If you've ever heard me present 
>on standpipes or read anything I've written (if so, pity - you need a
>hobby) you've heard my rap on fire-fighter safety and the concept of
>performance basis for standpipe design.   So I immediately give a little
>more benefit of the doubt to a fire official who wants 
>higher-performing standpipes.  But there are obviously mitigating 
>circumstances and the
>property owner has rights too.   It sounds to me like the fire official
>has exceeded their authority, but it could still be possible to make a 
>compromise that sends everyone away slightly happy.
>
>Certain assumptions: The building hasn't changed use and occupancy 
>since the original design was approved.  The Class II system was 
>required by code.  There is no way to get more than 30hp within safety 
>factor off the house electrical system without expensive upgrade.
>
>IFC 904.1 states that FP systems shall be maintained in accordance with 
>the standards that applied to the original installation of that system.
>The fire official is exceeding his authority to require the upgrade
>unless there has been a change of use.    A Class II requires 65psi
>residual at up to 100gpm under current code.   Sounds like making that
>isn't an issue, which begs the question of whether the 500gpm pump was
>simply sized for sprinklers or if there was some other intent.   And the
>gen set sounds like a red herring; is the power supply considered 
>unreliable?
>
>Have you calculated the system for manual water supply?   What pressure
>can they get at the top if they pump the FDC at 150?  175?  If it 
>didn't work, could a portion of the system that might be 4" be retro'd with 6"
>(still a pain but cheaper than the pump drama)?    What kind of hose
>pack and nozzle does the FD use on attack and what residual do they
>actually need at the tip?   Seems to me that if you are replacing the
>pump, you might be able to tailor a compromise curve by going with the 
>narrowest impeller possible, fewest # of vanes that will still make
>500gpm, steeper cut, bigger eye.   Get that pump to shut off at 139% if
>possible to get the highest range of residual you can at less than rated
>flow.   100psi at 250 will get the fire official half way there, so to
>speak.   Get with the pump rep and hammer on them to get you the best
>performance they can that doesn't blow the electrical panel calc's.
>
>Seems like there are some options that might move the FO off of their 
>ledge, but if not I think that due process would support your client.
>There's always the route of appealing through whatever board or 
>department is set up for such a process: city manager, building dept.
>appeals board, etc.   I doubt that the FPO is supported by the code in
>this ruling.
>
>My opinion only,
>Steve Leyton
>
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: [email protected]
>[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of 321
>Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 6:40 AM
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: Re: NFPA 14 65 to 100 psi Pressure
>
>That's exactly the way we see it...these municipalities and local 
>governments are so desperate to generate additional revenue stream in 
>the form of fines that they are becoming zealots on a witch hunt...with 
>no regard as to the economic ramifications of their actions.
>
>John W. Farabee
>
>
>
>
>
>________________________________
>From: Justin Reid <[email protected]>
>To: [email protected]
>Sent: Tue, November 15, 2011 8:58:10 AM
>Subject: Re: NFPA 14 65 to 100 psi Pressure
>
>Sounds like an unfair situation. If the comments come back the same, I 
>would ask the owner to attend the next meeting and to elevate it past 
>the reviewer. Obviously their building does not have the infrastructure 
>to even accommodate the reviewers request which is onerous. The 
>reviewer is asking for a major project when all you are doing is 
>repairing an existing component of an existing system.
>
>Good luck!
>
>Justin Reid
>
>On Tue, Nov 15, 2011 at 8:52 AM, 321 <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Not in a rural area...Major SE Florida Metropolitan City.
>>
>>  John W. Farabee
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ________________________________
>> From: Andy <[email protected]>
>> To: [email protected]
>> Sent: Tue, November 15, 2011 8:37:54 AM
>> Subject: RE: NFPA 14 65 to 100 psi Pressure
>>
>> Are you in a rural area were the he may be concerned about his fire
>truck
>> providing adequate pressure to work his new hose nozzles that want a
>100
>> PSI.
>>
>> Thank you,
>> Andy
>>
>> Andy Johnston | Master Craft Plumbing and Fire Protection
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: [email protected]
>> [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of 321
>> Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 8:23 AM
>> To: [email protected]
>> Subject: Re: NFPA 14 65 to 100 psi Pressure
>>
>> Yes...code required Class II & Sprinkler 30 years ago when building
>was
>> built.
>> Original pump is 500 GPM (locked up...and scrap) limited service 30 
>> Horsepower.
>> AHJ first required controller jump to internal auto transformer then
>came
>> back
>> with this 100 psi deal. Customers electric service and emergency gen
>set
>> won't
>> handle the load.
>>
>> AHJ is saying he wants pump and standpipe now to comply with current
>100
>> psi
>>
>> requirements...so I said ...ok...in that case he only needs a pump if
>his
>> sprinkler demand on the 5th floor requires it. AHJ is now delaying
>approval
>> of
>> change out while he tries to manufacture a counter to our last
>submittal
>> ....he
>> has had it for 15 days now and seems to be stumped. BTW...5th floor
>calcs
>> need
>> the 500 gpm at 65 + city to work as piped. Best all around deal is to
>R & R
>> existing pump/controler....owner has 3: identical buildings like this
>all
>> built
>> at the same time ...so we are trying to get the deal right the first
>time
>> with
>> the city.
>>
>> John W. Farabee
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ________________________________
>> From: Ron Greenman <[email protected]>
>> To: [email protected]
>> Sent: Mon, November 14, 2011 11:01:05 PM
>> Subject: Re: NFPA 14 65 to 100 psi Pressure
>>
>> So why a pump to begin with? Class II pipe?
>>
>> On Mon, Nov 14, 2011 at 7:29 PM, 321 <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> > In a related matter...anyone had an AHJ require upgrade to 100 psi
>from
>> 65
>> > psi
>> > when replacing a bad Fire Pump ? I have one I am fighting now in an 
>> > existing fully sprinkled building less than 75' in Florida. The AHJ 
>> > says it
>must
>> be
>> > upgraded in the change out to provide 100 psi. The Florida uniform 
>> > building code says that a Fully Sprinkled building under 75' need 
>> > have only a
>> manual-wet
>> > standpipe.
>> >
>> > Any thoughts on this?
>> >
>> >  John W. Farabee
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > ________________________________
>> > From: Justin Reid <[email protected]>
>> > To: [email protected]
>> > Sent: Mon, November 14, 2011 3:25:25 PM
>> > Subject: Re: NFPA 14 65 to 100 psi Pressure
>> >
>> > Thanks for the quick response!
>> >
>> > Justin Reid
>> >
>> > On Mon, Nov 14, 2011 at 3:20 PM, Steve Leyton <
>> [email protected]
>> > >wrote:
>> >
>> > > 1993
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Steve Leyton
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > -----Original Message-----
>> > > From: [email protected]
>> > > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of
>Justin
>> > > Reid
>> > > Sent: Monday, November 14, 2011 12:20 PM
>> > > To: [email protected]
>> > > Subject: NFPA 14 65 to 100 psi Pressure
>> > >
>> > > Does anyone recall off the top of their heads which edition of
>NFPA 14
>> > > the
>> > > pressure requirements for 2 1/2 inch hose outlets went from 65 
>> > > psi
>to
>> > > 100
>> > > psi?
>> > >
>> > > Thanks,
>> > >
>> > > Justin Reid
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>> > > Sprinklerforum mailing list
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