Brad, In NZ our Sprinkler Rules were based on FOC (UK) rules and from the 1970's our NZS4541 has been modifications to those rules. Hence we used mainly conventional deflectors(old style) in most situations, up until the publication of NZS4541:2007. At this time we radically changed the Extra High Hazard section of our rules to become close to NFPA/FM. The base document we used at the time was an draft Australian Standard which was going through the same changes. Our source of Sprinklers etc was becoming mainly US based so we were influenced by testing and changes taking place there, especially in regard to rack storage protection.
Back to RTI's. In the NZS4541;2003 we mandated the use of Special Response(RTI 80) Conventional sprinklers for the use in IRS. Ceiling protection would be 20mm 68 or 93degC conventional sprinklers (although we could use spray sprinklers if no exposed steelwork). The In rack sprinklers would be 15mm 68deg conventional sprinklers. I think this type of IRS was used by FOC and VDS rules at this time. With the change to the High Hazard section in 2007 the protection of racks changed to spray type sprinklers as in NFPA or FM with 141degC sprinkler at roof for K80 and k115. If roof sprinklers are larger k160 - k360 then can use 68degC Also about this time Fire Engineers were trying to use tested RTI instead of generic group RTI in their calculations. The local SFPE published a notice which suggested that the use of the following RTI be used; Fast Response 3mm bulb=50; Intermediate(special) Response 4mm bulb=80; Standard Response 5mm bulb=135; Standard Response 8mm bulb=250. TYCO have 4mm bulb sprinklers but I think they only have Conventional deflectors. Our Standard requires Listing by our Sprinkler System Certifier(SSC) of all major components and is usually based on UL, FM, or LPC acceptances. Trust this is of interest Regards, Russell Russell Gregory Ph 03 338 4853 e-mail rcgreg...@snap.net.nz -----Original Message----- From: sprinklerforum-boun...@firesprinkler.org [mailto:sprinklerforum-boun...@firesprinkler.org] On Behalf Of Brad Casterline Sent: Saturday, 9 June 2012 12:27 AM To: sprinklerforum@firesprinkler.org Subject: RE: RTI Thanks Russell! I thought I had answered my own question using 'pure reasoning' alone :), especially since the original question dealt with needing to differentiate RTI, and "30" must be a UL mandated tolerance. Does NZS541 require UL, or some other testing agency? Is it available (free)? I would like to know if Special Response is required in certain situations, and if so where and why. Thanks again sir, Brad Casterline -----Original Message----- From: Russell & Carol Gregory [mailto:rcgreg...@snap.net.nz] Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2012 9:35 PM To: sprinklerforum@firesprinkler.org Subject: RE: RTI In our NZ Standard NZS541 a sprinkler with RTI between >50 and <80 is designated a "Special Response Sprinkler". These usually have a 4mm bulb. "Std Response" has a 5mm or larger bulb and the "Fast Response" has a 3mm bulb. Russell Gregory Ph 03 338 4853 e-mail rcgreg...@snap.net.nz -----Original Message----- From: sprinklerforum-boun...@firesprinkler.org [mailto:sprinklerforum-boun...@firesprinkler.org] On Behalf Of bcasterl...@fsc-inc.com Sent: Thursday, 7 June 2012 10:34 PM To: sprinklerforum@firesprinkler.org Subject: RE:RTI correction, meter, not feet. i should have looked in 13 instead of trying to recall and thinking i needed to convert. but i now have another (perhaps stupid) question re the definition of fast response and standard response: if fast is RTI=50 or less and standard is 80 or more, what is in between called? I am really more interested in the reasoning for the DEFINITION in NFPA #13, not some box of heads in RTI limbo. Any TC members out there not totally fed-up with me yet? _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list Sprinklerforum@firesprinkler.org http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list Sprinklerforum@firesprinkler.org http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list Sprinklerforum@firesprinkler.org http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list Sprinklerforum@firesprinkler.org http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum
