NFPA 13:3.3.24 Thermal Barrier. A material that limits the average temperature rise of the unexposed surface to not more than 250°F (139°C) above ambient for a specified fire exposure duration using the standard time-temperature curve of ASTM E 119, Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials. Granted, 11.1.2 does not require a 'thermal' barrier, but a barrier nonetheless.
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 11th edition Definition of BARRIER 1a : something material that blocks or is intended to block passage b: a natural formation or structure that prevents or hinders movement or action Definition of PARTITION 1: the action of parting : the state of being parted : division 2: something that divides; especially : an interior dividing wall 3: one of the parts or sections of a whole A beam is not a barrier or partition, nor is a beam capable of preventing heat from a fire in one area from fusing sprinklers in the adjacent area (11.1.2(2)). Considering a fire plume expands approx.. 22° as it moves upwards, a beam will not likely collect all of the heat on one side of the beam, even if it is 15 ft away. Duane Johnson, PE Program Manager Division of the Fire Marshal (Contractor) Office of Research Services National Institutes of Health 301-496-0487 "Protecting Science - One Sprinkler at a Time" -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, May 13, 2013 2:25 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: NFPA 13: 11.1.2 (separation between hazards) Can the combustion gases accumulate and migrate below the 18" beam into the adjacent space? Depending on fuel loading, very good possibility. A barrier or partition from floor to ceiling creates a physical separation. Look at the specific wording in A.11.1.2 where is talks about a wall or partition. A soffit or lintel is not the same as a wall or partition. A soffit (extension downward from the ceiling, like a deep beam) only creates a limited visual separation between spaces, not a complete physical separation. Craig L. Prahl, CET Fire Protection CH2MHILL Lockwood Greene 1500 International Drive Spartanburg, SC 29304-0491 Direct - 864.599.4102 Fax - 864.599.8439 CH2MHILL Extension 74102 [email protected] -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ralphy Henderson Sent: Monday, May 13, 2013 1:56 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: NFPA 13: 11.1.2 (separation between hazards) But it doesn't say a wall... it says "a barrier or partition capable of delaying heat". Isn't the intent to basically have a compartment capable of containing the heat in one area and ensuring only the sprinklers in the compartment operate? In dealing w/ compartments it is acceptable to have openings into other areas as long as the minimum lintel depth is met. This beam is basically an 18" lintel separating the two areas. ----- Original Message ----- From: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Cc: Sent: Monday, May 13, 2013 10:48 AM Subject: RE: NFPA 13: 11.1.2 (separation between hazards) A barrier for separation is a wall, not just a beam. Craig L. Prahl, CET Fire Protection CH2MHILL Lockwood Greene 1500 International Drive Spartanburg, SC 29304-0491 Direct - 864.599.4102 Fax - 864.599.8439 CH2MHILL Extension 74102 [email protected] -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ron Greenman Sent: Monday, May 13, 2013 1:33 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: NFPA 13: 11.1.2 (separation between hazards) I don't think so. If you have two separate hazard classes you'd need to extend the higher into the lower the requisite number of feet (I have 16 in my head but I'm not trusting memory) and to both sides. On Mon, May 13, 2013 at 9:06 AM, Ralphy Henderson <[email protected]>wrote: > (NFPA 13: 11.1.2 - 2013 ed) > > I have a situation where there is a 12 ft. opening leading from one > hazard area to another but the opening has an 18" steel wide flange > beam running along it. I'm wondering if this 18" beam would suffice to > adequately contain the heat in the separate areas since NFPA 13 > doesn't elaborate on the qualifications for such a barrier from what I can > tell... > > thx, > > RB > _______________________________________________ > Sprinklerforum mailing list > [email protected] > > http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkl > er.org > -- Ron Greenman Instructor Fire Protection Engineering Technology Bates Technical College 1101 So. Yakima Ave. Tacoma, WA 98405 [email protected] http://www.bates.ctc.edu/fireprotection/ 253.680.7346 253.576.9700 (cell) Member: ASEE, SFPE, ASCET, NFPA, AFSA, NFSA, AFAA, NIBS, WSAFM, WFC, WFSC They are happy men whose natures sort with their vocations. -Francis Bacon, essayist, philosopher, and statesman (1561-1626) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org
