"Code trumps listings is the way I read it and this new section says nothing 
about DI."

Code can never trump manufacturers listing limitations otherwise you're using 
the product outside of the mfgrs intended use.  NFPA 13-2013 6.3.7.1 & 6.3.7.1.1

I don't have the particulars of the system failure I cited, it was in a school 
and the riser up through the floor melted. How, what, why, can't tell ya, just 
don't remember all the details.    

The other curious thing about the wording of the new sections in NFPA 13, 2013 
dealing with non-metallic piping is the common reference to CPVC.  HDPE pipe is 
not mentioned anywhere.  The two are not the same as far as application and 
material characteristics.  So while CPVC is common to aboveground fire 
sprinkler systems, HDPE is not. 

In NFPA 13, 2013, the permission of CPVC in small OH rooms that are part of a 
larger LH occupancy is for simplification of installation of the system so you 
don't have to change to steel when routing over an OH mechanical room in a LH 
office building where everything else is LH and where CPVC is the system piping 
throughout.   

One other thing to consider is that non-metallic (plastic) piping is not 
permitted in anything other than LH occupancies.  The original post didn't 
indicate the occupancy of the installation so if someone is stubbing up into 
anything other than an LH occupancy, it doesn't meet the Standard.

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 Cahill, 
Christopher
Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 1:32 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Underground Stub-Up

Really, we're talking about the stub up only, 6-24"?  Not the header, not the 
overhead.  And really, the plastic stub was the difference in the outcome, not 
the design, not a closed valve, not something going boom.  Which came first, 
the melting or the sprinkler failure.  Let's just say I believe you but am 
rather skeptical the only difference was the plastic pipe.  That means the fire 
had to start literally within feet of the stub and burn quite a while.  If much 
farther and it spread to the stub one has to question why it spread that far.  
Yes, I know it's control mode for the most part.  Reality in most cases though 
begs to differ.  Where was the FD in all this? 

I was talking to the CPVC guys once about the testing.  They said the pipe 
would thin on top from heat during fire tests.  Sometime a pinhole leak 
developed, sometimes putting out the fire or just wetting the pipe enough so 
there would be no further degradation.  Part of the testing was a hydro after 
the fire and with a hole it obviously failed, even without a hole though the 
wall it was too thin to hold the pressure.

Why do I care? Because I think we are going to see a lot more stubs in plastic 
and the '13 clearly allows. Code trumps listings is the way I read it and this 
new section says nothing about DI.  Not unlike using CPVC unprotected in 400 
sq.ft. OH rooms (or whatever the details of that are).  Yes, the language is a 
little different but I think the intent was/is the same.  As EOR I can 
certainly exclude but might be harder in our design build work.

Chris Cahill, PE*
Senior Fire Protection Engineer, Aviation & Facilities Group Burns & McDonnell
8201 Norman Center Drive
Bloomington, MN 55437
Phone:  952.656.3652
Fax:  952.229.2923
[email protected]
www.burnsmcd.com

Proud to be one of FORTUNE's 100 Best Companies to Work For *Registered in: MN




-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] 
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of 
[email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 10:12 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Underground Stub-Up

It was my understanding that this section was addressing ductile iron pipe 
since there was some confusion on whether you should be using Sch 40 or Sch 10 
carbon steel once above the slab or if it was acceptable to extend the ductile 
iron pipe above the slab.

Plastic above the slab is a disaster waiting to happen.  I've seen pictures of 
plastic stub-ups melting in a fire scenario and rendering the sprinkler system 
inoperable.

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 Roland 
Huggins
Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 10:58 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Underground Stub-Up

Historically I've always said NO since a pure application of the listing would 
conflict with having underground pipe installed above ground. But a pure 
application of terms doesn't necessarily get in the way of actions taken by the 
technical committee.  The same could be said for requiring listed back flow 
preventers since they are classified (an unacceptable category for all other 
listed devices).  Since this is a common practice, the TC addressed stub-ups 
last cycle by adding the below:
6.3.1.1.1* Underground pipe shall be permitted to extend into the building 
through the slab or wall not more than 24 in. (0.6 m). 

Roland

Roland Huggins, PE - VP Engineering
American Fire Sprinkler Assn.       ---      Fire Sprinklers Saves Lives
Dallas, TX
http://www.firesprinkler.org





On Jul 10, 2013, at 5:38 AM, Mike Hairfield <[email protected]> wrote:

> Got a project that HDPE AWWA C906  pipe and fittings were installed.
> 
> 
> 
> The stub-up through the floor is a piece of HDPE AWWA C906 pipe with
> 
> a cap fused on the end and not rodded.
> 
> 
> 
> I've never seen this done before, is it acceptable with NFPA #24?
> 
> 
> 
> Mike Hairfield
>                                         
> _______________________________________________
> Sprinklerforum mailing list
> [email protected]
> http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org

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