The reality is that the area is still a light hazard. The elected design basis exceeds the minimums such that it matches the requirements for OH but it is still a light hazard. The sprinklers will perform the same regardless of the fact that the calculation used a density of 0.15 instead of 0.10. The proper fire protection answer is easy. Convincing a group that doesn’t understand fire protection or NFPA 13 is the challenge.
Roland Huggins, PE - VP Engineering American Fire Sprinkler Assn. --- Fire Sprinklers Saves Lives Dallas, TX http://www.firesprinkler.org On Mar 19, 2014, at 12:03 PM, Travis Mack <[email protected]> wrote: > We are looking at a project with the BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs). They > require all bldgs over 2000 sq ft to be Ord Grp I as a minimum in ALL areas. > We have dealt with them in the past and there seems to be no waivering on > this issue. We had a contractor in the past install Tyco BB heads and calc'd > for 0.15 gpm. Tyco had written letters that calculating to 0.15 would be > fine. But the data sheet for those heads says light hazard. So, the BIA > rejected and the attic had to be re-piped for SSU for protection. > > Now, the current project has concealed combustible spaces requiring the > specially listed heads for flat, shallow concealed combustible spaces - Tyco > CC, Viking COIN, etc.. However, we are going to have the problem that these > heads are listed for light hazard only. We can't go to SSU because NFPA 13 > states that you must use specially listed heads for these concealed spaces. > We are awaiting a response from the BIA, but I am not expecting much help. > Have any of you ever run into this? If so, how did you address it? We can't > use the only heads listed for the area because they are only listed as light > hazard and the BIA requires all areas to be OH1 minimum. We can't use SSU > sprinklers because NFPA 13 prohibits their use in these spaces. It is a true > Catch 22. > > -- > Travis Mack, SET > MFP Design, LLC > 2508 E Lodgepole Drive > Gilbert, AZ 85298 > 480-505-9271 > fax: 866-430-6107 > email:[email protected] > > _______________________________________________ > 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
