Another case of the difference between "when required" and "how to do it". The International Mechanical Code (2012) Sections 510 (Hazardous Exhaust Systems) and Section 511 (Dust, Stock and Refuse Conveying Systems) provide guidance on this. Again, it shouldn't be up to a sprinkler contractor to figure out whether sprinklers should be installed but only to install per the appropriate standard. As with most of these issues, we don't know if there is a design professional on this job or whether your regular customer has just installed a new process and has called you to do what's required. At a minimum you should have a copy of the IMC which is enforced for this location.
So, someone (you??) must assess the installation per IMC Section 510/511 from end to end. There is a suppression system reference in Section 510.7. Some determination needs to be made as to whether the materials are "nonflammable and noncombustible under all conditions and at any concentration" then make the call on suppression. The entire exhaust system must be engineered to meet the performance characteristics in the IMC. Of course, local code amendments will govern as well as any local AHJ, insurance requirements etc. Sprinkler contractors have a long history of being the can-do guys, with no good way to transfer scope responsibility to the right place. Bill Brooks William N. Brooks, P.E. Brooks Fire Protection Engineering Inc. 372 Wilett Drive Severna Park, MD 21146-1904 410-544-3620 410-544-3032 FAX 412-400-6528 Cell -----Original Message----- From: Sprinklerforum [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Dewayne Martinez Sent: Monday, September 08, 2014 7:43 AM To: [email protected] Subject: fume hood / dust collector - sprinklers in? I have a job where they have a small furnace to create molten metal for castings. There is a hood (2x8ft) above the area where they take the used probes and clean them off. This duct work goes outside to a dust collector. How do I determine if sprinklers are needed in the hood and ductwork? Thanks, Dewayne _______________________________________________ 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
