Brad,
I might have suggested he contact one of the manufacturer's or the
NRTL's to find out if there had been any testing done with the deflector
any closer than 1" from the deck or framing above. That would seem to
make more sense to me.
Some of the early classes I took on sprinkler design suggested that
deflector position was one half of the equation to give the device the
best opportunity to function as intended, with the other half being
coverage area.
Installing sprinklers in positions and with coverage areas which
conform to both NFPA 13 and the listing of the sprinkler is an excellent
way to stay out of the courtroom.
We can all debate, postulate, proclaim ourselves experts at fire
modeling, and provide all sorts of intricate equations until we run out
of paper to write on, however at the end of the day that practice,
without actual testing, listing, and guidance from the standard has all
the impact of a gnat in a hurricane.
I'm not talking about the hyperbole of "people could die!", I'm
talking about the reality of sitting in a witness chair trying to
explain the reasons for my design/layout/installation decisions. I've
been in that position three times in 35 years and in each case it was
decidedly uncomfortable. It's worth noting that I was excused from all
three proceedings when I picked up NFPA 13, pointed to it, and told the
judge, "It's right here, your honor. This is the state law, and I
followed it to the decimal point. I didn't make it up or step outside
of my experience and training. I'm not qualified to "engineer" fire
sprinkler systems, I'm qualified to follow the guidance in this book."
The judge: "You're excused Mr. Wagoner."
The sweetest words I ever heard other than "Here's your check," and
"I do" from my wife.
*Ken Wagoner, SET
*Parsley Consulting***
*350 West 9th Avenue, Suite 206
*Escondido, California 92025
*****Phone 760-745-6181*
Visit our website <http://www.parsleyconsulting.com/> ***
On 08/01/2016 6:45 PM, Brad Casterline wrote:
Priceless Ken!
the old word for word usually clears things up.
I'm in the hotel bar in Charlotte, four days of training after the
SFPE convention several years ago, dinner and drinks time, me, a
sprink, taking 'fire modelling' , talking to an FPE taking
'sprinklers', talking deflector distance. He knew why there is a
maximum, but not why there is a minimum.
So you can back the head out if you ever have to replace it I exclaimed!
We are all getting better.
Congrats on your first decade.
On Aug 1, 2016 8:20 PM, "Parsley Consulting"
<[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
Apparently, he didn't understand either Brad.
The question was in response to a previous answer of mine
explaining what was meant by "full height cross section", as this
designer didn't know what the plan reviewer was asking for on the
plans which had been rejected. When I went through the process of
explaining exactly what a "full height cross section" was, I noted
for him that it represented a good location in which to indicate
construction type (obstructed or unobstructed, combustible or
non-combustible), roof pitch, concealed spaces, hanger and bracing
locations and connections, and the required deflector positions
relative to the deck and or framing members for the installers.
His response, word for word: "What does the 'deflector position
relative to deck above' mean? I am confused with that."
After coating the lining of my stomach with Maalox, I gave him
what I thought was a reasonable answer, and thanked the Lord that
I had quit drinking in 2006.
sincerely,
*Ken Wagoner, SET
*Parsley Consulting***
*350 West 9th Avenue, Suite 206
*Escondido, California 92025
*****Phone 760-745-6181 <tel:760-745-6181>*
Visit our website <http://www.parsleyconsulting.com/> ***
On 08/01/2016 5:25 PM, Brad Casterline wrote:
How did you answer that question Ken? The only thing I know about
deflector distance is minimum and maximum. I don't understand
'required'.
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