I don't know, Brad. You're standing on pretty shaky ground there.
The decision to use QR sprinklers in an extra hazard occpuancy is a
direct contradiction to 8.4.1.1.2 of NFPA 13, including the 2016
edition, or a similar section number, at least as far back as the 1999
edition. If you install QR sprinklers in a space that is legitimately
classed as an extra hazard occupancy, aren't you directly contradicting
this particular section of NFPA 13? The handbook provides the following
explanatory text on the topic:
Extra hazard occupancies are characterized by the probability of
fast-developing fires with high heat release rates that have the
potential to open a large number of quick-response sprinklers before
the sprinklers have time to control the fire. The operation of a
large number of sprinklers in a relatively short time period has the
potential to overtax the system. For this reason, quick-response
sprinklers using the area
design method of Chapter 11 are not permitted for the protection of
extra hazard occupancies. Additional perspective on this can be
found in the discussion of safety margin found in B.2.1.
Further, I'm not aware of any QR sprinkler which has been tested and
listed by an NRTL for use in protecting extra hazard occupancies.
Barring that, to follow the guidance you're suggesting the
contractor/designer/installer has to violate both NFPA 13 AND the
listing of the sprinkler. I'm not suggesting the gloom and doom drama
of "people could die", however it does concern me greatly when I read
suggestions to ignore both texts.
My thought about that is to make sure your insurance is paid up, and
have a good lawyer on retainer. I don't know of a good defense while
sitting in the witness chair to a question similar to, "Are you telling
me you ignored the applicable law and the manufacturer's recommendations
for the installation of that sprinkler?"
When I have nightmares I think about having to answer questions similar
to that.
*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 08/08/2016 4:17 PM, Brad Casterline wrote:
We're not suppose to use QR in EH either but I say balderdash.
That is for big open spaces beacase you could have a bunch of heads
going off way over there when the emergency is way over here. Small
spaces with fast fires are better off if you use low temp qr and calc
every head possible going off
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