Is there any way to drop the unit heaters down so that they are at least 7 feet below the deflectors, thus solving the temperature and obstruction issues?
You bring up a good point, but a unit heater a foot away at that elevation is going to create one helluva obstruction for the ESFR sprinkler. I would argue a much worse obstruction than some of the examples that are clearly not allowed. But I'm interested to hear some more feedback. -Kyle M From: Sprinklerforum [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ed Kramer via Sprinklerforum Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2019 8:21 AM To: [email protected] Cc: Ed Kramer <[email protected]> Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] ESFR's and unit heaters The temperature rating is a whole separate issue. Due to the structural layout of this existing building, the ESFR's are not on a 10' x 10' spacing. So literally impossible to get heaters 7' away. Still working on that one. May have to go to another source of heat. Back to the 'obstruction at or near ceiling'. Without 13 giving any other clarification, I interpret 8.12.5.2 to apply to any isolated obstruction that is entirely below the elevation of the sprinkler - even if it's only 1/2". I believe 8.12.5.1 is titled "Obstructions at or near ceilings" because it applies to objects who's tops are located in the space between the ceiling and the sprinkler deflector. Any objects that are located entirely below the deflector kicks you to 8.12.5.2 or 8.12.5.3. I'll admit, I don't work with ESFR's every day, but having read those sections multiple times, that's all I come up with. Ed K From: Sprinklerforum [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Kyle.Montgomery via Sprinklerforum Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2019 9:48 AM To: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Cc: Kyle.Montgomery <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>>; Ed Kramer <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] ESFR's and unit heaters Also, how are you complying with the temperature rating when you are that close to a unit heater? Are they making any high temperature ESFRs yet? From: Sprinklerforum [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Kyle.Montgomery via Sprinklerforum Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2019 7:40 AM To: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Cc: Kyle.Montgomery <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>>; Ed Kramer <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] ESFR's and unit heaters I'm looking at the code again, and you may be right. But I always thought that an obstruction that close to the sprinkler (could you quantify "just below the ESFR deflectors") would have to meet the rules for "Obstruction at or Near Ceiling", 8.12.5.1. Are we saying that 8.12.5.1 only applies if the obstruction extends above the deflector? I thought that anything in that 0"-31" below the deflector range (shown in Table 8.12.5.1.1) was considered "at or near the ceiling". Kyle Montgomery [cid:[email protected]] Aero Automatic Sprinkler Co. 21605 N. Central Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85024 Direct: 623.580.7820 Cell: 602.763.4736 [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> From: Sprinklerforum [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ed Kramer via Sprinklerforum Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2019 6:23 AM To: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Cc: Ed Kramer <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Subject: [EXTERNAL] ESFR's and unit heaters I'm looking for a bit of a reality check this morning. Got an ESFR sprinkler system and unit heaters. In plan view, the heaters are 21" by 40". Top of the heaters will be just below the ESFR deflectors, and they will be located at least 1' horizontally from the ESFR sprinklers. It appears that NFPA 13 (2013) section 8.12.5.2 applies. Subsection (2) reads: "Additional sprinklers shall not be required where the obstruction is 2 ft or less in width and the sprinkler is located horizontally 1 ft or greater from the nearest edge of the obstruction." Since the heater is 2' or less in its smaller dimension (width), does it matter that the other dimension (length) is greater than 2'? I say the length is not relevant (unless its long enough to obstruct more than 1 sprinkler, then section 8.12.5.3 applies), and subsection (2) allows me to not install a sprinkler below these heaters. How do the rest of you interpret this? Thanks Ed Kramer Bamford Fire
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