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Archive for the ‘Facility Management’ Category

KnA Seminar HazMat and Marijuana Facilities

September 18th, 2022 Comments off

On September 28th this seminar sponsored by the State Fire Marshal Division and Fire Marshals Association of Minnesota for the 2022 Annual Minnesota Fire Marshals Conference will provide a basic understanding of the hazards associated with the operation of marijuana growing and processing facilities. The seminar is targeted towards fire and building inspectors, fire prevention officers and professionals. Discussed will be the latest fire and building codes and regulations. Read more…

KnA Seminar – High-Piled Storage

November 1st, 2019 Comments off

On November 13th in Carlsbad, CA, KnA will present a seminar on requirements contained in Chapter 32, High-Piled Combustible Storage of the 2019 Edition of the California Fire Code (CFC). We will discuss existing and new fire codes of the CFC and their references to NFPA 13 2016 (NFPA 13 2019). Read more…

KnA Seminar – Storage Requirements: NFPA 13 2019 Ed. and IFC

July 10th, 2019 Comments off

On October 4th in San Diego, CA, K&A will present a course on basic requirements contained in Chapter 32, High-Piled Combustible Storage of the International Fire Code (IFC) and NFPA 13 2019 Edition. Smoke and heat vents in context of sprinkler protection will be reviewed along with aisle and maximum storage dimension requirements. Discussions also include IFC requirements for protecting storage and their effect on sprinkler system specification. Read more…

NFPA 13 2019 – Opinion on the In-Rack Chapter

July 8th, 2019 Comments off

The new layout of NFPA 13 may be beneficial for new users of the standard, but it can also create confusion and dismay for experienced users as they will have to search and relocate familiar regulations and determine how these new, sometimes reworded and reformatted sections, tables, and paragraphs relate to each other. This is especially true when looking at the new in-rack Chapter 25 of NFPA 13. After using the new standard for some time now, and Chapter 25 in particular, which left me wondering on more than one occasion, I feel a need to share my experiences and observations concerning this steep learning curve. Here is a summary of my conclusions on the reformat. Read more…

ESFR K-28 For 50 ft Storage without In-Racks

June 27th, 2019 Comments off

FMBased on the recent successful fire test of 50-ft rack storage in single and double row racks with cartoned unexpanded Group A Plastics (and encapsulated/ unencapsulated Class I–IV commodities), FM Global approved a new type of ESFR sprinkler for high-challenge storage applications, the ESFR K-28. It is approved as a ceiling-only, quick-response, wet-pipe, pendent storage sprinkler. Read more…

Lithium-Ion Based Energy Storage Systems

June 17th, 2019 Comments off

ESSLithium-Ion based energy storage systems have become increasingly important in recent years, and as a result much effort has been expended in describing and solving the fire protection concerns regarding these types of (battery) systems. The 2018 International Fire Code added Section 608, FM Global released DS 5-33 and the National Fire Protection Association proposed Standard 855 to address concerns arising from the storage and use of these systems. However, only limited test data are available Read more…

ESFR Sprinklers – The Perfect Solution To Warehouse Fire Protection? (Updated)

February 1st, 2017 Comments off

Explore with us in this article the do’s and don’ts of using ESFR sprinkler systems. We discuss common pitfalls in applying these types of sprinkler systems and provide detailed explanations on their correct usage including applicable codes and regulations. Presented are the latest updates on this subject matter based on the 2013 and 2016 editions of NFPA 13, FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets, and relevant results from the latest fire tests with ESFR sprinkler systems. Read more…

Fire Codes for Energy Storage Systems

January 4th, 2017 Comments off

ESSIn recent years, there has been a marked increase in the deployment of various types of battery technologies for use in Energy Storage Systems (ESS). Code enforcing bodies, such as local Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), are asked to successfully address risks associated with these new battery technologies. However, there is little or no guidance and direction on how to deal with associated hazards, or more specifically, on how to review a successful fire protection approach. Read more…

Upcoming Changes NFPA 13 2016 Edition

October 8th, 2015 Comments off

NFPA13 2016The proposed changes to the 2016 edition of NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, were published after the Tech Session at the 2015 NFPA Conference & Expo at the McCormick Place in Chicago. Major changes adopted included extensive revisions to the commodity classification tables, the first in two decades. For the first time in NFPA 13’s history protection schemes for Group A exposed expanded plastics stored in racks were added. Read more…

GHS Against Fire Codes

June 8th, 2015 Comments off

GHS HAZCOM 2012There is a better in good chance that the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) will impact your business. Current fire and building codes are based on NFPA standards, which – in some cases – differ from GHS regulations. With the start of key implementation deadlines already behind us, businesses must be aware of the differences and key requirements between these two sets of regulations in order to successfully adapt to this change. Read more…