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Archive for the ‘Fire Codes’ Category

KnA Seminar – Hazardous Materials

March 24th, 2017 Comments off

This 4-hour seminar presented on April 4th at the Ben Clark Training Center in Riverside, CA will provide an understanding of the hazardous materials classifications as defined in the Fire and Building Codes and their effect on occupancy classification. The seminar includes workshops designed to help develop a better understanding of the presented materials. 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…

K&A Seminars – Flammable and Combustible Liquids in Containers and Portable Tanks

October 14th, 2016 Comments off

Klausbruckner & Associates is announcing a new seminar for November 9th 2016. This seminar will provide a detailed overview of the latest fire and building code provisions associated with flammable and combustible liquids in containers and portable tanks. Discussed will be code changes from the 2013 to the 2016 Edition of the California Fire Code (CFC). Read more…

Distillery Storage Dilemmas

May 5th, 2016 Comments off

Distillery DilemmaFire code professionals, businesses and building owners are facing the dilemma on how to successfully address fire protection issues when working on distilleries and storage of distilled goods. NFPA Standards and Fire Codes provide only some of the answers. Despite a considerable number of fire tests and subsequent advancements in the fire and building codes, there is still a need to creatively resolve many of the remaining unanswered questions. Read more…

FM Global New High Piled Rack Storage Protections

March 21st, 2016 Comments off

FM GlobalFM Global updated their Data Sheet 8-9 with new high-piled rack storage protection schemes. These new protection options can reduce installation costs by as much as 50%. Large-scale fire tests were used to validate these alternative designs. They demonstrated that large orifice sprinklers and higher flow rates can be successfully applied to not only simplify the sprinkler system but also reduce the total sprinkler water demand. These new protections apply to all commodities including high hazard (plastics) commodities. Read more…

Sprinkler Protection Under Sloped Ceilings

December 8th, 2015 Comments off

FM GlobalNFPA’s Fire Protection Research Foundation (FPRF) initiated a project to determine the impact of sloped ceilings on the protection of storage with ceiling slopes steeper than 2-in-12 (equivalent to 9.5 degrees). As part of this effort, FM Global was tasked to conduct fire simulations to better understand issues and risks associated with storage under sloped ceilings. The results of these sprinkler activation and suppression analyses have now been released by FM Global. Read more…

New ESFR Obstruction Test Results

October 12th, 2015 Comments off

FPRFNFPA’s Fire Protection Research Foundation (FPRF) initiated a two-phase study on the effects of obstructions on the ESFR sprinkler system’s ability to suppress fires. Phase one, which was primarily a literature review on the topic, was completed in 2014 and the fire test results from the second phase are now published. The tests were performed on Group A Plastics in rack storage configurations protected by K-17 ESFR sprinklers. 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…