Explore with us in this extended and updated article the do’s and don’ts of ESFR sprinkler systems. We added a section on the changes of the most recent 2010 edition of FM 8-9 by FM Global, and a FAQ on the instances where in-rack sprinklers are required when the building is equipped with an ESFR system Read more…
NFPA and the Fire Protection Research Foundation will present the latest global research on high challenge warehouse storage. The one-day seminar, titled “Global Research Update: High Challenge Storage Protection,” will be held on June 27, 2012 at the Marriott Rive Gauche, in Paris, France, in cooperation with the European Fire Sprinkler Network conference. Read more…
In January 2011, California adopted the 2010 Edition of the California Fire Code, along with the 2010 Edition of NFPA 13. This article will summarize the major differences between the storage chapters of the 2002 Edition (previously adopted standard) and 2010 Edition (newly adopted standard) of NFPA 13 published by the National Fire Protection Association. Read more…
High-volume, low-speed (HVLS) fans require little energy to ventilate large commercial and industrial buildings, and their use can result in considerable cost savings to business owners. But do they compromise fire safety? What are the codes requiring? Read more…
ESFR (Early Suppression, Fast Response) sprinkler systems, have been rightfully touted as one of the best solutions and best investments in warehouse storage. But are ESFR systems an all-inclusive solution to warehouse protection? Is it the “miracle cure” to all warehousing problems? Read more…
The International Code Council is offering seminars on the 2009 International Fire Code (IFC) on September 7th 2010 and October 21st 2010 with respect to the hazards associated with high-piled combustible storage. Scott Stookey, ICC, will introduce provisions in Chapter 23 of the 2009 edition of the International Fire Code and discuss them in context with design criteria in NFPA 13 for storage. Read more…
Video courtesy of Tyco: K-25 ESFR sprinklers showing fire extinguishment of a 15 m (45 ft) tall high-piled storage.
Video courtesy of Tyco: K-17 ESFR sprinklers showing fire extinguishment of a 10 m (30 ft) tall high-piled storage (Cartoned Group A Plastics).
NFPA’s Fire Protection Research Foundation published a report on large-scale fire tests performed at FM Global for rack storage of Group A Plastics under sloped ceilings with slopes steeper than 2 in 12. An excerpt of this report is presented summarizing the results from these [...]
In 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 [...]
The newest edition of NFPA 13 (2019 Edition) will be adopted as early as 2019. However, the vast majority of states and jurisdictions will be adopting the new standard in January of 2020. In this article we will be focusing on the reformat and new [...]
The risk of asphyxiation, a condition of insufficient supply of oxygen to the body, is difficult to assess because of many factors that can contribute to an oxygen deficiency. However, these factors can be measured and used to calculate the risks that can lead to [...]
In-rack sprinklers are used when ceiling sprinkler only protection is no longer adequate to protect the rack stored commodities. Well known disadvantages of current in-rack sprinkler designs are (1) additional costs and (2) additional risks of damage of the sprinkler heads during loading and unloading [...]
Xtralis, a maker of Aspirating Smoke Detection (ASD) solutions, conducted a series of fire tests in a warehouse setting to demonstrate the capabilities of three smoke detection technologies, an air-sampling solution, a spot-type detector and a beam detector. (more…)
The International Code Council is offering free access to their I-Codes, books and Standards. Previously these documents were only available in internet (html) format. Now the International Code Council has expanded this great service of offering free access to their resources by making many of [...]
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.
