1 DESIGN GUIDE FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS COMPARISON OF AS2118.

1 2006 TO 1999

DESIGNING FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS ADOPTION OF AS 2118.1 2006

The new sprinkler code was issued in 2006 and cam e with som e controversy regarding its application. W hile the authors believe this new standard is an im provem ent over the previous there is no requirem ent for designers to adopt. This design guide provides a list of som e of the key changes that have been adopted. For further inform ation call Paul Verheijden on 03 9870 1217 or em ail paul@ integratedfire.com .au. Adoption 1. 2. 3. W ater Supply AS2118.1 2006 is not referenced in the BCA AS2118.1 2006 m ay be adopted as an alternative solution. This alternative m ust be approved by the relevant building surveyor rather than the fire brigade

1.

New concept of m axim um transit tim e for pre-action system has been adopted and set at 60 secs. Som e specific system s m ay require a lesser value i.e. deluge system s to respond within 30sec W ater supplies are now explained in term s of 'reliable' or 'not reliable' Concept of 'dual water supply' introduced and m ay be required by the client or insurer, but is not an AS requirem ent 4 pum ps are not required in the instance of dual water supply as im plied in the standard

2. 3. 4. General items 1. 2. 3. 4.

Beam rule error - Table 5.5.2; Upright and Pendant colum ns are the wrong way round Rolling storage cabinets to be greater than 100 m m below sprinkler heads and m ust occupy an area < 9.0 m 2 Concealed space sprinkler requirem ents are now m ore stringent Concealed spaces 200 m m < h < 800 m m can have a skeleton spacing of fast response light hazard sprinklers as an alternative to draft stops at 15,000 m m (skeleton spacing: 6,000 m m x 7,000 m m m ax.) Sprinkler heads in now to be rated for m inim um flow rather than m inim um pressure Flexible pipes are to be 20 DN or greater for light hazard and 25 DN for ordinary hazard Flexible pipes are not to be longer than 3,700 m m W hen perform ing hydraulic calculations for flexible piping, 2 elbows are to be added to the calculation as friction loss to the system Static pressure test now to be 1400kPa or 400kPa greater than the m axim um static pressure, which ever is greater A pneum atic pressure test can be done on the system prior to wetting the system , at 300kPa for 30m in with less than 10% loss Dim ensions for water supply valves are to be included on the block plan Pressure gauge schedule to be provided System interface diagram to be provided Ordinary hazard - Sloping roof and ceiling bays now increase num ber of heads

5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.

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I:\4-IFS SYSTEM\3.0 REPORTS\3.02 DESIGN\323 DESIGN GUIDE\FIRE SPRINKLERS\33 Sprinkler Design AS2118.1 2006.wpd

9 February, 2010

2 DESIGN GUIDE FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS COMPARISON OF AS2118.1 2006 TO 1999 required 15. 16. 17. High Hazard 1. 2. 3. Now divided into 6 categories rather than 4 Categories expanded significantly Com prehensive new decision trees have been provided to determ ine the hazard category according to the m aterial being stored, height of the building, the m ethod and the height of the storage Maxim um installation size altered K-factors have been expanded beyond 11.5 to accept the use of K=16, 20, 24 or 36 Conventional sprinklers not perm itted, spray sprinklers only Standard response sprinklers are perm itted only Incidental High Hazard storage within ordinary hazard system s is restricted to 20m 2 A 30% area penalty on roofs exceeding 9.5 o is to be applied A m axim um of 9 sprinkler heads beneath ducts are to be included in hydraulic calculations Mezzanine floors can have draft curtains to avoid additional heads above being included in calculation Excessive storage clearance rules adopted for >6.1m , 4 acceptable options are provided to com bat this Residential calculations are to be of m ore than 200 L/m in regardless of no of sprinkler heads in room of calculation W ater supply graph to be provided on N1.85 graph paper Light Hazard m inim um sprinkler spacing increased to 2,500 m m

4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Tanks 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Tanks with liners are to be sprinkler protected or located away from Tank liners are to be bonded to the inside of the tank Vortex plate fittings in tanks with liners are to have a second solid plate on the bottom of the tank to prevent the liner from being drawn into the suction line Inlet exclusive quadrant to be incorporated Tank to be drained at 3yr and 10yr after installation Diver m ay be used as alternative to drain provided tank and liner m anufacturer agree as their warranty is at stake

Conclusion Adoption of AS 2118.6 is desirable as it represents the latest philosophy of sprinkler system design and is m ore in line with overseas codes. Autom atic adoption can not be applied unless the designer provides the design as an alternative to the BCA. This will be accepted by a building surveyor and the fire brigade will need to be notified (even though they are not required to provide their approval). Integrated Fire Services recom m ends that the design report be issued with any design so that a body of evidence is provided to the building surveyor for the issuing of a building perm it.

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I:\4-IFS SYSTEM\3.0 REPORTS\3.02 DESIGN\323 DESIGN GUIDE\FIRE SPRINKLERS\33 Sprinkler Design AS2118.1 2006.wpd

9 February, 2010