Cleveland ASPE February 13, 2008 Residential Sprinkler & Preaction System Design

Residential Sprinklers

Residential Sprinklers
Large residential construction growth over the last decade Building Code Changes Efforts of Organizations Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition NFSA AFSA NFPA Education to Home Builders and Local Officials Minimum Discharge Density Changes by UL and NFPA

Residential Sprinklers
Residential, unique to standard or quick response sprinklers Control Mode Sprinkler ESFR (Early Suppression Fast Response) Residential???

Residential Sprinklers
Residential Sprinklers: Installed to provide an increased level of life safety for the occupant. Residential sprinklers are designed to prevent flashover, keeping the living space survivable for a minimum amount of time.

Residential Sprinklers
Residential sprinklers are tested to a separate UL standard. The testing procedure verifies the thermal sensitivity and water distribution characteristics. UL 1626, Residential Sprinklers for Fire Protection Service It is not a design document, It is a standard published and used by UL to evaluate the performance of a residential sprinkler. Plunge Test Room Test

Residential Sprinklers
The scope of UL 1626 is defined within the document as: These requirements cover residential sprinklers intended for installation on sprinkler systems for fire protection service. Requirements for the installation and use of residential sprinklers for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, NFPA 13, and Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Mobil Homes, NFPA 13D and Residential Occupancies up to and Including Four Stories in Height Sprinkler Systems, NFPA 13R.

Sensitivity Oven Plunge Test

STANDARD RESPONSE 100 Sec. Plunge Test 3 Min. 51 Sec. Room Fire Test QUICK RESPONSE 14 Sec. Plunge Test 75 Sec. Room Fire Test RESIDENTIAL 14 Sec. Plunge Requires a Special Room Fire Test

Residential Sprinklers
Residential Sprinklers are required to pass special fire tests. The objective of residential sprinklers is to provide safety to the occupant and allow safe egress in a fire. In a residential fire test, the temperature cannot exceed 600 F 3 below the ceiling where the thermocouples are installed. The maximum temperature at 5-3 above the floor is 200 F. The temperature 5-3 above the floor shall not exceed 130 F for any continuous 2 minute period. The maximum ceiling material temperature behind the finished ceiling surface shall not exceed 500F.

Residential Sprinklers
A special room is used to test residential sprinklers that simulates a residential occupancy. (2) residential sprinklers are located in the room for their coverage area. For a pendent sprinkler, these areas of coverage are 12x12, 14x14, 16x16, 18x18, and 20x 20. For sidewall sprinklers, these areas of coverage are typically 14x14, 16x16, 16x18, 16x20, 16x22, 18x18 and 20x20. The (2) sprinklers are installed at the coverage area that a listing is desired at. A third sprinkler is located near an open door. The sprinkler at the door is not connected to water filled piping. If the sprinkler at the door activates at any time during the test, the test is considered a failure.

UL 1626 Residential Sprinkler Test

Residential Sprinklers
Residential sprinklers are required to meet minimum wall wetting characteristics. 28 is the maximum distance down from the ceiling on the wall that a residential pendent and sidewall sprinkler must wet the wall. Sidewall sprinklers must direct 5% of their discharge upon the wall on which they are installed. These wall wetting characteristics mean that a residential sprinkler must discharge or spray in a very flat pattern. Obstructions such as sloped ceilings, beams, ceiling fans, and lights can inhibit the performance of residential sprinklers and must be avoided.

Residential Sprinklers
The minimum design criteria for residential sprinklers per UL And NFPA 13D and NFPA 13R is to provide a minimum .05 gpm per sq. ft. over the area of protection. NFPA 13 requires that the minimum design criteria for residential sprinklers or residential occupancies be a .10 gpm per sq. ft. Each residential sprinkler must pass the special fire tests and wall wetting requirements before they are listed as residential sprinklers.

NFPA 13D Occupancies

NFPA 13D One and Two Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes NFPA 13D is the design and installation standard for single and two family dwellings, or in other words a home that is a single structure. The sprinkler design for this type of occupancy is for (2) residential sprinklers to discharge at the minimum flow rate and pressure of its UL listing. Water supply capacity is generally an issue for these system designs, so it may be prudent to utilize more residential sprinklers in a system at smaller spacings to lower the water supply requirement.

NFPA 13 R Occupancies

NFPA 13R Residential Occupancies up to and Including Four Stories in Height Generally these NFPA 13R occupancies are apartments, dormitories, hotels, motels The residential sprinkler design criteria for the residential dwelling requires that (4) residential sprinklers are designed to operate at their listed flow rate and pressure for the area of coverage to be protected. Public areas such as corridors, require a design per NFPA 13, meaning the water supply needs to adequate for a NFPA 13 installation.

NFPA 13 Residential Occupancies

NFPA 13 Residential Occupancies that are not NFPA 13D Or NFPA 13R These occupancies are buildings that are greater than (5) stories, typical of high rise apartment buildings, large hotel resorts, etc. The design requirement per NFPA 13 is for a minimum .10 gpm per sq ft or the residential sprinklers listing for the area, which ever is greater. Water supply requirements are higher for NFPA 13 residential occupancies because the water flow is providing protection to the structure as well as life safety.

Residential Sprinklers
Due to the minimum flow rate requirements for residential sprinklers there are many different K factors for residential sprinklers to address different coverage areas and different code requirements, (NFPA 13D and NFPA 13R versus NFPA 13 residential occupancies) The K factors step up from smaller areas of coverage of NFPA 13D, to moderate and large areas of coverage of NFPA 13R, to very large water demands of NFPA 13. These specific K Factors allow for the most efficient use of water and pressure.

Preaction Systems

Preaction Systems
Are: Fixed fire protection systems with CLOSED sprinklers connected to piping pressurized with air or nitrogen (generally for supervision) with a dependable water supply controlled by a normally closed Deluge Valve activated by a release system

Preaction Systems
Are Recommended : For hazards where fast application of water in fire conditions is important. (Non and Single Interlocked Pre-Action)

Preaction Systems
Are Recommended : To prevent water damage due to mechanical damage to system piping. (Single and Double Interlocked Pre-Action)

Preaction Systems
Are Recommended : Where water entering the system piping could harm the system, such as a freezer. (Double Interlocked PreAction)

PREACTION SYSTEMS

The building block of a pre-action system is the deluge valve and trim. Additions to the deluge valve and trim will be a riser check valve, an air supply, and closed head sprinkler piping.

Deluge Systems
Deluge valve with Conventional Trim (PORV)

Deluge Systems
Deluge valve with Conventional Trim (PORV)

Preaction Systems
Basic components of preaction systems before release or interlock are addressed

Preaction Components Deluge valve Valve trim Riser Check valve System piping Air supply

Sprinkler Heads Allowed to Be Installed On Preaction Systems

Upright Sprinkler

Dry Barrel Sprinkler

Horizontal Sidewall Sprinkler

OR

Ceiling

A pendent sprinkler installed on a return bend, where the sprinkler And the sprinkler line supplying it are in a heated area

Deluge Valve

Deluge Valves

Priming chamber

Inlet chamber

Discharge or outlet chamber

Deluge Valves
Held Closed by water pressure in priming chamber Priming Chamber controlled by release system When release system operates, priming chamber relieved of Priming pressure, allowing deluge valve to open

Deluge Valves

Priming Deluge Valve Priming Chamber With water

Note: Priming Supply Provided upstream of Control valve

Deluge Valves

Deluge valve primed closed with Water supply control valve open

Supply water pressure

Deluge Systems

Release System Operates Draining water from priming chamber

Deluge Valves

Pressure in priming chamber is Reduced, allowing clapper to open

Deluge Valves

Water flows into discharge Chamber, out to sprinkler System piping & discharge outlets

Deluge Valves

Deluge valve remains open Until system is manually shut-down

Model F Deluge Valve

Model E deluge valves Available 1 , 2, 3, 4, and 6 Model E Deluge Valve Model F deluge valves Model F Deluge Valve Available 1 , 2, 2 , 3, 4, 6, 8 Vertical and Horizontal

Halar Coating Corrosion Resistant Trim Brass or Stainless Steel

Preaction Systems

PREACTION SYSTEM TYPES Interlock and Release

Non-Interlocked Preaction -Electric or pneumatic release Single Interlocked Preaction -Electric Release -Pneumatic Release Double Interlocked Preaction -Pneumatic/Pneumatic -Electric/Pneumatic -Electric/Electric

SINGLE INTERLOCKED PREACTION

Single Interlock Operation

Activation of the Release System will cause the Deluge Valve to trip open. Water will enter the closed sprinkler piping. When (if) a sprinkler operates, Water will flow from the open sprinkler immediately. -Similar to a WET system!

Single-Interlocked Pre-action Systems

Air Supply Considerations

Minimum Pressure: No minimum Maximum to Fill system: 30 minutes Water Delivery time to Inspectors Test: Not measured May not be required if less than 20 sprinklers on system

Preaction Systems
RELEASE SYSTEMS FOR SINGLE INTERLOCKED PREACTION Electric or Pneumatic

SINGLE INTERLOCKED PREACTION PNEUMATIC RELEASE

PNEUMATIC RELEASE
-Sometimes referred to as dry pilot lines -Resemble hydraulic release -Utilize same release devices as hydraulic release -Are filled with pressurized air or nitrogen -Important to keep release line free of moisture -Used in areas subject to freezing -Pneumatic actuator or pneumatic bypass held closed with air -Pneumatic actuator or pneumatic bypass is holding priming water in priming chamber of deluge valve

Preaction Systems

Single Interlocked Preaction Pneumatic Release

= Direction of Air Flow

SINGLE INTERLOCKED PREACTION ELECTRIC RELEASE

Preaction Systems

Single Interlocked Preaction Electric Release

= Direction of Air flow

DOUBLE INTERLOCKED PREACTION

Double Interlock Operation

The Release System must activate .. -(an alarm will sound) -AND, -Pressure in the sprinkler piping must be reduced(due to a sprinkler opening in fire conditions) To trip open the Deluge Valve. In fire conditions, - After the release system operates and the sprinkler opens, water needs to travel from the Deluge Valve to the open sprinkler. There may be a time delay similar to a Dry System.

Double-Interlocked Preaction Systems

Air Supply Considerations

Minimum Pressure: 7 psi Maximum to Fill system: 30 minutes Water Delivery time to Inspectors Test: Systems greater than 750 gallons capacity- 1 min. Systems 500 to 750 gallons- 1 min. unless a QOD is installed

Preaction Systems
RELEASE SYSTEMS FOR DOUBLE INTERLOCKED PREACTION Electric, Pneumatic, or Both

DOUBLE INTERLOCKED PREACTION PNEUMATIC/PNEUMATIC

Double Interlocked Preaction Pneumatic/Pneumatic Release

= Direction of Air Flow

DOUBLE INTERLOCKED PREACTION ELECTRIC/PNEUMATIC

Preaction Systems

= Direction of Air Flow

Double Interlocked Electric/Pneumatic

DOUBLE INTERLOCKED PREACTION ELECTRIC / ELECTRIC

Preaction Systems

Electric Release Device And air supervisory switch Cross zoned at panel

= Direction of Air Flow

Double Interlocked Preaction - Electric/Electric Release

Viking SureFire Preaction Systems

SureFire Fail Safe Preaction Systems

Fail safe pre-action systems are pre-action systems that will operate when there is a loss of AC and DC power. Some municipalities have fail-safe pre-action requirements. In general, pneumatic release pre-action systems are listed and approved fail-safe pre-action systems. You should check with the manufacturer if they have a listed or approved fail-safe electric release pre-action system option.

SureFire Pre-action Systems

Are Recommended : Where operation of the fire protection system in the absence of electric power or power outage is a concern.

Viking SureFire Release Trim Module

To pressurized system piping

Pneumatic Actuator Solenoid valves are described by their position when non-powered: 1) Normally Open When non-powered the solenoid valve is open 2) Normally Closed When non-powered the solenoid valve is closed

Viking SureFire Release Trim Module Release Systems

24vdc Electric solenoid (normally open)

24vdc Electric solenoid (normally closed)

TotalPac2 & TrimPac

Pneumatic Release

Electric Release

Electric/Pneumatic Release

TrimPac Labels
TrimPac is effixed with labels that indicate what type of release is installed in the TrimPac trim, where the controlling stainless steel hoses are to be installed, and where pressure switches are to be installed. TrimPac has access doors for an emergency release and for the alarm test valve. TrimPac has viewports for priming water supply and water supply pressure.

TotalPac2

TotalPac 2 3 New Offerings

Skid

Remote Controlled

Self Contained

Skid Units
Same Base as Cabinet - No Enclosure - Includes non-wired switches and non-wired solenoid - No air supply - 1 6

Skid Units
Skid Unit is used as a building block for Remote Controlled and Self Contained units Available in: Pre-action Deluge HP Dry Standard Dry Wet Systems Cycling Systems All units serialized

Remote Controlled Units

Remote Controlled Units Available in same systems as skid All switches wired to terminal block Four Air Supply Options All units serialized

Self Contained Units

Self Controlled Units Available in same systems as skid All switches and panel wired to terminal block Four Air Supply Options All units serialized

Self Contained Units

Control Area: Release Control Panel Board Emergency Batteries Air Compressor Isolation Switch Sprinkler Head Storage Tray

Self Contained Units

Two Swinging Doors to System Area to allow for easier access More Room to work on system If maintenance is required

Other Available Options

Supervised sprinkler Supervised sprinkler piping system piping system Shut-Off Valve (D4) Shut-Off Valve (D4) Riser Check Riser Check Valve (D2) Valve (D2)

Main Drain Valve Main Drain Valve (D3) (D3) Sight-Glass Sight-Glass Assembly (D5) Assembly (D5)
FM-072Q-0-09 A.dwg FM-072Q-0-09 A.dwg

Riser Check Riser Check Valve (D2) Valve (D2) To FIRE DEPT. To FIRE DEPT. CONNECTION CONNECTION (by contractor) (by contractor)

Point flashlight here Point flashlight here Deluge (A1) or Deluge (A1) or Flow Control Valve (A2) Flow Control Valve (A2) Supervised Water Supply Supervised Water Supply Control Valve (D1) Control Valve (D1)
FM-072Q-0-10 A.dwg FM-072Q-0-10 A.dwg

Grooved Tee Grooved Tee Connection Connection Deluge (A1) or Deluge (A1) or Flow Control Valve (A2) Flow Control Valve (A2) Supervised Water Supply Supervised Water Supply Control Valve (D1) Control Valve (D1)

System Isolation Valve And Site Glass

Fire Dept. Conn. Semi-Flanged Units

TotalPac 2 3 New Offerings

Skid

Remote Controlled

Self Contained

Questions?