High Rise Building - PRV's or Multiple Standpipes?
High Rise Building - PRV's or Multiple Standpipes?
(OP)
Our company is currently designing a 21 Story High Rise Building. The Local AHJ requires 125 psi minimum at each FHV and will not allow more than 175 psi at each FHV. Our initial approach was a fire pump and PRV for each floor and PRFHV's at each level. Now we are looking at possibly trying to use fire pump and have 1 low-pressure standpipe, and 2 high-pressure standpipes restricted to 175 psi. This way, we only have a few pressure reducing cla-val valves and not over 21+ PRV's and 100+ PRFHV's. Any food for thought from some of you experienced High-Rise building designers.
Thanks in advance!!
Thanks in advance!!





RE: High Rise Building - PRV's or Multiple Standpipes?
I completed the design on a project a couple of years back in Vega$ where we did what you described with the Cla Vals and standpipe zones.
I believe that NFPA 13, 2007 edition allows you to do this with one pump now. We just did it where we had an express standpipe up the building. We then put a Cla Val station on the 2nd floor and the 10th floor. This allowed us to eliminate the need for all of the PRV floor control and FD valves. It also saves on long term maintenance of the system. You only have to test 3 PRVs every 5 years instead of 50 or so.
I hope that helps with your question. Let me know if you need any further clarifications.
Travis
RE: High Rise Building - PRV's or Multiple Standpipes?
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Fire Sprinklers Save Firefighters’ Lives Too
Not ALL Sprinkler Systems Are Created Equal! An Inadequate Sprinkler Design Is JUST As Bad As A Nonsprinklered Building!! When Occupancies Change So Should The Sprinkler System. See NFPA 25, 2002, Edition, Section 4.1.5, 4.1.6 & 4.1.6.1.
RE: High Rise Building - PRV's or Multiple Standpipes?
RE: High Rise Building - PRV's or Multiple Standpipes?
RE: High Rise Building - PRV's or Multiple Standpipes?
Anyone going to NFPA in 08 in Las Vegas?
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Fire Sprinklers Save Firefighters’ Lives Too
Not ALL Sprinkler Systems Are Created Equal! An Inadequate Sprinkler Design Is JUST As Bad As A Nonsprinklered Building!! When Occupancies Change So Should The Sprinkler System. See NFPA 25, 2002, Edition, Section 4.1.5, 4.1.6 & 4.1.6.1.
RE: High Rise Building - PRV's or Multiple Standpipes?
As far as costs, I think it worked out to be cheaper with the Cla Val stations. I only do the design portion of the project and don't always get to know the final numbers on a project, but customers keep coming back so I must be doing something right with keeping install costs down
With the Cla Val station, you only need to run a drain riser so that you can do the test on the Cla Val and not in every stairwell that will have a PRHV, so, we eliminated (2) 3" drain risers going up around 20 floors or so. Also, the costs savings on the PRHV and PRV floor control valve was a a couple hundred or more per floor. It has been awhile and I don't recall the exact numbers. I actually think that eliminating the extra drain risers paid for the express riser and more. Eliminating the PRHV and PRV floor control valves more than paid for the Cla Val stations. Finally, the long term savings to the owner in Inspection, Testing & Maintenance was also a big help in going that route. Finally, you also have the assurance that the valves won't get messed up and put on the wrong floor. I have seen a few jobs where fitters are scrambling to switch out valves because they are factory set PRVs and got put on the wrong floor.
Shoot me an email at tmack-at-mfpdesign-dot-com if you have any further things you need answered, or keep it on the forum as well.
Travis
RE: High Rise Building - PRV's or Multiple Standpipes?
Harvey & Associates
harveyandassociates.com
P.O. Box 818
306 Hughes Street
Fountain Inn, SC 29644
Ph. 864-862-2379
Tollfree 800-235-6703
Fax 864-862-2060
CUSTOMER: What is the difference in the large and small chili?
CASHIER: Well, …. The large is bigger than the small.
RE: High Rise Building - PRV's or Multiple Standpipes?
Bill at
Harvey & Associates
harveyandassociates.com
P.O. Box 818
306 Hughes Street
Fountain Inn, SC 29644
Ph. 864-862-2379
Tollfree 800-235-6703
Fax 864-862-2060
CUSTOMER: What is the difference in the large and small chili?
CASHIER: Well, …. The large is bigger than the small.
RE: High Rise Building - PRV's or Multiple Standpipes?