FM Data Sheet 8-9 - Storage Height for Exposed, Expanded Plastic
FM Data Sheet 8-9 - Storage Height for Exposed, Expanded Plastic
(OP)
I have a nasty situation that involves an existing warehouse that has Group A exposed, expanded plastic. The owner would rather shut down the operation than install in-rack sprinklers.
What I'm trying to do is determine whether there is a maximum storage height permitted given the existing ceiling sprinkler system.
Existing ceiling sprinkler system:
-ESFR pendents, 17 K, 100 sq.ft. spacing, designed to protect Class IV commodities to 25' in height at 35 psi per sprinkler.
NFPA 13 does not cover Group A exposed, expanded plastics. Therefore I have turned to FM Datasheet 8-9.
It appears to me the datasheet provides no relief at all for having lower storage heights. It appears to me that if you have a ceiling of 30' and are storing the commodity to 1', 5', 14', or 25' the requirements are equal. Is this true?
I would like to be able to provide some option for the owner, even if it means 5' solid-piles or 8' of open rack storage.
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RE: FM Data Sheet 8-9 - Storage Height for Exposed, Expanded Plastic
Link
They plan to start full scale testing I think this fall. But they plan on testing in-rack sprinklers and horizontal barriers.
I think a ceiling only system is not going to work with exposed expanded plastics, too fast moving fire.
Is the entire warehouse exposed expanded?
The owner may get his wish.....
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Fire Sprinklers Save Firefighters’ Lives Too!
RE: FM Data Sheet 8-9 - Storage Height for Exposed, Expanded Plastic
Not the entire warehouse. A single row of racks along one wall and solid-pile storage covering about 1000 sq.ft.
RE: FM Data Sheet 8-9 - Storage Height for Exposed, Expanded Plastic
One other option is to apply Figure 2303.7.4 from the 2009 IFC. Unfortunately for your client, I don’t think that one single row rack of plastic gives you an exception. You have a commodity load that either needs to be separated by an 1-hour fire barrier or you need to upgrade the automatic sprinkler system. The selected sprinklers were never designed for an expanded, exposed Group A plastic.
RE: FM Data Sheet 8-9 - Storage Height for Exposed, Expanded Plastic
The other option is to store it off site at another location such as a public warehouse and go with just in time delivery. Keep it stored to 5' with the limitation on the number of pallets for "Mixed Commodities" in NFPA 13, 10 pallet loads in a 40K warehouse.
Who picked up on the expanded plastics in the warehouse?? Who ever did good find!! A fire in this area can take the entire building down.
Good luck delivery the news the owner does not want to hear. Been in your shoes many times. Make sure you put it in writing to protect your butt!
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Fire Sprinklers Save Firefighters’ Lives Too!
RE: FM Data Sheet 8-9 - Storage Height for Exposed, Expanded Plastic
Table 2.3.7.3(g) Control Mode Density Area Sprinklers, Single-Row Racks Without Solid Shelves, Storage Higher Than 25 ft (7.5 m)
Plastics:
Cartoned Unexpanded,
Uncartoned Unexpanded,
Cartoned Expanded,
Uncartoned Expanded
Storage Height Above Top IRAS Level, ft (m)
Up to 5 (1.5) 0.30/2000
Over 5 (1.5) up to 10 (3.0) 0.45/2000
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Fire Sprinklers Save Firefighters’ Lives Too!
RE: FM Data Sheet 8-9 - Storage Height for Exposed, Expanded Plastic
RE: FM Data Sheet 8-9 - Storage Height for Exposed, Expanded Plastic
RE: FM Data Sheet 8-9 - Storage Height for Exposed, Expanded Plastic
RE: FM Data Sheet 8-9 - Storage Height for Exposed, Expanded Plastic
I appreciate all the feedback. Fortunately the owner has gone silent after I prepared a short summary of his options. Some jobs are best left on the vine.