Storage System Design
Storage System Design
(OP)
Good Morning,
I am working on a storage building that has rack storage and we are using FM Design Guidelines. The client stores a Class I commodity on a wood pallet. These pallets are on a rack system that has 20' aisles and on each side of the aisle a 40' deep rack is loaded by a forklift that drives in it. Storage height to top of product is 20'. I am using open-frame rack storage design criteria.
My questions is this:
Does FM limit the depth of the open-frame (drive-in) racks? If so, I cannot seem to locate it.
Thanks,
J
I am working on a storage building that has rack storage and we are using FM Design Guidelines. The client stores a Class I commodity on a wood pallet. These pallets are on a rack system that has 20' aisles and on each side of the aisle a 40' deep rack is loaded by a forklift that drives in it. Storage height to top of product is 20'. I am using open-frame rack storage design criteria.
My questions is this:
Does FM limit the depth of the open-frame (drive-in) racks? If so, I cannot seem to locate it.
Thanks,
J





RE: Storage System Design
RE: Storage System Design
RE: Storage System Design
Three concerns I have with your question:
1) Which FM LPDS (Loss Prevention Data Sheet) are you using?
2) To Chickopee's question, why isn't NFPA 13 being reviewed? Your AHJ may not accept FM LPDS if this facility is in North America and North of the Rio Grande River.
3) Who concluded that the commodity is Class I?
RE: Storage System Design
I start looking real close on a class I commodity design. It does not take too much other stuff in the building to push up the fire loading.
So what are they storing, and what kind of box and pallet are they using?
RE: Storage System Design
I classified it as a Class I because the FM tables I am using do not differentiate between a Class I, II, or III. We started with NPFA 13 and within that standard I am working with a Class III.
There are some areas with idle wood pallets and some plastic pallets, but that portion of the building is ESFR. The area with drive-in racks is not heated so we have limited design options. In-rack sprinklers is not something we want to go to (yet) for this client so that is why we are looking into FM designs. The NFPA 13 options require in-rack sprinklers due to the rack depth.
This is in North America and the climate here does get below freezing for a couple months of the year. I am not sure if the AHJ would accept a FM system... Also, whatever is decided upon we have to get water delivery times that meet code (FM or NFPA 13) so I do have some work in front of me.
Anybody have any experience with a Quell system?
J
RE: Storage System Design
http://www.tyco-fire.com/quell/QuellBrochure.pdf
If double interlock, what kind of detection were you thinking about, to release the valve ??
RE: Storage System Design
When a sprinkler is activated, water is discharged on a delay to allow time for one or more other sprinklers to be thermally activated by the fire, ensuring sufficient water volume and cooling is applied to control it before it can spread. Developed by Tyco Fire & Building Products, this system should only be installed by licensed contractors.
http://stellarfoodforthought.net/ensure-your-cold-...
RE: Storage System Design
The quell is a double interlocked preaction system. So you have the addition cost of fire detection and all the headache of maintenance. Require a lot of water so I
Hope you have a strong water supply.
[/pre]
RE: Storage System Design
My comment regarding the ESFR sprinkler system may be costly also. Considering they are dry pendant and only good for 10 years and then would have to be tested and/or replaced. Considering the high failure rate of being dry pendant sprinkler this may not be cost-effective in the long run, but it is an option.
RE: Storage System Design