Wood Truss Protection
Wood Truss Protection
(OP)
Hello,
I have a project that is a 2 story wood frame aprox. 5,000sqf per floor educational facility. Between 1st and 2nd floor and 2nd and roof they are using 18" wood trusses. The truss will have sheet rock attached directly to the bottom and a drop ceiling will be placed roughly 1'-6" - 2'-0" below. I'm following NFPA 13 2010. Section 8.15.1.1. Bottom line is a truss is not a solid member. I am providing interstitial sprinkler protection for these areas. The problem i'm having is that the architect doesn't think the area is exposed cause the sheet rock is attached to the bottom. Well I think he's right if you look from the floor up but it you look inside the space the trusses are exposed.
Has anyone else had this problem? How was it explained?
I have a project that is a 2 story wood frame aprox. 5,000sqf per floor educational facility. Between 1st and 2nd floor and 2nd and roof they are using 18" wood trusses. The truss will have sheet rock attached directly to the bottom and a drop ceiling will be placed roughly 1'-6" - 2'-0" below. I'm following NFPA 13 2010. Section 8.15.1.1. Bottom line is a truss is not a solid member. I am providing interstitial sprinkler protection for these areas. The problem i'm having is that the architect doesn't think the area is exposed cause the sheet rock is attached to the bottom. Well I think he's right if you look from the floor up but it you look inside the space the trusses are exposed.
Has anyone else had this problem? How was it explained?





RE: Wood Truss Protection
You may want to kindly suggest that the architect not try to step into fire sprinkler system nuances and you won't get into how the building should be designed
Travis Mack
MFP Design, LLC
www.mfpdesign.com
"Follow" us at https://www.facebook.com/pages/MFP-Design-LLC/9221...
RE: Wood Truss Protection
Went with a VK900 and the area is scheduled to have drafting every 1,000sqf. The kind suggestion is the problem I'm having. Other than manufactures spending tons of money to make a head specifically for this situation, I'm not sure hows else to brake it down.
RE: Wood Truss Protection
If he can't take that, then just say because that is what the standard states and if you are going to force this to be standard sprinklers then get your lawyer to draft me a waiver of liability for you deviating from the published standards based on the architects vast fire protection engineering experience. SMH!!!
Travis Mack
MFP Design, LLC
www.mfpdesign.com
"Follow" us at https://www.facebook.com/pages/MFP-Design-LLC/9221...
RE: Wood Truss Protection
RE: Wood Truss Protection
The 1,000 square foot area limit is necessary because if a fire develops in the concealed space, containment of the heat is essential for the sprinklers to operate fast enough to control the fire.
Your architect is more than likely going to challenge the draft curtains because they are not required by IBC Chapter 7 if a building is protected using a NFPA 13 sprinkler system. However, the draft curtains are required as a condition of the sprinkler listing and for the design to be approved, they must be provided. If you go with this design approach be sure to demarcate the area of each draft curtain area - your fire AHJ will thank you.
The space can be filled with noncombustible insulation. If this option is selected, review the data sheet for the selected insulating material and confirm that it has successfully passed an ASTM E 136 test. If it hasn't been tested to this standard, it's not a compliant material in NFPA 13 or the International Building Code.