There is an NFPA standard for this, but I do not know the number of the document.

Steve Braune
Tank Industry Consultants
www.tankindustry.com

What type of info are you looking for?  Have you talked to Grinnell or the other major fire protection companies?

Steve Braune_yes I know about nfpa 15 but my edition is 1985. Altho,I do not expect significant changes to whatever current edition that may be, I am particularly interested about manufacturers and the rating of their products.

td2k- no I have not contacted Grinell. Info. such as K factors, area of application per head, minimum pressure requirements, heat tolerance(anyword I much temp can such spay nozzle can take before deteroirating) if such nozzle were on a dry riser.

Did you check the Tyco website? Go to http://tyco-fireproducts.com/ Note that Grinell is part of Tyco. An example of a spray nozzle datasheet: http://tyco-fireproducts.com/TD_TFP/CSC/TD620A.PDF

chic,

As I recall, bulk propane tanks do not typically require a water spray for fire protection. (This, of course does not prevent you from installing such a system)

Fire protection for propane tanks (and LPG tanks)is discussed in NFPA-58 and 59.

The recommendations of the NFPA people are: 1) based on storage capacity, space the tanks properly....keep them from people and buildings 2) install excess flow check valves to limit the propagation of a blaze.

For a frightening read on a propane tank disaster, review the Herrig Brothers turkey farm fire on www.csb.gov

The link is:

www.csb.gov/completed_investigations/docs/Final%20...

Anyone else have anything to add about bulk propane fire protection ?

MJC

  

MJCronin-unfortunately fire marshall wants spray nozzles because the tank is located in a somewhat populated rural area where 1)there is a lack of nearby municipal water supply 2)the town relies on a volunteer fire department which has marginal fire fighting equipemnt eventho of the mutual aid available.  Also current FSA per NFPA 58 is mentioning it as one possible solution.

This is an update to the situation- the tank is to be buried-fire protection problem solved.

chic,

I am very much interested in the details of this propane tank installation...

How big is the tank ? How deep is the burial and how did you decide the depth ? Did you refer to any codes, standards, or guidleines for the installation ?

What coatings did you use on the tank ? Was there a
double containment ? How is the area above the tank controlled ?

My curiosity only...

MJC