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Volume 2 Issue 3 Summer 2008
BRANCH CHAIR’S MESSAGE - FRANK BAKER CSP, CFPS
This newsletter potential speakers submit eleven topics
marks the beginning to be considered for the 2009
of a new Society conference.
year for the Practice
Specialties and Although the deadline for the 2009 PDC
Branches. Some has already passed, it is not too early to
new things are in start thinking about Safety 2010 in
store for us in the Baltimore, MD. If you are an
next year. And since experienced speaker/presenter, we
Safety 2008 in Las Vegas, NV just encourage you to submit a presentation
concluded, I will also report what proposal for evaluation. If the
happened there. It was a great presentation topic is appropriate, we
conference—as always! would like to sponsor you. If you need
help developing your proposal, we can
I am pleased to announce that the assist you with that as well.
Society Board of Directors has approved
the recommendation from the Council I would like to extend a gracious thank
on Practices and Standards for us to you to those corporate sponsors who
become a Practice Specialty. We are the provided promotional items for the
first Branch to transition to a Practice
Specialty under the current rules. Table of Contents
This will be our last issue of Fireline Sprinkler Knowledge Marches On ........3
published under the Fire Protection
Branch banner. Our first issue of History of Sprinklers & Pipe Scheduled
Fireline as the Fire Protection Practice Systems ..................................................7
Specialty will be published later this fall.
Lessons Learned from the Charleston
Sofa Super Store Fire: Part 1 of 2 ...... 16
The Branch sponsored three
presentations at Safety 2008 out of 11
Victory for Automatic Sprinkler
total sessions approved for Certified Fire
Initiative ............................................. 22
Protection Specialist (CFPS)
recertification continuing education
Ask an Expert .................................... 22
credit. We hope to sponsor more
sessions next year, as we had eight
Branch during the conference. Key Issues help us target our efforts for
our members as well as help the PDC
Geoffrey Peckham, President of Clarion Planning Committee determine what will
Safety, donated several hundred Fire be discussed at the next conference.
Protection Branch photoluminescent key Thanks to those who responded to the
fobs for distribution at the CoPS booth. recent Key Issues request.
Jim Evans, Plant Safety and I would also like to welcome Randy
Environmental Coordinator at American Oltmanns to the Advisory Committee as
Valve and Hydrant Manufacturing, our new Awards & Honors Chair.
donated two cast-iron miniature fire
hydrant replicas that were raffled off Kim Johnson has returned to the
during the conference. Congratulations Advisory Committee after a hiatus. She
to raffle winners Dick Decker and Don is a founding member of the Branch and
Gignac. served as Vice Chair in the early years.
Kim will become our Nominations
By January 2009, all Practice Specialty Chair.
technical publications will be published
in electronic format only. This will save As a Branch, we did not have a
direct printing and mailing costs and Nominations Chair. Our leadership was
conserve natural resources. appointed by our sponsoring Practice
ASSE’s membership department will Specialty, Engineering. As a Practice
work with us on some promotional ideas Specialty, members of the group elect
to help us gain members as a new our leaders once the inaugural terms are
Practice Specialty and for the Society by completed. Therefore, it is important to
strengthening our relationship with the seek out individuals who may one day
National Fire Protection Association aspire to leadership positions within our
(NFPA) and the CFPS program. new Practice Specialty. If you are
interested in a leadership position, would
I would like to recognize and thank Greg like to help the Advisory Committee or
Duncan, a valued member of our serve on a subcommittee, please contact
Advisory Committee, who for the last Kim at sasafety@aol.com.
two years has served as our Awards &
Honors Chair and has also coordinated Our membership provides the content for
our Professional Development Fireline. The more involvement we
Conference (PDC) speaker submissions. have, the better Fireline will be as a
Greg has taken a job transfer and has Practice Specialty technical publication.
stepped down from his Awards & If you would like to submit an article for
Honors Chair position—his efforts have inclusion in the inaugural issue of
been greatly appreciated. Fireline as the Fire Protection Practice
Specialty, we would be happy to review
Gabe Miehl, who has previously worked it. Mike Messner, Fireline Editor, can be
on special projects for us, has taken on reached at messnermik@aol.com.
the PDC speaker submissions and is also
working on our Key Issues project. The
2
I once again would like to take this Sprinkler System Discharge Criteria.
opportunity to personally thank those This article addresses new information
Advisory Committee members who provided to the Discharge Criteria
assisted with Branch operations during Committee for this cycle. The Discharge
the last year. It was a very productive Criteria Committee relies heavily on fire
year for us, and everyone’s hard work testing for standard revisions.
has paid off.
Background
If it is not safe, make it safe! Some basic fire growth information will
help explain some of the proposed
changes to NFPA 13. Combustible
materials could be viewed as fuel
packages. Spatial separation between
Sprinkler Knowledge fuel packages is good for fire control
because the spaces permit a fire to grow
Marches On
By James G. Gallup, P.E., CSP
quickly toward ceiling-level sprinklers,
minimize fire spread to adjacent
Safety professionals often have fire combustible materials and permit water
protection responsibilities as part of their to reach the lowest levels where a fire is
job description. Automatic sprinkler likely to start.
knowledge is often helpful. The
sprinkler industry has undergone An example of the spaces between fuel
constant improvements over the years packages is the space between loads in
based on new products and fire testing. rack storage systems. A solid shelf in a
This article provides safety professionals rack storage system will permit a fire to
with preliminary knowledge of potential grow horizontally and to be shielded
changes to the sprinkler standard prior to from sprinkler discharge. The fire will be
publication in 2010. larger, and more sprinklers will open
than with a porous shelf. Vertical
The National Fire Protection Association barriers help to limit this fire spread.
(NFPA) writes the primary public sector
standard for fire sprinkler systems. The Automatic sprinklers are designed to
document is NFPA 13, Standard for the provide a density of water (gallons per
Installation of Sprinkler Systems. NFPA minute per square foot [gpm/ft2]) over a
13 is a consensus standard written by specific number of square feet to achieve
several NFPA committees. Committee fire control. Historically, fire tests have
members are volunteers from various determined the required density and
sectors, including end users, owners, square feet of application.
consultants and equipment
manufacturers. Plastic materials burn more aggressively
than wood or paper products. Therefore,
NFPA 13 recently entered a revision plastics fires require a higher water
cycle. The next edition will carry a 2010 density to control a fire compared to an
date. One of the committees writing the equal mass of wood or paper.
standard is the Technical Committee on
3
The historical development of sprinklers control the same fire at increasingly
started with half-inch orifice sprinklers. lower pressures.
As fire challenges increased with plastics
and taller storage, sprinkler orifices have Fire Hose Demands
increased in size. In addition, the speed Historical controversy over 250 gpm
of the sprinkler operating mechanism has overhaul hose demands and 500 gpm
increased to meet the higher challenges. will likely be clarified in the 2010
Edition. The lower 250 gpm will only be
Except for Early Suppression Fast used for ESFR sprinklers where full
Response (ESFR) sprinklers, all extinguishment by the sprinklers is
sprinklers are designed to control fires. expected. All other sprinklers are
With fire control, firefighters are needed control-mode sprinklers. Extinguishment
for final extinguishment of fires. ESFR will require 500 gpm from hoses.
sprinklers are designed to extinguish
fires in high-challenge configurations, Area/Density Curves
such as in rack storage, early in fire Area/density curves in Chapter 11 and
growth. the storage chapters were developed long
ago using minimal hard test results and
NFPA 13 has traditionally addressed mostly for the less challenging fires.
hazard levels by categorizing the hazards NFPA 13 has tried recently to specify
into light, ordinary hazard, extra hazard, only requirements at the bottoms of the
solid pile storage, rack storage and curves where hard data is available. The
plastics. Each category has specific sprinkler industry objected, stating that
density requirements. no fire loss evidence proves the curves
are incorrect. Also, the curves provide
New Development: CMSA flexibility in some instances.
Control Mode Special Application
(CMSA) will likely be a new category of The 2010 Edition will likely truncate the
sprinklers in the 2010 Edition. curves between 2,000 square feet and
Previously, the sprinklers were known 3,000 square feet. This appears to be a
by individual names such as large drop, workable compromise.
K-11.2, K-16.8 and K-19.6. The
sprinklers are in the fire control category Compact Mobile Storage
rather than in the suppression mode of Compact mobile storage is the type of
ESFR sprinklers. As more sprinklers high-density modular moveable storage
were tested in the CMSA category, it that would be seen in a doctor’s office.
became clear that many of the tables in Generally, the sprinkler systems in a
NFPA 13 could be combined, which will doctor’s office are designed to a light-
likely happen in the 2010 Edition. hazard density. Light-hazard densities in
high-density storage have been suspect,
CMSA sprinklers increase in orifice size but no test work had previously been
as the K values increase. All have been conducted. Recent test work results are
tested using full-scale fire tests. As the K now available.
value increases, the sprinklers will
4
Testing shows that light-hazard densities tall storage with a rack configuration that
are adequate. If a fire occurs on the face guarantees flue spaces. Sprinklers are
of the storage (between movable located at the ceiling, in the rack flue
shelves), the fire will likely travel up the spaces and under the catwalks.
face and self-extinguish with no The fires that originate in the racks are
sprinkler activation. Increased densities controlled by in-rack sprinklers in the
are unnecessary if sprinklers do not flue spaces with no ceiling-level
activate. If the fire occurs inside the sprinklers operating. Fires near the top of
densely packed area, the fire will burrow the racks are controlled by ceiling
into the storage slowly with no sprinkler sprinklers with a density of 0.30 gpm/ft2
activation. Again, increasing sprinkler over 2,000 square feet or by ESFR
density will have no impact on fire sprinklers.
control because of the shielding the
compact shelving provides. Mobile High-Bay Storage
Another form of record storage was also
If the density of the storage is decreased tested. The racks were mobile and were
to 70% of high density, the fire is more 33 feet tall. Storage was archival records.
aggressive due primarily to the With specific vertical barriers to ensure
additional amount of oxygen available to that the storage does not intrude in the
the growing fire. However, ceiling flue spaces and with barriers to slow fire
sprinkler densities will not affect the fire, growth, ceiling-only ESFR sprinklers
so light-hazard densities are adequate. will extinguish the resulting fire.
The heat release rate of the 70% density
results in a larger fire. Vertical sheet Mobile Shelving
metal barriers within the storage system Another set of tests showed that 15-foot
are needed to slow fire propagation. tall storage of plastics in mobile shelving
could be protected with special ESFR
Retail Display sprinklers with pressures as low as 18
Retail display areas include products psi.
with substantial plastic materials and
solid shelves. Recent test work indicates Rubber Tires
what the ceiling densities should be for Fire testing in France has provided
15-foot-tall, 30-inch-wide shelves back additional sprinkler information for the
to back with a divider between the high-challenge storage of rubber tires.
shelves. The density is 0.70 gpm/ft2 over New tests provide information on
2,000 square feet. density requirements for tires stored in a
Record Storage laced configuration, which increases the
In the past, fire testing of cartoned paper number of tires that can be stored but
record storage did not match many of the also increases the fire challenge.
modern storage configurations. Modern
record storage facilities use a rack Container Storage
system accessed by several levels of of Household Goods
catwalks with narrow aisles of 36 inches. Full-scale testing of large containers of
Based on recent full-scale fire tests, the household goods is years away, while
2010 Edition will likely permit 38-foot- storage of such containers is available at
5
many locations. The containers go by
several names such as PODS, Pack Rat
and Door-to-Door. The units are
typically eight feet by eight feet by
twelve feet long. Household goods
generally contain large quantities of
plastics.
Links to Useful Resources
Fires in containers are shielded from
sprinkler discharge. Storage does not NFPA codes can be viewed for free at:
include flue spaces. Oxygen availability http://www.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes/list_
to a fire is also limited. The 2010 Edition of_codes_and_standards.asp
of NFPA 13 will limit the height of
storage to three units high. Factory Mutual Data Sheets are available
for free at:
Conclusion http://www.fmglobal.com/page.aspx?id=
The 2010 Edition of NFPA 13 will likely 04010200
solve some of the controversial items
such as area/density curves and when to Upcoming Events
apply a 250-gpm hose demand rather
August 18-22, 2008: National
than a 500-gpm hose demand. In
Firefighter Health Week
addition, recent test work will show up
in the 2010 Edition in the form of
September 2008: National Preparedness
sprinkler requirements for specific
Month
applications, such as record storage in a
doctor’s office and high bay mobile
October 5-11, 2008: Fire Prevention
records storage. Sprinkler knowledge is
Week
truly marching on.
James G. Gallup, P.E., CSP is a Senior Fire October 7-8, 2008: ASSE Loss Control
Protection Consultant for Rolf Jensen & Symposium, Chicago, IL
Associates, Inc., the U.S.’s largest fire
protection engineering consulting firm. He October 6, 2007: article submissions
holds a bachelor of science degree in fire due for next issue of Fireline
protection and safety engineering from the
Illinois Institute of Technology. He is a
member of the Society of Fire Protection
Engineers, the National Fire Protection
Association (where he serves on NFPA 13)
and the American Society of Safety
Engineers. He is also the ASSE Region II
Vice President.
6
to minimize possible panic hazard.
Fundamentals of
Sprinkler Protection
Automatic sprinkler protection is
effective for extinguishing fire in
combustible materials. Many standards,
History of Sprinklers & Pipe codes, regulations and insurance
Scheduled Systems guidelines have specific provisions for
By Alan McCartney, CSP, CFPS, EMT-P sprinkler protection. Automatic sprinkler
systems of one type or another have been
The automatic sprinkler is by far the designed to extinguish or control
most important of all fire protection practically every known type of fire in
devices, and a thorough understanding of practically all materials in use today. For
it is essential for everyone involved in the given hazard, it is essential that the
building and personnel safety. Those proper system be installed, or if already
who are intimately involved with installed, properly assessed.
employee safety must also have an equal
understanding of the basics tenets of Usually, all portions of a building,
sprinkler systems, since sprinkler including concealed spaces, shelves,
operation is so important in the racks, closets or cabinets, ovens, dryers,
prevention of worker death and etc., need automatic sprinklers. Water
disability. discharged from sprinklers must reach
the seat of the fire. Stock must never be
Value of Automatic piled around the sprinklers so as to
Sprinkler Protection obstruct the distribution of water.
Without automatic sprinkler protection,
the modern industrial, commercial and Sprinklers must be kept clean, protected
mercantile practices exhibited today against corrosion and never covered with
could never have developed. paint or similar material otherwise their
sensitivity will be affected.
Large areas, high buildings, hazardous
occupancies, large numbers of people Water pressure and volume must be
subject to loss of life by fire and large adequate for the number of sprinklers
values in one fire area all tend to develop that will operate and must be maintained
conditions, which could not be tolerated until the fire is extinguished or under
except for automatic sprinkler control.
protection.
A sprinkler system is of no value if for
Safety to Life any reason the water supplies are not in
Properly installed and maintained service or if a valve is closed. The
automatic sprinklers are the most system must at all times be in good
effective of any safeguards against loss working order with all valves open.
of life by fire. They give a sense of Regular testing, inspections and
security to building occupants and tend maintenance in accordance with the
7
methods and frequencies as outlined in fire with hose streams was often
the current edition of NFPA 25, ineffective, and simple fire protection
Standard for the Inspection, Testing and such as water pails, standpipes and hose
Maintenance of Water-Based Fire equipment proved inadequate unless the
Protection Systems, are essential. fire was discovered in its early stages.
In multistory buildings, stairways and Although improved building
other floor openings should be protected, construction made fire control easier,
preferably by enclosures. Under certain comparatively little headway was made
conditions, special sprinkler or spray to reduce fire loss involving delayed
systems combined with fire curtains or detection until the advent of the
draft stops may be used to prevent the automatic sprinkler.
upward spread of heat and smoke.
Failure to take such precautions may Perforated Pipe Systems
cause the opening of a larger number of Perforated pipe and the open sprinkler
sprinklers than the system was designed were the forerunners of the automatic
to supply, thereby overtaxing the water sprinkler. They were installed in many
supply and resulting in poor sprinkler mill properties from 1850 to 1880.
performance.
The perforated pipe system was
Automatic sprinkler systems should not comprised of pipes attached to the
be relied upon to control fires under ceiling and divided into sections, one or
conditions of construction, occupancy or two to a floor. Each was fed by a main
hazard more severe than those for which pipe or riser and controlled by a gate
the protection was designed. Although valve generally located outside the room
automatic sprinkler systems help control or building. The small discharge
fires even under the most adverse openings were subject to clogging by
conditions, such as severe exposure fires rust and foreign materials. With such a
in neighboring buildings, fires spreading system, poor water distribution and
from portions of a building that are not water waste occurred, with not enough
equipped with sprinklers and quick- water at the seat of the fire. Discharge
spreading flash fires, an abnormally over areas of the room where there was
large number of sprinklers may open, no fire usually caused heavy water
which neither the water system nor the damage. In addition, the system was not
piping system is designed to supply. in any way automatic.
Development of Open Sprinklers
Sprinkler Protection Open sprinklers, which were an
The rapid growth of industry and improvement over perforated pipes,
business during the last half of the 19th consisted of metal bulbs, with many
century and resultant increase in fire perforations, attached to piping and
hazards and property values as well as intended to give improved water
recognition of employee safety brought distribution. These systems were divided
the need for more adequate fire into sections and were controlled by
protection. The difficulty of reaching a
8
outside valves the same as perforated head, his design superior to many that
pipe systems. followed it. However, Henry Parmelee,
of New Haven, CT and Frederick
First Automatic Sprinklers Grinnell, of Providence, RI are credited
The idea of automatic sprinkler for giving the automatic sprinkler its
protection, a system in which the heat practical application and laying the
from a fire opens one or more sprinklers foundation of what is now a worldwide
and allows the water to flow, dates back industry.
to about 1860, but its practical
application in the U.S. began in about In 1878, Providence Steam and Gas Pipe
1878, when the Parmelee sprinkler was Company, which had installed perforated
first installed. This sprinkler, very crude pipes for fire protection, developed a
compared to modern devices, gave “schedule” using pipe sizes such that the
generally good results and proved area of openings did not exceed 60% of
conclusively that automatic sprinkler the pipe cross section. The company also
protection was both practicable and adopted a schedule of sizes for pipe.
valuable. This schedule was the beginning from
which all automatic sprinkler pipe
Rapid commercial development of the schedules have developed.
automatic sprinkler in the U.S. began
with Frederick Grinnell. First with In the U.S., local changes resulted in
Providence Steam and Gas Pipe different standards. In 1896, a
Company and later as president of its conference out of which grew the
successor, the General Fire Extinguisher National Fire Protection Association
Company (Grinnell Company, Inc.), formulated a schedule (1-2-4), which,
Grinnell was more closely identified until 1905, was the generally accepted
than any other man with the growth and standard for stock insurance
improvements in automatic sprinkler organizations.
protection. The first sprinklers bearing
his name were used in 1882. Prior to 1905, John R. Freeman
conducted an extensive series of
History of Pipe Schedules experiments. The significance of those
Although the story of the invention and tests was reflected in the 1896 standards
development of the automatic sprinkler by some reduction in the number of
as a firefighting device has so often been sprinklers to be supplied by each pipe
told, few people realize that it was a size above ¾-in. In 1905, Freeman’s
British invention. In 1806, John Carey of proposed schedule, which further
England conceived the idea of a heat- reduced the number of sprinklers
operated device through which water supplied by pipe sizes of 1½-in and
was distributed through a system of larger, was adopted in the Sprinkler
perforated pipes to extinguish a fire. Standard, which (with revisions)
remained in force until 1940.
In 1864, Major Stewart Harrison of the
First Engineer (London) Volunteers In 1940, the Sprinkler Standard made a
created the first automatic sprinkler radical departure with the elimination of
9
¾-in pipe for branch lines to improve sprinkler spacing, established the present
water discharge at end sprinklers and to schedule, which is known as the 2-3-5
reduce the danger of clogging. Also, the schedule. The number of sprinklers on
number of sprinklers permitted on 2½-in and larger pipe for light-hazard
branch lines for each occupancy occupancies was reduced, and for 6-in
classification was changed. For 3-in and and 8-in pipe for ordinary-hazard
larger pipe for ordinary-hazard occupancies was increased.
occupancies and for 2½-in and larger
pipe for light-hazard occupancies, the The 1955 Sprinkler Standard also
number of sprinklers permitted was included a reduction in the number of
increased over the 1905 schedule. sprinklers for branch lines exceeding 12
feet in length and for branch lines more
Early pipe schedules (prior to 1896) than 12 feet apart. No changes in pipe
were commonly referred to as the 1-3-6 size requirements were made in the
schedule, and the 1-2-4 schedule (1896) 1956, 1958, 1960 and 1961 editions.
was otherwise known as the “stock
company schedule.” The 1-2-3 schedule Maximum Number of Sprinklers
(1905) became known as the “mutual on Closed-Head Systems
company schedule.” The number The table below gives several schedules
founding the schedule was the number of of sprinkler pipe sizes as published in
sprinklers allowed on the ¾-inch, 1-inch, the standard since 1896. This table can
and 1¼-inch pipe sizes, respectively. be used to determine the type of pipe
schedule found in buildings surveyed
The 1953 edition of the Sprinkler today. Depending on where you are, you
Standard, which first included the will likely see at least 1-2-3 schedules
“spray” sprinkler (now the standard still in existence.
sprinkler) and allowed increased
General Pipe No practical sprinkler piping
Schedule Requirements arrangement can produce a completely
10
uniform protective water discharge from large unprotected openings or where
sprinklers in different locations or with sprinklers are installed in blind attics.
various numbers of sprinklers
simultaneously discharging water. If for special reasons it is desirable to
increase the normal maximum of eight
For a particular pipe size, no more than heads on a branch line to nine heads,
the specified number of sprinklers may which is permissible, the one-inch,
be installed on piping fed by that pipe for second length of branch piping should be
the specified occupancy in any one fire increased from one inch to 1¼ inch.
area. For example, if a riser in an extra-
hazard occupancy is six inches, no more Where cross mains supply branch lines
than 150 sprinklers can be connected to of only two heads, a maximum of 14
piping fed by that riser. If a fire area in such branches may be supplied by a
that occupancy requires the installation center-end feed arrangement.
of 200 sprinklers, that installation cannot
be fed by one six-inch pipe. The cross main sizes for this
arrangement are:
The pipe schedules are specific, and
must be followed without deviation. Ordinary-Hazard Occupancy
1¼-in. pipe 2 sprinklers
If conditions call for either unusually 1½-in. pipe 4 sprinklers
long runs of pipe or many angles, an 2-in. pipe 8 sprinklers
increase in the size of risers or feed 2½-in. pipe 16 sprinklers
mains may have occurred to compensate 3-in. pipe 28 sprinklers
for friction loss.
Extra-Hazard Occupancy
Wet pipe and dry pipe scheduled 1¼-in. pipe 2 sprinklers
installations follow the same piping 1½-in. pipe 4 sprinklers
schedule, except that the longer average 2-in. pipe 8 sprinklers
time required between the operation of 2½-in. pipe 12 sprinklers
sprinklers and the discharge of water in 3-in. pipe 20 sprinklers
dry-pipe and wet-pipe systems calls for 3½-in. pipe 28 sprinklers
specific restrictions on the air capacity of
dry-pipe system piping. Arrangement of
Sprinkler Supply Piping
Sprinklers on Branch Line Piping Two common arrangements identify pipe
Branch lines for light-hazard and scheduled systems with each having two
ordinary-hazard occupancies should not differing forms. These common
have more than eight sprinklers on either arrangements are called:
side of a cross main, and for extra-
hazard occupancies, not more than six. Tree center feed
This number may have been increased or - Center central feed (see
decreased in some special cases, such as “A” below)
where floors are slatted, where there are - Center end feed (see “C”
below)
11
Tree side feed especially where there are more than six
- Side central feed (See sprinklers on a branch line.”
“B” below)
- Side end feed (see “D” Also, various forms of pipe schedules
below) required staggered heads, although this is
not a requirement today.
The 12th edition of the NFPA Handbook
(1962) states, “Center central or side
central feed to branch lines is
recommended, with the former preferred,
Standard Sprinkler Installations hand hose connections are also
The terms “sprinkler protection,” frequently part of the sprinkler
“sprinkler installations” and “sprinkler protection system.
systems” usually signify a combination
of water discharge devices (sprinklers), When considering water supply
one or more sources of water under problems, sprinkler performance, dry-
pressure, water flow-controlling devices pipe systems or special arrangements of
(valves), distribution piping through sprinkler protection, the designation
which water is supplied to the discharge “sprinkler system” applies to the number
devices and auxiliary equipment, such as of sprinklers to which the water supply is
alarms and supervisory devices. Outdoor controlled by an individual valve. Under
hydrants, indoor hose standpipes and this definition, large buildings require
12
several sprinkler systems, and a single minimum water supply
water system may supply many sprinkler requirements.
systems.
11.2.2.5 The pipe schedule
“Installation of sprinklers” refers to method shall be permitted for use
installing the equipment, a trade carried in systems exceeding 5,000 ft²
by skilled mechanics. A “sprinkler (465 m²) where the flows
installation” is a fire protection system. required in Table 11.2.2.1 are
available at a minimum residual
NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation pressure of 50 psi (3.4 bar) at the
of Sprinkler Systems, covers the planning highest elevation of sprinkler.
and design of sprinkler protection, the
kinds and types of materials used and the 11.2.2.6 The pipe schedule
operations used to make the installation. method shall be permitted for
It is referred to as the Sprinkler Standard. additions or modifications to
existing extra hazard pipe
Pipe scheduled systems were allowed to schedule systems.
be installed for complete building or
hazard protection up through the 1989 Existing pipe schedule methods,
edition of NFPA 13. Beginning with the which are discussed in 11.2.2.1
1991 edition, the design for new pipe through 11.2.2.6, must comply
scheduled systems was severely with provisions of Section 14.5 if
restricted. The 2007 edition of the NFPA they are to be expanded.
handbook includes the following
sections. Blue text indicates commentary Many mistakenly believe that
by the editors of the sprinkler handbook: pipe schedule systems are
restricted to small buildings of
11.2.2.2 Pressure and flow less than 5,000 ft² (465 m²). The
requirements for extra hazard size of the building only affects
occupancies shall be based on the the required residual pressure
hydraulic calculation methods of (see Table 11.2.2.1), not whether
11.2.3. the pipe schedule method can be
used.
11.2.2.3 The pipe schedule
method shall be permitted only In 1991, NFPA 13 prohibited the
for new installations of 5,000 ft² use of the pipe schedule method
(465 m²) or less or for additions for new extra-hazard
or modifications to existing pipe occupancies. However, 11.2.2.6
schedule systems sized according permits the use of pipe schedule
to the pipe schedules of Section systems for additions and
22.5. modifications to existing extra-
hazard systems.
11.2.2.4 Table 11.2.2.1 shall be
used in determining the
13
Sprinkler Area Limitations of Pipe Scheduled Systems
Light-Hazard Occupancy
Construction Type Max Area/ Head Max Spacing/
Head
Noncombustible obstructed 200 square feet 15 feet
with members ≥3 ft on center
Noncombustible unobstructed 200 square feet 15 feet
with members ≥3 ft on center
Combustible unobstructed 200 square feet 15 feet
with members ≥3 ft on center
Combustible obstructed with 168 square feet 15 feet
members ≥3 ft on center
Combustible obstructed with 130 square feet 15 feet
members <3 ft on center
Combustible unobstructed 130 square feet 15 feet
with members <3 ft on center
Combustible concealed space 120 square feet 15 ft parallel to the
under a pitched roof having slope
combustible wood joist to 10 ft perpendicular
truss construction with to the slope
members <3 ft on center with
slopes having a pitch of 4 in
12 or greater.
*Where the dimension perpendicular to the slope exceeds eight feet, the minimum pressure shall be not less
than 20 psi.
14
Ordinary-Hazard Occupancy was redesign of the deflector.
For all types of construction
- The maximum protection area per Many additional types of approved sprinklers are
sprinkler is 130 ft² available and have undergone rigid tests by
- The maximum head spacing is 15 Factory Mutual Laboratories, Underwriters’
feet Laboratories and Underwriters’ Laboratories of
Canada.
For miscellaneous storage
- The maximum protection area per Alan McCartney is currently the corporate Property
sprinkler is 100 ft² Technical Director for Liberty Mutual Agency
Markets. He has worked for Liberty Mutual for nearly
ten years
Extra-Hazard Occupancy
For all types of construction, the maximum
McCartney has also served as Fire Safety
protection area/sprinkler is 90 ft². Coordinator for Brigham & Women’s Hospital in
Boston, MA, Fire Marshal for the Concord, NH Fire
Sprinkler Piping Terminology Department and Fire/Safety Analyst for Phillips
Chemical Company in Borger, TX.
Branch Lines—lines of pipe in which the
sprinklers are directly placed. His professional certifications include Certified Safety
Professional, Certified Fire Protection Specialist,
Cross Main—the pipe directly supplying Nationally Registered Paramedic, Certified Hazard
Control Manager and Certified Healthcare Safety
a number of branch lines.
Professional.
Riser—the vertical pipe supplying the McCartney is a graduate of the School of Fire
sprinkler system. Protection and Safety Engineering Technology at
Oklahoma State University. He holds associate
Feed Main—the pipe supplying a cross degrees in fire protection from NH Technical College
main from the top of a riser. and Tarrant Co. Junior College in Fort Worth, TX as
well as bachelor degrees in human relations and
The size of piping supplying automatic sprinklers social work from Salem College, WV.
is determined by the piping schedule.
Improvements in Automatic Sprinklers
Experience plus manufacturer and testing
laboratory efforts have continually improved the
automatic sprinkler’s performance and reliability.
In 1952 and 1953, a radical change occurred in the
pattern of water discharge, which improved its
effectiveness considerably. Originally, this
improved sprinkler was called the “spray
sprinkler,” but in 1958, it became the “standard
sprinkler.” The improvement’s principal feature
15
Lessons Learned from the deteriorating. The fire also communicated
Charleston Sofa Super Store Fire unchecked through unprotected doorways and
directly penetrated walls that were not constructed
A Review of Published Investigation Reports: of fire-rated materials to reach more fuel.
Part 1 of 2
By Frank J. Baker, CSP, CFPS By 7:52 p.m., the roof of the west showroom
began to sag due to heat exposure, and at 7:56
On June 18, 2007 at 7:09 p.m., the first call p.m., the center showroom roof suffered a
reporting a fire behind the Sofa Super Store on catastrophic collapse.
Savannah Highway in Charleston, SC was
received by the 911 dispatch center. The first due Several investigations conducted after the incident
Battalion Chief and crew from the dispatched revealed that many factors contributed to the
apparatus of Fire Station 11 observed visible tragic outcome. Thos investigations and this
smoke immediately upon leaving the station review are not intended to place blame but to help
driveway and arrived on the scene less than three others learning how similar situations might be
minutes later. avoided.
The evening would end in tragedy as nine City of This review will examine the common factors of
Charleston firefighters would perish in an incident construction, occupancy, protection, exposures
that would later be determined to have been and the operational strategies and tactics
entirely preventable, from the fire itself to the loss employed as well as the recommendations
of life. developed by the Charleston Post Incident
Assessment and Review Team led by noted fire
Preexisting conditions inside the building and service expert J. Gordon Routely.
inadequately managed fireground operations
caused conditions inside the structure to worsen Investigations Conducted
rapidly. Many hose lines would be stretched into It has now been more than one year since the fire.
the building in an effort to combat the fast-moving Because of the high-profile nature of the incident
fire, taking firefighters at times as far as 200 feet in which nine firefighters died in the line of duty,
inside the structure with zero visibility. several different agencies have examined the
event to shed light on what happened and how it
By 7:40 p.m., the nine firefighters had become or future incidents could be prevented.
disoriented and could not find their way out of the
building. Running out of breathing air, they would Investigations conducted by the South Carolina
eventually succumb to carbon monoxide Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation/
poisoning, smoke inhalation, thermal burns or a OSHA and the Charleston Post-Incident
combination in the untenable environment inside. Assessment and Review Team investigations are
complete. The final NIOSH Firefighter Fatality
The most likely cause of the fire is believed to be and Injury Prevention Program investigation has
carelessly discarded smoking materials that not yet been released, although a draft report was
ignited trash outside the loading dock, which in released in May 2008.
turn ignited furniture stored inside the loading
dock, eventually spreading throughout the The OSHA investigation results were released on
building. The fire spread through concealed September 20, 2007. Both the Sofa Super Store
spaces above the firefighters’ heads without them and the City of Charleston Fire Departments were
realizing how rapidly the conditions were
16
cited for both willful and serious violations of and U.S. territories. The state provides for a
occupational safety standards. reduced fine structure for governmental entities as
Sofa Super Store—OSHA Citations: compared to those in the private sector. The
Charleston Fire Department would eventually
Willful violation—exit doors locked while reach what many would consider a controversial
the building was occupied; initial penalty settlement with the U.S. Department of Labor and
$49,000, assessed penalty $29,400 agreed to pay only $3,160 of the original $9,325
Serious violation—failure to properly in fines but admitted to no wrongdoing. The
maintain fire doors; initial penalty $7,000, agreement resulted in fines on only two of the
assessed penalty $2,500 violations originally cited. (SC OSHA)
Serious violation—no Emergency Action
Plan for employees; initial penalty $7,000, Based on the Post-Incident Assessment and
assessed penalty $875 Review Team investigation, many more OSHA
citations could have been issued if more NFPA
Charleston Fire Department—OSHA 1500 (and other associated safety) standards were
Citations: used in addition to the OSHA Fire Brigade
standard as the benchmark for compliance.
Willful violation—the employer knew or
should have known that the command system The NIOSH Firefighter Fatality and Injury
does not provide for the overall safety of Prevention Program conducted an investigation
personnel and their activities; initial and with the assistance of the National Institute of
assessed penalty $7,000. Cited under the Standards and Technology (NIST). Although their
General Duty Clause Sec. 5 (a) (1) of the Act. preliminary report was released in May 2008, the
final report with recommendations is not expected
Serious violation—standard operating to be released until comments from several
procedures were not developed to cover the entities involved in the investigation can be
special hazards associated with fighting and reviewed and incorporated. That is expected to
attacking a fire involving a metal truss roof; occur sometime later in 2008. (NIOSH)
initial penalty $1,000, assessed penalty $900.
Cited under 1910.156 (c) (4). The Charleston Post-Incident Assessment and
Review Team has done the most comprehensive
Serious violation—body protection was not work and to date has released two reports—the
required to be worn by nine firefighters Phase 1 Report (38 pgs.) on October 16, 2007 and
involved in interior structural firefighting; the Phase 2 Report (272 pgs.) on May 15, 2008.
initial penalty $1,000, assessed $900. Cited This report detailed the timeline of events and
under 1910.156 (e) (1) (i). included recommendations and lessons learned for
others in fire service.
Serious violation—self-contained breathing
apparatus not required to be worn by four Building Construction
firefighters while exposed to smoke and toxic The original building was constructed in the
substances; initial penalty $1,000, assessed 1960s of hollow concrete block and a metal deck
$525. Cited under 1910.156 (f) (1) (ii). roof supported by open web steel bar joists. Later,
flanking additions of lightweight metal on pre-
The state of South Carolina administers its own engineered steel beams were added to the original
OSHA enforcement program, as do 25 other states building in 1995 and 1996, bringing the total area
to over 31,000 square feet. This comprised the
17
showroom area that was separated into three fire were. However, had a thermal imaging camera
areas by hollow concrete block walls with rolling been taken into the building, these conditions
steel fire doors protecting the openings. could have been readily identified. A similar
In 1996, a 15,600-square-foot pre-engineered condition began to occur below the ceiling that
warehouse was added to the rear of the structure was visible to the firefighters, but that was only
and connected only by an enclosed hall protected part of the problem.
with a rolling steel fire door to provide the
necessary fire separation to classify the structure The roof of the building lacked “natural” vents.
as two fire divisions. A variance was granted to These natural vents consist of powered ventilation
not require a fire wall on the warehouse wall that fans, HVAC units, air handlers, skylights,
exposed the showroom building. All of this automatic smoke vents, etc. Natural vents, while
construction was regulated under the city code not always the best means of vertical ventilation,
enforcement process through proper permitting. can give some relief inside by releasing products
of combustion if “assisted” by manually opening
After 1996, several small wood-frame additions them up. They also can help Incident
covered with metal siding and roofing were added Commanders better gauge fire spread by
to create what are termed “fill-in” additions. providing more opportunities to read the smoke
These typically take advantage of existing walls of conditions.
one or more structures to “fill in” the space
between them. In this case, no building permits Occupancy
were obtained for these additions nor is it likely The occupancy under the NFPA classification
they would have been approved. system would have been primarily mercantile. The
warehouse would have been separately classified
These additions caused two primary problems. as a storage occupancy due to the high rack
First, they circumvented the fire separation storage containing appreciable amounts of Group
created by the enclosed tunnel with a fire door. A plastics in the form of upholstered furniture
Second, these additions enclosed previously containing large amounts of expanded urethane
required exits. This created dead-end rooms that foam.
would later house high-hazard operations where
an employee would be rescued by forcible entry The showroom was typical of a furniture sales
directly through one of the exterior walls. operation with relatively narrow aisles separating
The entire combined structure would now cover large congested areas of furniture displays. These
over 46,000 square feet. Because of the caused significant difficulty for firefighters
unapproved construction, lack of proper fire walls attempting to stretch hose lines through the
and opening protective devices, all but 7,200 showroom areas as well as for those who became
square feet of the building would comprise a separated from their hose line and were attempting
single fire division. That section of the building to find their way out.
would be the only part to even partially survive
the fire. The warehouse building was 29 feet from the
floor to the roof deck and contained single- and
Concealed or “void” spaces above the showroom double-row racks at least four tiers high based on
ceilings and a combustible roof coating of photos in the NIOSH report. They were filled with
polyurethane foam caused heat and products of upholstered foam-filled furniture. Narrow aisles
combustion to become trapped and to spread between these racks allowed significant radiation
laterally through the structure without being easily feedback, and natural flue spaces caused the fire
detected at the floor level where the firefighters to spread quickly through the building.
18
was trapped in one of the workshop areas that
It would be discovered during the course of the were part of the fill-in construction with no exit
post-fire investigations that a significant quantity except through the warehouse or showroom that
of flammable and combustible liquids were kept were already well involved in fire. He called 911
in the building in one-gallon cans and aerosols. with a cellular phone to report his situation.
Management onsite was not aware this worker
Private Protection: was in the building until they recognized his
Building Owner/Occupant vehicle in the parking lot. The worker was rescued
Fire protection for this structure consisted only of by forcible entry after an opening was sawed
portable fire extinguishers. Based on an account through the exterior wall of the building.
from an employee who went to the loading dock
area to attempt to extinguish the fire reported by a A common practice in buildings frequented by the
passerby, the fire was already too large to control public is to implement a “Fire Warden”-type
with a single handheld unit. Upon locating and program where certain employees are responsible
retrieving a second extinguisher from the for “sweeping” designated sections of the building
showroom, he could not even enter the loading to ensure that everyone has been cleared from the
dock and had to discharge that unit through a structure. This is in addition to the manual
doorway from the adjacent holding room. He was headcount conducted at predetermined muster
ultimately unsuccessful in controlling the fire. sites outside to ensure that all are accounted for.
The building had no automatic heat or smoke Public Protection:
detection or automatic sprinkler system in place. Charleston Fire Department
Had building permits been obtained for the fill-in The last city fire code inspection occurred on
sections constructed, an automatic sprinkler March 30, 1998 prior to the city suspending fire
system would have been required to be installed at code inspections for mercantile occupancies in
that time since proper fire separations were 2000. Although preplan visits had been made
compromised as a result. between 1998 and 2007, they were not complete
and did not acknowledge the presence of the high
South Carolina now requires mercantile rack storage in the warehouse.
occupancies over 12,000 square feet to be fully
protected by automatic sprinklers. With the The Insurance Services Organization (ISO) grades
presence of Group A plastics, a sprinkler system public protection capabilities. This complex
for the showroom and loading dock area would system is based on many factors. Ten percent of
have needed to be designed for at least Ordinary the scoring matrix is based on fire department
Hazard Group 2. A sprinkler system for the resources and reliability. Fifty percent is based on
warehouse would have a minimum required primarily availability of engine companies and
design capability for Extra Hazard Group 1 (based water demand throughout the community. The
on occupancy classification). Installation of in- remaining 40% is based on how much of the
rack sprinkler protection may also have been required fire demand can be supplied over and
required depending on the specific rack above the daily community consumption. (ISO
configuration and design parameters of the Mitigation)
overhead sprinkler system. (NFPA 13)
ISO listed the City of Charleston as a PPC 1
The lack of an effective emergency action plan to department, representing what is ordinarily
account for employees and patrons compounded considered exemplary fire protection capability.
problems and diverted resources. An employee Fewer than 60 departments have achieved this
19
grading, representing less than 0.2% of all available hydrants in close proximity to the
departments in the US. (ISO Mitigation) building, those that were available and used
during the initial phases of the operations were not
However, this event sheds light on the issue that even on the same side of the four-lane highway as
some elements of the ISO PPC system may be the structure. The nearest hydrant to the building
outdated, such as minimum supply hose diameter had been removed from service, as it was
and ensuring that departments have adopted use of continually struck by truck traffic in and out of an
modern strategies and tactics applicable to today’s adjacent property. The next nearest hydrants were
fire scenarios. over 500 feet away, requiring relay pumping
through a single 2½-inch-diameter hose lay of 850
Current ISO requirements for an adequately feet and a second single hose lay of 1,750 feet of
equipped engine company reflect outdated 2½ connected to 100 feet of 3 inch. Even with
technology such as small-diameter supply lines pressure from the city hydrants boosted by placing
and marginal onboard water tanks. The fire flow an engine at the hydrant and pumping toward the
(water necessary) for combating today’s fires with engines at the scene, they could not overcome the
large quantities of hydrocarbon-based fire loading friction loss in the hose to deliver the necessary
is higher than ever and continues to grow each water. Friction loss in a hose or pipe is caused by
year. Hence, the trend away from 2½- and 3-inch- disruption of the laminar flow of water within it
diameter supply hose to large 5- and 6-inch- due to the interior surface texture. The larger the
diameter hose and movement from the ISO diameter of hose, the lower the ratio of disrupted
minimum 300-gallon water tank capacities toward flow to laminar flow with the result being more
those of 1,000 gallons and higher. water flowing through the same combined cross-
sectional area.
Flow rates through modern 1½- and 1-¾ inch hose
lines with adjustable nozzles can be as high as 125 For example, a single 5-inch-diameter supply line
and 175 gallons per minute respectively. With can flow 1,250 gallons per minute through 600
only 300 gallons of water onboard that equates to feet of hose using the hydrant pressure of 65 psi
less than 2½ minutes of water flow with only one and a residual pressure of 10 psi at the discharge
1½-inch-diameter hose operating. Even with a end. It takes six 2½-inch diameter hoses at the
1,000-gallon tank and a single 1¾-inch hose line same pressure and distance to flow 1,260 gallons
flowing up to 175 gallons per minute, the water per minute. (STICO)
supply would last less than 6 minutes. The
minimum size attack hose lines for many The total water available from the two initial
departments fighting commercial building fires is supply lines was less than 600 gallons per minute,
2½ inches in diameter because it is capable of even boosting them to dangerously high pressures
flowing as much as 275 gallons per minute. Flow in an attempt to overcome the friction loss. As
rates such as these, even with larger tanks, provide many as nine hose lines had been extended from
barely enough time to get supply lines connected the two engines pumping at the scene with a
and water flowing from a hydrant to the apparatus calculated demand of nearly 968 gallons per
before the onboard water supply is exhausted. minute. Therefore, none of the hand lines used
Beginning an aggressive offensive fire attack during the initial attack performed at their optimal
inside a building using only tank water is a very flows. The hydrants in the area were capable of
dangerous practice. providing the necessary water flow for those
attack lines used during the first 30 minutes of
Water supply was one of the major challenges in operations if proper supply lines would have been
this fire. Not only was there an immediate lack of established. Later in the operations, master
20
streams would be set up that caused the demand to building where there was space to set up the aerial
exceed the water main and hydrant capacity in the ladder.
area. Ladder operations were restricted along the sides
Fire flow for purposes of common firefighting is of the building due to the narrow paved drives on
calculated based on the total square footage each side that were within the standard collapse
involved divided by three. The showroom at over zone. Access to the rear of the showroom building
31,000 square feet and the warehouse at over was not possible due to trees and insufficient
15,000 square feet would have demands of 10,300 paved space. The rear of the warehouse area was
gallons and 5,000 gallons per minute respectively accessible only on the side that abutted the public
if in fact they were separate fire divisions. street, as the other sides were unpaved or had
Combined, due to lack of proper fire separation, adjacent exposures.
total fire flow in excess of 15,000 gallons per
minute could be needed to control the fire when The lack of conventional roof operations caused
fully involved in fire. the conditions inside the building to deteriorate
much faster than if normal vertical ventilation had
Exposures been possible. Without being able to release the
Exposures on the fire scene can be external, which products of combustion, they spread laterally at a
must be protected from ignition or radiant heat much faster rate, thus contributing to the risk of
damage, or they can be those that create problems flashover inside.
with normal fireground operations based on the
building’s own layout or construction. Part 2 of this article will address the fireground
operations and recommendations from the
Some exterior exposures to the fire building were investigation.
created by nearby properties, namely, some
residential properties and a garage building close Frank J. Baker, CSP, CFPS, ALCM is Chair of the Fire
Protection Branch of the Engineering Practice Specialty. He is
to the warehouse. Once it was determined that the the Field Services Manager for Employers Security Insurance
fire in the warehouse was moving faster than in Indianapolis, IN.
could be overcome, the crews on that assignment He currently consults with insured departments and serves as a
went to a defensive strategy to protect the adjacent volunteer consultant in firefighter health and safety issues for
the Pike Township Fire Department (Indianapolis).
residential exposures.
As a speaker at ASSE’s Professional Development
In this case, the most critical factor was that the Conferences, he has presented on the subject of fireground
building created its own exposures. This was strategies and tactics.
caused by lack of proper fire separations and Baker holds a bachelor of science degree in safety from Illinois
opening protection that permitted the fire to State University. He is certified as a Master Firefighter in
extend from its area of origin by communicating Prevention and Investigations, Fire Officer Strategies and
Tactics, Incident Safety Officer and Fire Officer 1 by the state
through unprotected openings or directly through
of Indiana.
the metal siding into three adjacent areas.
Other problems with the building construction
that prevented traditional roof ventilation
operations were the lack of “natural” openings in
the roof and the design of the front parapet wall
behind the entrance facade. The height of the front
parapet wall prevented normal ladder operations
from being conducted via the front side of the
21
We have 3-4 people on the first shift, 2-3 on the
second shift and 1-2 on the third shift. They have
Victory for Automatic Sprinkler all come together to voice their concerns
regarding an additional exit discharge in case of a
Initiative in SC fire (at the bottom of the stairs). The upstairs QA
building has two exit doors but only one exit
The South Carolina legislature sent a bill to discharge. However, there is one other exit door
Governor Mark Sanford in June 2008 that would inside the QA building that leads to the roof, but it
provide a local property tax credit to those is only used by maintenance (unlocked). The QA
building owners who voluntarily installed an building is off to the side of our security building
automatic sprinkler system. The credit would be and near the main parking lot. So if they did use
equal to 25% of the cost of the system for those the maintenance exit to get to the roof, then they
property owners if current codes did not already could “yell for help.” Security as well as the fire
require one to be installed. In a move that brought department would be able to see and hear them.
about public outcry in the wake of incidents Well, this did not sit too well with them. They still
involving nine Charleston firefighters killed in an insisted on an escape ladder to throw over the
unsprinklered commercial building, six patrons outside “railing” and climb down (24-36 ft). I
killed in an upstate hotel fire and seven South informed them that using something like this
Carolina college students killed in a fire in the last could be a greater risk because the railing may not
year at a North Carolina beach house, the be able to support the weight. But they said they
governor vetoed the legislation. The bill would would “rather jump” off the side than climb up the
have also provided a matching income tax credit maintenance ladder to the roof. Has anyone ever
from the state if the local governments approved encounter something like this?
funding the property tax credit and tap fees for the
systems would be capped at actual costs. Is there an OSHA, NFPA or ANSI standard on
using emergency escape ladders in a business or
The South Carolina House of Representatives manufacture?
voted 109-0 in favor to override the veto. The
Senate joined in by applying its membership roll Answer
to a vote without any debate. Your question is complex and must consider
many factors, the least of which is the Local
(Sources: SCSenateGOP.com, NFSA.org &
FirefighterCloseCalls.com) Authority Having Jurisdiction (LAHJ). The LAHJ
has the final approval in all cases. This response is
based on NFPA 101, Life Safety Code (2000 ed.
Ask an Expert
as recognized by OSHA), which may or may not
be adopted directly, in full or in part by your state,
Question
county or municipality.
I have a question regarding the use of escape
ladders in an event of an emergency. One of my
First, according to OSHA Subpart E:
facilities has a small upstairs quality assurance
1910.36(a)(1), an exit route must be permanent.
(QA) building that is off to the side of the main
Each exit route must be a permanent part of the
building. This building is attached to the main
workplace. Therefore, a temporary rope ladder
building by a concrete walkway, which leads to a
would not be permitted under any circumstance.
set of double doors that exits out to the main
parking lot.
Based on research of NFPA 101, your occupancy
appears to be classified as an industrial occupancy
22
(Chapter 40). However, the hazard classification permitted from any story or section, provided that
is not clear, and I cannot determine if the structure the exit can be reached within the distance
is protected by an approved automatic sprinkler permitted as common path of travel. (See
system. 40.2.5.3.)
In Chapter 40, emergency escape ladders NFPA 101, Chapter 40.2.5.3
(permanently affixed to the structure) are Common paths of travel in general industrial and
permitted under certain situations. Based on my special purpose industrial occupancies shall not
interpretation of your scenario (upstairs QA exceed 50 ft (15 m).
building), use of the space served does not qualify
for one of the exceptions where a fire escape Exception: In buildings protected throughout by
ladder is permitted. an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with Section 9.7, common
However, depending on the hazard classification, path of travel shall not exceed 100 ft (30 m).
a single means of egress may be permitted,
provided it can be reached within 50 feet 40.2.5.4
(common path of travel). This is only permitted in Common paths of travel shall be prohibited in
low- and ordinary-hazard industrial occupancies. high-hazard industrial occupancies.
NFPA 101, Chapter 40.2.4 Number of Means of Exception: As permitted by 7.11.3.
Egress. Although an exception may be permitted under
(See also Section 7.4) the code (provided all requirements and
40.2.4.1 specifications have been met, and it is approved
Not less than two means of egress shall be by the LAHJ), a suitable secondary means of
provided from every story or section, and not less egress is always recommended in Life Safety
than one exit shall be reached without traversing situations. The Americans with Disabilities Act
another story. requirements may override any fire or life safety
code requirements related to evacuation of
Exception: In low- and ordinary-hazard industrial persons with physical limitations.
occupancies, a single means of egress shall be
23
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