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MECHANICAL CONTRACTING


floor level. For example, an office space would typically be protected by a sprinkler system designed to deliver 0.10 gpm/sq.ft. This doesn’t sound like much water, but that conclusion is usually a result of never witnessing an actual sprinkler system discharge. Fire protection professionals should not only know what NFPA 13 requires for various hazards but they should also have a “feel” for the numbers if they are to truly understand how these systems can/will perform. Participating in an actual sprinkler


Table 1: Inherent safety factors due to number of sprinklers operating


discharge demonstration or experiment is best to truly understand these designs, but short of that consider the following scenario: An Ordinary Hazard, Group 2 sprinkler system in a room that measures 10 feet wide x 10 feet long x 8 feet high operates and delivers 0.20 gpm/sq.ft. over the entire room’s floor area. Assume the room is watertight. After 10 minutes


of discharge, the room would contain 200 gallons of water. That would be 3.2 inches deep across the entire room and weigh 1,670 pounds. Such a feel for the density gives


the fire protection professional a better understanding of the sprinkler system’s power, which is important when solving unusual problems or justifying a performance-based design.


Conclusion The above examines five random


topics concerning fire sprinklers


system hydraulics. These and other issues must be well understood by fire protection professionals as part of designing a system that will not only comply with the requirements of NFPA 13 but also will provide the protection intended by the design professional. ;


Thomas W. Gardner, P.E., FSFPE, LEED AP, Alex Munguia, P.E. and April M. Musser, P.E. are from The Protection Engineering Group Inc. For more information, visit www.pegroup-inc.com.


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