- Author
- Underwriters Laboratories, Incorporated
- Title
- Fire Performance Evaluation of Nominal K=5.6 Ceiling Sprinklers For Protecting 8-Ft. High Storage of Paper Files in Compact Mobile Shelving Under a 10-Ft. Ceiling. Technical Report.
- Coporate
- Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., Northbrook, IL
- Sponsor
- Fire Protection Research Foundation, MA
- Report
- Technical Report; Project 07CA64050; NC5756, 2008, 64 p.
- Keywords
- sprinklers | ceilings | sprinkler systems | storge | fire protection | paper | test methods | large scale fire tests | quick response sprinklers | heat relese rate | temperature | water flow | water supply | fire spread | damage | instruments | scenarios | test facilities | fire data
- Identifiers
- bench-scale testing; ceiling-sprinkler systems (large-scale tests only); large-scale instrumentation; graphical presentation; sprinkler water supply parameters; bench-scale test parameters; compact mobile shelving arrangement; paper in manila forlders
- Abstract
- A series of five (5) bench-scale and two (2) large-scale fire tests was conducted to develop data regarding the level of protection provided by nominal K-5.6 (gpm/psi ½) pendent, quick response ceiling sprinklers in protecting an arrangement of paper in standard manila paperboard folders stored in moveable compact mobile shelving units to a nominal height of 8- ft. Bench-scale testing consisted of a single 36-in x 24-in x 9.75-in sheet metal shelf loaded with varying densities of commodity. A total of five bench-scale fire tests were conducted on a load cell beneath a calorimeter where total heat release rate was measured over the course of each test. Based on the results of these bench-scale tests, the project consulting engineers determined that a 70% loading density by volume would be used as the basis for both large-scale fire tests. The tests were conducted under a 10-ft high ceiling with 155°F pendent ceiling sprinklers installed on 15 by 15-ft. spacing with the deflectors positioned 8- in. below the ceiling. The first large-scale test was conducted with the moveable compact mobile shelving units in the open position, including a 3- ft. center aisle. The second large-scale test was conducted with the moveable compact mobile shelving units in the closed position, and included full-height longitudinal sheet metal barriers in two of the four 24- in deep moveable shelving units. For both large-scale tests, the ceiling sprinkler system was supplied with water resulting in a nominal sprinkler discharge density of 0.10 gpm/ft2. The ignition location for each of the two tests was located between four sprinklers.