To Wally and To Gloria

2001 by CRC Press LLC

Contents
Introduction
1. FIRE SPRINKLERS: THEIR HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
Citations
Endnotes
2. OVERVIEW OF A BASIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM DESIGN (GETTING STARTED)
Plans and Specications
Starting the Work on Your Plan
Citations
Endnotes
3. BASIC DESIGN OVERVIEW (PART 2)
Citations
Endnotes
4. FURTHER SPECIFICS OF DESIGN BASICS
Dimensioning Pipe Lengths
Considerations for Ofce Areas
Take-Outs
Noted Dimensions
The System Header
At the End of the Job
Citations
Endnotes
5. ADDITIONAL ENGINEERING RESPONSIBILITIES
Locate Sprinklers in an Open Space
Some Other Red Flags
The Consulting Engineers Onus
Hazard Evaluation
On-the-Job Responsibilities
Critical Design Considerations
Communicate!
2001 by CRC Press LLC
Always Be on the Alert
Citations
Endnotes
6. FINISHING THE PLAN.
Endnotes
7. STOCKLISTING
Endnotes
8. AREAS SUBJECT TO FREEZING
Auxiliary Dry Systems
Anti-Freeze Systems
Factors to Consider
Sprinkler System Conversions
Engineering Design Options
Citations
Endnotes
9. PIPE HANGING
Endnote
10. SYSTEM CODE REQUIREMENTS
Customizing Your Work to the Job at Hand
Code Specics
Making Use of NFPA Pamphlet #13
Study Questions
Citation
Endnotes
11. BASICS OF HYDRAULIC CALCULATION
The Project Example
Primary Calculation Considerations
Cross-Main Calculation Procedures
Completing the Hydraulic Calculation
Proving System Adequacy
Some Finer Points
System Variations
Citations
Endnotes
12. PREPARATION FOR THE NICET EXAMINATION
Study Questions
Citations
Endnotes
13. PIPING METHODS AND DETAILS
Endnotes
14. OPTIONS FOR HYDRAULIC DESIGN.
The Grid Calculation
The Loop Calculation
2001 by CRC Press LLC
To Bear in Mind
Citations
Endnotes
15. HIGH-PILED STORAGE
Commodity Classication
Commodity Piling Height
Code Application
Another Application Example
Sprinkler Options
Study Questions
Citations
Endnotes
16. TECHNIQUES FOR RETROFIT WORK
Measure and Quantify the Existing Building in Three Dimensions
Prepare the Design and Layout by Survey
Make a Comprehensive Effort
Recent Examples of Retrot Design Work
Citations
Endnotes
17. THE ROLE OF FIRE PUMPS AND THEIR USAGE .
The Horizontal Electric Fire Pump
Vertical Turbine Pumps
In-Line and End-Section Pumps
Diesel-Drive Pumps
Pump Selection
Energy for Start-Up and Operation
The Codes
Code Interpretations
Field Engineering Concerns
Size and Safety
Citations
18. BASICS OF FIRE PUMP LAYOUT
Proper Proximity of the Pump
What the Code Dictates
Fire Alarm Control Panels
Fire Pump Performance Curves
Sizing the Fire Pump
Detailing the Pump Plan
Installation Considerations
Fire Pump Testing Apparatus
Endnotes
19. RESIDENTIAL FIRE SPRINKLER DESIGN
Project Design Considerations
NFPA Pamphlet #13-R Requirements
Laying Out the System Piping
Residential Sprinkler Plan Preparation
The Intent and Signicance of Pamphlet #13-R
Study Questions
2001 by CRC Press LLC
Citations
Additional Referenced Material
Endnotes
20. PROJECT ESTIMATING
Endnotes
21. ECONOMIES OF THE DESIGN FUNCTION
Citations
Endnotes
Appendix A: Fire Sprinkler Application Review
Appendix B: In-House Engineer Training
Appendix C: Protecting Computer Rooms
Appendix D: Figures and Photos
Appendix E: Friction Loss Tables for Thinwall
Cross-mains Black Schedule 10 Steel
Pipe C = 120 Friction LossPSI per lineal foot of pipe
Answer Key
Glossary
2001 by CRC Press LLC
Introduction
B
E it on the job or in the classroom, this text is directed
towards the individual beginning vocational training in
the engineering discipline of automatic re sprinkler system
design. National building and re codes are revised and up-
dated almost annually. By comparison, there has been very
little published to aid sprinkler systemdesigners, particularly
in the area of design basics. This book was written largely
because I could not nd one that comprehensively dealt with
this subject matter.
Although designed as a text, this books target audience is
not limited to students. Its purpose is to see that the informa-
tion discussed can be applied by those already employed as
consulting engineers and architects as well as those engineers
specializing in related areas of re protection engineering. It
is also directed towards the needs of insurance underwriters,
re protection researchers, building inspectors, and munici-
pal ofcials. If ongoing education is pivotal to the focus of
the attitude of the professional, then exposure to works such
as this will provide a solid benet to his or her abilities as a
competent engineer.
This text will not only outline the role of the re sprin-
kler designer, but will shed light on the broad expanse of
responsibilities this role encompasses. As many re protec-
tion publications do a thorough job of keeping profession-
als abreast of changing code requirements, the goal of this
work is to furnish an overview of the basics necessary to ini-
tiate sprinkler system design and layout. Apart from some
re sprinkler associations, the burden of engineering train-
ing today has fallen on independent sprinkler contractors,
most of whom are much too small and without the nan-
cial resources to pay someone to devote a signicant por-
tion of his time to teach new engineers. Hopefully, this text
will serve to more efciently put this training process in
motion.
It typically takes two or more years of on-the-job training
for a sprinkler designer to feel condent and comfortable in
his responsibilities. This book is organized with the intention
of speeding that process.
The chapter sequences allow for new knowledge to be ac-
quired at a gradual pace. The beginning chapters of the book
take the reader through all of the steps involved with the de-
sign engineering process using an easy, basic example build-
ing. This has been authored to familiarize the reader with the
entire process, and to provide a broad foundation on which
to build a deeper understanding of the basics of the re pro-
tection engineering.
This book is formatted for a semester-length curriculum.
The contents are structured for easy learning, and as a guide
in acquiring a foundation of knowledge that will accentuate
the subsequent understanding of various detailed re codes
and pamphlets. It also serves as a preparation for the NICET
examination, and a vocational reference tool.
The 175+ study questions are included for two reasons.
Since they are open-book questions, they introduce the
reader to the unending activity of referencing codes to locate
the answers to questions of application. Second, as the ques-
tions are prepared in the same fashion as those encountered
in many NICET examinations, they will aid in preparation
for this test.
The creations of a mechanical engineer involve motion, or
specically: by customizing a systemin such a way to convert
energy into a useful mechanical form. If designing a sprin-
kler system were as simple as that statement makes it sound,
then of course the existence of this text would be completely
unnecessary. There is a lot to learn about the regimen of re
sprinkler system design. Not that any of that information is
very hard to learn, there simply is a lot of it to digest.
One of the reasons for the many different re sprinkler
rules and regulations is that some things are more apt to
spread re more quickly than others. When these are known
stored products, the occupancy (or classication) of the build-
ing changes, necessitating a separate set of requirements.
2001 by CRC Press LLC
Another way to look at this relates to the objects used to
build the building itself. Larger or thicker objects will take
longer to burn or to breach by burning, and are therefore
more re resistive, because mass is directly related to re
resistance. However, building code requirements that call for
parapet walls, non-combustible building materials, or addi-
tional re separation walls, are not a complete solution or
remedy from the danger and destruction of re. Rather, these
are viewed more as passive protection, while automatic re
suppression systems are viewed as active protection; and
this protection must be compatible with the potential lurking
danger.
Just as the invention of the ox-drawn plow marked the
beginning of agricultural civilization, the development of
the re sprinkler system in conjunction with the inven-
tion of the fusible sprinkler nozzle marked the beginning
of set-in-place re suppression security. The automatic re
sprinkler systemis the conduit that connects the water supply
to the place of re origin.
As the nature of the demand for engineering of diverse
functional mechanisms becomes more specialized over time,
it appears that the future of re protection engineering will
also become more fractioned. This is all the more reason for
cross-training within the professional engineering subelds.
While each individual in the eld of engineering has a role to
play, it is paramount that all the players be in sync with regard
to re safety. Whatever part your endeavors play in the overall
picture, I hope youdoinvest the time toreadandassimilate the
information contained herein. To avoid lengthy interruptions
within the text, all gures and photographs have been placed
at the end of the book. Your interest in re protection and life
safety is appreciated.
2001 by CRC Press LLC