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Inside this issue:

Sprinklerman

Spreads the Word


Non-Uniform Hydraulic Calculation Areas: Part 1
Sidewall Sprinklers, Balconies and the IBC
Sprinkler Requirements for Special Uses
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THE N252 EC
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Building Height: 30 Storage Height: 25 Coverage: up to 196 sq ft (14 x14)
K-14.0
ESFR
K-16.8
ESFR
K-25.2 ESFR
K-16.8
CMDA
Ultra
K-17
N252 EC
100 sq. ft. 100 sq. ft. 100 sq. ft. 100 sq. ft. 100 sq. ft. 196 sq. ft.
50 psi 35 psi
15 psi-UL
20 psi-FM
22.7 psi
(.80)
22 psi 30 psi
12 sprs 12 sprs 12 sprs 2000 sq. ft.
15 sprs
(1500 sq. ft)
7 sprs
(min. of 1200 sq. ft.)
1200+ gpm 1200+ gpm
1200+ gpm-UL
1352+ gpm-FM
1600+ gpm 1200+ gpm
Sys. demand
966+ gpm
250 gpm HS 250 gpm HS 250 gpm HS 500 gpm HS 500 gpm HS 250 gpm HS
K-14.0 ESFR K-16.8 ESFR K-25.2 ESFR
N252 EC
100 sq. ft. 100 sq. ft. 100 sq. ft. 144 sq. ft.
75 psi 52 psi
20 psi-UL
30 psi-FM
40 psi
12 sprs 12 sprs 12 sprs
9 sprs
(min. of 1200 sq. ft.)
1455+ gpm 1452+ gpm
1352+ gpm-UL
1656+ gpm-FM
Sys. demand
1435+ gpm
250 gpm HS 250 gpm HS 250 gpm HS 250 gpm HS
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ATTENTION
ATTENTION
Building Height: 35 Storage Height: 30 Coverage: up to 144 sq ft (12 x12)
SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 3
EDITOR
DAVID J. VANDEYAR
ADVERTISING COORDINATOR
JOANNE GENADIO
DESIGNER
JOHN L. SULLIVAN/SULLIVANDesign
SQ (ISSN 1050-4958) (USPS 524-010) is published six times
a year (February - April - June - August - October -
December) by the National Fire Sprinkler Association, Inc.,
40 Jon Barrett Road, Patterson, NY 12563.
Telephone: (845) 878-4200. Subscription free to all NFSA
members and member companies.
2008, NFSA, Inc.
Second-Class postage paid at Mahopac, NY.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:
NFSA, 40 Jon Barrett Road, Patterson, NY 12563
on the cover...
Sprinklerman greets his biggest little fan at the Rock Cats game
in New Britain, Connecticut, Kianna Ego, 2, of Griswold, Connecticut.
See story, page 39.
November/December, 2008 no. 151
I N THI S I SSUE
F E AT URE S :
I saw a sign that said Never let the truth stand in the way of a good story 17
by Don Pamplin
Non-Uniform Hydraulic Calculation Areas: Part 1 35
by Victoria B. Valentine, P.E.
Sprinklerman

Spreads the Word 39


by Joanne Genadio
DE PART ME NTS :
From the Presidents Desk by John A.Viniello 5
Insurance Program - Fire Sprinkler Industry
Calendar 6
NFSA Regional Chart 7
From the Boardroom by Gregg Huennekens 9
What Fire Sprinklers Cant Fix
Contractors Cue 11
Education by Bob Treiber 21
Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire
Protection Systems NFPA 25
Technically Speaking by Kenneth E. Isman, P.E. 23
Sidewall Sprinklers, Balconies and the IBC
New Members 30
Membership 31
A Memorable Trip
Code Corner by Jeff Hugo 33
Sprinkler Requirements for Special Uses
HQ News 41
People 43
Regional Roundup 44
Sprinkling of News 48
Letters 50
J OURNAL OF THE NATIONAL FI RE SPRI NKLER ASSOCI ATION
ADVE RT I S E RS
AccuRate 15
AFCON 26, 27
AGF Manufacturing 36
Ansul 20
Anvil 22
ARGCO 45
Ark Asset Management 30
Bavco 24
Clarke Fire Protection 46
Conbraco 12
DecoShield Systems, Inc. 19
Ferguson Fire & Fabrication 14
Fire Protection Products, Inc. 29
Flexhead Industries 8
General Air Products, Inc. 4
Globe Fire Sprinkler, Corp. 6
Grice 48
HRS Systems 18
Lubrizol 38
Mellon 42
Metraflex 25, 44
Nibco 16
Potter Electric Signal BC
Potter Roemer 43
Reliable IFC
System Sensor 13
Tyco IBC
Viking Corporation 10
Wilkins 49
SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 5
J O H N A . V I N I E L L O
Insurance Program
Fire Sprinkler Industry
FROM THE PRESIDENTS DESK FROM THE PRESIDENTS DESK
An old idea whose time has come.
In the previous issue of SQ, excerpts of my State of the Industry
Address focused on the need for our Association and industry to
skate to where the puck is going to be. I also spent a good
portion of my address emphasizing the need for every single fire
sprinkler contractor in our industry to embrace our Best Practices
initiative. Too often ideas are suggested and there is very little
follow-through. We need, as an industry, to look at where our
projects, programs and new initiatives will be taking us not today
or tomorrow, but two, three, four years down the road.
Sprinkler Contractor Insurance
In the past couple of years, it has been relatively easy for a fire
sprinkler contractor to obtain his general liability insurance that
would include completed operations and umbrella coverage.
Although insurance markets are relatively soft, I can tell you that
we will begin to see in the next 12 to 24 months a market that will
begin to tighten up and will make it much more difficult for a
contractor to obtain needed coverages. Pricing will hedge up, and
certain lines of business will not be available. Since we know that
an underwriting department of any insurance carrier will need five
years of hard cover loss runs to rate a risk and will need it three
to six months in advance of any expiration date; I am suggesting
that NFSA form a Captive Insurance Company. I would ask you
to take a few moments to answer the following questions and
email, along with any comments, to insurance@nfsa.org.
Would you be interested in learning more about an Insurance
Captive for the sprinkler industry?
Yes? No ?
Would you be willing to submit to an independent third party the
last five years of hard cover loss runs for your company?
Yes? No ?
One of the obstacles that a contractor may face who would like
to participate in another way of doing their insurance business
is with their independent agent. The agent may resist providing
loss run data, even if it is only to be sent to an independent third
party. If we are to control our own destiny, we need to examine
every alternative available to us. It is getting more difficult to do
business each day, material costs are rising, and we need to prepare
for a hardening of the insurance market by not waiting until it
happens, but by doing something about it today. Lets control our
own destiny. Lets not leave it to the insurance industry to determine
coverages and costs. Programs can be tailored to meet the needs
of each company. In fact, those companies that embrace the North
American initiative of Best Practices could obtain a preferential
credit provided loss experience by line of coverage was favorable.
We need a hundred contracting companies to participate in order
to develop meaningful loss information. Unless we get a favorable
response to our two question survey, we will not pursue this
worthwhile initiative.
John A. Viniello
PRESIDENT,
NATIONAL FIRE SPRINKLER ASSOCIATION
SEMI NAR LOCATI ON 2008 DATE
Two-week Technician Training Houston, TX Nov 10-21
Pumps for Fire Protection Raytown, MO Nov 12
Inspection, Testing & Maintenance Raytown, MO Nov 13
Plan Review Policies & Procedures Raytown, MO Nov 14
Aerosols NFPA 30B ONLINE Nov 18
Contract Language ONLINE Nov 20
NFPA 3, Commissioning ONLINE Dec 2
Introduction to Sprinkler Systems (1/2 day) Concord, CA Dec 15
Commissioning, Acceptance & Testing
of Sprinkler Systems (1/2 day) Concord, CA Dec 15
Basic Seismic Protection for
Sprinkler Systems (1/2 day) Concord, CA Dec 16
Underground Piping for Fire Protection
Systems (1/2 day) Concord, CA Dec 16
Sprinkler Systems and HVAC Equipment ONLINE Dec 16
Plan Review Procedures and Policies Concord, CA Dec 17
Smart Hiring in the Construction Industry ONLINE Dec 18
CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS:
Professional Development (for information call (845) 878-4200 ext. 131)
Project Management for the Sprinkler Contractor
Foreman and Construction Supervisor Training
Academy & On-Line (for information call (845) 878-4200 ext. 133)
6 SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008
E V E N T S O F I N T E R E S T T O N F S A M E M B E R S
C A L E N D A R
NATIONAL FIRE SPRINKLER
ASSOCIATION, INC.
PRESIDENT JOHN A. VINIELLO
SECRETARY RUSSELL P. FLEMING, P.E.
TREASURER KEVIN T. FEE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
GREGG HUENNEKENS,Chairman
United States Fire Protection, Illinois, Inc.
DENNIS C. COLEMAN, Vice-Chairman
Engineered Fire Protection
RICHARD A. ACKLEY
Dalmatian Fire, Inc.
JIM ALTZNER
SimplexGrinnell
JEFFREY BENNETT
The McKinstry Company
ED DAVIS
Morristown Automatic Sprinkler Company
DON DELUCA
SRI Fire Sprinkler Corporation
KEVIN T. FEE
Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Company
WAYNE H. GEY
Wayne Automatic Fire Sprinklers, Inc.
FRED KROLL
Alliance Fire Protection, Inc.
CHUCK KITTS
System Sensor
TODD LITTLE
RCI Systems, Inc.
KENT MEZAROS
Quick Response Fire Protection
KEVIN ORTYL
Viking Group
GENE POSTMA
Western States Fire Protection Company
RICHARD RAY
Cybor Fire Protection Company
COLLEEN REPPLIER
Grinnell Corporation
CARMINE SCHIAVONE
Central Sprinkler Corporation
JIM SMYRL
Star Sprinkler Corporation
MARK D. TATE
Northstar Fire Protection of Texas
JACK THACKER
Allan Automatic Sprinkler Corporation
LAWRENCE THAU
Victaulic Company
JOHN A. VINIELLO
NFSA
ROBERT WORTHINGTON
Globe Fire Sprinkler Corporation
STAFF
PRESIDENT
JOHN A. VINIELLO
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
RUSSELL P. FLEMING, P.E.
VICE PRESIDENT OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
& DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
AL GETTLER
VICE PRESIDENT OF ENGINEERING
KENNETH E. ISMAN, P.E.
ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT OF
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS & GENERAL COUNSEL
JAMES F. LYNCH
FINANCIAL CONTROLLER
JEANNE M. KOZLOWSKI
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
DAVID J. VANDEYAR
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC FIRE PROTECTION
JAMES F. DALTON
DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL OPERATIONS
BUDDY DEWAR
DIRECTOR OF TRAINING & EDUCATION
BOB TREIBER
DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL SERVICES
CECIL BILBO
DIRECTOR OF INTERNET SERVICES
JAMES MURPHY
DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP
KARYN HUDGENS
DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT STANDARDS
VICTORIA B. VALENTINE, P.E.
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, PUBLIC FIRE PROTECTION
VICKIE PRITCHETT
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, PUBLIC FIRE PROTECTION
SHANE RAY
NATIONAL TRAINING MANAGER
JOHN B. CORSO
MANAGER OF CODES
JEFF HUGO
COMMUNICATIONS & EVENTS MANAGER
DEBORAH SOMERS
REGIONAL MANAGERS
DAVID BOWMAN
CHRIS GAUT
DAN GENGLER
DOMINICK KASMAUSKAS
BOB KLEINHEINZ
BRUCE LECAIR
RAY LONABAUGH
DON PAMPLIN
TERRY PHILLIPS
STEVE RANDALL
DOYLE SUTTON
WAYNE WAGGONER
OFFICE PERSONNEL
DAWN FITZMAURICE
JOANNE GENADIO
MOIRA RAVEL
GAIL MORGANTE-REPKO
MICHAEL REPKO
DIANA ROMANO
NICOLE SPRAGUE
LINDA VERMILYEA
BOOKKEEPING
LINDA DALY
I IM MP PO OR RT TA AN NT T S SA AF FE ET TY Y R RE EC CA AL LL L
Model J Dry Style Fire Sprinklers
Manufactured by Globe Fire Sprinkler Corporation
The sprinklers may not operate in a fire, creating a risk of death or serious injury.
AFFECTED SPRINKLERS
Globe Model J dry style fire sprinklers
Manufactured between 1990 & 1999
Pendent, upright, and sidewall sprinklers

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:
GLOBE, J, and year (1990 - 1999)
embossed on flat surfaces of the frame
Installed in nursing homes, hospitals, long-
term care facilities, offices, supermarkets,
apartment buildings, and other buildings
WHAT TO DO:
Check areas where dry sprinklers might be
installed (unheated attics, porches, freezers
and coolers, parking garages, warehouses)
Until you obtain replacement sprinklers,
have working smoke detectors and
adequate escape plans
To learn how to receive replacement sprinkler heads at a
substantially reduced cost:
(1) Call 1-800-248-0278 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. EST,
(2) Visit Globes web site at www.globesprinkler.com and click on the Recall link,
or (3) Contact Globe by mail at 4077 Airpark Drive, Standish, MI 48658.
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Area States Regional Manager Area Director
Northeast New York, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts,
New Hampshire,
Rhode Island, Vermont
Dominick G. Kasmauskas, NFSA
1436 Altamont Ave. Suite 147
Rotterdam, NY 12303
914 414-3337 FAX (518) 836-0210
Donald A. DeLuca
SRI Fire Sprinkler Corporation
1060 Central Avenue
Albany, New York 12205
(518) 459-2776 FAX (518) 459-0068
Mid Atlantic Delaware, Maryland,
New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Virginia,
Washington, D.C.
Raymond W. Lonabaugh, NFSA
P.O. Box 126
Ridley Park, Pennsylvania 19078
(610) 521-4768 FAX (610) 521-2030
Kent Mezaros
Quick Response Fire Protection
77 Pension Road, Suite 5
Manalapan, New Jersey 07726
(732) 786-9440 FAX (732) 786-9443
Southeast Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi,
North Carolina, South Carolina
Wayne Waggoner, NFSA
8033 Canter Lane
Powell, Tennessee 37849
(865) 947-3393 FAX (865)947-5188
Ed Davis
Morristown Automatic Sprinkler Company, Inc.
1310 Karnes Avenue
Knoxville, Tennessee 37917
(865) 689-4480 FAX (865) 687-8622
Tennessee Tennessee
Florida Florida, Puerto Rico Dave Bowman, NFSA
Florida Fire Sprinkler Association
6572 SE 173rd. Court
Ocklawaha, Florida 32179
Phone: 845-519-7648 Fax: 661-455-3968
Wayne H. Gey
Wayne Automatic Fire Sprinklers, Inc.
222 Capital Court
Ocoee, Florida 34761
(407) 656-3030 FAX (407) 656-8026
Great Lakes Indiana, Michigan, Ohio,
West Virginia, Kentucky
Dave Bowman, NFSA
6572 SE 173rd. Court
Ocklawaha, Florida 32179
Phone: 845-519-7648 Fax: 661-455-3968
Richard A. Ackley
Dalmatian Fire, Inc.
P.O. Box 78068
Indianapolis, Indiana 46278
(317) 299-3889 FAX (317) 299-4078
Illinois Illinois Bob Kleinheinz, NFSA
509 Dawes Street
Libertyville, Illinois 60048
(914) 671-1945
Gregg Huennekens
United States Fire Protection, Illinois, Inc.
28427 North Ballard Unit H
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045
(847) 247-4755 FAX (847) 816-0098
Richard Ray Alternate
Cybor Fire Protection Company
5123 Thatcher Road
Downers Grove, Illinois 60515
(630) 810-1161 FAX (630) 810-0685
North Central Minnesota, Wisconsin Daniel J. Gengler, NFSA
P.O. Box 280
Williams Bay, Wisconsin 53191
(262) 245-5255 FAX (262) 245-5258
South Central Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas Steven E. Randall, NFSA
7165 Lazy Meadow Lane
Frisco, Texas 75034
(214) 206-6163 FAX (972) 668-4077
Mark D. Tate
Northstar Fire Protection of Texas
4616 West Howard Lane 2 #700
Austin, Texas 78728
(800) 394-0051 FAX (512) 833-7862
Central Iowa, Kansas, Missouri Chris Gaut, NFSA
189 Eureka Town Center Dr. Suite 135
Eureka, Missouri 60325
(845) 803-6426 FAX (636) 410-7700
Dennis C. Coleman
Engineered Fire Protection, Inc.
1615 South Kings Highway
St. Louis, Missouri 63110
(314) 771-0033 FAX (314) 664-1619
Great Plains Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota,
South Dakota, Wyoming
Terry Phillips, NFSA
1829 Meadow Drive
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001
(914) 525-4396 FAX (307) 514-0406
Gene Postma
Western States Fire Protection Company
7020 South Tucson Way, Unit A
Centennial, Colorado 80112
(303) 792-0022 FAX (303) 790-3875
Southwest Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah Doyle Sutton, NFSA
P.O. Box 50845
Sparks, NV 89434
(845) 803-3785
Todd Little
RCI Systems, Inc.
252 South El Dorado Circle
Mesa, Arizona 85202
(602) 894-8711 FAX (602) 894-8740
West California, Hawaii Bruce Lecair, NFSA
25417 West Hyacinth Street
Corona, CA 92883
Tel: (951) 277-3517
Fax: (951) 277-3199
Cell: (951) 805-8992
Jack Thacker
Allan Automatic Sprinkler Corporation
3233 Enterprise St.
Brea, California 92821
(714) 993-9500 FAX (714) 993-5708
Pacic
Northwest
Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington Don Pamplin, NFSA
1436 Harrison Avenue
Blaine, Washington 98230
(360) 332-1948 FAX (360) 332-1962
Jeff Bennett
The McKinstry Company
5005 3rd Avenue South
Seattle, Washington 98134
(206) 762-3311 FAX (206) 763-5407
DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL OPERATIONS
Buddy Dewar, NFSA
200 West College Avenue
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
(850) 222-2070 FAX (850) 222-1752
DIRECTOR AT LARGE
Fred Kroll
Alliance Fire Protection, Inc.
998 Forest Edge Drive
Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061
Phone: (847) 573-1122 FAX: (847) 573-8243
SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 7
FlexHead commercial
fire sprinkler connections:
Whats your application?
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Perfect center-of-tile eliminating virtually all punch list items.
Highest quality available featuring all stainless steel construction.
Meets all code requirements including NFPA 13 and IBC.
Fast-Track construction with simplified project management.
Seismically qualified without the need for an over-sized ring.
Meets USGBC objectives for green building design & construction.
The best idea in sprinkler systems since water
800-829-6975 www.flexhead.com
U.S. and international patents pending: #6,123,154, #6,119,784, #6,752,218,
#7,032,680, #6,488,097.
Prescribed by leading hospitals
A smart choice for schools
Welcomed in the finest hotels
A bargain for retail buildings
I
know you are probably already wondering what it is in the
context of fire that fire sprinklers cant fix, and justifiably so,
especially since we all know wherever fire sprinklers are installed,
risk of catastrophic loss of life and property from fire is totally
eliminated. Yes, that is true. But indulge me just for a few minutes
and I promise to make a valid point.
Like many of you, I have been installing fire sprinkler systems
for a lot of years. Sometimes more than I care to admit. I have put
them in high-rise buildings, warehouses, offices, malls, hospitals
and, yes, lots of single-family homes. And every time I did I was
confident that there wouldnt be a single fire related casualty in any
of those buildings. It made me feel very good about the work we
as fire sprinkler contractors do. But thats enough about self-
gratification. The point Ill get to is about people; people helping
people.
It wasnt until recently, as I was traveling to give my support to
a number of fundraisers to benefit burn centers and burn victims,
when I realized there are some incidents of fire and circumstances
surrounding those events that fire sprinklers just cant fix. Sure,
they prevent fire from spreading to fatal proportions, protecting
both life and property, but I was thinking more about those instances
of fire that occur in places where it simply isnt practical to install
fire sprinklers. If you were to think about it for a minute youd
come up with many examples. People suffer burns all the time from
fires outside of the places where they live and work. Places that
may or may not be protected with fire sprinklers. As a tragic result
they suffer both physical and emotional scarring.
Most recently I attended the 13th Annual Illinois Burn Camp
Invitational, the 2nd Annual Michael Minger Memorial Tournament
in Tennessee, the 20th Annual Burn Center Golf Invitational in
Wisconsin and the 12th Burn Aid Golf Classic in Minnesota. All
are extraordinarily successful events whose supporters come from
all walks of life, not just fire protection. Proceeds from each event
go to benefit regional hospital burn centers, burn camps and provide
scholarships to burn victims. It is in a burn center where victims of
fire are treated for both their physical and psychological injuries.
And burn camps are pretty much like any other summer camp for
children, except their campers are, as the name would imply, survivors
of fire.
At one of these events I recall the story of one gentlemans struggle
to overcome a freak accident involving a gasoline can spill inside
his van. At another I remember hearing an incredible story about
a plane crash survivor, who just happened to be a small child. The
commonality; both suffered severe burns and struggled through
long and painful recoveries in a regional burn center; a facility
whose sole purpose is to provide unique life-saving medical services
to victims of fire in a caring, compassionate manner.
In making the point; fire sprinklers are the answer to nearly every
incident of fire in buildings, but as I have delineated above with
just two examples, of which there are many such heartrending
episodes, there are occasions of fire yielding tragic results outside
of a structure that fire sprinklers simply cant fix. And when those
incidents involve injury to people, thats where the burn center
comes in. They provide our citizenry with a vital, life-saving service.
And more than ever, all of us involved in the fire sprinkler industry,
as members of the greater fire protection community, owe a little
of our time, money and resources to their continued success.
It has been very rewarding to see large numbers of NFSA members
at these most worthwhile events. I would like to encourage everyone
who reads this article, if you havent participated in one of these
fundraisers; make the time. If you have, then you already share with
me the feeling you come away with by helping those with what fire
sprinklers cant fix and, like myself, will continue to do so.
SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 9
G R E G G H U E N N E K E N S
FROM THE BOARDROOM
What Fire Sprinklers
Cant Fix
Gregg Huennekens
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
NATIONAL FIRE SPRINKLER ASSOCIATION
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SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 11
Is a Landlord
Responsible for
Improvements Made
by a Tenant?
By Stuart Zisholtz
Over the last several months we have
been contacted by various contractors to
file mechanics liens on buildings where the
tenant has vacated or recently filed for
bankruptcy.
On each occasion, attempts were made
to hold the landlord responsible for the
improvements performed by the tenant even
though the landlord did not have contact
with anyone. Depending on the work
performed, we refused to accept the claim
and refused to file the lien.
The law is clear that a contractor, subcontractor
and/or a supplier has the right to file a
mechanics lien on real property where it
performed work or furnished materials.
Thereafter, it can foreclose its mechanics lien
to try and collect the outstanding sum due.
The question, however, is can you hold
a landlord responsible for improvements
done by a tenant where the landlord had
nothing at all to do with the improvements?
In order to hold a landlord responsible
where there is an intervening tenant, you
must prove that the landlord consented or
requested the work to be done. Consent is
vital to filing a mechanics lien. In order to
show consent, you must prove that the
landlord was actively involved in the project.
Mere acquiescence and benefit is not enough
to establish liability on the landlord.
The landlord may review plans, approve
the work, facilitate construction of the
premises, etc. The more involved the landlord
is in the project, the stronger your case is
against the landlord. It becomes a factual
issue as to the knowledge, consent and
authorization provided by the landlord for
the project.
In the long run, it is an uphill battle to
compel a landlord to pay for improvements
performed by a tenant where the landlord
never obligated itself, by contract or otherwise,
to pay for the work performed.
Recently, a decision was rendered in the
Supreme Court, New York County, where
a general contractor was foreclosing on a
mechanics lien seeking approximately
$2,500,000 against the landlord, In that
action, the tenant filed for bankruptcy and
vacated the premises. The only recourse the
general contractor had was to seek payment
from the landlord for the improvements.
The argument by the general contractor
was that the landlord was gaining certain
improvements to the premises and was being
unjustly enriched. The landlord, however,
argued that all of the responsibility for the
improvement lies with the tenant and even
though the tenant may be out of business,
no liability exists on behalf of the landlord.
The court found that there were issues of
fact as to the involvement of the landlord
and whether the landlord is responsible for
the improvements.
The key is that if you are performing work
for a tenant mere acquiescence by the landlord
will not result in liability against the landlord.
He must be actively involved in the project
in order to be held accountable.
Never let your lien time run out. For a
free copy of a pamphlet pertaining to
mechanics liens and payment bond claims,
please contact Stuart Zisholtz at Zisholtz
& Zisholtz, LLP, 170 Old Country Rd, Ste
300, Mineola, NY 11501.
The Best of EOD
We have selected the following questions
as the most recent Best Questions answered
by the engineering staff as part of the NFSAs
EOD member assistance program:
QUESTION 1
Sprinklers over Swimming Pools
When protecting a swimming pool in a
building such as a hotel (13 or 13R system),
is it necessary to protect the whole pool
area or just the deck area?
Answer: You have to protect the whole pool
area. Frequently, owners will purchase pool
covers to allow the space above the water
to be used for other purposes. For example,
there is a classic scene toward the beginning
of the movie Its a Wonderful Life where
a pool cover is placed over the pool and the
space is used for a dance. Even if a pool
cover is not used, the pool is sometimes
drained and used for a variety of purposes,
including storage.
Section 8.1.1(1) of NFPA 13 requires all
spaces in the building to be protected with
sprinklers. There is no exception for spaces
over pools. Sprinklers protecting swimming
pool areas should be corrosion resistant.
QUESTION 2
Unexplained Vibration
of Sprinkler Piping
I recently received a strange telephone call
regarding vibration of a single branch line
within a wet pipe system. An owner's
representative called me from his cell phone
and I could hear the pipe making noise in
the background. The building is about
15,000 sq ft in area but only one short
branch line is vibrating. There is no seismic
restraint. There is no obvious source, like
mechanical equipment or water hammer.
Have you heard of anything of this nature?
Any suggestions?
Answer: There are all kinds of vibrations
in buildings caused by wind, traffic, HVAC
systems, etc. There are also all kinds of
pressure surges that occur in the water inside
the piping. Any combination of these might
be responsible for the pipe vibrating, but
might not be obvious. Sometimes it is an
event some distance from the pipe that is
causing the vibration. Usually, the vibration
is noticeable because the length of the pipe
is such that it is able to establish a harmonic
vibration that tends to exaggerate the
amplitude of the original vibration. The
best way to solve the problem is to isolate
the event causing the original vibration.
This can be difficult and frustrating. Instead,
you can interrupt the harmonics by changing
the length of the branch line. Making the
branch line longer or shorter should dampen
the amplitude of the wave causing the branch
line to move. The vibration will still be there,
but it should not affect the branch line as
much. This does not really address the
vibration problem, but lessens the effects.
QUESTION 3
ESFR Sprinkler Calculations
When calculating ESFR systems with given
storage and building heights, do the minimum
discharge pressure numbers required for
specific K ESFR sprinklers assume that
they will be spaced at the maximum of 100
sq ft per sprinkler? If sprinklers are spaced
at less than 100 sq ft, can an adjusted
minimum discharge pressure be interpolated
CONTRACTORS CUE CONTRACTORS CUE
CONTI NUED ON PAGE 12
12 SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008
to insure that the discharge of say a K-25.2
covering 100 sq ft at 20 psi discharges the
same discharge density if it was only
covering 80 sq ft?
Example:
20 psi x 25.2 = 112.7 gpm /
100 sq ft per spr = 1.13 gpm/sq ft
1.13 gpm/sq ft x 80 sq ft per spr =
90.16 gpm ?(90.16 / 25.2)
2
= 12.8 psi
Can the minimum discharge of a K25.2
sprinkler be discharged at 12.8 psi if the
sprinklers are at a maximum of 80 sq ft per
sprinkler? (2007 NFPA 13, Table 16.3.3.1)
Answer: No, you cannot decrease the discharge
from the ESFR sprinkler if the spacing is
smaller. ESFR sprinklers are NOT designed
on a density concept. They are designed to
produce specific size water droplets with a
specific amount of momentum, which they
will not do if you dial back the pressure.
You must use the same pressure regardless
of whether the sprinklers are covering 64
sq ft or 110 sq ft.
QUESTION 4
Dry Pilot Sprinklers
Where in either NFPA 13 or NFPA 15 does
it specify the minimum pipe size for a dry
pilot line? It seems to me that
1
2-inch pipe
was the minimum. However, all I can find
in either NFPA 13 or 15 is a minimum pipe
size of 1-inch. Hopefully, it is not painfully
obvious.
Answer: There is no specific minimum size
for dry (or wet) pilot lines. Section 22.4.1.2
of NFPA 13, which specifies a minimum
size of 1 inch for steel pipe and
3
4 inch for
copper and plastic, does not apply to pilot
lines because pilot lines are not a part of
the sprinkler system piping. Instead, pilot
lines are a part of the detection system, and
there is no minimum pipe size for detection
systems in any of the NFPA standards. As
such, neither NFPA 72, NFPA 13, NFPA
15 nor NFPA 214 contains a minimum size
for pilot lines. If there were a minimum size
for a pilot line, it would be in Section 8.14.10
of NFPA 13, which covers the requirements
for pipe when used with sprinklers as pilot
line detectors.
One place where you can look for information
on a piece of fire protection equipment
similar to a pilot line is NFPA 20. The
sensing line that runs from the controller
to the fire protection system is required by
Section 5.29.3 and annex figure A.10.5.2.1(a)
of NFPA 20 to have a minimum pipe size
of
1
2 inch. Since the sensing line is essentially
a pilot line, this same size should work fine.
The size of the pilot line isnt really
important. What matters is that the sensor
at the end of the pilot line can detect the
drop in pressure that occurs when a sprinkler
along the pilot line opens. This drop in
pressure can be sensed through a very small
hole. In fact, the sensing lines for pumps
discussed above include a
3
32-inch hole in
two locations along the sensing lines, restricting
the sensing line to that very small dimension.
When the dimension is this small, the line
needs to be copper, brass or stainless steel
in order to eliminate the problem of pipe
scale plugging the hole. For something as
CONTRACTORS CUE CONTRACTORS CUE
CONTI NUED ON PAGE 15
CONTI NUED FROM PAGE 11
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large as
1
2-inch pipe, scale should not be a
problem. Since the water is not intended to
flow through the pilot line and out of the
sprinklers, there is no need to worry about
the minimum size of the pilot line.
QUESTION 5
Multi-story Design Area
I'm calculating a 3000 sq ft remote area on
a first floor in accordance with Section
11.2.3.1.4 (3) of NFPA 13, 2007 edition.
Some of the first floor area is open to the
floor above and is protected by those sprinklers.
Can I still add the floor space that opens to
the higher floor in my 3000 sq ft for the
lower floor? Or do I have to stretch my
remote area to meet the requirements of
11.2.3.1.4 (3)?
Answer: The 3000 sq ft needs to be calculated
separately on each floor. You cannot
simultaneously count some of the space on
the first floor and some of the space on the
second floor in order to achieve the 3000
sq ft unless the total area of the first floor
is less than 3000 sq ft. So, you need to
calculate 3000 sq ft on the first floor and
3000 sq ft on the second floor, and the water
supply needs to be capable of handling each
of these demands separately, not added
together.
One clarification that the committee made
recently has to do with the application of
the 3000 sq ft rule. It only applies to portions
of the sprinkler system adjacent to the
unsprinklered combustible concealed space.
If one of these floors is not adjacent to the
unsprinklered concealed space, then you
do not need to calculate the 3000 sq ft
minimum remote area on that floor.
QUESTION 6
Nonresidential Sprinklers in 13R
Dwelling Units
Please note NFPA 13Rs definition of a
dwelling unit:
3.3.4 Dwelling Unit. One or more rooms,
arranged for the use of one or more individuals
living together, as in a single housekeeping
unit, that normally have cooking, living,
sanitary, and sleeping facilities.
With this in mind, NFPA 13R permits the
use of QR sprinklers as long as the following
is true:
6.7.7.1.3 Listed quick-response sprinklers
shall be permitted to be installed in dwelling
units meeting the definition of a compartment,
as defined in Section 4.2, where no more
than four sprinklers are located in the dwelling
unit. Where quick-response sprinklers
(including extended coverage quick-response
sprinklers) are used, the density/area
requirement shall be a minimum of 0.1
gpm/ft2 (4.1 mm/min) over the entire dwelling
unit. Where extended coverage quick-
response sprinklers are used, the flow shall
be sufficient to meet the listing of the sprinklers
at the spacing for which they are being used.
My question is thisif the definition of
dwelling unit is strictly adhered to, then all
the rooms past the entry door to the dwelling
unit are considered part if the dwelling unit,
i.e. living room, bedrooms, bathrooms,
kitchen, dining rooms, etc. There would
obviously be more than 4 sprinklers with
in the dwelling unit. How can we stay within
in the confines of NFPA 13R if there are
more than 4 sprinklers in the dwelling unit?
Or is the intent of the NFPA 13R to mean
that no more than 4
sprinklers are to be with
in any one compartment
as defined by section
4.2?
Answer: In order to use
the QR option within
the dwelling unit, the
entire dwelling unit
needs to be protected
with 4 or fewer
sprinklers. This exception
was written for the
hotel/motel industry
when NFPA 13R was
first created. The
Committee preferred
to require the use of
residential sprinklers
within the dwelling units
(as we do in NFPA 13D)
because these sprinklers
are specifically tested
and listed for this kind
of occupancy. But the
hotel/motel industry
was concerned because
there were no sidewall
residential sprinklers
at the time that were
listed with protection areas comparable to
extended coverage sprinklers. So the Committee
allowed the use of QR sprinklers, and
therefore QREC sidewall sprinklers.
The standard hotel room has a sprinkler
(typically pendent) in the vestibule area
when you walk into the room and a sidewall
that covers the bedroom area. Add in possible
sprinklers for the bathroom and the closet
and you can see where the 4 sprinkler limit
comes from. Rather than specifically write
this rule for just hotel and motel guest rooms,
the committee left the more generic term of
dwelling unit so that people could also
use this section in small efficiency apartments
and other residential situations where
individual bedrooms might meet the definition
of a dwelling unit.
CONTRACTORS CUE CONTRACTORS CUE
CONTI NUED FROM PAGE 12

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he sign was hanging in the
Creative Writing classroom
where I was taking a course
on how to be an effective
writer for a variety of
publications, including the
ability to successfully write
a best-selling book. The quote
is anonymous but historically believed to
be a journalists credo. As expected, the sign
was there to generate a discussion on what
the fundamental building blocks of writing
a good story were, whether its for a television
or newspaper format or for other types of
publications. As you can imagine, the
discussion was very interesting and it certainly
revealed a considerable amount of information
about the social and psychological workings
of the human brain and what motivates
people to read or listen to anything that is
formatted in a story presentation.
During those few weeks of the course,
you quickly begin to grasp why the media
today (and in the past) dont pay much
attention to good news. Let me give you a
recent example. In June, 2008, the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued
a press release announcing U.S. Deaths
Down Sharply in 2006. The press release
detailed the good news clearly showing that
death rates for eight of the ten leading causes
of death in the United States all dropped
significantly in 2006. HIV/Aids fell 4.8 %,
influenza deaths rates fell 12 % and infant
mortality dropped to a new record low. The
statistically detailed news in the report
doesnt come much better than that. But
what did the national and local media do?
It gave it the usual good news treatment
which produced some small stories, many
being only one-paragraph fillers. And then
the story disappeared.
Compare that to the huge national and
local media coverage when hundreds of
people became ill from salmonella in tainted
tomatoes. Granted, the story raised legitimate
questions about food safety. But put the
two stories together on the same page (which
never happens) and you end-up with people
reading the tomato story and not the CDC
report. Tomatoes get front page and the
CDC report, if it gets printed at all, gets the
back page in the fifth section of the newspaper
and most of the time, its never read and if
there is any reading of it, it isnt much beyond
the headline and the first few opening
sentences. People find statistical reading
extremely boring. The newspapers know
that and their mantra is. If it bleeds, it
leads!
Good news is no news. When you ask
the media why, their answers are all over
the place. What you eventually perceive is
that its all about money. The media wants
more eyeball participation. Tragic stories
grab readers and viewers. That means the
media outlet can brag about market share
and that means the ability to sell more
advertising, which on an annual, nationwide
basis amounts to several billion dollars.
Let me give you a fire protection example
of not two different stories, but one involving
the same story.
Early in the morning of December 8,
2007, The City of Watertown, New York
Fire & Rescue Department responded to a
four-story apartment fire and were met with
flames and heavy black smoke coming from
the third floor of the wood frame building
that was home to nearly 40 residents. The
fire alarm system was not operating and no
one knew how many people had gotten out
of the building. With fire spreading out the
front of the building, threatening high-
voltage power lines and placing firefighters
working on that side of the building at
greater risk, two Watertown firefighters
determined that conditions were deteriorating
so rapidly, they couldnt wait for another
fire engine to arrive. They climbed the rear
wooden fire escape and found a victim,
disoriented and suffering from smoke
inhalation on the third floor landing. They
led that person quickly down to the safety
of other fire personnel below. They then
returned into the apartment, battling heavy
smoke and flames to ensure there were no
other victims trapped inside. The fire conditions
inside the building were rapidly approaching
flashover conditions and after flashover
ignition took place, the firefighters started
to leave the building. They knew their lives
were at great risk and staying any longer
could mean a very painful death. As they
pounded on apartment doors as they exited,
BY DON PAMPLIN
Don Pamplin
NFSAs Regional Manager for
the Pacific Northwest.
CONTI NUED ON PAGE 18
I saw a sign that said
Never let the truth stand
in the way of a good story
T
18 SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008
they heard a victim calling from inside
another apartment. The flashover fire was
blocking the apartment front door and the
rear door wouldnt open. At the same time,
Fire Command was ordering all firefighters
off the fire escape as flames were now
threatening to completely block their escape.
Both firefighters kicked the door down to
rescue the victim inside. The fire was so
intense, they had to use their bodies to shield
the victim from the radiant heat and flames
as they dragged him out to safety. The victim
suffered scrapes, burns and smoke inhalation
but he came out alive! Both firefighters not
only displayed quick thinking and unstoppable
courage, they also put their lives at extreme
risk to save those trapped in this fire.
At the 135th International Association
of Fire Chiefs Annual Fire and Emergency
Services Conference (IAFC Fire-Rescue
International) held in Denver during the
week of August 14-16, 2008, The International
Benjamin Franklin Fire Services Award for
Valor was presented to the City of Watertown
Firefighters Keith A. Grant and David E.
Johnston for their outstanding and heroic
effort in saving those victims from that
apartment fire. This award, now in its 39th
year, is the highest honor bestowed upon
an individual by the IAFC. It recognizes
firefighters around the world for their expert
training, leadership, heroic actions and safe
practices. This is the second time that the
City of Watertown Fire Rescue Department
has been honored with this award for valor.
The first time was in 2000 for heroic actions
of Battalion Chief Patrick Wiley who, without
hose-line protection, rescued two elderly
people from a burning single-family home
on December 24, 1999. In 39 years of the
IAFC making this prestigious award, this
is the sixth time where a fire department
had won the award more than once and
only the first time that a fire department
had been under the same leadership command
of the same Fire Chief, who is Daniel J.
Gaumont. Chief Gaumont was also honored
once again with the IAFC Leadership Award
at this years conference in Denver.
Now here comes the irritation!
During a recent telephone interview with
Fire Chief Gaumont, he told me that both
fires and the heroic rescues made it into the
local media in Watertown. It was not reported
statewide in any major New York newspaper.
It was not reported nationwide on CNN or
on any of the other national television
networks. It was not reported nationwide
by USATODAY or any other national
publication such as Time, Newsweek or
People magazine. The story didnt get told
because it was a good news story, neither
the firefighters nor the victims died in the
fire. They all survived. Had they died, that
would have been different and the coverage
would have been more extensive. The media
likes stories of people dying. It focuses on
tragedy, ensuring continued profit. And
now, with a second chance at telling a good-
news story, the same national media has
failed again to tell our country about the
IAFC International Benjamin Franklin Fire
Service Award to Keith Grant and David
Johnston that took place in Denver over
two weeks ago.
CONTI NUED FROM PAGE 17
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SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 19
Let me give you another example of how
the media views pain and suffering for
market share:
Somehow, someone in the past determined
that in order for a fire to be classified as a
catastrophic, multiple-fatality fire three
or more people must have died in that fire.
If its only two people, its not catastrophic,
if its only one person, its just an ordinary
fire. The media jumps readily on these fires
and there is national coverage. But then,
why not, its a big story and they like the
word catastrophic. When it bleeds, it
leads! On August 12, 2008, a fire destroyed
a rural Jefferson, South Dakota home and
claimed the lives of four people. Killed in
the fire were 61 year-old Martha Yates, who
owned the home, and three children, ten
year-old Emmaline Scott, four year-old
Raymond Scott and two year-old Mitchell
Scott. And on Saturday, August 16, 2008,
a fire in a two-story brick and wood-frame
house in Memphis, Tennessee killed five
children and two adults. The house was
engulfed in flames before the fire department
arrived. Lorenzo Williams, who, lived down
the street and other neighbors tried to help
but the flames and smoke turned them back.
Mr. Williams said, You could hear them
screaming inside but there was nothing we
could do. The victims were Melissa Poole,
38, and four of her children. A niece and a
nephew who were visiting when the fire
broke out also died in the structure. The
ages of those children who
died in the fire were three
girls, ages four, seven and
nine, two boys, ages one
and five and an 18 year-
old male. Most of the victims
were found in the same
area on the first floor at
the rear of the house.
As expected, these fires
made the local, state and
national news and so they
should. Both were horrible
tragedies and deserved
proper media attention.
But what about those who
die in fires and they only
number one or two and
dont make the catastrophic
designation? They rarely
get the same national
coverage. It sounds more
devastating when the fire-
death numbers are bigger
but the pain, anguish and
grief are the same, even
when only one person dies
in a fire. Based on the annual
fire death rate of over 3000
victims and the fact that
80% of those deaths occur
in a residential occupancy, there are on
average approximately eight fire deaths
every day somewhere in the United States.
Most of those are single deaths, yet they
dont get the national coverage. The story
isnt big enough to get the focus. And what
about the many hundreds of rescues performed
every year by our American Fire Service,
our American Police Services or by the
average American Joe or Josephine who
just happens to be at the right place at the
right time to make that rescue, where no-
one dies, not even the rescuer?
Shouldnt every one of these fire stories
be reported with equal consideration,
compassion and appropriate commendation,
especially when they end-up as a good-
news story? And, if the media really wanted
a super story to tell each time there were
single or catastrophic fire death, they
would listen and report what the International
Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the
International Association of Fire Fighters
(IAFF) and the National Association of
State Fire Marshals (NASFM) in America
are saying about all these deaths and how
they could be prevented if those residential
occupancies were protected with a residential
fire sprinkler system. For the national media
who unfortunately cherry-pick their stories
ALWAYS LET THE WHOLE TRUTH
PAVE THE WAY TO A GOOD STORY!
CONTI NUED FROM PAGE 18
Shouldnt every one of these
fire stories be reported with
equal consideration, compassion
and appropriate commendation,
especially when they end-up
as a good-news story?
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I
n todays world the installation of
sprinkler systems and other water-based
fire protection systems are found in
almost every part of the world. The use
of properly maintained fire sprinkler systems
for building and structure fire protection is
now the leading way to insure adequate
protection for life and property protection.
Presently, many building and fire codes
require that water-based fire protection
systems be maintained in accordance with
NFPA 25. The state of California requires
that a standardized form be completed by
the fire protection servicing contractor and
a copy of such form submitted to the local
fire service agency. Many states and local
jurisdictions now require that the sprinkler
system be tagged or stickered to visually
indicate the date and the identity of the
individual servicing the sprinkler system.
The bottom line is this; you can require
many things in fire and building codes, but
in order to insure that the fire protection
systems functions as designed, you need to
insure that the systems are properly inspected,
tested, and maintained. The AHJ and facility
managers need to verify that the servicing
of the fire protection systems is being conducted.
The worst thing that a building owner or
occupant can do is to never operate or check
the components of a water-based fire protection
system, such as a fire pump or OSY control
valve. The failure to periodically operate a
fire pump or control valve will create two
types of problems: (a) if the fire pump fails
to operate there is good chance the sprinkler
system or other water-based fire protection
system will fail to control the fire or (b)
should a fire occur or the system is damaged,
the shutting down of the water flowing from
the system will take a significantly longer
time, leading to increased water damage.
Facility personnel and first responders need
to know when and how to shut down water-
based fire protection systems. I would strongly
urge most servicing contractors to educate
the responsible building or facility personnel
when and how to properly shut down their
water-based fire protection systems. If nothing
else, it can build good customer relations.
As a retired fire marshal, I would urge all
fire departments to educate their community
building owners and occupants on the
importance of properly maintaining the
building water-based fire protection systems
and when and how to shut down a system
should it be activated.
Everyone involved with a water-based fire
protection system has both a moral and legal
obligation to perform these duties. The
Insurance Service Organization and many
insurance companies have a policy that after
three years of failing to have the building
fire sprinkler system properly inspected,
tested, and maintained, the structure will
be treated as a non-sprinklered building. In
many cases, this can result in a very significant
increase in insurance costs.
It is important for facility personnel to
understand the basic operations and inspecting,
testing and maintenance (ITM) procedures
for the water-based fire protection systems.
NFSA can conduct contracted seminars at
your sight to help your personnel understand
the applicable requirements of NFPA 25
and basic inspection and testing requirements.
Some of our past clients include New York
University, Sandia National Laboratories in
Albuquerque, New Mexico and Princess
Juliana International Airport in St. Maarten,
The Bahamas.
The NFSA offers two seminars on inspection,
testing and maintenance of water-based fire
protection systems. A one-day seminar,
Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of
Water-based Fire Protection that covers
the requirements of NFPA 25 the Standard
for Water-Based Fire Protection Systems and
also includes a basic review of the components
covered in NFPA 25. This seminar is intended
for AHJ, facilities personnel, insurance loss
prevention personnel and contractor personnel
responsible for servicing and maintaining
water-based fire protection systems.
The other seminar is a three-day seminar,
Inspection and Testing for the Sprinkler
Industry. This seminar has been developed
for those individuals that inspect and test
water-based fire protection systems. The
purpose of this seminar is to assist individuals
in advancing their careers by reviewing
material necessary for NICET Level II
Certification in the NICET subsection of
Inspection and Testing of Water-based Fire
Protection System. This seminar is not
intended to be an educational seminar on
all the requirements of NFPA 25.
If you have any questions concerning the
NFSA ITM seminars or any of the NFSA
seminar you can go to the NFSA web site,
www.nfsa.org, and click on the seminars
link on the left side of the screen. It will take
you to a list of seminars available from NFSA
or you may contact Dawn Fitzmaurice at
dawn@nfsa.org or 845.878.4200 ext. 133
or email me at treiber@nfsa.org.
EDUCATION
Bob Treiber
Based in Centerville, Ohio,
Bob is NFSAs Director of
Training & Education.
Inspection, Testing, and
Maintenance of Water-Based
Fire Protection Systems NFPA 25
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SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 23
S
tarting with the 2003 edition of the
International Building Code (IBC)
and the International Fire Code (IFC),
there has been a requirement (section
903.3.1.2.1) for sprinklers to be installed
on balconies (and patios) of buildings of
Type V construction when the building is
protected with a fire sprinkler system in
accordance with NFPA 13R. The section
goes on to state that sidewall sprinklers are
permitted to be installed under open wood
joist construction with deflectors located
between 1 and 6 inches below the structural
members as long as the deflectors are not
more than 14 inches below the deck above.
This article will cover many of the ramifications
and concerns about this code section.
NFPA 13R vs. IBC
It should be noted that the requirement in
the IBC/IFC supersedes the requirements
of NFPA 13R itself. Section 6.9.5 of NFPA
13R allows sprinklers to be omitted from
exterior balconies and porches regardless
of the type of construction or the combustibles
that might be present. The committee
responsible for NFPA 13R has justified this
position on the basis of a cost/benefit analysis
that showed that putting sprinklers on all
balconies and porches will cost more than
it will save.
Fires starting on porches or balconies are
fairly rare events and they rarely cause loss
of life. As a primarily life-safety oriented
standard, the committee responsible for
NFPA 13R has carefully reviewed the subject
during most of its revisions cycles and
determined that sprinkler requirements for
exterior porches and balconies are not
justified to fulfill the purpose of the standard.
The NFPA membership has supported this
position in ratifying the committees
recommendations each of the seven times
that document has been brought before the
membership for a vote.
But the members of the International
Codes Council (ICC), responsible for the
IBC and the IFC, have a different vision for
NFPA 13R systems in this instance. In
addition to the primarily life-safety oriented
purpose for the fire sprinkler system, they
are asking for an added measure of property
protection in keeping any fire that does start
on the balcony or porch from moving up
the exterior wall and into a unit or into the
unsprinklered attic through an eave vent.
To address the cost/benefit analysis, they
eliminated a previously required 1-hr fire
resistance rating between the exterior deck
areas and the dwelling units with the
assumption that the sprinkler on the balcony
or deck would prevent the fire from getting
into the building or getting into the attic.
This assumption will become of key importance
later in this article.
The members of the ICC have the right
to require this additional protection in the
IBC and the IFC even though NFPA 13R
does not require the sprinklers on the balcony.
The building code and the fire code, as the
primary legal documents, have the right to
alter the requirements of the standards they
reference, or require additional protection
over and above those standards as a matter
of law. Sprinkler contractors designing and
installing fire sprinkler systems in residential
occupancies based on the 2003 and 2006
editions of the IBC or IFC need to know
this additional rule. In order to try and help
spread the word, the NFSA has been publishing
articles in our SQ magazine and our regular
newsletters so that our members dont get
stuck eliminating this expected level of fire
protection.
Type V Construction
When discussing the need for sprinklers on
balconies or patios, the building and fire
officials are quick to point out that it only
applies to situations of combustible construction,
however, that is not the way that the code
is written. Currently, the requirement is for
the sprinklers to be installed on exterior
balconies and patios where the building is
constructed of Type V construction. While
Type V construction is most frequently
combustible, this is not true in every case.
Section 602.5 of the IBC defines Type V
construction as, construction in which the
structural elements, exterior walls and
interior walls are of any materials permitted
by this code. Since both combustible and
non-combustible materials are permitted
TECHNICALLY SPEAKING
Sidewall Sprinklers,
Balconies and the IBC
B Y K E N N E T H E . I S M A N , P . E .
CONTI NUED ON PAGE 24
Kenneth E. Isman, P.E.
Vice President, Engineering for
NFSA. Ken represents NFSA
on the NFPA Technical
Committee on Sprinkler
Systems Installation Criteria.
24 SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008
by the IBC, it is entirely possible that the
complete exterior of a building, including
the balcony and patio, could be of non-
combustible construction and the building
could still be classified as being Type V. In
fact, this is a very common construction
technique in parts of the country that are
very humid and wood is potentially subject
to insect infestation.
In the instances where buildings are Type
V construction and all of the exterior materials
are non-combustible, including the construction
materials for the balconies and porches,
sprinklers are currently required under the
IBC/IFC when the sprinkler system is installed
in accordance with NFPA 13R even though
the conditions under which this rule was
justified dont exist. Interestingly, if the
sprinkler system is installed under NFPA
13 in these circumstances, sprinklers would
probably not be required for the exterior
balconies and patios due to the type of
construction and the fact that the IBC/IFC
requirement only applies to NFPA 13R
systems. This inequity in the IBC/IFC should
be addressed by limiting the sprinkler
requirement to balconies with combustible
construction.
Sidewall Sprinklers in Violation
of Their Listing
Another situation that needs to be addressed
is the use of sidewall spray sprinklers in a
space where they are not permitted to be
used in normal circumstances and which
violates the listing of the sprinklers. Section
8.4.2 of NFPA 13 (which is referenced by
NFPA 13R for areas outside of dwelling
units) limits the installation of sidewall
sprinklers to locations under flat, smooth
ceilings (and under obstructions caused by
garage doors in their open position, which
is outside the discussion in this article).
Section 8.7.4.1.1.1 of NFPA 13 goes on to
limit the position of the sidewall spray
sprinkler so that the deflector is between 4
and 6 inches down from the flat smooth
ceiling.
The limitation on the maximum distance
below the ceiling is important because it
keeps the heat responsive element of the
sprinkler in the right location to be sensitive
to a fire within the protection area of the
sprinkler so that the sprinkler can open
while the fire is still small enough to be
controlled by the flow from the sprinkler.
If these assumptions are violated, the sprinkler
may not open in time to control the fire.
Once the sprinkler does eventually open,
the discharge from the sprinkler may be
insufficient to deal with the fire.
Sprinklers generally rely on the heat from
a fire striking a ceiling above and banking
down to collect around the sprinkler so that
it can activate. Sprinklers installed in
situations where there are channels formed
by exposed structural members are often
delayed in opening during a fire because
the heat from the fire fills adjacent channels
before spilling under and causing enough
heat at the sprinkler for it to react to the
fire.
TECHNICALLY SPEAKING
CONTI NUED FROM PAGE 23
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SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 25
Being outdoors also delays the activation
of a sprinkler because heat from the fire
dissipates in many directions away from
the sprinkler, rather than being trapped in
a compartment, as you would find for a
sprinkler installed indoors. Some of these
limitations were noted by the ICC and the
code requirement in the IBC/IFC was changed
in the 2007 supplement to the 2006 edition
of the code to only require the sprinkler on
the balcony or porch if there is a ceiling or
roof deck above the sprinkler to trap the
heat from a fire.
The listing for sidewall spray sprinklers
specifically states that the sprinkler is listed
to be installed in accordance with the design
rules of NFPA 13. When the IBC/IFC states
that sidewall sprinklers can be installed 1
to 6 inches below open wood joists as long
as the deflector is not more than 14 inches
below the deck, they are permitting the
installation of sprinklers in locations beyond
the listing of the sprinkler.
This is not the first time that a code or
standard has allowed the installation of
sprinklers beyond their listing limitations.
The classic example of this is the section in
NFPA 13D that allows residential sprinklers
to be installed under exposed wood joists
in basements as if a finished ceiling will
someday be installed. This allowance is
justified by the committee responsible for
NFPA 13D in that many times insulation
is installed between the joists effectively
making for a flat, smooth ceiling (making
the sprinkler installed in accordance with
its listing) and that the life safety benefits
expected from the residential sprinkler are
less important in an unfinished basement
because people dont tend to sleep in unfinished
basements. It is expected that if the basement
is converted to a sleeping area that the ceiling
would be finished and the sprinkler would
be installed in accordance with its listing.
These mitigating circumstances were used
to justify the allowance for installing residential
sprinklers in basements beyond their listing
limitations, but no such mitigating circumstances
have been documented for the sidewall
sprinkler on the balcony.
One mitigating circumstance that might
justify the sidewall sprinkler on the balcony
is the important assumption stated earlier
in this article as the reason for requiring the
sprinkler in the first place. The sprinkler
appears to be in the code to prevent fire
spread to the combustible wall of the outside
of the building and to prevent growth of a
fire along the exterior wall into the attic
through an eave vent. If this is truly the
purpose for the sprinkler, and not the control
or suppression of a fire on the balcony or
patio, then the sprinkler might be able to
open in time to do this job. However, this
design assumption needs to be more explicitly
stated in the IBC/IFC.
Area of Coverage
Another subject of concern is the floor area
that the sidewall spray sprinkler is intended
TECHNICALLY SPEAKING
CONTI NUED FROM PAGE 24
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CONTI NUED ON PAGE 28
2007
Sway Brace Calculation
Program
PIPE DEFLECTION AUTO CORRECT
1500 DRAWINGS
Ss PROTOCOL
INTERPOLATES Cp
CPVC SWAY BRACING
SPECIFIC GRAVITY
PRYING EFFECT
www. .org
Sway Brace Products and Hangers that Help
Sway Bracing Calculations per 2007 NFPA 13
Sheet 1 - 12 of 1
9600 Klingerman Street
P.O. Box 3365
South El Monte, CA 91733*USA
Phone: 626.444.0541*Fax: 626.444.3887
www.afcon.org
e-mail: info@afcon.org
Project/Contractor Information
Project: __________________________ ABC Company
Project Address: __________________________ 1234 Main Street
Project City/St: __________________________ Brea, CA 93307
Contractor: __________________________ AFCON
Contractor Address: __________________________ 9600 Klingerman Street
Contractor City/St: __________________________ South El Monte, CA 91733
Brace Pipe Information
Length of Brace: _________________ 2 ft 6 in
Diameter of Brace: _________________ 1 in
Type of Brace: _________________ Schedule 40
Angle of Brace: _________________ 45 to 59
Least Radius of Gyration: _________________ 0.42
L/R Value: _________________ 300
Maximum Horizontal Load: _________________ 771 lb
Fastener Information
NFPA 13 Fastener Listed Adapter
Structural Supporting Member: _________________ Web Beam
Orientation of connecting surface: __________ "E"
Fastener Type: _________________ n/a
Fastener Diameter: _________________
Fastener Length (under head): _________________
Maximum Load: _________________
Sprinkler System Load Calculation [Fpw=CpWp(default is 0.5Cp)] Ss .95 Cp 0.5
Diameter
4 in
2 in
1-1/2 in
1-1/4 in
Brace Connection Fpw x 1.15
Type
Schedule 40
Schedule 40
Schedule 40
Schedule 40
Length (ft)
40 ft
10 ft
Total (ft)
40.0 ft
10.0 ft
Weight per ft
16.4
5.13
3.61
Total Weight
328.00
25.65
36.10
633.48
Total weight
Seismic Brace Attachments
Structure Attachment Adapter:
________________________________________________ # 088 Adapter Stl Web Joist w/Wood Nailer
Listed load rating:_______ 1,400 lb
Structure Attachment Fitting:
________________________________________________ #077 Attachment End (Locking)
Listed load rating:_______ 2,015 lb Adj. load rating per 9.3.5.10.3: _______ 1,425 lb
Brace Pipe Adaptor:
________________________________________________ # n/a
Listed load rating:_______ N/a Adj. load rating per 9.3.5.10.3: _______ n/a
Sway Brace Fitting:
________________________________________________ # 030/040 Sway Brace (Model K)
Listed load rating:_______ 2,765 lb Adj. load rating per 9.3.5.10.3: _______ 1,955 lb
Seismic Brace Assembly Detail
Lateral Brace Longitudinal Brace 4-Way Brace
Brace identification no.
(to be used on plans) _____________________________________ 12
1 in Schedule 40
20 ft
40 ft
100 ft
20.0 ft
40.0 ft
100.0 ft
2.93
2.05
58.60
102.50
n/a
n/a
n/a
Note: 1/2 in through bolt
Cp
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
550.85
EXPERIENCE
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SUPERIOR SWAY BRACING
10 STEEL CPVC COPPER
28 SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008
to protect. Table 8.7.2.2.1 of NFPA 13
(referenced by NFPA 13R) states that the
maximum distance away from the wall that
the sprinkler is mounted on that can be
protected by a sidewall sprinklers is 12 ft
when the materials of the space are combustible.
This means that the area beyond 12 ft is
not technically protected by the sprinkler.
This has caused consternation with some
AHJs that have mandated small antifreeze
or dry-pipe systems on decks just to have
decks greater than 12 ft deep meet the
IBC/IFC. If the intention is to just protect
the wall (as discussed above) then there
should be no problem with the use of a
standard spray sidewall sprinkler regardless
of the depth of the deck. Once again, this
needs to be clarified in the IBC/IFC.
While discussing this issue, many AHJs
are quick to point out that there are Extended
Coverage sidewall sprinklers that can spray
out as far as 22 feet. While it is true that
there are such sprinklers listed, the listing
limitation is for these sprinklers to be used
indoors, in compartments with flat smooth
ceilings. Once again, the use of such sprinklers
on a balcony or patio would be outside its
listing and would violate so many of the
listing assumptions that it might not be a
viable option.
Discharge Criteria
The next question that needs to be addressed
is the expected discharge criteria for a sidewall
sprinkler installed outside to protect a balcony
or patio. Typically, discharge criteria is
assumed on a density that is trying to be
achieved on an area of floor protected by
the sprinkler. But if we agree that the floor
area of the balcony or patio is not the concern,
then we need to establish other rules on
how we are going to determine the minimum
flow or pressure needed for these sprinklers.
Some criteria needs to be defined so that
hydraulic calculations can be performed.
Without any definitive criteria, contractors
are going to run the minimum size pipe that
they can (3/4 inch for CPVC or 1 inch for
steel), regardless of the length of pipe necessary
to get to the outside wall for this sprinkler.
AHJs are going to demand a higher level
of performance and disputes will ensue.
Such disputes will not have a ready answer
without definitive criteria spelled out in the
code.
Any attempt to define a flow and pressure
demand at the sprinkler will need to take
into account the objective (which we think
is just to prevent the fire from coming through
the wall into the dwelling unit and to prevent
the fire from getting into the attic through
an eave vent) and will also need to take into
account potential delays in activating the
sprinkler due to the construction and the
effects of wind conditions on sprinkler spray.
Increases in flow are usually necessary to
make up for delays in sprinkler activation
because the fire grows during the delay.
Increases in pressure are usually necessary
to account for wind conditions so that the
water droplets leaving the sprinkler have
more velocity to oppose the wind. It will
probably be necessary to run some fire tests
to determine what the minimum discharge
criteria should be.
Dry-Sidewall Sprinklers
The last issue of concern with respect to the
IBC/IFC requirements for sidewall sprinklers
to protect balconies and patios is the
proliferation of dry-sidewall sprinklers to
fulfill the requirement. While this may seem
like a perfect solution to the problem, the
use of these sprinklers needs to be done
carefully and correctly.
With dry-sidewall sprinklers, there is a
tendency for cold temperatures to be conducted
along the barrel of the sprinkler and potentially
freeze the water in the wet piping to which
it is connected, even if the wet piping is in
a warm location. For this reason, the sprinkler
manufacturers require that the barrel of the
sprinkler be a specific length (depending on
the temperature) in order to prevent the
cold temperatures from freezing the water
in the wet pipe. The minimum length can
be quite long and architects and sprinkler
contractors need to work together to achieve
this length in designing the outside wall of
the building and/or soffits along the outside
wall in which pipe can be placed.
For example, in Minneapolis, MN, the
lowest one-day mean temperature (according
to U.S. Weather Bureau records) is between
-20F and -25 (see Figure A.10.5.1 in NFPA
13). This means that according to the dry-
sidewall sprinkler manufacturers, the barrel
running between the sprinkler and the wet-
pipe needs to be more than 12 inches long.
In fact, the way that they want us to measure
the minimum barrel length, we need to keep
the 12 inches in the heated space, so if the
insulation thickness and the thickness of
the outside wall material are 6 inches in
depth, we will need a total barrel length of
18 inches between the sprinkler and the wet
pipe. Everyone in the business needs to
understand how to properly install dry-
sidewall sprinklers if they are going to use
them to meet this IBC/IFC requirement.
Lastly, dont forget that dry-sidewall
sprinklers are required to be sample tested
or replaced every 10 years by NFPA 25.
With the relatively few dry-sidewall sprinklers
on any given system, it is likely more cost
effective to replace them all rather than
replace a few and wait for the results of the
test.
Conclusion
The ICC membership has created an interesting
problem for the fire sprinkler industry. They
have specified the installation of sprinklers
outside the listing and installation information
for those sprinklers without any design
criteria. The fire sprinkler industry needs
more information, especially regarding the
performance objectives, so that we can
design and install fire sprinkler systems that
will accomplish the objective.
The sprinkler industry and the enforcement
community must work together, as reasonable
people, to make sure that the owners and
occupants get reasonable fire sprinkler
systems that will complete their objectives.
We need to work together so that we can
clarify the rules and so that the rules can be
enforced fairly and in a standardized manner.
This article raised a few questions for
which there are not clear answers at the
present time. The NFSA is starting a research
project this fall that will help find the answers
to these questions and we hope to work
with the code enforcement community to
make sure that these answers find their way
into the proper codes and standards.
TECHNICALLY SPEAKING
CONTI NUED FROM PAGE 25
Upcoming NFSA Annual Seminars:
NFSA Annual Seminar & Exhibition
Omni ChampionsGate
Orlando, Florida, April 29-May 2, 2009
NFSA Annual Seminar
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Big Island, Hawaii, May 12-15, 2010
NFSA Annual Seminar & Exhibition
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Las Vegas, Nevada, April 11-14, 2011
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30 SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008
Contractor
Roddy Grimes
EAGLE FIRE PROTECTION
White House, TN
Josh Gunnels
ENNA SYSTEMS, LLC.
Nashville, TN
Lori Newton
MAINLINE FIRE PROTECTION, LLC.
Jefferson City, MO
Bill Fowler
METRO FIRE PROTECTION
Montgomery, AL
Rick Taylor
TAYLOR FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES
Wasilla, AK
Professional
Petar Balac
Des Plaines, IL
Brooke T. Adkinson
Alaska Analysis & KIC Construction
Anchorage, AK
James S. Nasby
Columbia Engineering
Skokie, IL
Clifford R. Whitfield
Fire Design, Inc.
Marianna, FL
Dee L. Lockwood
Lockwood Engineering LLC.
Portland, OR
Bryan McLane
National Training Center
North Las Vegas, NV
Terri S. Leyton
Protection Design & Consulting
San Diego, CA
Jerry Hendrickson AIA
USKH, Inc.
Wasilla, AK
James E. Michels
Value Engineering, LLC
Fond du Lac, WI
SAM
Rachel M. Stroup
HUB INTERNATIONAL
Pleasant Hill, CA
Subscriber
Joel P. Christenson
Arcelsor Mihal
East Chicago, IN
Bill Ellis
Boardman Rural Fire Protection District
Boardman, OR
Roy A. Rodriguez
City of Henderson
Henderson, NV
David Autry
Nebraska State Fire Marshal's Office
Lincoln, NE
Casey Trent Vorwaller
Orem City
Orem, UT
Holger Durre
Poudre Fire Authority
Ft. Collins, CO
Sharon Kay Daley
Walt Disney World
Kissimmee, FL
NEW MEMBERS
SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 31
A Memorable Trip
T
his past summer we were visited by Corinna Westermann of MiniMax,
a fire sprinkler manufacturer in Germany. Corinna spent six weeks
with us, learning the ways and means of NFSA. I had Corinna
accompany me on a trip to the Albany, New York area. We met with
Northeast Regional Manager Dom Kasmauskas and NFSA Area Director and
Membership Committee Chairman Don DeLuca. I wanted Corinna to get a
chance to visit the facilities of U.S. fire sprinkler contractors, to see who are
members are and to be able to talk to and ask questions of them.While we
both enjoyed the two-hour car ride up to Albany, getting acquainted with each
other and asking all the questions people ask each other on long car trips, we
both had a great day in Albany and had the opportunity to get a first-hand
look at how the fire sprinkler industry is making an impact in the area.
We were impressed to see the first Habitat for Humanity house in Albany
to be fully sprinklered. It was being given the finishing touches when we were
there. One of our newest members, Albany Fire Protection, installed the system
for free. Don DeLucas company, SRI Fire Sprinkler performed the layout at no cost. Tyco Fire Protection and Building Products
donated the materials. I was so proud to see our members generosity in action! Im sure Corinna took some great memories of the
trip back to Germany. I am glad she got to see the spirit of America in action, thanks to the dedication of our members to making
the world a safer place to live!
Karyn Hudgens
NFSAs Director
of Membership
MEMBERSHIP
Tom & Mary Kelly
of Albany Fire
Protection- NFSAs
newest member in
New York with
Northeast Regional
Manager, Dom
Kasmauskas (r.).
Corinna Westermann meets Northeast Regional
Manager Dominick Kasmauskas (l.) and Northeast
Area Director Don DeLuca (r.).
NFSA 25th Anniversary plaque is presented to SRI
Fire Sprinkler, Albany, NY during a lunch meeting
with NFSA Northeast Regional Manager Dominick
Kasmauskas. (L to R) DJ Deluca (V. P. Operations),
Don Deluca Sr. (President CEO), John Deluca
(Sr. Project Mgr.).
32 SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008
MEMBERSHIP
NFSA Regional Manger of the Central Region
Chris Gaut presents Denny Webb of Guardian Fire
Protection with a five year anniversary plaque.
The plaque was presented at the St. Louis Great
Fire Engine Rally where a side by side burn was
demonstrated.
Aero Mechanical owner and President Michael St.
Martin (R) displays NFSA anniversary plaque along
with David Smith (L), Manager of Aero Mechanicals
Fire Protection Department in recognition of their
5th year as a very active NFSA member. Northeast
Regional Manager Dominick Kasmauskas notes that
David is very active and fully aware of government
activities and legislation that has been affecting the
fire sprinkler industry in R.I. When there is an issue,
Aero Mechanical immediately networks with all the
R.I. contractors and is in the front line to address
the issues, Dom said.
Inter County Alarm
Systems celebrates its 5th
Anniversary as an NFSA
member. Earl F. Lorence,
is seen here receiving
Inter Countys recognition
in front of their offices in
Valley Cottage, NY during
a recent visit by Dominick
Kasmauskas to discuss
Inter Countys workings
in the fire sprinkler
industry and their excel-
lent relationship with
many area code officials
in Rockland and
Westchester Counties
of NY.
Steve Ulmer in front of the
Davis-Ulmer headquarters
in Amherst, NY holding the plaque
presented by NFSA Northeast
Regional Manager Dominick
Kasmauskas in recognition of
Davis-Ulmers 15th Anniversary
as an NFSA contractor member.
North Central Regional Manager Dan Gengler (l.)
presents Bill Conner of Midwest Fire Protection a
plaque commemorating Midwests 35-year
membership in NFSA.
SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 33
C
ontractors and layout technicians
can credit the building and fire
codes for the amount of work
they have had in the past 15 years.
Codes cannot take all the credit, however,
we at NFSA take the code writing arena
very seriously and will continue to represent
your interests in each cycle.
While most contractors and layout personnel
are very savvy in the sprinkler standards,
the International Building Code (IBC) is not
usually the first place they look for specific
sprinkler requirements. This article and
following articles are written for the sprinkler
contractor to understand what is coming
out of the IBC and when to apply this code
language in their designs.
In this first article well take a look at
Chapter 4 of the 2006 IBC. Chapter 4 covers
additional requirements to certain uses and
occupancies that are not addressed elsewhere.
This brief summary of Chapter 4 covers
what we believe is vital to the interest of
the sprinkler contractor (see Table 1).
Covered Malls
Covered malls are limited to three levels in
height and no more than three stories above
grade. Passive fire protection is not required
between the tenant space and the mall,
however a fire resistive wall is required
between the tenant spaces. An anchor building
a building that is separate from the mall,
but serves the mall, i.e. Kohls, Sears, etc
is required to have a fire wall at the attachment
to the mall, unless the anchor building is
the same use as the mall, then a 2-hour fire
barrier is needed.
Fire sprinklers are required in all of the
covered mall spaces. The sprinkler system
must be installed throughout the entire
structure, including occupied tenant spaces.
Unoccupied tenant spaces are also required
to have fire sprinklers operable unless
alternative measures are in place and approved
by the AHJ. Mall sprinkler systems must
be separate from the tenant spaces and the
anchor stores and have separate supervised
control valves. Kiosks and children play
structures that have roofs or overhead covers
must also have sprinklers. While kiosks and
play structures are constructed of approved
non-combustible materials and foam plastics,
they are limited to 300 sq. ft. in size.
Standpipes in covered malls are required
where the floor of the topmost level is over
30 ft in height from the lowest level of fire
department vehicle access or vice versa for
levels underground. Even if covered malls
fall under the 30 ft height requirement, Class
I hose stations are required by the IBC. The
location of the hose stations are: within the
mall at the entrance to each exit
passageway/corridor, at each floor-level
landing within enclosed stairways opening
directly on the mall and at the exterior public
entrances to the mall. The most remote hose
station must be sized to supply 250 gpm.
High-Rise
High-rise buildings are defined by the IBC
as having an occupied floor over 75 ft from
the lowest level of fire department vehicle
access.
Fire sprinklers are required in high-rise
buildings, (with a secondary water supply
in Seismic Categories C,D,E, or F) except
in open parking garages and telecommunication
equipment buildings or spaces. A high-rise
building also requires a fire command center,
a special room or space separated by at least
1-hour fire barriers from the adjacent spaces.
Along with several other requirements, fire
sprinkler control valve supervision and
water flow indicators must be displayed in
the command center. Detailed fire sprinkler
and standpipe drawings are also required
inside the command center.
Atriums
An atrium is a floor opening or a series of
vertical floor openings that connect the
environments of adjacent stories. Atriums
and the adjacent floors connecting two or
more stories shall be sprinklered. Sprinkler
protection can be limited to only the atrium
area if the atrium and adjacent floors are
separated by 2-hour fire barrier. When the
atrium and the adjacent building areas/floors
A Contractors Guide to the IBC:
Sprinkler Requirements
for Special Uses
Jeff Hugo
Based in Essexville, Michigan,
Jeff is NFSAs Manager of
Codes.
CODE CORNER
CONTI NUED ON PAGE 34
B Y J E F F H U G O
34 SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008
are both protected by sprinklers then only
a 1-hour fire barrier is needed.
The 1-hour fire barrier can be eliminated
if a glass wall in a gasketed frame is installed.
However, closely spaced sprinklers are
required to cool the glass. When a walkway
is on the atrium side of the glass wall,
sprinklers are required to be spaced no more
than 6 ft. apart, 4-12 from the glass and
be capable of wetting the entire glass surface.
If no walkway is present, then the sprinklers
shall be installed in the same manner on the
glass wall opposite the atrium. Curtains,
draperies and the like shall not obstruct the
sprinklers. Careful note should be made of
these possible obstructions on the architectural
plans during the layout process.
The IBC also states that if the ceiling of
the atrium is over 55 ft from the floor, then
sprinkler protection at the ceiling is not
required.
Smoke control is required for all atriums
three stories and more. Coordination with
the mechanical contractor may be needed.
Use Group I-2
Hospitals/Nursing Homes
This occupancy includes buildings and
structures used for medical, surgical, psychiatric,
nursing or custodial care on a 24-hour basis
for more than five persons who are not
capable of self-preservation. All I use groups
are required to be sprinklered.
Quick response sprinklers are required
for waiting areas and other similar areas
open to the corridors. Patient rooms within
smoke compartments shall be protected by
quick response or residential sprinklers.
Use Group I-3 Prisons/Jails
This occupancy includes buildings and
structures that are inhabited by more than
five persons who are under restraint or
security and is occupied by persons who
are generally incapable of self-preservation
due to security measures not under the
occupants control. All I use groups are
required to be sprinklered.
Glazing in one exit enclosure (stairway)
per building is permitted if protected on
both sides by sprinklers capable of wetting
both sides of the glazing simultaneously.
The glazing shall be gasketed, similar to the
atrium requirements, and sprinklers must
not be obstructed.
Stages
A stage is a space within a building utilized
for entertainment or presentations, which
includes overhead hanging curtains, drops,
scenery or stage effects other than lighting
and sound. A stage differs from a platform,
which is a raised area within a building used
for worship, the presentation of music, plays
or other entertainment; the raised area for
lecturers; boxing and wrestling rings; and
similar purposes wherein there are no
overhead hanging curtains, drops, scenery
or stage effects other than lighting and sound.
Stages shall be equipped with a sprinkler
system. Sprinklers shall be installed under
the roof and gridiron and under all catwalks
and galleries over the stage. Sprinklers shall
also be installed in dressing rooms, performer
lounges, shops and storerooms accessory
to such stages. Sprinklers are not required
under stages less than 4 ft in height storing
tables and chairs and are separated from
other areas by
5
8 Type X drywall. Sprinklers
are not required for stages 1,000 sq. ft. and
less and are 50 ft or less in height that have
curtains that cannot be retracted vertically.
Portable orchestra enclosures on stages are
also not required to be sprinklered.
Standpipes shall be installed on each side
of the sprinklered stage greater than 1,000
sq. ft. Hose connections for sprinklered
stages shall be a minimum of 1-
1
2 according
to NFPA 13 or NFPA 14 for Class II or
Class III standpipes. The hose cabinet shall
provide lengths to cover the stage area and
shall be equipped with approved fog nozzles.
Aircraft Hangars
Aircraft hangars and aircraft paint hangars
shall be provided with fire suppression as
required by NFPA 409, except that Group
II hangars defined by NFPA 409 storing
private aircraft without major maintenance
or overhaul are exempt from foam suppression
systems.
High Hazard Use Groups
H-1 through H-5
High Hazard use groups are classified from
H-1 through H-5. These uses include buildings
or structures that involve manufacturing,
processing, generation, or storage of material
in certain quantities that constitute a physical
or health hazard. All H use groups are
required to be sprinklered.
The installation of HPM (Hazardous
Production Materials) piping and tubing
within the space defined by the walls of
corridors and the floor or roof above, or in
concealed spaces above other occupancies
are required to have sprinklers in these
spaces unless the space is 6 or less in the
smallest dimension.
A sprinkler system shall be provided in
the following exhaust ducts conveying gases,
vapors, fumes, mists or dusts generated
from HPM:
Sprinklers shall be provided in metal-
lic and noncombustible nonmetallic
exhaust ducts where the largest cross-
sectional diameter is equal to or
greater than 10 inches, the ducts are
within the building and the ducts are
conveying flammable gases, vapors or
fumes.
Sprinklers shall be provided in com-
bustible nonmetallic exhaust ducts
where the largest cross-sectional diam-
eter of the duct is equal to or greater
than 10 inches, unless, ducts are
approved for applications without a
sprinkler system, and ducts are 12 ft.
or less and installed below the ceiling
Sprinklers shall be installed at 12-foot
intervals in horizontal ducts and at
changes in direction. In vertical ducts,
sprinklers shall be installed at the top
and at alternate floor levels.
CODE CORNER
CONTI NUED FROM PAGE 33
NFSA proudly presents Empty Shoes, an
educational and extremely touching video
designed to educate the general public
about the life and property saving attributes
of fire sprinkler systems. Watch it at
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFjsxS2o
PXM and tell everyone you know to do the
same! Public awareness is the first step
towards widespread acceptance!
Were On YouTube!
SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 35
ydraulic calculations are
an area that brings many
questions for sprinkler
systems; especially when
there are obstructions,
multiple systems, auxiliary
systems, or an area that
is not rectangular. The room design method
can remedy some of the confusion as all of
the sprinklers in the most demanding room
would have to be calculated (See Calculating
Sprinkler Demand One Room at a Time
in SQ, No. 144, September-October 2007).
However, it is often more beneficial to use
the density/area calculation method, so that
the water supply remains a reasonable size
or the density/area method may be required
based on the selected options such as the
type of sprinkler.
This article is the beginning of a series
dealing with some of the common concerns
that arise during hydraulic calculations using
the density/area method. Systems that have
unique or non-ideal scenario are becoming
more prevalent in the field. First, the basics
of the density/area method will be reviewed.
Then, applying the fire rectangle in small
buildings or layouts with short branch lines
will be discussed. Finally, determining the
hydraulically remote area in spaces that
have walls intersecting at angles other than
90 degrees will be examined.
Density/Area Calculation Method
Figure 11.2.3.1.1 in NFPA 13, 2007 Edition
shows the density/area chart. This provides
the user with a baseline for the calculation
based on the hazard in the building. Section
22.4.4.1.1.1 states the area shall be a rectangle
with one side parallel to the direction of the
branch lines and equal to 1.2 times the
square root of the design area selected from
Figure 11.2.3.1.1. This value is based on
empirical data of fire growth.
For example, if a building is light hazard
and the point 0.1 gpm/ft
2
over 1500 ft
2
(4.1
mm/min over 139 m
2
) is selected, then how
is that area laid out in the building found
in Figure 1. First, assume that none of the
area adjustments found in Chapter 11 are
applicable to this specific scenario. Using
the 1500 ft
2
(139 m
2
) area and applying
Section 22.4.4.1.1.1 means that the length
of the fire rectangle along the branch lines
must be 46.5 ft (14.2 m). Then it is
recommended in Figure A.22.4.4 to divide
that length by the spacing between sprinklers
along the branch line, S, in order to find the
number of sprinklers on a line that need to
be calculated, as shown in the following
equation. Remember any fraction is rounded
up to the next whole number when counting
sprinklers.
Non-Uniform Hydraulic
Calculation Areas: Part 1
H
BY VICTORIA B. VALENTINE, P.E.
Victoria B. Valentine, P.E.
NFSAs Director of Product
Standards
CONTI NUED ON PAGE 36
Figure 1: Rectangular building for remote are calculation
36 SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008
Additional rows of sprinklers are picked
up until the design area (1500 ft
2
or 139
m
2
) is met. This may mean the last line
included does not have as many sprinklers
as the other lines. Continuing with the
above example, seven (7) sprinklers are
needed for the hydraulic area (1500 ft
2
divided by 225 ft
2
per sprinkler equals 6.7).
Since four (4) sprinklers are required per
branch line, the most remote line would
have four (4) sprinklers and the next line
would only be required to pick up three (3)
more sprinklers to achieve the design area.
The next piece is to think about where in
the building these sprinklers are positioned.
On a tree type sprinkler system it is usually
a simple task to determine which sprinkler
is the hydraulically most remote as it is typically
the furthest from the riser. For our example,
this is labeled sprinkler 1. Our calculation
noted that four (4) sprinklers are needed on
the branch line, therefore 2, 3, and 4 have
also been indicated in Figure 1.
The remaining three (3) sprinklers, to
complete the design area, should be added
on the next line. The figure shows four (4)
sprinklers labeled A through D on this second
line, but only three (3) are needed. They
are in the same locations as sprinklers 1
through 4 of the most remote line because
the goal is to create as much of a rectangle
as possible. The correct choice is B, C and
D. Hydraulic calculations will show that
the sprinkler closer to the main will flow
more water as there is a higher pressure at
that point in the branch line piping.
Design Area Rectangle Does Not Fit
Now that the basic design area principles
have been discussed, it is time to examine
some variations. There are a couple of
reasons that the fire rectangle in Section
22.4.4.1.1.1 would not be applied exactly
as written. The first would be small buildings
where the area of the building is less than
that required by the density/area figure. In
these cases, the entire area of the building
would be calculated. There would be no
reason to add additional area that did not
physically exist in the structure.
Another challenge would be a building
where the branch lines had fewer sprinklers
on the line than necessary according to the
required rectangular dimensions (Section
22.4.4.1.1.1). In this case the entire branch
line would be used and branch lines added
until the appropriate area was achieved. A
rectangle will still be created but the shape
is limited by the system within and structure
of the building. Also, the design area must
be reached unless the condition above with
a small building is incurred.
Non-Rectangular Rooms
Architects and building owners regularly
create new atmospheres, arrangements, and
sprinklering challenges. When walls do not
intersect at 90 degrees, NFPA 13 covers
where to install the sprinkler. However, the
question lingers of how to apply the hydraulic
rectangle to a non-rectangular room.
To begin, the calculation for determining
the rectangular length should still be done.
This length should, also, still be applied
parallel to the branch line(s) assuming the
branch line is equal to or longer than the
required length as noted in the previous
CONTI NUED FROM PAGE 35
REMOTETEST

TESTANDRAIN

AGF Manufacturings Model 1200 REMOTETEST


allows the re sprinkler inspectors test to be
performed by a single operator from a single
location through a local switch, an auxiliary
panel, an addressable FAC panel, or even a LAN
system ultimately saving time, money, and
manpower while promoting regular inspections
and preserving system integrity. To learn more,
visit AGF online at www.testandrain.com.
SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 37
section of this article. Then additional lines
are picked up until the area is sufficient
attempting to maintain as much of a rectangle
as possible. The actual area may not be
rectangular but must achieve the minimum
area (square feet or square meters) of the
selected density/area point.
Look at Figure 2, this building will be
used for the next example. It is a light hazard
occupancy for the large room on the west
side of the dividing wall and an ordinary
hazard occupancy to the east of that wall.
The sprinklers have been spaced at their
maximum of 15 feet by 15 feet (4.6 m by
4.6 m) for the light hazard portion. The
room was planned so that sprinkler 1
achieved the maximum spacing permitted
by Section 8.6.3.2.3 for standard spray
sprinklers in a corner that is not a 90-degree
intersection (parallel language for extended
coverage sprinklers is in Section 8.8.3.2.3).
This means that sprinkler 1 is 7.5 feet (2.3
m) from both the north wall and the angled
wall. Using the maximum allowable distance
from a corner, 0.75S, it measures 11.25 feet
(3.4 m) to the centerline of the sprinkler.
With known lengths, the angle of the
intersecting walls can be calculated using
trigonometry. It comes out to be 83.6 degrees.
For angles smaller than 83.6 degrees, the
distance to the corner will be the driving length
for the sprinkler location. For angles greater
than 83.6 degrees the distance perpendicular
to the walls will be the governing value.
In addition, the spacing of the sprinklers
from the wall will be affected by the angle.
It is important to try and maintain the
established pattern in order to avoid problems
such as cold soldering from neighboring
sprinklers. For the example, when the angled
wall began to interrupt the pattern the
sprinkler was then located one foot (0.3 m)
from the wall. In this building, even on the
southernmost branch line, the distance was
greater than then six-foot (1.8 m) minimum
required by the standard for standard spray
sprinklers.
Now begin the hydraulic calculations
by selecting 0.1 gpm/ft
2
over 1500 ft
2
(4.1
mm/min over 139 m
2
) as the light hazard
point from Figure 11.2.3.1.1. Then the
same number of sprinklers would be required
in the design area and on a branch line as
outlined in the first example of this article.
This means seven (7) sprinklers in the design
area and four (4) sprinklers per branch
line. Again the four (4) remote sprinklers
are put on the last line of the tree system.
Sprinklers B, C and D will complete the
remote area for the second branch line.
Next the floor area that is covered by the
seven (7) remote sprinklers should be
verified. Sprinklers 2, 3, 4, B, C and D
form a rectangle that is 30 feet (9.1 m) by
45 feet (13.7 m) which equals 1350 ft
2
(125.4 m
2
). Using the formula for the area
of a trapezoid, sprinkler 1 covers 220 ft
2
(20.4 m
2
). This makes the total area 1570
ft
2
(145.9 m
2
), which covers the minimum
1500 ft
2
(139 m
2
) required by Figure
11.2.3.1.1.
In buildings where the angle of a wall
reduces the number of sprinklers on a branch
line, when compared to the line next to it,
more drastically than the above example,
attempts should be made to keep as much
of a rectangle as possible. However, when
dealing with a single angled wall in a
compartment it is likely that the remote
area will look like a trapezoid. Another
variation would be if the branch lines were
run parallel to the angled wall. The same
process for choosing the sprinklers in the
remote area would be used. The calculated
number of sprinklers would still be applied
along the branch line with the continuation
of adding more lines until the total design
area is reached.
The variations are endless when reviewing
buildings. Other parts of this series will
explore additional common scenarios. These
include sprinklers that can be omitted from
hydraulic calculations and dealing with
sprinklers that have been placed to handle
obstructions.
Figure 2: Building with an angled wall
The NFSA
ACADEMY
www.nfsaacademy.org
Dont let a busy schedule
interfere with your contin-
uing education needs. Get
training when you want it
and when you need it.
For a complete list of
available modules visit the
NFSA Academy web site at
www.nfsaacademy.org or
call Dawn at
(845) 878-4200 x133
SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 39
n a continuing effort to
promote the property and
life-saving attributes of
automatic fire sprinkler
systems, NFSA has taken on
a new initiative. This past
summer, Sprinklerman

made several appearances at


minor league baseball games in New York,
New Jersey and Connecticut. NFSA had an
information table at each event where
Sprinklerman

coloring books, NFSA


bumper stickers, Fire Sprinklers Are Green
tote bags and other promotional items were
given away. A contest was held where parents
took pictures of their children with
Sprinklerman

and emailed them to NFSA


headquarters to be entered in a random
drawing to win a $50 gift card.
I had the opportunity to attend each of
these events and have to admit I was pleasantly
surprised at the overwhelming response
Sprinklerman

received from children and


adults alike. Shouts of Sprinklerman,
Sprinklerman, come over here! could be
heard throughout each and every stadium
we visited. He high-fived the adults, hugged
the kids and took lots of photos with the
fans. We even had the pleasure of seeing
our Fire Sprinklers Save Lives bumper
stickers emblazoned across the behinds of
a few teenagers. Hey, whatever gets the
message across!
The first venue we visited was Dutchess
Stadium, home of the Hudson Valley Renegades
in Wappingers Falls, New York. Christopher
Oxx, who interned at NFSA over the summer
months (and who also happens to be my
son,) donned the Sprinklerman

costume
for the event. I was thrilled by the number
of people in the fire protection field that
came up to the table to offer support and
extol the virtues of fire sprinklers. Children
crowded around Sprinklerman

and he
was able to participate in on-field events,
making him even more popular afterwards.
He threw out the first pitch, dumped a
bucket of baseball cards over a fans head
and did the Macarena on top of the visiting
players dugout (I promised I wouldnt tell
his friends that one!)
Next up was the New Britain Rock Cats
in New Britain, Connecticut. This time out
Andrew McNulty, son of Industry Promotion
Fund Administrator Judy McNulty, had the
honor of being Sprinklerman

. Fan reaction
was phenomenal and the Rock Cats Promotions
Coordinator was so impressed we were
asked if Sprinklerman

would like to become


a permanent mascot. Andrew did a great
job and is looking forward to doing a repeat
performance next season.
Lori Schiavo, NFSA Bookkeeping Assistant,
took the plunge and appeared as Sprinklerman

at the Connecticut Defenders game in


Norwich, Connecticut. Sprinklerman

threw out the first pitch and was surrounded


by adoring fans during the ensuing innings.
He signed autographs and posed for pictures
with young and old alike. In fact, the cover
of this issue features Sprinklerman with
his most adoring fan of the day.
As of this writing, our last outing of the
season will be on September 14th at the
Somerset Patriots game in Bridgewater, New
Jersey. NFSA Engineering Assistant, Nicole
Sprague takes the honors of being Sprinklerman

for the grand finale of this years minor


league baseball blowout.
I must say that at each of these events
something occurred that was truly beneficial
to NFSA and the fire sprinkler industry. At
one game a large group from a non-member
fire sprinkler contractor was in attendance.
I had the opportunity to meet with one of
their Regional Managers, who was quite
impressed with the effort put forth by NFSA
to promote the industry. At another game,
a woman came up to our table and questioned
me about retrofitting. Yes, all you engineers,
I was able to answer her questions sufficiently,
they were very basic. And, at all of the games,
we were able to convey that not all sprinklers
water the lawn. I think I actually saw some
light bulbs going off on top of peoples heads.
I am truly looking forward to next season.
BY JOANNE GENADIO
Sprinklerman

Spreads the Word


I
Joanne Genadio
NFSAs Advertising and
Promotions Coordinator
CONTI NUED ON PAGE 40
40 SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008
I believe this initiative of taking it to the streets is a great way to increase public awareness and knowledge of automatic fire sprinklers,
their attributes and benefits. We are hoping to expand the initiative to venues across the country. So watch out, Sprinklerman

may
be coming to a town near you!
CONTI NUED FROM PAGE 39
$50 Gift Card Winners at the New Britain Rock Cats
Game. From left to right - Jocelyn Davey, Lindsey
Riordan, Matthew Davey and Matthew Riordan.
Sprinklerman
meets the
Defenders mascot
in New Britain,
Connecticut.
The NFSA logo emblazons the
scoreboard at the New Britain
Rock Cats game.
Sprinklerman is surrounded by Rock Cats fans patiently waiting
for an autograph.
Sprinklerman hawks his coloring
book at the Hudson Valley Renegades
game in Wappingers Falls, NY.
NFSA President John Viniello visits
with Sprinklerman at the Renegades
game.
$50.00 gift card winner of the Sprinklerman photo
contest is Joanne Sorge of Garden City, New York.
SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 41
NFSAs Great Plains
Region Elects Postma
as Area Director
NFSA is pleased to announce that Gene
Postma of Western States Fire Protection
Company has been elected as Area Director
by the members in the newly realigned Great
Plains region to serve on the Contractors
Council and the associations Board of
Directors. The region is comprised of the
states of Colorado, Montana, Nebraska,
North and South Dakota and Wyoming.
Mr. Postma will be seated at the November
2008 meetings of the Board and Councils
and will serve a term through February of
2012.
As the Area Director for the region, Gene
will be representing the interests of NFSA
members in the area on the associations
Contractors Council and Board of Directors.
He will also be working closely with NFSA
Great Plains Regional Manager, Terry Phillips,
in the continued advancement of the fire
sprinkler concept throughout the region.
NFSA to Send Sprinkler
Message Airborne
NFSA announces that it has contracted with
Sky Radio and Video Network, the largest
producer of in-flight entertainment in the
country, to take the fire sprinkler message
to the air-traveling consumer. During the
month of November one of the highest
volume travel months of the year an
interview with NFSA President John Viniello
will be broadcast on American Airlines
Business and Technology Report In-Flight
Radio Channel. Viniellos interview brings
focus to fire sprinkler facts and the growing
trend of sprinkler installations in single-
family homes. The interview will be played
on 29,000 audio-equipped American Airlines
worldwide flights reaching approximately
4.2 million travelers. As a bonus, the interview
will also be rebroadcast on USAir flights
through the months of November and
December reaching an additional 500,000
travelers throughout the holiday season.
The interview can be heard by visiting the
NFSA website at www.nfsa.org.
In addition to bringing an audio fire
sprinkler message to nearly 5 million air-
traveling listeners, NFSAs program with
Sky Radio also includes an exciting partnership
with CNN Airport Network. To be included
in a Best of Breed: Associations at Work
segment, is a video featuring NFSA that will
be played on the CNN Airport Network.
The video will be played at 44 of the busiest
airports at over 2,000 gates in the United
States during the CNN broadcast reaching
nearly 16 million viewers through the month
of November.
Sprinklerman

Coloring
Books Available En
Masse!
NFSA is pleased to announce that it is
accepting orders for Sprinklerman

coloring
books for use during National Fire Prevention
Week 2008, October 5-11. Sprinklerman

coloring books are a great way to spread


the fire sprinkler message at fire department
open houses, school events and other functions
held during fire prevention week or any
other time of year. We have doubled the
number of books in stock this year and they
are available for immediate distribution.
Full box orders (150 per box) will be shipped
directly from our printer. Partial orders will
be shipped from NFSA headquarters in
Patterson, New York or may be available
directly from your NFSA Regional Manager.
Please refer to the form for pricing and
shipping costs.
Sprinklerman

Pitches
Fire Sprinkler Concept
In a continued effort to promote the property
and life-saving benefits of automatic fire
sprinkler systems, NFSA took on a new
initiative. This summer, Sprinklerman

made several appearances at minor league


baseball games in New York, New Jersey
and Connecticut. NFSA had an informational
table at each event where Sprinklerman

coloring books, NFSA bumper stickers,


Fire Sprinklers Are Green tote bags and
other promotional items were given away.
They were a huge hit with the younger set!
Also, a contest was held in which parents
took pictures of their children with
Sprinklerman

and emailed the photos to


NFSA headquarters where they were entered
in a random drawing to win a $50 gift
card.
Interns Complete
Their Work at NFSA
Headquarters
Robert Accosta, a graduate of Worcester
Polytechnic Institute (WPI) with a Bachelor
of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering,
joined the NFSA Engineering Department
for the summer. Robert helped NFSA catch
up on updating many of its publications,
forms and seminar teaching materials. He
also worked on creating a more useable
subject, title and author search feature for
the NFSA website that will help people find
SQ articles, TechNotes issues and e-Tech
Alerts that have covered topics on which
they need information. In the fall, Robert
returned to school to finish his Masters
Degree in Fire Protection Engineering, which
he expects to have by May 2009.
Christopher Oxx, a University of Tampa
junior majoring in Sport Management, and
son of Advertising and Promotions Coordinator
Joanne Genadio, spent his summer helping
the NFSA Membership Department update
its database. Chris called the majority of
our members to get up-to-date information
on company contacts, email addresses,
branches and more. He then input the
information into the NFSA database. This
tedious but valuable exercise will insure
that SQ and other pertinent publications
and mailings arrive to the right person in a
timely fashion.
Both interns were an asset to the Association
and would be welcomed back next summer!
REGIONAL HQ NEWS
Interns Christopher Oxx (l.) and Rob Accosta
(r.) are congratulated by NFSA President John
Viniello for their accomplishments over the
summer.
The Bank of New York Mellon is proud to support the community and
those who strive to make it a better place, now and in the future.
We are proud to support the National Fire Sprinkler Association, Inc.
For more information please call:
John M. Donaghey 617-722-7315
Matthew Downes 617-722-7058
Christopher Babcock 617-722-6972
Jeb Banks 617-722-7903
Lee Scheider 415-399-4465
Investing in a
better tomorrow.
(&&-$J^[8Wdae\D[mOehaC[bbed9ehfehWj_ed$
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SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 43
Territory Manager
for Northeast Region
Rejoins Viking
SupplyNet
Viking SupplyNet is pleased to welcome
back Terry Laffey as a Territory Manager
for the New York City and New Jersey
markets.
Laffey, who joined the Viking SupplyNet
sales team effective August 25, will be
responsible for developing and enhancing
the companys relationship with fire sprinkler
contractors in the territory. With over twenty
years of sprinkler industry experience,
including ten years previously with Viking
SuppyNets sales team, Laffey will be a
valuable resource for Vikings customer
base in the area.
Laffey joins Jerry Barbara, Viking SupplyNets
current Territory Manager for the New
York City and New Jersey area, in expanding
Vikings sales capabilities in the territory.
Together they will play an important role
in the companys continued success in the
region.
Brian Coyle Promoted by
Reliable Automatic
Sprinkler Company
Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co. announces
the promotion of Brian Coyle to Regional
Sales Manager of the Mid-Atlantic Region.
Brian has been a Sales Representative with
Reliable for over 6 years in the New York
area. As Regional Sales Manager, Brian is
now responsible for all sales and operations
for customers in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware,
and Washington, DC.
Reliable Hires New
Technical Services
Manager
Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co. has
announced that Alan G. Larson has been
hired as Technical Services Manager. Larson
has more than 20 years of experience in fire
suppression systems. He has worked in fire
protection contracting, with various consulting
engineering firms, and as a technical
representative for a sprinkler manufacturer.
Immediately prior to joining Reliable, Larson
was employed as Aquasafe product
manager with Uponor-USA. Larson is a
NICET (National Institute for the Certification
of Engineering Technicians) certified fire
sprinkler designer, a certified fire protection
specialist (CFPS), is certified in plumbing
engineering by the American Society of
Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) and is a member
of the NFPA committee on residential fire
sprinkler systems (AUT-RSS).
REGIONAL PEOPLE
NFSA ADDRESS CHANGE
Due to changes at the local post
office, NFSA is discontinuing the
use of the P.O. boxes for NFSA and
IP mailings (Box 1000 and Box
448). Mail will be delivered
directly to NFSA at 40 Jon
Barrett Road. As such, please
discontinue the use of the P.O.
boxes in all correspondence, payments, billings et al. sent
to NFSA headquarters in New York. The post office will
forward from the P.O. boxes for a while, but at some point
in 2007 will stop honoring the forwarding instructions.
THE SOURCE
HEADQUARTERS LOS ANGELES AREA
17451 Hurley St. City o ndustry, C/ 91744
Ph: (626) 855-4890 (800) 366-3473
Fax: (626) 937-4777
NORTHEAST NEW YORK AREA
1480 Rideway St. Union, N1 07083
Ph: (908) 964-5775 (800) 526-4592
Fax: (888) 964-9056
MIDWEST CHICAGO AREA
769 Edewood /ve. wood Dale, L 60191
Ph: (630) 766-4545 (800) 547-3473
Fax: (888) 766-4609
SOUTHEAST ATLANTA AREA
3715 Northcrest Rd., Ste.15 /tlanta, 0/ 30340
Ph: (770) 451-4800 (800) 762-0542
Fax: (888) 457-8002
SOUTH FLORIDA MIAMI AREA
8306 Nw 14th St. Miami, FL 33126
Ph: (786) 845-0842 (866) 961-3473
Fax: (866) 960-0844
www. p o t t e r r o e m e r . c o m
DSTRBUT0N CENTERS !
44 SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008
NORTHEAST
DOM KASMAUSKAS, REGIONAL MANAGER
United Nations
Rife with Fire
Safety Violations
This September, the
New York City
School System said
it was halting trips to the United Nations
over concerns about fire hazards. The city
seeks more say on fire safety in buildings
owned by governmental agencies now exempt
from city regulations and inspections. Two
firefighters died in an August 2008 blaze in
a government-owned skyscraper near ground
zero that was rife with safety violations.
City officials, who were allowed to inspect
the U.N. in 2006 and early 2007, found
866 violations. The complex, which dates
to 1951, is just beginning its first major
overhaul.
The inspectors called for new fire sprinklers,
smoke detectors, exit signs and fire doors,
among other things. Although some problems
have been fixed, the world body failed to
install fire doors in some areas of the 39-
story Secretariat building and corridors
underneath the complex.
Dominick Kasmauskas is the NFSA
Regional Manager for the Northeast Region.
He can be reached at Kasmauskas@nfsa.org
or1436 Altamont Ave. Suite 147 Rotterdam,
New York 12303 Phone 914.414.3337,
Fax 518.836.0210.
MID-ATLANTIC
RAYMOND W. LONABAUGH, REGIONAL MANAGER
Survivor of Seton
Hall Dorm Fire
Pushes for
Sprinkler Law
College students need
to pressure Congress
to make sure dormitories around the country
have sprinkler systems to fight fires, a survivor
of the 2000 dormitory fire at Seton Hall
University said at a news conference Tuesday
in the Capitol.
Shawn Simons, 27, suffered burns over
15 percent of his body during the fire.
Simons now works as a community news
editor at The New Jersey Star-Ledger and
is the focus of a book published this September
by a Ledger reporter about his and his
roommate's recovery from the fire. Simons
said he is pleased that New Jersey has required
all colleges to install sprinklers.
The news conference was held to highlight
a new safety measure two New Jersey
Congress members saw signed into law in
August, after eight years of effort. The
Campus Fire Safety Right to Know Law
introduced in 2000 after the Seton Hall fire
calls on colleges and universities to give
students and prospective students information
about the number of fires that have occurred,
how many dorms have sprinklers and fire
alarms, and campus fire safety policies. Rep.
Bill Pascrell Jr., D-Paterson, and Sen. Frank
Lautenberg, D-N.J., both said they believe
publishing the information will lead to
pressure from parents and students to improve
campus safety.
Raymond W. Lonabaugh is the NFSA
Regional Manager for the Mid Atlantic
Region. Reach Ray at: Lonabaugh@nfsa.org
or P.O. Box 126, Ridley Park, Pennsylvania,
19078. Phone: 610.521.4768.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP REGIONAL ROUNDUP
NORTHEAST REGION
MID ATLANTIC REGION
SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 45
SOUTHEAST
WAYNE WAGGONER, REGIONAL MANAGER
Tennessee
Department
of Commerce
and Insurance
Announces
Emergency
Rules for Fire and Building Codes
Leslie Newman, Commissioner of the
Tennessee Department of Commerce and
Insurance, filed emergency rules with the
Secretary of States Office to allow building
plans to be submitted and reviewed under
either the 2003 Uniform Fire Code (NFPA
1) or the 2006 International Fire Code.
With these emergency rules, the Fire
Prevention Division will review plans submitted
under the 2003 Uniform Fire Code (NFPA
1) and the 2006 International Fire Code.
These emergency rules are effective immediately
and will remain in effect until December
20, 2008.
The International Building Code, 2006
edition, has already been adopted as a
permanent rule and went into effect September
1, 2008. The department hopes to have
formal permanent fire code rules in effect
by the expiration of these emergency rules.
Wayne Waggoner is the NFSA Regional
Manager for the Southeast Region. He can
be reached at: Waggoner@nfsa.org or 8033
Canter Lane, Powell, Tennessee 37849,
Phone 865.947.33933, Fax 865.947.5188.
FLORI DA
DAVE BOWMAN, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
OF REGIONAL OPERATIONS
Sprinkler
Extinguishes
Fire Set by Four
Year-old
Officials say a four
year-old boy playing
with a cigarette lighter set fire to a bedroom
in a Tampa apartment. Firefighters responded,
but a fire sprinkler had already controlled
the blaze. The Tampa Fire Marshal's Office
reported that there were no injuries and
damage was estimated at $15,000. The boy
will be referred to the Juvenile Firesetters
Program.
David Bowman is the NFSA Regional
Manager for the Florida Region. He can be
reached at Bowman@nfsa.org or 6572 SE
173rd, Court Ocklawaha, Florida 32179
Phone 845.519.7648, Fax 661.455.3968.
GREAT LAKES
JEFF HUGO, REGIONAL MANAGER
'Green' Habitat
Home in
Indianapolis is
Extra-Safe
Area firefighters
joined about 20 other
volunteers in Indianapolis to assist in Habitat
for Humanity's first public-safety build in
the city, a new home designed with advanced
safety and environmental features. A mother
and three children will live there.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis
construction superintendent Mark Payne
said that what makes the public-safety build
distinct from other projects is that it will
include a residential sprinkler system and
an early-warning fire alarm system. In
addition, the house will showcase several
environmentally friendly features such as a
solar-powered attic fan, a tankless water
heater and energy-efficient windows.
In addition to helping a first-time homeowner
in the community, a spokesman for the fire
department stated that the departments
mission was to use the project to educate
others about the importance of fire safety,
residential fire sprinkler systems and having
working smoke detectors set up in every
house.
Jeff Hugo is the NFSA Regional Manager
for the Great Lakes Region. He can be
reached at Hugo@nfsa.org or 1088 West
Borton Road, Essexville, Michigan 78732,
Phone 845.519.5963, Fax 989.891.0494.
ILLINOIS
BOB KLEINHEINZ, REGIONAL MANAGER
Illinois Fire
Inspectors
Association News
The Illinois Fire
Inspectors Association
(IFIA) is planning its
November Trade Show and Sprinkler Summit
for November 19th, 20th and 21st. The
Illinois Fire Inspectors Association works
hard to support fire safety and fire protection
in our state. If interested in a sponsorship
please call the IFIA office at 847-756-4750
for details.
Next chapter meeting: November 13th
Maganas in Oak Brook, Illinois
CONTI NUED FROM PAGE 44
REGIONAL ROUNDUP REGIONAL ROUNDUP
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SOUTHEAST REGION
FLORIDA REGION
P.R.
GREAT LAKES REGION
ILLINOIS REGION
46 SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008
Bob Kleinheinz is the NFSA Regional
Manager for Illinois. He can be reached at
Kleinheinz@nfsa.org or 509 Dawes Street,
Libertyville, Illinois 60048. Phone 914.671.1975.
NORTH CENTRAL
DAVE BOWMAN, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
OF REGIONAL OPERATIONS
Waukesha,
Wisconsin Pet
World Sprinkler
Activation Saves
Animals
Waukesha Fire
Department Deputy Chief Jesse Alba reported
that on July 19, 2008 his department was
dispatched to a structure fire at Pet World.
Three engine companies, one ladder company,
two ambulances, and an Incident Commander
responded.
Upon arrival crews found exterior alarms
sounding and could see smoke inside the
structure. Crews forced entry into the
building and initiated fire attack. Once
inside, the fires location was quickly identified
in the stores Fish Room. An automatic
sprinkler system had been activated and
kept the fire contained to the room of origin.
The attack crews completed the extinguishment
and began checking for extension. In addition
to completing other standard fire ground
assignments, WFD members removed
approximately 25 cages containing various
birds, cats, and rodents from the store in
order to minimize the loss to the business
owners.
The building sustained minimal structural
damage. There were no civilian or firefighter
injuries.
Dan Gengler is the NFSA Regional
Manager for the North Central Region. He
can be reached at Gengler@nfsa.org or PO
Box 280, Williams Bay, Wisconsin 53191.
Phone 262.245.5255, Fax 262.245.5258.
SOUTH CENTRAL
STEVEN E. RANDALL, REGIONAL MANAGER
Off-Campus
Organization
Inspection
Verification
Program
Implemented
in Texas
Recent fire-related tragedies involving
off-campus fraternity and sorority facilities
has prompted state and local leadership to
intensify their focus on the safety of those
individuals living in, or using, those facilities.
The Texas State Fire Marshal's Office, in
cooperation with the universities, determined
that an enhanced focus on annual fire safety
inspections was an important component
of a safe off-campus environment.
The State Fire Marshal's Office maintains
a registry of fire safety inspections for
university-affiliated, off-campus facilities.
We encourage all fraternities, sororities,
and other off-campus groups to have annual
fire safety inspections of their facilities and
to report the inspections to the State Fire
Marshal.
Many universities are requiring the
inspections as a part of the organization
recognition process and failure to have a
current fire safety inspection may affect the
good standing of the organization with the
university. Please contact your university's
Dean of Students Office to determine what
you university requires in this area.
Instructions for participation:
1. Request a fire safety inspection from
the local fire marshal having jurisdic-
tion. (Most fire departments conduct
inspections but need advance notice
to schedule an appointment. If the
local fire department does not con-
duct inspections you may request an
inspection from the State Fire
Marshal's Inspection Services Division
at the address located on the verifica-
tion form.)
2. Upon completion of the inspection,
record the requested information on
the attached form. Submit the com-
pleted form to the State Fire
Marshal's Office. (The form can be
mailed, faxed or E-mailed.)
3. Your organization's host university
will receive notification that the
inspection was conducted and
acknowledgement of your organiza-
tion's compliance will be posted on
the State Fire Marshal's Internet site.
Steven Randall is the NFSA Regional
Manager for the South Central Region. He
can be reached at: Randall@nfsa.org or
7165 Lazy Meadow Lane, Frisco, Texas
75034, Phone 972.668.4022, Fax 972.668.4077.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP REGIONAL ROUNDUP
CONTI NUED FROM PAGE 45
CONTI NUED ON PAGE 47
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NORTH CENTRAL REGION
SOUTH CENTRAL REGION
SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 47
CENTRAL
CHRIS GAUT, REGIONAL MANAGER
St. Louis
Life Safety
Symposium a
Great Success
This past summer,
The St. Louis Fire
Sprinkler Alliance
co-hosted the St. Louis Life Safety Symposium.
Powerful speakers spoke to a large audience,
comprised of fire and building officials,
architects and engineers, fire alarm and fire
sprinkler contractors. The symposium
touched on the need for residential fire
sprinkler systems, technical data concerning
sprinkler systems, new fire alarm technology,
and motivational presentations regarding
the need to be diligently active in ensuring
proper life safety systems are being considered
in new construction. A live-side by side fire
sprinkler demonstration wowed the crowd
just before lunch. A huge recognition must
be given to John LaVenture, newest member
of the St. Louis Fire Sprinkler Alliance, who
worked very hard to make the symposium
a success.
Chris Gaut is the NFSA Regional Manager
for the Central Region. He can be reached
at gaut@nfsa.org or 189 Eureka Town
Center Dr. Suite 135, Eureka, Missouri
60325 Phone 845.803.6426, Fax 636.410.7700.
GREAT PLAI NS
TERRY PHILLIPS, REGIONAL MANAGER
Attic Fire in
Assisted Living
Facility
Controlled by Fire
Sprinkler System
Eleven residents
of an assisted-living facility in Canon City,
Colorado were displaced from their home
Saturday by a structure fire. The Canon
City Area Fire Protection District said
lightning started the blaze, which was
extinguished primarily by the automatic
sprinkler system installed in the building.
Firefighters were called to the scene at
7:21 p.m. Upon arrival, firefighters noted
that the automatic sprinkler system already
had activated, extinguishing the blaze.
It was reported that lightning struck a
large tree near the building and moved into
the center near the rain gutter. An attic fire
quickly ensued, activating eight sprinklers
located in the attic.
The structure sustained little fire damage.
Terry Phillips is the NFSA Regional
Manager for the Great Plains Region. He
can be reached at: Phillips@nfsa.org or
Phone 914.525.4396, Fax 307.514.0406.
SOUTHWEST
DOYLE SUTTON, REGIONAL MANAGER
Fire Sprinkler
System Saves Lake
Tahoe Residence
A fire that started on
Lakeshore Boulevard
in a private residence
in Lake Tahoe, California was contained
quickly by a residential fire sprinkler system
that North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection
District officials say saved the home. The
fire started in a walk-in closet in the master
bedroom of the home, said NLTFPD Asst.
Fire Marshal Pete Mulvihill. Two sprinklers
doused the flames before firefighters from
the NLTFPD arrived to contain what was
left of the blaze. The homes caretaker was
on the property but no one was inside the
home while the fire was burning and no
one was hurt.
The homeowner, Gary Walsh, who bought
the home in 2000, praised the fire sprinkler
system. Walsh said the home was equipped
with a sprinkler system when he bought it
and then updated after the purchase.
Doyle Sutton is the NFSA Regional
Manager for the Southwest Region. He can
be reached at: Sutton@nfsa.org or Phone
303.854.8677, Fax 303.496.7501.
WEST
BRUCE LECAIR, REGIONAL MANAGER
San Diego Fire
Protection
Association
discusses Fire
Sprinkler Field
Plan Review
Chula Vista Fire Marshal Justin Gipson
discussed Chula Vista Fire Departments
new Field Plan Review Process at the San
Diego Fire Protection monthly meeting held
in La Mesa, California. The program allows
fire sprinkler contractors to apply for field
plan review and inspections. The program
applies to smaller tenant improvements
when 20 or fewer fire sprinklers are modified,
the occupancy is a light or ordinary hazard,
the system is arranged so that hydraulic
calculations are not required and the system
does not change the seismic bracing. The
program was well received by the San Diego
Fire Protection Association and should
improve the process of plan review and field
inspections for local contractors. For more
information contact Justin Gipson at Chula
Vista Fire Department (619) 691-5057.
Bruce Lecair is the NFSA Regional Manager
for the West Region. He can be reached at:
Lecair@nfsa.org or Phone: 951.277.3517,
Fax: 951.277.3199.
PACI FI C NORTHWEST
DON PAMPLIN, REGIONAL MANAGER
One Sprinkler
Stops Fire,
Absence of Allows
Total Destruction
Two different fires
in the Pacific
Northwest had two different outcomes. In
Washington State, a sprinkler activation in
an unoccupied apartment brought fire crews
from the Ten Valley Regional Fire Authority.
The fire was controlled by that one sprinkler,
resulting in minimal damage to the suite.
The cause of the fire was attributed to the
power being turned-off in the unoccupied
suite, when the power was turned back-on,
items left on the stove ignited, causing the
fire.
The no-sprinkler protection scenario
occurred in a multi-million dollar mansion
in the Petes Mountain, Oregon area. Tualatin
Valley Fire & Rescue received the fire call
at 2:14 a.m. on Saturday August 9, 2008
and found the house engulfed in flames.
Because the house did not have a fire sprinkler
system and the nearest fire hydrant was a
half-mile away, firefighters came close to
running out of water. Although 80 firefighters
battled this blaze, the mansion could not
be saved and firefighting efforts mainly
focused on containing the fire and preventing
it from spreading to other homes in the area.
Don Pamplin is the NFSA Regional
Manager for the Pacific Northwest Region.
He can be reached at Pamplin@nfsa.org
or 1436 Harrison Avenue Blaine, Washington
98230 Phone 380.332.1948, Fax
380.422.1752.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP REGIONAL ROUNDUP
CONTI NUED FROM PAGE 46
CENTRAL REGION
GREAT PLAINS
SOUTHWEST REGION
WEST REGION
Hawaii
PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION
Alaska
48 SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008
20th Annual Burn Center Golf
Invitational Another Major Success
The organizing committee for the Twentieth
Annual Burn Center Golf Invitational (BCGI)
was extremely pleased with the outcome of
the August 25, 2008 event. The outing was
held for the 15th consecutive year at the
award winning Grand Geneva Resort &
Spa, the Brute and Highlands courses in
Lake Geneva, WI offered more than 180
golf participants with a challenging round
of scramble format golf. Ideal weather
helped ease the level of difficulty. An additional
40 dinner guests joined for the evening
program and auction. The tally for the day
was another successful story of many enjoying
a day of fun and an evening of satisfaction.
Just over $110,000 was generated to the
causes of burn prevention and treatment
for Columbia St. Marys Hospital and the
Wisconsin Alliance for Fire Safety (WAFS).
The twenty year total for the event has
reached an astounding $1,724,000.
Specified Technologies Pensil

300
Silicone Sealant Joins FGG/BM/CZ

System Compatible Program


The Lubrizol Corporation (NYSE:LZ)
announces that Pensil

300 Silicone Sealant


from Specified Technologies, Inc. (STI) is
chemically compatible with FlowGuard
Gold

, BlazeMaster

and Corzan

CPVC
piping systems and has been added to the
FGG/BM/CZ

System Compatible Program.


Pensil 300 Silicone Sealant is a one-part
neutral curing silicone sealant. According
to STI, the product exhibits superior
performance in applications where sealing
apertures in walls and floors are needed to
control the spread of fire, smoke, toxic
gasses, and water during fire conditions.
The manufacturer states that Pensil 300
Silicone Sealant reacts with atmospheric
moisture to form a tough, durable seal that
will adhere to most building substrates
without the use of primers. Pensil 300 Silicone
Sealant does not contain asbestos or PCBs
and may be used to seal vertical and horizontal
joints between metals, masonry, concrete
and other common construction materials.
Pensil 300 is also approved for use in many
through-penetration firestop systems involving
a variety of different penetrating items,
including CPVC piping. The sealant is
available in 10.3 oz tubes, 20 oz sausages,
and five-gallon pails. For more information
on Pensil 300 Silicone Sealant, visit
www.stifirestop.com.
The FGG/BM/CZ System Compatible
Program tests and monitors ancillary products
on an ongoing basis to ensure chemical
compatibility with FlowGuard Gold,
BlazeMaster and Corzan CPVC piping
systems.
FlowGuard Gold

, BlazeMaster

and
Corzan

are registered trademarks of The


Lubrizol Corporation. FGG/BM/CZ

is a
trademark of The Lubrizol Corporation.
New Globe Model GL5610 5.6K
Residential Sprinkler Now Available
Globe Fire Sprinkler Corporation announces
the availability of its new Model GL5610,
155F, 5.6 K factor residential sprinkler
in both pendent and
1
2 adjustable recessed
CONTI NUED ON PAGE 49
SPRINKLING OF NEWS
SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 49
pendent style. When used in N.F.P.A. 13
systems, the GL5610 is ideal to obtain a
0.1 design density at low pressures. It is
U.L. and C.U.L. listed for the following
room sizes: 12 x 12 with 15 G.P.M. @ 7.2
P.S.I.; 14 x 14 with 19 G.P.M. @ 11.5 P.S.I.;
16 x 16 with 19 G.P.M. @ 11.5 P.S.I.; 18
x 18 with 21 G.P.M. @ 14.1 P.S.I.; and 20
x 20 with 24 G.P.M. @ 18.4 P.S.I. for a
ceiling slope of 2 rise per 12 run. With
a ceiling slope of 8 rise per 12 run, 12 x
12, 14 x 14, and 16 x 16 rooms require
23 G.P.M. @ 16.9 P.S.I. It is available in
factory bronze, chrome, white or black
polyester, and other finishes.
Viking SupplyNet Adds Distribution
Services to Riverside Location
Viking SupplyNet announces the addition
of distribution services to their existing
fabrication facility in Riverside, California.
Vikings Riverside facility will continue
to offer complete fabricating services including
threading, grooving, welding, and end of
pipe preparation for black or galvanized
material. With the addition of Viking
SupplyNets complete line of fire protection
products, the Riverside location can now
supply customers with a complete package
of products and services. In addition to its
extensive product line, the Viking SupplyNet
Riverside location offers delivery services,
to local facilities and jobsites.
Contact information for the new facility
is as follows:
Viking SupplyNet
6480 Box Springs Boulevard
Riverside, CA 92507
Toll free: (866) 870-3111
Phone: (951) 656-3111
Fax: (951) 656-2606
Email: west@supplynet.com
Viking Adds New Concealed Sprinkler
to Freedom

Residential Line
Viking announces the availability of a
new flat plate concealed fire sprinkler for
residential applications. The new VK457
pendent sprinkler, which is the latest addition
to Vikings leading Freedom

residential
package, offers industry leading flow and
pressure characteristics combined with
several exclusive features for enhanced
aesthetics and ease of installation.
The VK457 sprinkler has a temperature
rating of 165F (74C) and is available with
two cover plate options. Vikings standard
2-
3
4 in (70 mm) diameter cover plate is best
suited for installations where aesthetics are
a priority. The larger, 3-
5
16 in (84 mm) cover
plate offers the greatest horizontal foregiveability
for maximum installation flexibility.
Vikings Freedom

residential cover plates


are available in nine standard finishes.
Additionally, through Vikings new cULus
listed custom finish process, virtually any
manufacturers paint can be applied to cover
plates to match nearly any ceiling finish.
Viking also offers two exclusive labor-
saving installation tools for the VK457.
These tools, which attach to the end of a
length of one inch (DN25) CPVC, allow
the installer to remove the sprinklers protective
caps and install its cover plates from the
floor, without the use of a ladder.
SPRINKLING OF NEWS
Dont
settle for
anything less than
the most stringent standards
in backow and in re protection.
Our standards are set by the
Foundation for Cross-Connection
Control and Hydraulic Research
at the University of Southern
California (FCCCHR@USC).
Wilkins only publishes curves
certied by USC.
Want to learn more? Whether
you choose a Wilkins backow
preventer or not, we would be
happy to talk to you about the
importance of certied curves and
how they make a difference in our
products, and your success.
Wilkins has the Most Consistent and Reliable Flow Curves in the Industry.
You Can Trust Wilkins When Lives Are On the Line!
Customer Service Representatives are available Monday through Friday
5:30 am to 5:00 pm PST. Call 877-222-5356 or 805-226-6297,
info@zurnwilkins.com or visit us online at www.zurn.com
You Can Trust Wilkins When Lives Are On the Line!
TO KEN ISMAN:
Dear Ken,
I want to take this opportunity to offer my sincere congratulations on being elected to the grade of Fellow of
SFPE. It is a tribute to your dedication and commitment to be so highly recognized by your peers. Not only
have you dedicated your career to the promotion of the fire sprinkler concept, but you personally have played
a key role in the engineering and technical support for automatic fire sprinklers. Your continued commitment
and investment in NFPAs Automatic Sprinkler Systems Project can be seen in all of our sprinkler standards.
It has been and continues to be a pleasure to work with you. Your technical excellence, leadership and commitment
to fire protection engineering is well known at NFPA both as a committee member and more recently as a
Standards Council member. On a personal note, you represent integrity, commitment and excellence in all you
do and I am pleased that you are receiving this much deserved recognition.
Congratulation!
Sincerely,
Christian Dubay, P.E.
Vice President and Chief Engineer
National Fire Protection Association
TO RUSS FLEMING:
Dear Russell:
After 40 years perhaps I did contribute something to our profession and made a few friends along the way.
Thank you. Thank you and the members and friends of the NFSA for selecting me for induction into the Hall
of Fame, I am very grateful to you all and place this event as a major highlight of my career.
Sincerely,
Robert I. Percival
50 SQ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008
LETTERS
Save the Date!
NFSA 2009 Annual
Seminar
& Exhibition
April 29 - May 2,
2009

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