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SprinklerScene
Victoria B. Valentine, P.E., Editor
IFSA SprinklerScene
JanuaryApril 2010
Page 2
component, the amplification factor for the component and the location height in the building. The short period spectral response acceleration incorporates the type of soil where a building is erected. The importance factor for sprinkler systems is always 1.5 because the system is a life safety system and is therefore expected to operate after an earthquake has occurred. The response factor and amplification factor for the system are based on the materials used for the construction of the system and the types of connections and fittings used to join the parts of the system together. Finally, there is a component that takes into account the location of the system relative to the height of the building. All of these items are rolled into the Cp value used in NFPA 13. Since the 2007 Edition of NFPA 13 the Committee has emphasized that the horizontal force used in the load calculations for seismic protection, specifically sway braces, should come from the local codes. Traditionally, a default value of 0.5 Wp was used for the horizontal force. However, this is now meant to be a value only used when no other information is available to the user about the seismic forces. In other words, local forces need to be applied but if none are available 0.5 Wp is a reasonable protection level. It is also important to note that there are alternatives, as mentioned above, to using the simplified method. This would involve the local building code, insurance company or authority having jurisdiction providing the appropriate values or appropriate methods for determining the horizontal forces expected. If the method used is in the actual strength design, as many building code calculations are, then a conversion must be made for the ASD that is used in NFPA 13. This is done by multiplying the value from the strength design by 0.7 in order to use it with NFPA 13 and the ASD method.
IFSA SprinklerScene
JanuaryApril 2010
Page 3
Mr. Robert Treiber instructing last years IFSA Mexico class, also in Puebla, Mexico.
World News
Fire Sprinkler Save in France
Local French press reports that a fire in a warehouse has been extinguished by the sprinkler system. The fire was reported at 14:55 on 14th March at the Trelleborg factory in Steinbach in the east of France. When the fire brigade arrived the fire was already out. The fire was caused by a short-circuit in a lathe in the heart of the factory and warehouse.
Imex4
The NFPA Mexico Fire Expo, co-located with Expo Seguridad, Facilities Mexico, and Mexico Safety in Mexico City, Mexico was held on 20-22 April 2010. This created an integrated event for the security, safety, fire and facilities divisions as well as an enormous show. Education sessions were given in the morning followed by the show and exhibitor presentations in the afternoon. The IFSA was present at the NFPA Mexico Fire Expo for its 3rd year.
Upcoming Events
10-13 May 2010 7-10 June 2010 8-9 June 2010 IFSEC 2010 www.ifsec.co.uk NFPA Conference & Expo www.nfpa.org/conference 11th International Fire Prevention Symposium www.interschutz.de/60448 8th International Conference on Performance Based Codes & Fire Safety Design Methods www.sfpe.org 12th International Conference on Fire Science & Engineering (Interflam) IFSEC 2010 South Africa www.ifsecsa.com IFSA Classes Puebla, Mexico United Kingdom United States Germany
16-18 June 2010 5-7 July 2010 31 August 2 September 2010 31 August 2 September 2010
Editors Note: If you have upcoming industry events, sprinkler saves, or industry news, please send it to valentine@sprinklerworld.org. Also, remember to visit the website www.sprinklerworld.org for industry news and updates on upcoming events.