Storage Protection Using Horizontal
Barriers and Large K-Factor,
Extended Coverage In-Rack
Sprinklers
Michael Billstroem
Director of International Technical Services
The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc.
As an Industry, we have spent the last 30
years trying to eliminate in-rack sprinklers.
Are they coming back?
Current Trends & Developments:
Higher buildings using Automated Storage and Retrieval
Systems (ASRS). .
More exposed plastic storage
Lower water demands by using horizontal in-rack barriers.
Using N252 EC as in-rack sprinklers
NFPA Fire Protection
Research Foundation
work forms the basis
of our new approach.
Initial Project to
improve on methods
of storing EEP and
allowing for retrofit.
Testing carried out
at Underwriters
Laboratories (UL)
Standard fuel
package for EEP
tests using
polystyrene meat
trays.
Test Parameters.
Commodity: Exposed, Expanded Class A Plastics
Ceiling Height:12.2m
Storage Height: 10.7m
Horizontal Barrier: 10mm Plywood at 6.1m (as per FM 8-9 and
NFPA 13)
Ceiling Sprinklers: K=16.8 ESFR Sprinklers 100°C @ 3.4bar
In-rack sprinklers: N252EC K=360 Extended Coverage Pendent
Sprinklers 100°C @ 2.07bar
Reliable Model N252-EC Extended
Coverage Pendent Sprinkler
K=360
UL Listed, FM approved as a ceiling
application sprinkler
100°C version was used for all testing
The Model N252 EC Pendent Sprinkler is a component of the
N-Rack-EC™ Fire Protection System – Patent Pending
100mm clearance above commodity
50mm deflector distance below beam
Target
1200mm Array
aisle
width
Spray Pattern @ 2.07bar
Installation Method.
N252-EC Sprinklers
Centred in Longitudinal Flue and Centred Between Rack
Uprights = 2,515mm on centre.
The horizontal barrier was left open at the
rack uprights and no sprinklers are
installed in the transverse flue or at the
face of the racks.
Exposed Expanded Class A Plastics Fire Test.
Results.
Opened one (1)
sprinkler at the ceiling
@ 1 minute/2 seconds
3.4bar and 450 lpm
Opened two (2)
sprinklers in the rack @
49 seconds and 52
seconds
2.07bar and 522 lpm
each or 1044 lpm total
After
N-252 EC
with
Horizontal
Barrier
Proposed Design
Temp(C) Bar LPM/spr No. of sprs System
Ceiling .
calculated
Demand in
LPM
K-16.8 ESFR 100° 3.4 450 12 5,405+
In-Rack
N-252 EC 100° 2.07 522 3 1,567+
Pendent
For comparison: Actual water demands will be higher based upon hydraulic calculations.
The in-rack sprinkler demand would not be added to the
ceiling demand because of the horizontal barrier. The total
system demand would be the ceiling demand at 5,405+ LPM
Existing Ceiling Sprinkler Design (FM) for
Exposed Expanded Plastics stored in Open Racks
with 12.2m Ceiling and 10.7m storage.
Bar LPM/spr No. of sprs Hose System
Proposed . Stream in Demand in
calculated LPM LPM
K-16.8 ESFR & 3.4 450 12 946 5,405+
N252 In Rack
FM DS 8-9
K-25 ESFR 5.17 829 20 1,893 18,473+
Pendent
For comparison: Actual water demands will be higher based upon hydraulic
calculations. Also note current 8-9 system has 2 hour water demand. On
this basis total water saving would be +/- 1,875,000 litres
Proposed Design (NFPA13-2016) for Exposed
Expanded Plastics stored in Open Racks with
12.2m Ceiling and 10.7m storage using Vertical
Barriers at 5m Intervals.
Bar LPM/spr No. of Hose System
Proposed sprs . Stream in Demand in
calculated LPM LPM
K-16.8 ESFR & 3.4 450 12 946 5,405+
N252 In Rack
NFPA 13
K-25 ESFR 4.14 738 15 946 12,016+
Pendent
For comparison: Actual water demands will be higher based upon hydraulic
calculations. On this basis total water saving would be +/- 396,660 litres
After
K25 ESFR
with Vertical
Barrier
After
N-252 EC
with
Horizontal
Barrier
Second Phase of Testing
Cartoned Unexpanded, Group A Plastics
Primary Goals:
To reduce the number of in-rack sprinklers when compared
to standard in-rack schemes and to reduce water demands.
To have a significant reduction of water demand for
buildings up to 14.63m (48’) high that can currently be
protected by ceiling-only sprinklers.
Protect buildings higher than 14.63m (48’) with low water
demands.
Retrofit existing facilities, where the storage commodities
or methods of storage have changed, without changing the
existing sprinklers and/or increasing water flows or
pressures.
Test 2 with Cartoned Unexpanded Plastics
Objective:
By using a horizontal barrier at 9.1m, the total water demand and
pressure would be lower than existing ceiling-only sprinkler designs.
Protect buildings higher than 14.63 with one level of in-rack sprinklers.
Test 2
Ceiling Height 14.63m
Storage Height 13.11m on double row racks
Horizontal Barrier 1 at the 9.1m level
Ignition Point At upright- face (aisle)
Ceiling Sprinklers N 252 EC 100°C pendent @ 18.2m2
and 2.07bar
In-Rack Sprinklers N 252 EC 100°C pendent @ 2.07bar
Ceiling Spr. Operated 1 @ 3.01 minutes
In-Rack Spr. Operated 2 - 1st @ 2.53 last @ 2:59
Peak Steel Temp – Ceil. 67° C
After
N-252 EC
with
Horizontal
Barrier
Proposed Design for Cartoned
Unexpanded Plastics Stored in Racks up to
and potentially over 14.63m with
Horizontal Barriers at the 9.1m level
Bar LPM/spr No. of System
Ceiling sprs . Demand in
calculated LPM
N-252 EC Pendent @ 2.07 522 6 3,132+
18.2m²/spr
The ceiling sprinkler design is based upon NFPA 13 and FM Global requirements for
9.1m high ceilings and ceiling-only sprinkler protection.
In-Rack
N-252 EC Pendent 2.07 522 3 1,566+
For comparison: Actual water demands will be higher based upon hydraulic calculations.
The in-rack sprinkler demand would not be added to the ceiling demand because
of the horizontal barrier. The total system demand would be the ceiling demand at
3,132+ LPM
N-Rack-EC System Vs. Current Approved
Systems
Current UL Listings / FM Approvals for 13.7m High Buildings-Class 4/Group A Plastics
K22/K 25 ESFR @ 9.3m² Proposed Design - N252 EC @
18.2m²
Sprinkler demand UL 6,435+ lpm / 7,237+ lpm 3,132+ lpm
FM 7,177+ lpm / 8,088+ lpm
Hose stream demand 946 lpm 946 lpm
Total demand 7,381+ lpm / 8,183+ lpm 4,078+ lpm
FM 8,123+ lpm / 9,034+ lpm
Current UL Listings for 14.63m High Buildings-Class 4/Group A Plastics
K22/K 25 ESFR @ 9.3m² Proposed Design - N252 EC @
18.2m²
Sprinkler demand 7,544 lpm / 8,093 lpm 3,132+ lpm
Hose stream demand 946 lpm 946 lpm
Total demand 8,490+ lpm / 9,039+ lpm 4,078+ lpm
Potential Benefits – Up to 18.3m high
buildings with 16.7m Storage using a
single row of in-rack sprinklers?
Future Protection for 48’+ High Buildings- Class 4/Group A Plastics
K22/K 25 ESFR Proposed Design - N252 EC
@ 18.2m²
Sprinkler demand NA 3,132+ lpm
Hose stream demand NA 946 lpm
Total demand NA 4,078+ lpm
ASRS - The Future of
Storage Protection
Tests 3, 4, & 5
24.4m/36.4m
18.3m/27.3m
12.2m/18.2m
6.1m/9.1m
Test 3 with Cartoned
Unexpanded Plastics
Objective:
By using multiple horizontal barriers at 6.1m intervals, high bay
buildings may be protected with fewer in-rack sprinklers. No face
sprinklers and no sprinklers in transverse flues. Barrier open at
transverse flue.
Test 3
Ceiling Height 14.63m
Storage Height 13.11m on double row racks
Horizontal Barrier 2 – 6.1m level & 12.2m level
Ignition Point Offset in Transverse Flue
Ceiling Sprinklers N 252 EC pendent @ 18.2m2 and 0 bar
In-Rack Sprinklers N 252 EC 100°C pendent @ 2.07bar
Ceiling Spr. Operated 3 – 1st @ 20.40 last @ 21.15
In-Rack Spr. Operated 5 - 1st @ 1.13 in 6.1m level. 1st in 12.2m level @
13.40
Peak Steel Temp – Ceil. 232°C
Testing with a Continuous
Barrier Across the Uprights
Tests 1, 2, & 3 Tests 4 & 5
Test 4 with Cartoned
Unexpanded Plastics
Objective:
By using multiple continuous horizontal barriers at 6.1m intervals,
high bay buildings may be protected with fewer in-rack sprinklers. No
face sprinklers and no sprinklers in transverse flues. Fires may be
contained and suppressed between barriers.
Test 4
Ceiling Height 14.63m
Storage Height 13.11m on double row racks
Horizontal Barrier 2 – 6.1m level & 12.2m level
Ignition Point Offset in Transverse Flue
Ceiling Sprinklers N 252 EC pendent @ 18.2m2 and 0 bar
In-Rack Sprinklers N 252 EC 100°C pendent @ 2.07bar
Ceiling Spr. Operated None
In-Rack Spr. Operated 4 in 6.1m level only - 1st @ 1.26
4th @ 1.36
Peak Steel Temp – Ceil. 28°C
Test 5 with Cartoned
Unexpanded Plastics
Objective:
By using multiple continuous horizontal barriers at 9.1m intervals,
high bay buildings may be protected with fewer in-rack sprinklers. No
face sprinklers and no sprinklers in transverse flues. Fires may be
contained and suppressed between barriers.
Test 5
Ceiling Height 14.63m
Storage Height 13.11m on double row racks
Horizontal Barrier 1 – 9.1m level
Ignition Point Offset in Transverse Flue
Ceiling Sprinklers N 252 EC pendent @ 18.2m2 and 0 bar
In-Rack Sprinklers N 252 EC 100°C pendent @ 2.07bar
Ceiling Spr. Operated None
In-Rack Spr. Operated 3 in 9.1m level only - 1st @ 1.14
3rd @ 1.15
Peak Steel Temp – Ceil. 28°C
Fixed Camera at 6.1m Barrier Level
In Conclusion:
For storage of Exposed Expanded Class A
Plastics in double row, open framed racks:
By installing a horizontal barrier at the 6.1m
level with the Model N252 EC Pendent, used
as in-rack sprinklers, buildings up to 12.2m
high will have significantly lower water
demands than using ceiling-only sprinkler
protection.
For storage of Cartoned Unexpanded Plastics in
double row, open framed racks:
By installing a horizontal barrier at the 9.1m level with
the Model N252 EC Pendent, used as in-rack sprinklers,
buildings up to 14.63m high will have lower water
demands than using ceiling-only sprinkler protection.
Retrofit applications where storage commodities or
methods of storage have changed, adding a horizontal
barrier or barriers with the Model N252 EC Pendent,
used as in-rack sprinklers, may eliminate changing
ceiling sprinklers or water supplies.
For storage of Cartoned Unexpanded Plastics in
double row, open framed racks:
By installing continuous horizontal barriers at 6.1m to 9.1m
levels with the Model N252 EC Pendent, used as in-rack
sprinklers, buildings over 14.63m high may be protected
while reducing the number of sprinklers required by
current in-rack schemes. Fires may be contained and
suppressed between barriers.
Retrofit applications of high bay buildings where storage
commodities or methods of storage have changed, adding
continuous horizontal barriers with the Model N252 EC
Pendent, used as in-rack sprinklers, may eliminate changing
ceiling sprinklers or water supplies while greatly reducing
the quantity of in-rack sprinklers.
