Alternative to Wet-Pipe Sprinkler in Data Center?

11/25/2022

What are some popular solutions for elimination of wet-pipe sprinkler systems in data centers that have installed wet-pipe, VESDA and clean agent systems?

A client wants me to find a solution that will be acceptable to the local Authority Having Jurisdiction to eliminate the wet-pipe sprinkler system in the data center portion of the facility.

We already have the VESDA and clean agent. Are there other recommendations/insight here that might be helpful?

Thanks in advance.

Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe

15 Comments

Jonathan D Griffin

11/25/2022 08:08:31 am

Double-interlock Pre-action Sprinkler systems are the most common system deployed in Data Centers. for instance, the Pre-action system can be interlocked with the VESDA or the Clean-agent system deployment (Empty Cylinder signal operates Solenoid) with AHJ approval.

Good luck!

Corey Eppinghaus

11/25/2022 08:09:19 am

Have you contacted the AHJ? Clean agent should be acceptable

Chad

11/25/2022 08:25:13 am

Some AHJs are absolutely against eliminating even a single sprinkler head and will not allow clean agent in lieu. And pre-action is seen as a choice of last resort only after arguing it.

My approach as an AHJ is that clean agent is fine, in most occupancies, if done correctly and gets the proper maintenance, in low and moderate hazard occupancies.

For a few high hazard occupancies I’ve allowed clean agent below and wet pipe above, using sidewalls (if coverage can be done this way) so there are no pipes above the room. Owner actually preferred it. And they put huge stencils to indicate the presence of the sidewalls above the ceiling. Comically large but effective.

Franck

11/25/2022 08:57:00 am

Insurance point of view:
Preaction sprinkler (as indicated above) + gas protection for critical data center
Gas protection is to limit the fire hazard and preaction in case the gas protection is impaired (or human error such as door left open).
Gas protection only can be acceptable if full data center back up is available and safeguards regularly performed

Sean Kostka

11/25/2022 09:16:34 am

Have you looked at Victaulic Vortex™ Hybrid Extinguishing System?

Victaulic Vortex™ is a dual agent fire extinguishing system designed for use in water sensitive facilities, example: data centers.

Through water droplets smaller than white blood cells and a naturally occurring gas – nitrogen, discharged from a single emitter, Victaulic Vortex™ hybrid fire suppression system efficiently absorbs heat and reduces oxygen to extinguish fires.

Some key features:
- Nearly zero wetting.
- No costly clean-up or equipment replacement.
- Quick system recharge, minimal downtime.
- No need for assurance of tight room integrity.
- Green design that is safe for the environment and personnel.

https://www.victaulic.com/systems/victaulic-vortex-hybrid-fire-extinguishing-system/

Reach out if you want to dive deeper.

Josh

11/28/2022 08:02:27 am

I second this recommendation. I had a Victaulic rep come and show me a demonstration on this system. It has large upfront costs and a quite big footprint due to the proprietary cabinet, but it has passed many tests without damaging critical electronic components in data centers. Nitrogen and water.

Alex

11/25/2022 09:26:59 am

I agree that a double interlock preaction installed in addition to a clean agent system is most common.

Todd E Wyatt

11/25/2022 09:27:25 am

Per the scoping Code (e.g. 2021 IBC), the FCO (Fire Code Official) is given authority for the approval of “Alternative Automatic Fire-Extinguishing Systems” (AAFES) :

Section 904 Alternative Automatic Fire-Extinguishing Systems
904.1 General
Automatic fire-extinguishing systems, other than automatic sprinkler systems, shall be designed, installed, inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with the provisions of this section and the applicable referenced standards.
904.2 Where Permitted
Automatic fire-extinguishing systems installed as an alternative to the required automatic sprinkler systems of Section 903 shall be approved by the fire code official.
904.2.1 Restriction on Using Automatic Sprinkler System Exceptions or Reductions
Automatic fire-extinguishing systems shall not be considered alternatives for the purposes of exceptions or reductions allowed for automatic sprinkler systems or by other requirements of this code.

Acceptable AAFES (as referenced by other commentors) for this condition are as follows :

904.6 Dry-Chemical Systems
904.8 Carbon Dioxide Systems
904.9 Halon Systems
904.10 Clean-Agent Systems
904.12 Aerosol Fire-Extinguishing Systems

FCO approval of an AAFES is not required IF the building is not required to be protected throughout by an automatic sprinkler system (ASPS) per the Occupancy Classification(s) (OC) per the scoping Code (e.g. 2021 IBC) …

Section 903 Automatic Sprinkler Systems
903.1 General
Automatic sprinkler systems shall comply with this section.
903.1.1 Alternative Protection
Alternative automatic fire-extinguishing systems complying with Section 904 shall be permitted instead of automatic sprinkler system protection where recognized by the applicable standard and approved by the fire code official.
903.2 Where Required
Approved automatic sprinkler systems in new buildings and structures shall be provided in the locations described in Sections 903.2.1 through 903.2.12.

903.2.1 Group A
903.2.2 Ambulatory Care Facilities
903.2.3 Group E
903.2.4 Group F-1
903.2.5 Group H
903.2.6 Group I
903.2.7 Group M
903.2.8 Group R
903.2.9 Group S-1
903.2.10 Group S-2 Parking Garages

… and then by different hazards and uses …

903.2.11 Specific Building Areas and Hazards
903.2.11.1 Stories Without Openings
903.2.11.2 Rubbish and Linen Chutes
903.2.11.3 Buildings 55 Feet or More in Height
903.2.11.4 Ducts Conveying Hazardous Exhausts
903.2.11.5 Commercial Cooking Operations

… and then by other rooms, spaces ,and/or areas based on the following …

903.2.11.6 Other Required Fire Protection Systems
TABLE 903.2.11.6 ADDITIONAL REQUIRED PROTECTION SYSTEMS
SECTION - SUBJECT
402.5, 402.6. - Covered and open mall buildings
403.3 - High-rise buildings
404.3 - Atriums
405.3 - Underground structures
407.7 - Group I-2
410.6 - Stages
411.3 - Special amusement buildings
412.2.4 - Airport traffic control towers
412.3.6, 412.3.6.1, 412.5.6 - Aircraft hangars
415.11.11 - Group H-5 HPM exhaust ducts
416.5 - Flammable finishes
417.4 - Drying rooms
424.3 - Play structures
428 - Buildings containing laboratory suites
507 - Unlimited area buildings
508.5.7 - Live/work units
509.4 - Incidental uses
1030.6.2.3 - Smoke-protected assembly seating
IFC - Sprinkler system requirements as set forth in Section 903.2.11.6 of the International Fire Code

… and finally, even during construction :

903.2.12 During Construction
Automatic sprinkler systems required during construction, alteration and demolition operations shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 33 of the International Fire Code.

Glenn Berger

11/25/2022 10:12:53 am

Sprinklers is for people and property protection. Alternative systems are for protection of equipment. If the facility is just the data center who may have a chance, especially if unoccupied.

Jesse

11/25/2022 12:07:05 pm

Double interlock preaction system. We do a lot of data centers this way.

Robert Morgan

11/26/2022 10:35:18 am

Sprinkler protection shall not be eliminated simply due to being in a space where water is not wanted. As Mr. Berger alluded to, "sprinklers are for people and property protection and alternative systems are for equipment protection", if the clean agent system does not fully extinguish the fire you would not have any means to contain / control the fire. If a fire gets large enough to fuse a sprinkler head, the equipment is probably already ruined.

A double interlock preaction system is the best solution, with or without an alternative extinguishing system.

Casey Milhorn

11/28/2022 08:48:16 am

Todd nailed it. Basically if an automatic fire sprinkler system is required per 903, then the AHJ has the option to allow an alternative automatic fire extinguishing system per 904.

A clean agent, along with a double interlock pre-action is fairly common around here, for the smaller server rooms. Larger server rooms/buildings typically see multiple double interlock pre-action systems only.

David Toshio Williams

11/28/2022 12:08:09 pm

We have a utility client with a data center within their central office building that installed water mist, originally only in the data center portion. As we designed some office floor remodeling projects located elsewhere in the building above the data center the choice was to install this system through out to prevent flooding of the lower floor data center. Expensive, proprietary, but was easily approved (and is kinda/sota a wet system with sprinkler heads). Installer has to use propriatary design software. https://www.marioff.com/en/water-mist/water-mist-fire-protection-in-brief/

Mark Harris

11/29/2022 01:47:53 pm

Marrioff, Tyco and Fike have FM approved data center water mist protection systems. Not sure what specific data center listings verses performance-based design Victualic Vortex has but have seen installs.

As noted above if the code analysis sheet took exceptions and chapter 9 requires a NFPA 13 sprinkler system at least with IFC IBC jurisdictions can be tough sell to substitute watermist or clean agent without also having the NFPA 13 system (usually pre-action). The old BOCA was more flexible for this situation. If going pre-action highly recommend nitrogen generator for air supply.

. .

sean

12/3/2022 04:31:39 pm

double interlock preaction for data center, clean agent for small server rooms

Alternative to Wet-Pipe Sprinkler in Data Center?

Leave a Reply.

ALL-ACCESS

SUBSCRIBE

COMMUNITY

YOUR POST

PE EXAM

FILTERS

ARCHIVES

PE PREP SERIES