Best System for Fires in Robotic Parking Garages?

1/24/2023

Has anyone dealt with the robotic parking garages?

The 2021 IFC/IBC Section 903.2.10.2:

Mechanical-access enclosed parking garages. An approved automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings used for the storage of motor vehicles in a mechanical-access enclosed parking garage. The portion of the building that contains the mechanical-access enclosed parking garage shall be protected with a specially engineered automatic sprinkler system.

Some of the articles I read indicated a water mist with foam. Completely new thought processes to go through for these since there is very little access for fire personnel.

Any thoughts on where to begin or what to read would be appreciated. Thanks.

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6 Comments

Alex

1/24/2023 07:08:13 am

NFSA posted the following blog. Although, there isn't a lot of information on the design itself. https://nfsa.org/2021/06/21/protecting-the-future-of-parking/

While doing a little research, I came across the following: https://www.afxfireblocker.com/fire-safety-parking-garage/

While they don't appear to be in the States yet, a very cool product that could increase life safety down the road.

Todd E Wyatt

1/24/2023 08:20:44 am

"Modern Vehicle Hazards in Parking Structures and Vehicle Carriers"

(https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Data-research-and-tools/Building-and-Life-Safety/Modern-Vehicle-Hazards-in-Parking-Garages-Vehicle-Carriers)

2022 NFPA 88A Standard for Parking Structures
Chapter 9 — Special Structures
9.1 General.
9.2 Automated-Type Parking Structures.
9.2.1 Means of Egress.
9.2.4 Fire Protection Systems.
9.2.4.1*
An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in an automated mechanical-type parking structure in accordance with NFPA 13.
9.2.4.2
Standpipes shall not be required in automated-type parking structures.
9.2.4.3
Fire alarm systems shall not be required in automated-type parking structures.

A.9.2.4.1
As with the more conventional parking garages, NFPA 88A refers to other NFPA standards (NFPA 13, NFPA 14, NFPA 72, NFPA 101, and NFPA 5000) for certain fire protection features of automated-type parking structures. Also, see the NFPA FPRF report, Modern Vehicle Hazards in Parking Structures and Vehicle Carriers.

Anthony

1/24/2023 08:32:34 am

I think FM 8-34 would be a good place to start reading. It's not about your use case but I find that FM generally had a logical architecture to its guides and might help you frame your thinking.

A lot depends on the car-to-car separations both vertically and horizontally, as is true in all storage applications. This might be a comparable to a rack storage if it's very open (i.e., lots and lots and lots of water) or vault protection (keep everything tight and dump mist in the containment vessel). If you have tall vertical stacks with vertical separation between stack, you may need a deluge system that's closer to exposure protection for each stack.

Realistically I think you'll have to do some fire modeling just to get a baseline of fire spread in your environment. Then move though a rigorous engineering phase for your specific use case.

Good luck, and remember EV's won't stop burning once they start :)

Dale

1/24/2023 01:55:56 pm

We are finishing up the CD's for a parking garage that will have 4 levels of cars stacked up. The manufacturer of these stackers has not had anyone put a 4 level stacker in a building; they have all had outdoor installations. The trick for us was that there would be two rows from the wall, not a single row against the wall. We reached out to the manufacturer, who was able to provide us with some pics of existing installations, showing the piping coming down in "drops", with sidewall sprinklers located as to be just under the deck that holds a vehicle. Our state is still using NFPA 2013, with it's own amendments. We are still awaiting a meeting with our local AHJ to make sure he is onboard with our drops and sidewalls, as well as a sprinkler system at the roof deck. 2500 sf Hyd. Calc area at the roof deck, and 6 sidewalls included in one calculation, like rack storage. The sprinkler system mains are looped around the building, and we have a 1500 gpm Fire pump to boost the system.

James Art, FPE

1/25/2023 10:54:55 am

Dale, (or anyone)
Where are you putting the sidewalls?
This could apply to car stackers, too.
We are seeing some 2 high, and some 3 high,mostly inside lower floors w apartments above.

Some are suggesting sidewall in the front of the cars,
some suggest both front and rear,
some on the sides, between the cars often w 2 sprinklers, (pointing both ways.) Usually with a rain sheild to protect from AS above.

SInce the sprinklers can't get into the cars, most is to reteard spread to the next one?

Dale

1/25/2023 01:01:42 pm

We are locating the drop piping in the parking structure. There is about a 2" gap between the Fixed Structure, and the deck that holds the vehicle. We will have the sidewalls installed so the deflector will be just under the deck. I am not a pipe fitter, so I am unsure how they affix the pipes to the structure. The sprinkler will be located on the side of the car. Can't do back to back, so a drop will be located on one side/row, with 3 sprinklers on each drop. We have pictures from the parking structure manufacturer. If allowed, you can contact me at my personal email, and I will send the pics to you so you can see them if you like. [email protected].

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