An existing high-rise hotel project in central Florida has open exterior exit stairs. By code and local ordinances, standpipe hose connections are required to be in the stair (hose connections on the corridor next to the stair are not allowed).

Since the project is located in central Florida (with lowest one-day mean temperatures between 25-30 degrees F, according to Figure A.10.4.2(b) of NFPA 13-2016), is there any way to still use wet standpipes and route them in the stair? Doing so could involve enclosing the standpipe perhaps in a small shaft and keeping the hoses in insulated cabinets. Or in this case is the best option just to have the standpipe be dry to completely avoid any freeze potential?

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​I'm currently working on a project for a packaging factory in which there are rooms which are used for storage of Milk and Juice in stainless steel tanks that are about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in diameter and 8 m (26.2 ft) in height.

There are about 5-6 tanks for each area (milk and juice storage). Each room is about 70 sq.m. (753.4 sqft). The ceiling height is about 11.1 m (36.4 ft). The content combustibility (i.e. Milk & juice) is low and the quantity is high. Since the height of the tanks is above the threshold of 3.7 m (12 ft), I cannot consider it to be protected by LH or OH1 curves and it should come under storage occupancy and commodity classes.

Since my exact requirement is not present in the list of commodity classes in NFPA 13, I figured it to be Class 1 per the liquid content. Accordingly, it would be under Commodity Class 1 curve in NFPA Chapter 14 Figure 14.2.4.1 (2013 Edition) and multiplication factor for density vs storage height from Figure 14.2.4.3.

Kindly let me know if I'm on the right track or if there is something which I overlooked.

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Do you known of any good books, references, or tutorials on stocklisting for fire sprinkler systems?

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A project has restroom stall walls that run floor to ceiling. There are gaps above and below the door for venting. Are strobes required in each stall? Audibility would be provided with a combination horn/strobe in the main restrooms space.

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Question on seismic bracing for fire sprinkler:

NFPA 13
9.3.5.11 Sway Brace Installation
9.3.5.11.10 C-type clamps including beam and large flange clamps with or without restraining straps, shall not be used to attach braces to the building structure.

I typically see Cooper B-line fig.828 used, the universal seismic clamp on the beam flange. Do they have to be used with a retaining strap on the beam? Manufacturer's instructions is silent in this regard.

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For an entry lobby area that is open to the floor above with a elevator on the second floor, and there is a pitched skylight for the roof. Where do you locate the smoke detector for elevator recall? I could not find any specific requirements for smoke detector location requirements in NFPA 72. 

What are the design/location requirements for a elevator recall smoke detector in this scenario?

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Does anyone have a spreadsheet to plot a proper water flow test graph? I know it's difficult to get a semi log-semi log graph in excel. Thanks. (Email us at info@meyerfire.com and we can post it here)

Download: PDF of N1.85 Graph

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For open-web steel joists systems I commonly see sprinkler hanger attachments to the top of the structural joists. When would it be permissible to attached to the bottom of the structural joist?

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Is there any scenario where egress is allowed through a back-of-house (storage and warehouse) space? This project has retail up front and is governed by NFPA 101.

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Does an urgent care center fall under ambulatory occupancy or healthcare? This appeared in Weekly Exam 10 #8.

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What methods have you found to be successful to reduce the noise and frequency of air compressors for dry and preaction systems?

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We are looking to purchase a new software package to design and calc sprinkler systems. Just curious what others would recommend. Thanks in advance.

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When you have a sprinkler system with a combined fire and domestic water service, at what point do you separate the plumbing contractor's scope versus the sprinkler contractor's scope, and why?

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An 18-inch deep x 3-foot wide duct is located with the top of the duct 20 inches below the upright sprinkler deflector. The sprinkler is centered above the duct. NFPA 13 (2016 Edition) has the 3x rule (8.6.5.2.1.3) which only applies to structural members in light and ordinary occupancies, and the duct is not over 4-feet wide which would require sprinklers by 8.6.5.3.3. Is this arrangement acceptable by code?

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For a typical fire pump room, what is the required NEMA enclosure rating for a fire pump controller?

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Is there a general rule of thumb with regards to sizing hub drains? Most of mine draining has been to exterior on to splash box, but lately hub drains have come into play.

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For duct smoke detector functionality testing, is there guidelines to use either aerosol spray, smoke bomb, or magnet? Which are acceptable method(s)?

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We're planning early stages of design for a new construction building, and the architect and owner are asking for a summary of benefits for the installation of fire sprinklers. This particular facility could use a NFPA 13 or NFPA 13R system and is under the 2015 IBC.

Aside from  Allowable Building Area, Allowable Building Height, and Allowable Building Stories, what are other code benefits to providing sprinklers provide?

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What free educational videos covering fire alarm, sprinkler or life safety have you found helpful? Just looking to see what other resources people might recommend.

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Why are pipe cut-outs (or coupons) required to be hung outside of pipe connections?

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What is the difference between malleable and cast iron? Is there a preference between the two for use in sprinkler or clean agent system fittings?

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Daily Discussion (today's anonymously submitted question):

Reviewing the Example 2 on SFPE (4th) page 4-307, could not understand how it is W/D = 0.67 lb/ft-in.

Here is the effort:

• Found total cubic inches of the concrete encased W8x28 = (added 1.25 inches on all sides of the column) = [(8.06 + 2.5) x (6.535 + 2.5) x 12] = 1145 cu. in.

• Subtracted W8x28 cubic inches = (A x 12) = (8.3 x 12) = 99.6 cu. in.
• Got net lightweight concrete cubic inches = 1145 cu. in. - 99.6 cu. in. = 1045.4 cu. in.
• Interpolate with 110 lbs per 1728 cubic inches
• Got lightweight concrete only weight = 66.55 lbs per foot of the column
• Added 28 lbs per foot of the beam to 66.55 = 94.55 lbs
• So W = 94.55 lbs total weight of the linear foot of the column

D: As per figure 4-11.10 on page 4-305
D = 2(a + b)
So, Added 2.5 inches to beam flange, a becomes 9.035, and b becomes 10.56
D = 2(9.035 + 10.56)
D = 2(19.595)
D = 39.19 W/D = 94.55 ÷ 39.19 = 2.413

What is not right?

We have never used a flowmeter with a bypass to conduct annual fire pump tests, but have been asked to explore the option in an effort to save water. Using a flowmeter and test bypass for a fire pump, would a test header still be required? For those in areas with strong water conservation, do you have any recommendations on things to look out for?

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