Is there an established method to "prove" that we have enough fire flow for a project site?

I understand that the premise is to be sure we have the correct water supply available at the site. We do. I'm just interested in the technical 'design' portion to validate that concept.

​Typically, I run a hydrant flow test at the site with nearby available hydrants. In this case, we're adding new hydrants but I understand the water supply nearby with recent testing.

Is a hydraulic graph (N^1.85) showing the available water supply at 20 psi sufficient to "prove" fire flow, or should I be conducting some type of calculation where I'm "flowing" hydrants?

We do sprinkler calculations all the time, but I'm just curious if I'm either overcomplicating things or if there's a process for fire flow that I'm not yet doing which I should be. 

Trying to get things right. Thanks in advance.

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Can anyone point me in the right direction for codes pertaining to the construction of a draft curtain?

My client will be installing them as part of an attic design, where draft curtains are required per the sprinkler listing.

The sprinkler data sheet covers the depth requirement of the draft curtain. From browsing some websites I can gather they can be constructed of fire-resistant fiberglass woven textiles, glass (smoke baffles), or even panels of sheet metal.

Does NFPA or the IBC define how they are to be constructed?

My client will most likely use sheet metal. I'm curious if there is a gauge requirement for the metal. I may be overthinking it, but I like to see the code defining the curtain requirement, to avoid the contractor putting the wrong materials in place. I appreciate any help that anyone can provide. Thank you.

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What are you all seeing or specifying for firestop identification labels?

Masterspec calls for metal or plastic labels.

I found an FCIA (Firestop Contractors International Association) article that speaks to stamped metal tags or ceramic fiber tags (Google is failing on what that actually would look like).

It seems the firestop manufacturers all have stickers.

I have always specified the metal or plastic labels using the Masterspec language. If I get anything at all installed, it is the manufacturer stickers. I have concerns about the longevity of the stickers.

I’m curious what others are calling for, what your AHJs or clients ask for, and what is actually getting installed. Thanks in advance.

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How is it determined whether a steel structure will have spray-applied fire resistant materials?

I'm creating performance specification for a bid-set on a project, so I don't yet have input from a structural engineer. The project is a warehouse with large fire loads and exposed steel.

Recently, a project out for bid is a low-rise office building, 100% sprinklered with a wet-pipe system that is concealed by a suspended ceiling. On that project, all of the structural steel has spray-applied fire resistant materials.

What drives the issue of spray-applied fire resistive materials?

Thanks in advance.

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I have an existing business that is approximately 4,000 sqft. It's a single-story building being renovated into an infusion center with (14) IV patient rooms.

I would consider this type of occupancy to be an Ambulatory Care occupancy because of (4) or more care recipients to be incapable of self preservation at any time. Under Ambulatory Care, this building would need to be sprinkler protected under the International Fire Code.

Are these type of centers considered to fall under Ambulatory Care, or just a doctor's out patient Business occupancy?

​Thanks in advance.

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When would a parking garage require an occupant notification system?

NFPA 101 has some fairly clear guidelines but isn't applicable in my project, the 2015 ICC codes are.

I can't find anything in Section 907 for S occupancies and Section 406 doesn't really give much direction either. Open, enclosed, above or below grade, and above or below other occupancies; It doesn't seem super straight-forward.

Thanks in advance.

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I have a rather basic question about fire flow . I'm a site/civil engineer working to validate a municipality's capacity for fire flow demand at a townhome development.

According to the New York State Building Code, townhomes do not required sprinkler systems.

My next approach was to use the ISO Guide to determine Needed Fire Flow which is based on a few different architectural components.

What I'm confused about is where is ISO used versus the NFPA 1142 standard?

Are both of the standards meant to consider the large individual unit or building's area?

​Thanks in advance.

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I have a project where we are discussing what code year of NFPA 13 will be applicable for the project.

Is the edition of NFPA 13 determined by the AHJ, the I-code year of adoption, or the state?

Some of our cities spell it out, but others do not specify NFPA years of adoption, on the I-Code series. Curious to your thoughts, since this could impact exterior projection interpretation for the project.

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I wanted to pose the question on hazardous material storage lockers. We wish to protect the locker in accordance with Chapter 14 of NFPA 30 and have rated it for 4-hours to eliminate the need for fire separation distance to the immediately-adjacent main building as allowed.

The locker will not be structurally attached and will only have flashing connecting the two to keep out the elements, garbage, and animals. The locker will only have people in as necessary to get the liquids out.

The main building has a door on the "exterior wall" that opens and "reveals" the 3-hour rated hazardous material locker door, which you have to open to get inside the locker.

NFPA 30 2015 handbook Section 14.4.3 denotes that lockers over 1500 sqft should be protected permanent building such as attached buildings or warehouses. Our locker is under the 1500 sqft requirements so therefore I would say we are not a building but a "locker".

Therefore, the exterior wall openings allowances of IBC (2015) Table 705.8 would be to the lot line (over 10ft) and not the locker itself (0ft), allowing our client to access the locker from the inside of the main building and not having to go outside to access it from the exterior.

I was wondering if anyone has had a similar experience or if we should just call it part of the main building and protect it as such and lose the allowances of Chapter 14.

Thanks in advance!

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Is there a minimum distance requirement between a unit heater and a diesel fuel tank within a fire pump room?

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I have a customer that has a paint storage facility. All the liquids are Class III-B and stored at a maximum height of 6-ft with a minimum 8-ft aisle.

Does anyone have helpful information/guidance information for designing spill containment and coordinating ventilation requirements for a space like this?

I know containment is touched on in NFPA 30 - but I'm looking for some more in-depth guidance to get started. Thanks in advance.

I have a high-piled storage project that falls under both the International Fire Code and FM Global. We are using FM Storage Sprinklers.

Are smoke and heat vents required?

Under the International Fire Code Chapter 32, I am directed to Section 910 for smoke and heat vents. Section 910 states that if ESFR sprinklers are used then smoke and heat vents are not required.

I have read several definitions for ESFR, and they appear to be essentially the same as FM Storage Sprinklers.

My problem is that per the interpretation, if I follow FM Global Data Sheet 8-0 and use Storage Sprinklers, then per IFC Section 910.3 I must have the architect add smoke and heat vents for every 50,000 sqft of the buliding.

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Section 903.3.5.2 (IBC 2012)/Section 403.3.3 (IBC 2015) requires and automatic secondary water supply. I am an FPE and I work in a jurisdiction (Hawaii) that has never required this secondary water supply due to local code amendments to IBC. Recent code revisions now require this secondary supply, and I now have my first project subject to this requirement. I'm planning to meet this requirement as as follows;

• Secondary Water Supply: Provide an underground storage tank capable of supplying the sprinkler system + Hose Stream demand for 30-minutues per IBC requirement (min. 12,000 gallons). A vertical turbine fire pump will sit on top of the tank and pull water from below. Pump will be sized to supply full sprinkler system and standpipe system pressure demand (750 gpm @ 250 psi).
• Primary Water Supply: The city water main will flow directly into the water storage tank at a rate equal to the standpipe system demand. The tank will serve as a "break tank" as long as the city water supply is viable. Although the city water supply will fill the tank at an equal rate to the system demand, the minimum break tank size will be 750 gpm x 1.5 x 15 min = 16,875 gallons.

Am I on the right track here? Is this primary/secondary supply arrangement viable? Does anyone foresee any code or other issues that may be a problem with this arrangement?

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We have a project for an NFPA 11 foam system. The foam system is used to protect oil storage tanks at different terminal facilities.

Under Chapter 12 of NFPA 11 (2021 Edition), who is the party that inspects and signs off on these systems as the AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction)?

Is it the local jurisdiction's fire marshal, the facility's insurance company, or the facility itself?

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For Fire Pump rooms located in a basement, that is accessed through a common corridor, is it acceptable to have other rooms (like plantrooms, storage, etc) off the same corridor coming from the staircase to the Fire Pump Room door?

We would provide the required fire resistance rating for the stair, the corridor, and the fire pump room. I'm assuming no storage would be allowed within the corridor itself.

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We have two structures that each are sprinkler-protected and require sprinklers. The first is a parking garage, and the second is a combination parking garage and office building. 

There is a pedestrian bridge between the two built as an open structure. 

Are sprinklers required on the pedestrian bridge?

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I am new to the fire engineering fraternity and I'm currently working with a small office building. It's a single-story, 5,800 sqft office use with a small battery room and small server room.

IBC (2021) Section 906 and IFC start with "where required". I cannot find where extinguishers are required for business occupancy.

What is the code path to determine if fire extinguishers are required?

Does the IBC/IFC not address where extinguishers are required?

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I have a building being renovated into a (A-2) restaurant for a total of three floors with a basement level. All levels are classified an A-2 occupancy. The building is going to be sprinklered and have a fire alarm system.

Now that the project is about 75% to completion, the owner has resubmitted plans to have the roof top used as a A-2 also with an occupant load of about 30 people. The ground floor to the roof is 29-ft.

The building is not over 30-ft to require a standpipes, but can it be required now due to the rooftop being used as a occupied floor?

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Requirements and guidance around Fire Service Access Elevators came into the IBC after 9/11.

​Do any fire department or other code officials have experience in seeing these be helpful or lead to increased fire fighting capabilities?

I have not heard of any fire incidents where they've been beneficial and they're going in more often now - just would love to hear if they've been in use.

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Can someone tell about how often are Fire Department Connections ever used in a real fire?

We all install FDCs but in the real world how much do Fire Departments use them?

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IBC Section 909.12 and 909.3 requires weekly smoke control tests for smoke control systems.

Can this test suffice for positive confirmation of power to the smoke control system?

Or, is a monitor module required on the power source to the smoke control fan to confirm power to the system?

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Is there a possible error in the definition of a "Cryogenic Fluid"?

The IFC, NFPA 400, and NFPA 55 all define a cryogenic fluid as "A fluid having a boiling point lower than -130°F at 14.7 pounds per square inch atmosphere (psia) (an absolute pressure of 101.3 kPa)."

Following that exact wording of this definition, virtually every gas would be considered a Cryogenic Fluid. Fluids, while not defined by any codes, are either gases or liquids.

The air we breathe has a boiling point of -317°F at 14.7 psia. Air is a fluid.

Clearly, this is not the intent of the ICC or NFPA. The NFPA Handbook indicates that a cryogenic is a liquified gas kept below 130°F. The definition should be changed to "a liquid having a boiling point under...." from "a fluid having a boiling point under...."

Have any fire protection professionals ran across a situation like this where the strict definition was incorrect? How did you handle it?

I am considering just making a paragraph in my report explaining my logic and going along with my day. Or would you not even bring this up with the AHJ because the intent is clear?

Thanks in advance.

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When coming out of a pump room with underground feed which then connects to an underground loop with a bullhead tee, are isolation valves required on the bullhead tee?

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I'll preface this that I'm not a engineer. There is 17-foot storage with an existing sprinkler design of 0.20 / 1,500 sqft.

Based on NFPA 13, I believe we would need 0.21 / 2,000 sqft for a Class II commodity (non-encapsulated rack storage).

How would you recommend going about increasing both the remote area size and the density on an existing system?

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NFPA 13 Section 20.6.6.3:
"Early suppression fast-response (ESFR) sprinklers shall not be used in buildings with automatic heat or smoke vents unless the vents use a high-temperature rated, standard-response operating mechanism."

ESFR sprinklers are designed to act fast and suppress the fire, the inclusion of a roof vent that opens up before the sprinkler activates could severely impact sprinkler activation both in terms of timing and location (as the moving smoke could activate a more remote sprinkler). If automatic roof vents are present, they should have a high-temperature rated standard-response operating mechanism to ensure that the sprinkler activates before the vent opens up.

Based on the above, am I correct to interpret smoke venting is not required with ESFR systems?

How do I go about handling smoke or heat vents with ESFR, or are they not necessary to begin with?

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