Where otherwise provided in accordance with code, which of the following is not an acceptable water supply for a fire sprinkler system?
a. grade-level water storage tank
b. lake reservoir
c. reclaimed water collection
d. all of the above are acceptable

Solution | Posted 09/14/18

A Level 2 Aerosol is to be boxed and stored on pallets at 15 feet with a ceiling height of 26 feet. Which of the following sprinkler protection criteria is acceptable?
a. Standard Spray (K-factor at least 8.0) Sprinklers; 0.30 gpm/sqft over 2,500 sqft
b. ESFR upright K14.0, quick-response, 12 sprinklers at 50 psi
c. ESFR pendent K16.8, quick response, 12 sprinklers at 35 psi
d. ESFR pendent K22.4, standard response, 12 sprinklers at 25 psi

Solution | Posted 09/05/18

Determine the flow (in gpm) through an extended coverage pendent K16.8 sprinkler at 85 psi.
a. 52 gpm
b. 155 gpm
c. 348 gpm
d. 1428 gpm

Solution | Posted 09/03/18

A remote camp facility is being planned which intends to operate seasonally. Due to the remote nature of the site and lack of easy access to nearby mains, a water storage tank is being considered to supply the site fire sprinkler systems. It is intended to have atmospheric pressure, water temperature, water level, and heating system which are all supervised by a central station. During the offseason in the winter, what is the most frequent that these components must be  inspected?
a. Weekly
b. Monthly
c. Quarterly
d. Semiannually

Solution | Posted 08/23/18

​Which of the following types of pipe would require the most hangers for the same length of 1-1/2" pipe?
a. CPVC
b. Copper Tube
c. Steel other than Threaded Lightwall
d. Threaded Lightwall Steel

Solution | Posted 08/10/18

A forensic study is being prepared using a fire model to attempt to verify whether arson could be a cause. If the fire's origin room ceiling (3.3 m) had an initial temperature of approximately 22 deg C and is exposed to a plume along the ceiling at approximately 85 deg C traveling around 1.2 m/s, what is the activation time (in seconds) for a quick response (RTI of 40), Ordinary Temperature (75 deg C) sprinkler?
a. 61 s
b. 67 s
c. 210 s
d. 230 s

Solution | Posted 08/09/18

A cloud ceiling at 14 feet above finished floor is 8 ft x 8 ft and has an opening that is 4 sqft in total and has a width of 6 inches. The maximum area (per sprinkler) for protection beneath a cloud ceiling where protection is allowed to be omitted above is:
a. 150 sqft.
b. 175 sqft.
c. 225 sqft.
d. not permitted.

Solution | Posted 08/02/18

A fire pump's speed is altered from 1760 to 1800 rpm. What is the new head if the original was 120 ft?
a. 115 ft.
b. 123 ft.
c. 126 ft.
d. 128 ft.

Solution | Posted 07/31/18

Daily Discussion question submitted from a member:

Small bathrooms can omit a sprinkler under NFPA 13 in some instances where bathroom walls and ceilings (including behind the shower and tub) are non-combustible or limited combustible with a 15-minute thermal barrier rating (NFPA 13 2002 814.8.1.1, 2007-2016 8.15.8.1.1).

If the bathroom has a window to the exterior, would it need a sprinkler?

Discuss this here.

​Annual inspection of wet barrel hydrants must include all of the following except:
a. verify marking of hydrant
b. verify outlet thread condition
c. verify access to hydrant
d. verify cracks in hydrant barrel

Solution | Posted 07/18/18

What is the greatest allowed spacing among all pipe sizes between hangers for CPVC pipe in fire sprinkler systems?
a. 6'-0"
b. 9'-0"
c. 10'-0"
d. 12'-0"

Solution | Posted 07/12/18

A horizontal split-case electric fire pump is serving a seven story high rise with modifications on the upper level. If the pump is rated for 68 psi at 750 gpm (58 brake hp) and keeps a constant impeller diameter, what will the new brake horsepower be if the speed is increased from 1790 rpm to 1850 rpm?
a. 56 hp
b. 60 hp
c. 62 hp
d. 64 hp

Solution | Posted 07/11/18

Extinguishment of fire by cooling the solid or liquid combustible is effective primarily because:
a. the cooling prevents production of combustible vapors
b. the cooling interrupts the chain reaction
c. the cooling surface will condense moisture from the air, pre-wetting surfaces
d. all of the above

Solution | Posted 07/09/18

Had an experienced fire sprinkler contractor run a flow test in a semi-remote area (outside of a large metro area) with a higher residual pressure (45 psi) than static (42 psi). The static pressure was confirmed both before and after the flow test. The flow was relatively low (410 gpm using a 1-3/4" pitoless little hose monster).

I've yet to come across a scenario like this before - could this be due to the city's pumps kicking on during the test, or something else? Wondering if anyone had experience in this regard before.

Note: This is a Daily Discussion question submitted anonymously to us by a toolkit member. See the discussion here.

Determine the flow (in gpm) through a residential sidewall K4.2 sprinkler at 10.1 psi.
a. 13 gpm
b. 18 gpm
c. 21 gpm
d. 42 gpm

Solution | Posted 07/04/18

A new building is to have a wet pipe fire sprinkler system connected to an existing city main. Which of the following tests is not required by NFPA 13 for the fire sprinkler system or underground service?
a. flushing test
b. hydrostatic test
c. main drain test
d. water delivery test

Solution | Posted 07/03/18

A manufacturing facility's campus water supply is fed from a 125-foot tall open atmosphere water tank. A site fire pump is located 5 feet above grade and is flowing at its rated capacity of 35 psi at 1000 gpm with 18 psi loss in the total pipe network, what will the pressure be at the pump discharge if the discharge pipe is 4 inches in diameter?

​a. 48 psi
b. 56 psi
c. 64 psi
d. 71 psi

Solution | Posted 07/02/18

A 2 inch main drain (considered smooth opening) is opened to full drain capacity for a system with a pressure of 95 PSI. Approximately how much water (in gpm) will the drain flow assuming no friction loss?
a. 420 gpm
b. 925 gpm
c. 1165 gpm
d. 1460 gpm

Solution | Posted 06/29/18

Who is responsible for coordinating the inspection, testing, and maintenance activities of water-based fire suppression systems?
a. monitoring company
b. owner
c. insurer
d. inspecting contractor

Solution | Posted 06/26/18

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

Note: This is a Daily Discussion question submitted anonymously to us by a toolkit member. 

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?

Note: This is a Daily Discussion question submitted anonymously to us by a toolkit member. Discuss This Here.

A portion of a home-improvement store has K11.2 ceiling-only sprinkler protection above double row racks. The owner is looking to store bagged charcoal (without any impregnated ignition fluid or plastic wrap) atop reinforced plastic pallets in this area. What would the commodity classification be for this arrangement if no plastics are intermixed?
a. Class II
b. Class III
c. Class IV
d. Group A Plastic

Solution | Posted 06/22/18

Consider the following fire hydrant flow tests conducted at the same elevation:
   Test A: 75 psi Static, 60 psi Residual at 1,200 gpm
   Test B: 65 psi Static, 60 psi Residual at 1,800 gpm
   Test C: 70 psi Static, 45 psi Residual at 1,200 gpm

​Which of the following is true?
a. Test A would provide better pressure than Test B for a 1,500 sqft Light Hazard sprinkler system.
b. Test A would provide better pressure than Test B for a 3,000 sqft ESFR sprinkler system.
c. Test B would always provide better pressure than Test C for any type 􀃍re sprinkler system.
d. Both a and c.

Solution | Posted 06/20/18

​Which of the following is typically not considered obstructed construction for fire sprinkler design?
a. concrete tees with solid members 5 inch wide and 2 ft tall
b. heavy timber construction with 4 inch solid wood beams
c. beam and girder construction with 6 inch steel beams 6 ft apart
d. panel construction with panels under 300 sqft

Solution | Posted 06/18/18