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Working on an elementary school fire sprinkler retrofit with an old kiln. I don't have any specific product information on the kiln itself. It's in a room thats about 8-ft x 8-ft with gypsum walls and acoustical ceiling tile.
What is an appropriate sprinkler temperature to use at the ceiling level? Hoping someone has worked with a room like this before and might know expected ceiling temperatures when the kiln is in operation. Thanks in advance. Submitted anonymously and posted for discussion. Discuss This | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
8 Comments
John F
8/25/2020 10:09:06 am
When I designed schools for Fairfax County, VA, the schools had kilns as well. We were required to use 350° (red) heads to protect these spaces. This information was found in their local fire code design guide. The easiest answer is to inquire with the fire marshal if they have a particular code or requirement to deal with such a space.
Frank Marvitz
8/25/2020 10:12:00 am
If you are using the 2018 IFC, Chapter 30 addresses industrial oven/furnaces which kilns fall into. Section 3003.4 speaks to temperatures as states that roofs and floors of ovens shall be insulated and ventilated to prevent temperatures at combustible ceilings and floors from exceeding 160 F degrees. This can give you some direction to the temp of what head should be used.
Dave
8/25/2020 11:34:16 am
While I don't have experience or knowledge about kilns directly, just for comparison, we typically spec minimum Ultra High 500F sprinklers in these rooms, or 50-degrees above the temperature of the heat plume when the door is opened. We heard of an activation occurring on a project with a Very Extra High sprinkler, so we bumped up the temperature. I haven't had a kiln in a room that small, however, and Frank makes an excellent point about ventilation.
SK
8/26/2020 08:05:30 am
While I've no specific answer to your question, but i would deal problem like this, understand the Kiln uses in elementary school and i would assumed certainly it's not going to be Industrial purpose where you deal with significant high temperature for treatment, heating, annealing etc (say around 1000' F)...Rather in school, the use could be baking/heating kind of things, so temperature going to be 300 to 400 at max....So i would go with Red or Green in this case and then let the Client challenge this selection. Sorry if i''m making wrong assumptions in this case...
Brian Gerdwagen FPE
8/26/2020 10:34:14 am
Also consider placing the sprinkler as far away from the kiln as possible.
Wes Belland
6/29/2021 03:51:20 pm
Did the building get soaked? I’m dying to know.
jennifer brittingham
10/2/2021 03:38:12 pm
What was the outcome? Did you use the kiln with the lower temp fire sprinkler? I am in the same position
Wes Belland
10/2/2021 04:44:44 pm
Well, so far, we’ve upgraded the sprinklers to 286. Not perfect but closer to 300 enough to make me feel more comfortable. Things have been behind schedule unfortunately, but not halted. We are actually about to do a bisque cycle sometime this week. I bought a cooking thermo from a restaurant store to relay the ambient temperature directly above the kiln. We also have an envirovent system downvent so I imagine that helps. It’s a very small space so we’re being as cautious as possible. Leave a Reply. |
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