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I'm working on a new ammunition manufacturing facility. NFPA 13 (2019 edition) doesn't seem to provide much guidance for this type of building.
Cartoned small arms and shotgun ammo is classified as a Class IV commodity, but it doesn't address the manufacturing. Also, Ammunition Components (bulk primers and powder) is in the list of items that's specifically not addressed by Section 20.4. NFPA 495 seems like the appropriate standard for other items regarding explosives, but it doesn't provide fire sprinkler guidance. Does anyone know where to find the appropriate fire sprinkler design criteria for this type of facility? Thanks in advance. Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
7 Comments
Pete H
10/13/2022 07:36:52 am
I'd check the MSDS of the black powders used in the facility (and everything else) for that matter to see if water spray is even an acceptable firefighting method for this commodity.
Jesse
10/13/2022 08:12:31 am
I've done the actual manufacturing process as ammo as OH2, but in all of these facilities I've had large raw material, WIP, and finished goods storage that drove the design.
Anonymous
10/13/2022 10:24:28 am
The powder will be stored in plastic bottles, in cardboard boxes, on wood pallets, on racks. The primers will be stored in cardboard boxes, on wood pallets, on racks.
Anthony
10/13/2022 08:19:29 am
You're going to want to compare the amounts that drive storage of the raw commodities to storage. If several pallets are stacked and packed next to an assembly station, you may be in storage anyway. Also consider the unpacked powder volumes in hoppers, open totes etc. That may have a risk that's different. Lastly consider any dust that's in the air and any explosion prevention in duct systems. You may just be the sprinkler guy on the team but a few polite e-mails may make the whole building way safer.
Todd E Wyatt
10/13/2022 08:49:21 am
Depending on the Maximum Allowable Quantities (MAQ) of these Hazardous Materials (HM) per these “Materials” (e.g. Explosives) and “Class” (Div 1.1-1.6) designations per 2021 IBC Table 307.1(1) and Table 414.5, this building (or portions of) may be classified as a Group H (H-1 or H-2). If the MAQs of the HMs are exceeded, the building may be separated into Control Areas (CA) that are protected by 1-Hr Fire Barriers (1FB) and/or 2-Hour Fire Barriers (2FB). The compartmentalization of the building into CAs may affect the design of the automatic sprinkler system. The International Fire Code (IFC) includes additional prescriptive requirements for Group H occupancies.
Blaine
10/13/2022 05:00:06 pm
Also look closely at your primers and how they are managed. They have the most potential to initiate an event and storing them in mass quantities can be a real issue. The key in my opinion is controlling the size of an event when it happens. This equates to distance and shielding coupled with keeping the quantities involved to a minimum.
Glenn Berger
10/14/2022 07:26:52 am
A question that needs to asked is how much of the powder will actually be exposed to the building's sprinkler system. Typically exposed powder is protected with a High-Speed Deluge System furnished locally. Leave a Reply. |
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