I have a 35' tall, 79,103 ft², non-combustible building, which is a cooler in a cheese factory. There are two dry systems at the ceiling uses CMDA heads. There are single and double row racks throughout the cooler. The top of the rack 22' top of storage is roughly 26'. The racks have a single layer of 5.6K in-rack sprinklers at the top of the 3rd level. There are 5 levels of storage, which includes the storage setting on top of the racks. The in-rack sprinklers have their own valve at the riser. It is a Class II commodity to 30'. The original design was done years ago and my question is not about the original design. In a single portion of the cooler the owner is taking a 32' section of the existing racking out and installing new racking. The new racking will have the same amount of levels. The bottom 3 levels will have a "cooling cell," one on each level. I have never heard of a cooling cell on a rack like this. Not sure what the cooling cell is made of. Does a cooling cell increase the protection level from Class II? If so, how much would it change the commodity classification? Does NFPA 13 even address something like this? My assumption is that it will increase the hazard and call for greater level of protection. I have asked for the data sheet for the cooling cell and hope that it gives direction for fire sprinkler coverage. I have attached a picture, which really doesn't give a lot of information. Has anyone run into this before? Thank you! Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
6 Comments
Pete H
3/5/2025 07:52:41 am
I think you were right to ask for the data sheet/catalog cut of the cooling cell.
Reply
Glenn W.
3/5/2025 08:25:16 am
We see these a lot in various cold storage facilities. Quick Freeze Racking generally does not affect the commodity however they will create obstructions within the rack and you may need to have in rack sprinklers and detection at every level. I say detection because most of these are freezers and we will install double interlock in freezers especially if there are in rack sprinklers.
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Christian L.
3/5/2025 08:29:13 am
By double interlock, do you mean a pre-action system?
Reply
Jack G
3/5/2025 09:19:43 am
The cooling cells have fans, and surely would obstruct discharge so care must be taken into the design.
Reply
Brian Gerdwagen
3/5/2025 10:04:32 am
Obstructions are the first order. The second is making sure the protection scheme is good for pushback racking. If they are removing a DRR and going back with pushback, you may have an issue depending on the allowable criteria for the original design.
Reply
Jesse
3/5/2025 10:38:44 am
I doubt that a single cooling cell will increase commodity class. I would be worried about obstructions to discharge, however.
Reply
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