So I am dealing with a building who stores plastic containers, I asked for the SDS sheets to find out what they say as far as protection.
The SDS sheets only mention water fog, dry chemical, foam, and carbon dioxide as suitable extinguishing agents; no water spray. The building currently has water spray. In the SDS under "Unsuitable Extinguishing Media" it lists "none known". Does this mean that water spray could be suitable for use even though it is not mentioned under extinguishing media? Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
8 Comments
Alex
1/11/2023 07:37:09 am
What is the material classification? Is it water reactive? I would assume no with the information provided. Therefore, I would say you could make a case to utilize the existing extinguishers. If you are not the code consultant on the project, I would request a hazardous material management plan (HPPM) or a hazardous materials report that outlines allowed extinguishers.
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Tom Reinhardt
1/11/2023 08:26:28 am
First of all I would never use an SDS to determine fire protection. Yes SDS’s are good to determine physical aspects of the material. Once you do that you need to find out quantity and storage method. Then the adopted code in your area. Go to NFPA 13. Look up the type of plastic and base your sprinkler protection on the height and density.
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Eric R
1/11/2023 08:35:13 am
Be careful with SDS, as many of them don't get completed as much as they probably should be by manufacturers. The rules for creating SDS require the MFG to gather as much information as possible from available sources, but if no information can be found they aren't required to do anything besides document that fact.
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Glenn Berger
1/11/2023 08:36:47 am
Your comment stated that they are storing plastic containers. I am assuming the the SDS is for the commodity in the containers, and not the container themselves.
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Todd E Wyatt
1/11/2023 08:39:50 am
SDS Section 5 : Fire-Fighting Measures lists suitable extinguishing techniques, equipment; chemical hazards from fire. This section is written for the firefighter.
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Paul Pinigis
1/11/2023 08:43:13 am
The SDS is generally not written by, or with the input of, an FPE. The extinguishing methods may be valid, but I would put very little faith in them. I would pay attention to the unsuitable extinguishing options, but use the building code and NFPA 13 to define the appropriate extinguishing system.
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Anthony
1/11/2023 09:20:38 am
As others have mentioned the SDS sheet may have more to do with portable extinguisher selection type (A, B, C, D and K) than the over head sprinkler functionality.
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Jesse
1/11/2023 12:02:00 pm
I would be reluctant to determine suppression modality by using an SDS.
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